"Grandpa Ju!" ×3
"Good, good, good."
Chrysanthemum Douluo was quite satisfied. He said, "Let's go. Come with me first to register Xiao Chen for enrollment."
Under Chrysanthemum Douluo's lead, everyone walked straight into the headmistress's office at Spirit Hall.
"Little Yun'er, I've brought them."
The headmistress of Spirit Hall Academy was a beautiful, refined, white-haired woman named Tuoba Yun, the younger sister of Tuoba Xi, the Holy Dragon Sect's sect master.
"Greetings, Elder Ju!"
Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo arrive, Tuoba Yun hurriedly rose and bowed.
"No need for formalities."
Chrysanthemum Douluo said, "You've already met Nana and Wang Sheng. As for this child, he's the special recruit enrolling today."
"So it's him?"
Tuoba Yun looked Luo Chen up and down. "Sister Dong- ahem, His Holiness the Pope has already told me."
Tuoba Yun was only twenty-seven, but her Soul Power cultivation had already reached level 79.
Although she could not compare to an unparalleled genius with twin Martial Souls like Bibi Dong, Tuoba Yun was confident she could break through to the Titled Douluo realm within twenty years.
Level 79, White Armored Earth Dragon Martial Soul. Has the Holy Dragon Sect already gotten into bed with Spirit Hall?
Uh, almost forgot. I'm part of Spirit Hall now too.
Luo Chen soon realized that "getting into bed" did not seem like a very good choice of words. Then, a wise man knows which way the wind blows?
As he thought about it, Luo Chen noticed a problem.
Spirit Hall did not lack Soul Douluo-level powerhouses.
If high talent were all she had, Tuoba Yun would still have been unlikely to secure a position as important to Spirit Hall's next generation as headmistress of Spirit Hall Academy.
Sister Dong?
Heh, so that's it.
The moment Tuoba Yun spoke, Luo Chen understood why she had become headmistress.
This woman was Bibi Dong's trusted confidante!
Moreover, being able to call Bibi Dong "Sister Dong" showed just how close the two were in private.
Then it's no surprise.
Luo Chen understood. The academy holds the future in its hands. Teacher would definitely put someone she trusted in charge.
Bibi Dong had only been Pope for three months. During that time, she must have carried out a major purge of the leadership.
A new sovereign brought a new court. That was unavoidable.
For Bibi Dong as she was now, loyalty clearly mattered more than talent.
"His Holiness has already told me about your circumstances."
"Come on." Tuoba Yun gently took Luo Chen's hand. "I'll take you to the elite class."
"Thank you, Headmistress Tuoba."
"No need to be so formal with me."
Tuoba Yun had a very favorable impression of the three little ones, especially Hu Liena and Luo Chen. They were Bibi Dong's disciples, after all.
That alone meant Tuoba Yun had no intention of treating them as outsiders. "When no one else is around, just call me Sister Tuoba or Sister Yun."
When Tuoba Yun was still a young girl, she had once encountered a grave crisis.
Back then, Bibi Dong had intervened in time and saved her.
That life-saving favor had also left Tuoba Yun completely infatuated with Bibi Dong, and she had begun chasing madly after her departing figure.
The Holy Dragon Sect and Spirit Hall had always enjoyed friendly relations.
To get closer to Bibi Dong, when the Holy Dragon Sect was sending disciples to take up posts in Spirit Hall, Tuoba Yun had eagerly answered the call and joined Spirit Hall.
She was Bibi Dong's junior and had served at her side since she was a girl in her early teens.
When Bibi Dong rose to become the new Pope, Tuoba Yun had also been promoted, becoming Spirit Hall Academy's new headmistress and supplying Bibi Dong with talent.
"In that case."
Chrysanthemum Douluo said, "I'll leave these children in your care."
"Rest assured, Elder Ju. I'll take good care of them."
Although three months had already passed, Tuoba Yun was still incredibly excited that she had become the headmistress of Spirit Hall Academy.
His Holiness had entrusted her with such an important task.
