The Tongue-Tied Girl and the Boy Immune to Pressure, Jing Hongchen Steady as a Mountain (4K)

Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, dean of students' office.

The advancement assessment had ended. Under the longstanding rules, the Green Garment Duo's victory automatically earned them admission to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

However, their sensitive status as emigrants from Douluo still left Lin Jiayi with a trace of doubt.

Having read the histories of all four empires in his younger years, Director Lin knew that the Heaven Dou Empire had nearly been stolen by the young heir whom Spirit Hall had sent to infiltrate it.

History was a mirror reflecting the rise and fall of nations. As a loyal citizen of Sun Moon, Director Lin had no wish for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy to cultivate geniuses for a great enemy and let the Sun Moon Empire repeat Heaven Dou's mistakes. So he decided to conduct a little test.

"Xiao Qing, Guyi, take a seat."

Looking at the duo, who practically radiated talent from head to toe, Lin Jiayi gestured for them to sit, personally brewed two cups of jasmine tea, and lit some incense to soothe their minds.

With a turn of his wrist, two purple-gold, eight-pointed star badges appeared, each inlaid with four magnificent diamonds carved into stars.

"These are soul engineer badges. In my capacity as a Level 8 Soul Engineer of the Sun Moon Empire and dean of students of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, I hereby confer upon you the rank of Level 4 Soul Engineer," Lin Jiayi declared solemnly.

"Wherever you go on the Douluo Continent in the future, every city will recognize the soul engineer ranks awarded by the Sun Moon Empire. We are the authority on soul engineering."

"Thank you, Director."

Both Lin Qing and Ye Guyi were soul engineers, so they naturally understood what this meant.

In principle, advanced academies in all four empires were qualified to issue soul engineer badges. However, the Sun Moon Empire's stringent standards gave its badges far greater weight than those of the Douluo Three Kingdoms.

The soul engineers on both sides were still waging a war of words. The Sun Moon Empire flipped the three great empires the middle finger, scorning their lack of craftsmanship and their reckless lowering of standards. A bunch of utterly washed half-baked hacks actually had the nerve to hand out badges.

Though the soul power of Sun Moon Empire's soul engineers lacked solidity, every one of them was the genuine, top-tier article compared with their same-rank Douluo competitors.

Within the Sun Moon Empire, obtaining recognition from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy was exceptionally difficult. Lin Jiayi might have judged Ye Guyi to have barely crossed the threshold of Level 4, but send her back to the Douluo Continent and she would still stand a cut above the rest.

Steam curled upward, and the warm fragrance of incense filled the room, putting everyone at ease. Watching the two with a smile, Lin Jiayi casually introduced a topic as though it had only just occurred to him:

"From today onward, you are students of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

"My first teacher once taught me something: life is like a fork in the road. You must choose which path to take, and once you have made that choice, you can only keep your head down and follow it into the future.

"Personally, I'm a little curious. Both of you come from the Douluo Continent and possess first-rate, powerful martial souls. Why leave your homeland for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy instead of joining Shrek, the continent's number-one soul master academy?"

Here it comes-the political vetting!

Lin Qing and Ye Guyi exchanged a glance, instantly recognizing the deeper meaning behind the dean of students' words.

Shrek Academy had influenced the Douluo Three Kingdoms for ten thousand years. Throughout their territories, it was revered as a sacred land for soul masters, and talented young soul masters competed to enroll. There was no reason for a Bright Swan and Ultimate Metal to travel countless miles to join Sun Moon.

Having posed the question, Lin Jiayi leaned slightly forward, towering flames reflected deep in his eyes.

"Um, Director Lin..."

Like an honest child caught red-handed by the invigilator on her first attempt at cheating, Ye Guyi struggled to explain. "I've always greatly admired the Sun Moon Empire. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is a sacred paradise that all soul engineers aspire to reach.

"As an ordinary soul engineer, I..."

