In Soul Master history class-
"A thousand years ago, the Star Luo Empire unified the southern continent and sought to swallow the entire Douluo Continent. The many nations in the north, however, were unwilling to submit to the barbaric Star Luo Empire."
"At that time, His Majesty Xue Junlin, a mighty ruler of the Heaven Dou Duchy, burst onto the scene. With his Swan Martial Soul, he supported two Titled Douluo and joined forces with Spirit Hall to defeat the Star Luo Empire's scheme."
"However, the Star Luo Empire's invasion had wiped out many small nations in the northern continent. Through His Majesty Xue Junlin's alliance-building efforts, a coalition was formed. Years later, several major duchies and factions jointly nominated His Majesty Xue Junlin as emperor. After declining several times, His Majesty reluctantly agreed, and thus the Heaven Dou Empire was born."
As he listened to the teacher recount the Heaven Dou Empire's history, thoughts stirred in Ling Yu's mind.
E Kao also had a Swan Martial Soul. Did he have some connection to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family? Or was his a goose? But weren't domestic geese domesticated from wild geese? Forget it, forget it. I can't keep comparing everything to knowledge from my previous life.
They probably nominated that Xue Junlin because someone with a Swan Martial Soul would be easier to control. Although its grade was about the same as the Hell Spirit Cat's, it fell far short of what the other factions had.
The Swan Martial Soul was pretty well-rounded. It could attack and provide support, but its stats were average.
After class, several classmates came over to Ling Yu, and they went to lunch together. Two days had passed, and his classmates had gradually settled down, no longer quite so frenzied.
"Ling Yu, do you know what we'll be doing in tomorrow's basic physical training class?" the class monitor, Qin Nian, asked over lunch. His Martial Soul was a gemstone.
Ling Yu shook his head. "Sorry for the trouble, Brother Qin. Please tell me."
"There are two methods. One is pure Soul Power pressure, and the other is gravity training. An earth-attribute teacher will activate a Soul Skill and gradually increase the pressure, letting us train under it. Most people choose Soul Power pressure. It's a little easier."
"Once you reach your limit, you can soak in the academy's specially prepared medicinal baths."
"Medicinal baths must be expensive, right?" Ling Yu was a little surprised that the academy even provided medicinal baths for free.
"They're included in your tuition. Oh, wait, you probably don't have to pay." Qin Nian and the others gave him strange looks.
"How much did you pay?"
Qin Nian held up several fingers. "Five thousand?" When they nodded, Ling Yu nearly choked.
"I heard that, precisely because tuition is so expensive, the board members seem to want to push through more reforms and admit some commoner geniuses, but they keep running into opposition."
"Huh? Who's opposing it?" The moment the words left his mouth, Ling Yu guessed the answer. There was someone at the academy pretending to be a wastrel.
The others glanced around and said quietly, "Prince Xue Xing and the fourth prince, Xue Beng."
"He hasn't been coming to class lately."
Just as I thought. Thoughts stirred in Ling Yu's mind. But he probably won't come looking for trouble with me, right? Though, come to think of it, that's really hard to say.
"What are Friday's practical combat classes usually like?" Ling Yu changed the subject.
"The content is a little different for healing and enhancement types. Enhancement types have to consider their teammates' attack rhythm and Soul Power control. Usually, they support combat-type students in matches, while agility attack students test their reactions and escape speed for an overall assessment."
"Healing types have to consider when to heal and how quickly they can do it. They also support combat-type students in matches, and then the teacher gives them an overall score."
"Speaking of which, Ling Yu, are you an enhancement type? We've been curious for ages. Just tell us." Qin Nian looked curious.
"You'll find out in physical training tomorrow." Ling Yu felt a little helpless. He could already imagine what would happen the next day.
Over the past few days, he had also suddenly figured something out-he had become a walking advertisement. In the future, everyone who praised him highly would turn their attention to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. If this went smoothly, the imperial family would reap considerable benefits. They were probably also waiting for the moment he revealed himself and word spread.