And now, she had even entrusted her with two disciples and a genius with innate full Soul Power.
What an honor and a show of trust was that?
"I heard from His Holiness that you're a genius with innate full Soul Power, Xiao Chen."
Tuoba Yun knew Luo Chen was Bibi Dong's disciple.
But that was all. She did not know Luo Chen's exact Soul Power, only that he also possessed innate full Soul Power and a mutated support Martial Soul.
Unfortunately, he was frail and sickly, unsuited to the academy's daily training, and needed extra care from her.
"Yes."
Luo Chen nodded. "It's my honor to have earned Teacher's favor."
Hearing Luo Chen say that, Tuoba Yun, a devoted fan of Dong'er, immediately felt delighted. The more she looked at this sensible child, the more she liked him.
"I'll take you to the elite class."
Beaming, Tuoba Yun did not have someone else lead the way. Instead, she personally took Luo Chen, Hu Liena, and Wang Sheng to their classroom.
Along the way, Tuoba Yun began introducing Luo Chen to the academy's classes.
"Spirit Hall Academy is divided into elite classes, advanced classes, and ordinary classes."
"The ordinary classes are open to all Soul Masters."
"Talent doesn't matter. Even someone with level 0.5 innate Soul Power can receive a free education as long as they're willing to join Spirit Hall."
There was nothing impossible about that. After all, Spirit Hall could pay Soul Masters one Gold Soul Coin, Soul Grandmasters ten Gold Soul Coins, and Soul Elders a hundred Gold Soul Coins.
If it could hand out a monthly subsidy of one Gold Soul Coin, a free education really amounted to nothing.
The selection standard for advanced classes was innate Soul Power above level 5-core members with hopes of breaking through to Soul King in the future.
Finally, every student in the elite classes had innate Soul Power above level 7.
Their goal was to break through level 70 and become Soul Saints.
These people would become Black-Robed Bishops at the very least, while the best could become Red-Robed Bishops, or even Platinum Bishops.
"That's about it."
Tuoba Yun said, "You and Wang Sheng both have innate full Soul Power. Nana is slightly behind, but she still has level 9.5 innate Soul Power."
She did not know about Hu Liena's Martial Soul Ascension. Her recollection of the little fox was still stuck in the recent past.
Just like that, everyone kept walking, and soon arrived at the elite class's classroom.
"Teacher Andrew."
"Headmistress Tuoba? What brings you here?"
Class was currently in session, and a fifty-year-old middle-aged man was teaching the students about various Soul Beasts.
His name was Andrew, a level 61 Soul Emperor and the elite class's homeroom teacher.
The elite class had over thirty students, all under eight years old.
Besides aptitude, Spirit Hall Academy also divided its classes by strength: those below level 10 attended foundation classes, levels 10-20 attended elementary classes, levels 20-30 attended intermediate classes, and levels 30-40 attended advanced classes.
The class Luo Chen and the other two joined was an elementary class.
The students in this class had Soul Power above level 10. Most were children who had awakened their Martial Souls that year, with only a very small number having cultivated for over a year.
They would cultivate at the academy until their Soul Power exceeded level 40.
Outside Spirit City, someone with Soul Ancestor cultivation could, at the very least, serve as the head of a branch hall.
In addition, anyone over twenty-five had to graduate from the academy, regardless of their Soul Power level.
"A transfer student?"
"Could he be another genius like Wang Sheng?"
Unlike in the original story, the current Wang Sheng was a genuine genius.
With his innate full Soul Power, he was the undisputed number one even in Spirit Hall's elite class.
Of course, that was also because Hu Liena had not revealed her exact Soul Power.
Otherwise, having level 15 Soul Power at just six years old might well have scared the students present to death.
"Yes."
Tuoba Yun nodded at Andrew. "This child is Luo Chen. Like Wang Sheng, he's a transfer student specially recruited by Spirit Hall this year, and he possesses innate full Soul Power."
"He really has innate full Soul Power!"
Luo Chen and Qian Renxue might have been more monstrous than each other, casually possessing level 20 or 30 innate full Soul Power along with divine Martial Souls.
