Lu Li's Terrifying Power, a Titled Douluo?

"Even if that guy wanted to lie in wait for me, I doubt she'd expect me to be in Eastsea City."

A petite girl adorned with dark purple bells flashed through Lu Li's mind. He quickly shook his head.

How could she possibly find him in Eastsea City?

"Jingle..."

Just then, a sound rang out. It was Lu Li's Communication Soul Tool.

"Your Excellency Lu Li, I noticed you weren't at the academy. Do you have a moment? Would it be convenient to talk?"

After he answered, an old man's voice came through the communicator. It was filled with respect. The caller was none other than Eastsea Academy's dean, Yu Lian.

"Mm. What is it, Dean?"

Lu Li replied, his expression calm.

"It's like this, Your Excellency Lu Li."

"As you probably know, Eastsea Academy has always held a Class Promotion Tournament. But this year is a little different."

"This year's first-year Class One has four geniuses whose abilities are far beyond the norm. Gu Yue, in particular, has cultivation that surpasses that of an ordinary fifth-year student in the junior division."

"If we let them compete in the Class Promotion Tournament, it could have a huge impact on the academy."

"On the other hand, if we bring them together and focus our resources on them, they may have a better chance to develop."

Yu Lian spoke candidly. This year's students were the most extraordinary Eastsea Academy had ever had. The old approach simply wouldn't work anymore.

As the saying went, when the road ran out, you had to forge one with your fists. Given the unusual circumstances, they naturally needed an unusual arrangement!

"Mm."

"I understand what you mean. You want to bring the youngsters together and give them the academy's very best resources."

Lu Li nodded. In the original story, Class Zero had been formed after Tang Wulin defeated Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi's Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

But Gu Yue's cultivation now had clearly surpassed Tang Wulin's at that time.

"Your Excellency Lu Li, you've hit the nail on the head! That's exactly what I had in mind. Eastsea Academy may only be a small academy, and we may not produce any of the era's top talents, but..."

"With the children so gifted, we can't let them waste their potential here. We have to give them a broader sky to reach for."

Yu Lian chuckled, then spoke earnestly.

"I plan to establish a special class, Class Zero, and have Gu Yue, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, Wei Xiaofeng, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin, whom you have your eye on, join it."

"We'll give them the best resources Eastsea can offer and provide them with the best training. I believe the results will be good."

"In the long run, they'll attend advanced academies in a few years. They might even get into Shrek Academy or the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy."

"In the near term, the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition will be held next year. With their abilities, the children will surely take the top spot."

"What do you think of this plan? If you approve, perhaps you and Wu Changkong could serve as their homeroom teacher and assistant homeroom teacher, guiding their growth."

Yu Lian showed none of a dean's usual airs. At that moment, he seemed more like a loyal subordinate, asking respectfully.

There was no doubt that he had a far-reaching vision. Although Your Excellency Lu Li didn't want to reveal his identity, as long as he remained at the academy, Eastsea Academy was sure to prosper.

As for the few geniuses led by Gu Yue...

He wasn't so arrogant as to think he could keep them in Eastsea. Perhaps they could stay until they were thirteen or fourteen, but after that, they would inevitably move on to a more advanced academy.

His plan was quite mature: train them, then have them enter the top-ranked Shrek Academy. They would become legends in Eastsea City, and Eastsea Academy would make its name known throughout the world!

"The dean's plan is so thorough that it's certainly workable. I have no objections. Let's do as you suggest."

Lu Li replied with a smile.

"Yes, Your Excellency Lu Li!"

Yu Lian didn't take up much of Lu Li's time. After a few words of loyalty, he ended the call.

Just then, a new quest appeared in Lu Li's mind:

[With your guidance, the Eastsea Academy has actually established a new class, Class Zero, for its special geniuses. It will gather all the top talents in the first year.]

[You are clearly not on the student roster. Although you know your talent is only average, you still feel unwilling to accept this.]

[You're all nine years old. If others can do it, why can't you? With that in mind, you decide to join Class Zero and attend its lessons, making it your current goal.]

[Current Quest: Join Class Zero]

[Quest Reward: One century-old spirit herb]

"A quest to join Class Zero?"

Lu Li chuckled. Well, as a teacher in Class Zero, he wasn't actually one of its students. The system was right about that.

But this quest reward...?

Wasn't it a little too basic?

"A century-old spirit herb..."

"Back when my teacher gave me medicinal baths, he didn't even use this stuff."

Lu Li mused to himself. But speaking of it, it had been a long time since he'd soaked in a bath with his teacher...

Uh, was something wrong with him?

"See no evil, think no evil!"

Lu Li hurriedly shook his head and muttered to himself.

"..."

"Class Zero?"

On the other side, Wu Changkong was meditating when he received a call. Wearing yellow duck pajamas, he looked quite interested.

Their goal was to get into Shrek Academy.

Aside from Xie Xie's lack of diligence, the little ones had good talent in every area. Getting into Shrek Academy wouldn't be difficult for them at all. It was a perfectly reasonable part of their plans for the future.

