The Academy in an Uproar, Making a Name in Heaven Dou

In the warm glow of the campfire, Chen Jieqi tore off a piece of charred, fragrant bird meat and chewed it slowly.

He lifted his eyes to look at Dugu Yan, whose eyes were sparkling beside him, and lowered his voice.

"Sister Yanyan, I won't be going to the academy for the time being."

Dugu Yan's hand, which was holding a twig, paused, and she tilted her head to look at him.

"Not going? Then where are you going?"

"I'm going back to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to cultivate in peace."

Chen Jieqi set the bone in his hand aside and wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth with his fingertips.

"I'm only six and a half years old, and I've already reached level 23. Wouldn't that be telling everyone that there's something fishy about me?

Exposing myself so blatantly to others doesn't align with my Dao of Caution."

He paused, glanced at Dugu Bo, then turned back to look at Dugu Yan, his eyes filled with sincere warmth.

"Besides, I haven't fully mastered the Spirit Bone and spirit skills I possess yet. It won't be too late to consider joining an academy once I've raised my spirit power further and am a bit older.

By then, no matter which academy you go to, I'll be able to keep up and protect you."

Dugu Bo snorted from the side, but he added a piece of firewood to the fire, sending sparks flying.

"At least you're sensible, kid. You haven't let these immediate achievements go to your head; you know how to keep your edge hidden!"

Dugu Yan's cheeks flushed slightly. She shoved the most tender piece of roasted bird meat into his hand and muttered softly:

"Who asked for your protection...

But, it's probably for the best if you stay there, after all, you're still too young right now."

The morning mist had yet to dissipate, and dew hung from the leaves of the Sunlight Parasol Tree, dampening the hems of their trousers with a cool chill.

The three of them finished packing and stood in a clearing within the Yaori Forest Zone. Chen Jieqi took a deep breath.

"Hum--"

Golden light patterns emerged from his shoulder blades, and a pair of Wings of Light, over two meters long, burst through his clothes and suddenly unfurled.

The soft aura of light instantly blew away the morning mist, and the gilded light shimmering at the edges of his feathers was so bright under the morning sun that it was hard to keep one's eyes open.

"Be careful!"

Dugu Yan clutched her hem, unable to help but take half a step back, her eyes filled with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

Dugu Bo stood to the side with his hands behind his back, appearing nonchalant, yet his spirit power was quietly gathering, ready to assist at any moment.

Chen Jieqi flapped his wings gently. The wind swept the morning mist past him, lifting him slowly off the ground.

He stumbled a bit at first, but he shook his body, quickly steadied his mind, and adjusted the angle of his wings to catch the wind.

In the next second, like a golden sparrow returning to its nest, he skimmed lightly over the high canopy, carving a golden arc through the morning breeze.

"You did it!"

Dugu Yan couldn't help but clap and cheer, her voice full of joy.

Chen Jieqi looked back from mid-air, the sunlight falling on his smiling face, coating even his silver hair in a layer of warm gold.

"Grandpa, Sister Yanyan, look!

I can fly!"

He tried to accelerate, his Wings of Light trailing behind him like a stream of light, nearly catching up to the birds darting through the forest. Even Dugu Bo couldn't help but nod.

"At this speed, I'm afraid it's no slower than some four-ring flying spirit masters."

Chen Jieqi nearly landed like an albatross; he leaned on his knees, panting heavily, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"...After all, having lived two lifetimes, this is the first time I've truly flown."

He looked up at the distant morning light, complex emotions churning in his eyes. The images in his memory were becoming increasingly blurred; perhaps the desire to return was becoming...

Dugu Yan leaned in, her eyes sparkling.

"Lived two lifetimes? Little Brother Xiao Qi, have you flown before?"

"You could say that... I've flown in my dreams."

Chen Jieqi smiled.

"I always wanted to see the scenery from up high, and now I've finally touched it for real."

Dugu Bo watched from the side with his arms crossed, a flash of contemplation in his eyes, followed by a tone of realization.

"Alright, get ready to head back."

Dugu Bo turned around first, and Chen Jieqi and Dugu Yan followed side-by-side, occasionally whispering to each other.

"Don't dawdle, keep up."

Dugu Bo's voice drifted from ahead. He slowed his pace, and after the two caught up, he added, "On the way back, we might encounter sporadic century-level spirit beasts. Xiao Qi, you can try using your new spirit skill to practice and get familiar with your power."

Chen Jieqi nodded solemnly, "Alright, thank you, Grandfather. I will take this opportunity to refine my coordination between my spirit skills and spirit bone."

The figures of the three slowly faded into the distance as they headed away from the Corona Forest.

In front of the main gate of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the flow of people was endless, with students in uniform walking by in a hurry, Until a tall and imposing figure, accompanied by a young girl, walked over slowly. The bustle in front of the gate was instantly pressed onto the pause button, The arrivals were none other than Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, returning from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in the Sunset Forest.

Dugu Bo walked in the lead, his ink-green robe fluttering without wind. Although he deliberately restrained the pressure of a Title Douluo, he still carried an aura that kept strangers at a distance, Passing students and teachers stopped one after another, their eyes filled with awe. Everyone recognized that this old man was the Title Douluo Dugu Bo—a guest elder of the Heaven Dou Empire!

