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After Crown Prince Xue Beng was frightened away, Ning Rongrong asked curiously, "Little Bear, that guy was so arrogant just moments ago. Why did he run off so quickly? What exactly did you say to him?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "Rongrong, haven't you seen him before? This Xue Beng is the son of Emperor Xue Ye. I just told him that if he dared to provoke us, I'd have your Sword Grandpa chop him up."
Ning Rongrong spat disdainfully. "No wonder he looked familiar! It's Crown Prince Xue Beng. My older brother, the Crown Prince, introduced me to him once, but I don't remember much about him. He's said to be weak and uneducated, and even my brother didn't bother disciplining him."
Yang Xiong chuckled. "Rongrong, are you close with the Crown Prince?"
Ning Rongrong replied, "Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is my father's disciple. He's an elegant and generous person, and my father holds him in high regard."
Yang Xiong gently pinched Ning Rongrong's cheek. "It seems you have a good impression of this Crown Prince. I'm starting to feel a bit jealous. Since he's the sect leader's disciple, didn't the sect leader and Emperor Xue Ye ever consider arranging something between the two of you?"
Ning Rongrong shot Yang Xiong a glare. "I only see him as an older brother, and he sees me as a younger sister. Don't think so dirty. Besides, he's the heir to the Tian Dou Empire, and I'm the heir to the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect. Our statuses make it impossible for us to be together."
Yang Xiong sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had a chance. But there's a saying: you can know a person's face, but not their heart. The imperial palace isn't a good place, and these people aren't simple."
Ning Rongrong pinched Yang Xiong. "Look at you, acting like some kind of playboy!"
Yang Xiong narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed that both Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong trusted this Xue Qinghe deeply. He would need to put in some effort; otherwise, he might end up being blindsided.
In the original storyline during the "Soul Hunting" operation, neither the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect nor the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family had received any advance warning. Mobilizing tens of thousands of soul masters within Tian Dou Empire territory wasn't a simple matter. It was likely that this fake Xue Qinghe had provided cover.
---
Under Teacher Sun's guidance, the group soon arrived at the Administration Building of Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
Compared to Shrek Academy, Tian Dou Imperial Academy was like heaven. The architecture, students, and environment were all exceptional.
Dai Mubai was puzzled. "The Imperial Battle Team we faced earlier was decent. Why do those who provoked us now seem so spoiled?"
Everyone else was equally confused. Yang Xiong couldn't help but laugh. "They're nobles—what do you expect? I imagine Star Luo Imperial Academy is similar. After all, they're not sects but rather tools for the imperial family to recruit talent."
Dai Mubai pondered this thoughtfully, while the others paid little attention. Everyone wanted to study in a luxurious and comfortable environment.
Along the way, Qin Ming joined the group, having just finished his tasks and hurriedly caught up.
Qin Ming gave an introduction to Tian Dou Imperial Academy, covering topics such as student and teacher benefits.
According to Qin Ming, after entering Tian Dou Imperial Academy, all of Shrek Academy's members would continue to be taught by their original teachers and wouldn't join the current classes.
As students of Tian Dou Imperial Academy, they would receive the highest level of treatment, trained according to team standards. Even the teachers would be compensated at the academy's highest level. All living expenses would be covered by the academy, and each would receive a monthly stipend of three thousand gold spirit coins.
Upon hearing this, everyone was dazzled. Tuition and living expenses were fully covered, along with access to various educational resources, medicinal baths, and free use of simulated environments. Compared to their previous situation, it truly felt like paradise.
Even the teachers were moved. They hadn't expected Tian Dou Imperial Academy to offer such a generous environment and excellent treatment. Compared to their past struggles, this was far superior.
Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong trailed behind the group, seemingly indifferent to Qin Ming's words. In truth, this system was somewhat similar to a sect, though with weaker constraints. These teachers could leave whenever they wanted, and ultimately, Tian Dou Imperial Academy might just be doing someone else's bidding.
Upon arriving at the Administration Building, it was clear that Tian Dou Imperial Academy held Shrek Academy's arrival in high regard. They were greeted by all three members of the Teaching Committee, who stood directly at the entrance of the building.
At the entrance stood three elderly men, each wearing specially tailored black robes adorned with intricate golden embroidery. Only Soul Douluos could wear such attire, and even then, it was reserved for significant occasions.
Flender was stunned by the grandeur of the scene and quickly bowed respectfully. This was the proper etiquette for juniors addressing seniors.
"Flender of Shrek Academy greets the esteemed elders."
The elder in the center laughed heartily. "No need for formalities, Principal Flender. You are part of the legendary Golden Iron Triangle—the Four-Eyed Owl. We've heard much about you. Your joining our Tian Dou Imperial Academy brings us great honor."
