After realizing Li Chang'an's potential and his likelihood of becoming an Extreme Douluo, the Heaven Dou Emperor valued his son-in-law even more. Consequently, he tightened the protection around him and strictly sealed off any information about his absurd soul power growth rate.
Thus, during his time at Heaven Dou Academy, Li Chang'an maintained a low profile. Even though he interacted with other students, he never revealed his true abilities, brushing off any inquiries with vague responses.
Whenever he had any questions related to cultivation, he would directly consult the three school elders. This level of privilege was something even the royal princes could not enjoy.
As a result, rumors began circulating within the academy, speculating that Li Chang'an might secretly be Emperor Xue Ye's illegitimate son.
Of course, everyone knew this wasn't true, as Li Chang'an's background was as transparent as crystal. In a world where martial spirits were inherited, a child's martial spirit always bore traces of their parents'. If someone were to father a child secretly, the martial spirit awakening would expose the truth without a doubt.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family's inherited martial spirit was the Swan, which had absolutely no connection to Li Chang'an's sword martial spirit. Therefore, it was impossible for him to be the emperor's illegitimate child.
In the Dining Hall
As a noble academy, Heaven Dou Academy's dining hall was nothing short of luxurious. Instead of the usual cafeteria-style serving line, students could order from a menu, selecting whatever they desired.
Li Chang'an entered the hall, casually found a seat, and began browsing the menu. Around him, other students were seated similarly, ordering their meals. Private rooms were available for dining, but since he was dining alone, he didn't bother booking one and settled for a seat in the main hall.
The menu featured a dazzling variety of dishes. What caught Li Chang'an's attention was that most ingredients came from soul beasts: eggs from avian soul beasts, edible fruits, leaves, and roots from plant-type soul beasts. Regular consumption of such high-quality ingredients was clearly beneficial for one's physical condition and soul power cultivation.
Though each meal provided only a small soul power boost, the accumulated effect over time was significant.
This highlighted the stark contrast between nobles and commoners.
In the original story, nobles often seemed mediocre or unimpressive, appearing to lack any clear advantage over commoners. But this was only because they were compared to the protagonist's team—who were exceptionally talented individuals. Their extraordinary talents, coupled with divine herbs that altered their destinies, meant they could surpass the limits of ordinary people even while subsisting on plain food.
However, in reality, dietary differences did influence a soul master's development. The original work didn't delve into this aspect because the protagonist's team was depicted as commoners. Focusing on the disparity would undermine their underdog image.
Moreover, the commoner soul masters who appeared in battles against nobles were often elites—the cream of the crop, one in hundreds of thousands. Ordinary, less gifted commoners were simply never shown, which created the illusion that nobles weren't much better than commoners. In truth, the gap was immense.
Only the very best among commoners could barely hold their own against mediocre or slightly above-average nobles, showing just how vast the disparity truly was.
After enjoying a meal that would be considered unimaginably luxurious by ordinary soul masters, Li Chang'an left the dining hall and began strolling leisurely through the academy to digest.
Today was a special day—the annual admission day.
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was open for enrollment today, attracting eligible noble children from across the empire, all eager to join. Admission to this academy not only promised access to the finest teaching resources but also provided opportunities to build valuable connections.
In every society, interpersonal relationships were crucial. Those lacking sufficient family background could only rely on networking to advance in life. More friends meant more potential opportunities.
Thus, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was not merely a place for cultivating talent but also a networking hub for nobles to forge and maintain relationships.
Of course, the academy's faculty and student resources were indeed the best in the empire. As an institution bearing the imperial name and gathering the empire's nobility, it naturally attracted the most outstanding individuals.
In the original story, the academy's students seemed underwhelming because their opponents were outrageously strong—a group of one-in-a-million prodigies. Compared to ordinary commoners, however, the academy's students were undeniably superior.
"Today is admission day. I wonder if Dugu Yan will enroll. According to the original timeline, she should be around the right age," Li Chang'an mused as he walked aimlessly, his gaze wandering while his mind pondered future plans.
For him, winning Dugu Yan's favor wasn't crucial. If he could peacefully obtain the divine herbs by building a relationship with her, it would be ideal, and he could even gain a future Titled Douluo as an ally.
If not… he would have to consider alternative methods. Perhaps sneaking in to steal the herbs or simply taking them by force when he became stronger. These would be last-resort options.
Even if he failed to win over Dugu Yan, he could always follow the original protagonist Tang San's example and strike a deal with Dugu Bo. Given his unique martial spirit, Li Chang'an could use its ability to absorb poison to rid Dugu Bo of his accumulated toxins.
Cleansing Dugu Bo of his poison would effectively extend his lifespan, and the old man would likely be deeply grateful.
As he walked, Li Chang'an suddenly felt a peculiar sensation—his martial spirit reacting faintly to something in a specific direction. He recalled his goal for the day and began moving purposefully toward the source of the sensation.
Meanwhile
On the other side of the academy, a girl with short purple hair and bright green eyes, stunningly beautiful, walked out of the admissions office.
Having just completed her enrollment, Dugu Yan planned to stroll around the campus and familiarize herself with the place where she would spend the next few years.
Suddenly, she felt a strange fluctuation from her martial spirit, as if something nearby was irresistibly drawing her in.
Curious, Dugu Yan followed the inexplicable pull of her martial spirit, her steps leading her toward a particular direction.
Before long, she found herself approaching an artificial lake.
A lone figure stood by the water's edge, his back facing her.
For some reason, Dugu Yan's heart began to race. She didn't understand why, but as she gazed at that figure, an inexplicable sense of reverence and longing welled up within her.
Quietly, she approached, instinctively slowing her pace, as though afraid to disturb him. She stopped when she was two or three meters away, standing silently behind him.
(End of Chapter)