Mingde Hall

When Lin Yuan saw the teachers' reactions, he chuckled.

"Now do you understand why I wanted to bring him to Mingde Hall?"

The teachers fell silent for a moment before nodding in unison.

If such an exceptional prospect could not enter Mingde Hall, that would be truly absurd.

Seeing this, Lin Yuan wasted no more time and turned around.

"Let's go. If the hall master learns that the academy has gained such a monster, he probably won't be able to sit still either."

With that, he led Ye Luochen deeper into the academy.

Ye Luochen followed Lin Yuan the whole way.

Although his cultivation was only at level thirty-eight, his physical endurance had long surpassed that of ordinary people.

By his estimate, he had walked at least five kilometers in the half hour since entering.

Yet the buildings before him still stretched beyond sight.

Even Ye Luochen, who had experienced Shrek—which was already famous throughout the continent for its enormous size—could not help murmuring in amazement.

"What a huge place."

Hearing Ye Luochen's words, Lin Yuan slowed slightly and turned back to ask.

"What? Tired?"

Ye Luochen gently shook his head.

"No. I'm just surprised that the academy covers such a vast area."

Lin Yuan smiled at that.

"Of course. The academy has royal support, so securing a sufficiently large plot of land in Ming Capital is quite easy.

"Besides, Ming Capital does not lack land. Even the combined area of the former capitals of Douluo Three Kingdoms would be nowhere near as large as Ming Capital."

After a pause, Lin Yuan explained further.

"The reason I brought you on foot was so you could first gain a basic impression and understanding of the academy.

"Once your paperwork is complete and you become an official student, you can use the academy's Soul Tool vehicles. Getting around will be simple and fast then."

"Alright, we're here. This is the core of the academy."

"Mingde Hall."

At Lin Yuan's words, Ye Luochen raised his head.

But what he saw was completely different from what he had expected.

The building before him appeared to cover less than five hundred square meters, and its exterior was utterly unremarkable.

It could not compare in the slightest to any of the high-tech buildings he had seen along the way.

"What? Is it different from what you imagined?"

Seeing Ye Luochen's expression, Lin Yuan smiled.

"Mingde Hall is the core of the academy—indeed, of the entire empire.

"Such an important place naturally would not be placed openly on the surface."

"Once we go inside, don't look around carelessly. Stay close."

As he spoke, Lin Yuan took out his identification card and swiped it. The doors slowly opened.

After passing through three more checkpoints guarded jointly by Soul Masters and Soul Tools, they finally entered the building.

Before them stood dozens of enormous metal elevators.

Several of them were constantly rising and descending.

After swiping his card to activate one elevator, Lin Yuan led Ye Luochen inside.

They descended for nearly two minutes before the elevator finally stopped.

Only then did Ye Luochen understand why Mingde Hall had appeared so ordinary from the outside.

The real Mingde Hall was hidden hundreds of meters underground!

After leaving the elevator and passing through hall after hall and corridor after corridor, Lin Yuan stopped before a door.

He quietly said something to an instrument.

Then, two beams of light lit up from the door and enveloped them both.

"This is Mingde Hall's inspection system. It checks a visitor's identity information and whether they are carrying prohibited items."

"If anything is abnormal, even a Title Douluo-level expert would find it difficult to force their way in."

Lin Yuan explained this to Ye Luochen.

The door opened, and after passing through several more corridors, the two entered a spacious hall.

Several people were already waiting inside.

On the way here, Lin Yuan had taught Ye Luochen quite a bit.

Thus, Ye Luochen could recognize some things now.

For example, the badges worn on the chests of the people before him.

Judging by the stars on them, the lowest-ranked among them was a seventh-level Soul Engineer.

Several had even reached the level of eighth-level Soul Engineers!

"Lin Yuan."

An elderly man wearing an eighth-level Soul Engineer badge spoke slowly.

"You applied to activate a special-grade assessment for this child?"

Lin Yuan nodded respectfully.

"That is correct. This child's talent is exceptional. Only by studying in Mingde Hall will his potential not be wasted."

The elderly man who had spoken earlier raised his brows slightly.

Then, a wave of spiritual power spread out from his body.

Ye Luochen felt as though he had sunk into a boundless ocean. Under the cover of that wave, he could not summon even the slightest resistance.

What powerful spiritual power!

"His aura is decent. Give him a comprehensive test."

As his words fell, the elderly man raised a hand and pressed something on the table.

Then, an enormous metal apparatus slowly rose from the floor.

"Step inside and relax your entire body. The instrument will assess your physical attributes."

Following the instructions, Ye Luochen slowly stepped onto it.

A white glow lit up at the top of the Soul Tool, covering his entire body as it slowly descended from above his head.

At the side, Lin Yuan stared intently at the instrument's screen.

Although he already knew some of Ye Luochen's attributes, those earlier tests had been far too basic.

Only Mingde Hall's equipment could reveal Ye Luochen's true level.

The scan did not take long. Soon, the results appeared on the screen.

Lin Yuan slowly read them aloud.

"Bone age: fifteen."

"Height: one point eight one meters. Weight: seventy-four kilograms."

"Soul Power fluctuation: level thirty-eight."

Hearing this, the elderly man across from him nodded slightly.

Very good data.

But if that was all, it would not be enough to grant special approval for entry into Mingde Hall.

However, Lin Yuan's next words slowly changed the old man's view.

"Physical strength: level fifty-seven. Physical resilience: level sixty."

"Soul bone enhancements: none."

At the Soul Elder level of Soul Power, he possessed the physical strength and resilience of a Soul King and Soul Emperor?

He had leaped two entire major ranks?

And that was without any soul bone enhancements.

If he had them, would it not be even higher?

What kind of monster was this?

At that thought, the elderly man could not help praising him.

"No wonder Lin Yuan applied for a special-grade assessment on your behalf. Little fellow, your physical constitution is truly terrifying."

"Forget those of your generation—even people several generations older than you would struggle to reach such a level."

Faced with the elderly man's praise, Ye Luochen merely cupped his hands lightly.

"You flatter me, Senior. I have only worked a little harder than others."

Hearing Ye Luochen's words, the elderly man smiled and shook his head.

As an eighth-level Soul Engineer of Mingde Hall, he knew only too well how difficult it was to reach such a level.

It was absolutely not something one could achieve merely by "working a little harder."

There had to be countless drops of sweat behind it.

With that thought, the elderly man slowly rose to his feet.

"Alright, Lin Yuan. I'll personally handle the remaining tests."