Very few students at Heaven Dou Royal Academy had any real talent. Most had gotten in through connections or their noble status.
As a result, the academy was widely regarded as "an institution with the title of the number one academy in the Heaven Dou Empire, but without the strength to match."
The Royal Academy of the other great empire, the Star Luo Empire, was completely different.
The Star Luo Empire was known for its iron discipline and powerful military, and it placed great emphasis on training talented fighters.
Every student at Star Luo Royal Academy had earned their place through their own strength. The academy had not only the title of the number one academy in the Star Luo Empire, but also the strength to back it up.
At the recently concluded All Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, Star Luo Royal Academy had claimed the championship.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy hadn't even made it into the top five.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family cared about its reputation, too.
Royal Academy had the Heaven Dou Empire's finest training resources and teaching staff, so naturally it wanted to achieve better results in the upcoming Soul Master Competition.
Beyond the children of the nobility, the academy also wanted to recruit talent from all over.
Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters had little offensive power and were exceedingly rare, but their healing ability was unrivaled. For many years, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family had protected them, and they lived in Heaven Dou City.
The teachers at Royal Academy had already spoken with Ye Tianming. If Ye Lingling awakened the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, he was to send her to the academy.
As Ye Lingling's strength grew, she would gain powerful healing abilities. This was extremely important to a team, as it could keep them fighting for longer.
After explaining the reason for his visit, Ye Tianming entered the academy with a guard leading the way.
As an Advanced Soul Master Academy founded by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, it had top-tier facilities in every respect.
Even the stone steps leading up the mountain were carved from White Marble. Each step bore a different Soul Beast design, all exquisitely crafted and luxurious.
The guard told them that Heaven Dou Royal Academy had nearly a hundred Mimicry Training Grounds of all kinds, suitable for training almost every type of Soul Master.
The three of them were shown to a reception room.
A short while later, a middle-aged man about Ye Tianming's age came over.
"Brother Tianming, you finally made it."
"Zhicheng, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
"Good. Everything's good."
The man was named Liu Zhicheng. He was a friend of Ye Tianming's and worked at the academy.
Teachers at Heaven Dou Royal Academy were divided into three ranks.
Those with Soul Power between level forty and fifty were Tianwei Rank teachers.
Those between level fifty and sixty were Tianzhi Rank teachers.
Those above level sixty were Tiandou Rank teachers.
Liu Zhicheng had reached level sixty-eight in Soul Power. He was an Assault System War Soul Emperor and a Tiandou Rank teacher.
After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Zhicheng's eyes fell on Long Chen and Ye Lingling.
"These two children have grown up."
"Yes. The last time you saw them must have been about three years ago. They probably don't remember you."
As Ye Tianming spoke, he gave Long Chen and Ye Lingling a look.
The two understood at once and hurriedly bowed to Liu Zhicheng.
"Hello, Uncle Liu."
Liu Zhicheng smiled and nodded.
"Brother Tianming, if I'm not mistaken, both children have considerable Innate Soul Power. They might become some of our finest students one day."
"Zhicheng, only Lingling is here to study at the academy this time."
"What? Then what about him?"
Liu Zhicheng looked puzzled.
He could clearly sense that Long Chen's Soul Power was even more substantial than Ye Lingling's.
"Zhicheng, Xiao Chen's body has been having some problems. Once he's recovered, I might send him here as well."
Ye Tianming made up an excuse on the spot.
"I see. His studies can wait. His health is more important."
"Zhicheng, if you have time, could you show us around the academy? I'd like to see what kind of environment Lingling will be studying in."
"Of course. Come with me."
With Liu Zhicheng leading the way, they toured the academy and saw all kinds of Mimicry Training Grounds.
As evening fell, the three stayed overnight, arrangements made by Liu Zhicheng.
The next day, Liu Zhicheng came to see Ye Tianming.
The academy's senior staff had heard that Ye Lingling's Innate Soul Power was at level eight and wanted to meet her.
So, with Liu Zhicheng leading the way, Ye Tianming took Ye Lingling to the senior staff's office.
Long Chen stayed outside.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy was under the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Its nominal dean was Xue Ye, so it had no dean's position.
The Teaching Committee, made up of the three most senior and powerful Tiandou Rank teachers, formed the academy's leadership.
Apart from major matters that required approval from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, they made all other decisions themselves.
They were delighted to meet Ye Lingling.
After all, Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters possessed unmatched Group Healing Ability.
What's more, Ye Lingling had level-eight Innate Soul Power.
This meant she was very likely to become one of the finest Soul Masters of the academy's younger generation. She might even become a key member of the academy's team and represent it in the Soul Master Competition.
Quite a while later, Ye Tianming and Ye Lingling finally came out.
Long Chen said:
"Uncle Ye, it looks like the academy takes Lingling's arrival very seriously."
Ye Tianming smiled and nodded, proud of Ye Lingling.
"The three senior teachers are all humble and kind. They want to train even better students for the academy. And with Teacher Liu here, I feel much more at ease leaving Lingling to study here."
Then, with Liu Zhicheng leading the way, the three of them went to Ye Lingling's dormitory.
The boys' and girls' dormitories were separate.
Like the teachers, students were divided into three ranks.
New students with Soul Power below level twenty-five were Tianhui Rank.
Those with Soul Power between level twenty-five and thirty were Tianzhi Rank.
Those above level thirty were Tiandou Rank.
Tiandou Rank students were generally older and enjoyed private rooms.
Ye Lingling had just joined the academy and was still Tianhui Rank. Since she was young, she had to share with other female students.
It was a clean, spacious, and rather luxurious four-person room.
Ye Tianming and Liu Zhicheng were chatting outside, probably asking him to take good care of Ye Lingling.
Long Chen helped Ye Lingling make her bed.
"Lingling, this Royal Academy really is something else. You can focus on your studies here. Uncle Ye and I will come visit you often."
"Mm, I know."
As they were talking, a girl walked over.
She looked about ten years old, with short dark-purple hair and green eyes. She had a bold, striking look and an almost eerie air about her.
"Oh, we've got a new roommate."
The girl's gaze swept over Ye Lingling and Long Chen before finally settling on Ye Lingling.
"Hello, I'm Dugu Yan, the Head of Dorm for this room."
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