Early the next morning.
Dugu Yan returned to the academy, and the eight of them went together to find the dean of Heaven Dou Royal Junior Academy.
"Dean, all eight of us have reached the Soul Grandmaster realm. We would like to apply for advancement to the advanced academy," Yu Tianheng, as captain, said first.
Upon hearing this, Dean Su hurriedly rose, smiling kindly. "Good. I'll take you to see the three members of the Education Committee right away."
Under the dean's guidance, the eight arrived at the Education Committee on Heaven Dou Royal Academy's main campus.
They pushed open the heavy mahogany doors. Inside the spacious, brightly lit hall, three elderly men with powerful presences sat in the seats of honor.
The man in the center was tall, his hair and beard both white. He was none other than Meng Shenji, chief of the Education Committee.
Committee member Bai Baoshan sat on the left, while committee member Zhi Lin sat on the right.
"Greetings, esteemed committee members."
Dean Su bowed slightly in greeting.
"Mm."
Meng Shenji's gaze flashed like lightning as it swept over them, lingering a moment longer on Yu Tianming in particular before he revealed a satisfied smile.
"Good, very good!"
"To possess such cultivation at such a young age-you truly deserve to be called the elites of our Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Bai Baoshan stroked his beard with a cheerful smile. "They're all good children."
Zhi Lin said gently, "Considering your special circumstances, the academy has decided to place the eight of you in a special class. For now, Teacher Tie Zhan will continue to be responsible for your instruction."
"Starting today, you will receive the academy's highest standard of training resources."
Something stirred in Yu Tianming's heart.
It seemed the three committee members had taken into account that the eight of them had already formed a team with mutual understanding, and had deliberately arranged for their original teacher to continue teaching them.
As they spoke, a familiar figure strode into the hall.
"Hahaha!"
The burly Teacher Tie Zhan laughed heartily. "Didn't expect this, did you? Even after advancing to the advanced academy, you'll still be taught by me!"
"Teacher Tie!"
Dugu Yan cried out in delighted surprise.
The other seven also looked delighted.
They had spent a year with Tie Zhan and had already become quite familiar with him.
Yu Tianming, in particular, had received Tie Zhan's Indestructible Vajra Body and could be considered half a disciple of his, so they were naturally close.
After greeting the three committee members, Tie Zhan turned to Yu Tianming and the others. "From today onward, I'll teach only the eight of you. I'll pass on everything I've learned in my lifetime!"
Meng Shenji nodded in satisfaction.
"Teacher Tie Zhan is a Heaven Dou Grade teacher and a seasoned Soul Emperor. Not only does he excel at physical cultivation, but he has also studied other fields. No one could be more suitable to continue teaching you."
After leaving the Education Committee pavilion, Tie Zhan led them along an academy path.
"The advanced academy is different from the junior academy. Competition here is fiercer, so prepare yourselves mentally."
Tie Zhan spoke as he walked.
Yu Tianming nodded. "Don't worry, Teacher. We won't slack off."
With her arm linked through Ye Lingling's, Dugu Yan said with a grin, "With Teacher Tie here, we'll definitely become even stronger!"
Tie Zhan roared with laughter. "You little girl certainly have a sweet tongue. But the training ahead won't be easy."
He stopped and turned to face them, his expression growing serious.
"Starting tomorrow, assemble at the training grounds at eight every morning, on the dot. Anyone who's late will run twenty laps as punishment!"
"Yes!"
The eight answered in unison.
Tie Zhan nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Yu Tianming. "Tianming, how is your cultivation of the Indestructible Vajra Body coming along?"
Yu Tianming smiled slightly. "I've already reached minor accomplishment in Iron Bone. Major accomplishment isn't far off."
A trace of surprise flashed through Tie Zhan's eyes. "Excellent! That's even faster than I expected. Your talent truly is astonishing!"
He patted Yu Tianming's shoulder. "But don't get conceited."
