Half a day later, the carriage arrived outside Heaven Dou City. The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was built on a mountain just outside the city.
As the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe didn't need to report to anyone when entering the academy, nor would anyone dare to stop her.
"Xiao Tian, I'll take you to meet the three education elders of the Imperial Academy now. Be respectful—they are all Soul Douluos above level 80," Xue Qinghe reminded him.
"Got it, Brother Xue. This place is really huge and so extravagant! It's even more beautiful than our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan!" Tian Lin couldn't help but exclaim.
This time, his words were heartfelt. The size of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was almost comparable to half of the Seven Treasures City, and this was just an academy. The level of luxury was truly unparalleled.
"That's to be expected. The students who attend the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy are all from noble families. They couldn't possibly endure a tough life," Xue Qinghe said, her tone filled with disdain when she mentioned the word "nobles."
Perhaps when the Heaven Dou Emperor first established this academy, it was indeed intended to nurture talented individuals for the empire. However, the atmosphere here has since changed. Nobles lived in indulgence and luxury, paying little attention to cultivation.
Even if they relied on their family resources to forcibly raise their soul power levels, their combat abilities were pitifully weak.
Xue Qinghe was well aware of this phenomenon but had no intention of changing it. After all, in reality, she was a member of the Spirit Hall. To her, the Heaven Dou Empire was essentially the enemy. And the weaker the enemy, the better.
Tian Lin, however, was different. Xue Qinghe warned him, "Xiao Tian, you must not follow their example. Sword Douluo personally instructed me to keep an eye on you. You wouldn't want your legs broken and to spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair, would you?"
Recalling his master's terrifying wrath, Tian Lin hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Watching the frightened expression on Tian Lin's face, Xue Qinghe found him utterly adorable. She was determined to bring him into the Spirit Hall.
Tian Lin was only seven years old, and his mind was not yet fully mature. It was the perfect time to influence him. That was why Xue Qinghe had gone to such lengths to bring him close.
Once she had gained his trust, she wouldn't have to worry about him refusing to follow her in the future.
However, what she didn't know was that hidden within Tian Lin's seven-year-old body was the soul of a young adult. He was not so easily manipulated.
Moreover, while Tian Lin didn't harbor lofty ideals like saving the world, he was not someone who would betray those who had shown him kindness. From the day he joined the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, he had never considered betrayal.
Thus, no matter what schemes Xue Qinghe had in mind, they were destined to fail.
As they spoke, the two arrived at the administrative office, where the three highest-ranking elders of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy usually lived and cultivated.
Upon learning of Xue Qinghe's arrival, the elders immediately came out to greet her.
The three individuals were an odd trio. One was tall and thin like a bamboo pole, another was short and stout like a barrel, and the third, an elder in the middle, looked relatively normal.
"Your Highness, what brings you here today?" the elder in the middle stepped forward and asked.
"Elder Meng Shenji, I'm here to enroll my junior disciple in the academy. I hope you can assist with the arrangements," Xue Qinghe said, holding Tian Lin's hand. "Xiao Tian, let me introduce you. This is the first elder of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Senior Meng Shenji. His martial soul is the Black Demon, and he is an eighty-sixth-level, eight-ring control-system Soul Douluo."
"Next is the second elder, Senior Bai Baoshan. His martial soul is the Celestial Furnace, and he is an eighty-fifth-level, eight-ring defense-system Soul Douluo."
"Finally, this is the third elder, Senior Zhi Lin. His martial soul is the Sky Blue Vine, and he is an eighty-third-level, eight-ring control-system Soul Douluo."
After introducing the three, Xue Qinghe turned to Tian Lin and said, "Come, Xiao Tian, greet the three seniors."
"Greetings, Seniors!" Tian Lin said politely, bowing to the three elders.
The three elders were taken aback. This boy wanted to enroll in the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?
"Uh… Your Highness, while our academy does not have strict age restrictions for enrollment and focuses on status and soul power level, isn't your junior disciple a bit too young?" Meng Shenji asked, troubled.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was not a daycare. To enroll, students needed to meet two requirements: first, they had to be of noble birth; second, they had to reach a soul power level of fifteen before the age of twelve.
This requirement was already five levels lower than that of the Shrek Academy. With the resources available to noble families, this should not have been difficult. However, most students were at least eleven or twelve years old when they met the qualifications. The boy before them didn't look older than seven or eight.
Xue Qinghe smiled faintly and pulled Tian Lin forward. "Xiao Tian, tell the seniors how old you are and what your current soul power level is."
"Seniors, I am seven years old, and my current soul power level is eighteen. My martial soul is the Suppressing Demon Sword, and I am a one-ring assault-system Soul Master," Tian Lin said, stepping forward.
"What? Seven years old and level eighteen?" Meng Shenji stared at Tian Lin as if he were a monster. Had this boy been cultivating since he was in the womb?
"Well, Elder Meng, does my junior disciple meet the requirements now? As for his noble status, you don't need to worry—he is the direct disciple of Sword Douluo. He fully meets the academy's standards."
The disciple of a Titled Douluo? That status was far above that of any city lord or duke.
"Meets the requirements? Absolutely! Such a talent is more than welcome. On behalf of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, I warmly welcome you!" Meng Shenji quickly approved Tian Lin's enrollment. Letting go of such a prodigy would have been unthinkable.
"I'll leave my junior disciple in the care of the three elders, then. Please take good care of him. I have many duties to attend to in the Eastern Palace and must leave now," Xue Qinghe said.
"Rest assured, Your Highness. We will take good care of this boy," the three elders assured her solemnly.
Satisfied, Xue Qinghe departed, reminding Tian Lin that if he encountered any trouble in the academy, he could always go to the royal palace for help.
The three elders took Tian Lin to the administrative office and summoned a teacher to meet them.
Before long, a young female teacher, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and quite attractive, walked in. "Greetings, Elders. Did you call for me?"
"Yes, Teacher Zhou Yan. A new student has joined the academy, and we plan to assign him to your class," Meng Shenji explained.
Zhou Yan glanced around. Aside from the three elders and a small boy, she didn't see anyone of enrollment age. Hesitantly, she asked, "Elders, you don't mean this boy, do you?"
Seeing her reaction, the three elders burst into laughter. Bai Baoshan spoke up, "Zhou Yan, don't underestimate this boy. He is seven years old and already level eighteen—a once-in-a-century genius."
"You are currently at level forty-eight and the most outstanding teacher among the instructors. That is why we've decided to entrust him to your care. Cherish this opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan's eyes widened as she looked at Tian Lin as though he were a priceless treasure. Seven years old and level eighteen? That was the potential of a future Titled Douluo! If this child truly achieved that, she would go down in history as someone who had taught a Titled Douluo.
Overjoyed, Zhou Yan immediately expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Elders, for this opportunity. I will do my utmost to teach this child well!"