Frost Sword, Hidden Dragon Choice!

"Come in."

Dean Yu Zhen's voice carried a trace of irritation at being interrupted. After all, he was in the middle of dealing with a troublesome personnel transfer.

The heavy mahogany door was pushed open with a dull creak.

The first to enter was a black-haired boy dressed in simple gray work clothes.

He looked to be no more than nine years old, yet he stood as straight as a towering pine. His dark eyes swept over the somewhat stagnant atmosphere in the office. He showed neither the awkwardness of facing his elders nor the restlessness typical of boys his age, only a stillness as deep as an abyss.

Following close behind was a boy about half a head shorter than him, with delicate, doll-like features.

Though he was dressed just as plainly, his large eyes sparkled with liveliness as they curiously surveyed the surroundings. His whole body radiated vigorous vitality like a little furnace.

"Greetings, Dean. Greetings, teachers."

Tang Linyuan stopped three meters before the desk and gave a slight bow. His movements were impeccably proper, and his clear voice was neither servile nor overbearing.

"Graduates of Red Mountain Academy in Aolai City, Tang Linyuan and Tang Wulin, here to report."

"Aolai City?"

Long Hengxu, the Academic Affairs Director, had been about to flare up. He paused, pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, and the wrinkles between his brows had yet to smooth out.

"Why didn't students from such a remote little city register with the Academic Affairs Office? Why come straight to the dean's office..."

Before he could finish, his gaze landed on the sealed Red Mountain Academy file bag Tang Linyuan handed over.

The seal bore Red Mountain Academy's highest-priority stamp, along with a gold star representing "Special Privileges."

Long Hengxu's pupils suddenly contracted.

As if remembering something, he abruptly raised his head and stared fixedly at the calm boy before him. His voice even changed pitch from extreme shock.

"Y-you're Tang Linyuan? The one who awakened at six... No, you should be a nine-year-old Soul Elder now?!"

"A Soul Elder?!"

Dean Yu Zhen, who had been sitting steadily behind the desk, could no longer remain seated. He sprang to his feet, even knocking over the teacup at hand. Scalding tea spilled across the desk, yet he did not notice at all.

Though Eastsea Academy was the best intermediate Soul Master Academy in Eastsea City, it was not considered among the Federation's best.

They had seen nine-year-old Soul Grandmasters before, but a nine-year-old Soul Elder... that was the kind of monster only Shrek Academy's Inner Court possessed!

"Yes, Dean."

Tang Linyuan's expression did not change, as though the shock around him had nothing to do with him.

He raised a hand, his fingertips moving slightly.

Buzz—

The air suddenly grew heavy.

Three Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath his feet.

Purple, purple, purple.

Though the purple of the rings was somewhat dark, they were undeniably Millennium Soul Rings!

Three Millennium Soul Rings!

The office fell into deathly silence.

Even the white-clad figure who had been standing with his back to the door, gazing out at the cold wind beyond the window, slowly turned around.

For the first time, ripples appeared in Wu Zhangkong's ice-blue eyes.

He stared at the Soul Rings beneath Tang Linyuan's feet, then looked at the boy's deep, abyss-like eyes. One brow lifted almost imperceptibly.

"Good! Excellent! A true young hero!"

Dean Yu Zhen was the first to recover. The sternness on his face instantly melted away, replaced by the ecstatic delight and warmth of someone who had stumbled upon an unparalleled treasure.

He went around the desk and strode quickly toward Tang Linyuan. He even wanted to reach out and pat the boy's shoulder, but the invisible bearing around Tang Linyuan seemed to hold him back slightly.

"Ahem..." Yu Zhen awkwardly withdrew his hand, but his smile grew even brighter.

"I never expected Red Mountain Academy to produce such a gifted child. Coming to Eastsea Academy was the right choice! We may not compare to Shrek Academy, but in East Sea, resources will absolutely be prioritized for geniuses."

Long Hengxu, standing nearby, put on a complete change of face.

The impatience he had shown toward these "country students" had long been tossed to the winds. Now, the wrinkles on his face bloomed with his smile, and his gaze was so eager that Tang Linyuan seemed like his long-lost son.

"Ah, Student Tang, I failed to recognize greatness before me. Since it's you, why bother registering with the Academic Affairs Office? Go directly into Grade One Class One! That's our academy's elite class, with the best resources and strongest teachers!"

Long Hengxu rubbed his hands together, his tone nearly fawning.

"Also, the academy will arrange the best single rooms for you and Student Tang Wulin. Your scholarships will be issued at the highest standard. If you have any requests, just say so! As long as it's within the academy's capabilities, we'll find a way to fulfill them!"

This was no exaggeration.

What did a nine-year-old Soul Elder with three Millennium Soul Rings represent?

It meant Eastsea Academy would practically dominate the Federation's youth competitions for the next six years!

It meant they might very well cultivate a future Titled Douluo, perhaps even... a Limit Douluo!

This was an investment guaranteed to pay off.

Standing behind his brother, Tang Wulin watched the teachers who had been stern moments ago suddenly become so enthusiastic. He blinked, secretly admiring his brother's calmness.

Tang Linyuan did not lose himself in this sudden enthusiasm.

