Douluo: Martial Soul Iron-Eating Beast, Never a Slave

The Demon God Form of the Fourth Soul Skill represented yin-aligned properties.

Now that forms could be fused, could properties be fused as well?

For example, water attribute + fire attribute = Boil Form (Boil Release)?

Fire attribute + earth attribute = Melt Form (Melt Release)?

Lightning attribute + water attribute = Storm Form (Storm Release)?

Or even higher forms formed by combining three attributes, or more?

That seemed a little difficult.

No fear!

With bamboo, even a bear could be made to work!

Just as Zhao Mu was considering his next steps, Dugu Bo called out to Dugu Yan nearby.

As his biological granddaughter, Dugu Bo naturally hoped that Dugu Yan would become even more outstanding.

Unfortunately, things did not go as hoped. Every time he sparred with Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo could easily suppress her. There was none of the pressure he felt when sparring with Zhao Mu.

"Yan Yan, perk up a little. At least trade a few moves with your grandfather..."

Hearing that, Dugu Yan could not help grumbling inwardly, Listen to that! What kind of thing was that to say? He wanted a level fifty-four Soul King to trade blows with a level ninety-three Title Douluo? What was he thinking?

Seemingly seeing through Dugu Yan's thoughts, Dugu Bo continued, "You're already a level fifty-four Soul King, while Second Brother is only level fifty. Yet his combat intensity is greater than yours, and he lasts longer than you do."

Dugu Yan merely muttered quietly. Could her Second Grandfather even be considered normal? How could she compare to him? Even someone as proud as Dugu Yan had long since been thoroughly crushed by Zhao Mu.

Moreover, Dugu Yan's methods were all based on poison. Even though Dugu Bo's Martial Soul had evolved and its development direction had shifted, he was still the former Poison Douluo. Naturally, Dugu Yan's poison could not bring Dugu Bo down.

Without poison, what could Dugu Yan use to contend with Dugu Bo?

Thinking of this, Dugu Yan could not help running over to seek Zhao Mu's help.

"Second Grandfather, do you have any skills I can learn? Or could you help me develop a few suitable skills?"

Having watched Zhao Mu and Dugu Bo fight over this period, Dugu Yan naturally understood that when it came to inventing skills, her Second Grandfather was incredibly prolific.

In terms of skill quantity alone, Zhao Mu had already mastered more skills than some Title Douluo.

In response to Dugu Yan's request, Zhao Mu said, "Perhaps you could add some other methods. For example, coating weapons with poison should have some effect."

"Or you could practice throwing poisoned darts, throwing knives, and similar things against enemies. That would also help you use your Fifth Soul Skill more precisely."

"Throw poisoned darts and throwing knives?"

Zhao Mu continued, "Because of Martial Souls, many Soul Masters rarely use iron weapons anymore. But iron weapons themselves are not impractical. Used well, they can still kill enemies."

"As for darts and throwing knives, you could also call them Hidden Weapons. Hidden Weapons are weapons used from the shadows."

With Zhao Mu's repeated guidance, Dugu Yan gradually began to follow his words without question, seemingly forgetting the age difference between them.

Starting the next day, Dugu Yan began practicing throws with specially made throwing knives. At first, her throws were naturally awful, but as time passed, her technique gradually improved. With a flick and twist of her wrist, she could land four or five throwing knives on the target in succession.

One day, Dugu Yan returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well from outside and immediately sought out Zhao Mu and Dugu Bo.

"Grandfather, the academy is currently recruiting for its school team in preparation for next year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, so I plan to return to the academy and participate."

Dugu Yan had previously left Heaven Dou Royal Academy because of the poison from her Martial Soul. Now that the Martial Soul poison had been completely cured, Dugu Bo naturally would not stop her from returning.

Besides, everyone had their own specialty. Dugu Bo was not skilled at teaching students.

"Do as you please!" Dugu Bo then looked at Zhao Mu. "Second Brother, you're at the age when you should be attending school. An academy can provide more comprehensive and systematic learning."

"Moreover, what an academy gives you is not merely strength, but greater knowledge and a shift in the way you think."

"A good school can even provide you with useful connections for the future."

Listening to Dugu Bo's reasoning, Zhao Mu understood. So he wanted him to go to school.

He had gone to school in his previous life, and now he still could not escape school. No matter where he went, he had to attend school.

Zhao Mu then asked, "If I'm going to school, should I start at a Junior Soul Master Academy? Or go directly to an Advanced Soul Master Academy?"

Considering his age, seven was naturally the age to begin at a Junior Soul Master Academy. Some children with later birthdays were even only in their first year there.

But considering Zhao Mu's strength, a Junior Soul Master Academy was naturally unsuitable. The graduation requirement for a Junior Soul Master Academy was becoming a Soul Master within six years, while an Intermediate Soul Master Academy only required one to become a Soul Grandmaster to graduate. Neither seemed particularly suitable.

Dugu Bo could not be bothered to dwell on it and simply waved his hand. "Forget it. Just go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Yan Yan. You can keep each other company! Although the people at Heaven Dou Royal Academy aren't particularly strong, it is still barely passable among advanced academies. You can learn something there."

"As for enrollment, I'll ask Prince Xue Xing to arrange it later. Heaven Dou Royal Academy is currently under Prince Xue Xing's charge, so it won't be a major problem."

