Although Emperor Xue Ye didn't visit often, he still thought highly of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Every year, he arranged for people of status and influence to inspect it on his behalf.
He hoped that one day Heaven Dou Royal Academy would become the empire's number one academy.
These days, aristocratic customs prevailed. Heaven Dou Royal Academy had the title of the empire's top academy, but not the strength to match.
"Esteemed committee members, I trust you've been well!"
After Dugu Bo led Ling Yun and Dugu Yan into the Education Committee Hall, he was the first to speak.
In truth, the committee members had never met Dugu Bo, but they had guessed who he was. They were familiar with Dugu Yan, at least.
They kept an eye on the more talented students in the academy, hoping to live up to Emperor Xue Ye's trust and cultivate talent for the empire.
"Lord Dugu, you're too kind!"
"May we ask what brings you here?"
"Oh, nothing major. I've brought these two to enroll. Have this boy's enrollment processed, and put him in the same class as my Yanyan."
"Lord Dugu, I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate. This child is still quite young. I can place him in the best class at Heaven Micro Grade, but Heaven Supreme Grade would be pushing him too hard, too soon. It wouldn't be good for him."
The speaker was a middle-aged old man with a square face and neatly groomed, snow-white hair. He looked exceptionally hale and hearty, his face flushed with vigor.
Dugu Bo knew what he meant. His eyes shifted, and he nudged Ling Yun forward.
"Xiao Yun, Committee Member Meng Shenji looks down on you. Why not show him your Soul Power Level?"
Ling Yun understood Dugu Bo's meaning at once. He wanted Ling Yun to make a stunning impression and show off in front of the committee members.
Ling Yun released his Martial Soul. The Yin-Yang Mirror appeared, and two Soul Rings, one yellow and one purple, revolved around his waist. The fluctuations of his level 28 Soul Power were unmistakable.
All three committee members sprang to their feet. Their bodies trembled slightly, their faces flushed, and their eyes gleamed as they looked at Ling Yun as if he were a priceless treasure. "Level 28, with a thousand-year second ring, at such a young age... Heaven has truly blessed Heaven Dou Royal Academy—and the empire!"
"Child, what's your name? How old are you this year? Do you have a master?"
"Answering the three committee members: my name is Ling Yun. Ling as in Ling Xiao, Yun as in white clouds. I awakened my Martial Soul this year and have no master."
"You only awakened your Martial Soul this year. Then how did you reach level 28 Soul Power? Could you tell us?"
"By chance, I consumed a heavenly treasure, and my Soul Power increased dramatically. That's how I reached my current Soul Power Level."
"What kind of heavenly treasure was it, and where did you find it?" The old man to the right of Meng Shenji pressed excitedly.
He looked quite ordinary, but his eyes gave him an unusual air. When they opened and closed, they conveyed a peculiar impression.
Dugu Bo shot him a look, and a terrifying spiritual pressure bore down on the three men. Most of it fell on the one who had spoken.
"Zhi Lin, if you want to know, ask me directly."
Soul Douluo Zhi Lin felt a shiver of fear. He realized he'd overstepped. If he didn't answer well, it could spell his doom.
"Forgive me, Lord Dugu! I got carried away and spoke without thinking. I hope you'll overlook it."
Meng Shenji and the stout old man on his left hurried to back him up, lowering themselves as much as possible.
They couldn't help it. Dugu Bo's fist was simply bigger than theirs!
"The heavenly treasures came from my medicinal garden. I don't mind telling you that I have more there."
"But those heavenly treasures are my private property."
"Understood! Understood!"
The three men nodded in unison, afraid that even the slightest delay might draw Dugu Bo's attention. Titled Douluo were truly terrifying.
Meng Shenji turned his attention to Ling Yun and said, "Your Soul Power is level 28, so there's no problem with putting you in the same class as Dugu Yan. I'm Meng Shenji, Chief of the Education Committee. My Martial Soul is the Black Demon, and I'm an level 84 Control-Type Battle Soul Douluo."
"You said you don't have a master. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"
The two men beside Meng Shenji came to their senses and introduced themselves as well. Clearly, they also wanted to take Ling Yun as a disciple.
Since Dugu Bo hadn't taken him as a disciple, they wouldn't hold back. This sort of thing depended on mutual consent, and all that mattered was whether Ling Yun agreed.
"I'm Zhi Lin, the Education Committee's third seat. My Martial Soul is the Azure Vine, and I'm a level 81 Control-Type Battle Soul Douluo."
"I'm Bai Baoshan, the Education Committee's second seat. My Martial Soul is the Star Furnace, and I'm a level 83 Defense-Type Battle Soul Douluo."
Bai Baoshan was built like a ball, the very embodiment of the saying, "Four feet tall, four feet around the waist."
As he spoke, he released his Martial Soul. It looked just like a round alchemy furnace, except for the designs on it: constellations were engraved into the dark-gold Star Furnace.
"You and I both have tool-type Martial Souls. If you're going to take a master, I'm a better fit than those two."
"Thank you for your kindness, committee members, but I have no intention of taking a master."
Dugu Bo cut in, "You can forget about it. I wanted to take him as my disciple, and even he turned me down. Until your Soul Power surpasses mine, you'd best put that idea out of your minds. I'm currently level 95."
Meng Shenji and the other two glanced at Dugu Bo in surprise. They hadn't expected his level to be so high.
No wonder they hadn't been able to withstand even a single look from him.
They also gave Ling Yun a surprised look. He'd refused a Titled Douluo as his master? They couldn't understand what he was thinking.
It was simply incomprehensible.
The prospect of not being able to take him as a disciple didn't dampen the three men's enthusiasm. Their main goal was to cultivate talent for the empire.
If he wasn't their disciple, he could still be the academy's prodigy!
Even if they weren't doing it for the empire, coming across such a talented Soul Master made it worthwhile to cultivate him and earn his gratitude.
"Looks like we're not fated to become his masters. What a pity!"
"Ling Yun, even though you won't be my disciple, if there's anything you don't understand in your studies or cultivation, come ask me. I'll tell you everything I know."
"Same goes for us. You're welcome to ask."
"Thank you, committee members."
Meng Shenji nodded and personally completed Ling Yun's enrollment. "Here's your student credential. Keep it with you, and take it to collect your academy uniform. I'm sure Dugu Yan knows where to go."
"Thank you, Committee Member!"
Ling Yun took the credential, a student Token.
The three left the committee building. After Dugu Bo gave the two of them a few reminders, he patted Dugu Yan's head and then vanished from Heaven Dou Royal Academy in a flash.
He still had to figure out how to develop the Falling Cloud Sect, catch up with Prince Xue Xing, and deal with the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. He needed to transplant some medicinal herbs there. It would be a waste not to make use of such a fine environment.
After Dugu Yan took Ling Yun to collect his uniform, she showed him around campus. They started with the cafeteria, then visited the classrooms, library, Soul Fighting Zone, and training grounds... Finally, they reached the dormitories.
The girls' and boys' dormitory areas were separated by a row of ornamental trees.
"I can't go into the boys' dormitory. Tian Heng is in room 206, and he said there's still a vacant bed. You can choose room 206 when you register."
Ling Yun nodded, registered his information on his own, and got a key. When he unlocked room 206, the first thing he saw was a living room. There were four doors, two on either side. He tried his key in each one, then opened the second door on the right. It led to a private bedroom.
There was no need to guess. The other three doors led to private bedrooms too.
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