Joining Heavenly Dou

As soon as the Lu Chen trio entered the mountain, they saw three old men already waiting for them on the mountain road.

The three old men were all wearing black robes, embroidered with strange patterns in golden silk threads, making them appear extremely solemn.

Lu Chen, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing quickly approached and stood before Meng Shenji and the other two.

Lu Chen, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing respectfully said in unison, "Junior greets Senior!"

Meng Shenji laughed heartily, placing his aged hands on Lu Chen's shoulders, his eyes full of praise. "As expected of Jin Nian's grandson! Such a distinguished bearing. From today onwards, you are students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

Looking at Meng Shenji's enthusiastic demeanor, Lu Chen secretly wondered, What is Grandpa's relationship with this Meng Shenji? He's a bit too enthusiastic, isn't he?

Meng Shenji led the three into the mountain.

Lu Chen and Xiao Wu got to witness what a "Royal Academy" truly was.

The mountain climbing stone steps of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were all made of white marble, carved into works of art. Along the way, pavilions and towers with flying eaves and brackets, and gilded tile surfaces gleamed under the sunlight.

Meng Shenji slowly spoke, "Heaven Dou Royal Academy holds the title of the First Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire. The academy has over five hundred students and more than fifty teachers. Its teaching staff is the most formidable in the Heaven Dou Empire..."

Meng Shenji led everyone to the Committee of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

He took out three crystal balls for testing soul power and handed them to Lu Chen, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing, saying, "Let's test your soul power! The academy will provide corresponding resources based on your soul power level."

Lu Chen nodded. The three crystals lit up with a dazzling blue light, instantly enveloping the entire room.

"Level Forty-Five!"

"Level Thirty-Two!"

"Level Thirty!"

Three exclamations came from Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin, who were beside Meng Shenji.

Meng Shenji nodded and said, "Very good! From today onwards, Lu Chen, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing, you three are Tiandou Level students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

The students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were divided into three tiers. Newly enrolled students and those with soul power below Level 25 were the first tier, named Tianwei Level. Those between Level 25 and Level 30 were another tier, Tianzhi Level. Above Level 30, they entered the highest tier, Tiandou Level. Tiandou Level students could choose a teacher to study under, and the academy would also help them hunt for soul rings below Six Rings. Of course, various cultivation resources would also be prioritized for Tiandou Level students.

Meng Shenji then looked at Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin beside him and said lightly, "Do you have any objections?"

"No objections!" Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin said in unison.

Although Heaven Dou Royal Academy held the title of the First Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire, it had produced very few powerful soul masters in recent years. Its status was gradually declining, and the roughly five hundred students in the academy were basically the children of nobility from the empire and its affiliated kingdoms, with mixed character and talent. The appearance of the Lu Chen trio was like timely rain; how could they possibly disagree!

Meng Shenji gave the two "eager for talent" old men a look and slowly said, "Then, is the matter I prepared for Lu Chen and the others feasible?"

Bai Baoshan's aged face was full of smiles as he said, "Of course, it's feasible!"

Meng Shenji took out three storage soul tools and handed them to the Lu Chen trio, saying, "Inside are the Tiandou Level student uniforms, as well as tokens leading to various mimicry training grounds. With these tokens, you will have priority in using the mimicry training environments."

Lu Chen took the rings and glanced at them, thinking to himself: What a generous gesture. Inside are not only the items Meng Shenji mentioned but also a Gold Soul Card with a face value of ten thousand.

Mimicry training grounds allow soul masters to cultivate their martial souls in the most suitable environment. The stronger the martial soul and the greater its potential, the more benefits they will gain from training in a mimicry environment. This was also one of the important reasons why Lu Chen chose to come to Heaven Dou Royal Soul Master Academy.

Afterward, Meng Shenji led the Lu Chen trio to their living quarters. As Tiandou Level students, they had independent dormitories. Lu Chen, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing were arranged by Meng Shenji in a magnificent villa.

"According to Jin Nian's wishes in his letter, for convenience, the three of you will live together." Meng Shenji glanced meaningfully at Lu Chen as he said this.

Lu Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly changed the subject, "Senior Meng, what is your relationship with my grandfather?"

Meng Shenji slowly replied, "Jin Nian is my junior brother. By seniority, you should call me Granduncle."

"Ah?" Lu Chen and the other two were all startled and looked at each other.

Meng Shenji continued, "If Jin Nian hadn't been injured saving me back then, damaging his foundation, how could he have remained stuck at the Soul Ancestor realm?" As Meng Shenji spoke, his aged eyes were filled with regret and sadness, and his voice deepened.

"The three of you should study with peace of mind at Heaven Dou Royal Academy! Get a good rest today, and choose your teachers tomorrow." Meng Shenji then looked at Zhu Zhuqing and said, "Tomorrow, I will personally take you to Sunset Forest to obtain your third soul ring."

Zhu Zhuqing quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Senior Meng!"

Meng Shenji waved his hand and said, "Like Lu Chen, you can just call me Granduncle."

Zhu Zhuqing heard this and secretly glanced at Lu Chen from the corner of her eye, her cheeks slightly flushed. She hesitated and said, "Th-thank you, Granduncle."

Meng Shenji nodded with satisfaction, then urged the three to cultivate diligently before turning to leave.

The villa came with a small courtyard, and within the courtyard was an open space, enough for Lu Chen, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing to spar with each other.

The three quickly chose their respective rooms. Xiao Wu's and Lu Chen's rooms were right next to each other, while Zhu Zhuqing chose a room opposite Lu Chen's.

At the same time, in the Sunset Forest, within the Ice Fire Two Elements Spring.

Dugu Bo stared at the letter written by Prince Xue Xing, his hands trembling slightly. "That kid... is still alive!"

Dugu Bo hurried to his granddaughter's side and placed the letter in front of Dugu Yan, saying in a deep voice, "Yan Yan, that kid Lu Chen is really alive, and his cultivation is very possibly that of a Soul Ancestor now!"

Dugu Yan looked at the contents of the letter. It roughly stated that Heaven Dou Royal Academy had recently accepted three new students, one of whom was named Lu Chen. His martial soul was the Blood Nether Sword, and his Soul Power Level was possibly above Level 40.

To prevent the First Prince Xue Qinghe's influence from growing stronger, he wanted to invite Dugu Bo to drive away Lu Chen and the other two.

After Dugu Yan finished reading, the letter slipped from her hand and fell to the ground due to her excitement. Tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

Over the years, every time she closed her eyes, she would remember the scene of Lu Chen being captured by the Titan Giant Ape.

Two lines of clear tears slid down her face. Dugu Yan looked at her grandfather, her tone laced with a threat, "Grandfather, if you really drive Lu Chen out of the academy, Yan Zi will never speak to you again in this life!"

Dugu Bo conjured a ball of green mist in his hand and struck the letter and the carrier pigeon by the window side.

Dugu Bo slowly opened his mouth and said, "This old man didn't receive any letter. Lu Chen? Who is Lu Chen?"

Even if Xue Xing had shown him kindness, it couldn't compare to the weight of his own granddaughter in his heart.