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After offering a few words of encouragement to the students, Su Wen left Monitoring Peak and headed to Law Enforcement Peak.
Law Enforcement Peak differed from Monitoring Peak in its composition. Every member of Monitoring Peak was a direct descendant of the Academy, raised and nurtured by the institution since childhood. For Law Enforcement Peak, Su Wen had not yet imposed such a strict requirement.
Of course, the vast majority of those currently on Law Enforcement Peak were also six-year-old children recruited over the past year. However, there were also disciples sent from various other sects, utilizing the starlight energy of the peak to practice the Body Tempering Method.
The eldest senior brother of Law Enforcement Peak was, naturally, Ye Luochen.
His talent was even slightly superior to Zhou Yuan's—he possessed Innate Full Soul Power. Combined with the tutelage of the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, and an abundance of resources, he had managed to absorb a 700-year first spirit ring shortly after his awakening, jumping straight to Rank 14. Over the following year, he rose another six ranks. Now, at the age of seven, he was already a Rank 20 Soul Master.
Chen Xin planned to take Ye Luochen to hunt for his second spirit ring in the coming days. Unsurprisingly, their target was a thousand-year ring, with a tentative upper limit set at 1,800 years—a threshold higher than the limit for a normal Soul Master's third ring.
The Body Tempering Method was a perfect match for Ye Luochen. His Seven Kill Sword resonated with the starlight, allowing his physical constitution to advance in lockstep with his soul power. Even with the constraints of physical development, he had achieved this result at a tender age. If he could master the Soul Ascension Method, he might even attempt a 2,000-year ring for his second slot.
Su Wen looked at Ye Luochen, who stood as straight and sharp as a sword, and felt a surge of emotion. This was the next generation, breaking records by standing on the shoulders of giants. While Su Wen often maintained a specific public persona, this sentiment was genuine.
Ye Luochen's eyes shone like brilliant stars as he bowed respectfully. "Grand Scholar."
"Good. I've come at the request of Grandpa Sword. This is the Book of Ten Thousand Laws for the Soul Ascension Method he applied for on your behalf. For the next three months, you can activate it with your soul power at any time to experience the specific circulation of the technique."
Su Wen merged the page inscribed with the technique into Ye Luochen's body. "I hope that by the time I return, you will have obtained your second ring and become a true Spirit Grandmaster."
"Luochen will not disappoint you."
Su Wen nodded and gathered the members of Law Enforcement Peak to deliver a lecture. As an Academy, there had to be teaching, not just independent study. This was an area where the Academy was still lacking. Although they were recruiting scholars from across the continent, scholars were a minority, and the number of students they could teach was limited. Su Wen needed to complete the Virtual World as soon as possible to allow for the cross-regional flow of educational resources.
For five hours, Su Wen answered the students' questions face-to-face. Once the session ended, he left Law Enforcement Peak and departed from the Academy.
"Uncle Ning, let's go. The sooner we establish the system in Star Luo, the sooner the Academy can enter a stage of normal development."
Ning Fengzhi looked at him with a helpless expression. "Xiao Wen, we cannot be careless on this trip to the Star Luo Empire."
Ning Fengzhi would be accompanying Su Wen, along with the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, "Xue Qinghe." In the shadows, Xiao Zhan would be following, and the Imperial Family had dispatched a Spirit Douluo to protect the prince. With Ning Fengzhi's support, two Spirit Douluos could easily hold their own even against a Titled Douluo.
Whether there were actual Titled Douluos following in secret remained unannounced, but the outside world wasn't foolish enough to think Ning Fengzhi would travel without protection. Bone Douluo was almost certainly nearby.
"Xiao Wen, the border between the two empires is just ahead. Do not lower your guard."
Despite Su Wen's prestige as the Grand Scholar, he was entangled in too many conflicting interests. Ning Fengzhi pulled him aside to whisper a warning. There were many sects hostile to Su Wen—reactionary groups who felt the Academy was forcing all sects to comply with its standards.
The biggest trouble, however, was the Clear Sky Sect. Ten months ago, the Clear Sky Sect announced its return to the world, plunging the continent into a period of turbulence. Upon their emergence, Pope Bibi Dong personally led three Titled Douluos to their mountain gates to demand an explanation, expressing dissatisfaction with their violation of the original promise of seclusion.
A massive battle ensued. The Clear Sky Sect deployed six Titled Douluos to clash with Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and another Spirit Hall elder. The battle raged for three days and three nights. Eventually, Bibi Dong withdrew, and the Clear Sky Sect's return became an indisputable fact.
Six Titled Douluos! Their reappearance sent shockwaves through the continent. Usually, a sect with two Titled Douluos—like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—was considered a dominant hegemon. Aside from Spirit Hall, no faction had ever been known to possess more than two.
The Clear Sky Sect had shattered that perception. Having held their own against Spirit Hall, they had begun making demands—such as the return of the spirit bone in Su Wen's possession. They also declared that Tang San was a direct descendant, and any move against him would be viewed as a slight against the sect.
Fortunately, Su Wen—the target of the first demand—had completely ignored them, not even bothering to issue a response. As for the second declaration, the Soul Masters of the continent paid it no mind. When the chance arose to assassinate Tang San, they showed no mercy. A 100,000-year spirit bone was enough to tempt any master. A Soul Saint who absorbed such a bone would have a genuine chance of becoming a Titled Douluo within a decade.
Every Soul Saint on the continent was eyeing the bone Tang San supposedly carried. There were even rumors and speculations about whether Tang San, being the offspring of a 100,000-year soul beast, would drop a spirit ring or bone upon his death. Was he the perfect product of a transformation? Part human, part beast? These mysteries, combined with the lure of the 100,000-year bone, attracted waves of hunters. Yet, so far, none had succeeded.
"The Clear Sky Sect has been tracking your movements. Leaving the Heaven Dou Empire provides them with the perfect window to strike," Ning Fengzhi warned. "Furthermore, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family may not be entirely trustworthy either."
Spirit City, Central Hall.
"Your Holiness, Su Wen has reached the border. Are we truly not going to move against him?"
The Academy's groundwork was essentially complete. At this stage, many people were entertaining the idea of "slaughtering the donkey once the grinding is done." This sentiment was particularly strong within the Heaven Dou Empire. It meant the prestige of Su Wen's title was at its lowest point—providing the perfect opportunity for Spirit Hall or other factions to strike.
Whether a new sacred land succeeds or fails often depends on these pivotal transitions.
Bibi Dong narrowed her long, phoenix-like eyes and waved a hand dismissively. "Let matters regarding Su Wen develop as they will. For now, Spirit Hall's primary target is the Clear Sky Sect."
(End of Chapter)