Shocking the Three Academy Committee Members

Inside Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

In an office.

Four people sat together: three old men and one young man.

They were Xue Qinghe and the academy's three committee members: chief member Meng Shenji, Zhi Lin, and Bai Baoshan.

"Your Highness, just how old is this genius, and what level is his Soul Power? What could make you recommend him personally?"

Bai Baoshan looked at Xue Qinghe, unable to hold back his question.

"Yes, Your Highness. What sort of person could earn such high praise from you?" Zhi Lin added.

"Haha, no need to rush, you two. You'll know when he arrives. I guarantee you'll be pleased."

Xue Qinghe gave them his familiar smile and answered softly.

But the less Xue Qinghe said, the more Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin itched to know. Meng Shenji might have stayed silent, but he was just as eager for information about this person.

"Zhi Lin, Baoshan, since His Highness has said as much, let's wait and see. Our young friend isn't going anywhere," Meng Shenji said at just the right moment.

Zhi Lin and Bai Baoshan exchanged a glance and fell silent.

Outside the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Huo Linfei looked at the academy's imposing gates, anticipation stirring within him.

An academy with gates like these had to be excellent. It really lived up to being a Soul Master Academy with "Royal" in its name.

He had not expected Director Su's friend Suo Luo to be so capable.

"Mr. Suo Luo, the tuition here must be expensive, right?"

Huo Linfei had just realized something important. He turned to Suo Luo and asked.

Suo Luo paused. He already thought well of Huo Linfei, and this raised his opinion even further. Smiling, he answered with a question instead.

"What, are you worried the tuition will be too expensive, Linfei?"

Huo Linfei nodded.

That was exactly what worried him. The stipend he collected from Spirit Hall would barely cover his living expenses, let alone tuition.

And while Suo Luo was a noble, he was only a viscount. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's tuition could hardly be cheap, and Huo Linfei could not simply accept such a huge favor from him.

"Hahaha! The fact that you're thinking about it is enough. Study hard and make something of yourself. Don't worry about the tuition. Besides, I won't be the one paying it for you."

Seeing the confusion on Huo Linfei's face, Suo Luo added, "You'll find out soon."

That only left Huo Linfei more bewildered.

What was going on?

Why keep me in suspense?

After they identified themselves at the gatehouse, someone led them inside.

Along the way, Huo Linfei observed the academy grounds and its students.

The students, of course, cast curious looks his way too.

Before long, the two were led into an old-fashioned office.

Four figures came into Huo Linfei's view—three old men and one young man. The young man looked especially familiar.

"Your Highness, committee members, I've brought him here."

Suo Luo bowed slightly to the four before him and spoke respectfully.

At his voice, all four turned toward Huo Linfei and Suo Luo in the doorway.

"Brother Xue?!"

Huo Linfei's face filled with surprise when he recognized the young man.

Wait... Mr. Suo Luo just called him "Your Highness." Could he be a prince?!

The realization shocked Huo Linfei even more.

Seeing Huo Linfei's expression, Xue Qinghe could not help the slight lift of his lips. He gave him a discreet smile.

"Viscount Suo Luo, Linfei, come sit. Make yourselves comfortable."

Suo Luo and Huo Linfei bowed in acknowledgment, then sat to one side.

From the moment he entered, Huo Linfei had felt three pairs of eyes fixed on him.

Now he studied the three old men in turn.

Noticing his gaze, the three were mildly surprised. Their interest in Huo Linfei grew.

This child looked not even ten years old, yet under the scrutiny of three Soul Douluo, he showed no stage fright. Instead, he studied them right back.

His composure won their admiration. Privately, they also praised Xue Qinghe's judgment.

As expected of someone His Highness recommended. He really was extraordinary.

"Linfei, let me introduce them. These three are committee members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. In the middle is chief member Meng Shenji. His Martial Soul is Black Demon, and he's a level eighty-six Control System Soul Douluo. To the left is committee member Bai Baoshan. His Martial Soul is the Heavenly Star Furnace, and he's a level eighty-five Defense System Soul Douluo. To the right is committee member Zhi Lin. His Martial Soul is Azure Vine, and he's a level eighty-three Control System Soul Douluo."

Xue Qinghe looked at Huo Linfei and introduced them one by one.

"I'm Huo Linfei. It's an honor to meet the three committee members."

Once Xue Qinghe finished, Huo Linfei stood and bowed to the three.

Truth be told, he thought this world had far too many rules. Everywhere he turned, there seemed to be another pile of pointless formalities. If he were not still so weak, he would never put up with them all.

Still, the academy had three Soul Douluo-level experts. Its teaching strength was impressive.

It lived up to its name. Soul Douluo ranked just below Titled Douluo, and according to Director Su, there were not many such experts across the entire continent.

Meng Shenji and the others were even more pleased with Huo Linfei.

But they still needed to know his actual talent before reaching a verdict. Everything so far was only surface-deep.

His temperament and manners passed muster, but without talent, he would not get in.

"Now that I've introduced the committee members, Linfei, introduce yourself to them," Xue Qinghe said.

Huo Linfei had plenty of questions for Xue Qinghe, but this was clearly not the time. He nodded and turned to the three committee members.

"Greetings, committee members. My name is Huo Linfei. I come from Soul King Village in Nuoding City. I'm nine years old. My Martial Soul is the Phantom Qilin Beast, and I'm a level twenty-nine Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."

BZZ—

The moment he finished, a buzzing seemed to sound in all three committee members' heads at once. They stared at Huo Linfei, their eyes full of startled doubt.

What? Nine years old and level twenty-nine?!

Was this some kind of joke?!

That was insane!

But His Highness had no reason to lie to us...

Clearly, none of them believed it.

But then again, Xue Qinghe had vouched for him. They could hardly dismiss it.

The doubt in their eyes gave way to shock... and disbelief...