After hearing Dugu Yan's words, Yang Podi felt speechless. They were already so familiar with each other, yet she still came to visit so late at night.
Dugu Yan seemed to remember something and introduced the girl beside her. "Podi, this is my classmate, Ye Lingling. Your arrival was the talk of the academy today, and Lingling was quite curious, so I brought her along to meet you."
Yang Podi was surprised upon hearing this. He hadn't expected this girl to be Ye Lingling of the Nine Heart Begonia, the support-type Soul Master from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team in the original story, with an impressive healing ability. Unfortunately, she faded from the story later on.
Yang Podi introduced himself, "Hello, Ye Lingling. I'm Yang Podi, 12 years old, martial soul: Breaking Soul Spear, soul power level 35."
Ye Lingling seemed a little shy. "Hello, I'm Ye Lingling, 14 years old, martial soul: Nine Heart Begonia, soul power level 25, currently in the Heaven-tier B class."
Yang Podi felt a bit puzzled but continued, "Sister Lingling, welcome to my dormitory. We're all Soul Masters here, so we can exchange and learn from each other in the future."
Dugu Yan seemed to sense Yang Podi's surprise and spoke directly, "Little guy, do you even understand? Lingling's martial soul is the Nine Heart Begonia, the continent's top healing-type martial soul. Though she's only level 25, her healing power rivals that of an average Soul Elder."
"Sister Lingling, my apologies; I didn't expect you to be so powerful."
Dugu Yan then asked, "Yang Podi, which class are you in?"
"Sister Yan, I was placed in the Heaven Dou-tier A class."
"Heaven Dou-tier A class? I'm so envious; you entered the Heaven Dou-tier so quickly. You're already at level 35—are you planning to participate in the Soul Master Competition in two years?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince personally approached me today. I don't plan to join this Soul Master Competition; I intend to participate in the next one. I've already been appointed as the captain and lead instructor of the second team for the next competition."
Both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were stunned. "Really? Why so soon for the next Soul Master Competition? And you're already the captain and lead instructor?"
"I proposed this to His Highness and the three committee members. I'm concerned that my battle experience is insufficient, so I decided to skip this competition."
"With the next competition, I'll feel more prepared. Including myself, I already have five people on the team."
"That's quite fast! There are still seven years left, and you already have five members—isn't it a bit early?"
Yang Podi smiled. "It's not too early. Seven years may seem long, but the strength of a few team members is still lacking. They'll need more training."
Dugu Yan seemed to have an idea. "Podi, how about Lingling and I join your team? That would make seven members in total. What do you say—will you let us in?"
"Of course, I'd welcome you both! If Sister Yan and Sister Lingling joined the team, we'd be much stronger, making the team more well-rounded."
Before Ye Lingling could speak, Dugu Yan had already decided. "Then it's settled—Lingling and I will be part of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team for the next competition."
Ye Lingling seemed a bit uncertain, unsure whether to accept or refuse, but Dugu Yan reassured her. "Don't worry, Lingling. Yang Podi has some unique training methods; his training approach is really effective. I've already reached level 29 thanks to it."
Yang Podi couldn't help but think to himself: Dugu Yan's talent isn't lacking, yet in the original story, she was seven years older than Tang San and had only reached level 42 by the time of the Soul Master Competition. How did that happen? Her advancement was far too slow!
In the beginning, at the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City, the Shrek team's first match against the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Dugu Yan's spirit power was already level 38. After nearly two years, she only advanced four levels to reach level 42 during the Soul Master Competition. That was incredibly slow progress. Yu Tianheng only gained four levels as well. Meanwhile, Shrek Academy's members generally advanced ten levels, with even Xiao Wu, who didn't take the immortal herbs, gaining seven or eight levels. Not to mention Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun, who each gained more than ten levels after taking the immortal herbs.
But Yang Podi ultimately just smiled and said, "Then welcome to our Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team, both of you. With your addition, our team's strength will be surprising."
"Tomorrow afternoon, we'll gather the whole team at Training Ground No. 3, which has now been designated for our team's use. I look forward to seeing you there."
After talking with the two of them, Yang Podi saw them off and returned to his dormitory to continue his meditation. For him, the team was a small matter; his own cultivation remained the most important.
The next morning, Yang Podi put on his Heaven Dou Royal Academy uniform. He checked himself in the mirror a couple of times and couldn't help but nod in approval.
The academy's uniform was white and gold, a symbol of nobility and royalty, looking quite elegant and luxurious. Even the standard student uniforms must have been costly.
Though Yang Podi was broad-shouldered and muscular, the uniform concealed his build. With his slim face and black hair, he even looked somewhat aristocratic and much more handsome.
Today was the first lesson for the Heaven Dou-tier class. Although Yang Podi didn't particularly care, he decided to attend and see what the Heaven Dou Royal Academy had to offer.
After his morning training and breakfast, he arrived at the classroom, where quite a few people were already present.
The Heaven Dou-tier class was the academy's highest-level class, requiring a minimum soul power of level 30. Yang Podi glanced around, noticing that most students appeared to be over 20, with only a few under that age, likely around 17 or 18.
These students mostly sat scattered throughout the room, some chatting, others reading or meditating alone. Their expressions held a hint of pride and arrogance typical of nobility.
Yang Podi ignored them, choosing a secluded seat. To him, these classmates held no significance. They were nobles of the empire, while he came from a Soul Master family, making it unlikely they'd have much interaction in the future.
Some students glanced at Yang Podi. While he appeared tall and muscular at 1.7 meters, his face still looked young, not quite like someone in their twenties.
Additionally, there had been rumors about a 12-year-old level 35 Soul Elder joining the academy, likely placed in the Heaven Dou-tier class. This young-looking student in front of them might just be that person.
As time passed, the classroom filled up, with around 25 students in total, according to Yang Podi's estimate.
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy had 500 students, with about a tenth at the Heaven Dou-tier level, divided into two classes.