Heaven Dou Royal Academy covered an enormous area, occupying nearly a quarter of the city's entire eastern district.
Tall white walls separated the academy from the outside world, while two enormous stone Soul Beast statues stood at the main gate, imposing and majestic.
In front of the academy gates, a middle-aged man dressed in an instructor's uniform was already waiting. Upon seeing Ge Duo, he hurried forward and bowed.
"Your Excellency Ge Duo, the three education committee members have been waiting in the office for quite some time. This must be Miss Rapunzel you mentioned. Please, follow me."
The middle-aged instructor's attitude was exceedingly respectful. Clearly, the three committee members had given prior instructions.
Rapunzel followed Ge Duo through the academy gates and entered this sanctuary that represented the Heaven Dou Empire's highest standards of education.
The academy's interior was even more expansive than it appeared from outside.
A broad main road led deeper inside, with all manner of teaching buildings, training grounds, and libraries lining both sides.
Students in uniform could be seen everywhere. Some chatted in small groups, while others hurried toward their classrooms. Every face brimmed with the vigor and confidence of youth.
Rapunzel lowered her head and instinctively clutched the hem of her skirt tighter.
Compared with these students, who had received systematic education since childhood and lived in the sunlight, she felt like an ugly duckling that had wandered into a flock of swans.
No, she couldn't think like that.
Rapunzel warned herself inwardly.
She was Ge Duo's creation, a genius cultivated by the Icefire Yin Yang Well.
She had to act confident. She had to act proud.
With that thought, Rapunzel forced herself to lift her head, straighten her chest, and put on a calm, indifferent expression.
Ge Duo, walking ahead of her, seemed