Another thing was that Dugu Bo was sitting just behind and to the right of an old man.
The old man wore a bright yellow robe embroidered with flowers in full bloom. His graying hair was neatly combed back, and he was of average height with a slightly portly build. He had a dignified appearance, though his small eyes somewhat spoiled the overall effect.
Though he wasn't seated in the middle, he showed no deference to the Three Education Commissioners. Instead, he seemed to look down on them.
Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo, yet at that moment he seemed more like a bodyguard. Xing Tian could hardly believe that someone with Dugu Bo's personality would do such a thing.
"Mr. Xiao, it's been a long time. I presume the young man beside you is Xing Tian. Please, have a seat. I'm Meng Shenji, chief of the Education Committee. My Martial Soul is the Black Demon, and I'm an 82nd-level Control Type Battle Soul Douluo. Allow me to introduce everyone."
Meng Shenji was of average height and very thin, looking as though he barely had a few pounds of flesh on him. His voice was a little shrill when he spoke, but not unpleasant, and he gave off a friendly air.
His hair and beard were completely white. Though thin, he was remarkably vigorous, with a ruddy complexion.
As he spoke, Meng Shenji gestured to the old man on his left. "This is Bai Baoshan, second-in-command of the Education Committee. His Martial Soul is the Heaven Star Furnace, and he's an 81st-level Defense Type Battle Soul Douluo."
Bai Baoshan was the complete opposite of Meng Shenji. He was four feet tall and four feet around the waist. A kind smile was always on his face, and the fat on his cheeks bounced as he smiled.
When Meng Shenji introduced him, he smiled and nodded at Xing Tian as well.
Meng Shenji indicated the last old man. "This is Zhilin, third-in-command of the Education Committee. His Martial Soul is the Azure Vine, and he's a 78th-level Control Type Tool Soul Saint."
Of the three commissioners, Zhilin looked the most ordinary. His features were unremarkable, and only the bright gleam in his eyes, occasionally revealed when they opened and closed, gave him a distinctive air.
Then Meng Shenji rose and bowed slightly toward Dugu Bo and the old man beside him. "I'm sure His Excellency Dugu needs no introduction. The gentleman beside him is the academy's overseer, His Highness Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire."
Though Xing Tian didn't understand why Dugu Bo was acting this way and wasn't impressed by the title of prince, the man was an elder, so he still bowed politely. "Greetings, Your Highness."
"No need for such formalities." Xue Xing smiled warmly. "Mr. Dugu often speaks highly of you. Having met you today, I see you're every bit the young hero. We're all family here, so don't stand on ceremony."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Then Meng Shenji looked toward the young man on the other side. His manner was clearly more respectful than it had been toward Xue Xing. "Xiao Tian, this is the crown prince of our Heaven Dou Empire, His Highness Xue Qinghe."
Xue Qinghe had ordinary features, but his gentle manner was unmistakable. He didn't seem to have any of the lofty airs of a crown prince.
Xing Tian bowed respectfully. "I greet Your Highness."
"No need for formalities. Xing Tian, you're exceptionally gifted. Having you join our academy is an honor for the academy and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family alike. I'm glad to meet you. I'm a few years older than you, and I don't like people calling me 'Your Highness the Crown Prince'—it feels too distant. If you don't mind, just call me 'Brother Xue.'"
At that, Xue Xing's expression darkened.
Xing Tian maintained his respectful demeanor. "One must observe proper etiquette, Your Highness."
"So be it."
Xue Qinghe showed no sign of disappointment.
Xing Tian wasn't showing respect because Xue Qinghe was the crown prince. He knew perfectly well that Xue Qinghe was trying to win him over, and he'd seen Xue Xing's expression clearly. This was obviously a struggle for power within the imperial family. How could he possibly get involved? It was enough to observe the proper etiquette.
He was simply on close terms with Dugu Bo, which naturally put him closer to Xue Xing. That was why he'd been more respectful toward Xue Qinghe, to keep things balanced.
Besides, the crown prince ranked above a prince. Xing Tian's behavior was perfectly proper.
Enrollment wasn't really a major event, and there was no need to bring out such important figures. But Xing Tian was special.
He'd been recommended by the Nine-Heart Begonia Ye Family, and Dugu Bo himself had helped him obtain his first Soul Ring. An eight-year-old Soul Grandmaster at level 21 was certainly important enough to warrant the presence of the three commissioners.
At this point, Zhilin spoke up. "I've long heard that Xing Tian is a genius Soul Master. Would you mind showing us?"
"Of course."
Xing Tian stepped in front of them and summoned his Dark Evil Spirit Mantis Martial Soul. It bared its murderous fangs, startling even the three commissioners and Prince Xue Xing.
Two yellow Soul Rings shimmered beneath Xing Tian's feet, and the aura of his level 21 Soul Power was plain to see.
The others were quite satisfied. Dugu Bo, meanwhile, seemed relieved.
After a little more idle chatter, Xing Tian completed his enrollment, while Xiao Xiao returned directly to Ye Mansion.
On the way to the dormitory, Dugu Bo caught up with him. "You brat, you finally enrolled. It's been two years, hasn't it?"
"Couldn't be helped, Senior Dugu. The Rejuvenation Art isn't easy to master."
Dugu Bo looked helpless. "Yanyan was hoping to have another match with you, but I doubt she has any chance of winning now. Same as I said before: if you can't avoid it, go easy on her."
"I understand."
"Good. There are a few things I need to tell you."
Dugu Bo advised him, "Heaven Dou Royal Academy may be the top academy in the Heaven Dou Empire, and its training facilities and faculty are beyond compare with those of any other academy in the empire. With your talent, you're sure to receive their full support and be given priority access to resources."
"The academy has also agreed to teach you only theoretical knowledge and practical combat skills, without interfering in anything else. As long as it's not a Soul Bone or an exceptionally rare medicinal herb, you can ask for whatever resources you need."
"But Heaven Dou Royal Academy was originally established to recruit more talent for the empire and strengthen its power, so it made a rule that only nobles could enroll."
"That meant talented Soul Masters born as commoners had to join the imperial family and receive noble titles. Of course, that doesn't apply to you."
"The policy did bring a great many talents into the empire, but as time went by, the noble class grew more and more corrupt, and the policy became a shackle. After all, the number of nobles couldn't grow without limit. There was only so much to go around."
"Many nobles began finding all sorts of ways to restrict talented commoner Soul Masters, hoping to make them join their own factions."
"But you have Brother Ye's backing, and you and I get along well enough. They wouldn't dare make a move against you."
"The main thing you need to watch out for is that most of the students got into the academy through connections and family privilege. They're lazy, extravagant, arrogant, and domineering, wasting their Martial Soul potential. Don't let them lead you astray. Keep your distance from those fellows."
"Of course, there are also students at the academy who work hard and have decent talent. For example, Osler, your roommate. His Martial Soul is the Ghost Leopard, and he also has the Darkness Attribute. I specifically put in a word for him."
Dugu Bo continued, ticking off names on his fingers. "There's also Yu Feng, and the Shi Mo and Shi Mo brothers. They're good too. Of course, Yanyan and Lingling are as well."
Suddenly, Dugu Bo slung an arm around Xing Tian, bent down, and whispered in his ear. "I also need you to do me a favor."
"Go ahead."
Before you continue