Half a month later.
At the newly completed Minghuo Academy.
Bai Mo and the others gathered there.
It was worth mentioning that Sect Master Ning had decided to appoint Elder Wu, who was in Shrek City, as the dean of the Black Branch. She had also sent someone to bring the two little girls over, saying they could study at the academy as well.
The newly established academy had only six students in the Red Branch.
They were Bai Mo, Wu Feng, Ning Tian, Gu Yuena, Nan Qiuchiu, and Jiang Nannan.
Bai Mo had no intention of studying at the academy. He had put his name down there because he wanted to show off in front of everyone at the Soul Master Tournament a few years later.
The others had also benefited from the academy's early days and their friendship with Bai Mo. Strictly speaking, aside from Gu Yuena, none of them should have qualified for the Red Branch.
The admission requirements for each branch, as set by Tingyun, were: levels 1–3 for the Yellow Branch, levels 4–5 for the Purple Branch, levels 6–9 for the Black Branch, and Innate Full Soul Power or higher for the Red Branch.
In truth, only Bai Mo and Little Black Tower could keep the deans of the various branches in line. So Little Black Tower had taken the title of dean but didn't handle any affairs. Tingyun was taking care of everything.
Of course, Innate Soul Power was merely the basic requirement for entering each branch. Students still had to pass the trial tower of the corresponding color to officially join or advance.
For example, to join the Black Branch, one needed Innate Soul Power at levels 6–9 and had to pass the purple trial tower for the corresponding level.
In other words, one had to clear the trial tower one color below the branch one wished to enter.
Why not use a trial tower of the corresponding color?
Ms. Herta had said that no one in this world could pass the Red Trial Tower at their current level.
Of course, the trial towers in the real world had only just been built, and Ms. Herta hadn't finished debugging them. She couldn't store the data for the real-world trial towers in the real world rather than in the Emperor Scepter yet. That was to stop some curious little dragon from following the connection and doxxing Bai Mo.
So they would have to wait a little longer before recruiting students.
The subjects taught at each branch were more or less the same. Students from every branch had to study Soul Beast knowledge, Soul Tool knowledge, and Martial Soul knowledge. But the higher the branch, the more advanced the material it taught.
Tingyun had scheduled Minghuo Academy's enrollment for three days later. Ms. Herta should have finished debugging by then.
During this time, spies from various factions had arrived in Shrek City. After all, that hammer had landed on Shrek Academy half a month ago, but it had also struck fear into the hearts of every faction.
It was the perfect opportunity, while the winds of change were gathering, to recruit even more outstanding students.
With the academy's initial affairs taken care of, Tingyun could spend the rest of her time focusing on developing her trade association throughout the Douluo Continent.
What would they do over the next few days? Recruit teachers, of course!
Soul Emperor rank or higher, with no upper limit!
"Student Bai Mo, my uncle and aunt have come to Shrek City today. Could they work as teachers here?"
Gu Yuena's clear purple eyes gazed earnestly at Bai Mo.
"Sure. Let's start with an interview. Well, since they're Gu Yuena's elders, we can use the private entrance. They don't need to squeeze in with the other teachers who came to interview. We'll go straight to the dean's office."
Bai Mo led the way through the back door, followed by a group of girls, and headed to the dean's office.
A short while later, the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress, wearing a cold expression, walked in. Behind them came a domineering black-haired man with golden eyes and a gentle woman in a long dress, with green hair and emerald eyes.
"Hmph! Bai Mo, I don't like this bad guy. The Red Branch doesn't want these two teachers!"
The Ice Empress complained to Bai Mo about them with a cold expression.
"Sorry. Di Long may have had a little disagreement with Dean Ice on the way here. We can apologize."
The arrogant black-haired man didn't say a word. The green-haired woman, however, tried to smooth things over.
"May I ask who you two are and what your cultivation levels are?" Bai Mo didn't respond to her, instead asking curiously.
