"Your academy looks quite large, but it seems there aren't many students, it can't compare to other academies."
Demon Subduing Douluo sensed the situation inside the academy and found that there were basically no students. Only upon entering the academy's interior did a few vibrant young female figures appear.
His perception swept through the surroundings like a dense net. The architectural scale of Heart of Fire Academy was indeed impressive, with orderly buildings interwoven with cherry blossom paths and training grounds. However, the number of soul power fluctuations he could detect was surprisingly low. Compared to the grand layout, the population felt almost sparse, creating a strange sense of contrast.
Bell replied: "In terms of quantity, our Heart of Fire Academy's students are indeed far fewer than other academies, but the quality of our Heart of Fire Academy's students far surpasses that of other academies."
"When our Heart of Fire Academy participated in the Soul Master Competition, at that time, our entire academy only had seven or eight students, but that didn't prevent us from winning the championship."
His voice carried a calm certainty, not arrogance but conviction earned through experience. As they walked deeper into the cherry blossom-lined path, the faint sounds of training—sparring movements, controlled bursts of soul power—occasionally echoed from distant courtyards, hinting that the academy was not as empty as it first appeared.
"Students that others can teach, our Teacher Xin can teach. Students that others cannot teach, our Teacher Xin can also teach."
"However, the students that other academies accept and value, our Teacher Xin may not necessarily accept."
Bell's tone was full of admiration for Teacher Xin and also in defense of the academy's honor. Each sentence was spoken with a kind of quiet pride, as though he had witnessed firsthand the transformations that words alone could not easily describe.
Demon Subduing Douluo narrowed his eyes slightly, as if weighing the meaning behind the statement rather than dismissing it outright.
"Winning the championship of the Soul Master Competition is indeed an honor, but the Soul Master Competition is actually just that, a child's game that has emerged in the last twenty years.
It's not like when our generation was young; the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire were still irreconcilable, constantly fighting. The Soul Masters of our generation were all tempered on the battlefields of the two great Empires, until the two Empires couldn't bear it anymore and had to seek peace. That's how the current Soul Master Competition came about, merely to test the strength of the younger generation of the three parties, little fellow, you don't know this history, do you?"
Demon Subduing Douluo said indifferently, his tone carrying the pride and self-satisfaction of an elder reminiscing about past glories.
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the horizon beyond the academy walls, as though recalling scenes of blood and fire that had long faded into history. His words were not entirely wrong; the competition had indeed been established as a stabilizing measure between major powers. However, his dismissive tone toward the academy's achievement carried an unmistakable edge of superiority.
Bell glanced at Demon Subduing Douluo, always feeling that this middle-aged man seemed to have hostility towards Heart of Fire Academy.
The look was brief but perceptive. Bell did not respond immediately, only adjusting his pace slightly as he continued guiding the group forward beneath the swaying cherry blossoms.
"Teacher Xin said that Soul Master Cultivation varies from person to person, and it's not necessarily true that Soul Masters tempered on the battlefield are superior. Of course, it's also not necessarily true that Soul Masters who compete are more powerful."
His reply was measured, neither confrontational nor submissive. It reflected a teaching philosophy that did not rigidly define strength by environment alone, but by adaptability and comprehension.
Demon Subduing Douluo chuckled.
"Little fellow, you're quite glib."
The tone was light, but there was a faint probing intent behind it, as if testing whether the boy would falter under pressure or maintain composure.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Bell, far from being angry, smiled.
That response caused Demon Subduing Douluo to pause for a fraction of a second. It was not the reaction he expected. Instead of pride or irritation, the boy accepted the remark as praise, as though genuinely believing it to be recognition.
His Senior Sisters always called him dull and foolish, so this was the first time someone praised him as glib. This was definitely an acknowledgment.
That simple misunderstanding of intent gave Bell an oddly sincere sense of satisfaction, and his steps became slightly lighter as they continued forward.
"Senior Sister Qian, this is the inner courtyard, and also the academy's original site. Teacher Xin is grading homework in the study hall, and there are two ladies waiting ahead. Please wait here for a moment and enjoy our Heart of Fire Academy's cherry blossom tea. Please."
Bell led Qian Renxue and Demon Subduing Douluo to sit under a cherry tree and poured them a cup of tea.
The inner courtyard was quieter than the outer paths, with cherry blossoms falling in slow spirals between stone tables and wooden corridors. A faint fragrance lingered in the air, mixing with the warmth of freshly brewed tea. The atmosphere here was calm, almost detached from the tension of earlier conversation, as if the academy itself had its own rhythm—gentle, deliberate, and self-assured.