"The further you progress with the Indestructible Vajra Body, the harder it becomes to cultivate. The Golden Body realm in particular is extremely difficult to break through to. You must persevere."
"I understand."
Yu Tianming nodded solemnly.
Tie Zhan looked at the others. "The same goes for all of you. Everyone has their own strengths, but you must also make up for your shortcomings."
"If you want to compete in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament in the future, you can't afford any weaknesses."
They all voiced their agreement.
Just then, a commotion came from the distance.
"Well, well, isn't this Tie Zhan? I heard you've returned to the advanced academy?" An effeminate voice rang out.
A tall, thin man in a silver-gray teacher's uniform approached, followed by seven students.
Yu Tianming noticed that the student at the front wore a gold badge on his chest signifying "Heaven Dou Grade." He was a Soul Elder.
Tie Zhan's expression darkened. "Zhou Yin, mind your own business!"
He and Zhou Yin were both Heaven Dou Grade teachers at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. For various reasons, conflicts between them had never ceased, and they had become bitter enemies.
"Heh."
Zhou Yin sneered.
His gaze swept over Yu Tianming and the others. When he saw Yu Tianming, Yu Tianheng, and Dugu Yan, a trace of jealousy flashed through his eyes.
The young clan master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, a direct descendant, and Poison Douluo's granddaughter...
Why was Tie Zhan the one teaching them, rather than him, Zhou Yin?
Such excellent resources, such a chance to attach himself to the powerful, and that big oaf Tie Zhan didn't even know how to seize it!
In fact, both Zhou Yin and Tie Zhan had wanted to teach Yu Tianming and the others back then, but after discussing it, the three committee members had chosen Tie Zhan.
This had made Zhou Yin resent Tie Zhan even more!
At that moment.
Zhou Yin's gaze swept over Yu Tianming and the others, and a meaningful smile curled his lips. "Tie Zhan, I hear your students are all geniuses. How about a friendly match?"
Ming Yunze, the Heaven Dou Grade student behind him, stepped forward and raised his chin. "Teacher, I think that's an excellent suggestion. It would be a perfect opportunity to give our juniors some pointers."
Ming Yunze was arrogant by nature, and his gaze carried an unmistakable challenge as he looked at Yu Tianming.
Seeing this.
Dugu Yan's gaze turned cold. "Give us pointers? Who the hell do you think you are?"
Ming Yunze instantly flew into a rage at those words, but when he saw that Dugu Yan was the one who had spoken, he did not dare utter a retort.
"Trash!"
Dugu Yan gave a disdainful laugh.
Yu Feng and Osler immediately clutched their stomachs with laughter, infuriating Ming Yunze.
Tie Zhan raised a hand, signaling Yu Feng and Osler to quiet down, and said gravely, "Zhou Yin, they only advanced to the advanced academy today..."
"What? Afraid?"
Zhou Yin deliberately raised his voice. "A seven-on-seven team match, tomorrow afternoon, at the Great Soul Arena in Heaven Dou City. How about it?"
Quite a few students had already gathered to watch the spectacle, and whispers rose continuously around them.
Tie Zhan had not wanted to bother with Zhou Yin, but seeing him get carried away, he turned to Yu Tianming and the others and raised an eyebrow. "What do you say?"
As captain, Yu Tianheng spoke. "Teacher, we're willing to accept the challenge."
"A mere Soul Elder dares to spout such boasts?" Yu Tianming looked at Ming Yunze, his eyes as cold as wintry stars.
Ming Yunze shuddered under the piercing force of Yu Tianming's gaze, but quickly straightened his back:
"A mere Soul Elder? You've only just become Soul Grandmasters yourselves!"
Zhou Yin interrupted with a sinister smile. "Good! Since both sides agree, we'll meet tomorrow during the hour of the goat at Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena."
Tie Zhan snorted coldly. "Zhou Yin, your students are going to suffer a miserable defeat!"