He lowered his eyes slightly and tapped twice against the seam of his trousers, putting on the appearance of deep consideration.

A moment later, he looked up. His gaze passed over the enthusiastic dean and director, landing directly on the man standing by the window, dressed in snow-white robes and radiating an aura that warned strangers to stay away.

"Dean, as for requests, I do have one."

Tang Linyuan's voice was calm, yet like a pebble falling into a lake, it sent ripples spreading across the room.

"Oh? Go ahead! As long as it's reasonable, we'll grant it all!" Yu Zhen waved a hand grandly.

"I want to join this teacher's class."

Tang Linyuan raised his hand and pointed at Wu Zhangkong.

"Ah?"

Long Hengxu's smile froze, and Yu Zhen was stunned as well.

"This... Student Tang, perhaps you don't know. Teacher Wu Zhangkong... ahem, due to certain differences in teaching philosophy, has just been transferred to Grade One Class Five."

Long Hengxu hurriedly explained.

"Class Five is an ordinary class. The quality of its students is... well, uneven. Sending a favored genius like you there would be far too unfair! Class One is where you belong!"

"Unfair?"

The corner of Tang Linyuan's lips curved faintly.

He looked at Wu Zhangkong. His dark eyes seemed like two unsheathed blades, piercing straight into Wu Zhangkong's ice-blue gaze.

"My Martial Soul is a spear. I follow the path of breaking all laws with force, of ultimate offense."

Tang Linyuan stepped forward, and his aura abruptly turned sharp, faintly holding its own against Wu Zhangkong's chill.

"Ordinary teachers cannot teach me."

"Only a sword as proud as Teacher Wu can temper my spear."

"The environment does not matter. What matters is—who teaches me."

His words were exceedingly arrogant, yet no one could refute them.

Long Hengxu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, only to discover that the aura of a nine-year-old boy had rendered him speechless.

Yu Zhen fell silent.

He looked at the resolute Tang Linyuan, then at Wu Zhangkong, whose expression remained indifferent, though a flicker of surprise had clearly passed through his eyes.

As dean, he was shrewd.

If this thorny genius were placed together with that thorny teacher... perhaps some wonderful chemical reaction might occur?

Moreover, placing Tang Linyuan in Class Five could also somewhat placate Wu Zhangkong, keeping him from truly walking away after being demoted.

"Fine!"

Yu Zhen took a deep breath and made his decision.

"Since you have such aspirations, I'll grant your wish. From today onward, you and Tang Wulin will be assigned to Grade One Class Five."

"However..." Yu Zhen changed the subject and looked toward Wu Zhangkong, his tone gentle yet helpless.

"Teacher Wu, these two children are the academy's future hopes. That temper of yours... restrain it a little. Don't actually train them into cripples."

Wu Zhangkong remained as cold and expressionless as ever.

He gave Tang Linyuan a faint glance, then looked at Tang Wulin, whose blood and vitality surged vigorously. A subtle glint flashed through the depths of his ice-blue eyes.

"As long as they aren't afraid of death, I can teach them."

His voice was cold and crisp, like shattered jade striking pearls.

"Thank you for granting my request, Dean." Tang Linyuan smiled faintly and reined in his sharpness.

"Oh, right." Yu Zhen suddenly remembered something. "Since you're going to Class Five, the regular dormitories are too far away. As it happens, there are still vacant rooms in the Teacher Dormitory Area."

"The independent courtyard next to Teacher Wu's has been empty all this time. You two brothers can live there."

Yu Zhen smiled like an old fox.

"Living close makes things easier. If you have any questions about cultivation, you can knock on Teacher Wu's door anytime."

At those words, Wu Zhangkong, who had been expressionless until then, finally furrowed his brow slightly.

He liked peace and quiet.

But looking into Tang Linyuan's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, the words of refusal reached his lips before ultimately being swallowed back down.

"Whatever."

"Then we'll be troubling Teacher Wu."

Tang Linyuan did not retreat because of Wu Zhangkong's coldness. Instead, he gave this future Heaven Ice Douluo a meaningful look.

"Let's go."

Wu Zhangkong said nothing more. He turned and walked directly toward the door.

As he passed Tang Linyuan, a clear, cold fragrance accompanied by piercing chill swept toward him.

Tang Linyuan remained composed, stepping aside to make way before leading Tang Wulin after him.

The three of them walked out of the dean's office, one after another.

Only Long Hengxu, with a complicated expression, and the thoughtful Yu Zhen remained inside.

"Dean, is it really all right to let that little monster follow that cold-faced demon?" Long Hengxu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Yu Zhen picked up the teacup that had long gone cold, took a sip, and spoke with a profound gaze.

"Director Long, haven't you noticed?"

"That child named Tang Linyuan may only be nine years old, but the scales in his heart are far more accurate than ours."

"This year's Eastsea Academy should change as well. We must make plans early."

In the corridor.

Sunlight streamed through the windows onto the floor, stretching out three long shadows.

One was white as frost and snow, proud and untainted by the world.

Two were black as the Abyss, hidden dragons lying in the deep.

The Frost Sword and the Tyrant Profound Spear's first meeting quietly began amid those silent footsteps.