"This is... an Ultimate Light-and-Holiness Martial Soul?!"
Zhilin's hands paused slightly, and deep shock flashed in his eyes. Even his voice began to tremble.
He had lived for most of his life, yet had never seen such a pure Light Martial Soul. Its sacred aura had even calmed the mind of a Soul Douluo like him.
"And he even broke convention with a thousand-year second Soul Ring and a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring—
Unmatched in all the ages,
a prodigy unmatched in all the ages!"
Meng Shenji and Bai Baoshan were no less astonished. They stared fixedly at Chen Jieqi's Heart of the Naaru and that pitch-black Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.
Not yet twelve, and already with a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring...
Such talent was unheard of—not only at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but throughout the entire Douluo Continent!
Disbelief filled their eyes, then gave way to wild joy.
With Dugu Yan already in their ranks, they had been confident of reaching the final round of the next Soul Master Tournament.
Now they had a younger brother even more exceptional than Dugu Yan. Winning the Soul Master Tournament might not be out of reach after all!
Such talent was truly a blessing for the empire!!!
Dugu Bo watched the three men's astonished expressions, his face utterly calm, as if he had expected this all along. He spoke mildly,
"Well?
You can tell Xiao Qi is talented without testing him, can't you?"
The three members of the Education Committee quickly collected themselves and nodded repeatedly, their expressions even more respectful.
"Lord Dugu, you flatter us!
Student Chen's talent is unparalleled. There's no need for a test; we're fully convinced!"
Meng Shenji stepped forward excitedly.
"We'll arrange Student Chen's enrollment right away and place him directly in the Tiandou Elite Class, with the best mentors and cultivation resources!"
Bai Baoshan and Zhilin nodded repeatedly as well, their eyes full of admiration and expectation as they looked at Chen Jieqi.
"No need for 'the best'!"
Dugu Bo interrupted him, his tone firm. His gaze settled on Chen Jieqi, carrying a note of certainty.
"Xiao Qi has his own way of cultivating. Just arrange the cultivation resources, then have him join the Imperial Fighting Team directly."
"We'll do as you command, Lord Dugu!"
The three members of the Education Committee replied at once, without the slightest hesitation.
As a peerless prodigy and Dugu Yan's younger brother, joining the Imperial Fighting Team and fighting alongside the academy's finest students—
It was undoubtedly the best arrangement for Chen Jieqi. It would hone his combat skills while allowing him to build teamwork ahead of time.
Meng Shenji turned and strode over to a counter nearby. He personally retrieved an enrollment token engraved with a golden phoenix and a silver badge.
It was the badge of the Tiandou Elite Class. Only the academy's most gifted students could earn one. Fine cloud patterns were carved along its edge, symbolizing the highest honor of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Meng Shenji presented the token and badge to Chen Jieqi with both hands, smiling warmly.
"Student Chen Jieqi, welcome to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"Starting today, you're a member of the Tiandou Elite Class. You'll have access to the academy's highest-tier cultivation resources and mentors.
"Here are your enrollment token and class badge. Keep them safe."
Chen Jieqi clutched the token and badge, his fingers tightening slightly as he thought to himself,
Starting today, the first step of the plan is underway.
Then he looked up at Meng Shenji.
"Thank you, Chairman Meng."
Just then, the steady sound of footsteps came from outside the hall. A young man in a blue instructor's uniform and a girl in the academy uniform walked in.
The young man was handsome and tall. He was none other than Qin Ming, the Imperial Fighting Team's instructor.
When he saw Dugu Bo, he immediately bowed in greeting, his tone respectful.
"Greetings, Lord Dugu."
He then greeted the three members of the Education Committee in turn.
"Grandpa! Xiao Qi!"
The uniformed girl hurried forward, rushing to Chen Jieqi's side in a few quick strides. She wrapped an arm around his and gazed at him with shining eyes, delighted.
