Apart from the high-ranking soul masters waiting at the entrance of the Education Committee, a large number of students had also arrived upon hearing the news. The square quickly filled with over a hundred people.
All eyes were focused on the pair walking toward them.
The man had a calm and indifferent gaze, with a restrained and peaceful aura that exuded an inherent grandeur and vastness. Beside him, the woman was tall with an astonishingly curvaceous figure. Her dark red hair fluttered in the wind, and her fair face was as delicate as a sculpture. However, her cold expression and sharp aura made people dare not look directly at her.
Directly ahead of them stood over a dozen teachers from the Godwind Academy, each standing tall with soul power levels above sixty.
In front, there were three elders, with the headmaster Feng Tianyang in the center, flanked by two other powerful individuals with Soul Douluo-level cultivation.
The Godwind Academy indeed lived up to its reputation as one of the formidable high-level soul master academies of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Even their faculty lineup was comparable to that of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Though they might lack somewhat in funding, their foundation was more solid, as the academy had not become a playground for noble children like the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, which was plagued with various issues.
The three elders at the front wore gentle smiles and white, meticulously embroidered uniforms with dark silver patterns, the standard uniform of Godwind Academy. Feng Tianyang's attire was adorned with a few golden petals, adding to his distinguished appearance.
Though they stood there simply, it seemed as if they were one with the main campus of the academy. Numerous wind elements danced joyfully around them, which even caused Zhu Zhuqing's eyes to flicker slightly.
It was clear that if a battle took place here, the faculty and students of Godwind Academy would hold a significant advantage. This wasn't due to some grand formation like the Seven Sacred Pillar Island's defensive array.
They lacked the capability to create such an array. Instead, it was because the academy had been exclusively admitting wind-attribute soul masters for years. These soul masters, with their wind-attribute martial souls and techniques, had created a special atmosphere, somewhat like a poor man's version of the Blue Silver Grass Forest.
Seeing their extremely formal attire, Su Cheng couldn't help but smile coldly.
Soul Douluo-level experts above the eightieth level would receive custom uniforms from the Spirit Hall, black with gold trim, second only to the red uniforms of Title Douluo, specifically for formal occasions.
These Soul Douluo certainly had such uniforms as well. Though wearing the uniform wasn't mandatory for formal occasions, as seen with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, where Chen Xin and Gu Rong would often accompany Ning Fengzhi without adhering strictly to the dress code.
But a Title Douluo was a Title Douluo, and a Soul Douluo was a Soul Douluo. Feng Tianyang and the others were clearly expressing some sentiments by choosing their attire.
Indeed, Su Cheng's guess was correct. Feng Tianyang was feeling somewhat displeased and cautious. As a Spirit Hall elder, Su Cheng's actions held significant weight, regardless of his age or strength.
Had he visited privately, it would have been one thing, but entering Godwind Academy through the main gate, notifying the Education Committee through a random student without prior notice, seemed somewhat disrespectful. Furthermore, his arrival had caused such a commotion, drawing numerous students to watch, and his slow pace seemed to encourage the gathering crowd. Feng Tianyang couldn't believe Su Cheng had no ulterior motives.
With the current volatile situation on the continent and the tense relations between the Spirit Hall and the two empires, Su Cheng's visit to Godwind Academy at this juncture was not a good sign. However, before understanding Su Cheng's intentions, Feng Tianyang dared not act rashly. Still, he wasn't overly concerned.
In this world, everything depended on strength. A young man under twenty who was a Soul King just over a year ago, despite holding the title of a Spirit Hall elder, could he really be a threat?
Thus, he dared to meet him openly in the academy uniform. Had it been Chrysanthemum Douluo or Ghost Douluo, he would have adopted a different approach, even greeting them at the gate without waiting for them to enter.
"…tap, tap, tap…"
The light footsteps echoed in Feng Tianyang's ears as Su Cheng approached. Initially, he paid no attention, but soon he realized that the footsteps were unusually loud, even for a soul master above the Soul Elder level.
