Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy

Bright Capital—the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy occupied the entire southern district of the city.

The academy itself formed a neat hexagon, so vast that its edges could not be seen at a glance.

Its three main sections—the teaching area, dormitory area, and experimental area—were spread out in an orderly yet varied layout.

Numerous shops and businesses even extended beyond the academy grounds, forming a bustling commercial district centered around the academy.

The academy's architectural style was grand and extravagant to the utmost degree. From the metal statues several zhang tall at its entrance to the soul tool crystals embedded above its gates, everything displayed the Sun Moon Empire's wealth and prowess in soul tool technology.

Even standing at the academy gates, one could feel a strong modern atmosphere rushing toward them.

Yan Hongchen stood before the gates, slightly raising his head to look at the enormous metal doors. A faint sense of nostalgia rose from the depths of his heart.

School life, here I come.

"Let's go." Yi Hongchen's voice came from ahead. He looked back at the three children, a faint smile on his lips. "I'll take you to find the dean of students, Lin Jiayi, and collect your enrollment supplies."

Liu Yueming stood beside Yan Hongchen and gently reminded them, "The academy requires uniforms. We roughly took your measurements a couple of days ago, so you can collect them shortly. Also, it's best not to go to the academy's physical assessment room too casually, or it would be troublesome if something got exposed."

As she said this, her gaze lingered on Yan Hongchen for an extra moment. Yan Hongchen understood perfectly. Even with illusions concealing him, he could not hide from the repeated scans of those precise instruments. Still, the advantages of his identity would let him avoid that hurdle, so there was no need to worry too much.

The family stepped into the academy.

Yi Hongchen walked at the front, his pace unhurried. After all, he had quite a few old acquaintances at the academy. As they went along, people greeted him from time to time with "Brother Yi" and "Duke Hongchen."

He nodded in response to each of them, occasionally stopping for a brief exchange. Liu Yueming quietly followed beside him, her eyes on the three children as she introduced the academy to them in a low voice.

"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is mainly divided into three major areas." She raised her hand and pointed into the distance. "That is the teaching area, this is the dormitory area, and the innermost section, which occupies more than two-thirds of the academy's total area, is the experimental area. At the very center of the experimental area is Mingde Hall."

Following her gesture, Yan Hongchen could only make out the layered outlines of buildings. Yet the solemn aura belonging to the core of soul tool technology was already faintly perceptible.

Liu Yueming continued, "The teaching area has a total of twelve teaching buildings. There are six grades, with two buildings for each grade."

"There are only three admission requirements: soul power above Rank 10, one soul ring, and an age no greater than twelve."

"After entering, age is no longer the main criterion for determining your grade. As long as your ability reaches the level of a Rank 1 soul engineer, you can advance to the second grade. If you reach Rank 2, you can advance to the third grade."

She paused, and her tone became more solemn. "The learning environment is quite relaxed. Assessments focus on soul engineer rank, while the requirements for soul master rank are not high. But there is a time limit. If you have not reached Rank 3 soul engineer before turning eighteen, you must leave the academy and make your own way in life."

"Conversely, as long as you meet that standard, you may remain at the academy until the age of twenty-five. Those who reach Rank 5 soul engineer before twenty-five qualify to take Mingde Hall's assessment. Unfortunately, your mother has little talent in soul tools. I only got in through the convenience of my status."

Xiao Hongchen listened attentively, Meng Hongchen silently committed it to memory, while Yan Hongchen surveyed his surroundings as he walked.

The teaching buildings were enormous, with broad corridors stretching straight ahead. Soul tool screens were embedded in the walls on both sides, continuously displaying academy notices and promotional videos.

They had already entered the first-year teaching building area. Behind a desk in front of the building sat a man in his early thirties—the dean of students, Lin Jiayi.

The moment he spotted Yi Hongchen and his group from afar, he immediately rose to his feet, a smile spreading across his face as he hurried over. "Greetings, Duke Hongchen." Lin Jiayi bowed slightly, his tone respectful.

A trace of barely noticeable embarrassment flashed across Yi Hongchen's face. Strictly speaking, the duke title belonged to Jing Hongchen. However, Jing Hongchen already held the titles of master of Mingde Hall and Rank 9 soul engineer, so he had simply tossed the duke title directly to Yi Hongchen. Otherwise, it would have been awkward to speak during social engagements outside.

He waved his hand casually. "Jiayi, it's been a long time. No need to address me that way. Just call me Yi. I brought the children here today to collect some enrollment supplies."

He took a stack of papers from his robe and handed them to Lin Jiayi. "These are some of the children's physical assessment records. I still need to see the Hall Master, so we won't be doing the tests here."

Lin Jiayi accepted the papers and quickly skimmed them. Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's records were ordinary enough, but Yan Hongchen's information made him pause slightly. His soul power cultivation had already reached Soul Grandmaster level, and there was even a head soul bone listed. He quietly sighed to himself. This family really did spoil this little fellow.

