Laying the Groundwork in Advance
Huo Lei said calmly, "I do think it's possible, but it needs the right timing. If we propose a merger to the various academies now, they will definitely object. But when each academy faces a life-or-death situation and has no way out, we probably won't even need to propose a merger; everyone will naturally come together. This is what they mean by 'unity brings life, division brings death.' I believe no academy dean would want to see their hard-earned academy devoured by the Spirit Hall."
Huo Feng said, "Even if the day you mentioned comes, and the people from the four academies gather together, who will take command? And which academy will be the base? Each academy's dean will be unwilling to give up the place they've cultivated for many years, leading to many differing opinions. The more people involved, the more complicated things become, making it difficult to reach a consensus. An academy is ultimately an academy, unlike the Spirit Hall, which has the Pope's leadership. Even if there are differing opinions, in the end, the Pope's orders must be obeyed."
Huo Lei said from the channel, "Dad, your concerns are valid, but this problem is easily solved. Strength is the best proof; whoever is stronger has the right to speak, and those who disobey can leave. If anything goes wrong, it won't be the team organizer's fault. Based on the current situation, our Blazing Fire Academy is undoubtedly the strongest, and leadership naturally rests with us. The Skywater Academy, Godwind, and Canghui academies are all easy to persuade, so the problem you raised earlier is not a problem."
Huo Feng looked at Huo Lei and laughed, "You little rascal, didn't you already have a plan in mind? Then stop playing coy and just tell me!"
Huo Lei said solemnly, "We've already discussed who will lead after the academies merge. As for which academy should be the base, I personally believe none of our academies are suitable. The reason is simple. First, Canghui Academy is too close to Spirit City, making it unsuitable as the base after the merger. As for our academy, Godwind Academy, and Skywater Academy, they are also unsuitable as the base."
"Since it's a merger of several institutions, we need to consider everyone's interests. Elemental Academy selects its locations based on the core attributes of its faculty and students, and this kind of location selection logic isn't suitable for a comprehensive academy. Therefore, we need to choose a new location. My ideal location is within Heaven Dou City, next to the Shrek Academy."
"Choosing a location within Heaven Dou City has many advantages. First, Heaven Dou City is the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, ensuring security, transportation, and economic stability. Second, the environment meets the requirements of the four academies, ensuring fairness and benefiting everyone. Third, acquiring the land is easy; whether in the name of my Twin Martial Marquis or in the name of the Blazing Fire Academy, Xue Ye will directly bestow it upon us, saving us even the cost of Gold Soul Coin."
Huo Feng looked at Huo Lei with a puzzled expression and asked, "Huo Lei, why did you choose a location next to the Shrek Academy? I don't want to be their neighbor."
"Father, rest assured, our neighboring Shrek Academy is only temporary. Don't you think Shrek Academy's location, size, and facilities are very suitable for us?" Huo Lei said, a meaningful smile on his face.
"Oh, I understand now. Good lad, you're really something! Hahaha!" After understanding his son's meaning, Huo Feng couldn't help but praise him and laughed excitedly.
"Dad, Vice Dean Xie Chong, do you two have any further opinions regarding my proposal?" Huo Lei asked, looking at Huo Feng and Xie Chong.
Huo Feng and Xie Chong responded in unison, "No objections."
Huo Lei smiled calmly and said, "Since there are no objections, then we should get to work quickly. Ideally, the new academy should be completed and renovated within six months, reaching a usable standard. As for the Gold Soul Coin needed for the new academy, I can provide them. Vice Dean Xie Chong, would you be in charge of all matters concerning the new academy?"
Xie Chong readily agreed, "No problem."
"How about we set off tomorrow? My teacher and I will go with you to Heaven Dou City." Huo Lei looked at Xie Chong and asked tentatively.
"Yes," Xie Chong replied decisively, without any hesitation.
"Okay! Then it's settled. I'll go tell the teachers and my older brothers and sisters." Huo Lei stood up, said goodbye to the two of them, and left the office.
The next morning, Huo Lei, Jin Shan, Xie Chong, accompanied by Huo Feng, An Jun, and others, rode away from the Blazing Fire Academy on fast horses.
As Jin Shan steered his horse, he complained to Huo Lei, "You brat, we just got back from Heaven Dou City, why are we going back again? Are you trying to break this old man's bones?"
"Teacher, this trip is definitely a great opportunity. I certainly won't let you make a wasted trip. If you don't want to go, you can return to the academy and have Senior An Jun replace you. But let me make it clear beforehand, if Senior An Jun gets the benefits, don't blame me." Huo Lei said mysteriously while riding his fast horse.
Jin Shan suddenly seized on Huo Lei's words and said smugly, "You brat, you said it yourself. I didn't ask you for any benefits. Since you said so, I won't stand for it if there's no benefit later. Besides, I've already come out. If I go back, wouldn't the academy laugh at me?"
"Giddy up!" Huo Lei smiled without saying a word, waving his right whip to urge his horse forward.
Several days later, Huo Lei and his group arrived in Heaven Dou City and checked into a luxury hotel in the east of the city.
Three people were sitting in the hotel room: Huo Lei, Jin Shan, and Xie Chong.
Huo Lei took out a letter from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xie Chong, instructing him, "Vice Dean Xie Chong, take this letter. It was written by Xue Ye himself. With this letter, things will be much easier for you. Tomorrow you can go to the person in charge of Heaven Dou City and directly explain your needs. The land area doesn't need to be too large, at least twenty acres will suffice."
Xie Chong took the letter, looked at Huo Lei with a puzzled expression, and asked, "Aren't you coming with me?"
Huo Lei smiled slightly, "I won't go with you. I was thinking of going to Sunset Forest with my teacher to find some Soul Bone. If I'm lucky, I'll find one for you."
"Searching for Soul Bone? Why not go to the Star Dou Great Forest? Why choose the Sunset Forest, which is far away and small?" Xie Chong asked, puzzled.
Jin Shan also looked at Huo Lei with a puzzled expression.
"Oh! Choosing Sunset Forest was secondary; the main reason was that I was worried you'd run into trouble. If you encounter any problems you can't solve, your teacher and I can help you." Huo Lei lied to Xie Chong without batting an eye.
The real reason Huo Lei chose to come to Sunset Forest to search for the Soul Bone was the White-Eyed Demon Tiger King.
In the original novel, Tang San killed a White-Eyed Demon Tiger King with 70,000 years of cultivation in Sunset Forest and obtained a Right Arm Bone. Huo Lei would definitely not miss such accurate information. Soul Bone are valuable items, and no one would complain about having too many. Moreover, Jin Shan did not have Right Arm Soul Bone, so this White-Eyed Demon Tiger King's Soul Bone was just right for him.
Huo Lei's desire to acquire the White-Eyed Demon Tiger King's Soul Bone was only one aspect of his consideration; on the other hand, he wanted to find a fire-attribute Soul Bone for his father, Huo Feng, so that he could break through to Level 90 as soon as possible and then successfully match the corresponding Soul Ring.