Blue Tyrant Academy
Several days later, in Heaven Dou City, at the Blue Tyrant Academy.
Unlike the grand and solemn, heavily guarded Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Blue Tyrant Academy is located in the southeast area of Heaven Dou City. It is built against the mountain and has a quiet environment. The academy buildings are simple and heavy with a rugged style. There are no gorgeous decorations at the entrance of the academy, only flame patterns.
After explaining their purpose, they were received by a teacher named Yin Shu, Soul King level expert with a calm and capable demeanor.
Upon hearing the name "Dawn Team" and their desire to join the academy, Teacher Yin Shu's eyes flashed with obvious surprise and importance, clearly indicating that he had heard about the Soto Great Soul Arena through some channels.
"Please wait a moment, students. This matter requires a decision from the dean himself." Teacher Yin Shu politely led them into a simple meeting room and then hurriedly left.
A short while later, a few hurried footsteps came from outside the door. A woman strode in.
She looked to be in her thirties, dressed in a simple blue cloth dress that couldn't hide her fiery and alluring figure. Her features were exquisite and captivating, with willow-leaf eyebrows and phoenix eyes, exuding a unique heroic spirit and sharpness. However, a layer of unyielding melancholy and restlessness seemed to shroud her between her brows. She was none other than Liu Erlong, the dean of the Blue Tyrant Academy.
Her gaze swept across the five people in the room like lightning, pausing slightly on Yan Zu before she spoke, her voice sharp and direct. "I am Dean Liu Erlong. Yin Shu said you are the Dawn Team that defeated the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in Suotuo City? You want to join my Blue Tyrant Academy?"
"Indeed." Yan Zu rose and bowed respectfully, "Junior Yan Zu greets Dean Liu. These are my companions: Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Oscar."
Liu Erlong nodded slightly, "Being able to defeat the team from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy proves you have the strength. But my Blue Tyrant Academy doesn't consider reputation or strength when admitting students."
She walked to the head seat and sat down with a bold posture. "Tell me, why did you choose Blue Tyrant? The Heaven Dou Royal Academy should have recruited you too, right?"
Yan Zu stated frankly, "The Heaven Dou Royal Academy did indeed extend an invitation. However, we declined for three reasons: First, we dislike its deep ties to the royal family and the numerous rules and restrictions imposed upon us; second, our path of cultivation requires extensive independent combat and free exploration, and we dislike being overly instructed by others; third," he looked at Liu Erlong, his gaze clear, "We have heard that Dean Liu is an upright person, and that Blue Tyrant Academy has a free academic atmosphere, emphasizing practical combat and the development of students' true nature. These three points align better with what we seek."
Liu Erlong raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by Yan Zu's straightforwardness and clear reasoning. "Freedom? Real combat? Sounds good. But freedom doesn't mean laxity. Our Blue Tyrant Academy's real combat is real, with injuries and even life-threatening situations. Can you handle that?"
Xiao Wu immediately answered, "Of course we can! We've proven ourselves through real combat!"
Zhu Zhuqing succinctly replied, "I can't get it."
Upon hearing this, Liu Erlong laughed and said, "In that case, let's have a friendly spar and see just how good you really are."
The atmosphere in the reception room changed instantly as soon as Liu Erlong finished speaking.
A friendly spar? Facing a Soul Saint- level "Horn of Slaughter" known for his fiery temper and formidable combat prowess, a hint of tension swept through the five members of the Dawn Team, but more than anything, they were filled with an eager fighting spirit.
This scene is somewhat reminiscent of when I faced Zhao Wuji at the Shrek Academy.
"What? Scared?" Liu Erlong stood up, a scorching and wild aura emanating from her body, the natural pressure of the top-tier Beast Martial Soul, the Fire Dragon.
"I wouldn't be afraid." Yan Zu forward, meeting Liu Erlong's gaze. "It's our honor to spar with the Dean. But I wonder, how does the Dean intend to spar?"
"Great!" A hint of appreciation flashed in Liu Erlong's eyes. "This place is too small; we can't really practice properly. Come with me to the training ground!"
She acted swiftly, turning and leaving. Yan Zu and the other four exchanged glances and immediately followed.
The Blue Tyrant Academy's training ground is located deep within the academy. It is vast and its ground is paved with specially made black rock, capable of withstanding strong Soul Power impacts. Although it is daytime, there are no other students in the arena, indicating that Teacher Yin Shu had made arrangements in advance.
Liu Erlong walked to the center of the arena, turned around, and stood still, her blue robes fluttering even without wind. "I can suppress my Soul Power to the Soul King level even without using my Martial Soul Avatar. But my combat experience, Soul Skill usage, and strength won't be compromised. You five, come at me together, let me see what makes you think you can beat those kids from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
Before she finished speaking, no Soul Ring lit up on her body, but a scorching wave of heat had already spread out, and the temperature of the entire training ground seemed to rise a few degrees. That was the natural power emanating from her strong Soul Power and Martial Soul Origin.
Yan Zu took a deep breath and whispered, "Use the most familiar infinite recovery formation, but this time we're facing Dean Liu, the pressure is completely different. Rongrong, prioritize amplification for me, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu; Oscar, prepare your Clone Sausage and Recovery Sausage to provide support at any time; Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, probe at the start, find the rhythm, don't fight head-on; I'll be responsible for control and defense."
Summon your Martial Soul.
The moment Little Jade appeared, Liu Erlong froze. Her gaze was fixed on Little Jade, who was as beautiful as jade and full of spirit. A complex expression flashed in her sharp phoenix eyes—shock, reminiscence, and an indescribable pain and disorientation.
This detached Beast Martial Soul, this lifelike form... it's so similar! It's just like that person's Luo Sanpao! Although the aura and form are completely different, one is auspicious and gentle, the other... but the special nature of this detached form instantly stirred up memories buried deep in her heart for twenty years.
"Dean...?" Yin Shu noticed Liu Erlong's unusual behavior and gently reminded him.
Liu Erlong snapped back to reality, quickly suppressing the complex emotions in his eyes and rekindling his fighting spirit. But his gaze towards Yan Zu was different now, carrying a hint of inquiry and an indescribable gentleness. "Interesting little fellow... Continue!"
She stopped talking nonsense, her Soul Power surged, and two yellow, two purple, and three black Soul Ring rose beneath her feet—a total of seven! Although she had said she would suppress her Soul Power to the Soul King level, the attribute bonuses and Soul Skill power brought by the Soul Ring were still terrifying.
"Seven Treasures Transform into Glazed Tile, First: Power! Second: Speed!" Ning Rongrong's delicate shout rang out first, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shone brightly, its colorful light accurately landing on Yan Zu, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, causing their auras to surge instantly.
Oscar didn't hesitate either. With a surge of Soul Power, the Thousand Illusions Clone Sausage instantly materialized and were distributed to everyone. "I have roots— Thousand Illusions Clone Sausage! Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, catch!"
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing took the Clone Sausage and swallowed them, their forms blurring simultaneously.
Xiao Wu activated her Third Soul Skill, "Jade Rabbit Clone," and two physical clones with 70% combat power appeared out of Clone Sausage, six "Xiao Wu" were instantly formed. Zhu Zhuqing also generated three Clone Sausage phantoms, and the four "Zhu Zhuqing" formed a pincer movement, cooperating with Xiao Wu's clone group to form a dense defensive line.
(Thanks to Monster Eleking and Ofoku for their generous donations)
(Thanks to Ou Fuku and 6590 for their monthly pass support)