The next day, Gu Xuan departed from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and headed for the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, located twenty miles east of Heaven Dou City.
Gu Rong, Chen Xin, Ning Fengzhi, and Ning Rongrong stood atop the castle, watching him leave; they all felt a degree of reluctance in their hearts.
Seeing Gu Rong's lingering gaze, Chen Xin comforted him. "The sky must rain, and a mother must marry—Xuan'er was right about one thing: young people should go out and see the world. Moreover, he is going to an academy; there is certainly no danger to speak of."
Gu Rong waved his hand and replied, "I understand. It's just that with the boy suddenly gone like this, I'm really a bit unaccustomed to it."
Ning Fengzhi revealed a warm smile from the side and said, "He will be back once the semester ends. Besides, Xiao Xuan has been mature and shrewd since childhood; Uncle Bone need not worry."
Ning Rongrong chimed in, "Brother Gu Xuan is so amazing; he will definitely be the best even at the academy. I must cultivate as quickly as possible to catch up to him."
The others chuckled upon hearing this. "Then Rongrong will have to redouble her efforts. Your Brother Gu Xuan is a man of firm perseverance; he won't just wait for you."
Ning Rongrong turned her head away proudly, "I don't need Brother Gu Xuan to wait; Rongrong will catch up on her own."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was not far from Heaven Dou City—at most a half-day's journey. Since Gu Xuan was riding the clan's finest carriage, it only took half a day to reach the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
It was not currently the admission season, but Gu Xuan's status was extraordinary. Holding a recommendation letter from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he went directly to the office of the three Education Board members.
The three board members were: Meng Shenji, Chief of the Board, a Rank 85 Control System Soul Douluo with the Black Fiend Martial Soul; Bai Baoshan, second seat, a Rank 83 Defense System Soul Douluo with the Heavenly Star Furnace Martial Soul; and Zhi Lin, second seat, a Rank 81 Control System Soul Douluo with the Sky Azure Vine Martial Soul.
These three were outstanding seniors in the Soul Master world, each being a person of high prestige who paid close attention to and actively supported talented juniors.
When Gu Xuan arrived at the office with his recommendation letter, the three board members were busy with administrative affairs. Upon seeing the letter, they couldn't help but reveal warm smiles.
The letter clearly stated Gu Xuan's identity: grandson of Bone Douluo Gu Rong, who at the age of fifteen had already reached the Rank 33 Soul Elder realm and had come to seek education at the academy.
This age was naturally fabricated, as Gu Xuan did not want to be too high-profile. Given his background, the three board members naturally did not doubt his age.
Being a Rank 33 at fifteen was already a sign of extraordinary talent. They were more than happy to have Gu Xuan join the academy.
Although the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was the premier academy of the Heaven Dou Empire, it had become somewhat corrupt in recent years. Most of those joining were children of nobles or the powerful coming to add prestige to their names, while there were few true geniuses who could be showcased—a waste of excellent resources.
The three board members were pained by this and had petitioned many times, but since the honorary dean was Prince Xue Xing, they had no final say, and the matter always fizzled out.
All they could do now was discover more talented and determined young people, providing them with as much convenience and superior teaching environments as possible.
Currently, the academy has over three hundred students, divided into three tiers: the Heaven Micro tier (Ranks 21-25), the Heaven Reach tier (Ranks 26-30), and the Heaven Dou tier (above Rank 30).
The vast majority were in the Heaven Micro and Heaven Reach tiers, where the noble children usually resided.
The mainstay Heaven Dou tier accounted for only a tenth of the total population, with only thirty-four members. Including Gu Xuan, there were now thirty-five. It could be said that the academy's title as the "number one academy" existed in name only.
The only things still worth competing for were its superior teaching environment and faculty.
"Gu Xuan of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan greets the three board members," Gu Xuan said softly, bowing to them.
As the Chief, Meng Shenji looked Gu Xuan over with a smile and said, "Xiao Xuan, I may call you that, right?"
Gu Xuan nodded. "Of course, it is my honor."
"Senior Bone Douluo has truly raised a fine child. To reach the Soul Elder realm at such a young age and remain so polite—it is our honor to have you at the academy," Meng Shenji said with a smile.
"Board Member Meng Shenji, I am here to learn. It is only right to show respect to one's teachers. However, your praise makes me feel somewhat overwhelmed," Gu Xuan replied, neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Hahaha!" Bai Baoshan laughed from beside Meng Shenji. "Good! Xiao Xuan, I like children like you. If you have any difficulties in your studies later, feel free to come to me. I will tell you everything I know."
Gu Xuan bowed to Bai Baoshan. "Then I thank Board Member Bai Baoshan in advance."
After a few more words, the three board members didn't chat much longer and called a teacher to arrange Gu Xuan's accommodation.
With Gu Xuan's strength, entering the elite Heaven Dou class was no problem, and he even had a chance to compete for a spot on the Emperor Team. However, since it was his first day, they didn't push him but led him to a temporary residence to settle in; it was already afternoon, and he needed a good meal and rest.
It was temporary because it wasn't yet certain if he would join the Emperor Team. If he did, he would naturally live with the other team members.
On the way to the residence, Gu Xuan chatted with the teacher and learned that the Emperor Team was divided into a first and second team. The first team currently had only seven members with no substitutes, while the second team had twelve, including substitutes. These nineteen were the top students of the academy. The strongest was Yu Tianheng, Rank 37 at seventeen years old.
Gu Xuan was stunned when he heard the information and ranks of the first team members. 'Seventeen already?'
He then realized that although he had read the original work, he wasn't entirely clear on their specific ages. He had previously guessed Dugu Yan was fifteen when she joined because she had broken through to Rank 30 at that age.
Calculating it now, Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng were the same age, while he was twelve, meaning Dugu Yan was five years older than him!
Damn, he was two years too late. He wondered if Dugu Yan had already been won over by Yu Tianheng. If those two were already dating, wouldn't his plans be ruined?
It wasn't that Gu Xuan wanted to be a philanderer, but if he could directly win over Dugu Yan, gaining access to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would be much easier given that connection.
Moreover, he could use Dugu Yan to pull Dugu Bo into the clan; after all, Dugu Yan was Dugu Bo's only precious granddaughter.
Regardless of the Well, Dugu Bo, or Dugu Yan, Gu Xuan's initial thought was that only children make choices; adults take everything.
But now... There might be a change of plans. Gu Xuan had to think of a new method.
Gu Xuan wasn't a scoundrel; if Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng were already together, he naturally wouldn't break them up. Besides, he preferred a first encounter rather than what follows countless others.
(End of Chapter)
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