Entrance Exam

Early the next morning, Tang Chuan took Xiao Wu and Tang San to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Xiao Wu was incredibly happy along the way. She had no idea that Tang San's Purple Demon Eye had seen through her, and she was still delighted about confirming their relationship yesterday and discovering that Lovesick Heartbreak Red could conceal her aura.

She had originally prepared her words, intending to say that she did not want to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy anymore. But since her aura was concealed, naturally, the best choice was to stay by Tang San's side.

"Little San, the old poisoner is waiting for us at the academy entrance. We'll head over together then."

"Okay, Father."

"Old poisoner? What a strange name."

"Strange? This old man thinks it's fine."

The moment Xiao Wu voiced her confusion, a voice immediately picked up her words. Looking up, she saw an elderly man in green robes standing at the entrance of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

At that moment, Dugu Bo was truly refreshed. His hair was completely black, and even the somewhat weary air that illness had once etched onto his face had vanished.

"Old poisoner. Xiao Wu, he is a Title Douluo. I call him old poisoner because we're close."

"Title Douluo!"

Xiao Wu tensed up instinctively, but when she saw nothing unusual in his gaze, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Lovesick Heartbreak Red really could conceal a soul beast's aura.

"Hahaha, is this one your disciple too?"

Dugu Bo did not mind Xiao Wu's words. Instead, he was rather curious whether she was Tang Chuan's disciple.

Tang Chuan shook his head and casually explained that she was Tang San's friend. Then the group headed together toward the academy council's office.

"Young friend Tang Chuan, I truly have you to thank. This old man finds cultivation so much easier now, and I no longer need to worry about my illness flaring up at any moment."

"No matter. We had a deal to begin with, and since I said I would cure you completely, I naturally won't disappoint you."

Upon arriving at the council office, Dugu Bo symbolically knocked twice before pushing the door open and walking in. As a Title Douluo, he had always been the one others showed respect to; there had never been a reason for him to show respect to anyone else.

"Poison Douluo!"

The three academy council members—Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin—had been about to ask who was so rude as to barge in, only to see Dugu Bo entering with three young people.

"Mm. These are the young friends Tang Chuan and the others whom I mentioned to you yesterday."

"Oh? Handsome in appearance and imposing in bearing—Brother Tang Chuan truly is an extraordinary talent among men!"

Meng Shenji reached this conclusion after merely assessing Tang Chuan. The other man's aura was exceptionally steady, and even Meng Shenji could not clearly discern his Soul Power Level. Usually, that meant the other party's level was higher than his own.

He then looked toward Tang San and Xiao Wu. At first glance, he froze. There was no other reason—the boy looked far too much like Tang Chuan.

"Little friend, what is your name?"

"My name is Tang San. She is Xiao Wu."

"Tang Chuan, Tang San... Brother Tang Chuan, could this be your son? A tiger father truly has no dog son. Young friend Tang San's aura is remarkably solid. As expected of someone you raised."

Meng Shenji immediately assumed Tang San was Tang Chuan's biological son and launched into another round of flattering praise.

"Enough, enough. We know you're interested in geniuses, but test their talent first."

Dugu Bo crossed his arms. He truly could not stand listening to those words any longer; Meng Shenji was far too good at flattering people.

"Student Tang San, please step forward a few paces. This old man will release Soul Power pressure at the corresponding level shortly. Just do your best to withstand it."

The tall, thin Zhi Lin stepped forward. He first glanced at Tang Chuan, then summoned his martial soul, Celestial Vine. Eight soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—rose beneath his feet, revealing his cultivation as a Soul Douluo.

"A Soul Douluo. Heaven Dou Royal Academy truly lives up to being the face of the Heaven Dou Empire. Its faculty is remarkably formidable."

"This old man is called Zhi Lin. My martial soul is Celestial Vine. I am an eighty-third-level Tool Soul Douluo and the third seat of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's council!"

"Student Tang San, nod when you are ready, and we will begin the test."

Tang San turned to look at Tang Chuan. Seeing him nod, he no longer hesitated and nodded at Zhi Lin.

Boom!

The pressure of a Soul Elder bore down on him. They had learned yesterday that Tang San was roughly six to eight years old, but since he was a genius, he could not be judged by ordinary standards.

Thus, Zhi Lin immediately released the Soul Power pressure of a Soul Elder.

Though the pressure of level thirty was slightly higher than Tang San's twenty-ninth-level Soul Power, it was no problem at all. Fighting opponents above his level was no longer difficult for him.

"Oh? Not bad. To face the pressure of a Soul Elder at such an age without changing expression is already very impressive."

After saying that, Zhi Lin raised the pressure by another level. This time, it was the pressure of a four-ring Soul Ancestor. Tang San still did not change expression. Having absorbed immortal herbs, his physical strength was incredibly formidable. A mere twenty-level gap was not enough to force out his martial soul.

"He can withstand level forty too?!"

This time, not only Zhi Lin, but even Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Dugu Bo were somewhat astonished.

Some unknown hammer-wielding brute had once taught Zhao Wuji a lesson: when one's Soul Power Level exceeded the opponent's by twenty levels, one could win even without using a martial soul.

Yet Tang San did not seem under any pressure at all. His brows merely furrowed slightly.

"One last round. This should be his limit."

Zhi Lin's Soul Power rose again, this time directly reaching the level of a five-ring Soul King—fifty-ninth level.

"Urgh!"

Tang San lost his balance and nearly dropped to one knee. The Blue Silver King appeared in his hand, and the yellow and purple soul rings beneath his feet left everyone present utterly shocked.

"Two thousand-year rings?! And a Blue Silver-type martial soul at that!"

Meng Shenji was stunned at first, then overjoyed. For such a genius to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy was practically a gift from the heavens!

"Young friend Tang Chuan, is your son even reasonable? A thousand-year second ring is a bit too outrageous, isn't it?"

"Not bad. I could manage that much too."

Tang Chuan was not bragging. After all, his weakest soul rings were all at least fifty thousand years old.

As time passed, Tang San was beginning to reach his limit. He had nearly summoned the Clear Sky Hammer in his left hand.

Then, a burst of energy suddenly erupted from his body—the sign of a breakthrough. Under this wave of pressure, Tang San's Soul Power Level actually broke through to level thirty without a hitch.

"Third Brother!"

Xiao Wu was somewhat worried about him. This was only a test—there was no need for Third Brother to push himself so hard, right?

"Alright, student Tang San. With talent like yours, you are absolutely qualified to join our Imperial Fighting Team. When the time comes for the Advanced Soul Master Tournament, you will be the stars of the show!"

Meng Shenji had already envisioned a future where they pummeled the Star Luo Empire and crushed Spirit Hall's Golden Generation—and that day would not be far off.