"All right." It was only another day anyway, so they were no longer in a hurry.
"Speaking of which, the academy has invested so many resources, so why...?" Ling Yu asked quietly.
"It can't be helped. Tuition and status already screen out plenty of people. Besides, most people come here to form cliques and don't have much talent. The academy rarely expels anyone, either, so in the end, they can only lower the standards and let them graduate." Qin Nian and the others also came from noble families, but they spoke without reservation.
"All right..." Ling Yu sighed.
Since they had different electives, everyone split up after lunch to attend their own classes.
There really aren't many people taking poisonous substance identification, Ling Yu thought as he looked around the empty classroom.
As class approached, a few people arrived one after another. When the bell rang, a middle-aged man and a girl with short, deep-purple hair walked in.
Since Ling Yu was sitting right at the front and was a new face, the girl's eyes met his.
Ling Yu's pupils shifted. Dark green. Could this be Dugu Yan?
"Oh? A new face at this time? Could you be Ling Yu, the transfer student everyone's been talking about?" The middle-aged man smiled.
"Hello, teacher!" Ling Yu stood up and bowed.
"My name is Zhao Qi. You can call me Teacher Zhao."
"Yes, Teacher Zhao!"
Zhao Qi nodded, then looked at the girl beside him and motioned for her to take a seat.
"Today, we'll be discussing Heart-Corroding Grass."
"It's a slow-acting poison. It favors dark, damp places such as graveyards and ancient battlefields. At night, its leaves give off a faint blackish-green glow. It grows by absorbing death Qi."
"This is what it looks like..." Zhao Qi began drawing on the blackboard.
After class, Ling Yu watched the purple-haired girl's retreating figure, tempted. After all, her grandfather possessed a medicinal garden capable of defying heaven and changing fate. Perhaps it could trigger a Second Awakening of his Body Martial Soul.
The more tempted I am, the calmer I need to stay, Ling Yu reminded himself before heading to the library.
On his way back from the library that evening, Ling Yu stopped by the teachers' dormitory. The academy did not allow guards, so Xue Qinghe had arranged for Su Yao to work there as a guidance teacher and live on campus. If Ling Yu needed anything, he could ask her to contact Xue Qinghe.
"Senior Su Yao." Ling Yu bowed.
"What is it?" Su Yao parted her lips slightly, keeping her voice extremely low.
"Physical training is tomorrow. My Soul Ring Configuration will inevitably be exposed, so please inform Brother Xue, Senior Su, so he can prepare in advance."
"Don't worry. Everything has been arranged."
"That's good. I'll head back to my dormitory, then."
Su Yao nodded.
The next morning, Qin Nian and the others came to Ling Yu's dormitory to take him to the training grounds.
They spotted a large crowd on the training grounds from a distance. Only when they drew closer did they discover that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, Meng Shenji and the other two board members, and several Heaven Dou Grade teachers were all waiting there.
Once Ling Yu arrived, Board Member Meng Shenji's throat moved slightly, and he spoke slowly. His voice was not loud, but it reached their ears clearly.
"Under Emperor Xue Ye's leadership, the imperial palace finally completed its research into the Heaven Dou Secret Medicine a few days ago."
At the words "secret medicine," everyone present exchanged glances, uncertain what this so-called secret medicine did or why it was being announced here and now.
"This secret medicine allows a Soul Master to obtain a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as their second ring."
The moment he finished speaking, the crowd erupted, with all sorts of discussions breaking out. Qin Nian and the others seemed to realize something and looked at Ling Yu in disbelief.
"Its first test subject was Ling Yu. Through our observations, Ling Yu has shown no abnormal reactions whatsoever. The secret medicine is safe." Before Meng Shenji had even finished, everyone present turned toward Ling Yu.
He slowly walked into the training grounds. With a thought, two Soul Rings rippled into view, yellow and purple intertwining.
"A thousand years..."
"It really is a thousand-year ring..."
"One has actually appeared."
Envy, jealousy, resentment, pain-all manner of thoughts rippled through them.