Leaving the Academy, Xue Qinghe's Secret Talk

The matter of Lin Mo being attacked late at night was suppressed by Plant Academy as much as possible.

So-called suppression only applied to ordinary people outside.

In the eyes of the upper class and powerful nobles, such a major disturbance could not possibly be concealed.

As for who had made the move, everyone had a general idea.

The assassination mission had failed.

Elemental City, Shadow Division command base.

"Why did people from Spirit Hall appear at Plant Academy?!"

When Yu Kun received the news, he was so furious he nearly jumped to his feet, yet there was nothing he could do.

Fortunately, those dead men had cleaned up after themselves and left no evidence behind.

Otherwise, if this matter became tied to the family in any way, he, as an elder, would have to bear the consequences.

Things were currently at a critical juncture, and all the major powers were watching in secret.

If he dared make another move and got caught, it would be extremely embarrassing.

What great families valued most was their reputation.

Even if they had to carve flesh from their bones and bleed behind the scenes, not a speck of dust could be allowed to stain their public image.

This matter could only be set aside for the time being.

Plant Academy, inside a room.

Shen Lin handed the Northern Territory intelligence he had organized to Lin Mo.

"In the Northern Territory of the Heaven Dou Empire, the strongest sect at present is the Skywater Family. They have Skywater City as the core of their development, and their influence extends across seven or eight surrounding cities."

"Don't underestimate those seven or eight cities. They encompass nearly half of the Northern Territory, after all. In a place like that, the density of cities is low to begin with."

"You should have heard of Skywater Academy, right? It was founded by their family forces. It's somewhat like Blazing Fire Academy, a family-owned enterprise and an undisputed top-tier academy in the Northern Territory," Shen Lin explained.

"Skywater Academy? If I get the chance, I'd like to take a look," Lin Mo said.

An image of Shui Bing'er surfaced in his mind.

Innate Soul Power at rank nine, with the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul.

On Douluo Continent, she absolutely counted as a top-tier genius.

Barring any accidents, becoming a Title Douluo was practically guaranteed.

"Uh, Skywater Academy doesn't admit male students." Shen Lin raised his brows slightly, feeling that he should explain in advance to avoid any misunderstanding.

"I know. I was just saying," Lin Mo said with a smile.

He knew it was an all-girls academy.

He was not that perverted that he would specifically disguise himself as a girl to enroll.

"Still, with your talent, you'll be welcomed wherever you go. You don't need to worry about where to go next," Shen Lin said.

"Also, there are a few things you need to pay attention to."

"Icebound Forest." Shen Lin pointed at the white forest region along the edge of the map.

"This place is one of the continent's three great Soul Beast Forests, standing alongside Star Dou Great Forest and Sunset Forest."

"Soul Masters from the Northern Territory have a tradition of going there to hunt. The area is relatively chaotic, so don't set foot there unless necessary."

"Beyond Icebound Forest lies the Land of Extreme Cold. That is a forbidden zone for humans, and even more so, a taboo."

"Whether you go there to train or for anything else, just make sure to stay safe," Shen Lin reminded him.

Lin Mo obediently nodded.

He knew relatively well what things were like over there.

Icebound Forest, the Extreme North.

However, both were high-difficulty areas.

With his current two-ring cultivation, going there would simply be throwing his life away. After all, not everyone had Huo Yuhao's kind of luck.

Shen Lin gave him a few more instructions, looking at Lin Mo with considerable reluctance.

He also understood in his heart that the academy could no longer provide him with protection.

With this child's talent, he would sooner or later reveal his brilliance.

Lin Mo nodded in agreement.

He accepted all of it.

"I left a letter for you in my dormitory, so I won't ramble on in person," Lin Mo said jokingly.

Teacher Shen had treated him very well and sincerely considered what was best for him.

He ought to leave something behind for him.

Shen Lin was slightly stunned, then merely nodded.

Lin Mo requested a long leave of absence.

