The Academy Appears, First Display of Talent!

The next day, as dawn broke, the morning dew hung heavy in the air.

While Chen Jieqi sat cross-legged in meditation and prayer, a figure had already arrived quietly outside the hut, his aura perfectly rounded and seamless, much like an ordinary old man.

He stood tall and straight as a pine, showing no signs of aging; instead, he appeared even more spirited and vigorous than he had five years ago.

His long, raven-black hair was streaked with a few strands of frost, devoid of the withered, disheveled look of the past.

The old man's complexion was warm and healthy, with no trace of the grey, eerie toxin deposits that had once plagued him.

Those iconic emerald eyes of his were now clear and profound.

His inner radiance was restrained, his gaze sharp yet calm and steady, having long since shed all sinister and evil traits, leaving only the dignity and clarity unique to a Title Douluo.

He stood outside the hut, his gaze passing through the window lattice, and as he felt the holy and peaceful aura of the youth inside, a gentle arc tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Not long after, Under the old man's watchful gaze, Chen Jieqi was about to conclude his prayer.

He appeared focused and devout, his left palm pressed to the ground, his right hand over his heart, the Heart of the Naaru between his brows glowing faintly as he whispered a hymn:

"The Holy Light is with me!"

As the words fell, the Holy Light around Chen Jieqi slowly receded. He opened his eyes, stood up, and pushed open the door.

At a glance, he saw Dugu Bo standing outside and hurriedly apologized:

"Grandfather, I've kept you waiting!"

Dugu Bo walked forward with a smile, his gaze landing on him with warmth, his tone filled with pride.

"Grandfather only just arrived; there is no rush on the road. Your meditation and prayer are more important!"

Chen Jieqi straightened the hem of his white robe and nodded in response:

"Grandfather, then let's set off. My things were packed earlier, and there isn't much else to bring."

"Good, keep up!"

Deep within the Sunset Forest, the poisonous miasma gradually dissipated. Clouds surged across the horizon, and the morning light pierced through the foliage, casting dappled, golden fragments across the forest floor.

Dugu Bo stood in the air, his black hair tied into a high bun, his eyes fixed toward the southeast—

That was the direction of Tiantou City, and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was situated on a hillside not far from the city.

Beside him, Chen Jieqi had already channeled his soul power. Golden light erupted from his back, tearing through the morning mist as a pair of pure golden wings, over two meters long, burst forth from his clothes, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.

Gilded Holy Light flowed across the surface of the wings, and the snow-white feather bones condensed with pure holy power; this was the full manifestation of his external soul bone, the Wings of Light.

As they flapped, the gentle Holy Light drifted down like a fine mist, purifying all remaining poison and malice wherever it passed, making even the air feel fresh.

"Let's go."

Dugu Bo darted out first, his figure like a streak of ink-colored light.

Chen Jieqi followed closely behind, his wings flapping lightly, the Holy Light trailing with him. The ancient, towering trees of the Sunset Forest below retreated rapidly.

Mountains and ravines became mere miniatures beneath their feet. The two of them, one after the other, streaked across the sky toward Tiantou City.

Dugu Bo's posture was upright. Although he lacked the aid of wings for flight, after condensing his Soul Core, his soul power was vast and enduring, making his aerial flight effortless.

His flight speed was even several times faster than before, and his aura was perfectly integrated and restrained, making him appear refined and transcendent.

Chen Jieqi followed at his side, his two-meter golden wings flapping with ease. The gilded Holy Light on the wings flowed more intensely, carving a soft golden line through the wind.

The two moved one after the other, weaving through the rolling clouds, neither fast nor slow, yet possessing an undeniable momentum.

They paused briefly along the way, and after half an hour...

The wind gradually eased. Looking into the distance, the magnificent outline of Tiantou City had already appeared on the horizon. Green bricks and dark tiles stretched for miles, and amidst the swirling clouds and mist, the grandeur of the empire was evident.

Not far away, the glazed tile roofs of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy shimmered under the sunlight, golden and brilliant, visible from afar.

Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed slightly. He retracted his soul power, his figure hovering steadily in mid-air before slowing down to land.

He turned his head and instructed Chen Jieqi in a low voice:

"Xiao Qi, we will arrive at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in a moment.

Remember, restrain the aura of your wings; do not let others find out."

Chen Jieqi nodded in agreement, and the Heart of the Naaru mark between his brows flashed with a faint light.

In an instant, the intense Holy Light flowing on his wings receded like a tide, and the dazzling pair of pure golden wings faded along with it.

Finally, they vanished without a trace, leaving only a faint, peaceful aura about him, instantly transforming him into the appearance of an ordinary young soul master.

"Let's go."

Dugu Bo then took Chen Jieqi, flying through the air toward the Heaven Dou Royal Academy outside Tiantou City.

