Chapter 1: The Collapsed Academy, Starting as a Title Douluo.
Deep within the Sunset Forest of the Douluo Continent.
This place is perpetually shrouded in colorful poisonous miasma, where ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts lurk. Even Title Douluos dare not easily set foot here.
Two years ago, this was still a forbidden zone for humans, but with Zhang Yi's arrival from another world, he planted a seed of the Tree of Life.
After usurping the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, the Sunset Forest was completely transformed!
A uniquely styled academy named 'Collapse' stands in this desolate wilderness.
The morning sunlight filters through the surrounding poisonous miasma, gilding the academy with a golden edge. In the largest training ground in the center, four new students who joined this year are undergoing their daily compulsory course—practical combat—under the morning light. At the edge of the training ground, four female students, each with a distinct style but all exceptionally beautiful, run out of their dormitory to gather.
From left to right, the four female students are: Ye Lingling, with her cascading blue hair and a cool, aloof demeanor like a lily in a secluded valley;
Zhu Zhuqing, whose stunning beauty and snow-white skin are accentuated by a black, tight-fitting leather outfit;
Dugu Yan, granddaughter of the Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, with her graceful figure, elegant demeanor, and a hint of serpentine coldness and arrogance; and Shui Bing'er, a girl in a light blue dress, with a cool and aloof air, her ice-blue hair cascading down to her waist, and clear, bright eyes.
Standing before them is a teacher in a vibrant red gown, holding a flaming greatsword. Her name is—
"Teacher Ji Zi, we're sure we'll touch the hem of your dress today!"
Dugu Yan exclaimed confidently, one hand on her hip.
"Is that so? Last year's students took a whole month to even touch the hem of my dress. I'm looking forward to you breaking their record," Ji Zi encouraged with a smile.
She paused, then continued, "So, before the practical training, I want to introduce you to the students from the previous year, your seniors." As soon as she finished speaking, three more figures rushed over. Their attire was completely different from that of the native Soul Masters of Douluo Continent.
Leading them was Kiana Kaslana, a dual-wielding girl with long silver hair braided into two plaits, wearing a white, tight-fitting combat suit.
Following closely behind was Raiden Mei, a beautiful samurai girl with long, purplish-black hair, a resolute and stern look in her eyes, wearing the same black and purple combat suit, standing tall and graceful.
The last one was a relatively petite girl with rare gray spiral curls, a delicate face that was perpetually expressionless. She rode on the shoulder of a strangely shaped robot; this girl was Bronya Zaychek and her special beast spirit, 'Heavy Bunny'.
"Himeko-sensei! We're not late, are we? Mei and Bronya just came back from hunting spirit rings for me."
Kiana was the first to arrive at the training ground, energetically sizing up the four new students before greeting them with a smile:
"Hello, I'm Kiana, and these are Mei and Bronya. We're from the previous Honkai class, your seniors."
Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Shui Bing'er nodded in acknowledgment and greeted their seniors.
"Since you've all introduced yourselves, I won't waste any more time."
Himeko smiled and said, "You're all from the previous year. The Dean gave me a task last night: to have you seniors mentor these four new students in practical combat exercises to improve the team's cohesion!"
Upon hearing this, the girls exchanged bewildered glances, not expecting the battle to escalate from 1v4 to 1v7!
"Himeko-sensei, isn't it a bit inappropriate for the seven of us to team up against you?" Raiden Mei asked with a worried look.
"Heh, I've never used my full strength in front of you."
Himeko smiled faintly, calmly uttering the line she'd stolen from the Dean: "When you were Soul Masters, seeing me was like a frog in a well seeing the moon; now, though you are Soul Kings, if I use my full strength, you're like an ant seeing the sky!"
"Of course, with your numbers increased, the rules do need to be changed. Today, if you can make me take even half a step back, you win!"
Upon hearing this, Kiana and the others froze, their eyes blazing with fury.
This meant Himeko would stand still and take the beating. Before, she would always actively dodge attacks, making the fights rather dull; today, it would be much more exciting!
"Since that's the case, then don't blame us for ganging up on you..."
Kiana licked her lips, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Juniors, let's show Himeko our strength! Forget about tactics, let's just have a good fight and learn from each other's abilities to adapt to the situation!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kiana's hands formed sleek white pistol phantoms.
Raiden Mei closed her eyes, focusing her mind, her right hand gripping the katana at her waist, a sharp sword intent emanating from her.
Bronya's heavily armored bunny, its eyes flashing red, entered battle mode, aiming its faintly glowing cannon at Himeko.
Dugu Yan stood with one hand on her hip, the phantom of the Azure Phosphorous Serpent flicking its tongue behind her.
Zhu Zhuqing crouched low, the phantom of the Netherworld Cat breathing heavily behind her.
Shui Bing'er's body radiated a chilling aura, the cry of the Ice Phoenix resounding through the sky as she spread her wings and took flight.
Ye Lingling silently walked to the back of the group. Her Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul quietly appeared, its pink and white petals swirling in her palm, radiating a gentle life force, ready to provide healing support at any moment.
Seven against one, a great battle was about to erupt!
Meanwhile, at the highest point of the academy, on the rooftop terrace of the white hall with its dome resembling wings, a figure stood with his hands behind his back, overlooking the entire training ground.
He wore a white dean's robe, tall and straight, with black hair and black eyes, and a handsome face.
His name was Zhang Yi, who had transmigrated here three years ago.
He was not alone; accompanying him was an entity called the [Collapse Academy System].
The function of this system was to take on disciples, teach them, and pass on the legacy of the Collapsed Academy.
For each exceptionally talented student he recruited, he would receive generous rewards, including but not limited to increases in soul power, martial soul evolution, ten-thousand-year-old immortal herbs, and even the authority to summon teachers from another world!
Next, Zhang Yi obtained twin martial souls and Soul Douluo-level soul power from the startup fund and newbie gift pack gifted by the system. He also awakened his twin martial souls—the [Xuanyuan Sword], symbolizing the power of the kingly way, and the [Void Treasury], which analyzes and recreates all things.
After mastering his abilities, Zhang Yi quickly established the Collapse Academy in Sunset Forest using the Void Treasury martial soul, seized control of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, planted a Tree of Life seed there, and established a board of directors office similar to the Sea God Pavilion.
By consuming various immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Zhang Yi accelerated the increase in his soul power level, and in the blink of an eye, he advanced to become a Title Douluo!
(End of this chapter)