The next morning, Zhao Liuyun set off with Ye Lingling for Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Located twenty miles outside Heaven Dou City, the academy sat nestled between mountains and rivers, covering a vast expanse of land. The entire mountain range belonged to the school, and the foothills were embraced by a clear blue lake and a dense forest—a scale far beyond that of Canghui Academy.
Under normal circumstances, outsiders were strictly forbidden from entering. But then again, this wasn't exactly a normal circumstance.
Zhao Liuyun was still quite young. Seeing Ye Lingling leading the way, the patrolling guards assumed he was simply a student and didn't dare question him.
Upon entering the mountain and nearing the actual campus, they found the area almost deserted. Before them lay a long, ascending staircase of white marble, each step carved with lifelike Spirit Beast patterns in various forms. Walking up the steps, Zhao Liuyun didn't feel anything particularly spiritual; his only thought was one word: "Extravagant."
Nobles had their standards of dignity, and a royal academy required a level of opulence befitting its status.
When the two reached the mountainside, a cluster of flat-topped buildings appeared, shaped like fortresses and exuding a grand atmosphere. The walls were over five meters high, bright yellow in color, and topped with glazed tiles that shimmered with a soft luster in the morning light, radiating elegance at every turn.
Silence reigned. Students were still nowhere to be seen, likely deep in cultivation within the Mimicry Environments.
As for how effective that was...
In the past, Zhao Liuyun had spent time meditating in the woods, but the results were negligible, with not a single point of experience gained. Books claimed that once Soul Power reached Rank 30, one's perception of elemental energy would become much sharper, finally making Mimicry Environments useful.
However, by the time he reached Rank 30, he would already be able to enter the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. No matter how good a Mimicry site was, how could it compare to the divine craftsmanship of that place? Dragon King divine power was the way to go—pure, overwhelming strength!
"This is the main campus area. The Board of Education offices and reception rooms are all located here," Ye Lingling explained softly, pointing toward the buildings.
"We're going this way." Instead of heading inside, she led Zhao Liuyun toward a side path.
"Not going in to take a look? Didn't Aunt Yun say you should take me here to have some fun, Sister Lingling?" Zhao Liuyun raised an eyebrow, his voice playful.
Ye Lingling's face, hidden beneath her black veil, grew slightly warm. She raised her voice and said:
"I am a reserve member of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team. Naturally, I should first introduce you to the team members I know!"
Her motive was quite obvious.
"Oh—is that so?" Zhao Liuyun drawled.
Ye Lingling was cold and solitary by nature. Even with her depression gone, she wouldn't bother associating with the annoying nobles of the academy. However, as fellow team members who ate, lived, and trained together, Dugu Yan—the only other female on the team—was clearly close to her.
Turning his thoughts, Zhao Liuyun asked directly: "Was it Dugu Yan, the granddaughter of the Jade Phosphor Douluo, who invited me?"
The lie was exposed!
"Cough, cough..." Ye Lingling's eyes widened, and she broke into a fit of coughing.
The sudden question caught her off guard, leaving her breathless. Her cheeks flushed deep red, and even her earlobes were stained with the color of embarrassment.
"Heh~" Zhao Liuyun chuckled, choosing not to tease her further.
The contrast between her former icy solitude and her current, more normal self was indeed quite cute.
"No!" She realized her reaction was too much and quickly feigned composure. "Stop guessing. You'll know when we get there."
Ye Lingling quickened her pace, hurrying forward. A glint of amusement passed through Zhao Liuyun's eyes as he followed.
The two entered a wide open training ground within the woods. The fresh air hit them, and the crisp chirping of birds mingled with the morning mist, refreshing the spirit. Ye Lingling was the last to arrive; several people were already warming up on the field.
"Lingling!"
"So Lingling is here."
The group greeted her familiarly, but their gazes simultaneously landed on the unfamiliar youth behind her. Six pairs of eyes fixed on him at once, yet Zhao Liuyun showed no hint of intimidation. He laughed heartily and said:
"Hello everyone. My name is Zhao Liuyun. I'm a friend of Sister Lingling, and I've come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy at her invitation to broaden my horizons."
