Talent That Shocked the World, Fame Spreads!

The line stretched for over a hundred meters, filled with richly dressed noble children, plainly clothed commoner prodigies, haughty heirs of great families, and nervous ordinary youths. All manner of voices blended together, creating a tremendous clamor.

Standing amid the crowd, Xiao Lin could not help but feel somewhat moved by the sight before him.

"There are so many people," he said.

"Of course. This is the number one academy in the Heaven Dou Empire, after all." Dugu Yan stood beside him, a trace of pride in her voice.

"Those who come here are either geniuses or nobles. But you do not need to worry. With my grandfather's connections, I can get you directly admitted through special enrollment. No need to wait in line."

"No." Xiao Lin shook his head. "Since I am here, I will follow the rules. I also want to see just how high Heaven Dou Royal Academy's admission standards are."

Dugu Yan froze for a moment, then smiled. "All right, we will do it your way. I will wait nearby."

Xiao Lin nodded and joined the end of the line.

The line moved fairly quickly. About half an hour later, it was Xiao Lin's turn.

Three teachers sat at the admissions desk. In the middle was a white-haired elderly man, on the left a middle-aged woman, and on the right a young man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. A crystal ball used to test Soul Power sat on the table before them.

"Name." The elderly man in the middle did not even raise his head as he asked.

"Xiao Lin."

"Age."

"Thirteen years and eight months."

The elderly man's brush paused. He looked up at Xiao Lin. The middle-aged woman and young man beside him also turned their gazes toward him, their eyes carrying a trace of scrutiny.

"Martial Soul."

"Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute."

The elderly man recorded it in his notebook, then pointed at the crystal ball on the table. "Place your hand on it and release your Soul Power."

Xiao Lin did as instructed, placing his hand on the crystal ball and circulating his Soul Power.

The crystal ball instantly erupted with dazzling light, so bright that it was nearly impossible to look at directly. Within the radiance, the phantom of a Phoenix faintly appeared, spreading its wings as though ready to soar, letting out a silent cry.

The expressions of all three teachers changed at once.

The elderly man abruptly rose to his feet, his voice trembling slightly. "F-forty-eight?!"

The instant he spoke, the surrounding area fell silent.

The examinees waiting in line all turned their heads in unison, their gazes fixed on Xiao Lin. Some stood with mouths agape, some drew sharp breaths, and others stared in utter disbelief.

"Forty-eight? How old is he? Thirteen?"

"A thirteen-year-old level forty-eight Soul Ancestor? How is that possible?!"

"I was only level twenty-five at fourteen... Is the gap between people really this enormous?"

"This has to be fake, right? Is the crystal ball broken?"

Voices of discussion rose one after another, but the three teachers ignored them. The elderly man stared intently at Xiao Lin, his tone turning serious. "Young man, are you certain you did not report your age incorrectly?"

"No." Xiao Lin answered calmly. "Thirteen years and eight months. Not one day more, not one day less."

The elderly man exchanged a glance with the middle-aged woman beside him. Both saw shock in the other's eyes.

A thirteen-year-old level forty-eight Soul Ancestor—what did that mean? It meant this youth's talent could no longer be described merely as "genius." He was simply a monster! Since Heaven Dou Royal Academy had been founded, it had never produced such a monstrous student!

Just as the three teachers were overwhelmed with shock, an aged and imposing voice suddenly sounded from behind the crowd.

"Make way! All of you, make way!"

The crowd automatically parted, forming a passage as three elderly men strode over.

The man in the lead wore a white robe. He had white hair and brows, a lean face, and bright, piercing eyes. An aura of authority surrounded him even without anger.

Two elderly men followed behind him. One was broad and powerfully built, with a ruddy complexion; the other was thin, with sharp eyes.

The three chief education board members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy—Dream Divine Machine, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin.

Three Soul Douluo-level powerhouses.

"Esteemed board members!" The three admissions teachers hurriedly rose and bowed.

Dream Divine Machine ignored them, his gaze falling directly upon Xiao Lin. He examined him from head to toe before slowly speaking. "Boy, did you just say you are thirteen and level forty-eight?"

"Yes." Xiao Lin answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Show me your Martial Soul and Soul Rings."

Without hesitation, Xiao Lin extended his right hand, and the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute appeared out of thin air.

At the same time, four Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet, slowly circling around his body: one yellow, two purple, and one black.

When that deep black Soul Ring appeared before everyone's eyes, the academy entrance fell into dead silence.

A Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

His fourth Soul Ring was already ten thousand years old!

Everyone present, including the three board members, widened their eyes in disbelief.

"His fourth Soul Ring... is ten thousand years..." Bai Baoshan muttered, his voice trembling slightly. "How... how did this boy do it?"

Zhi Lin said nothing, but his gaze became incomparably fervent, as though he had discovered some rare treasure.

Dream Divine Machine fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Good! Good! Good! Excellent! I never imagined that Heaven Dou Royal Academy would receive such a gifted student!"

He took a step forward, arriving before Xiao Lin. His eyes burned as he stared at him. "Boy, are you willing to take me as your master? I am Dream Divine Machine, chairman of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's education board. My Martial Soul is Black Demon, and I am an eighty-fifth-level assault-type Soul Douluo. Though I have not yet received a title, teaching you would be more than enough!"

"Old Dream, you are going too far!" Bai Baoshan immediately squeezed forward, shoved Dream Divine Machine aside, and beamed at Xiao Lin.

"Boy, do not listen to him! His Black Demon Martial Soul does not suit your Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute at all! Take me as your master instead! I am Bai Baoshan, and my Martial Soul is the Heavenly Star Furnace. I am the most suitable person to guide a genius like you!"

"You two, stop fighting!" Zhi Lin also stepped forward, pushing up the glasses on the bridge of his nose as he spoke unhurriedly.

"In my opinion, this boy's Martial Soul leans toward music and spiritual power, making it most compatible with my Wisdom Martial Soul. Taking me as his master would be the best choice."

"You two stop arguing! I was here first!"

The three Soul Douluo-level board members began bickering back and forth in front of all the academy's teachers and students, completely losing their usual dignified bearing.

The surrounding examinees and teachers were all dumbfounded.

These were three Soul Douluo! The board members who were usually lofty and incomparably imposing were actually arguing red-faced like children over a single student?

Standing between the three men, Xiao Lin watched the elderly men argue fiercely over him and could not help feeling both amused and helpless.