Enrolling at Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Early the next morning, Lin Chen made his decision. He would not go to Shrek. He would head straight for Heaven Dou City.

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

She could probably guess what Lin Chen was thinking. Dai Mubai was in Suotuo City, and staying there would only bring her more trouble. Rather than remain in that place of sorrow, she might as well go somewhere new and start over.

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

Suotuo City was not too far from Heaven Dou City. It would take three or four days on horseback. Lin Chen bought three horses at the market, one for each of them, and they headed north along the official road.

Zhu Zhuqing still did not speak much while riding, but she no longer radiated the same unapproachable aura she had over the past two days. When Lin Chen spoke to her, she would occasionally answer. Though she did not say much, at least she was no longer completely silent.

Watching this, Xiao Wu quietly said to Lin Chen, "She's getting better little by little."

"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, with the flags of the Heaven Dou Empire fluttering above it.

The streets within the city were broad and clean, lined with countless shops. Pedestrians jostled shoulder to shoulder, while carriages and horses streamed through the roads in a scene of flourishing prosperity.

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

She had grown up in the imperial palace of the Star Luo Empire and had long been accustomed to splendor. Yet as she stood before Heaven Dou City's gates, an unfamiliar feeling welled up inside her.

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

"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 a vast area and had been built against the mountains. From afar, a sprawling cluster of buildings could be seen hidden among the green trees.

The academy's main entrance was a towering archway built entirely of white marble, covered in exquisite relief carvings. In the middle hung a golden plaque bearing eight grand characters: "Heaven Dou Royal Advanced Spirit Master Academy."

Two guards stood at the entrance, dressed in matching uniforms and wearing the academy emblem on their chests. Their auras were steady and composed, clearly marking them as Spirit Masters.

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

One of the guards 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 letters of recommendation, you'll need to pass the entrance examination before you can be admitted. Are you sure you want to enroll?"

"We're sure."

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

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

The campus of Heaven Dou Royal Academy was even larger than Lin Chen had imagined. Tall plane trees lined both sides of the road, their crowns joining together to form a green corridor.

In the distance were wide lawns and training grounds, while several teaching buildings were scattered neatly across the hillside. Their elegant, imposing style carried the air of a noble academy.

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

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

Lin Chen thanked him and pushed open the door.

A middle-aged man in his forties sat inside the room. He wore a gray robe and gold-rimmed glasses, and was reading a file with his head lowered. Hearing someone enter, he looked up and swept his gaze over Lin Chen and the two girls.

"Here to enroll?"

"Yes."

"Let me see your forms."

Lin Chen handed over the three forms. Teacher Qin took them and first looked over Xiao Wu's name, age, martial soul, and Soul Power Level. When he saw "Level 52 Soul King," one of his brows rose.

Then he looked at Lin Chen's form.

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

Teacher Qin's pupils suddenly contracted.

He put down the form, removed his glasses, and carefully examined Lin Chen. Then he put them back on and looked once more at the numbers on the form.

"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 time before turning to Zhu Zhuqing's form.

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

Though she was not as outrageous as the first two, reaching Level 27 at ten years old was already extraordinarily talented.

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 Soul King... I've lived for so many years, yet I've never seen or even heard of anyone like that."

"Then can we pass the examination?"

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

He led the three to the training grounds behind the building. The area was not large, but it was fully equipped. Teacher Qin had them display their martial souls and soul rings in turn, then tested the stability and control of their Soul Power.

When Lin Chen released his Creation Mark, five Nine-Colored Soul Rings gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight, leaving Teacher Qin dumbfounded.

Xiao Wu's soft skills also earned Teacher Qin's unreserved praise. Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Spirit Cat possessed both remarkable speed and agility. Though her Soul Power Level was lower than the other two, her combat awareness and techniques were outstanding.

After the test ended, Teacher Qin did not waste another word. He directly signed the three enrollment application forms.

"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 notices and glanced down at them, a slight smile curling his lips.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

A new place, a new beginning.

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

"Let's go," Lin Chen said. "Let's take a look at our new dormitory."

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

For the first time, a faint curve appeared at the corner of her lips.