A tongue-tied girl!

This warrior was no wordsmith. Her voice grew softer and softer, and a fine sheen of sweat appeared on her fair forehead. The spotless little angel in her heart kept scolding her: These are lies! Lying betrays your conscience!

At her words, Lin Jiayi and Lin Qing both shook their heads gently. Young Ye's answer was perfectly conventional; "mediocre" summed it up. It clearly was not the answer the dean of students had hoped to hear.

Turning toward those silver-gray eyes, Lin Jiayi felt a faint anticipation. Ultimate Metal and the Bright Swan were on entirely different levels. Lin Qing's answer mattered most.

The pressure surged!

Lin Qing sat ramrod straight, his expression unchanged even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him. "Director Lin, you know.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision-to bring my Ultimate Metal talents to the Sun Moon Empire.

"I chose the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy because, both now and in the future, it offers me the best opportunity to devour rare metals to cultivate soul power, receive the finest soul engineering education, reach Titled Douluo, and break through to Super Douluo. My cultivation level matters more to me than anything else.

"On the Douluo Continent, I cultivated from Soul Scholar to Soul Ancestor. I pushed myself to the limit and squeezed every resource around me dry. To advance any further, I had to make a change.

"At the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, I can fulfill all my wishes and win two Soul Master Tournaments alongside elite soul engineers.

"As a wise predecessor once said, don't let loyalty hurt you. As for the Douluo Continent... I wish the three great empires luck."

A boy immune to pressure!

Lin Jiayi was stunned. What a baseline that swam and twisted like a dragon! This child had the makings of the soul engineering GOAT!

"I understand your concerns, Director Lin." Lin Qing simply threw open the window and spoke plainly. "I am willing to stake the ten-thousand-year reputations of the Asura God and the Sea God on my pledge: neither my journey here nor my allegiance harbors any second intentions."

"Same here!"

Ye Guyi hurriedly picked up the line.

More than ten thousand years had passed since the Battle of Jialing Pass. She could not change the established fact of the Spirit Hall Empire's crushing defeat.

Ye Guyi was dissatisfied with what the Sea God had done after his victory. During the Six-Winged Angel's reign, evil soul masters were instantly killed the moment they showed their faces. Now, they had grown into a chronic, deep-rooted sickness afflicting the Douluo Continent.

The angel maiden had resolved to venture into a foreign land, put down roots, and spend her life fighting those mysterious, sinister forces.

So long as Sun Moon's angel stood, no evil soul would cross Mingdou!

Before battle broke out, she would first borrow the reputation of her ancestor's enemy!

"There's no need for such vows. Your decision to join the Sun Moon Empire is truly the empire's good fortune. We can only rejoice!"

Lin Jiayi apologized repeatedly, though in truth he was immensely satisfied with their responses.

Who was Sea God Tang San? The greatest sage the Douluo Three Kingdoms had ever known-Emperor Tang the Sage!

Who would dare make reckless claims about him?

And yet, the otherworldly demon Qing and the angel descendant Guyi...

After passionately swearing on Tang San's reputation, the two sat side by side, innocent and well-behaved, their heads slightly lowered. Neither dared look at the other, both desperately recalling the saddest moments of their lives.

Silently marveling that these youngsters were worth teaching, Lin Jiayi said with great satisfaction, "You two, I can guarantee that you have made absolutely the right choice!

"The Sun Moon Emperor once called upon every Level 9 Soul Engineer to conduct war simulations and determine how long conquering the Douluo Continent would take. The Mingdou Mountain Range, that so-called absolute defense, could be broken with a snap of the fingers!

"Four hours to conquer the Mingdou Mountain Range, five days to take Star Luo City, eighteen days to flatten Heaven Dou City, thirty-five days to bring our troops to the gates of Lingdou City, and thirty-nine days to crush Shrek Academy!

