Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Ye Tianming's worst fear had come true.

Long Chen's first Soul Skill, Demonic Sound Summons Taotie, would expose his Devour Ability if he used it against other Soul Masters.

That was far too dangerous for him.

Ye Tianming immediately decided not to send Long Chen to the Royal Academy for the time being. He didn't want Long Chen to be treated as an oddity and ostracized, which might affect his state of mind.

The most important thing now was to guide Long Chen as he grew and keep him on the right path.

Ye Tianming looked around and said,

"It's getting late. Xiao Chen, Lingling, you two should go inside and get some sleep. I'll keep watch."

"All right. Thanks for your hard work, Uncle Ye."

Long Chen and Ye Lingling went into the tent they had set up earlier and lay down beside each other.

Ye Lingling whispered,

"Long Chen Bro, your first Soul Skill is amazing."

Long Chen smiled.

"Weren't you scared when you saw that fierce beast?"

"No. You were the one who summoned it."

"Lingling, I'll use that beast to protect you. It's late, so you should get some sleep."

"Mm."

Looking at Ye Lingling's young face, Long Chen thought about what she might go through in the future.

He knew that, according to the timeline, Ye Lingling would become a member of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team and lose a Soul Fighting match at the Suotuo City Great Soul Arena to Shrek Team, led by Tang San and Dai Mubai.

During that match, Tang San would threaten Ye Lingling.

Later, in the Finals of the Soul Master Competition, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team would suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of the Spirit Hall Academy Team. Xie Yue would mercilessly attack every member of the team, leaving them badly injured. Ye Lingling would be no exception.

Long Chen silently vowed to protect Ye Lingling, who treated him like family, and make sure no such tragedy ever befell her.

The next day, Ye Tianming took Long Chen and Ye Lingling away from Sunset Forest.

After they returned home, Ye Tianming told Ye Susu everything that had happened in Sunset Forest.

Ye Susu was shocked when she heard the story.

"Xiao Chen's first Soul Skill is so strange. The Human-Faced Demon Sheep turned into a Taotie. Could it be because of his Mutated Martial Soul?"

"I don't know. According to him, the Taotie has a powerful Devour Ability. It can ignore any Hundred-Year Soul Skill, and even devour and weaken Soul Skills that are more powerful. That's an incredibly frightening Soul Skill."

"Yes, it is."

Ye Susu was also worried about Long Chen's future.

"Brother Tianming, we can't let Xiao Chen reveal his special ability to everyone too soon."

"You're right. That's why I've decided not to send him to an academy yet."

"Then we'll teach him ourselves?"

"Mm. Until he can protect himself, we have to keep him safe and guide him in the right direction. He's more mature than other children his age. I believe he won't fall into darkness."

That evening, Long Chen was cultivating in his room when he suddenly heard a knock at the door.

It was Ye Tianming.

"Uncle Ye, you're still awake?"

"Mm. I came to check on you. You're still up, too."

"I was just cultivating."

Ye Tianming smiled and nodded.

"Xiao Chen, I came to tell you that we won't be sending you to the Royal Academy for now."

"Okay. I'll follow your arrangements."

Ye Tianming patted Long Chen on the shoulder and said earnestly,

"Xiao Chen, you're a sensible child. It's time we told you what we've been worried about.

"Your Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul is a mutation, and it possesses a powerful Evil Attribute.

"If you can't control that evil power and let your Heart Demon take over, you'll slaughter people indiscriminately. Then Spirit Hall will suppress you—or even kill you.

"Your first Soul Skill has a Devour effect. That ability comes from its Evil Attribute.

"You mustn't show it casually in front of outsiders, or you'll put yourself in danger.

"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy has a better Mimicry Environment and more resources for cultivation, but I don't want your ability to be revealed to the public too soon.

"I hope you understand that your aunt and I are doing this for your own good."

Long Chen nodded and smiled.

"Uncle Ye, I understand how much you and Auntie care about me. I'll cultivate at home, then. With you guiding me, it'll be just as good."

"I'll arrange special training tailored to your needs."

"Okay. But doesn't that mean Lingling will have to go to the academy alone?"

"Yes. I'll talk it over with her."

"Uncle Ye, let me speak with her."

"That might be best. She may be more willing to listen to you. All right, it's getting late. You should get some rest, too."

After Ye Tianming left, Long Chen lay in bed, thinking about his plans.

He knew Ye Tianming's concerns were justified.

Given his current situation, even if he went to the Royal Academy, the other students would ostracize him because of his special ability.

The students at Heaven Dou Royal Academy were all children of wealthy and powerful families—aristocrats among aristocrats. Most were arrogant and proud.

Long Chen had no desire to deal with them, either.

If he didn't attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he would lose the chance to get close to Dugu Yan, let alone enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Still, Long Chen would find another way.

There were nearly ten years left. He would prepare in advance and work hard to carry out his plan.

The next day, Long Chen went to see Ye Lingling.

"Lingling, I can't go with you to the Royal Academy for now."

"Why not?"

"The abilities my Martial Soul gave me aren't suitable for cultivating at an academy."

Long Chen then explained the reasons in detail.

Ye Lingling felt a little disappointed when she heard everything.

Long Chen comforted her.

"Lingling, it'll be all right even if you go to the academy alone. It's just outside Heaven Dou City, and I'll come visit you often."

"Mm, I understand."

Though Ye Lingling felt a little helpless, she understood.

She knew her parents were doing this for Long Chen's sake.

A few days later, Long Chen and Ye Tianming accompanied Ye Lingling to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy wasn't inside Heaven Dou City. It was just outside the city, not far away.

The academy had been built outside the capital to keep its luxury from distracting the students from cultivation. More importantly, there wasn't enough room in Heaven Dou City for such a large academy.

The academy didn't have all that many students, but its many well-equipped facilities took up a lot of space.

Building it outside the city was clearly the better choice.

Led by Ye Tianming, Long Chen and Ye Lingling arrived at the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The academy was located on a mountain. A forest lay behind it, and a lake sat at the foot of the mountain to the left. Both were under the academy's management.

Ye Tianming smiled.

"This place is nestled among mountains and water, and the surroundings are lovely. It's less than twenty kilometers from the capital, Heaven Dou City. It's a great location. Lingling, study hard here from now on."

"Mm, I will."

"Come on. I'll take you inside."