As they walked through Grand Martial Academy, Chen Yi, the Grand Elder, the Second Elder, and others felt as though they were traversing a carefully planned miniature city. The wide avenues were paved with sturdy blue stone slabs, broad enough for several carriages to pass side by side. Along both sides, various buildings of similar style alternated in neat rows.
Each structure combined practicality and beauty thanks to rational layouts and clear functional zoning, offering a majestic and dignified impression while maintaining the dynamism and mystery befitting a soul master academy.
The Grand Elder glanced at the magnificent foundation and, unable to hide his admiration, nodded and said to Niu Gao and Qing Yun, "The Defense Clan truly lives up to its reputation. Their architectural expertise is almost divine."
"And the former staff from Skywater Academy also made ingenious contributions to the overall layout," the Second Elder added, stroking his beard. "Indeed, you can see the care devoted to every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree here."
Hearing such high praise, Niu Gao's rugged face broke into a simple, proud smile, and he clasped his hands in salute. "You are too kind, Elders. It is our Defense Clan's honor to serve the sect. If my humble skills can please the two of you, the whole clan is satisfied!"
Qing Yun, standing nearby, smiled as well. The positive words from the academy's side swept away the last bit of gloom lingering in her heart after the academy's reorganization. She spoke gently, "Thank you, Elders, for your praise. We only wish to provide the best environment for students to grow, worthy of the sect's expectations and the name 'Martial City.'"
Amid this warm atmosphere, the group chatted as they walked, soon arriving at a core area conference room. This room was equally impressive, with a high domed ceiling, calm dark tones, and walls inlaid with special jade to soothe the mind. In the center stood a vast round conference table, able to seat dozens at once.
Upon entering, Chen Yi's gaze swept across the room and fell on several familiar figures. To the left of the main seat sat a tall, upright old man with a stern expression—none other than the chief of the Breaking Clan, the newly ennobled Douluo known as Breaking Spear Douluo, Yang Wudi. Beside him stood an elegant woman—Chen Yi's own aunt, Hong Yue, the "Illusion Douluo." Sensing Chen Yi's gaze, Hong Yue returned a gentle smile.
On the opposite side sat an elderly man in a dark green robe, eyes glinting with a sinister light—Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. On seeing Chen Yi, Dugu Bo, for once, gave a warm smile, for Chen Yi had played a key role in helping him completely resolve his poison backlash and advance further.
With Cloud Sky Douluo Qing Yun joining them, all the core administrators of Grand Martial Academy were present, except for the still-reclusive Ye Cien, head of the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Clan.
As the Grand and Second Elders and Chen Yi entered, everyone stood and greeted them respectfully.
"Greetings, Grand Elder, Second Elder, young Sect Master!"
The Grand Elder smiled and gestured for them to sit. "No need for such formality. Please, be seated."
Everyone sat once more, exchanging a few more greetings and small talk. Then, they got down to business, as Qing Yun, Yang Wudi, and Niu Gao reported on the final progress of various academy projects, faculty integration, first student recruitment and selection, and preparations for the opening ceremony.
Everything was progressing smoothly—now, all that remained was to await the great day.
The Grand and Second Elders nodded occasionally, clearly satisfied with the progress.
After the presentations, the atmosphere in the conference room relaxed a little. Chen Yi, playing with the warm, smooth teacup in his hand, looked up with curiosity and casually asked, "We've sent out invitations far and wide for Grand Martial Academy's opening. Who from Spirit Hall will attend the ceremony?"
The room instantly froze.
A chill flashed in the eyes of Yang Wudi and Niu Gao. Both clans had irreconcilable enmity with Spirit Hall, having suffered grievous losses outside Clear Sky City and endured repeated persecution and exile. However, this coldness lasted only a moment before they suppressed it. Now, as members of the Body Sect, they had to place the sect's interests above personal grudges.
"Hmph!" Dugu Bo snorted coldly, not bothering to hide his disdain, and a touch of indifference glimmered in his emerald eyes. "Good! If Chrysanthemum Douluo and his inseparable ghost lover team up, it'll be the perfect chance for me to avenge years of pursuit!"
Dugu Bo's words dripped with hatred. Though he had already been a Titled Douluo at the time, due to a flaw in his martial soul, he was the weakest among them and had been driven to desperation by Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei. If not for Snow Star King's timely intervention and the power of the Heaven Dou Empire, he would likely have been captured and returned to Spirit Hall, his fate uncertain.
Hearing his bitter words, everyone exchanged meaningful smiles. Dugu Bo's escape from the joint pursuit of Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had caused a stir in the soul master world, with many saying this Poison Douluo had miraculous life-saving skills. However, after getting to know him, they were sure there was another hidden story behind it—otherwise, "Poison Douluo" might no longer exist.
The Grand Elder gently set down his teacup with a soft clink. His deep gaze seemed to pierce the wall, looking into the far distance, and he spoke in a calm tone, "Chrysanthemum Douluo? Ghost Douluo? Unfortunately… they are not qualified to probe the true strength of our Body Sect."
Everyone felt a chill down their spine!
They immediately understood the Elder's meaning. With five Titled Douluo Heads and the unpredictable, mysterious support of the Body Sect behind Grand Martial Academy, if Spirit Hall truly wished to test their strength, sending just two mid-level Douluo like Chrysanthemum and Ghost would indeed be insufficient. To match this, Spirit Hall would have to dispatch even more formidable, mysterious powers—offering not just any worshipper, but one of the highest.
Rumor had it that only those with soul power level 96 or above—the Douluo Peak—were eligible to enter the Worship Hall.
All the Titled Douluo present, including proud Yang Wudi and resentful Dugu Bo, felt an invisible pressure, their hearts growing heavy. The power hidden within the Worship Hall was unfathomable—no one knew what terrifying beings lurked within.
Sensing their solemnity, the Grand Elder laughed softly, his voice radiating both calm and confidence, instantly dispelling the heavy atmosphere. "If soldiers come, we'll send generals. If water comes, we'll use earth to block it. Why worry before the battle?"
His words were a stabilizing force, reassuring Yang Wudi, Dugu Bo, and the others. After all, Spirit Hall might have powerful worshippers, but did the Body Sect not have their own?
Sect Master Chu Shanhe once said the Grand Elder was one of the most mysterious and unfathomable powers in the current soul master world, and even he had no guarantee of victory.
With such a powerful figure presiding over Grand Martial Academy, was there any need to be overly wary of whoever Spirit Hall might send?
The Grand Elder said nothing more, his gaze turning distant again, as if already seeing the multitudes gathering on the day of the ceremony. A faintly expectant voice echoed softly in his heart:
"In the current Douluo Continent, just what level is my cultivation considered to be…? Perhaps this time, Spirit Hall's guests will provide a good benchmark."
…
Bonus chapter at 100 PS