Moreover, apart from the light footsteps, there were no other sounds. Even the omnipresent faint wind noises had vanished. Watching the approaching pair, Feng Tianyang's expression changed.
Not only him, but the expressions of those beside him also shifted. They shared the same sensation. Despite seeing the distant students and the high-ranking soul masters standing nearby, it felt as if there was a layer of frosted glass between them, separating them into different worlds.
"Thump, thump, thump…"
The approaching footsteps grew heavier, almost replacing his heartbeat. No, it wasn't just the heartbeat; even his spirit felt an exceedingly strange sensation, as if being forcibly controlled by some power.
As a Soul Douluo, Feng Tianyang could perceive his soul. Any Soul Saint with a martial soul avatar could use spiritual power to some extent. But the ability to influence another's spirit was unheard of.
"Is this… a domain?" Feng Tianyang's heart sank.
Domains were rare among ordinary soul masters. Generally, a soul master would only acquire a domain-type soul skill upon reaching Title Douluo and obtaining the ninth soul ring, and even then, the chances were slim.
Domain-type soul skills primarily enhanced the soul master's abilities while suppressing the opponent. Yet, at his level, it wasn't too concerning. Weaker soul masters with domains wouldn't alter the battle's outcome, and Title Douluo could easily defeat him without domains.
What he feared were Soul Douluo with innate domains. However, in all his years, Feng Tianyang had never encountered such an overwhelming domain. He wasn't even sure if it was a domain or an extremely peculiar and terrifying area skill.
A domain capable of influencing the Spirit was something he had never heard of.
"Damn it! What is his true strength?"
Feng Tianyang's pupils contracted to pinpoints, like a frightened beast, staring at Su Cheng, who had stopped before him. With Su Cheng's halted steps, his heartbeat also paused. Though a momentary heartbeat stop was inconsequential for someone at his level, the pressure from the silent world was terrifying.
He exerted all his strength to stir his soul power, but it was as unresponsive as his heartbeat at that moment.
He couldn't even release his martial spirit!
Outside, a peculiar barrier isolated his body from the world.
Inside, a powerful domain kept pressing on his soul.
Feng Tianyang's face gradually turned pale...
After almost a minute of eye contact, Su Cheng's smile widened, and he spoke, "Dean Feng, I've heard a lot about you."
As these words were spoken, Feng Tianyang felt the pressure suddenly ease.
Sweat poured from his body like a burst dam, instantly soaking his clothes.
He felt a wave of relief, and the Spirit power he had been trying so hard to mobilize surged out instantly. His martial spirit involuntarily appeared behind him, a majestic giant eagle with verdant green feathers, its wings raised high, with eight soul rings glowing around it.
Not only him, but the surrounding high-level soul masters also had similar reactions. Various martial spirits and soul rings flashed continuously, creating a spectacular display.
However, compared to the three in the front, the teachers behind were much more exaggerated. Some even stumbled and almost fell.
This was not because of Su Cheng.
Earlier, he indeed used the Five Elements Domain and soul power hypnotic techniques to suppress these high-level soul masters.
Now, his Five Elements Domain had undergone multiple evolutions and a fundamental transformation due to innate power. Dealing with these people was effortless.
If a group of Title Douluo were standing here, his soul power might be hard to control precisely, so he would have to suppress them comprehensively.
But these teachers weren't that strong, so he could easily allocate different levels of power based on their strength without going overboard.
In fact, the teachers were affected by the powerful soul power emanating from Feng Tianyang and the other two Soul Douluo.
Normally, they wouldn't be in such a disarray, but they were caught off guard. After resisting Su Cheng's pressure with all their might and then suddenly relaxing, they naturally couldn't react in time.
This scene made the students watching from a distance look at each other, completely confused about what had just happened.
It seemed that after a brief stare-down, the teachers simultaneously lost their composure and began to put on a show.
Su Cheng's smile widened further, and he joked, "Dean Feng, no need to be so enthusiastic."
Suppressing the anger and fear in his heart, Feng Tianyang said solemnly, "I have underestimated you, Elder Su. You have truly enlightened me."
