Returning to the Academy

Next, everyone ate their own Immortal Herbs, while Xiaofei took out the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. It had been almost three years since he last absorbed an Immortal Herb, and Xiaofei felt he could absorb another one now. This time, his target was the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. As for the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Xiaofei planned to absorb it next time.

After absorbing the Immortal Herbs, Xiaofei, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang all reached Rank 50. Dean Huo Tiancheng rose by two ranks, reaching Rank 90 and becoming a Quasi-Titled Douluo. Huo Lie, meanwhile, reached Rank 80 and became a Quasi-Soul Douluo.

Huo Wu said happily, "Xiaofei, why didn't you bring out something as good as an Immortal Herb sooner? If you had, I could have reached Soul King before the Spirit Master Tournament, and our matches would have been much easier."

Xiaofei shook his head and said, "Sister Huo Wu, you and Huo Wushuang are both star students of Blazing Academy. Every time you rank up, countless people pay attention. If you suddenly advanced too dramatically while still students, it could easily arouse the greed of others. After you graduate, you'll display your Soul Power less often in public, which will be relatively safer."

Huo Tianchen nodded and said, "You've thought this through more carefully than I have, Xiaofei. Blazing Academy has become a little too prominent lately. We need to keep a lower profile from now on."

Xiaofei continued, "Sister Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, I suggest that you absorb your Soul Bones now. There should still be a great deal of Immortal Herb energy in your bodies. After absorbing the Soul Bones, you'll be able to absorb Soul Rings of greater age. The benefits will be much greater. Also, I suggest that Dean Huo take us to obtain the Soul Rings himself instead of asking anyone else for help, because Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang will both experience a substantial increase in Soul Power after obtaining them. Huo Wu in particular might advance by four or five ranks."

Huo Tianchen nodded.

Xiaofei looked at the group, took out the Head Soul Bone, and began absorbing it. It took him a full day to absorb this Wisdom Skull. Afterward, Xiaofei felt that his Spiritual Power had increased tremendously. He could think much more clearly than before, and he had also gained a Soul Bone skill—Mental Shock. It could unleash Spiritual Power to injure his enemies.

Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang had finished absorbing theirs as well. Huo Wu had even absorbed two Soul Bones. She said happily, "I feel incredibly powerful now. One of me could probably beat several versions of my former self. What do you think, Xiaofei?"

Xiaofei nodded and said with a smile, "I think it's excellent. This Wisdom Skull should be more than fifty thousand years old. It has probably reached sixty thousand years. Spirit Hall suffered a huge loss this time."

Huo Tianchen asked, "How will you choose your Soul Rings this time?"

Huo Wu spoke first. "I think I can absorb a Fire Attribute Soul Ring of around twenty thousand years."

Huo Wushuang said with a smile, "I should be able to absorb one of around eighteen thousand years as well. Naturally, it should also have the Fire Attribute."

The two looked at Xiaofei. After thinking for a moment, Xiaofei said, "I should be able to absorb one of around fifty thousand years, with the Fire Attribute. It would be even better if it possessed the Phoenix Bloodline."

Huo Tianchen said, "Xiaofei, a fifty-thousand-year Soul Beast is no joke. I know that all your previous Soul Rings were absorbed by exceeding the normal limit, but the gap between a thousand-year Soul Ring and a fifty-thousand-year one is enormous."

Xiaofei said, "Dean, you can examine my physical condition. After absorbing the Wisdom Skull this time, I should be able to withstand the Spiritual Shock of a fifty-thousand-year Soul Beast."

Huo Tianchen carefully examined Xiaofei's body and said, "Forty thousand years should be fine, but fifty thousand years would be a little too much. After we return to the academy this time, I'll take you to the Undying Volcano. There are more Fire Attribute Soul Beasts there."

Over the next period of time, Huo Tianchen led the team first to Heaven Dou City before returning to the academy. The Godwind Academy and Skywater Academy naturally traveled with them as well. Godwind Academy, Skywater Academy, and Blazing Academy were collectively known as the Elemental Academies. They had always advanced and retreated together and had long been allies.

Elephant Academy and Thunder Academy were merely on friendly terms with them; they had not reached the point of advancing and retreating together. Elephant Academy was backed by the Elephant Armor Sect, while Thunder Academy was backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Academies supported by sects still had to keep some distance from ordinary academies. Otherwise, they might be swallowed up without even realizing it.

Godwind Academy had close ties with the Wind Sword Sect, while Blazing Academy was closely connected to the Fire Leopard Sect. The connections behind Skywater Academy remained unknown. However, both the Wind Sword Sect and the Fire Leopard Sect were in the Star Luo Empire, so there was no question of allegiance. They did have considerable historical ties, though. A sect could not exactly swallow up an academy belonging to the Heaven Dou Empire.

By now, everyone under heaven knew that Blazing Academy possessed three high-grade Soul Bones. Quite a few people coveted them along the way, but Dean Huo Tianchen's peak Soul Douluo strength scared them off. Moreover, the deans of Skywater Academy and Godwind Academy were present as well. That meant they currently had three high-rank Soul Douluo, enough to make even ordinary Titled Douluo think twice. The three academies also had long and deep roots, with students scattered throughout both empires, including quite a few influential figures. Thus, the journey remained relatively peaceful.

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe also returned to Heaven Dou City with the three teams. After they arrived, Emperor Xue Ye personally received the deans and students of all three academies. As for Blazing Academy, Emperor Xue Ye had originally planned to rename it the Royal Blazing Academy, but Huo Tianchen politely declined.

Huo Tianchen said that Blazing Academy's only purpose was to educate students and cultivate talent, and that it was unworthy of the royal title. In the end, Emperor Xue Ye granted Blazing City and a large area nearby to Blazing Academy. Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and Wang Xiaofei were also made earls by Emperor Xue Ye, making them the center of attention for a time. The three of their fiefs were all near Blazing City.

After another five days of travel, they finally returned to Blazing Academy. Xiaofei instantly felt as if he had come home.

After returning to the academy, Dean Huo Tianchen gathered all the teachers and told them that Wang Xiaofei had officially become Blazing Academy's Vice Dean. However, since Xiaofei was still young, he would only hold the title for now and would not be assigned any duties. Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang, meanwhile, became academy teachers. At not even fifteen years old, Wang Xiaofei became the youngest vice dean of an advanced Soul Master Academy in Douluo Continent. In short, Wang Xiaofei now collected a salary without having to do any work.

A week after returning to the academy, Dean Huo Tianchen and Huo Lie secretly left with Xiaofei, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang. Their destination this time was the Undying Volcano Mountain Range south of Blazing Academy.

The Undying Volcano Mountain Range was the largest active volcano in the Heaven Dou Empire. The volcano erupted at irregular intervals, and the surrounding area within nearly a hundred kilometers belonged to the range. Because the temperature was too high and the area was extremely dangerous, the vicinity of the Undying Volcano was completely uninhabited. The deeper they went, the higher the temperature became, and in some places, magma even flowed out.

It was said that an ancient Fire Attribute sect had once been built deep within the mountain range. However, a volcanic eruption split open the earth's veins, causing countless deaths and injuries within the sect and ultimately forcing it to relocate. Because the sect had suffered such heavy losses, it gradually declined after moving away. The Fire Leopard Sect of the Star Luo Empire was said to be one of its branches.