Douluo: A Fake God in Peerless

Su Luoheng recited the name a few times in his heart, then flicked his finger, tossing the coin into the air.

His gaze rose and fell with the coin.

The coin tumbled through the air, and with a crisp ding, Su Luoheng slapped it down onto the tabletop.

Sun Moon or Shrek?

Su Luoheng slowly lifted his palm; the coin was face-up.

"Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy..."

Su Luoheng put the coin away, repeating the name in his mind.

Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy was the undisputed premier soul master academy on the Douluo Continent, and within it lay a sacred ground that every soul master yearned for: Mingde Hall.

Going to Sun Moon might not offer much of an improvement to his soul master abilities, but his talent would undoubtedly be fully realized there.

Only there could one come into contact with soul guidance devices that truly represented the continent's peak, and given the academy's attitude toward talent, he would surely be valued as long as he displayed sufficient aptitude.

However, there were gains and losses to everything.

Since he had already surrendered the power of choice to the coin, there was no need to look back or hesitate.

Su Luoheng had a premonition that Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy would be a good choice for his future. Feeling relieved after making his decision, he did something unprecedented: instead of choosing to meditate, he lay down on his bed to get a normal night's sleep.

Meanwhile, the couple Su Junran and Ye Lan were also speculating about little Luoheng's choice.

"Junran, where do you think our son will go?"

Su Junran did not hesitate, stating firmly, "Either Shrek Academy or Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. The chances of any other soul master academy are slim."

"Then which one do you think is more likely?" Ye Lan asked curiously.

"That, I'm not sure." Su Junran shrugged and countered, "Which academy do you hope Luoheng goes to?"

"If it were up to me, Sun Moon would be better; his talent would surely be better utilized there. But... Shrek Academy is just too famous, not to mention you brought it up back then."

At this thought, Ye Lan suddenly looked at Su Junran, her eyes filled with resentment. "Did you do that on purpose? Just to make our son go to Shrek?"

Su Junran smiled noncommittally at this, offering no rebuttal.

Unhappy, Ye Lan shot him a reproachful glare and, still feeling unsatisfied, gave him a few playful punches.

"Lan'er."

"Hmm?"

"Actually, I also want our son to go to Sun Moon. It's safer there than in the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Junran, you still want to..."

"Lan'er, you know me."

"I'll go with you when the time comes."

"Alright."

"..."

Ye Lan leaned gently into Su Junran's embrace, a flicker of emotion crossing her phoenix eyes.

The next day, early morning.

The family of three was eating breakfast at the table.

"Luoheng, have you decided which academy you want to attend?" Su Junran placed a bowl of porridge in front of Ye Lan, then turned to ask Su Luoheng in a casual tone.

Although Ye Lan didn't speak, she also cast an attentive gaze his way.

"I'm going to Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. I've thought about it, and the path of a soul master is more suitable for me." As he spoke, Su Luoheng set down his chopsticks and looked up at his parents with a serious expression.

A flicker of surprise crossed Su Junran's face, and he met Ye Lan's eyes.

Both of them looked slightly astonished.

They had only mentioned it in passing last night; they hadn't expected little Luoheng to actually choose Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

"Mom, Dad, what do you think?"

"Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is indeed very suitable for you."

Su Junran collected himself and picked up a piece of vegetable. "But I will say this again: even if you become a soul master, do not neglect your martial soul. It is the foundation of a soul master's power."

"Mom supports you too, but don't forget your father's reminder," Ye Lan replied gently.

"Yes, I understand." Su Luoheng was well aware of the weaknesses of soul masters. His abilities as a soul master didn't need to be the best, but they absolutely could not be a shortcoming; only then could he go further.

"Also—"

Before Su Junran could finish, Ye Lan reminded him.

"Alright, hurry up and eat. We can talk about the rest after breakfast."

"Mm."

The father and son exchanged a glance and simultaneously buried their heads in their food, their movements synchronized to a surprising degree.

Ye Lan retracted her gaze, satisfied.

"..."

Halfway through the meal, Su Junran suddenly paused and said thoughtfully, "My dear, if I recall correctly, the enrollment for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy has already begun, hasn't it?"

"Mm, it started yesterday."

Ye Lan nodded, taking an elegant, small sip of her porridge.

Su Junran frowned slightly and said with a serious air, "Since the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy has already begun enrollment, our time is a bit tight. Perhaps we should set off this afternoon."

"So soon?" Su Luoheng, who was in the middle of biting into a chicken leg, was slightly stunned.

"Although our Maple Leaf City borders the Sun Moon Empire, there is still quite a distance to the Ming Capital, where the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is located. Besides, the academy's enrollment period lasts only five days. If we arrive late, we'll have to wait until next year."

