Blue Tyrant Academy was a rare institution in Heaven Dou City and throughout the empire, openly declaring it would "only recruit commoners and poor children, recognizing no special privileges for nobles." Its status was unique—a holy land dreamed of by countless commoner soul masters, a banner for all commoner soul masters in the city, and a symbol of breaking the wall of birth.
This, of course, drew criticism and covert suppression from many noble factions, but Blue Tyrant Academy stood tall and had cultivated many outstanding commoner soul masters. All of this was inseparable from the famous female Soul Sage, the Dean of the academy, who was renowned not only for her strength—having reached the level of Soul Sage—but also her resolute, protective style.
More importantly, she was rumored to have ambiguous ties to one of the three great sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and thus dared to append the title "Blue Tyrant," fulfilling the sect's purpose.
At the same time, this legendary female dean, with her unique charm and special care for female students, attracted many commoner women within the empire who aspired to become soul masters.
It was now an afternoon break between classes. Near the academy gates, people came and went—mostly students finishing class or heading to training grounds. Their attire was plain but tidy, and most faces bore the diligence and hope for the future typical of commoner children.
At that moment, a figure in purple, standing slightly apart from the surroundings, slowly approached the academy's simple gate made of heavy logs. His determined, handsome features, calm demeanor, and piercing insight made him stand out among the crowd, naturally drawing the attention of many students.
The gate was guarded by two elderly doormen, both academy elders with keen eyes. Seeing Chen Yi approach—feeling the pressure despite his apparent lack of soul power, and noting the details of his calm demeanor and attire—their alertness rose. This was no ordinary commoner child.
One of the doormen stepped forward and stopped before Chen Yi, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, but formally polite.
"Young man, please stop. Blue Tyrant Academy has a rule: anyone who is not a teacher, student, or invited guest cannot enter freely. May I ask your purpose here?"
Chen Yi stopped, looked gently at the doorman, and spoke clearly. "Excuse me, is your student Jin Ling currently in the academy?"
"Jin Ling?" The doorman thought for a moment, recalling the well-known, gloomy youth. "Ah, Jin Ling. He should be in middle school now, probably in a practical theory class."
The doorman's face showed a hint of approval at the mention of Jin Ling. Though introverted, Jin Ling practiced diligently, was highly talented, and was said to be on the verge of breaking through to Soul Elder. He was one of the seeded students for the academy's next Soul Master Competition, and even the dean was paying attention to him.
Chen Yi nodded and smiled. "Could you pass along a message? Tell him… someone from his family has come and wants to ask him something."
The doorman was momentarily stunned, frowning as he eyed Chen Yi's plain but well-made clothes. Could he be part of the family that once abandoned Jin Ling, now here to claim kin after seeing Jin Ling's promise?
Many students thought the same. Initially curious and favorably impressed by Chen Yi's appearance and demeanor, they now looked at him with a touch of severity and faint disdain.
In a commoner academy like this, the most despised were so-called "nobles" or "relatives" who tried to shine by relying on their birth.
The doorman instinctively felt a bit of disgust at this sort of "behavior," but since Chen Yi was polite and not trying to force his way in, it wasn't easy to turn him away directly. After hesitating, he said, "Uh… Young master, Jin Ling is in class. He can't be disturbed right now."
"Also, as far as I know, Jin Ling's records list no close relatives. So…"
Chen Yi smiled gently, not at all fazed. "It's fine, I'll wait here. Just let him know during a break or after class."
Seeing Chen Yi's insistence, the doorman feared there was some hidden matter and dared not delay. He only nodded, "Then… please wait here a moment. I'll find someone to inform Jin Ling, but whether you meet is up to him."
"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Yi nodded slightly in gratitude.
The doorman turned and walked into the courtyard, clearly looking for a student or staff member to deliver the message.
Chen Yi stepped back two paces, stood with his hands behind his back, and quietly observed the gates of Blue Tyrant Academy, the faintly visible courtyard and training grounds beyond, and finally the lush, expansive forest behind the academy.
"It's rare for a combat-focused academy to be located right next to the largest soul beast forest in Heaven Dou City." Chen Yi thought. "That old man, Yu Luomian, must have struggled to get such a vast tract of land near the forest and build an academy, all while withstanding noble pressure. I fear he's been desperate to restore relations and spread influence for his illegitimate daughter."
Passing students didn't say much as they saw Chen Yi waiting, but whispers, occasional disdain, and curious glances were not lacking.
Chen Yi clearly sensed the subtle change in the atmosphere, but only raised the corners of his mouth in a faint smile, unconcerned and offering no explanation.
But this brief calm did not last.
A somewhat arrogant noise came from across the road, accompanied by a strong scent of roses. A white youth, dressed in lavishly embroidered clothes, with smooth, lustrous hair, holding a large bouquet of delicate red roses, and surrounded by similarly well-dressed youths, swaggered toward the gates of Blue Tyrant Academy.
His gaze wandered, a charming smile on his lips, constantly throwing flattering glances at passersby, strutting like a peacock spreading its tail.
"Tch, it's that baggage again!"
"So annoying, why is he here again?"
"Didn't he come to pick up Sister Jiang Zhu? He's been rejected so many times—so shameless!"
"Just relying on his family's money and title, doing nothing all day…"
Clearly, the Blue Tyrant Academy students were very familiar with this person and despised him. Low voices of complaint and contempt rang out, their gazes cold.
Chen Yi's ears twitched slightly as he listened, and upon seeing the youth's attire and roses, was already certain in his heart. A noble's child pursuing a female student of Blue Tyrant Academy—the target must be Jiang Zhu, a supporting female character from the original.
The youth seemed long used to such contemptuous looks, straightening his chest rather than feeling ashamed, as if it were a badge of honor. He marched straight to the academy gate, ignored the doormen, cleared his throat, and declared in a melodramatic tone:
"Ah! Dearest Jiang Zhu! How you are like a rose beaded with morning dew, so delicate and moving! Why do you, like a thorny rose, keep my sincere heart at bay? My people, my love, my everything is prepared to be devoted to you! Please accept my heartfelt love!"
This cringe-worthy confession, combined with his affected appearance, gave nearly every Blue Tyrant Academy student goosebumps. Some hot-tempered boys even clenched their fists, ready to intervene.
At that moment, a thunderous roar exploded from within the academy, instantly drowning all noise.
"I told you, you punk! Did you forget what it feels like to eat dirt and not fight? Wasn't the last lesson enough? Coming here to annoy people again, you must be itching for a beating, huh?!"
Before the voice faded, two figures shot out of the academy like the wind.
The first was tall and sturdy, at least two heads higher than average—a young master of the Strength Clan, Tai Long. Behind him was a slender, slightly pale youth, with cold eyes, thin lips, and an aura as gloomy as a venomous snake lurking in the shadows.
This was Chen Yi's target—Jin Ling.
The moment Jin Ling appeared, Chen Yi's gaze locked onto him.
The young noble was startled by Tai Long's roar, especially upon seeing Tai Long's tower-like figure and massive fists. Fear and panic flickered across his eyes as he remembered being lifted with one hand and thrown several meters by this man—not to mention his backside had hurt for days after.
He forced himself to maintain composure, raising his chin and speaking in a slightly high-pitched voice.
"Tai… Tai Long, I came today to sincerely confess my love to Miss Jiang Zhu. This is an act of elegance… Don't meddle in my affairs!"
Though the arrogant youth feared Tai Long somewhat, he relied on the Li family's strength and knew his own family would not fully antagonize the Li family over such "trivial matters." Besides, Tai Long himself was not someone easily provoked.
…
Bonus chapter at 500 PS