Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Although he had already decided to join Qian Renxue's faction, Ning Chen did not immediately agree to Qian Renxue's first recruitment attempt.

Qian Renxue had a flaw: the more unattainable something was, the more obsessed she became with it. Things she could obtain easily, on the other hand, she disdained.

This could be seen from her attitude toward Tang San in the original work.

Back when she was still posing as the empire's crown prince, Xue Qinghe, Tang San's refusal to join her made Qian Renxue take notice of him.

Later, the regret of being rejected only deepened Qian Renxue's obsession with winning Tang San over.

She had even already moved against Xue Ye, the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, and was on the verge of seizing the empire's authority.

Yet Tang San's sudden arrival threw her into complete disarray.

In the end, despite clearly holding the greatest advantage, she was turned around by Tang San against the odds.

Not only did he shatter Qian Renxue's scheme and save Xue Ye, but he also gained Xue Ye's trust and would later become the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Tutor. He was undoubtedly the greatest victor in Heaven Dou's internal conflict.

Qian Renxue, by contrast, saw more than a decade of painstaking effort collapse overnight.

And rather than harboring hatred toward Tang San, she further acknowledged his talent and still wanted to recruit him even after becoming a god.

Thus, Ning Chen understood that if he wanted to earn Qian Renxue's regard, he absolutely could not let her have him too easily.

It would be even better if he let her suffer a few setbacks. That would only make her more obsessed with him.

And so, after a full month or two, Cao Benqi—the alias Ming Chen had taken—finally accepted Qian Renxue's recruitment.

However, he also put forward several conditions of his own.

The main one was that, while serving Qian Renxue, he would retain as much freedom as possible.

Ning Chen's demands were actually somewhat excessive, but as the first top genius Qian Renxue had brought under her command, she was exceptionally tolerant of Ning Chen and agreed to his conditions.

However, Ning Chen was still young. Even Cao Benqi, his false identity, was only twelve years old. In Qian Renxue's eyes, Ning Chen still needed to be nurtured.

Thus, after preparing a brand-new residence for Ning Chen in Heaven Dou City and transferring over a group of suitable maids and servants, she began arranging to send Ning Chen to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

At present, Qian Renxue had not secretly killed many Heaven Dou princes, so she had yet to arouse Xue Xing's vigilance.

As a result, their relationship was still decent and had not deteriorated to the point where they were nearly openly hostile.

Therefore, it was not difficult for Qian Renxue to arrange for a Soul Master to enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

A few days later, once she had some free time, Qian Renxue personally took Ning Chen to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy occupied a vast area. There was simply not enough space within the imperial city to build it, so it could only be established outside the city.

Leaving Heaven Dou Imperial City, Qian Renxue's carriage traveled onward until it stopped before a great mountain.

Ning Chen had already heard Qian Renxue's introduction and knew that this entire mountain belonged to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Though he had mentally prepared himself beforehand, Ning Chen could not help but marvel at the Heaven Dou Empire's immense wealth when he truly stood before the mountain.

Following Qian Renxue out of the carriage, the two of them headed up the mountain with the crown prince's guards behind them.

Before they had gone far, they spotted a group of people waiting on the mountain path in the distance.

At their head stood a richly dressed middle-aged man. He was Xue Ye's younger brother, Prince Xue Xing, and the true controller of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Behind him stood the three members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Academic Affairs Committee.

The first was Meng Shenji, chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee, whose Martial Soul was the Black Demon. He was an eighty-fifth-level, eight-ring Battle Soul Douluo.

The vice chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee was Bai Baoshan, a Soul Douluo.

His Martial Soul was the Heavenly Star Furnace, and he was an eighty-fifth-level, eight-ring defensive Battle Soul Douluo.

And the third member of the Academic Affairs Committee was Zhi Lin, a Soul Douluo. His Martial Soul was the Azure Vine, and he was an eighty-third-level, eight-ring control-type Weapon Soul Douluo.

Upon seeing Xue Qinghe's group ascend the mountain, the four quickly came forward to greet them.

Prince Xue Xing was the first to speak with a smile. "Haha, Your Highness the Crown Prince has graced us with your presence. Heaven Dou Royal Academy is truly honored!"

The three Academic Affairs Committee members behind him also gave Qian Renxue slight nods. "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

They were all Soul Douluos and members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Academic Affairs Committee. Naturally, they would not humble themselves before the empire's crown prince as ordinary Soul Masters would.

"What honor is there to speak of? Uncle Xue Xing, don't tease me. There's no need for such formality between uncle and nephew; just call me Qinghe."

Qian Renxue waved her hand and spoke with a wry smile.

She then looked toward the three committee members behind him and said modestly, "The three of you are all meritorious servants of the empire. Like Uncle Xue Xing, you may simply call me Qinghe."

Though she said so, Xue Qinghe was still the empire's crown prince and held an exalted status. How could the four possibly address her by name? Naturally, none of them dared.

At that moment, Prince Xue Xing looked at Ning Chen behind Qian Renxue. "This must be young Cao Benqi. As expected, your talent is extraordinary, and you are a fine-looking young man!"

Prince Xue Xing showered Ning Chen with praise as though it cost him nothing.

This was both to give Qian Renxue face and because Ning Chen's displayed talent truly was outstanding.

If Xue Qinghe had not acted first, he would have wanted to bring Ning Chen under his own command.

Ning Chen could only repeatedly say that Prince Xue Xing flattered him.

After the group exchanged pleasantries for a while, Prince Xue Xing led Xue Qinghe, whom Qian Renxue was impersonating, toward the Academic Affairs Committee.

Meng Shenji remained behind. He beckoned to an academy teacher waiting by the roadside, then gave him several quiet instructions.

The teacher accepted the order and departed. Before long, he returned with a young man striding briskly toward them.

The young man looked around twenty-seven or twenty-eight. He was tall and upright, with handsome features, steady steps, and a composed air between his brows.

He wore Heaven Dou Royal Academy's teacher uniform, with a badge representing a Sky-Micro Teacher pinned to his chest. Simply standing there, he exuded an effortless air of competence.

At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, teachers above level forty but below level fifty were Sky-Micro Teachers.

Those between level fifty and sixty were Sky-Ultimate Teachers, while those above level sixty were Heaven Dou Teachers.

There were not many Heaven Dou Teachers in the entire academy, and only Heaven Dou Tier students could receive their guidance.

"Qin Ming, you're here." Meng Shenji nodded slightly, his tone carrying a trace of appreciation.

The newcomer was named Qin Ming. He was also immensely talented, an outstanding graduate of Shrek Academy, and the future second-youngest Soul Emperor on the continent.

At twenty-five, his Soul Power had already reached level forty-nine, and he could break through to level fifty at any time.

"This is Cao Benqi, personally sent by His Highness the Crown Prince to enroll.

Take him around the Heaven Dou Tier students' class and let him familiarize himself with the environment."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming's gaze fell upon Ning Chen. He looked him over from head to toe, and a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

Clearly, he had already heard of this twelve-year-old level-thirty-two Soul Elder. But he did not ask further questions, merely nodding in an even tone. "All right. Student Cao, follow me."