Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
For every 5 Patreon memberships I receive, I'll release 15 chapters all at once. Your support means a lot to me.
******
**Three levels in half a year.**
This was the result of combining Su Wen's internal and external cultivation techniques with his specialized body-tempering methods utilizing astral power. **Ye Luochen** already possessed the top-tier **Star Sword** martial soul; with the addition of these methods, his cultivation speed during the Spirit Master stage far exceeded common logic.
At this rate, he had every hope of breaking through to Level 20 within a year, obtaining his second spirit ring, and becoming a Grand Spirit Master.
"Big Brother Wen?"
Due to the connection with the Sword Douluo, Ye Luochen addressed Su Wen as "Big Brother Wen," though Su Wen preferred to keep their academic and personal relations distinct.
"Yes, Luochen. A new member has joined the Academy and is currently practicing on the **Overseer Peak**. When you have time, you can exchange cultivation insights with him."
"A newcomer? Great!" Ye Luochen's eyes lit up, looking forward to meeting his new junior.
"Also, I plan to introduce **Self-Created Spirit Skills** as a formal cultivation subject in the Academy. If you're interested, you can give it a try."
"A subject for Self-Created Spirit Skills?" Ye Luochen was inwardly awestruck by Su Wen's ambition. Having trained under the Sword Douluo, he knew well that self-created skills were incredibly rare across the continent. Yet, the Academy dared to offer them as a guided course.
"This is the **Book of Myriad Laws**. I have integrated several self-created techniques into it that suit you. They are basic skills, but if you can master them and integrate them into your own martial soul to create your own unique techniques, you will pass. Afterward, you can choose this as your elective major."
Su Wen merged the *Book of Myriad Laws* into Ye Luochen's body. Feeling the power of the book within his dantian, Ye Luochen suppressed his shock and bowed solemnly. "Big Brother Wen, I won't let you down."
"Don't practice just for the sake of my expectations," Su Wen reminded him with a wave of his hand. "Your talent is high enough that whether you create your own skills or not won't hinder you. Self-created skills just make it easier to merge your various sword techniques. The Sword Douluo's guidance is not inferior to these skills. If you find you aren't suited for this path, I won't force it."
---
The Politics of the Royal Academy
Having finished dealing with the two students, Su Wen didn't intend to give them any more special treatment. Their future success would depend on their own efforts.
Currently, the Academy was staffed by members temporarily sent from the **Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan** to maintain operations. These were peripheral members. There were no hurdles to joining; any Spirit Master on the continent was eligible. However, becoming a formal member required either significant contributions or graduating from the Academy's student program.
Back at the **Tian Dou Royal Academy**:
"For this tournament, our team is not using the automatic advancement slot. You will have to fight your way up, match by match," **Qin Ming** instructed the members of the **Royal Team**.
Su Wen stood to the side. Once Qin Ming finished explaining the rules, he asked, "Teacher Qin Ming, does the second team need to observe the matches as well?"
"To know yourself and your enemy is the key to victory. Although you don't face the pressure of elimination, it is necessary to understand your opponents' abilities," Qin Ming replied. "Furthermore, during the tournament, I will personally lead the second team. You will train alongside the first team for these three months. Strive to increase your spirit power by one level during the competition."
When he said this, his expression was somewhat reluctant. It was clearly a task assigned by the Education Commission, likely due to pressure from the noble families behind the second team members.
Su Wen and Ning Rongrong's arrival had caused a stir. Seeing two members of the original "slacker" group suddenly join the first team and receive high-intensity, high-investment training, the remaining five noble students were disgruntled. Why should those two get to sprint ahead while they remained behind?
While the selection for the first team was strictly guarded by the three Education Commissioners, the second team was much more susceptible to noble influence—especially from **Prince Xue Xing**, whose authority in the academy rivaled that of the Commissioners.
---
The Grand Opening
The **Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament** opened on schedule. Heaven Dou City was a sea of people. As the most prestigious event in the Spirit Master world, the royalty, nobles, and commoners alike looked forward to it with bated breath.
The opening ceremony took place within the **Heaven Dou City Great Spirit Arena**.
"Shrek Academy is as... unique as ever," Su Wen muttered.
He spotted the hideous, "poop-green" uniforms, which even featured advertisements on the back. Today was the first day of the tournament. Usually, the ceremony would be followed by a performance match featuring the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team. However, this year was different: the **First Team (Royal Team)** would be taking the stage.
This change shocked the audience but heightened their excitement. Being able to witness the strength of the legendary Royal Team on day one made the ticket price well worth it.
Other team leaders, however, frowned. They couldn't understand the Imperial Family's arrangement. Teams like **Blazing Academy**, who had interacted with Su Wen before, were particularly confused. With the Royal Team's current lineup, they should be terrifyingly strong.
Tournament Stage
Qualifiers: Single round-robin; top-scoring teams advance.
Ranking Matches: Individual "Carousel" (Gauntlet) battles.
Finals: Mixed format (held in Spirit City).
Conventionally, teams should hide their strength for as long as possible. Why would the Royal Team choose to fight through the qualifiers and ranking matches instead of taking the seed straight to the finals?
As the teams entered the arena, Su Wen spotted the **Canghui Academy** contingent.
*Shi Nian, Remnant Dream spirit...* Su Wen was quite interested in Shi Nian's unique spirit, and more importantly, the fact that Shi Nian possessed a **head spirit bone**. He kept a close eye on him as the teams paraded past.
In the stands, **Huo Wu** scanned the ten-man lineup of the Royal Team. Noticing a familiar face was missing from the front lines, she asked in surprise, "Why isn't that guy Su Wen coming out?"
(End of Chapter)