But to the Soul Master World, innate full Soul Power alone marked an unparalleled genius.
Only a dozen or so people with innate full Soul Power had appeared in a hundred years, showing just how rare and precious it was.
"Andrew, come outside with me for a moment."
Without giving Andrew time to get excited, Tuoba Yun called him outside and specifically informed him of the privileges Luo Chen would enjoy in this elite class.
He would only attend half a day of theory lessons.
He would not participate in afternoon training.
He absolutely could not be forced into class competitions or matches unless he requested it himself. Even mocking him behind his back was forbidden.
"Uh, this!"
Andrew was utterly bewildered as he listened. Have we taken in a student or a father?
He really wanted to ask Tuoba Yun just what kind of background Luo Chen had.
These privileges were excessive!
"Don't ask so many questions."
Tuoba Yun herself did not know either, only that Bibi Dong placed great importance on Luo Chen. "All you need to know is that these orders came directly from His Holiness!"
"His Holiness..."
Andrew was also a Soul Master in Bibi Dong's faction.
His aptitude was poor, but he had made considerable achievements in theory, which was why Bibi Dong had assigned him to the elite elementary class.
While Andrew and Tuoba Yun were talking, Hu Liena helped Luo Chen over to sit beside her older brother, Xie Yue.
"This is my brother, Xie Yue."
"Hello."
"Hi."
As a child, Xie Yue was not as cold as he would be when he grew up. He smiled at Luo Chen. "Your name's Luo Chen, right? Nana's been going on about you in my ear these past few days. I finally get to meet you today."
Xie Yue studied Luo Chen and found that his complexion looked good. He was not as weak as his sister had described.
"Oh?"
Luo Chen asked curiously, "What did she say about me?"
"She said you were really handsome..."
"Brother~~"
Hu Liena blushed crimson and squeezed Xie Yue aside, putting on a fierce look as she threatened, "Say another word and I'll hit you!"
"See?"
Xie Yue leaned his head back, letting Luo Chen see his expression from behind Hu Liena. "Just like that."
"Wah! Wah, wah, wah!"
Hu Liena rapidly patted her brother, trying to stop him from ruining her image in Luo Chen's eyes, but she only made Xie Yue and Luo Chen burst into laughter.
"Another one with innate full Soul Power?"
"A genius like Boss Wang Sheng?"
"What type do you think his Martial Soul is?"
With the teacher taking so long to return, the students began chattering among themselves.
"I wonder who's stronger, him or Boss Wang Sheng."
Wang Sheng was forthright and loyal, and had won the approval of quite a few boys just after joining the class.
"Hmph!"
Among the students, a red-haired boy who had been watching Hu Liena joke around with Xie Yue and Luo Chen curled his lips disdainfully. "He looks sickly. How strong could he possibly be?"
This was none other than Yan of the Golden Generation.
Perhaps seeing Hu Liena intimately supporting Luo Chen had left him somewhat displeased.
But before he could open his mouth to mock him, Wang Sheng, who had been about to sit on Luo Chen's other side, suddenly stopped.
"Hey, you brat Yan!"
Wang Sheng walked up to Yan with a hostile look and slammed his hand hard on the desk. "Try saying what you just said one more time!"
No one knew better than Wang Sheng how powerful Luo Chen was.
Unfortunately, his power was far too great, and he basically never displayed it in class, which inevitably invited his classmates' doubts.
Wang Sheng did not want the person he had decided to follow to suffer even the slightest insult.
Luo Chen is strong!
Stronger than every one of you!
But precisely because he was too outstanding, Luo Chen had no choice but to hide his edge.
After learning of this, Wang Sheng had felt sorry for Luo Chen. He should clearly have been the most dazzling one.
Yet now, Wang Sheng had to take the place that should have belonged to Luo Chen.
Even though his current Soul Power and Martial Soul had all been bestowed upon him by Luo Chen.
"Xiao Chen is my brother. Looking down on him means you're refusing to give me, Wang Sheng, face."