Seeing that Di Tian still wouldn't give him the time of day, Bi Ji shook her head helplessly, then answered Bai Mo.
"This is my elder brother, Di Long. He's a level 95 Titled Douluo, and his Martial Soul is the Black Dragon. My name is Bi Ling. I'm a level 93 Titled Douluo, and my Martial Soul is the healing Jade Swan."
Bai Mo looked strangely at Gu Yuena, who was pretending to be perfectly serious beside him. You're not even trying to hide it.
"May I ask what you two think of the three subjects our academy plans to teach?"
"Answering Young Master, my brother and I have spent our time training in Star Dou Forest since reaching adulthood. We know a thing or two about Soul Beasts."
"Oh."
Bai Mo acknowledged her answer and began considering where to assign them.
Since Miss Silver Dragon King had already made her move, it wouldn't do to send these two away and let them secretly stir up trouble. Better to keep them where he could see them.
"In that case, it would be a waste to have two Exalted Ones teach in the Red Branch. How about having Senior Bi Ling serve as head of the Logistics Department, in charge of the students' daily needs and safety? As for Senior Di Long, he can be head of the Sky Ladder Department. The academy will hold ladder tournaments in the future for the students' combat training, and Senior Di Long can oversee that. What do you think?"
Bai Mo asked with a faint smile.
The Ice Empress haughtily snorted, realizing Bai Mo had heard her complain as soon as she entered. The Snow Empress glared fiercely at the Ice Empress.
Di Long didn't answer. Instead, he looked straight at Gu Yuena beside Bai Mo. Bi Ling, meanwhile, watched Bai Mo's expression carefully.
Bai Mo furrowed his brows, feeling a little irritated. Everyone here except Bi Ji doesn't care about me at all!
Damn it. I'll draw something good later and make you two call me Daddy. That was what Bai Mo thought.
"Uncle can decide for himself."
Gu Yuena spoke softly.
"Fine. Bi Ling and I accept."
Di Tian nodded, only then turning his gaze back to Bai Mo, whose smile had faded.
Bai Mo ignored Di Tian. Everyone was entitled to a temper. He simply turned his head and studied Gu Yuena's fair face as she pretended to be innocent.
"Fine. Since you're one of Nana's family, we'll do it this way. Work hard, and you might even get promoted someday."
Only after Gu Yuena's eyes had begun darting away did Bai Mo turn to Di Tian and speak. He had called her Nana, not Student Gu Yuena.
Di Tian gave the boy who had dared to provoke him a long look, then let Bi Ji lead him away as they took their leave.
"Wuwu, Gu Yuena, your elders have such bad manners! They looked down on Bai Mo because he's young! That's too much!"
Wu Feng started sticking up for Bai Mo. See? Even Wu Feng could tell!
Ning Tian shook her head and spoke softly to Gu Yuena as well.
"Student Gu, Bai Mo is still young, but he's the chosen successor of the Wandering Celestial Lord. Your elders should show him the respect he deserves."
"Ah, it's fine. Titled Douluo each have their own quirks. We can agree to disagree."
Bai Mo waved it off magnanimously. Ning Tian and Wu Feng had already stood up for him. It wouldn't be right for him to keep nitpicking.
Tears welled in Gu Yuena's purple eyes as she murmured, "I'm sorry, Student Bai. My uncle has always trained in Star Dou Forest and isn't good at talking to people. I'm really sorry."
Gu Yuena looked as though she was about to cry, winning Wu Feng over completely. Ning Tian said no more, either.
The Ice Empress, who might have guessed Gu Yuena's identity, merely curled her lip in disdain.
Seeing Gu Yuena on the verge of tears, Bai Mo's mouth twitched. Before he could say a word, Gu Yuena suddenly threw her arms around him, under the disapproving gazes of everyone else.
Feeling the warmth against his chest, Bai Mo sucked in a sharp breath.
Buried against Bai Mo's chest, Gu Yuena smiled slyly and even hooked his little finger with her right hand.
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