Still, Lin Jiayi was used to such things. Physical assessments were originally screening tools for students of unknown background. For families whose circumstances were well known, if they brought the records directly to him, he simply handled it accordingly.

"Of course." Lin Jiayi smiled as he put away the papers. "Please remember to give the Hall Master my regards. I'll get their things."

He turned and instructed one of his subordinates to fetch the new student supplies. Before long, several storage rings were brought over.

"Duke, everything is inside." Lin Jiayi handed the rings to Yi Hongchen. "However, I do not have the students' identity cards. The Hall Master personally handled them for the three children of your family. I imagine their access privileges are not low, so I won't say much more."

Yi Hongchen nodded. He understood Jing Hongchen's intentions. With higher access privileges, the children would encounter far less trouble in the academy. Their team had only taken second place in this Soul Fighting Tournament, after all. He knew full well that it was hard to say whether they could succeed in the next one; they would probably have to wait for the one after that.

"Alright, thank you." Yi Hongchen put away the rings. "I'll take my wife and children inside."

Lin Jiayi added from behind, "Just remember to check the class schedule. These next two days are still for returning students and registration. Everything is in the storage devices—the communication soul tools, soul tool recorders, and the rest is in the student handbook. Don't go home and read none of it."

Yi Hongchen handed the items to Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and Yan Hongchen, nodding to show that he understood.

An artificial lake lay between the dormitory area and the teaching area. Its waters were clear, reflecting the willows along both banks and the distant shadows of buildings.

After crossing the stone bridge over the lake, the sight before them abruptly changed. Gone were the neat, uniform dormitory buildings. In their place stood a scattered collection of detached villas, each surrounded by carefully trimmed gardens, private and serene.

"This area is specially prepared for the academy's special-grade teachers, top researchers, and Rank 9 soul engineers temporarily residing at the academy."

Yi Hongchen explained as they walked, his tone carrying a hint of emotion. "Your grandfather applied directly for one so you could live more comfortably and so it would be easier to look after your mother. It may not compare to home, but within this academy, these are already the finest accommodations."

Yan Hongchen looked around and silently compared it in his mind. This still did not compare to home? If these conditions were placed in Shrek Academy, the other students would probably be green with envy.

He recalled the dormitory building from the original story at Shrek Academy. Several dozen people were crammed onto a single floor, and they could even fight over the bathrooms in the morning. Four hundred people competing for one bathroom—just thinking about that made his scalp tingle.

Come to think of it, when Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen later became exchange students, had they stayed in the outer academy? The conditions there were supposedly truly unbearable. Even having to eat while standing was commonplace.

If an exchange student program really fell on their heads, he would definitely have to negotiate the terms properly. He himself most likely would not go, but he could at least fight for better treatment and spare others from suffering.

He would need to discuss these matters properly tonight once Jing Hongchen returned. After all, there were still quite a few things waiting for Jing Hongchen to handle. Protecting a baron... should not be a problem.

Yan Hongchen's thoughts suddenly drifted to another person—Nana the Ghost. That unfortunate girl should not have gone through those events yet, right?

Moreover, the special nature of a ghost martial soul was that the soul could leave the body. If he truly wanted to carry out deep mental healing and purification, this was likely something he could not avoid.

Compared to using a physical body alone to drive spiritual power, the chance of success would be higher if he entered the sea of consciousness for treatment while the soul was out of the body...

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt someone's gaze upon him. He looked up and met Liu Yueming's gentle eyes. "What are you thinking about?" she asked softly.

"Nothing." Yan Hongchen smiled. "I was thinking about the academy."

Liu Yueming did not press him. She merely reached out to straighten the collar that the wind had ruffled, her movements natural and gentle.

Yi Hongchen stopped in front of a villa, took out his academy ID, and opened the gate.

"We're here."

The villa was not large, only three stories, but every room on each floor was spacious and bright, with all the furnishings one could need.

Yan Hongchen followed his family inside, his gaze sweeping across the living room, dining room, and kitchen before finally settling on the doors to several bedrooms.

"The rooms should be arranged like they are at home." Yi Hongchen patted his shoulder. "Get settled, then come downstairs. Grandfather has something to discuss with you later."

Yan Hongchen acknowledged him and went to his room. Opening the window, he could see the academy buildings in the distance and the outline of the experimental zone farther beyond. The last rays of the setting sun fell across those structures, coating them in a warm golden glow.

He was unpacking when he suddenly heard a steady set of footsteps from downstairs, followed by Xiao Hongchen's voice. "Grandfather, you're here!"

Yan Hongchen set down what he was holding, stepped out of his room, and leaned over the railing to look downstairs.

Jing Hongchen was already standing in the middle of the living room. He wore a dark robe and looked travel-worn, yet still full of vigor. He happened to be looking upstairs, and his gaze met Yan Hongchen's.

"Little Yan." The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Come down. There are some matters I need to discuss with you all."

Yan Hongchen's heart stirred. It was here.