Bibi Dong Herself?

Unlike those Soul Master Academies that liked to cluster in bustling cities, Heaven Dou Royal Academy had chosen a particularly unusual location.

It stood directly in the countryside twenty li outside Heaven Dou City, having forcibly claimed an entire vast mountain range blessed by nature.

With the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's mountain of gold at its back, calling this place a paradise on earth would not have been an exaggeration.

Crystal-clear lakes reflected the sunset clouds on the horizon, while exotic flowers and rare herbs blanketing the mountains swayed in the breeze.

Although the academy had the rigid rule of "no nobles, no entry," and housed quite a few spoiled rich brats who did nothing but coast through life,

there was no denying it:

with the Imperial Family pouring resources into it, its facilities and Mimicry Cultivation Environment were unquestionably the best in the entire empire.

No other academy could possibly compete with it financially.

What was more, the area at the foot of the mountain was merely the outer grounds for show. The true core inner academy was hidden behind the rear mountain of this thousand-meter main peak.

Looking up at the majestic mountain before him, Lin Nuo could not help clicking his tongue inwardly.

This is what a true advanced Soul Master academy looks like. Compared to it, that so-called Shrek Academy is practically garbage.

"Little friend Lin Nuo, Heaven Dou Royal Academy has only around seven hundred students in total,

yet the Imperial Family has lavishly tailored a complete set of Mimicry Cultivation Environments for them, covering every known martial soul attribute."

As they climbed the white jade-paved mountain path, Salas dutifully acted as their guide at his side.

"With your talent, if you can cultivate in an environment like this, your Soul Power will surely advance by leaps and bounds."

They continued up the mountain path, and when their view suddenly opened up, a vast academy complex covering an enormous area, filled with elegant buildings, finally came into sight.

"Royal Academy restricted grounds ahead! Halt!"

However, just as the two were about to enter the rear mountain gates, several fully armed guards in iron armor blocked their path with stern expressions amid the clanging of armor plates.

The Soul Power fluctuations on these men were not particularly strong, but the glittering Swan Emblems on their chests were intimidating enough.

Lin Nuo's gaze shifted slightly as he reached a conclusion.

These had to be the Imperial Guards directly under the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Before Lin Nuo could speak, Salas skillfully put on the airs of a superior and snorted coldly.

"Are you blind?!

I am Salas, Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall!

Today, by order of His Highness the Crown Prince, I have personally escorted a genius favored by His Highness to enroll at the academy.

What, do you dare block even the Crown Prince's orders?"

Salas opened with the old generation's usual tactics:

first, slap on an accusation, then smear them,

then immediately slapped the recommendation letter bearing Xue Qinghe's personal seal right into the lead guard's face.

The title alone left the Imperial Guards' heads buzzing.

Looking at the unquestionably genuine heir apparent's seal on the envelope, then at the Platinum Bishop striding about so confidently, the guards' minds instantly began wildly speculating.

When had their beloved His Highness the Crown Prince become so close to Spirit Hall?

Wait!

Judging by this, could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince had somehow poached an unparalleled genius from this Platinum Bishop and recruited him for the empire?!

Heaven bless the Heaven Dou Empire!

"So it is Lord Bishop and the genius favored by His Highness the Crown Prince!

This subordinate failed to recognize such distinguished guests. Please forgive my offense!"

Having figured this out, the captain's attitude instantly made a complete reversal. He respectfully returned the recommendation letter to Lin Nuo with both hands.

"Please, come in at once. I will take you to complete your enrollment procedures."

Just as the guards eagerly prepared to clear the way ahead, a figure hurried out from the academy gates and stopped them directly.

The newcomer wore the high-ranking robes of an academy instructor. His tone was polite, but carried a hint of urgency.

"Bishop Salas, and little friend Lin Nuo, you must be exhausted after such a long journey."

"His Highness the Crown Prince and the academy's three Education Committee Members have been waiting in the academic affairs office for quite some time.

Please, both of you, come with me directly."

Naturally, Salas and Lin Nuo had no objections. They nodded slightly and followed the instructor.

Before long, the two arrived at the main peak hall, the highest point of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, along the secluded mountain path.

"His Highness the Crown Prince, esteemed Education Committee Members, I have brought them."

After respectfully announcing their arrival, the instructor tactfully withdrew at once and closed the doors behind him.

Inside the spacious hall, the three Education Committee Members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy had been waiting for some time.

All three were genuine Spirit Douluo-level experts. At that moment, they were immensely curious about this "peerless genius" whom even His Highness the Crown Prince had praised so highly.

It had to be known that the three Education Committee Members had originally been Soul Masters from Spirit Hall in their younger days. Yet after being courted day after day by the Heaven Dou Empire with high offices and generous pay, their loyalties had gradually shifted toward the Imperial Family.

This had originally been an open secret, one that no one would bring out into the open.

However, the moment the doors opened and the three Education Committee Members saw Lin Nuo's face clearly, their pupils shrank sharply, and they nearly pissed themselves on the spot.

Holy shit! Why had Her Holiness the Pope come here personally?!

Was Spirit Hall planning to settle old scores in Heaven Dou City and purge traitors?!

Meanwhile, the "His Highness the Crown Prince" seated in the place of honor was experiencing an inner turmoil like a Category Ten tsunami.

Qian Renxue was completely falling apart!

Before coming here, she had constantly prepared herself mentally, trying to deceive herself with thoughts like "the world is vast and full of wonders" and "perhaps it is only a coincidence."

But the instant she truly saw Lin Nuo, every last one of her fantasies was mercilessly crushed to pieces!

As Bibi Dong's biological daughter, she had inherited at most seventy percent of that woman's charm in her appearance.

But this boy before her?

He was practically a miniature version of Bibi Dong herself!

Even the cool, aloof air between his brows was exactly the same!

Damn it! That damned woman!!

Qian Renxue roared inwardly, grinding her back teeth so hard they nearly sparked.

Still, her excellent upbringing allowed her to forcibly suppress the urge to flip the table on the spot.

On the surface, "Xue Qinghe" still maintained that refined, gentle, and reassuringly proper smile.

Naturally, Salas had no idea how much turmoil the people in the hall were experiencing inside.

He stepped forward, stroked his beard, and spoke with a proud expression.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, esteemed Education Committee Members.

Today, I have delivered this child Lin Nuo safely into your hands."

"Also, on the way here, I took him to Sunset Forest and helped him hunt his second Soul Ring.

He is now already a level-twenty-five Soul Grandmaster."

After a brief pause, Salas curled his lips into a smug smile and dropped another bombshell. "Furthermore, his second Soul Ring was a thousand-year one that he absorbed beyond his level!"

"Gasp—"

The moment he finished speaking, a synchronized chorus of sharp breaths filled the enormous hall.

The three Education Committee Members looked at one another, and even Qian Renxue's eye twitched.

A Soul Grandmaster under nine years old at level twenty-five?

And his second Soul Ring was thousand-year level?!

Could such a terrifying genius truly exist in this world?!