Enrolling at Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Early the next morning, Lin Chen made his decision. He would not be going to Shrek; he would head straight to Heaven Dou City.

When he told Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing about it, Xiao Wu did not mind at all. Wherever Lin Chen went, she would go. Zhu Zhuqing fell silent for a while, then nodded without asking any questions.

She could probably guess what Lin Chen was thinking. Dai Mubai was in Soto City, and staying there would only bring her more pain. Rather than remain in that place of heartbreak, it was better to go somewhere new and start over.

After packing their luggage and eating breakfast, the three set out for Heaven Dou City.

Soto City was not too far from Heaven Dou City, only three or four days away on horseback. Lin Chen bought three horses at the market, one for each of them, and they headed north along the main road.

Zhu Zhuqing still did not speak much as she rode. However, she no longer gave off the unapproachable air she had over the past two days. Whenever Lin Chen spoke to her, she would occasionally reply. Though she did not say much, it was no longer complete silence.

Seeing this, Xiao Wu quietly said to Lin Chen, "She's slowly getting better."

"Mm." Lin Chen nodded. "Give her some time."

Three days later, the three arrived at Heaven Dou City.

Heaven Dou City was the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire and one of the most prosperous cities on the entire continent.

Its walls stood more than ten zhang high, built entirely from enormous blue stones. The gate tower rose majestically above them, with the flags of the Heaven Dou Empire fluttering overhead.

The streets within the city were broad and clean, with shops lining both sides. Pedestrians crowded shoulder to shoulder, while carriages and horses flowed through the streets in a scene of bustling prosperity.

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at the towering city walls, a complicated emotion flashing through her eyes.

She had grown up in the imperial palace of the Star Luo Empire and was used to luxury and splendor. Yet as she stood before the gates of Heaven Dou City, an unfamiliar feeling rose within her.

This city did not belong to her, nor did she belong to this city. She was an outsider, someone with nowhere to go.

"Let's go. We'll enter the city first," Lin Chen said.

The three led their horses into the city and found a clean inn to settle into. After resting for the night, Lin Chen took the two girls to Heaven Dou Royal Academy early the next morning.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy was located in the southern part of Heaven Dou City. It covered an enormous area and had been built against the mountains. From afar, a sprawling complex of buildings could be seen nestled among the lush trees.

The academy's main entrance was a towering archway made entirely of white marble, decorated with exquisite relief carvings. At its center hung a golden plaque bearing eight words: "Heaven Dou Royal Advanced Spirit Master Academy."

Two guards stood at the entrance, dressed in matching uniforms with the academy emblem on their chests. Their calm, steady auras made it clear that they were Spirit Masters.

Lin Chen stepped forward and politely said, "Hello. I'd like to enroll."

The guard looked at him, then at Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing behind him. "You're here to enroll?"

"Yes."

"Do you have letters of recommendation?"

"No."

The guard frowned. "Without recommendation letters, you'll need to pass the entrance examination to be admitted. Are you sure you want to enroll?"

"We are."

The guard nodded and took three forms from the gatehouse before handing them over. "Fill in your basic information, then follow me."

Lin Chen took the forms and quickly filled his out. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing completed theirs as well and returned them to the guard. After glancing over them, the guard led the three into the academy.

The grounds of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were even larger than Lin Chen had imagined. Tall parasol trees lined both sides of the road, their canopies meeting overhead to form a green corridor.

In the distance lay broad lawns and training fields, while several teaching buildings were scattered across the hillside in an elegant, stately style that carried the air of an aristocratic academy.

The guard brought them before a separate building with a plaque hanging above its entrance: "Entrance Examination Office."

"Go in. Teacher Qin is inside and will be handling the examination."

Lin Chen thanked him and pushed the door open.

Inside sat a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in a gray robe and wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He was looking down at a file. Hearing someone enter, he raised his head and swept his gaze over Lin Chen and the two girls.

"Here to enroll?"

"Yes."

"Let me see your forms."

Lin Chen handed him the three forms. Teacher Qin took them and first looked over Xiao Wu's name, age, martial soul, and spirit power level. When he saw "Level 52 Spirit King," one of his eyebrows rose.

Then he turned to Lin Chen's form.

Name: Lin Chen. Age: Twelve. Martial Soul: Creation Mark. Spirit Power Level: Level 56 Spirit King.

Teacher Qin's pupils suddenly contracted.

He set down the form, removed his glasses, and carefully examined Lin Chen. Then he put his glasses back on and looked at the number on the form again.

"Level 56?" His voice trembled slightly. "Are you sure you didn't write that wrong?"

"I didn't," Lin Chen said calmly.

Teacher Qin was silent for a long while before shifting his gaze to Zhu Zhuqing's form.

Name: Zhu Zhuqing. Age: Ten. Martial Soul: Netherworld Spirit Cat. Spirit Power Level: Level 27 Spirit Master.

Although it was not as astonishing as the first two, reaching Level 27 at the age of ten was already exceptionally gifted.

Teacher Qin put down the forms, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath.

"All three of you are geniuses," he said bluntly. "Especially you, Lin Chen. A twelve-year-old Level 56 Spirit King... In all my years, I've never seen anything like it. I've never even heard of it."

"So, can we pass the examination?"

"In theory, with your levels, you don't need an examination at all." Teacher Qin smiled. "But rules are rules. We still have to go through the process. Come with me."

He led the three to the training ground behind the building. It was not large, but it was fully equipped. Teacher Qin had them display their martial souls and spirit rings in turn, then tested the stability and control of their spirit power.

When Lin Chen released the Creation Mark, five nine-colored spirit rings gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight, leaving Teacher Qin dumbfounded.

Teacher Qin also heaped praise upon Xiao Wu's flexible combat techniques. Zhu Zhuqing's Netherworld Spirit Cat possessed both speed and agility. Though her spirit power level was lower than the other two, her combat instincts and skills were outstanding.

Once the test ended, Teacher Qin did not waste another word. He directly signed the three admission applications.

"You've passed," he said. "Welcome to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Xiao Wu cheered, while Zhu Zhuqing also let out a faint sigh of relief.

Lin Chen accepted the admission notice and glanced down at it, a slight smile curling his lips.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

A new place, a new beginning.

He turned toward Zhu Zhuqing. The young girl was looking down at the notice in her hands, her expression slightly dazed, as though she were dreaming.

"Come on," Lin Chen said. "Let's go see our new dormitory."

Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and looked at him. After a moment of silence, she gently nodded.

For the first time, the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile.