Chapter 12: Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Ning Fengzhi was momentarily stunned; he was familiar with the four clans specializing in single attributes. Yet, he couldn’t understand why Li Xun mentioned that particular clan.

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment. “The Po Zhi Clan is a vassal of the Haotian Sect. Though I’ve never interacted with them directly, I’ve heard their sect leader, Yang Wudi, is very powerful. However, I believe they retired along with the Haotian Sect many years ago.”

“Xun, what made you think of them?” Ning Fengzhi asked.

Li Xun recounted the matter regarding Yang Qianjun to Ning Fengzhi, discussing the possibility of recruiting the Po Zhi Clan into the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, though he omitted the part about the celestial-grade herb. He kept that as a surprise.

“All right, Xun, you can proceed boldly with this. If anything arises beyond your ability to handle, I will personally intervene,” Ning Fengzhi said, gently tapping the table with a smile.

If they could indeed bring the Po Zhi Clan under the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect’s banner, their sect’s strength would undoubtedly increase significantly. Even if it failed, it would still serve as valuable experience for Li Xun. Either way, there was no loss.

“Teacher, I will do my best.”

...

The Tian Dou Royal Academy was situated on a mountain outside Tian Dou City. This academy was established by the Tian Dou Empire to cultivate elite talent. Initially, the intentions were noble, but over time things gradually changed. As more nobles and wealthy families settled in, the academy slowly deviated from its original purpose, becoming a school mainly for aristocrats.

When Li Xun arrived, the first thing to catch his eye was a magnificent teaching building. Its opulence rivaled even the landmark structures in the major cities. Even Ning Rongrong, who had been raised in luxury, widened her eyes in amazement. “Brother Li Xun, Grandpa Jian, this place is so grand!”

The three slowly ascended the mountain. Along the way, they passed by rare and precious plants. The annual cost of maintaining these alone must amount to a considerable sum of Gold Soul Coins.

Before long, they reached the academy’s entrance, where several people were already waiting.

“Greetings, Your Excellency Chenxin...” Xue Qinghe and Meng Shenji, among others, slightly bowed to Jian Douluo.

“Three committee members, thank you for your courtesy. Rongrong and Xun will be in your care,” Chenxin nodded to the group.

“Haha, the geniuses of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect entering our Tian Dou Royal Academy—naturally, we will teach them well,” Meng Shenji smiled, stroking his beard.

“Rest assured, Your Excellency,” he added.

Jian Douluo chuckled and then soared into the sky, heading toward the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

“Xun, Rongrong, let me introduce you to the academy’s three teaching committee members,” Xue Qinghe said, stepping forward after Chenxin departed.

“The one in the middle is our academy’s teaching committee chairman, Senior Meng Shenji, an eighty-six-level Soul Douluo whose martial soul is the Black Demon.”

Meng Shenji smiled at Li Xun and company, nodding gently.

“To the left is the vice-chairman, Senior Bai Baoshan, an eighty-five-level Soul Douluo with the martial soul Heavenly Star Furnace.”

“To the right is the third-ranking member, Senior Zhi Lin, an eighty-three-level Soul Tool Douluo with the martial soul Celestial Green Vine.”

Both Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin nodded in greeting upon hearing the introductions.

“These three teaching committee members are the ones I often mention when I speak of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect’s two prodigies,” Xue Qinghe said with a smile.

“Indeed, indeed. I’ve heard that Li Xun is a congenital full soul power talent, and Ning Rongrong also possesses congenital ninth-level soul power. Both truly deserve the title of geniuses,” Meng Shenji said, stroking his beard with satisfaction.

Because of the Soul Master Tournament, academies across the continent fiercely competed for geniuses, hoping their students would shine in the competition and elevate the academy’s status and influence.

Though the Tian Dou Royal Academy boasted formidable instructors, their students’ results in past tournaments were lackluster. This was partly because they had guaranteed slots in the finals; otherwise, their rankings would be even poorer.

Meng Shenji and the others found this situation troubling. However, the academy’s internal factions were complex, making it difficult even for them to enforce regulations strictly.

“Greetings, three committee members,” Li Xun and Ning Rongrong bowed politely.

“Well-behaved and courteous—just as expected from disciples of a major sect,” the three committee members remarked, exchanging smiles.

With introductions complete, Xue Qinghe took her leave. She was currently in a critical period, as the crown prince’s position would soon be decided. Finding time to visit the academy was already a rare opportunity.

After seeing Xue Qinghe off, the three committee members led Li Xun and Ning Rongrong deeper into the academy.

Along the way, students who saw Xue Qinghe and the three committee members escorting the two children were filled with astonishment and immediately began inquiring about their identities.

Before long, they arrived at the teaching committee building, where a young man was already waiting downstairs.

“Xun, Rongrong, this is the teacher I’ve arranged for you—Qin Ming.”

...

“Don’t be fooled by Teacher Qin Ming’s youth. Though he just turned twenty-seven this year, he is already a fifty-first-level Soul King,” Meng Shenji said with a smile as he introduced him to Li Xun and Ning Rongrong.

Such a young age was rare on the continent.

Li Xun was moved and cupped his hands in greeting. “Greetings, Teacher Qin Ming.”

Though Qin Ming had a history of switching teams and some suspicion of polishing his reputation through the Soul Master Tournament, as a commoner Soul Master, reaching level fifty at such an age was a testament to his talent.

Qin Ming looked at Li Xun and Ning Rongrong with slight confusion. He was currently the leader of Tian Dou’s first team, responsible for the cultivation of team members but not ordinary students.

When Meng Shenji sent for him, he had assumed the chairman was sending two powerful teammates his way. He did not expect two children, only seven or eight years old.

Seeing Qin Ming’s puzzled expression, Meng Shenji smiled knowingly.

“Qin Ming, don’t underestimate these two children; they are genuine prodigies. Xun possesses congenital full soul power, is eight years old, and has reached the nineteenth level in soul power.”

“Rongrong is also eight, with congenital ninth-level soul power and a soul power level of seventeen. Her martial soul is the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda,” Meng Shenji finished, watching Qin Ming’s reaction with interest.

“Eight years old and already at nineteenth level soul power...” Qin Ming stared at Li Xun and Ning Rongrong in astonishment.

He had thought Yu Tianheng was remarkable enough, but Li Xun’s talent surpassed even him.

Yu Tianheng was thirteen this year, with soul power at level twenty-nine. With Li Xun’s talent, he could easily surpass Yu Tianheng at the same age.

Plus, there was the continent’s top auxiliary martial soul.

Qin Ming looked at the two deeply, feeling a faint excitement rise within him.

Though young, as prospective team members for the Soul Master Tournament six years from now, they were more than qualified.

“And Ning Rongrong can even serve as an official team member. If we had more geniuses like these, the future Soul Master Tournament...” Qin Ming couldn’t help but imagine.

“Qin Ming, I’m entrusting these two children to you,” Meng Shenji said, satisfied with Qin Ming’s expression, then turned to enter the teaching committee building.

“Xun, Rongrong, come with me,” Qin Ming said, regaining composure and gesturing to the two children.

Before long, they arrived at the student dormitories.