Trouble Came Knocking

After entering the Education Committee, they found the interior far from luxurious, with only the necessary furnishings and a few green plants for decoration.

Everyone took their seats according to rank. Though there was plenty of room, Ouyang Ling merely stood at Qian Renxue's side without the slightest impropriety.

"Three Education Committee members, Qinghe has come today to ask a favor." Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly and turned her gaze toward Ouyang Ling. "This young friend of mine is exceptionally gifted. It would be a shame for him not to attend the academy."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ouyang Ling stepped forward, crossed his hands over his shoulders, and bowed slightly.

"Ouyang Ling, martial soul Sea God Dragon, level 25 assault-type Great Soul Master. Greetings, three seniors."

"This young man truly is as gifted as Your Highness said!" Though they had already learned this through their earlier assessment outside the Education Committee, the three committee members could not help but marvel when they heard him say it himself.

He was an absolute monster!

Who could reach level 25 at eight years old?

Yet Ouyang Ling's impeccable manners and calm, unassuming demeanor meant that the three old men did not judge him solely by his talent.

If another noble child his age possessed such talent, his tail would probably have been sticking up in the sky. How could he possibly understand humility?

And whenever they thought of that, their heads began to ache.

Every one of those noble children was useless! They were no good at cultivation and no good at fighting, but eating, drinking, and having fun? They were the best at that!

Because of this, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had never once won the championship in any previous Soul Master tournament, nor had it even reached the final. Even Star Luo Royal Academy had managed it once!

Every problem within the academy forced the three of them to keep worrying despite their age.

Fortunately, this time, they finally saw a glimmer of hope.

Hope of reaching the final.

Ouyang Ling's arrival in particular made them hope that, if he continued developing at this rate, the academy might even win the championship in the tournament he participated in.

At that moment, the thoughts of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's three Education Committee members were perfectly aligned with Qian Renxue's.

With hopes of fighting for a future championship, Meng Shenji, the chief, was the first to step forward. A gentle smile filled his aged face. "Young friend, this old man is Meng Shenji, chief of the Education Committee. My martial soul is Black Demon, and I am a level 86 control-type battle Soul Douluo."

He then turned slightly to reveal the other two elders. "These are Bai Baoshan, deputy chief of the Education Committee. His martial soul is Heavenly Star Furnace, and he is a level 85 defense-type battle Soul Douluo. And this is Zhilin, the third member of the Education Committee. His martial soul is Sky Blue Vine, and he is a level 83 control-type weapon Soul Douluo."

At Meng Shenji's introduction, Bai Baoshan and Zhilin both gave Ouyang Ling kindly looks.

However, compared to Bai Baoshan, whose warm smile made the fat on his face tremble and gave him an approachable air, Zhilin appeared much more solemn and serious.

After introducing the three committee members to Ouyang Ling, Meng Shenji continued, "Though none of us is an assault-type Soul Master, we do have some understanding of cultivation and combat experience. If you encounter any problems, you may come find us at any time."

"Then thank you, three seniors."

After some conversation, the three committee members did not keep the discussion centered on Ouyang Ling. Moreover, with the Crown Prince present, although they all showed appreciation for him, they did not test him personally. Qian Renxue's conversation with the three committee members also remained brief.

Only when she was about to leave the Education Committee did Qian Renxue say one last thing to Meng Shenji and the others. "Then I leave my little brother in the care of the three committee members."

Meng Shenji said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness."

After Qian Renxue bid Ouyang Ling farewell and departed, Meng Shenji and the other two made arrangements for Ouyang Ling's enrollment, leaving almost nothing overlooked.

And because Ouyang Ling had reached level 25, he was directly placed in the Heaven Ultimate level and assigned a Heaven Ultimate-level teacher. Beyond that...

Meng Shenji suddenly chuckled and patted Ouyang Ling on the shoulder. "Young friend, though His Highness instructed us to take good care of you, with your talent, I doubt you would be willing to join a relatively mediocre Heaven Ultimate student class."

"Of course not."

Ouyang Ling answered as if it were only natural. "I came here to witness other geniuses. If I'm already the strongest in the class, then what meaning is there in conquering it?"

"Ambitious."

Meng Shenji and the other two exchanged smiles.

As expected, geniuses had the pride of geniuses.

That was good.

After all, only competition could create the drive for breakthroughs. That was a virtuous cycle.

"Since you have decided, we will arrange for you to join the strongest Heaven Ultimate class. It also has an exceptionally talented teacher. Are you prepared?"

Ouyang Ling was eager to try. "I'd be delighted!"

Although Meng Shenji and the others had made the arrangements, Ouyang Ling did not head straight to the classroom.

Because these three days were for student enrollment. Classes would officially begin only three days later.

Thus, after arranging a single dormitory for Ouyang Ling, Meng Shenji had someone lead him through the various areas of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, including the most important Mimetic Cultivation grounds.

As a top comprehensive advanced Soul Master academy, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy possessed extremely complete Mimetic Cultivation facilities. There were nearly a hundred such sites, and there was always one suited to a Soul Master.

For someone like Ouyang Ling, a dual water-and-ice-attribute Soul Master, the relevant Mimetic Cultivation grounds were among the easiest to construct. So after they had toured for only a short while, the teacher guiding him brought him to a clear, sparkling lake at the heart of a deep forest.

At the center of the lake stood a crystalline ice island. The snow and ice atop it remained frozen and unmelted even after exposure to the blazing summer sun. Even from afar, one could feel the cold seeping from it.

Yet with the moist, cool mountain air blowing around him, Ouyang Ling felt utterly refreshed.

"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy truly lives up to its name."

Standing by the lake, Ouyang Ling gazed at the ice island with admiration.

He did not believe that the snow and ice atop it were naturally impossible to melt, especially in summer. Maintaining them in this state could only be done by ice-attribute Soul Masters constantly reinforcing the frost.

As expected, an academy needed money!

"You flatter us, Young Master Ouyang."

Having heard praise for the academy, the accompanying teacher naturally felt honored as well.

"May I try it out?"

Looking at the lake and ice island, Ouyang Ling suddenly felt an impulse.

"With pleasure." It was only an experience of the Mimetic Cultivation grounds, something he would do sooner or later anyway. Moreover, when the teacher had received the Education Committee's instructions, he had been told to satisfy Ouyang Ling's requests as much as possible.

Having received permission, Ouyang Ling sat down cross-legged. Before long, he experienced the benefits of Mimetic Cultivation.

Ouyang Ling had this to say:

Mimetic Cultivation truly lived up to its reputation!

After roughly touring Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and experiencing the Mimetic Cultivation grounds, the official opening day soon arrived as time passed.

Who would have thought that on the very first day of school, Ouyang Ling would receive the first uninvited guest of his life...

The next morning, Ouyang Ling opened his eyes right on time as sunlight shone through the window.

Just after washing up, when he reached the cafeteria but had yet to find a seat, trouble came knocking.

"Well, well, look who this is?"