Chapter 103: Recognition by the Three Professors

"Who are you? Who let you in?"

Suddenly, just as Xiao Lin and the other two were about to enter the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, several soul masters in luxurious pale yellow school uniforms blocked their path.

Judging by their appearance, these soul masters were around eighteen or nineteen years old. The arrogance on their faces and the disdain for Xiao Lin and his companions' attire made it clear—they were most likely noble students.

Xiao Lin didn't want any trouble, so he directly showed them the letter from Meng Shenji.

"We came at the invitation of Chief Meng Shenji to enroll in your academy."

"You three?"

The leading youth looked Xiao Lin and the others up and down. Their faces still seemed a bit youthful, and they didn't appear very old. He seemed skeptical.

However, since this involved Chief Meng Shenji, the youth still carefully took the letter from Xiao Lin.

After opening it and checking the contents, he saw that the letter indeed bore the official seal of Chief Meng Shenji.

Now uncertain, the young soul master hesitated.

"There's only one seal. Who knows if it's a fake?"

Just then, one of the students behind the young soul master voiced this suspicion.

"Shut up!"

The leading youth barked back and then turned to Xiao Lin and the others.

"The letter says you were invited because of your strength. If that's the case, prove it."

As soon as he said that, Xiao Wu couldn't wait any longer and instantly released her spirit rings.

In the blink of an eye, a yellow ring followed by two purple rings appeared. As the aura of a Soul Elder burst forth—

Both the leading youth and the other students were stunned by her spirit ring configuration. They instinctively raised their arms to shield their eyes.

"This… This is over-limit spirit ring absorption? Her second ring is already a thousand-year one?"

The youth could hardly believe how monstrous Xiao Wu's ring setup was.

To his knowledge, even Yu Tianheng, the captain of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, only began over-limit ring absorption with his third spirit ring—and that one was only three hundred years over the normal limit.

As for Yu Tianheng's fourth spirit ring, there hadn't been any updates yet.

Another team member, Ning Rongrong, the youngest of them, also had over-limit ring absorption. Her second ring had reached the maximum possible age for a century ring—but it still wasn't a true thousand-year ring.

And she was the famed young sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, no less!

Yet now, the seemingly weakest girl before them already had a thousand-year second ring.

The youth was now convinced the letter was genuine.

His expression quickly shifted to flattery. Rubbing his hands together, he acted like a typical sycophant.

"Hehe, masters, I'll take you to see Chief Meng Shenji immediately. By the way, I'm Yin En—just call me Xiao Yi or Xiao En."

He took the lead, and the three of them had no choice but to follow.

Behind them, the other students stood frozen in place.

They couldn't understand why their leader had suddenly turned into such a bootlicker.

"Do you even get it? Those are real monsters—monsters so powerful they might replace the main members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team!"

One student lifted his head proudly, putting on the look of someone "lonely at the top," as if lamenting the ignorance of mere mortals.

Since the paper published by "Yao Lao" five years ago, the Heaven Dou Imperial Team had expanded its roster.

That was to allow more specialized functional soul masters to serve as backups.

Currently, the main team still consisted of seven people, but Ye Lingling had been temporarily made a substitute due to lacking versatility.

Her place was taken by none other than Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

But Ye Lingling wasn't entirely out. As the most powerful healing-type auxiliary soul master, her presence alone could transform the entire team into a full-out offense unit.

With her healing power, every soul master could fight without fear of death—making their attacks nearly unstoppable.

Not to mention that within the team was also Dugu Yan, a wide-area poison control-type soul master, indiscriminate between friend or foe.

With proper healing support, even dragging out a battle would kill the opponent through attrition.

Her role was simply irreplaceable.

Ye Lingling being benched was more to give face to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Although the number of backup slots had increased, no student had yet successfully defeated a main member…

No—in fact, not even a student had emerged worthy of being a backup.

But that was just because most Heaven Dou Imperial Academy students were useless nobles with no discipline. Only a few strong individuals carried the academy's prestige.

Soon, Yin En led Xiao Lin and the others to the professors' office.

(Note: In the story, Xiao Wu's strength is set so high that even a Soul Douluo has difficulty detecting her soul beast aura. However, a Title Douluo still can, even if she's level 69—otherwise, it would be inconsistent with the original series.)

Once Yin En left, only the three professors and Xiao Lin's group remained in the spacious office.

The office was much larger than their old dorm that used to house thirty people.

Aside from the basic desks, most of the room was empty.

At this moment, Xiao Lin stood center stage, facing the professors' gaze.

The three professors were dressed in elegant robes. Though their hair was white, they were full of energy and looked friendly.

"You're the three 'monsters' recommended by the Wuhun Hall elder?"

Meng Shenji scrutinized their appearances, his eyes still filled with disbelief.

Did that elder really leave the Wuhun Hall? And even sent such outstanding kids here?

According to the letter, Xiao Lin and the others were just 12 years old.

Their faces fit the age, but their bodies looked more like 14-year-olds.

Even so, if they were Soul Elders at 14, that would still make them undisputed prodigies.

"Yes, that's us."

Xiao Lin lied without blinking, head held high in arrogance.

So what if I'm lying? We're 12-year-old Soul Elders—try kicking out geniuses like us.

I'm even this close to becoming a Soul Ancestor!

"Qiu Long Staff? Blue Silver King? And Soft-Boned Rabbit?"

Meng Shenji nodded as he listed off their spirits—but the more he spoke, the more puzzled he became.

Among those, only the Qiu Long Staff with innate full soul power qualified as genius-level. The Blue Silver King and Soft-Boned Rabbit? What were those?

Even with full soul power, they couldn't compare with Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

Could those two really surpass Yu Tianheng?

"Show us your martial spirits."

Though skeptical, Meng Shenji still trusted the Wuhun Hall elder's word.

At his request, Xiao Lin's trio summoned their spirits.

"Qiu Long Staff!"

"Blue Silver King, reveal!"

"Soft-Boned Rabbit, possess!"

All three released their spirits at nearly the same time.

Then, in front of the professors, they revealed their spirit rings.

One yellow, two purple—each.

A total of nine rings, the room instantly bathed in a deep violet glow.

The three professors all gasped in unison.

"These kids are really 12?"

"Excellent, excellent! The Blue Silver King—worthy to be my disciple!"

"Their soul power waves rival the core members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team."

Each professor showed shock, but also joyful approval.

"Very well! I'll arrange your admission immediately. You'll meet Teacher Qin Ming and we'll schedule a battle between you and the Heaven Dou Team."

Meng Shenji eagerly blocked the excited Zhiling and Bai Baoshan, giving his assurance.

(End of Chapter)