Heaven Dou Royal Academy was currently managed by Prince Xue Xing, but the seats of the Three Education Committee Members belonged to people from Spirit Hall—or rather, to Xue Qinghe's people.

On the surface, everything appeared calm, but undercurrents flowed in secret.

However, conflicts at that level could not affect Zhao Mu yet. With Prince Xue Xing's connections, becoming a transfer student would not be difficult.

A few days later.

Zhao Mu returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Dugu Yan.

Zhao Mu first needed to report to the Academic Affairs Office.

As the official academy of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou Royal Academy emphasized luxury. The Academic Affairs Office looked nothing like the classrooms in Zhao Mu's original impression. Instead, it resembled a lavish private suite, with a gleaming crystal tea table, genuine leather sofas, and office desks and chairs whose elegant contours and refined texture added comfort and harmony to the entire room.

A middle-aged man sat in the office chair. He had a mustache shaped like the character eight and looked like someone highly adept at social maneuvering.

When he saw Zhao Mu enter with Heibai, the middle-aged man merely raised his head to glance at Zhao Mu before barking, "Pets are not allowed in the academy!"

Then, after taking Zhao Mu's registration form and seeing that the age column read seven while the Soul Power Level column read fifty, he slammed the form onto the desk. "Who told you to fill in the registration form with nonsense?"

A seven-year-old Quasi-Soul King? And not even seven by full age?

Who was he trying to fool?

Following the usual novel routine, Zhao Mu should have displayed his Soul Ring configuration, shattered all doubts, and left everyone stunned.

But Zhao Mu's Soul Ring colors were unusual. To avoid being misunderstood again, he simply took out two letters of introduction and placed them on the desk.

Seeing the two letters, the middle-aged man frowned and snapped, "What are these? Who gave you these letters of introduction? Do you think it's so easy to use connections and pull strings? Do you think Heaven Dou Royal Academy belongs to your family? If everyone were like you, how could this academy keep operating?"

As he spoke, the middle-aged man casually picked up the two letters from the desk, sneering inwardly.

So the person had low status and little influence, which was why he had specifically found two people to recommend him together?

But this child's family really did not know how to handle things. They had come empty-handed?

The moment he saw the signature on the first letter, the middle-aged man's body trembled, and he nearly slid off his chair.

"His Highness Prince Xue Xing?!"

His throat bobbed as he swallowed, then he sat upright again. After opening the envelope and carefully confirming that the wording, signature, and seal were all undoubtedly Prince Xue Xing's, the middle-aged man instantly changed his attitude.

After all, Prince Xue Xing oversaw Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and many documents required his approval. Their authenticity could be verified at a glance. As the Director of Academic Affairs, he was especially familiar with Prince Xue Xing's handwriting and signature, so he naturally recognized that the letter could not be fake.

"What's wrong, student? Why are you still standing? Sit wherever you like! What would you like to drink? Once you're here, it's like you're home. Please don't be formal!"

While greeting Zhao Mu, the Director of Academic Affairs muttered in confusion. For something as minor as enrollment, one letter from His Highness Prince Xue Xing should have been enough. Why was a second one needed? Besides, who could possibly surpass His Highness Prince Xue Xing?

"Your Excellency Dugu?!"

Upon seeing the second letter, the Director of Academic Affairs fell straight from his chair onto the floor.

A few minutes later.

The Director of Academic Affairs personally escorted Zhao Mu out of the office, smiling the whole way.

"Student Zhao Mu, we've arranged a private dormitory for you with two bedrooms, one living room, and one bathroom. The bedding is all new. If you need anything else, just contact me. The cafeteria is also open to you free of charge. If there's anything you want to eat that the cafeteria doesn't have, contact me anytime, and I'll have the cafeteria make it immediately."

After the registration was complete and Zhao Mu had finally been sent off, the Director of Academic Affairs wiped away his sweat. What had just happened was no less terrifying than walking along the edge of life and death.

After slowly calming himself, the Director of Academic Affairs took the two letters of introduction to find the Three Education Committee Members.

Then he recalled the information on Zhao Mu's registration form.

Seven years old, Soul Power Level fifty?

Could that possibly be real?

After completing his registration, Zhao Mu returned to the dormitory to tidy up his belongings.

With the earlier example from the Academic Affairs Office, Zhao Mu had already been mentally prepared for the dormitory's level of luxury. Lying on the soft bed, he fell asleep.

That afternoon.

Dugu Yan took Zhao Mu around the various parts of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, including the classrooms, cafeteria, Soul Fighting Arena, Mimicry Cultivation Environment, and more.

Zhao Mu merely looked around the other places and familiarized himself with the routes.

Only the Mimicry Cultivation Environment aroused some curiosity in him. Just how miraculous was this Mimicry Cultivation Environment that Yu Xiaogang had praised so highly in the original work?

Only the top Advanced Soul Master Academies across the continent possessed Mimicry Cultivation Environments, and Heaven Dou Royal Academy's was among the best.

A Mimicry Cultivation Environment could simulate the growth environment of soul beasts, helping Soul Masters cultivate in the environment best suited to their Martial Souls.

Zhao Mu was even considering whether his next plan for attribute fusion might be more convenient within this Mimicry Cultivation Environment.

It would also save him from having to search for suitable locations elsewhere.

Not long after Zhao Mu and Dugu Yan entered the Mimicry Cultivation Grounds, they heard the sounds of an intense battle.