Candace's fighting style wasn't particularly flashy, but it gave people a strong sense of safety and power.
Her bold, heroic bearing only added to her charm.
"Candace is as reassuring as ever. If you get on her bad side, you've only got yourself to blame."
Tighnari nodded in agreement with Sethos, then turned to Qian Renxue. "And who might this be?"
"I am Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"The Crown Prince? Excellent. The Grand Sage instructed us to discuss our mission with the local authorities. Let's find somewhere to sit and talk."
"Then let's go to the Seven Treasure Hotel!"
Ning Rongrong didn't miss a chance to drum up business for her family. Once Ning Fengzhi learned what was going on, he would surely come over as well.
Qian Renxue, Prince Xue Xing, Tighnari, and Sethos all agreed.
When they arrived at the Seven Treasure Hotel, Collei looked around with curiosity.
"Collei, why don't you chat with Miss Rongrong? Don't be nervous. Just relax."
"Yes, Master!"
Ning Rongrong looked at Collei with curiosity, and Collei looked back at her.
"H-hello, I'm Collei, a student at the Akademiya."
"My name is Ning Rongrong. Just call me Rongrong. Come on, I'll take you to try some tasty food."
Ning Rongrong took Collei by the hand, acting as if they were already close friends.
Tighnari smiled. He had wanted to help Collei practice her social skills.
"Tighnari, what exactly did the Grand Sage assign you? You can tell us now, can't you?"
"Sethos, there's no need to rush. The Grand Sage asked me to help you establish a branch of the Akademiya in Heaven Dou City."
"Oh! So it's finally going to happen?"
"Yeah. The Sky Screen has already exposed the Akademiya, after all. You must have said quite a bit about it, too."
Sethos smiled awkwardly.
"The Grand Sage never said we had to keep it secret."
Tighnari then turned to Qian Renxue and Prince Xue Xing.
"You're a prince and the Crown Prince, both with real authority. You're the right people to discuss this with."
"It's a good thing for the Akademiya to open a branch in Heaven Dou City. I have no objections."
Prince Xue Xing stated his position outright, but Qian Renxue considered the matter more carefully.
Although she had learned a little more from Sethos, she still knew very little about the Akademiya.
So she intended to use this opportunity to learn more.
"Mr. Tighnari, I have a few questions about the Akademiya. Would you mind if I asked?"
"Of course. Go ahead."
"Is the Akademiya just an academy?"
"You could put it that way. The Akademiya is a gathering place for scholars. Scholars from all fields can join and study there, as long as they pass the entrance assessment."
"Does that include Martial Souls and combat?"
"Those fields are only just getting started, but yes, they're included. The Grand Sage said the Martial Soul system... well, is quite distinctive."
"Let me know what you need. I'll do my best to provide it."
Prince Xue Xing interjected, and he had indeed asked the right question.
"We need official authorization and a plot of land."
"Is that all?"
"Yes. The Grand Sage will take care of everything else when he arrives."
"No problem. I—"
"Uncle, this isn't something we can decide on our own. Father must make the final decision. Wouldn't you agree?"
Qian Renxue cut Prince Xue Xing off and shifted the matter to Emperor Xue Ye, leaving him no room to argue.
"Hmph, that's true enough. But I'm sure my elder brother won't object."
"Mr. Tighnari, I'm sorry, but my father must make the decision as well. Please forgive us."
Qian Renxue rose and bowed in apology, showing Tighnari every courtesy.
"That's all right. Should we go meet the emperor here?"
"No need. I'll report the situation to my father. Mr. Tighnari and Mr. Sethos, just wait patiently."
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong and Collei were getting along wonderfully. Ning Rongrong showed off her Martial Soul, the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
"How beautiful!"
The Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda was undeniably gorgeous.
"Collei, what's your Martial Soul?"
"Come out, Korianba!"
Collei summoned Korianba, who hopped on her shoulder, looking quite affectionate.
"T-this is a disembodied Martial Soul!"
Ning Rongrong was astonished. She had never seen a disembodied Martial Soul like Yu Xiaogang's before.
"Korianba, say hello to Rongrong."
Korianba hopped onto Ning Rongrong's shoulder, bounced twice, then jumped back. That counted as a greeting.
Remembering how Yu Xiaogang had been unable to break through level 30, Ning Rongrong cautiously asked Collei, "Collei, may I ask what your Soul Power Level is? It's okay if you don't want to say."
"It's no problem. I'm not that strong. By the standards here, I think I'm level 72."
"What! Level 72!"
Ning Rongrong gaped in shock. The girl in front of her, who looked about her age, was actually a Soul Saint.
Those few Soul Elders at Shrek Academy had thought themselves peerless geniuses, but Collei was already a Soul Saint—and she was so modest and unassuming.
It really was true: some people made you feel like you'd die of shame, while others made you want to throw your stuff away.
This was a good thing, too. Collei had completely dispelled Ning Rongrong's illusions about Shrek Academy.
As it happened, Collei was a few years older than Ning Rongrong. After all, people on Douluo Continent matured early.
The Sky Screen updated again, drawing everyone's attention back to it.
[ Aaru Village was the final resting place of the Scarlet King's descendants. The duty of Aaru Village's guardian was to protect the village until the last descendant of the Scarlet King had passed away.
This was what the previous guardian had told Candace when she took over the position at the age of eight. ]
[ As Candace grew up, she held fast to her duty and protected Aaru Village. But she also realized that the village was trapped in the past, unable to move on. She asked herself countless times whether this was really right. In the end, she chose the answer in her heart. ]
[ She used her strength to open the gates to the outside world for Aaru Village, bringing in merchant caravans. Yet her efforts earned her the older guardians' reproach. ]
[ Facing the older generation's blame, Candace exploded in front of them for the first time.
"I won't let the people of Aaru Village be bound by the past. If you can't move forward, then I'll protect Aaru Village's future all by myself."
Candace's resolve stunned everyone. At the same time, her determination drew the gaze of the gods. ]
[ If you mean well, Candace will be the finest guide you could ask for in the desert. If you mean harm, she'll become your worst nightmare. In summary, don't pick a fight with her—unless your head is harder than steel. ]
The Sky Screen didn't show many words, but it still painted a clear picture of Candace as a steadfast guardian.
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