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Su Wen understood exactly what Ning Fengzhi was implying with his warning.
The Great Spirit Arena was backed by formidable powers; even Spirit Hall avoided provoking them as long as there were no direct conflicts of interest. In another sense, the Great Spirit Arena functioned as a global organization with roots firmly planted across the entire continent.
Seeing Su Wen's calm expression, Ning Fengzhi didn't feel the need to explain further. "I've already arranged a meeting with the person in charge of the Heaven Dou City Great Spirit Arena."
Ning Fengzhi led Su Wen into the heart of the city's arena and up to a luxurious private box on the top floor.
"So, you are Su Wen?"
"I am."
"The name of the Grand Scholar is known throughout the world. As a Soul Master myself, I thank you for your contributions to the entire spirit master community."
The visitor was exceptionally polite. Despite being a powerhouse at the Spirit Douluo level, he treated Su Wen with visible respect. This was Zhang Tianlei, the head of the Heaven Dou City Great Spirit Arena, an Rank 82 Spirit Douluo.
Shifting the conversation, he inquired about the purpose of the meeting. "I wonder what advice the Grand Scholar has for me today?"
"Senior Zhang, I wonder if you can speak for the Great Spirit Arena as a whole? Not just this branch, but every arena across the continent," Su Wen asked.
Zhang Tianlei's eyes narrowed.
When Ning Fengzhi had first reached out, he had made this specific request: he wanted a representative who could speak for the entire organization.
"Rest assured, Grand Scholar. I hold a certain amount of authority within the Arena. Please, speak freely. Even if it concerns matters involving the core operations of the Great Spirit Arena, I can report them directly to the higher-ups."
Ning Fengzhi's heart stirred as he mentally speculated on who these "higher-ups" might be. On the surface, the operations of the Great Spirit Arena were managed by regional heads. Even as the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi had never encountered the leadership above those regional managers.
"In that case, I'll be blunt," Su Wen stated his objective. "I would like to invite the Great Spirit Arena to join the Academy."
"What?" Zhang Tianlei looked genuinely stunned. Why would Su Wen make such an impossible demand?
"To be precise, it isn't so much 'joining' the Academy as it is an investment."
"An investment?" Zhang Tianlei nodded, finding this slightly more reasonable. "And what sort of investment would this be?"
"The space within the 'Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning' isn't just for spreading knowledge. It can also serve as a place for combat."
"Oh?" Zhang Tianlei had visited the Academy in Heaven Dou City to experience the dissemination of knowledge, but he hadn't yet experienced the new version of the virtual space.
Su Wen immediately manifested a "Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning" space and pulled both Zhang Tianlei and Ning Fengzhi inside. However, calling it a library would be a misnomer; it was more of a Martial Arena. Within the space, the various archives and scrolls were gone, replaced by a single, massive dueling platform.
"Senior Zhang, you should be able to summon your martial soul and a certain amount of soul power here," Su Wen prompted.
Following Su Wen's lead, Zhang Tianlei realized with a start that he could indeed manifest his martial soul within this realm. However, it felt weaker than in the outside world, and his soul power seemed capped at roughly Rank 10.
"If you can mobilize soul power, you can fight here," Su Wen explained. He watched as Zhang Tianlei began to experiment.
Sure enough, Zhang Tianlei summoned his martial soul—the Lightning Leopard. He moved across the arena, testing the limits of the power this space could replicate.
"Compared to when I compress my soul power to Rank 10 in reality, there isn't much difference. At most, the strength of the martial soul's abilities is only about seventy percent restored."
Even so, it was impressive. Furthermore, having only seventy percent of their power restored might actually allow Soul Masters to fight more freely without the fear of lethal consequences.
"I plan to set aside an area within the Academy's virtual space specifically for Spirit Fighting," Su Wen said. "After all, whether it's becoming familiar with one's soul skills, mastering the application of soul power, or practicing self-created soul skills, actual combat is a necessity."
Hearing Su Wen's proposal, Zhang Tianlei's brow furrowed.
This was essentially stealing the Great Spirit Arena's livelihood. He finally understood why Su Wen had prefaced the conversation the way he did.
"You want the Great Spirit Arena to participate in this Virtual Arena project?"
"Exactly. Managing a Spirit Arena requires manpower and an established system. The Great Spirit Arena has the most experience in this field; I would feel much more at ease leaving the management to you."
Zhang Tianlei remained silent for a long time. The three of them eventually exited the space and returned to the physical luxury box.
"I cannot make this decision on my own. I will report your proposal and wait for instructions from the higher-ups."
This affected the very foundation of the Great Spirit Arena. If the Academy possessed the ability to host Spirit Fights, far fewer people would visit the physical arenas. Moreover, the Virtual Arena would ultimately be under Su Wen's control; no one doubted the authority the creator of the system held over it.
"There's no rush. I won't consider opening the Spirit Arena function until after I've traveled to the Star Luo Empire to complete the expansion of the system there," Su Wen said, unperturbed.
After leaving the Great Spirit Arena, Ning Fengzhi turned to Su Wen. "Xiao Wen, what exactly are you trying to achieve with the Academy? You're even starting to poach from the Great Spirit Arena now?"
Before, the Academy was just a place for learning, but now it was providing a combat platform. With the major sects joined and Spirit Hall involved to some extent, Su Wen was now planning to move the Great Spirit Arena into his virtual world.
"I'm simply pushing for the development of the Spirit Master world," Su Wen replied. "With a virtual Spirit Arena where no one has to fear for their lives, Soul Masters can hone their combat experience much more effectively. It will be far more convenient for practicing soul power control and soul skills."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, deciding not to press further. "You must have your own reasons for doing this. However, I must remind you: if you take steps that are too large, you risk falling."
"Don't worry, Uncle Ning. I have no grand designs for the continent. Whether it's unification or establishing a dominant power, neither is important to me," Su Wen said bluntly.
Hearing Su Wen speak so candidly about having no interest in conquering the continent allowed Ning Fengzhi to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Returning to the Academy, Su Wen went to the Monitoring Peak of the Three Illusionary Mountains. The Monitoring Hall had already recruited several direct disciples. Most were just "Spirit Scholars" who had recently awakened their martial souls; their current task was simply to cultivate.
The Academy did not have strict talent requirements for its students. As long as one was persistent in their cultivation and hoped for a better future, they could join.
"Where is Lin Dong?"
"Senior Brother Lin Dong is currently in seclusion. It looks like he's about to break through to Rank 8."
"Oh?" Su Wen was quite surprised.
Before the Continental Spirit Master Tournament, Lin Dong had just joined the Academy. At that time, he had been awakened for nearly a year and had reached Rank 4. If this breakthrough was successful, he would have gained four ranks in a single year. This speed far exceeded the normal cultivation rate for someone with a Rank 1 Innate Soul Power.
(End of Chapter)