"..."
These words, which sounded like something a gang boss would say before a turf war, made the corners of Andrew's and Tuoba Yun's mouths twitch as they continued their discussion outside the door.
Neither of them stopped him, though.
Healthy competition helped students strive to grow stronger. As long as tempers did not truly flare and they kept to ordinary sparring, the academy allowed it.
Besides, Wang Sheng was clearly Luo Chen's shield in class.
Tuoba Yun could not watch over Luo Chen every moment, so having Wang Sheng looking out for him in class put her more at ease.
Good grief!
Andrew, on the other hand, was utterly bewildered by the scene before him. Among the students, they arranged for Wang Sheng, who has innate full Soul Power. Among the teachers, everyone from the principal down to the homeroom teacher has been given a heads-up.
Instinctively, Andrew glanced around.
He was certain that the Supreme Pontiff had secretly arranged for powerful Soul Masters to protect Luo Chen at all times.
Could this child be the Supreme Pontiff's illegitimate son?
Honestly, apart from her own son, Andrew could not think of any other possibility that would warrant such attention from Bibi Dong.
"Is it really a good idea to confront him head-on like that?"
Elsewhere, Luo Chen, who had just taken his seat, also saw what happened.
He did not stop him.
Wang Sheng had grown up with him, and they shared a deep bond. He had also spent six years under Luo Chen's care.
As the saying went, repay a drop of kindness with a gushing spring.
The Black Hell Demon Tiger and innate full Soul Power were Luo Chen's first gift to Wang Sheng.
His second was the stage that Spirit City offered.
Since he had already changed things, Luo Chen would give Wang Sheng a glorious life utterly different from the one in the original story.
Moreover, Wang Sheng was clearly doing this to draw all attention to himself, concealing Luo Chen's brilliance until the moment he willingly stepped forward to reveal himself.
Thanks for the effort, brother.
Luo Chen sighed inwardly. But wasn't this move a little impulsive?
Who picked a fight on their first day in class with a student who was obviously a troublemaker?
Bang!
What Luo Chen had not expected was that children Wang Sheng's age really did respond to this sort of thing.
Especially Yan. He slapped his desk as well, then stared straight into the other boy's eyes without backing down. "So what if you have innate full Soul Power? What matters for a Soul Master is strength!"
He, Yan, had possessed rank-nine innate Soul Power and was now a rank-twelve One-Ring Soul Master.
He had been the boss of this elementary class for a full six months!
In the entire class, only Hu Liena's older brother, Xie Yue, could match him.
"Heh."
Wang Sheng dismissed that with disdain. "Then shouldn't you listen to me all the more?"
"You!"
Yan glared at Wang Sheng, his face livid.
"You lost to me!"
Just yesterday, on Wang Sheng's first day at the academy, he had clashed with Yan.
The two had engaged in a "friendly" spar.
The result was that Wang Sheng had crushed Yan with overwhelming strength, and with Xie Yue unwilling to compete for the position, he had become the elite class's new boss.
Wang Sheng's Martial Soul, the Black Hell Demon Tiger, could control eerie black flames.
Although Yan's Flame Lord was also very powerful, and his Soul Power was a rank higher than Wang Sheng's,
his fire was countered by Wang Sheng's black flames and could not inflict any effective damage on him at all.
Conversely, Wang Sheng's black flames were like the Flame Lord's nemesis. Not only could they devour Yan's flames, but they could also burn them away completely with the irresistible force of a storm sweeping through rotten wood.
Had Wang Sheng not held back, Yan would certainly have been gravely injured.
Although the Black Hell Demon Tiger was only rated top-tier, it contained ascended power from the Celestial Disc.
To put it in novel terms, the Flame Lord's fire was mortal fire, while the Black Hell Demon Tiger's black flames, however weak, were still heavenly fire, separated from mortal fire by a dimensional gulf.
On the Douluo Continent, apart from ultimate fire, very few flames could claim certain victory over the black flames, and the Flame Lord was definitely not among them.
(End of chapter)