Among those present, one man had short black hair that stood up like steel needles. His face was cold and rigid—a "zombie face" identical to Yu Xiaogang's. Despite never having met him, this distinct feature allowed Zhao Liuyun to recognize him instantly: Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng gave him a scrutinizing look and gave a lukewarm response: "Hello."
Beside him was a woman with deep purple short hair, full of heroic spirit and an eerie, charming beauty in her green eyes. She was the one who had initiated the invitation and was now carefully observing Zhao Liuyun.
Quite a spirited young little brother.
"Lingling, aren't you going to introduce this little brother to us?" Dugu Yan's tone was light as she playfully pinched Ye Lingling's waist.
Ye Lingling covered her chest, her face slightly flushed. "Didn't he say it himself? His name is Zhao Liuyun, and he's my friend."
"That bit of information isn't quite enough." Dugu Yan narrowed her eyes, her smile carrying a hint of calculation. After a moment, she said softly:
"Lingling said you are a reserve guest elder of the Ye family, that your cultivation speed is staggering, and that you're a genius youth."
Zhao Liuyun replied modestly, "I wouldn't dare claim that in front of all of you."
Dugu Yan's smile deepened. "We've all seen the changes in Lingling lately. She's more proactive in training than before and has finally stepped out from her inner gloom. It's truly heartening. I assume this transformation is related to you. On behalf of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, I thank you."
Zhao Liuyun shook his head calmly. "No need to thank me. Sister Lingling figured it out for herself."
That said, without his "Hypnosis" secretly intervening, how could Ye Lingling have changed? With her proud and cold temperament, she wouldn't have opened her heart so easily. It likely would have taken years to fade.
"Even so, it was with your help that she took that step forward. However..." Dugu Yan's tone shifted, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes. "Lingling's heart is as pure as a newly bloomed white lotus. As her sister, I can't stand by and watch her be deceived by someone wearing the mask of a 'genius'."
"Sister Yan, he didn't lie to me!" Ye Lingling said anxiously, stepping forward to defend him.
Dugu Yan lightly covered Ye Lingling's lips and gestured for Osler to step forward.
"Do you dare to spar with our team members? Verify your combat strength in front of Lingling and see if you can back up that wild talk of yours—that 'becoming a Title Douluo is just the starting point'?"
"The Ye family is a Support-system family. I know the rules."
Zhao Liuyun's expression turned cold. "I have the approval of the Clan Head and the Matriarch. I don't need to prove anything to you."
He could sense that Dugu Yan truly cared for Ye Lingling, so he wasn't genuinely angry. Having met them up close, he had achieved his goal; he could visit Dugu Bo's estate later.
However...
Who says he isn't angry?
Behind her wariness, he could see a disdain that was bred into her bones. Dugu Yan had been pampered since childhood, her life smooth sailing. She was long accustomed to the flattery of others, which had naturally fostered an arrogant personality. She believed herself to be a peerless talent, her vision pitifully narrow, yet she judged others by her own standards!
Every word Zhao Liuyun had said to Ye Lingling was true. When had he ever deceived her?
If you play the coward when you have no power, that's one thing. But if you still play the coward after gaining power, isn't your cultivation for nothing?
Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng were intimately close—her innocence was already lost, so the path of becoming Dugu Bo's grandson-in-law was closed. Zhao Liuyun had no interest in being a home-wrecker. That being the case, becoming Dugu Bo's disciple would serve just as well.
A trace of battle intent quietly ignited in his heart. After cultivating in solitude for so long, it was time to stretch his muscles.
With that thought, Zhao Liuyun said composedly, "Since you're looking for a beating, I'll oblige you."
Dugu Yan covered her mouth and laughed, her voice sultry. "Quite the big talker, aren't you, little brother! Osler, fight well!"
"Don't worry, Yanzi. I'll make sure Lingling's friend gets a good look at my strength!" Osler patted his chest.
Dressed in black with blonde hair, his features were as beautiful as a woman's.
"You look like that? Are you a man?" Zhao Liuyun provoked. "No wonder I was confused. Short hair, men's clothing, yet a chest that's completely flat."
"Heh heh~" Osler laughed lowly, pointing a finger at him. "Friend, you have successfully enraged me! You'd better pray you're strong enough."