Entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Another point was that Dugu Bo was actually sitting to the rear-right of an old man.

The old man wore a grand yellow robe embroidered with clusters of flowers. His graying hair was neatly combed back. He was of medium build, slightly stout, and possessed a dignified appearance, though his eyes were a bit small, which marred the overall harmony of his features.

Although he was not sitting in the center, he showed no signs of deference toward the three committee members; instead, he exuded a sense of looking down on everyone from a position of superiority.

Dugu Bo was a dignified Title Douluo, yet at this moment, he seemed more like a bodyguard. Xing Tian could not believe that, given Dugu Bo's personality, he would ever do such a thing.

"Long time no see, Mr. Xiao. I presume this young man beside you is Student Xing Tian? Please, everyone, take a seat. I am Meng Shenji, Chief of the Education Committee. My martial soul is the Black Demon, and I am an 82nd-level control-system Battle Soul Douluo. Let me introduce everyone."

Meng Shenji was of medium height and very thin, looking as if he had no meat on his bones. When he spoke, his voice was somewhat shrill, yet not unpleasant, giving off a sense of approachability.

His hair and beard were completely white, and though he was thin, his spirit was exceptionally vigorous, his face glowing with health.

As he spoke, Meng Shenji pointed to the old man on his left and said, "This is the second-in-command of the Education Committee, Bai Baoshan. His martial soul is the Heaven Star Furnace, and he is an 81st-level defense-system Battle Soul Douluo."

Bai Baoshan's physique was the exact opposite of Meng Shenji's; he was four feet tall and four feet around the waist. He wore a constant, gentle smile, the fat on his face trembling with every chuckle.

Hearing Meng Shenji introduce him, he also smiled and nodded toward Xing Tian.

Meng Shenji pointed to the last old man and said, "This is the third-in-command of the Education Committee, Zhilin. His martial soul is the Azure Vine, and he is a 78th-level control-system Tool Soul Saint."

Among the three committee members, Zhilin looked the most normal, with an ordinary appearance. Only the bright light that occasionally flickered when he opened and closed his eyes gave him a hint of something special.

Immediately after, Meng Shenji stood up, bowed slightly toward Dugu Bo and the old man beside him, and said, "I presume there is no need for me to introduce His Excellency Dugu. The gentleman beside him is the administrator of the academy, His Highness Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Although Xing Tian did not understand why Dugu Bo was acting this way, nor did he care much for the status of a prince, he was an elder after all, so he bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for such formalities," Xue Xing said with a chuckle. "Mr. Dugu has often praised you. Seeing you today, you are indeed a heroic youth. We are all family, so don't be so distant."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Next, Meng Shenji looked toward the young man on the other side, his attitude clearly more respectful than it had been toward Xue Xing: "Little Tian, this is the Crown Prince of our Heaven Dou Empire, His Highness Xue Qinghe."

Xue Qinghe's features were quite ordinary, but his gentle temperament was obvious. He did not seem to have any of the airs of a high-and-mighty Crown Prince.

Xing Tian bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"No need for formalities. Student Xing Tian, your talent is exceptional. It is an honor for our academy and the Heaven Dou Imperial family that you have joined us. I am very happy to meet you. I am a few years your senior, and I don't like others calling me 'Your Highness the Crown Prince'; it feels too distant. If you don't mind, just call me 'Brother Xue'."

Upon hearing this, Xue Xing's face darkened significantly.

Xing Tian maintained his respectful demeanor and said, "Protocol cannot be ignored, Your Highness."

"Very well."

Xue Qinghe did not show any disappointment.

Xing Tian certainly did not respect the title of Crown Prince; he understood clearly that Xue Qinghe was trying to win him over. He also saw Xue Xing's expression perfectly well. This was clearly a struggle for imperial power, and there was no way he would get involved. Maintaining the proper etiquette was enough.

However, because he had a closer relationship with Dugu Bo, he was naturally closer to Xue Xing, so he acted more respectfully toward Xue Qinghe to balance things out.

In any case, the Crown Prince's status was inherently higher than a prince's, so Xing Tian's behavior was faultless in terms of protocol.

In truth, enrollment was not a major event, and it shouldn't have required such important figures to show up, but Xing Tian was special.

He had been recommended by the Ye family of the Nine-Heart Begonia, and Dugu Bo had personally helped him obtain his first Soul Ring. An eight-year-old 21st-level Soul Grand Master—such weight was fully sufficient to bring out the three committee members.

At this moment, Zhilin spoke up: "I have long heard that Student Xing Tian is a genius soul master. I wonder if you could demonstrate your skills?"

"Of course."

Xing Tian stood before them and summoned his Dark Evil Spirit Mantis martial soul. Its fierce aura was so intense that even the three committee members and Prince Xue Xing were taken aback.

Beneath Xing Tian's feet, two yellow Soul Rings shimmered, and the aura of his 21st-level soul power was fully exposed.

The others were very satisfied, while Dugu Bo felt a sense of relief.

After the group chatted idly for a while longer, Xing Tian completed his enrollment, and Xiao Xiao returned directly to the Ye Mansion.

On the way to the dormitory, Dugu Bo found him: "You brat, you've finally enrolled. It's been two years, hasn't it?"

"It couldn't be helped, Senior Dugu. The Rejuvenation Art isn't that easy to practice."

Dugu Bo looked helpless and said, "Yanyan was thinking about sparring with you again, but I think she has no chance of winning. Still, the same advice: if you really can't avoid it, go easy on her."

"I understand that."

"Good. Then there are some things I need to tell you."

Dugu Bo instructed: "Although the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the premier academy of the Heaven Dou Empire, its training facilities and faculty are incomparable to any other academy in the empire. With your talent, you will certainly receive full cultivation and prioritized resources."

"Furthermore, the academy has agreed to teach you only theoretical knowledge and combat techniques; they will not interfere with anything else. As long as it isn't a Soul Bone or an overly rare medicinal herb, you can ask for whatever resources you need."

"However, because the Heaven Dou Royal Academy originally wanted to attract more talent to the empire and strengthen its influence, it established a rule that only nobles could enroll."

"This way, those soul masters who have talent but come from commoner backgrounds must join the imperial family to obtain a noble title. Of course, you don't have to."

"This system has indeed recruited a large number of talents for the empire, but as time passed, the noble class became increasingly corrupt, and this system became a hindrance. After all, the number of nobles cannot grow indefinitely, and the pie is only so big."

"Many nobles have begun to place various restrictions on commoner genius soul masters, wanting to force them to join their own factions."

"But you have the backing of Old Brother Ye, and your relationship with me is barely passable, so they won't dare to make any moves."

"What you need to pay attention to is that most students have entered the academy through connections and family patronage. They are unmotivated, extravagant, and arrogant, wasting their martial soul potential. Don't let them lead you astray; stay away from those guys."

"Of course, there are still some hardworking and talented students in the academy. For example, Osler, who is in the same dormitory as you, has the Ghost Leopard martial soul and also possesses a dark attribute. I specifically put in a good word for him."

Dugu Bo pointed his finger again and said, "Yu Feng, and the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo are also quite good. Of course, Yanyan and Lingling are as well."

Suddenly, Dugu Bo grabbed Xing Tian, leaned down, and whispered in his ear: "I need you to do me a favor."

"Please, speak."