Chapter 9: 6 month progress, Soul Grandmaster

At the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Committee Office.

Led by a teacher, Li Chang'an arrived at the committee office.

The office was located at the center of the academy's main campus and was the largest building in the area. Although it appeared to be a single-story structure, its highest point reached more than ten meters, making it look rather grand up close.

"The three committee members are inside. Don't be nervous when you go in. Just answer their questions honestly," the teacher who brought him over said gently.

"Got it, thank you, teacher." Li Chang'an nodded, putting on an obedient and polite expression.

The teacher nodded back, smiled, and gave Li Chang'an's head a gentle pat before leaving on his own.

Pushing the door open, Li Chang'an stepped inside the committee office.

Surprisingly, the interior wasn't as luxurious as he had imagined. Instead, it was quite simple. Despite being the workplace and residence of three dignified Soul Douluo, the room only had the necessary furnishings, with a few green plants adding a touch of liveliness.

At that moment, the three committee members were all busy with their own tasks. However, when they saw Li Chang'an enter, their eyes lit up, and friendly smiles appeared on their aged faces.

"Greetings, esteemed committee members."

Li Chang'an took the initiative to greet them and solemnly performed the junior's salute according to the etiquette of the soul master world. Although, given his status as the emperor's future son-in-law, he technically didn't need to bow so formally, showing respect never hurt anyone.

"No need for such formalities."

Sure enough, seeing Li Chang'an behave so humbly, the three committee members—who appeared to be at least ninety years old—smiled warmly. One of them even got up from his seat, approached him, and spoke kindly: "No wonder His Majesty speaks so highly of you. You are indeed talented, polite, and well-mannered. Come, have a seat."

This elderly man who stepped forward was Meng Shenji, the head of the committee, an 86th-level, eight-ring Control-Type Soul Douluo with the Black Demon Martial Soul.

The other two committee members were:

Bai Baoshan, second in command, an 85th-level, eight-ring Defense-Type Soul Douluo with the Heavenly Star Furnace Martial Soul. Zhi Lin, third in command, an 83rd-level, eight-ring Tool Soul Douluo with the Sky Blue Vine Martial Soul.

These three individuals were considered the strongest soul masters officially aligned with the Tian Dou Empire. Their power as Soul Douluo meant they could freely traverse battlefields of thousands. In the absence of Title Douluo, they were considered the pinnacle of strength in the soul master world.

Having three Soul Douluo overseeing the academy demonstrated the deep foundation of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Were it not for the fact that the academy only accepted nobles, resulting in a corrupt environment filled with indulgence and laziness, its teaching resources could have prevented the academy from being so lackluster compared to others in the original story.

As a marquis of the empire and the emperor's future son-in-law, Li Chang'an's best option for study was naturally Tian Dou Royal Academy. Here, he would undoubtedly receive the best resources, whether in terms of cultivation environment, teacher support, or even the acquisition of soul rings.

Emperor Xue Ye had high hopes for this future son-in-law, even personally instructing the committee members to provide him with the best possible resources. The emperor was banking on Li Chang'an becoming a Title Douluo in the future and bringing glory to the Heaven Dou Empire.

After all, the Heaven Dou Empire didn't have a single known Title Douluo on its side. Compared to other powerful forces with top-tier experts, it seemed somewhat lacking. This made the need for a strong soul master to represent the empire all the more urgent.

And with Li Chang'an being of noble lineage and possessing extraordinary talent, he was undoubtedly the best candidate. As a result, he was guaranteed to receive the academy's top resources—resources even princes might not enjoy.

The three committee members chatted warmly with Li Chang'an, treating him as kindly as if he were their own grandson. While this was partly due to the emperor's instructions, it was also because they genuinely admired his talent. No one doubted that a variant martial soul with innate full soul power would one day become a Title Douluo.

Had it not been for Li Chang'an's special status, the three committee members might have fought over who would take him as a disciple.

Having reached their current level, Soul Douluo was already their limit. None of them had any hope of advancing further in their lifetimes. But if they could nurture a Title Douluo, having such a disciple would fulfill their greatest lifelong wish.

Unfortunately, since they were all from noble families with deep ties to various interests and potential threats to the throne, accepting Li Chang'an as a disciple would be tantamount to challenging the emperor's authority.

Thus, despite their eagerness, they ultimately refrained from taking him as a disciple.

After some polite conversation, they reluctantly watched him leave with a teacher to head toward his dormitory.

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Following the emperor's secret instructions to provide Li Chang'an with the best resources, his dormitory was a standalone courtyard complete with a flower bed, pavilion, and small garden—a stark contrast to the standard single rooms given to other students.

This type of accommodation was usually reserved for princes, yet now it was provided to him as well.

And so, Li Chang'an began his enjoyable academy life.

During the day, he attended classes, learning about various aspects of soul beasts and soul masters, as well as etiquette, culture, and history.

In his remaining time, he dedicated himself wholly to cultivation—training tirelessly, without rest.

His relentless effort didn't go unnoticed by the three committee members, who were secretly keeping an eye on him. At only six years old, an age when most children were still playful, he demonstrated remarkable self-discipline, avoiding unnecessary social interactions and distractions. Instead, he focused entirely on study and cultivation.

Given his exceptional talent and tireless efforts, it was no surprise that six months later, when Li Chang'an reported that he had reached level 20 soul power and requested permission to hunt for his second soul ring, the committee members, though initially shocked, quickly accepted it as reasonable.

Indeed, soul power is easier to increase in the early stages, and it becomes progressively harder to advance later on.

Still, achieving level 20 in just over six months after awakening his martial soul was unprecedented in the Heaven Dou Empire. He had shattered the previous record of becoming the youngest Great Soul Master at eight years old.

Now, he held the title of the first-ever six-year-old Soul GrandMaster in history!

While amazed, the committee members felt that it made sense given his extraordinary efforts. With talent far exceeding ordinary innate full soul power, they couldn't help but place even greater hopes on him.

To ensure nothing went wrong, Meng Shenji, the head of the committee, decided to personally escort Li Chang'an to hunt for his soul ring.

With a Soul Douluo leading the way, there was no chance of danger. They would head to a controlled hunting forest where the strongest soul beasts wouldn't exceed 50,000 years in cultivation.

For a Soul Douluo, it was perfectly safe.