After realizing Li Chang'an's potential — that he might one day become an Ultimate Douluo — the Heaven Dou Emperor valued his future son-in-law even more.
At the same time, his protection over Li Chang'an grew tighter, sealing away any information related to him — especially about his monstrous rate of Soul Power improvement.
Thus, in his daily life at Heaven Dou Academy, Li Chang'an kept a low profile. Even when he interacted with other students, he never revealed his true strength. If anyone asked, he would casually brush it off.
Whenever he encountered confusion or problems in cultivation, he directly sought advice from the three Education Committee elders. This kind of privilege — even royal princes didn't have it.
Before long, rumors began spreading throughout the academy, claiming that Li Chang'an was actually Emperor Xue Ye's illegitimate son.
Of course, everyone knew it was nonsense. Li Chang'an's background was completely clean, and a simple investigation would reveal that. Moreover, in this world where Martial Souls are inherited, a child's Martial Soul usually reflects their parents'.
So if someone were secretly fathered by "the man next door," their awakened Martial Soul would immediately expose it. It was impossible for a person to be "cheated on" without knowing.
The Heaven Dou royal family's inherited Martial Soul was the Swan, while Li Chang'an's sword-type Martial Soul had absolutely no connection to it. Therefore, he could not possibly be the Emperor's illegitimate child.
In the cafeteria.
As a noble academy, Heaven Dou's cafeteria was naturally luxurious. Students didn't have to line up and take fixed portions of food like commoners. Instead, it functioned more like a high-end restaurant — you simply ordered whatever you wanted to eat.
After arriving, Li Chang'an casually picked a table and sat down. Around him, a few students were doing the same. The cafeteria also had many private rooms, but since he was eating alone, he didn't bother booking one and just stayed in the main hall.
He picked up the menu — the dishes were diverse and beautifully arranged.
It was worth noting that nearly all ingredients came from Soul Beasts: eggs from certain bird-type Soul Beasts, fruits, leaves, roots, and stems from edible plant-type Soul Beasts, and so on. Long-term consumption of such food clearly had great benefits — strengthening the body and aiding the cultivation of Soul Power.
Though the effects were small each time, over months and years, the accumulated increase in Soul Power would be significant.
This alone revealed the massive gap between nobles and commoners.
In the original story, nobles often seemed unimpressive, appearing to have little advantage over commoners. But that was only because their comparison was with the main cast — a group of absurdly talented individuals.
Those protagonists had extraordinary backgrounds, top-tier talent, and even divine herbs that defied fate itself. Even if they ate plain gruel every day, their Soul Power growth would outstrip ordinary people — creating the illusion that nobles were weak.
In truth, the daily diet of a Soul Master had a profound impact on cultivation. The original work simply never depicted this aspect, since the protagonists were portrayed as commoners. It would have broken immersion to show the luxurious life of nobles.
Furthermore, the so-called "commoner Soul Masters" who could stand on the same stage as nobles were all elites — the top few among millions.
Those with poor talent or weak strength never even had a chance to appear.
So while the story made it seem like nobles and commoners weren't so different, in reality, the gap was vast.
Only the most outstanding commoners could barely compete with the nobles of average talent. That alone showed how great the difference truly was.
After enjoying what would be an unimaginably extravagant lunch for an ordinary Soul Master, Li Chang'an left the cafeteria and strolled around the academy to digest his meal.
Today was a special day.
The Academy's annual enrollment day.
On this day, Heaven Dou Royal Academy opened its gates to new students. Nearly all eligible youths from noble families across the empire would gather here, hoping to be admitted.
After all, entering this academy didn't just grant access to the best educational resources — it also offered the chance to build valuable social connections.
In any circle, human relationships mattered. If one lacked a powerful family background, only connections could open doors. The more friends one had, the more opportunities they gained.
Thus, Heaven Dou Royal Academy wasn't merely a place to cultivate talent for the nation — it was a social hub for the noble class, a place to build and maintain influence.
Of course, the academy's teaching staff and training resources were truly the best in the empire. Bearing the title Royal Academy, it naturally attracted the finest teachers and most gifted students among the nobility.
In short, it gathered the empire's brightest talents.
In the original story, the academy's students seemed incompetent only because their opponents were monstrous geniuses — one-in-a-million prodigies.
If compared to actual commoners, the difference would have been immense.
"Today's the enrollment day. I wonder if Dugu Yan will be joining?" Li Chang'an murmured, walking aimlessly while deep in thought.
According to the original timeline, she should be around the right age to enroll now.
To him, whether he could "woo" Dugu Yan wasn't of great importance. If he could win her favor and peacefully obtain the immortal herb, that would be the best outcome — plus, he'd gain an ally with the combat strength of a Title Douluo.
But if that failed... then he'd simply wait until his strength grew, sneak in and take it — or, if necessary, seize it by force.
Of course, that would be the very last resort.
In truth, even if he didn't win Dugu Yan's heart, he could still emulate Tang San's original approach — persuading Dugu Bo directly.
Given the special nature of his Martial Soul, Li Chang'an could easily use its toxin-absorbing ability to extract the deadly poison from Dugu Bo's body.
Once freed of that burden, Dugu Bo would undoubtedly be eternally grateful — since removing his poison was equivalent to extending his life. He'd probably beg Li Chang'an to do it.
As he walked, Li Chang'an suddenly paused. His expression shifted — he faintly sensed something through his Martial Soul, a mysterious pull toward a certain direction.
Thinking of his purpose for today, he decided to follow the sensation.
Meanwhile…
Not far away, a girl with short violet hair and bright emerald-green eyes slowly stepped out of the administrative office.
Having just completed her enrollment paperwork, Dugu Yan planned to stroll around the campus — to familiarize herself with the place where she would study for the next few years.
But suddenly, her Martial Soul reacted.
She felt an inexplicable sensation — as though something nearby was calling to her.
Curiosity welled up in her heart. Compelled by that mysterious pull, she followed the feeling step by step.
Before long, a small man-made lake appeared before her.
And there — a lone figure stood by the water.
A backlit silhouette.
Her eyes locked on it instantly.
For some unknown reason, Dugu Yan's heartbeat quickened. She didn't understand why — but as she looked at that calm, upright figure, she felt a strange mix of awe and longing.
Quietly, she approached.
Instinctively, her footsteps slowed — as if afraid to disturb him.
When she was just two or three meters away, she finally stopped.
(End of Chapter)
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