Beside him, Dugu Yan stood tall, her brow carrying a newfound steadiness, possessing a weight that differed from her usual delicate charm.

Ignoring the various reactions of the crowd, the two walked directly toward the Education Committee hall of the academy.

The Education Committee hall of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was quiet and solemn, with sandalwood incense curling in the air. Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin, the three committee members, were sitting around a table discussing matters, Suddenly, The respectful voice of an attendant from outside the hall arrived:

"Three committee members, His Excellency Dugu and Miss Dugu Yan have arrived!"

Before the words had even faded, the hall doors were pushed open slowly. The three committee members stopped their conversation in unison, looked up, and their expressions instantly froze, filled with incredulous shock.

Dugu Bo, walking in the front, looked like a completely new person since he had purged the snake venom.

In the past, although he was imposing, he always carried a certain stiffness. While his aura was strong, it was always filled with a pungent, sweet, and fishy scent, But today, his original emerald-green hair and beard had turned a normal snow-white, and his withered, stiff face had softened, Most startling of all was the temperament and pressure surrounding him. The pressure of a Title Douluo was no longer deliberately concealed; it was like a sleeping giant beast quietly awakening, Invisible waves of energy spread slowly, causing the air in the entire Education Committee hall to become stagnant and heavy, even causing tiny ripples to appear in the tea on the table.

The three committee members were all Spirit Douluo-level powerhouses, yet they were still forced to hold their breath slightly under this pressure, Meng Shenji, the head of the three committee members, had eyes full of shock, "Your Excellency Dugu... what is this?"

"I had a small realization and made a breakthrough!"

Looking at the shocked people before him, Dugu Bo smiled slightly, Immediately after, Dugu Yan stepped forward and bowed respectfully:

"Greetings to the three committee members. I have made a breakthrough recently, so I have returned to cancel my leave."

Bai Baoshan's hand, which had been stroking his beard, paused, his gaze lingering on Dugu Yan for a long time, "Student Dugu Yan, your temperament and appearance have changed so much. Have you advanced to a Soul Elder?"

Zhilin also spoke with amazement in his tone, "Student Dugu Yan, you are only 13 years old this year, and you have already broken through to become a Soul Elder!"

"Yes, I am currently a level 34 Soul Elder, and my martial soul has evolved from the 'Jade Phosphor Snake' to the 'Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon'."

Dugu Yan nodded slightly, her tone calm yet unable to hide her confidence.

She then activated her Martial Soul Possession. A single horn grew on her forehead, dark golden dragon scales covered her body, and her palms transformed into dragon claws—all of which clearly displayed the brand-new state of her evolved martial soul, Two yellow and one purple spirit ring swirled slowly around her, further confirming her strength as a Soul Elder.

Dugu Bo raised his hand slightly, and the pressure around him receded a little, causing the stagnant air in the hall to slowly ease. His tone was flat, yet carried an unquestionable aura, "I took Yanyan back for half a year this time. We were fortunate to encounter an opportunity, and both her martial soul and strength have improved slightly."

He did not explain further, turning instead to state his purpose, "Coming here today, one reason is to let the three committee members know that Yanyan has already broken through to become a Soul Elder, The second is to cancel her previous long-term leave. She will officially return to the academy tomorrow to continue her cultivation and studies."

The three committee members then exchanged glances, seeing shock and importance in each other's eyes.

Meng Shenji smiled and congratulated her:

"Student Dugu Yan, there is no need for such formalities. Advancing to a Soul Elder at such a young age already makes you a prodigy. Now that both you and His Excellency Dugu have made such progress, it is truly a joyous occasion.

We will arrange the cancellation of your long-term leave immediately, And I guarantee that from now on, the academy will tilt its greatest resources toward your cultivation."

Bai Baoshan and Zhilin also nodded repeatedly:

"Indeed!"

"That is exactly as it should be!"

"From this day forward, you shall enjoy the highest priority for all of the academy's simulated cultivation environments and teaching resources!"

Hearing this, Dugu Bo smiled slightly, only then satisfied enough to retract a portion of his pressure.

What he wanted was precisely this attitude—

He wanted to tell the world that his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, possessed explosive talent and was under the top-tier cultivation and protection of both himself and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

He also wanted the petty scoundrels lurking in the shadows to restrain their boldness and weigh the consequences.

Dugu Yan bowed slightly, her manners impeccable:

"Many thanks to the three committee members for your great kindness. Dugu Yan will certainly not fail the academy's cultivation."

Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction and said no more. With a flicker of his figure, he vanished from the Education Committee hall in an instant.

The condensation of his Soul Core had doubled his strength, and even his departure carried an unquestionable sense of ease.

Inside the hall, the three committee members stared at the empty doorway, unable to recover for a long time.

Meng Shenji stroked his long beard, his tone filled with complex amazement:

"What a Dugu Bo, what a Dugu Yan...

To think that in just half a year, there has been such a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering change."

Zhilin looked at Dugu Yan, the admiration in his eyes practically overflowing:

"A thirteen-and-a-half-year-old Soul Elder, whose martial soul has even evolved into a Sub-Dragon Species—with talent like this, even the Golden Generation of the Martial Soul Hall might not necessarily be able to suppress her!"

Bai Baoshan made the final decision immediately, nodding repeatedly.

After Dugu Yan left the Education Committee, the news spread as if it had grown wings...