"Being demoted and promoted again and again wears away the students' rough edges. In the end, all that remains are either absolute geniuses or utterly obedient lapdogs."
Gu Chensha thought, Those who wouldn't pledge their loyalty to the Spirit Hall had already been kicked out along the way.
"This feeling really takes me back."
As they spoke, Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena had already passed through two corridors. Hu Liena slowed her pace and continued.
"Once you reach the Advanced Soul Master Academy, the system of eliminating the lowest-ranked students is no longer used."
"The students who make it this far are the cream of the crop, handpicked from tens of millions of Soul Masters across the continent. There's no need to keep filtering them through eliminations."
"But the aptitude ranking system remains at the heart of everything. On that basis, we use a mentor system."
Zhu Zhuqing looked up at her, a questioning expression on her face.
Hu Liena smiled and explained.
"Simply put, you're matched with a mentor according to your aptitude level."
"The Spirit Hall has clear standards for mentor ranks. Students admitted to the Advanced Academy are matched with mentors who are at least level 50 Soul Kings and Purple Robe Bishops."
"Above them are level 60 Soul Emperors, the Black Robe Bishops; level 70 Soul Saints, the Red Cardinals; level 80 Soul Douluo, the Platinum Bishops; and, for Titled Douluo above level 90, Starshine-level mentors."
"Each mentor can take no more than three students at a time. The mentor is entirely responsible for all their cultivation resources and hunting for Soul Rings."
"Your growth ceiling is directly tied to your mentor's strength and resources."
After listening, Zhu Zhuqing fell silent for a few seconds, then asked, "If my Soul Power rises quickly later and surpasses my current mentor's aptitude rank, can I switch to a higher-level mentor?"
"Of course."
A hint of approval flashed in Hu Liena's eyes.
"Aptitude assessments within the hall are dynamic. As long as you show enough potential in a quarterly evaluation, you can apply to upgrade your mentor level at any time. Even getting personal instruction from a Titled Douluo elder isn't out of the question."
At that, Hu Liena stopped and turned to Zhu Zhuqing, her tone utterly sincere.
"Little Zhuqing, according to the rules, a genius with Innate Full Soul Power should be matched directly with a Platinum Bishop—or even a Titled Douluo—as a mentor."
"But your situation is special. For example, there's no information at all about your past combat ability or your comprehension."
"The upper ranks have always been cautious about unknown variables. Assigning you the highest-level mentor outright would put you in the eye of the storm across the entire Spirit Hall, and it would also violate the hall's ironclad rules."
"I specifically applied on your behalf to let you skip the intermediate academy's credit assessment and be matched directly with a Red Cardinal-level mentor."
"I picked this mentor myself. He's a level 79 Agility Attack-type Battle Soul Saint. His skill in concealment and assassination ranks among the best of all the Soul Saints on the continent, and it's a perfect match for your Nether Civet Martial Soul."
"Don't worry. As long as you shine in your future evaluations, I can help you apply for a higher-level mentor at any time. I won't let the rules bury your talents."
Zhu Zhuqing gave a slight nod, her tone calm and courteous.
"Thank you, Sister. I understand."
"No need to be so polite with your big sister."
Hu Liena smiled. "Come on, your mentor is already waiting. I'll take you to meet him."
Before long, Hu Liena led Zhu Zhuqing to a secluded indoor cultivation area.
Beside a stone table in the center of the room sat a middle-aged man dressed in a red bishop's robe.
His frame stooped slightly, and his eyes and brows held the restrained sharpness characteristic of an Agility Attack-type Soul Master. He was clearly the level 79 Agility Attack-type Battle Soul Saint Hu Liena had mentioned.
Two boys and girls, both barely in their teens, stood beside him. They were presumably his other two students.
The boy had high-set brows and slanted eyes. Just a moment ago, his face had been openly impatient and arrogant.
Only when he saw Hu Liena and the others approaching did he rein in some of his defiance.
The girl beside him kept her eyes lowered, sneaking glances at the boy now and then.
The longing in her eyes spoke for itself.
Gu Chensha took it all in. A trace of amusement and wistfulness stirred in his heart, and he murmured to himself, It's been a long time since I was human. Seeing the thoughts of young people again has its own peculiar charm.
In the Star Dou Great Forest, you had to scheme and struggle for survival too. But compared with the twists and turns of human hearts, that was almost adorably straightforward.
When Hu Liena led Zhu Zhuqing up to them, Lang Taihui immediately stood and bowed to Hu Liena with a formal steward's salute, his tone respectful.
"Miss Hu."
"Bishop Lang, there's no need for formalities."
Hu Liena returned a half-salute, then stepped aside to present Zhu Zhuqing with a smile.
"This is Miss Zhu Zhuqing, a genius with Innate Full Soul Power."
"Little Zhuqing, this is Bishop Lang Taihui, a level 79 Agility Attack-type Battle Soul Saint and one of the Spirit Hall's highly respected Red Cardinals."
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and bowed slightly, giving him the standard salute of a junior.
Her tone was polite and composed, neither servile nor arrogant.
"Greetings, Bishop."
Lang Taihui waved a hand at Zhu Zhuqing.
"No need for formalities. Lord Hu has already told me about your situation."
"Innate Full Soul Power and a Nether Civet Martial Soul—you're a rare talent."
"Now that you've joined my tutelage, there's no need to stand on ceremony. You can call me teacher from now on."
At his words, Zhu Zhuqing straightened up.
Her cool face remained unruffled as she replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Bishop."
"But I've only just arrived, and you haven't yet taught me anything. I wouldn't dare presume to call you that."
"I'll accept your guidance with the utmost respect from now on, but I'll continue to address you as Bishop. I wouldn't dare show you the slightest discourtesy."
The quiet room fell silent in an instant.
Hu Liena's brows lifted slightly, then settled back into place. The smile at the corners of her lips even deepened.
This is better.
She mused inwardly, showing nothing on her face. She only glanced at Lang Taihui, leaving the matter entirely to him.
The smile on Lang Taihui's face faded a little, but he showed no displeasure.
He had taught for many years. What kind of student hadn't he seen?
It was rare, but Zhu Zhuqing wasn't the first to refuse to call him teacher, and she certainly wouldn't be the last.
"Very well."
He nodded and took a sip of tea.
"There's no need to rush into formalities. We'll take our time getting to know each other."
As soon as he finished speaking, the boy beside him could no longer sit still.
He had always been Lang Taihui's most favored personal disciple. Now that Zhu Zhuqing had arrived, she was bound to take the lion's share of the core resources that should have gone to him. He was already seething with resentment.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing openly snub their teacher, he let his restrained arrogance surge back to the surface.
"What a high-and-mighty attitude!"
"Bishop Lang is willing to take you under his wing—that's a blessing you wouldn't get in eight lifetimes! And you won't even call him teacher?"
Before you continue