Arriving as Promised: The Education Committee's Entrance Test

Inside the Education Committee Hall of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Xue Qinghe sat upright before Meng Shenji and the other two committee members. They finished reading the emperor's Imperial Edict, each wearing a different expression.

After a moment, Meng Shenji spoke slowly. "His Majesty issued this edict himself. This young man must be an extraordinary talent, so admitting him is only reasonable."

Bai Baoshan frowned, his expression grave. "The Ultimate Class has no shortage of geniuses, but every one of them is unruly. They've become the academy's troublemakers. This young man came from the Death Arena. Could putting him among them make matters worse?"

He had weighed every word carefully.

Zhi Lin's eyes, on the other hand, lit up as though he had spotted a beauty. He could scarcely contain his excitement.

"This young man's strength of character is rare. He'll be a breath of fresh air in the Ultimate Class."

Meng Shenji glanced at the other two, exchanging looks with them. "Since neither of you objects, he may enroll tomorrow. He'll need to undergo an assessment first. Your Highness, would that be acceptable?"

"Sorry for the trouble, gentlemen." Xue Qinghe rose with a smile.

The next day.

Ning Chengyi arrived outside Heaven Dou Royal Academy as agreed.

The academy was not inside Heaven Dou City. It stood twenty li away, built into the Rolling Mountains and sprawling across a mountainside.

Before him stood a magnificent academy. Noble youths and Soul Masters came and went with measured strides. Everything about the place spoke of grandeur.

It lacked the city's extravagant luxury. In its place was a sense of history steeped in Martial Souls.

"Are you Ning Chengyi, the one His Highness the Crown Prince mentioned?"

A few moments later, a well-dressed young man jogged up to him and asked.

Ning Chengyi nodded. The young man motioned for him to follow and led him straight to the Education Committee Hall.

Looking at the mirror-bright floors and the lavish carvings everywhere, Ning Chengyi once again marveled inwardly at how nice it was to be rich.

"Please, go in." Having brought him to the hall, the young man promptly left, as though wild beasts lurked inside.

Ning Chengyi pushed open the doors. Xue Qinghe wore understated silk robes today, looking graceful and dignified. His usual gentle, refined manner had returned. When he saw Ning Chengyi, he rose and hurried over with a smile.

"You're here."

"Mm." Ning Chengyi nodded, but his gaze remained on the figures seated at the far end of the hall.

If he was right, these were the Three Education Committee Members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Meng Shenji, Zhi Lin, and Bai Baoshan.

All three turned their eyes on Ning Chengyi. With differing expressions, they silently studied him.

"Gentlemen, this is Ning Chengyi."

Xue Qinghe broke the brief silence to introduce him.

The three men exchanged glances. With the emperor's Imperial Edict and the Crown Prince's recommendation, his admission was entirely proper. Enrollment was merely a formality.

"His Majesty and His Highness think highly of you, but we still need to see your abilities for ourselves. Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the others."

At Bai Baoshan's words, Xue Qinghe frowned slightly. The old man always made things complicated.

He was rigid, plain and simple, and knew nothing of flexibility.

Zhi Lin's eyes brightened at Bai Baoshan's words. Eager to see for himself, he said, "An assessment is in accordance with the rules. Leave it to me."

He loved studying Martial Souls and nurturing talented young Soul Masters. Naturally, the prospect of testing one delighted him.

"Of course." Seeing Xue Qinghe look his way, Ning Chengyi gave a slight smile and nodded.

He had known before coming that it could not be quite so simple.

"Ready yourself, lad."

Zhi Lin wasted no words. The other two smiled wryly. Their old friend had many fine qualities, but he was always a little impatient. Today, though, his eagerness was just what they needed.

Xue Qinghe stepped aside. Ning Chengyi's eyes turned icy in an instant as his Martial Soul surged forth. He gripped the Desolation-Suppressing God-Breaking Spear, and a ring slowly rose beneath his feet. At the flash of purple, Meng Shenji and Bai Baoshan started in surprise, while Zhi Lin cried out, "Excellent!"

Pale-blue Soul Power stirred around Zhi Lin. It held not a trace of hostility and felt remarkably gentle.

The Azure Vine unfurled in an instant and coiled around Ning Chengyi.

The moment it touched him, a powerful pressure made his body tremble slightly. Yet with the God-Breaking Spear in hand, he stood firm and proud, his gaze resolute. He remained as still as a mountain and let Zhi Lin test him.

A flicker of surprise crossed the others' eyes.

"This young man is steadfast and composed. A rare talent indeed."

Zhi Lin's Azure Vine excelled at suppressing Soul Power and restraining its target. Once it wrapped around someone, it tightened without pause; one misstep could be fatal. Yet Ning Chengyi did not budge, allowing Zhi Lin to conduct his test.

That composure alone was enough to move Meng Shenji and the others.

"That's enough. His strength of character has been proven, and his First Soul Ring speaks to his talent. He may enter our academy." Seeing the Azure Vine tighten further, Meng Shenji feared something might go wrong and called a halt.

Zhi Lin looked reluctant to stop. "Good lad. I like him."

"He is impressive," Bai Baoshan said, offering rare praise of his own.

Xue Qinghe looked at Ning Chengyi, delight growing in his eyes.

Since the academy's founding, the three committee members had never praised someone together. Ning Chengyi was the first.

Ning Chengyi, for his part, admired the way they handled things.

He had gained this opportunity through connections, but their assessment had not been an attempt to make things difficult for him. It had been a genuine test, followed by recognition and acceptance of a true talent.

Yet it also made one thing clear.

On the Douluo Continent, only strength earned respect.

In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, the law of the jungle ruled.

The strongest fist had the final say; those with power earned respect.

Just wait, Ning Rongrong. One day, I'll appear before you and leave you stunned!

Ning Chengyi pushed down his thoughts, put away his Martial Soul, and said to the committee members, "Thank you, gentlemen."

"No need to thank us. We merely followed the rules."

Meng Shenji spoke calmly, though the satisfaction in his voice was plain on his face.

Zhi Lin was grinning and nodding without pause.

"Have some dignity. Honestly... Student Ning, next you'll need to familiarize yourself with the rules of Heaven Dou Royal Academy..."

Seeing his old friend's eager expression, Bai Baoshan cut in at once.

Meng Shenji and Zhi Lin looked helpless and speechless. They had finally found a promising student; they only hoped the rules would not hold him back. Watching from the side, Xue Qinghe broke into a broad smile.

"Brother Ning, I'm counting on you for the next month."

Xue Qinghe stepped closer to Ning Chengyi and spoke softly.

"Don't worry. Just have what I need ready."

Only the two of them could hear their exchange. Afterward, Xue Qinghe said goodbye to the three committee members and left the hall. As the Crown Prince, it would be inappropriate for him to linger there.

Too many people sought his attention. Once outside the hall, his smile vanished, leaving only cold indifference.

After seeing Xue Qinghe off, Bai Baoshan led Ning Chengyi away, claiming he needed to teach him the academy's rules and regulations. Meng Shenji and Zhi Lin shook their heads. They had finally found a promising student, and they could only hope those rules would not weigh him down.