Not long after, Chen Jieqi looked out to see the entire mountain occupied by the academy. Eaves and corners were layered upon one another, the glazed tiles gleaming with golden light under the sun. The architecture was magnificent and imposing.

Guards clad in armor stood solemnly on both sides, highlighting the supreme prestige of the Heaven Dou Empire's Royal Academy.

Dugu Bo did not pause, taking Chen Jieqi directly past the main gate and landing in the plaza at the front of the academy.

The guards saw it was Dugu Bo and immediately bowed in salute, not daring to obstruct him in the slightest, their voices respectful:

"Greetings, Your Excellency Dugu."

Chen Jieqi followed at Dugu Bo's side, his white martial outfit spotless and his long silver hair draped over his shoulders; due to the terrifying aura of the old man beside him, he appeared exceptionally striking.

Without stopping, Along the way, every student and instructor who saw Dugu Bo's upright figure bowed in salute; no one dared to step forward to block his path, and even fewer dared to ask a single question.

Dugu Bo looked straight ahead, his footsteps steady, walking directly toward the depths of the academy...

Two guards at the level of Spirit King stood at the entrance of the grand hall, their auras steady and their gazes sharp.

Seeing Dugu Bo approach, they immediately bowed in salute and respectfully pushed open the heavy doors.

"Your Excellency Dugu, please enter."

The hall was spacious and bright, the floor covered in a dark red carpet; stepping onto it was silent, as even the sound of footsteps was completely swallowed.

Directly ahead was a high dais, upon which sat three carved chairs with backs etched in intricate cloud patterns, exuding the nobility of the Royal Academy.

Seated on the chairs were three old men, the three Education Commissioners of Heaven Dou Royal Academy:

Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin.

The three were originally in the middle of a discussion, but sensing the aura entering, they looked up in unison.

It was no wonder the three Education Commissioners were so solemn;

It stemmed from a year ago, when Dugu Bo broke through to level 94 and personally invited the Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan to a duel.

Relying on the deep foundation and endurance brought by his Soul Core, he dragged Yue Guan into a war of attrition, The poison mist of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor intertwined with the power of the Soul Core to form a relentless offensive, keeping the level 95 Yue Guan constantly suppressed until he finally had to admit he was at a disadvantage.

After this battle, the title of "weakest Title Douluo" for Dugu Bo became history, Replaced by the resounding fame of the "Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor"!

It was precisely this battle that made the three Education Commissioners of Heaven Dou Royal Academy increasingly respectful, and even fearful, toward this guest elder of the empire.

The three immediately stood up, their faces instantly filled with respectful expressions as they hurried forward.

Meng Shenji, as the chief, spoke first, his tone carrying a touch of deliberate courtesy and unconcealable awe:

"Your Excellency Dugu, your arrival is an honor; please forgive us for failing to welcome you properly."

Dugu Bo waved his hand, his tone flat yet carrying an unquestionable majesty:

"No need for formalities. I did not come today for small talk; I am here to deliver a genius to you."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo stepped aside to reveal Chen Jieqi behind him, his heavy gaze falling upon the three Education Commissioners as he stated clearly, word for word:

"His name is Chen Jieqi, my grandson.

His martial soul is the Heart of the Naaru, and he possesses Innate Full Soul Power. You need not test him; process his enrollment immediately."

The gazes of the three Education Commissioners instantly fell upon Chen Jieqi, and seeing the boy's cold and ethereal appearance, a flash of surprise crossed their eyes.

Bai Baoshan, being the most straightforward, could not help but ask:

"Your Excellency Dugu, is this the younger brother that student Dugu Yan often mentions, the child with the ultimate light and holy attribute?"

Dugu Bo nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of pride:

"Yes!"

Meng Shenji and Zhilin exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.

Meng Shenji hurriedly stepped forward, his tone respectful:

"Since Your Excellency says so, we shall verify his martial soul directly, and once confirmed, we will immediately process the enrollment procedures for student Chen."

Dugu Bo turned his head to the side:

"Xiao Qi, show them your martial soul."

"Understood, Grandfather!"

Chen Jieqi stepped forward, and the pale gold Heart of the Naaru mark between his brows suddenly lit up.

The next second, the light at the mark surged, condensing into a crystal-clear golden crystal aggregate, shaped like a tangram, hovering above his head.

The center of the crystal emitted a soft and warm golden light, shining brilliantly, surrounded by countless tiny light crystals like stars, sacred and dazzling.

Almost simultaneously, four spirit rings rose slowly from beneath his feet, circulating in order:

Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black.

That final pitch-black ten-thousand-year spirit ring carried a majestic power of light, making the entire Education Commission hall bright and soft, as if the very air had been purified.

The three Education Commissioners looked at that ten-thousand-year spirit ring, their shock no longer concealable; Meng Shenji even couldn't help but gasp:

"Not yet twelve years old...

A thousand-year second ring...

A ten-thousand-year fourth spirit ring...!"