Xu Ding, the dean of Martial Soul Academy, was sitting in his office reviewing the student roster.
Hearing familiar footsteps outside the door, he looked up to see Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan leading two children inside.
He quickly stood up, a warm smile spreading across his face as he clasped his hands in greeting:
"Your Eminence Chrysanthemum Douluo! What brings you here today?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan brushed his sleeve gently, his smile gentle:
"Old Ding, I've come today to deliver two students to you."
Xu Ding was taken aback, his gaze falling upon Su Yu and Hu Liena—the two children appeared to be only six or seven years old.
They wore clean short jackets, their eyes bright and clear, radiating the cleverness typical of children.
After a moment's thought, he suddenly recalled the news that had spread throughout Martial Soul City yesterday and tentatively asked:
"You mean... those two exceptionally talented children from yesterday's Martial Soul awakening? One with Innate Full Soul Power, and the other with ninth-level Innate Soul Power?"
"Exactly."
Yue Guan stepped aside, gently guiding Su Yu and Hu Liena forward.
"This is Su Yu, with Innate Full Soul Power and a rather special Martial Soul. This is Hu Liena, with ninth-level Innate Soul Power and a Demon Fox Martial Soul."
"His Holiness the Pope has taken them both as personal disciples and specifically instructed that they attend the academy for theoretical studies in the mornings. You'll need to pay special attention to them."
Xu Ding then carefully examined the two children, his gaze lingering on Su Yu for a moment.
He then turned to Hu Liena, noticing the distinctive liveliness in her expression characteristic of the Demon Fox Martial Soul, and couldn't help but admire inwardly—truly promising seedlings!
"Your Eminence Chrysanthemum Douluo, rest assured. With His Holiness the Pope's instructions, this subordinate will certainly make proper arrangements."
"With such outstanding talent, these two young Highnesses are sure to achieve great success at the academy."
"Very well, I'll leave them in your care. Don't neglect them."
After this final instruction, Yue Guan's figure blurred slightly, transforming into a stream of light that vanished from the room, leaving only a faint scent of chrysanthemums behind.
Xu Ding withdrew his gaze and turned to Su Yu and Hu Liena, his eyes resting on Su Yu a moment longer as he asked gently:
"Your Highness Su Yu, I've heard your Martial Soul is quite special. May I ask what kind of Martial Soul it is?"
"Dean Xu, my Martial Soul is called Wood Release. It's an Elemental Martial Soul that can generate and manipulate wood elements," Su Yu answered truthfully.
"Wood Release? An Elemental Martial Soul?" A flicker of curiosity appeared in Xu Ding's eyes.
"This old man is rather ignorant and has never seen such a Martial Soul before. Would Your Highness be willing to demonstrate it?"
"Of course." Su Yu nodded, quickly forming hand seals and calling out in a low voice:
"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!"
As the words fell, several greenish wooden vines sprouted from his arms.
The vines bore fine patterns as they slowly coiled upward. They appeared rather unremarkable, even somewhat fragile.
Looking at the vines, Xu Ding's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, a trace of disappointment flashing in his eyes.
This Martial Soul seemed rather ordinary, hardly matching the reputation of Innate Full Soul Power.
Just as he was pondering this, Su Yu suddenly spoke: "Dean, you may reach out and touch my wooden vines."
"Hmm?"
Though puzzled, Xu Ding complied, extending his hand and lightly touching the cool vine surface with his fingertip.
The next moment, his expression changed dramatically as he jerked his hand back, his eyes filled with astonishment:
"This is..."
"That's right, Dean Xu." Su Yu withdrew the vines, his tone calm yet confident.
"My wooden vines can absorb Soul Power from within Soul Masters, using it to strengthen themselves."
"And this absorption is continuous. It won't stop unless the trapped person's Soul Power is completely exhausted."
Xu Ding suddenly understood, looking at Su Yu again with astonishment having replaced the disappointment in his eyes.
Stroking his beard, he murmured, "To think there exists such a peculiar Martial Soul... one that can absorb Soul Power to strengthen itself. Used for restraint, it would indeed be a troublesome ability."
"Innate Full Soul Power, combined with such a characteristic—truly extraordinary, truly extraordinary!"
His gaze toward Su Yu carried more gravity now, then he turned to Hu Liena:
"Your Martial Soul is the Demon Fox, correct, Your Highness Hu Liena? With an Innate Soul Power of level nine, that's also a rare and excellent talent."
Hu Liena nodded obediently, "Yes, Dean Xu."
Xu Ding laughed heartily, "Good, good! Both of Your Highnesses possess exceptional talents. Follow me."
"I'll take you to the Martial Soul Class in the inner academy. The students there are all top talents among your peers, perfect for mutual sparring and learning."
With that, he led the two out, his steps noticeably lighter than when he had arrived—the two children sent by His Eminence the Pope certainly didn't disappoint.
Martial Soul Academy, Martial Soul Class—
The students in this class were the most talented in the entire Martial Soul Academy.
The minimum requirement to enter the Martial Soul Class was an Innate Soul Power of level eight.
Due to the stringent conditions, the Martial Soul Class typically only admitted a dozen or so new students each year.
Xu Ding walked to the classroom door and gently knocked on the door panel.
With a creak, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man in a blue robe with a lean and refined face.
This was Xu Yan, the main instructor of the Martial Soul Class. Seeing Xu Ding, he quickly bowed in respect:
"Dean!"
"Teacher Xu," Xu Ding stepped aside to reveal Su Yu and Hu Liena behind him, his tone carrying a note of seriousness.
"These two are the personal disciples of His Eminence the Pope. Starting today, they will join your class to study theory."
He first pointed to Su Yu, "This is Su Yu. His Martial Soul is Wood Release, with Innate Full Soul Power."
A flicker of surprise passed through Xu Yan's eyes as his gaze settled on Su Yu.
The boy still looked somewhat slender, yet possessed the talent of Innate Full Soul Power—truly rare.
Xu Ding then pointed to Hu Liena, "This is Hu Liena. Her Martial Soul is the Demon Fox, with Innate Soul Power at level nine.Xu Yan nodded again, and when he looked at Hu Liena, he noticed the lively spirit unique to the Demon Fox Martial Soul in her eyes, inwardly praising: Another promising seedling.
"His Eminence the Pope specifically instructed that they build a solid theoretical foundation," Xu Ding patted Xu Yan's shoulder.
"I'm entrusting them to you. Make sure nothing happens to them under your care."
"Rest assured, Dean," Xu Yan responded solemnly, "I will devote myself to their instruction."
He stepped aside from the doorway, offering Su Yu and Hu Liena a gentle smile:
"Your Highnesses, please come in. Let me introduce you to the class."
Su Yu and Hu Liena exchanged a glance, then stepped into the classroom.
The students inside immediately quieted down, dozens of eyes turning to focus on them.
Among the gazes were curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of the competitive spirit unique to youth—after all, who in the Martial Soul Class wasn't exceptionally talented?
Xu Yan stepped onto the podium, cleared his throat, and said, "Class, this is Su Yu, and this is Hu Liena."
"Starting today, they are new students in our Martial Soul Class."
"They are both direct disciples of His Eminence the Pope. Student Su Yu possesses Innate Full Soul Power, while Student Hu Liena has ninth-level Innate Soul Power."
As he spoke, he pointed toward two empty seats in the middle of the classroom: "Su Yu, Hu Liena, you may take those seats for now."