"Only five days of enrollment?"

"Mm, only five days."

Watching Su Junran's deadpan expression, Ye Lan's eyes darted around, filled with doubt.

How come I didn't know the Sun Moon Empire's enrollment only lasted five days? Did they change the schedule?

"Junran..."

"Ahem!"

Before Ye Lan could finish, Su Junran coughed twice to interrupt her. "Son, hurry up and pack your things once you're done eating."

"I'll go pack right now!"

Hearing this, Su Luoheng grew anxious. He hurriedly shoveled down a few more mouthfuls of rice and rushed out of the dining room in a flurry.

Soon, the sounds of clattering and packing echoed from the back room.

In the dining room.

Unable to contain her confusion, Ye Lan tilted her head and asked, "Junran, I remember the enrollment period for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is half a month, isn't it? Did they change it this year?"

"No, it's still half a month."

Su Junran nodded, continuing to sip his soy milk leisurely.

"The soy milk is a bit sweet today, my dear."

"Go on, don't change the subject!"

Ye Lan rolled her eyes at him. "Then why are you lying to our son?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to tease him," Su Junran explained with a smile.

"You... you're still the same as before." Ye Lan twitched her lips and shook her head helplessly.

"The same as what?"

"The same love for playing tricks on people!" Ye Lan glared at him.

"How can you call it a trick? I'm just training our son... besides, it's not entirely a lie; I really do intend to leave this afternoon," Su Junran said with a faint smile.

"Why go so early?"

Seeing that her husband wasn't joking, Ye Lan became curious.

A flash of sharpness crossed Su Junran's eyes as he whispered, "Sending our son away early will allow me to take care of those matters."

"You aren't allowed to leave me behind this time!" Ye Lan gripped Su Junran's arm.

Looking at his wife's earnest expression, Su Junran rubbed his nose with a wry smile. "Rest assured, that definitely won't happen this time. Hurry up and eat; you can help our son pack his luggage in a bit."

"That's more like it~"

Seeing this, Ye Lan retracted her gaze, satisfied.

The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is located in the Sun Moon Empire's capital, Sun Moon City, also known as the Ming Capital.

Although there are constant minor frictions between various nations, the overall situation remains in a period of peace, so the major empires do not strictly restrict the travel of citizens and merchants.

This is especially true for the border cities of the major empires.

Originally, the couple wanted to personally escort Su Luoheng to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, but circumstances changed midway, leaving them no choice but to have young Luoheng travel to the Ming Capital with a merchant caravan.

Although Su Luoheng is still young, he is already a first-ring Soul Master.

Furthermore, the Soul Ancestor leading the caravan has a friendship with Su Junran, so the couple felt relatively at ease.

Before leaving, his old man had mentioned the correct enrollment period. If it weren't for the two bottles of medicinal pills and two gold soul coin scrolls prepared in his ring, Su Luoheng would have definitely had it out with his old man.

In any case, with his mother around, he certainly wouldn't be the one getting hurt.

Though he was no match for his father, there was someone who could keep him in check.

Time slipped away in the blink of an eye.

After a total of five days, Su Luoheng finally arrived at Sun Moon City, the capital of the Sun Moon Empire.

As the center of the Sun Moon Empire's economy, politics, and culture, he knew its prosperity and scale would far exceed any other city. Yet, the moment he laid eyes on Ming Capital, Su Luoheng realized he had been far too conservative in his estimations.

Setting aside everything else for a moment.

Looking out over the area occupied by the entire city, a conservative estimate would place it at least five times the size of Maple Leaf City.

Furthermore, its level of prosperity was simply incomparable to Maple Leaf City.

Even though they were only at the outermost edge of Ming Capital, the crowds were already flowing like an endless river.

The bustling throng of people coming and going was incredibly lively.

So this is Ming Capital...

Su Luoheng couldn't help but mutter under his breath, his bright eyes filled with shock.

"How is it, Luoheng? Is it quite shocking?"

"Mm."

Seeing Su Luoheng's expression, the middle-aged man beside him with a resolute face and square features smiled. "That's only natural. When I first arrived in Ming Capital, I was just like you."

"Uncle Wang, you've traveled far and wide; is there really no other city comparable to Ming Capital?" Su Luoheng asked curiously.

"If we're talking strictly about the level of prosperity, Shrek City could count as one. But in terms of sheer scale, no other city can compare, because Ming Capital has no city walls."

Chapter 14: The Marvelous Use of the First Soul Skill

Once the topic turned to Ming Capital, Wang Chen seemed to have opened a floodgate, explaining everything with great enthusiasm.