A Treasure Seen Once in a Hundred Years

Half a month later, two carriages slowly entered Heaven Dou City.

Heaven Dou City truly deserved its reputation as one of the most prosperous cities on the Douluo Continent. Shops lined both sides of its broad streets, while crowds and carriages filled the roads.

Cries of vendors and hawkers rose and fell one after another, brimming with the vitality of everyday life.

The two carriages passed through the bustling streets before finally stopping before a grand and imposing gate.

Above the gate hung a golden plaque bearing six large characters—Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Qin Ming was the first to jump down from the carriage. He then stood respectfully to one side and led Bo Saixi and Li Changqing inside.

Ye Lingling followed close behind.

Though she had a cool and aloof personality and did not speak much,

after spending the past half month together, she had also developed a strong interest in Li Changqing, this mysterious little brother.

Led by Qin Ming and Ye Lingling, Li Changqing and Bo Saixi officially entered the noble academy known as the number one academy in the Tiandou Empire.

Upon entering the academy, they were greeted by a broad, tree-lined avenue.

Tall plane trees had been planted along both sides of the road, their dense branches and leaves blotting out the sky.

Around the fountain lay an enormous plaza paved with neat bluestone slabs, clean and orderly.

Several buildings of varying styles stood on both sides of the plaza.

Some were classical castle-like structures, while others had a modern, minimalist design.

Every one of them was grand and imposing, displaying the academy's deep foundations and strength.

As the saying went, you could say that most of Heaven Dou Royal Academy was trash, but there was no denying its facilities and resources.

After all, it had the Heaven Dou imperial family behind it. If it were truly too lousy, would the neighboring Star Luo Empire not laugh itself to death?

"This way, please."

Qin Ming led the way as he introduced the academy. "This is the academy's main campus. That building ahead is the teaching hall, the library is on the left, and the training grounds are on the right. The offices of the three chiefs are in the building behind us. I'll take you to meet them first."

Before long, led by Qin Ming, the four arrived before an ancient-looking building.

Qin Ming stepped forward and knocked on the door. After receiving a response from within, he pushed it open and entered.

Three elderly men sat in the office. They were the three chiefs of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Chief Meng Shenji, Senior Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin.

All three were Soul Douluo-level powerhouses and highly respected figures in the Tiandou Empire.

Qin Ming stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Three chiefs, I have brought you a genius."

He then gave them a detailed introduction to Li Changqing's circumstances.

When they heard that Li Changqing possessed innate level-twenty Soul Power, the eyes of the three chiefs immediately lit up.

When they heard that Li Changqing's first soul ring was three thousand years old and his second soul ring was seven thousand years old, the three chiefs shot straight up from their chairs, their eyes filled with shock and wild delight.

"Is this true?"

Meng Shenji's beard trembled with excitement. "A three-thousand-year first soul ring and a seven-thousand-year second soul ring? This... this is simply unheard of!"

Bai Baoshan and Zhilin were equally excited. They circled Li Changqing, inspecting him from head to toe as if he were a peerless treasure.

It was no wonder they had lost their composure.

Although the Tiandou Empire was one of the continent's strongest empires, it had always been thoroughly outclassed by Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire in the cultivation of soul masters.

Not only had it yet to produce a single Titled Douluo of its own, it had also failed to win the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament championship for many years.

Li Changqing's appearance gave them hope.

With talent this monstrous, so long as he was properly nurtured, he would certainly become a Titled Douluo in the future and might even reach an even higher realm.

When that time came, Heaven Dou Royal Academy would finally be able to hold its head high!

And so, Bo Saixi and Li Changqing settled down at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Not in ordinary student rooms, but in an independent courtyard.

It had two bedrooms and a living room, fully furnished and set in a quiet environment.

From the courtyard balcony, they could see the entirety of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

In the distance, green mountains stretched like painted brows. Nearby, lush trees cast their shade, and the breeze carried waves of floral fragrance.

As night deepened, Heaven Dou City remained awake.

Lantern after lantern lit up along the broad streets, shrouding the entire city in a warm red glow.

The signs before the shops shimmered with colors beneath the lights.

Noisy drinking games drifted out from the taverns.

The cries of roadside vendors rose and fell without end.

The air was filled with the aromas of all kinds of food—grilled meat, candied hawthorns, fried rice cakes...

The mixed scents formed the unique, lively flavor of Heaven Dou City.

Bo Saixi and Li Changqing walked side by side along the street, both dressed in casual clothing.

Bo Saixi had changed into an elegant white dress covered by a light blue gauze robe. Under the lantern light, she appeared gentle and mysterious.

Li Changqing wore a set of green clothes and looked full of energy.

"Sister Xixi, they're selling sugar-roasted chestnuts over there!" Li Changqing pointed at a roadside stall, his eyes shining.

Bo Saixi looked in the direction he pointed and indeed saw an old man stir-frying a wok full of chestnuts.

The fragrance of caramel drifted out with the steam, making one's mouth water.

"Come on, let's buy some."

Bo Saixi took his hand and walked to the stall. "Sir, two portions, please."

"Coming right up!"

The old man deftly packed two paper bags of sugar-roasted chestnuts and handed them to Bo Saixi. "Miss, here you go. That'll be five copper coins."

Bo Saixi paid him and handed one bag to Li Changqing. Holding the other herself, she peeled and ate the chestnuts as they walked.

The chestnuts had just come out of the wok and were still a little hot to the touch, but they were fragrant, sweet, soft, and melted in the mouth. The two ate with great relish.

"Sister Xixi, look over there!" With his mouth stuffed with chestnuts, Li Changqing pointed indistinctly toward a spot not far ahead.

Bo Saixi looked up and saw a crowd gathered in front of them, seemingly watching something.

At the center of the crowd, a middle-aged man was performing a fire-breathing act, drawing waves of applause.

"Come on, let's take a look." Bo Saixi pulled Li Changqing over as well.

The two watched the performance amidst the crowd for a while before continuing onward.

Heaven Dou City's night market was truly bustling. Acrobatics, snacks, and small wares of every kind filled the streets, leaving people dazzled.

They wandered and stopped along the way, buying quite a few snacks: grilled meat skewers, fried squid, candied hawthorns, and a steaming bowl of wontons.

Just as they stood before a wonton stall waiting, the conversation of several passersby nearby caught their attention.

"Did you hear? Tiandou Auction House is auctioning off a mysterious supreme treasure tonight. They say it's something seen only once in a hundred years!"

"Really? What kind of treasure is it?"

"Who knows? The auction house has kept the details under wraps. They only said it was a treasure capable of changing the balance of power. A lot of important figures have come, and I heard even Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect showed up in person."

"Even Sect Master Ning came? Then it must really be something extraordinary! Too bad we don't have the money. We can only listen in on the excitement."

"It's still nice to enjoy the gossip. It doesn't cost anything, after all."

The passersby chatted and laughed as they walked away, leaving Bo Saixi and Li Changqing to exchange a glance.