He used [Skill · Simulation] to transform into the appearance of an ordinary student and quietly left the academy.

Meanwhile.

Following Lin Mo's instructions, Shen Lin arrived at his Quiet Villa.

A letter lay on the table, with the words "For Teacher Shen Lin" written on it.

He opened the envelope. Inside was a sheet of paper filled with inked words, along with a gold card.

"Teacher Shen, your student Lin Mo thanks you for your guidance and care over these past days. Quite a few things have happened recently..."

"Here, your student wishes to apply for a long leave, as a member of Plant Academy..."

"This card is a gift for Teacher Shen. I hope it can help with your future cultivation."

"Signed, Lin Mo."

As Shen Lin looked at the letter, his eyes could not help growing moist.

He composed himself and placed the letter and gold card back into the envelope.

He encouraged himself.

There would be opportunities to meet again in the future.

During that time, he needed to improve as well.

Only by becoming stronger could he ensure that no one dared harm his students.

Meanwhile.

Lin Mo had already left Elemental City by carriage, heading toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Capital.

He had left Teacher Shen Lin a card with a balance of one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, meant to support his teacher's future cultivation.

Shen Lin had indeed helped him greatly.

It was only that he was still too weak and needed to travel about.

The future was far away. What he needed to do was live well in the present.

Heaven Dou City.

Inside a quiet pavilion.

A young man dressed in white robes sat at a table, calmly brewing coffee.

"Why has Your Highness summoned me?" An elderly, gaunt man in platinum bishop robes, with a goatee, spoke with a hint of respect in his tone.

If anyone from the Martial Soul Sanctuary saw this scene, their jaws would likely drop on the spot.

That was Platinum Bishop Salas.

The other person was likewise a major figure.

The Second Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe!

"I heard that a genius recently appeared at Plant Academy, someone who could absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as his second Soul Ring?" Xue Qinghe asked calmly.

"Reporting to Your Highness, such a matter is indeed true. I witnessed it personally. That person is named Lin Mo, and he comes from Nuoding City. He was recommended by the local Martial Soul Branch Hall, which was how he entered Plant Academy," Salas said respectfully.

"This is his recent intelligence. Please review it, Your Highness." Salas immediately took out a document from his storage Soul Tool and presented it with both hands.

In public, he was the Platinum Bishop beloved by countless believers;

In private, he also understood the ways of "master and servant."

Xue Qinghe raised a hand to accept it, lowering his eyes to scan through it.

"Nine years old, rank twenty-three..."

"Thunder Vine Martial Soul, suspected to be a mutated Martial Soul."

"Innate Soul Power at rank three?" Xue Qinghe seemed somewhat surprised and glanced up at Salas.

Salas hurriedly lowered his head and explained.

"Reporting to Your Highness, that is what the original records state. I also suspect there may be an error."

"I have already investigated and questioned the local deacons and the staff responsible for Martial Soul awakenings. They found no abnormalities."

"Judging from his cultivation speed, his Innate Soul Power should be at least rank eight or above," Salas said respectfully.

"Mm." Xue Qinghe merely nodded calmly.

He continued reading.

"At Thunder Academy, he single-handedly killed the Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Golden Thunder Feather Falcon, and absorbed it as his second Soul Ring."

"At Plant Academy, five dead men infiltrated the academy under cover of night to assassinate him. They encountered him in the forest, and he counter-killed a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor?!" Xue Qinghe raised his eyes toward Salas.

"You mean that one Soul King and four Soul Ancestors infiltrated the place, ran into him in the forest, and not only failed to take him down, but were instead counter-killed by him?"

Sweat appeared on Salas's forehead.

"Th-that... I'm not entirely sure either. When I wanted to meet him in person, I heard that he had already left Plant Academy."

"Interesting. Lin Mo..." The corners of Xue Qinghe's lips lifted slightly.

"Should we issue a search order?" Salas asked respectfully.

"No need to rush. He'll emerge again sooner or later," Xue Qinghe said with complete calm.