"When the Level 9 Fixed Soul Guidance Shells fall depends entirely on the mood of His Majesty, seated upon his dragon throne with a drink in hand. The power over life and death rests in the sheathed blades of the Five Hand of National Protection!"

Listening to Director Lin's extravagant praise, Lin Qing could not help scratching between his brows.

To be fair, the impregnable Mingdou Mountain Range truly had not been bypassed by an army. Instead, the Sun Moon Empire had blasted it open with Level 9 Fixed Soul Guidance Shells.

Sun Moon's army had raced forward to attack the Northwest Legion commanded by White Tiger Duke Dai Hao, nearly killing the Star Luo marshal, a lifelong veteran, in a single battle. Princess Jiujiu had been helpless with panic, like a French baked snail on a sizzling iron plate.

After thoroughly boasting about the Sun Moon Empire's supreme military might, Lin Jiayi smiled. "My apologies. Our chat wandered rather far afield. Let's return to the matter at hand.

"Considering that you are both Four-Ring Soul Ancestors, I will assign you to a higher year. You'll join Class 1, Year 5 as transfer students and study alongside soul engineers of the same rank.

"While reviewing your soul tool construction during the assessment, I noticed a few issues in the finer details.

"Of course, that isn't your fault. These are problems shared by the entire soul engineering community of the Douluo Continent. Sun Moon's teachers will do their utmost to nurture every student and help all of you open up the road ahead.

"I wish you every success in your new lives at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. May every day be happy and meaningful."

With that, Lin Jiayi took out their student IDs, academy maps, dormitory keys, class schedules, uniforms, and other necessities, handing them to Lin Qing and Ye Guyi. Their enrollment was now official.

After leaving the dean of students' office, the duo checked their maps. The men's and women's dormitories were separate buildings, so they agreed to return to their respective rooms to settle in and meet in the cafeteria first thing the next morning.

Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Dean's Office.

The Dean's Office occupied the top floor of the teaching building, with windows on three sides. Metal bookshelves along the wall were piled with soul tool manuscripts, and several boxes of premium tea rested on the bottom shelves. The furnishings were varied but orderly, and a tranquil atmosphere filled the room.

His round, plump body nestled in his office chair, Jing Hongchen, headmaster of the Sun Moon academy and master of Mingde Hall, blissfully enjoyed the leisurely afternoon.

Cannon fire rumbled from the training grounds outside, but the hall master could not be bothered to raise an eyelid.

He rolled two old Sun Moon metal walnuts in his left hand, occasionally using his right to pour a pot of hot tea over his beloved wealth-bringing golden toad tea pet. Watching the tea trickle back into the tray, Jing Hongchen wore a faintly composed expression, as though even the sky collapsing would not make him hurry.

"Hall Master, it's Lin Jiayi."

A series of knocks sounded, and the visitor announced himself.

"Come in."

Jing Hongchen remained utterly unruffled.

"Good news, Hall Master! Wonderful news!"

The instant he entered the Dean's Office, moving his arm and leg on the same side together, Lin Jiayi eagerly displayed his wild delight.

"Jiayi, how have you forgotten every scrap of composure you've cultivated over the years? At this rate, when will you ever become a Level 9 Soul Engineer?" Jing Hongchen lifted his eyelids. "Stay near vermilion and you'll turn red. You ought to learn properly from me."

"Hall Master, it really is wonderful news!" Lin Jiayi exclaimed excitedly. "The academy has recruited two promising seedlings this year, and one of them possesses the legendary Ultimate Metal!"

Jing Hongchen's gaze sharpened. "Are you certain?"

"As certain as nine chances out of ten!"

Presenting the new student report with both hands, Lin Jiayi said firmly, "Xiao came to the testing grounds to watch the entrance assessment. He personally admitted that his Three-Legged Golden Toad bloodline reacted to the Machine Element with fear and retreat.