"All right, Dean. I understand about Class Zero. I have no objections."

"What did Teacher Lu Li say? Does he agree?"

Wu Changkong continued having breakfast.

"Your Excellency Lu Li's approval was what allowed me to settle on the plan in the first place. Teacher Wu, there's no need to worry too much about it."

"Mm, all right."

Wu Changkong nodded, unsurprised. Then Yu Lian continued:

"Teacher Wu, I know you've always had this attitude toward your work at the academy, but Your Excellency Lu Li is different."

"It's fine to call him Teacher Lu Li while you're working, but in your free time, you should still show a Titled Douluo the respect he deserves."

"Don't tell me you don't understand."

"Mm... I'll try."

Wu Changkong's expression stiffened, and he shook his head helplessly. It wasn't that he didn't respect Brother Lu Li; it was just that he had watched Lu Li become a high-ranking Soul Master...

It really was hard to think of him as a senior!

"..."

Early the next morning.

In the dean's office, Gu Yue and the others arrived together under the guidance of Lu Li and Wu Changkong.

"So we're..."

"Going to be in Class Zero from now on?"

As they listened to Yu Lian explain the details of Class Zero, they were all taken aback, unsure what to make of it.

Even Gu Yue was surprised. First-year Class One already received the academy's greatest share of resources. She hadn't expected them to establish a Class Zero as well.

"Does that mean my talent is way above the norm?"

"But this is only Lu Li's cultivation at eight years old."

Gu Yue thought in silence, a little at a loss. Her gaze shifted to Lu Li, who stood not far away. Maybe it really was way above the norm!

"That's right, children. From now on, you'll be the academy's most highly valued students, and you'll receive its best resources."

"But at the same time, you must continue your studies in the junior division until you enter one of the continent's top advanced academies. You may not transfer to another academy under any circumstances."

Yu Lian nodded and took out a contract. He didn't intend to place many restrictions on the children, but...

If the academy was going to invest in their development, they couldn't just turn around and run off to someone else!

"Dean Yu, I'm sure the academy won't skimp on resources, but I'd still like to ask about the teaching staff."

Wei Xiaofeng pondered for a moment, then spoke from among the group.

His family was the best off among the three of them. His parents might not be particularly powerful, but one of his ancestors had at least been a Titled Douluo. Attending Eastsea Academy was fine, but signing an agreement...

That depended on whether the academy was good enough.

At the very least, Eastsea Academy didn't have the standing to demand that.

"Oh?"

"The teaching staff?"

At that, Yu Lian's smile didn't fade in the slightest. In fact, he grinned even more broadly. Long Hengxu, standing beside him like a security guard, did the same.

What, did you know our academy's Teacher Lu Li was a Titled Douluo?

"Dean, the strongest teacher at our academy is Teacher Wu, and he's only a Soul Emperor. There isn't anyone else at that level, either."

"That's not a problem in Eastsea City, but the other academies in the Skysea Alliance have Soul Emperors too. Eastsea Academy is at a disadvantage in that regard."

"Or is Teacher Lu Li a Soul Emperor or even a Soul Saint?"

Wei Xiaofeng blinked and looked toward Lu Li, clearly unconvinced. Lu Li was still too young.

"Bold!"

"Wei Xiaofeng, do you have any idea who Teacher Lu Li—"

At those words, Yu Lian frowned. Long Hengxu's expression turned stern, and he spoke without thinking.

Wei Xiaofeng, that kid...

Did he have any idea what he was saying?

"Hm?"

"Dean, is Teacher Lu Li really strong?"

Seeing Long Hengxu's reaction, Wei Xiaofeng's eyes lit up. He'd only started a casual conversation, but it seemed he'd stumbled onto something big.

Could it be...

Teacher Lu Li was a Soul Emperor, or even a Soul Saint!

"Teacher Lu Li...?"

Long Hengxu didn't answer. Instead, he and Yu Lian both looked toward Lu Li, waiting.

"It's all right."

Lu Li shook his head with a smile. He wasn't surprised by this situation. As a young teacher, it really would be irresponsible not to tell them about his cultivation.

After all, even Tang Wulin, the person among them who knew him best, had no idea what his cultivation was.

"Since Xiaofeng is so curious about my cultivation, I'll tell you all."

Lu Li smiled. The moment his words fell, a surging golden energy swept over them like a tide, and the imposing shadow of a Holy Dragon had already appeared behind him.

The next instant, two-colored Soul Rings appeared around him. Black! Black! Black! Black! Red! Red! Red! Red! Red!

Nine Soul Rings—four black and five red!

"My cultivation isn't considered top-tier, but here in Eastsea..."

"No one is stronger than me."

Lu Li spoke calmly, yet his words carried clearly to everyone present.

But nobody paid attention to what he said. Every gaze was fixed on his Soul Rings.

Teacher Lu Li was a Titled Douluo!?