Douluo: One Man Returns, the Heaven-Defying Seal Smashes Tang San to Death

This trip to the Star Dou Great Forest had not only yielded a suitable third soul ring, but also a great opportunity—and he had even snatched something from Tang San. It had truly been a bountiful haul.

The only regret was that the golden-red fruit was of little use to Lu Yu.

Lu Yu could sense a dense Dragon Bloodline aura within it, but it contained only a very thin amount of energy.

His martial soul was the Heaven-Defying Seal. The Dragon Bloodline was useless to him, and that meager energy could hardly provide any major boost to his Soul Power cultivation.

It was not even as fast as cultivating by using Reverse Birth Triple to convert the Innate Qi within his body...

But Lu Yu guessed... since this fruit could cause soul beasts to undergo Dragon Transformation, it would surely have extraordinary effects on those with Dragon Martial Souls, or even dragon-like martial souls.

Whether he sold it or traded it for something later, he was guaranteed to profit!

Two days later, at the entrance of Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy.

Now that Lu Yu's Soul Power cultivation had reached the Soul Elder realm and he had broken through to Level 34 in one go, his travel speed had naturally increased greatly.

If he had not feared that the Wind Thunder Wings would cause too much commotion and draw attention, he could have returned to Nuoding City in half a day.

Looking at Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy before him, Lu Yu murmured, "It's time to leave..."

He had cultivated here for five years. With his third soul ring acquired, the Golden Light Spell had reached major mastery, and he would no longer need to deliberately suppress his cultivation in the future.

The first stage of Reverse Birth Triple strengthened the physical body, while the Golden Light Spell likewise tempered the body before reaching major mastery.

The reason Lu Yu had always cultivated these two techniques to their bottlenecks before obtaining a soul ring was to push the age limit of the soul rings he could endure to the utmost limit.

Now that Reverse Birth Triple had reached its second stage and the Golden Light Spell had achieved major mastery, he could directly obtain a soul ring whenever his cultivation reached a bottleneck.

Had he not deliberately suppressed himself, with Lu Yu's cultivation speed, he would have reached the Four-Ring Soul Sect Master realm—or even the Five-Ring Soul King realm—during these five years!

If Yu Xiaogang learned of all this, how would he feel?

Yu Xiaogang had once said that Lu Yu lacked the proper temperament and was too eager for quick success.

He probably never would have imagined that the cultivation speed Lu Yu had displayed was already the result of deliberate suppression for the sake of building the most perfect foundation...

Dean's Office.

"You want to apply for early graduation?"

Director Su stared at Lu Yu in a daze for a moment.

But when he recalled that Lu Yu had left the academy this time to obtain his third soul ring, he understood.

An eleven-year-old Three-Ring Soul Master could no longer be described as a genius. He was simply a monster!

How could such a peerless prodigy continue wasting time in a Junior Soul Master Academy?

The current Lu Yu could even skip an intermediate Soul Master Academy and directly enroll in an advanced Soul Master Academy. The major advanced Soul Master Academies would likely fight over him!

"Director Su, please help me complete the procedures." Lu Yu nodded politely.

Director Su smiled warmly. "Wait here for a moment. I'll go find the dean. He needs to approve this matter!"

Less than ten minutes after Director Su left the Dean's Office, the dean of Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy arrived together with many of the academy's senior staff.

They had long heard about Lu Yu. He had reached the Soul Elder realm at only eleven years old. Across the entire Heavenly Dou Empire—even the whole continent—how many could compare to such talent?

Lu Yu was not surprised by this display.

Ever since he had applied to the academy to leave and hunt for his third soul ring, he had expected to cause a huge stir.

Keeping his head down and quietly amassing wealth was certainly the best path, but in the survival-of-the-fittest world of Soul Masters, only those with greater strength and talent could receive enough attention and hold an exceptional status.

After entering, the dean of Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy went straight to Lu Yu and said with a kind smile, "Lu Yu, Director Su told me that you wish to apply for early graduation?"

Lu Yu nodded and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Yes. I ask that the academy approve it."

The dean smiled. "Of course I will approve it. Even in an advanced Soul Master Academy, someone who has reached the Three-Ring Soul Master realm could graduate with outstanding results, much less here at a mere Junior Soul Master Academy."

As he spoke, he stepped aside and pointed at an elderly man behind him. "Lu Yu, this is Senior Meng Shenji, the head of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Dean's Office. He has something he wishes to discuss with you."

The dean's expression was incomparably respectful as he spoke.

Lu Yu's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Meng Shenji.

