After the Soul Power verification, Sun Buyu led Tang San and Xiao Wu to the student dormitories, while Lin Mu headed toward the Teaching Committee headquarters alone.
The Teaching Committee of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was located in the heart of the main campus. As the largest and most imposing structure on the grounds, it was impossible to miss. However, to Lin Mu's surprise, he found Xue Qinghe waiting for him at the entrance.
"Brother Lin, long time no see," Xue Qinghe said with a pleasant smile.
"Your Highness... didn't we just meet yesterday?" Lin Mu replied flatly.
Xue Qinghe's smile faltered for a fraction of a second. She nearly coughed in frustration. 'Is this man truly this socially dense, or is he mocking me?' Just then, three elderly men emerged from the building, the three esteemed members of the Academy's Board: Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin.
"Your Highness, is this the young Soul Saint you mentioned?" Meng Shenji, the head of the committee, scrutinized Lin Mu. Despite the warning from the Crown Prince, the three Soul Douluos were still visibly shaken.
'He is too young!'
They exchanged looks of sheer disbelief. In their early twenties, they had barely reached the Soul Master or Grandmaster level. Yet, the young man standing before them had already stepped into the realm of the Soul Saint. It was no wonder the Crown Prince had personally come to facilitate his entry; such a genius was a generational rarity.
"My name is Lin Mu. Greetings to the three Board Members."
"No need for such formalities," Meng Shenji said, waving his hands dismissively. He showed none of the arrogance typical of an elder, his eyes shining with appreciation. "It is an honor for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy that you are willing to join our faculty."
A Soul Saint at Lin Mu's age was a guaranteed Titled Douluo in the making. Reaching the rank of Super Douluo was almost a certainty.
At Xue Qinghe's subtle prompting, Meng Shenji took a breath and looked intently at Lin Mu. "To be a Soul Saint at your age is a once-in-a-century phenomenon. May I ask... exactly what is your current Level?"
Meng Shenji had tried to probe Lin Mu's Soul Power upon arrival, but his senses hit an impenetrable wall. He could only guess the general rank but not the specific degree of cultivation.
Xue Qinghe's eyes sharpened. She had specifically asked the Board to inquire, hoping to finally gauge the true depth of Lin Mu's strength.
"I'm sorry, Board Member Meng Shenji, but I cannot disclose that information," Lin Mu refused without a moment's hesitation.
The three elders were stunned. They hadn't expected such a blunt rejection. Xue Qinghe broke the awkward silence with a gentle laugh. "Since Brother Lin prefers to keep his secrets, perhaps a friendly practical spar would be more appropriate?"
Lin Mu's gaze shifted to the three Board Members. All three were high-level Soul Douluos. Sparring with one of them would be a perfect way to test the limits of his new 100,000-year Soul Ring and his mutated Fire Qilin Martial Soul.
"If His Highness is so interested, then let us give it a try," Lin Mu agreed.
Xue Qinghe gave the three elders a subtle wink. After a brief discussion, Meng Shenji announced, "Teacher Qin Ming, please step forward and seek guidance from Lord Lin Mu."
A man who appeared to be in his late twenties stepped into the clearing. He was handsome, with a calm, sharp gaze and an extraordinary bearing. He was Qin Ming, widely recognized as the second youngest Soul Emperor in the history of the continent.
"I am Qin Ming, Level 62 Assault System Soul Emperor. Martial Soul: Inferno Grey Wolf. Please enlighten me!"
Qin Ming clasped his hands in a respectful salute. His eyes were filled with the fire of a warrior. Although the man before him looked younger, he was a superior rank. Qin Ming felt a mix of humility and an intense desire to test himself against a true monster.
Lin Mu looked at the battle-ready Qin Ming with a strange expression. He had expected one of the Board Members to fight. But a Level 62 Soul Emperor?
Lin Mu was currently a Level 75 Soul Saint with a 100,000-year Soul Ring and Bone. Even at Level 70, he had easily crushed Zhao Wuji. Sending Qin Ming against him was like sending a cat to fight a tiger.
"Board Members, are you sure about this?" Lin Mu asked.
"Please rest assured," Meng Shenji smiled. "Qin Ming is our most talented young teacher. Since you are close in age, it is more suitable for a friendly exchange of pointers."
Lin Mu sighed inwardly. 'Fine. I'll play along.'
The group moved to the academy's private arena. Qin Ming did not hold back, immediately releasing his Martial Soul. A deep, guttural howl echoed as flames erupted from his body. His frame grew taller, muscles bulging as his eyes shifted into predatory wolf slits. Six rings rose from his feet: two yellow, three purple, and one black.
Seeing that black sixth ring, Lin Mu felt a trace of pity. Qin Ming was a Shrek graduate and undeniably talented, but his foundation was limited. Commoner Soul Masters rarely had the support to hunt the absolute best Soul Beasts for their rings.
Qin Ming stood in a defensive stance, waiting for Lin Mu to release his Martial Soul. However, Lin Mu simply stood there, hands at his sides, showing no intention of summoning his armor.
"Teacher Qin, please. Make your move," Lin Mu said.
Qin Ming frowned, feeling slighted by the lack of a Martial Soul. "Then excuse me!"
With a leap, Qin Ming moved like a streak of fire, his claws enveloped in intense heat as they tore through the air toward Lin Mu's chest.
"Is he crazy? Catching a Soul Emperor's strike with his bare hands?" Bai Baoshan exclaimed.
But the expected collision never happened. Lin Mu didn't move an inch. He simply reached out his left hand with lightning speed, catching Qin Ming's burning claws in his palm.
To the horror of the spectators, Lin Mu didn't just stop the attack, the flames from the Inferno Grey Wolf were visibly being sucked into Lin Mu's palm. His aura didn't waver; it grew more solid, devouring the heat as if it were mere fuel.
Thanks to the Fire Qilin mutation, Lin Mu now possessed an absolute immunity to and authority over fire.