After glancing discreetly at the watching students, he continued, "Elder Su, please follow me to the Board of Education. We have prepared some tea."
"Is it just me, or does the dean seem off?" Feng Xiaotian quietly asked Feng Qingyu.
"You're not wrong," Feng Qingyu replied in a low, worried voice. "The old man seems frightened."
She was equally puzzled. How could her teacher become so powerful in just over a year?
Without even using his martial spirit or leaking any aura, he scared her grandfather, a high-level Soul Douluo, like this.
No, he had scared everyone present.
And this was within the academy.
Here, three Soul Douluo and all the teachers together could even suppress the weakest Title Douluo in a short time.
In front of the board, the conversation continued.
Su Cheng glanced at the gathering students and smiled, "There are quite a few people in the academy today. Why not have a friendly sparring session? I would like to see the teaching standards of your esteemed academy."
His voice was loud enough for all teachers and students to hear, causing them to feel uneasy.
Feng Tianyang's face darkened as he suppressed his anger and said, "Elder Su, isn't that a bit... bullying, given your status?"
Thinking of Su Cheng's age, "bullying" didn't quite fit, but he had no better word.
If Su Cheng insisted, there was not much they could do.
Although their statuses were different, they were peers, and Su Cheng's strength was evident. They couldn't resist, but they were naturally dissatisfied.
At worst, let him fight a few rounds and then leave.
Since Su Cheng clearly came with ill intentions, resolving it this way wouldn't be too bad.
Moreover, the students understood Su Cheng's terror. The gap was so vast that there wouldn't be any psychological scars.
Even if today's events spread, being defeated by a Spirit Hall elder wasn't shameful.
Unexpectedly, Su Cheng nodded in agreement.
"You're right..."
Su Cheng said as he slowly scanned the hundred-odd students watching.
As his gaze swept over them, the students instinctively avoided eye contact.
Earlier, Su Cheng had specifically suppressed the teachers, but now his entire aura covered the area.
Like a divine sword standing between heaven and earth, no one dared to face its edge.
"In that case, let her do it."
Su Cheng suddenly withdrew his aura, stepped aside, and revealed Zhu Zhuqing.
"And she is...?" Feng Tianyang was taken aback.
He hadn't paid much attention to Zhu Zhuqing earlier.
Although she was extremely beautiful and her aura was also sharp and powerful, compared to Su Cheng's pressure, she was negligible.
Su Cheng didn't mind. The Soul Master Tournament was held every few years. Besides the champion team or notable figures, the older generation of soul masters typically didn't pay much attention.
Even the champion team wasn't universally known. If not for a Soul Saint appearing in the last tournament, it wouldn't have caused such a stir.
"Oh, Dean Feng probably doesn't follow the younger generation's activities. She is Zhu Zhuqing from the Shrek Academy team in the last Soul Master Tournament, who performed well and achieved third place. Now, she has transferred to the Spirit Hall Academy. Many of your students should know her."
"Is that so?" Feng Tianyang nodded, slightly relieved but still tense.
Third place?
Considering the strong competition in the last tournament, this was quite an achievement.
Her aura was sharp, though obscured by Su Cheng, making it hard to gauge her exact level, but she was likely at least a Soul King.
Finding a student who could reliably defeat her wouldn't be easy...
"Xiaotian, why don't you spar with Zhu Zhuqing?" After some thought, Feng Tianyang decided to let Feng Xiaotian go.
As a natural full soul power mutant martial spirit possessor, although Feng Xiaotian's soul power wasn't the highest among the students, his combat power was top-notch.
But before Feng Xiaotian could step up, Su Cheng interrupted.
"No, I think it's pointless for students to fight. Dean Feng, why don't you personally guide her?"
"What?!"
Feng Tianyang almost thought he misheard.
Everyone else was equally astonished, looking at Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing in shock.
The students were even more bewildered.
"Please instruct me." Zhu Zhuqing's clear, cold voice covered the commotion.