Meng Shenji appeared to be over eighty. He was lean, rosy-cheeked, and brimming with energy.

After the introduction, the dean signaled to the academy's senior staff behind him. They filed out of the office one after another and closed the door behind them.

Meng Shenji looked Lu Yu over, then said with a smile, "Little fellow, there's no need to be nervous."

"I have come today on behalf of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the Heavenly Dou Empire's imperial family to invite you."

Naturally, Lu Yu knew the old man before him. Heaven Dou Royal Academy belonged to the Heavenly Dou Empire's imperial family. The emperor of the Heavenly Dou Empire served as the academy's dean, though he rarely involved himself in its daily affairs.

And Meng Shenji was the highest-ranking figure in Heaven Dou Royal Academy aside from the dean himself!

Most importantly...

Meng Shenji was an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo!

Lu Yu inclined his body slightly, respectful yet not servile, and said softly, "May I ask what instructions you have, Senior?"

Meng Shenji waved his hand with a smile. "Instructions would be too much! The empire has always valued talent. You reached the Three-Ring realm at only eleven years old. Your talent is truly outstanding!"

"I have come on behalf of the imperial family and the academy to invite you to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy and represent the academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament three years from now!"

"As long as you are willing to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the academy will grant you a monthly allowance of ten thousand Gold Soul Coins, provide every resource you need for cultivation, and open all the academy's simulated cultivation grounds to you free of charge!"

"Furthermore, neither the academy nor the imperial family will restrict your freedom. Once the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is over, you may graduate from the academy early whenever you wish."

"Additionally, if you need to obtain a soul ring during your time at the academy, the Dean's Office will hunt any type of soul beast under thirty thousand years for you free of charge!"

"Beyond that, the imperial family will grant you a noble title. Once your cultivation reaches the Soul Sage realm, if you are willing, the imperial family will confer upon you the title of prince of a different surname!"

Even though Lu Yu had expected it, he could not help but marvel inwardly as he listened to Meng Shenji's series of offers.

The Heavenly Dou Empire's imperial family was truly generous!

But after considering it carefully, he guessed the purpose behind the imperial family's terms.

Though Meng Shenji had made it sound appealing, saying that neither the academy nor the imperial family would restrict Lu Yu's personal freedom and that he could come and go as he pleased.

That would only be after Lu Yu represented Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the Soul Master Competition!

During those three years beforehand, Lu Yu would remain a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and would be unable to join any other faction.

As for three years later?

For ordinary Soul Masters, the ideal age limits for the fifth and sixth soul rings were fifteen thousand years and twenty thousand years respectively.

Yet few Soul Masters who had just reached Level 50 could defeat a soul beast with a cultivation of fifteen thousand years!

Likewise, Soul Masters who had reached Level 60 but had yet to obtain their sixth soul ring would find it difficult to contend with twenty-thousand-year soul beasts.

If it were anyone else, they would likely be willing to remain at Heaven Dou Royal Academy for this condition alone.

And upon breaking through to Level 70, they could directly be made princes of a different surname by the Heavenly Dou Empire, gaining an exceptional status and enormous authority.

How many people could refuse such temptation?

But to Lu Yu, none of it mattered!

Have someone help him obtain soul rings?

With Lu Yu's current strength, he could already confront soul beasts with around ten thousand years of cultivation head-on!

As for the so-called imperial prince?

Before absolute strength, royal power and hegemony would be his for the taking!

Once Lu Yu reached Level 100 and became a god, would the so-called emperor of an empire not have to obediently listen to him?

Though that was what he thought, Lu Yu still said without hesitation, "Senior, I am willing to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

But then his tone shifted as he continued, "However, I have one additional condition..."

Meng Shenji had not expected Lu Yu to agree so readily. Overjoyed, he asked, "Let's hear it!"

"During my time at the academy, I hope the academy will not restrict my freedom or interfere in my personal affairs." Lu Yu spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Hearing this, Meng Shenji laughed heartily and said without hesitation, "No problem! I can make that decision!"

For the imperial family, it was enough as long as they could tie Lu Yu to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Geniuses tended to be independent and unconventional. Since Lu Yu wanted freedom, they would give him freedom!

Meng Shenji thought for a moment before saying, "Since the matter is settled, go back and pack your things. In half an hour, I'll take you to Heaven Dou City!"

Lu Yu nodded, took his leave, and departed.

Knowing full well about the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's scheme, why had he agreed to Meng Shenji's terms?

The reason was simple...

Lu Yu needed an advanced Soul Master Academy as a stepping stone to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.