The girl was Dugu Yan. At eighteen and a half, she had long since shed the youthful brashness and sharpness of her earlier years, gaining instead the bright beauty and poise unique to a grown woman.
Her features were still delicate and lovely, her eyes clear orange-yellow, her brows relaxed, her nose straight, and her lips well-defined.
Her short, dark-orange hair set off the graceful, slender line of Dugu Yan's neck.
She stood tall and elegant, her posture straight but relaxed. Every line of her figure seemed carefully shaped by the vitality of the earth itself—balanced, graceful, and brimming with energy.
"Yanyan, you've gotten even prettier since I last saw you."
Chen Jieqi looked at her, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
Dugu Bo turned to Dugu Yan, his tone softening. Then he looked at Qin Ming and spoke firmly.
"Qin Ming, I'm entrusting my grandson, Chen Jieqi, to you as well. Put him in your class.
"Have him join the Imperial Fighting Team, and give him priority access to resources, just as you do for Yanyan. Don't disappoint me."
Qin Ming's gaze fell on Chen Jieqi. When he noticed the four Soul Rings—one yellow, two purple, and one black—circling around the boy's waist, deep shock flashed in his eyes.
A thousand-year second Soul Ring and a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring?!
Such talent was simply unheard of!
He quickly bowed and replied,
"Rest assured, Lord Dugu. I'll teach Student Chen well and won't let you down!"
He could clearly sense how extraordinary Chen Jieqi was, and understood that Dugu Bo's hopes for the boy might even surpass those he had for Dugu Yan.
He silently resolved to give everything he had to nurture this exceptionally gifted young man.
Dugu Bo gave a slight nod and said nothing more. He simply looked deeply at Dugu Yan and Chen Jieqi.
It seemed he had a thousand things to say, but in the end, all that escaped him was a barely audible sigh.
Then he turned and walked out of the hall. His tall figure quickly disappeared through the doorway.
A moment later, his Soul Power flickered. He became a streak of light and vanished into the sky.
"Yanzi, bring Student Chen along and come with me.
"Let's visit the Tiandou Elite Class first, so you can get familiar with the academy. Then we'll meet the other members of the Imperial Fighting Team."
Qin Ming smiled warmly at the two of them, his voice full of welcome and anticipation.
Dugu Yan immediately patted her chest, looking pleased with herself as she spoke with a hint of pride.
"Don't worry, Teacher Qin Ming.
"I'll take good care of Xiao Qi. I know the academy like the back of my hand—where the best training grounds are, where to find the tastiest food...
"I know it all. I'll take you both to the class by the fastest route and show Xiao Qi around along the way!"
As she spoke, she took Chen Jieqi by the wrist and led him toward the hall's exit, her steps light.
She could hardly hide her joy; even her footsteps seemed to skip. Her short, dark-orange hair swayed gently as she moved.
Clutching the token and badge, Chen Jieqi gave Dugu Yan a helpless look, then nodded and let her lead him along.
Her warm touch carried the lively energy unique to a young woman. It stirred a little warmth in his cool heart, and the faintest smile rose to his lips without him realizing it.
Qin Ming followed beside them with a hearty smile. His gaze occasionally fell on Chen Jieqi, filled with anticipation for the exceptionally gifted boy, as if he could already see him shining at the Soul Master Tournament.
As they watched the three walk away together, the hall of the Education Committee fell silent.
Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin stood in place, looking at one another.
Their faces still bore traces of their earlier respect for Dugu Bo and their shock at Chen Jieqi. Now, however, they were left with nothing but rueful amazement.
"Th-they've already left?"
Bai Baoshan rubbed his chin, his voice full of surprise.
Meng Shenji gazed at the empty doorway and gave a wry smile.
"They didn't even wait to say goodbye."
The three stood there, gazing at the bright sunlight beyond the doorway. In the vast hall of the Education Committee, only the three old men remained, staring at one another.
They looked as if the wind had left them utterly disoriented, and even the air was filled with an awkward silence.