"I am Meng Shenji, with the martial soul Black Demon, an eighty-sixth-level control-type Battle Soul Douluo. To my left is Bai Baoshan, deputy head of the Teaching Committee, with the martial soul Heavenly Star Furnace, an eighty-fifth-level defense-type Battle Soul Douluo. To my right is Zhi Lin, third-ranking member of the Teaching Committee, with the martial soul Azure Vine, an eighty-third-level control-type Soul Douluo."
Meng Shenji was of medium build, very thin, with almost no visible muscle. Bai Baoshan's physique was the opposite—he was short but extremely stout, clearly possessing a robust body. Zhi Lin's appearance was quite ordinary.
However, all three exuded a warm and friendly demeanor, especially Meng Shenji, who appeared energetic and charismatic—a testament to years of experience in education.
Flender quickly introduced the teachers and students of Shrek Academy, particularly the students, who garnered significant interest from Meng Shenji and the others.
Clearly, Meng Shenji had already reviewed their profiles, having knowledge of their martial soul, soul power levels, and backgrounds.
Notably, Meng Shenji showed greater interest in Tang San and the other commoner soul masters, while also treating Ning Rongrong, Yang Xiong, Dai Mubai, and Zhu Zhuqing with great respect. His tone didn't reflect the typical condescension of a Soul Douluo addressing ordinary students.
At this moment, the eight members of Shrek Academy suddenly felt an invisible pressure weighing down on them. This force emanated entirely from Bai Baoshan, the Soul Douluo.
Compared to the original storyline, Tang San hadn't performed exceptionally during the battle against the Imperial Battle Team, nor had he turned the tide dramatically. Thus, the pressure was applied to test everyone. Clearly, this was a simple entrance assessment—they wanted to see if Yang Xiong and the others lived up to their reputations.
Flender understood the situation and merely smiled from the sidelines. He was confident in Shrek Academy's abilities and hoped the students would earn recognition.
As the pressure increased, when it reached around twenty-eight levels, Ning Rongrong and Oscar began to struggle. As auxiliary soul masters, they couldn't withstand much, but just as they were about to collapse, the pressure vanished instantly.
As the pressure intensified further, Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing also began to falter. However, Yang Xiong, Tang San, and Dai Mubai remained standing.
Bai Baoshan was particularly intrigued. While he was curious about Tang San and Dai Mubai, Yang Xiong's composure stood out even more. By now, the pressure had reached the equivalent of a thirty-fourth-level soul master, yet Yang Xiong was only at level twenty-eight.
When the pressure approached thirty-nine levels, even Tang San and Dai Mubai began to sweat profusely, but Yang Xiong remained completely unfazed, his expression calm and composed.
Generally speaking, beast-type soul masters had stronger physiques than tool-type soul masters. Yet Tang San and Dai Mubai's physical resilience was nearly identical, showcasing Tang San's exceptional control over his body despite being six levels lower than Dai Mubai.
But Yang Xiong's performance was even more extraordinary—it was rare to see a soul master withstand pressure ten levels above their own.
Seeing Tang San and Dai Mubai struggling, the pressure on everyone disappeared instantly, including Yang Xiong's.
Bai Baoshan glanced at Yang Xiong and the others, nodding in admiration. "Impressive. They truly possess outstanding talent and solid foundations. No wonder they're students of Shrek Academy."
Flender sighed. "Thank you, esteemed elders. These students of Shrek Academy are exceptional. I brought them here for their future development, hoping they'll have better cultivation conditions. Perhaps one day, they'll surpass me and even reach the rank of Title Douluo. Of course, they will be the last batch of students from Shrek Academy."
Meng Shenji reassured him. "Principal Flender, rest assured. As long as they're here at Tian Dou Imperial Academy, I guarantee they'll receive the best education, training environment, and facilities. When they reach the peak of their soul master journey, their resumes will include Tian Dou Imperial Academy and us old fellows."
Flender bowed deeply again. "Thank you, esteemed elders."
---
Without interference from Crown Prince Xue Beng or Dugu Bo, and after some communication, the members of Shrek Academy quickly joined Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
As Meng Shenji had promised, all the students were directly assigned to the finest villas. The villa environment was excellent—elegant, quiet, and situated in an independent area surrounded by mountains and water.
Surprisingly, the Imperial Battle Team was also housed in this villa area. Clearly, it was prepared for both teams.
Only after truly entering Tian Dou Imperial Academy did the group realize how privileged its students were.
There were multiple dining halls, offering an abundance of food, including various soul beast meats. Each dish appeared to be expensive, and even the teachers and the three Teaching Committee members dined there.
Shrek Academy's group had a separate teaching area—a large square equipped with comprehensive facilities.
Moreover, Tian Dou Imperial Academy occupied an entire mountain range, filled with countless simulated environments suitable for various types of soul masters. Even Yang Xiong, looking at the map, was astonished.
Perhaps due to Yang Xiong's influence on the storyline, Dugu Bo never appeared, nor did he seek out Tang San privately.
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