Joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Just then, Dugu Yan's voice sounded beside his ear.

"Xiao Lin, what are you planning to do next?"

Xiao Lin came back to his senses, thought for a moment, then honestly shook his head. "I haven't decided yet."

Dugu Yan hesitated before gathering her courage. "Then... would you like to come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Xiao Lin was slightly taken aback.

"Mm." Dugu Yan nodded, her gaze somewhat evasive as she did not dare meet his eyes.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the best Soul Master Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire. Its faculty is strong, its resources are abundant, and it has the support of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family behind it. With your strength and talent, joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy would be no problem at all. And besides..."

She paused, her voice becoming even quieter. "Besides, I'm there too. We can look after each other."

Xiao Lin did not answer right away.

Xiao Lin followed Dugu Yan along the path back to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his mind rapidly turning over the matter.

Join Heaven Dou Royal Academy?

He really did need to consider that proposal carefully.

The forces of the Douluo Continent were tangled and complex. There were countless sects, academies, and organizations of every size. Yet there were not many that truly suited his current circumstances.

Spirit Hall? Forget it.

Bibi Dong currently held power in Spirit Hall. Though that woman possessed overwhelming strength, at heart she was nothing but a lovesick fool obsessed with Yu Xiaogang.

And his relationship with Yu Xiaogang could only be described as bitterly hostile.

If he joined Spirit Hall and Yu Xiaogang found out, who knew what pillow talk he might whisper into Bibi Dong's ear? Forget obtaining resources—he would be lucky not to get sabotaged. That path was closed.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo had indeed treated him well and invited him to join.

But he knew perfectly well that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect belonged to Ning Fengzhi. If he went there, at most he would become a guest elder or an offering, which, to put it bluntly, meant working for someone else.

Xiao Lin had grown accustomed to freedom and idleness. He did not want to be controlled by others, much less become the dependent of some faction. That path did not suit him either.

The Star Luo Empire? It was too far away, and the political struggle there was far too fierce. The imperial family was tearing itself apart over the succession.

If an outsider like him got involved, he might end up as cannon fodder. That path was even less viable.

After considering everything, Heaven Dou Royal Academy truly was the optimal choice.

First, Heaven Dou Royal Academy publicly had three Soul Douluo-level powerhouses overseeing it—the chairman of the education board, Dream Divine Machine; the vice chairman, Bai Baoshan; and education board member Zhi Lin.

With three Soul Douluo, along with Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, occasionally watching over him, there was basically no need to worry about safety. Even Tang Hao would not dare casually barge into the core territory of the Heaven Dou Empire and run wild.

Second, Heaven Dou Royal Academy was backed by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, with abundant resources and extensive connections. Joining it would not only grant him better cultivation resources and guidance, but also allow him to meet outstanding young talents from every faction and build connections for the future.

Furthermore, shutting himself away and working in isolation could not be a long-term solution. Though he had cultivated all the way to level forty-eight through memories from his previous life and his talent, the path of cultivation only became harder the further he went. Relying solely on his own exploration would eventually prove inefficient.

Joining a proper academy, systematically learning the theoretical knowledge of Soul Masters, and exchanging pointers with other geniuses would bring him nothing but benefits.

"Alright. I'll go with you to Heaven Dou Royal Academy." Xiao Lin made his decision.

Dugu Yan's eyes instantly lit up like a child receiving her favorite toy. "Really? You agreed?"

"Mm. Really."

"That's wonderful!" Dugu Yan was so happy she nearly jumped up, but then realized she had lost her composure. She quickly coughed twice and pretended to speak calmly. "Then... then let's go back and tell my grandfather right away!"

Seeing her desperately trying to appear composed, Xiao Lin could not help smiling, though he did not expose her.

The two quickened their pace and soon returned to the valley where the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was located.

Dugu Bo sat beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, leisurely drinking tea. When he saw the two return, he raised a brow. "You're back? Did you settle the Soul Ring?"

"Settled." Xiao Lin nodded. "Level forty-eight. My fourth Soul Ring is twenty-three thousand years old."

Dugu Bo spat out the mouthful of tea he had just swallowed. "How much?! Twenty-three thousand years?! Level forty-eight?!"

Xiao Lin nodded calmly.

Dugu Bo stared at him for a long while before slowly setting down his teacup. He shook his head and let out a heartfelt sigh. "Monster... You really are a monster..."

He rose to his feet and patted Xiao Lin on the shoulder. "Alright, now that the Soul Ring is settled, what are you planning to do next?"

"Grandfather, Xiao Lin agreed to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy!" Dugu Yan blurted out before he could answer, her tone unable to conceal her excitement.

Dugu Bo froze briefly, then looked at Xiao Lin. "Oh? Really?"

"Mm." Xiao Lin nodded. "After thinking it over, Heaven Dou Royal Academy really does suit my current situation better."

"Good! Good! Good!" Dugu Bo said "good" three times in a row, a gratified smile spreading across his face. "Join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and with this old man looking after you, let's see who dares bully you!"

He paused, then added, "As for this herb garden, don't worry. This old man will keep an eye on it for you. Those Immortal Herbs—you can come take them whenever you want. I'll take good care of that Blue Silver Grass as well."

Xiao Lin's heart warmed slightly. Dugu Bo might be an Old Poison, but he truly treated him well.

"Thank you, Senior."

"Ah! That's more like it!" Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction, then waved a hand. "Alright, go on. Yan'er, take Xiao Lin to register at the academy and arrange a better place for him to stay. If anyone dares make trouble for him, give them this old man's name."

"Got it, Grandfather!" Dugu Yan replied with a grin, then grabbed Xiao Lin's wrist and pulled him outside. "Come on, I'll take you to the academy!"

Heaven Dou Royal Academy stood atop a hill on the outskirts of Heaven Dou City. It covered an enormous area, and its buildings were majestic.

From afar, a resplendent complex of palaces rose along the mountain slopes in an orderly arrangement, gleaming brilliantly beneath the sunlight. At the academy's main gate stood a towering white marble archway over thirty meters high, engraved with six gilded characters: "Heaven Dou Royal Academy." The calligraphy was bold and powerful, carrying an extraordinary presence.

At that moment, the academy entrance was packed with people.

It was the annual enrollment season. Young Soul Masters from all across the Heaven Dou Empire had gathered there, hoping to gain admission to this top academy of the continent.

The line stretched for more than a hundred meters. There were richly dressed noble youths, plainly clothed commoner geniuses, haughty heirs of great families, and ordinary teenagers with nervous expressions. All sorts of voices mingled together, creating an extraordinarily lively clamor.