"Hall Master, nothing under heaven but Ultimate Metal could make the Divine Beast Bloodline of a supreme metal-attribute divine beast recoil. Besides, every aspect of Lin Qing's performance proves that he possesses Ultimate Metal!

"The academy has finally unearthed a treasure! You didn't see just how terrifying Ultimate Metal is. Lan Xiu's Nine Radiances, linked directly to his mind, were instantly seized by the Machine Element and turned against their former master. Put that on a battlefield, and the consequences are unimaginable!

"War is all about information disparities. Allow me an example: suppose Lin Qing hadn't come to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and had chosen Shrek Academy instead.

"Then the high-altitude surveillance soul tools our empire relies upon might very well all become Lin Qing's eyes, scouting every detail of the battlefield for him, while Sun Moon's army became a swarm of headless flies!"

"Calm down, calm down. Ultimate Metal has already enrolled."

At that moment, Jing Hongchen displayed a calmness Lin Jiayi had not expected. He examined the copies of the immigration documents included in the report. Everything was legal and compliant, the previous three generations were spotless, and the boy came from an honest civilian background.

"The only debatable point is his nationality." Lin Jiayi caught his breath. "I'm worried Lin Qing might be an infiltrator sent by the three great empires, using our resources to borrow a hen and lay his own eggs."

"Fool!"

Jing Hongchen pointed with a finger as thick as a radish. "An ultimate soul master is a once-in-ten-thousand-years find. Whether it's the Douluo Three Kingdoms or Shrek Academy, do you think they would send such a prodigy into our empire as a spy?

"Use a walnut instead of your brain and think about it. If I were Xu Jiawei or Yan Shaozhe, I would never let Lin Qing out of my sight!

"He is exceptionally talented, and at eleven, his outlook on life is still taking shape. Even if we concede ten thousand steps and assume Lin Qing is a Douluo spy, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy can still turn him and offer the empire his wholehearted devotion!"

"Such commanding vision, Hall Master!"

Lin Jiayi was wholeheartedly convinced.

"Back then, to fully understand our competitor, I secretly sent people to Shrek City to gather information," Jing Hongchen said proudly.

"Four hundred students in the Shrek Outer Court fight over a single toilet. What gives them the nerve to compare themselves with the lavishly funded Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy? We offer individual rooms with private bathrooms. We win!"

"The academy is mighty!" Director Lin transformed into a merciless applause machine.

"In life, people pursue nothing more than power, wealth, and beauty."

Jing Hongchen slowly rose and sighed. "At Lin Qing's age, we can set power and beauty aside for now. As for wealth... he can devour rare metals to cultivate, correct? Heh. Rare metals are the very thing the Sun Moon Empire never lacks!

"Open the Metal World environmental cultivation site to him free of charge. I refuse to believe Ultimate Metal can suck the academy dry!

"Sharpshooters are fed with bullets. Double his monthly rare-metal allowance and let Lin Qing hone his soul engineering skills. Meanwhile, observe him discreetly. Once we confirm that he wholeheartedly stands with the Sun Moon Empire, raise his benefits again!"

"Wise indeed, Hall Master!"

"Oh, one more thing." Jing Hongchen tapped the desk. "The academy has long planned to establish a special class for exceptionally talented students. I believe it is time to put that plan into action. Notify every homeroom teacher. Set the date for three months from now."

"Yes."

Lin Jiayi left with his orders, silently reflecting that the hall master truly was the hall master. Even faced with Ultimate Metal, his expression never changed, and every arrangement was made with perfect order.

Steady as a mountain-a true model for them all!

"Click..."

The office door closed. Quietly listening until Lin Jiayi's footsteps faded, Jing Hongchen took a deep breath, another deep breath, and another... then jumped straight into the air!

"Holy fucking shit, this makes no sense! A pie fell from the sky straight into this old man's mouth!

"Hahahaha! Shrek Academy, it's time we settled our old scores!!!"

The Sun Moon teaching building briefly felt a little weightless!