The next morning.
Lin Feng's door was knocked on early by his mother.
Still deep in a dream, Lin Feng stirred beneath the covers, waking slowly and blinking through the haze of sleep.
His mother, calm and composed, knocked again.
"Feng'er, time to get up."
"Your father found a teacher for you—a Soul Douluo. Weren't you always saying you wanted to train?"
All lingering sleep vanished in an instant.
The words Soul Douluo and training jolted Lin Feng fully awake. His eyes lit up as he threw off the blanket and leapt out of bed.
If what the system said yesterday was true, then his top priority now was to quickly cultivate and become a One-Ring Soul Master—to unlock a new trait.
He flung open the door, voice tinged with excitement.
"Really, Mother?"
His father had actually mentioned this yesterday. A Soul Douluo taking him as a disciple—it was no small matter.
Though his father spent most of his time on military campaigns, his mother managed the clan's internal affairs. She was rarely able to personally guide him.
But now, seeing her son standing before her, Ye Qingmei's gaze held a hint of confusion.
When did his demeanor and temperament change so much?
Was it just her imagination?
Well, never mind.
Now that a Soul Douluo was willing to take Feng'er as a disciple, she was genuinely happy for him.
"Of course it's true. Come on, I'll take you to your father."
Not long after.
Ye Qingmei brought Lin Feng to the Lin Clan's main hall.
Before they even entered, she caught sight of Lin Ye sitting rigidly in a grand chair. His face was dark, his brows furrowed in a rare show of fury.
Suddenly—
Bang!!
Lin Ye shot to his feet and slammed his fist down on the side table.
Ye Qingmei jumped in alarm. Her husband rarely lost his temper like this.
"What's going on today?"
"Did something bad happen?"
Letting go of Lin Feng's hand, she walked quickly into the hall, gently placing her hand on her husband's arm and glancing around.
Where was Master Gao Chuan—the Soul Douluo they had just spoken to?
Could it be…?
"Where's Master Gao?"
She lowered her voice.
At the mention of that name, Lin Ye's eyes turned cold. The barely-suppressed anger erupted anew.
"Hmph! That Gao Chuan!"
"He had already agreed to take our son as his disciple—everything was settled."
"But after learning that Feng'er's innate soul power was only Rank 5, he suddenly claimed to feel unwell and left."
"What does that mean? Does he look down on our Lin Clan?"
"Or has he forgotten how much we've done for him in the past?"
Ye Qingmei finally understood the situation. She spoke softly to comfort him.
"So that's what made you so angry…"
"Please, calm down."
"If Gao Chuan is gone, you're still here, aren't you? Can't you train Feng'er yourself?"
Her gentle words gradually calmed Lin Ye, and only then did he notice Lin Feng standing obediently just outside the hall.
Ye Qingmei let go of her husband and went to her son, gently ruffling his hair with an apologetic expression.
"Feng'er, I'm afraid I have to disappoint you."
"That Soul Douluo I mentioned… won't be taking you as a disciple after all."
Lin Feng had already pieced everything together and was ready with a response. He smiled and comforted her in return.
"Mother, I don't blame you. Even if I don't have a Soul Douluo to guide me, I still have you, Father, my uncles, and older brothers."
"They can all teach me how to cultivate."
"Good boy," she said, moved by his words.
She pulled him close, resting his head gently on her shoulder.
Lin Feng had always been thoughtful.
Ever since he was little, he never gave them a reason to worry.
Inside the hall, Lin Ye watched the warm mother-and-son scene unfold. For a brief moment, he felt like the odd one out… but a faint smile crept across his face.
After a few moments of thought, Lin Ye stepped forward and spoke earnestly to his son:
"Feng'er, you're absolutely right. Even without a Soul Douluo, you still have us."
"From now on, I will personally guide you in your soul cultivation."
"Your Martial Soul—the Flaming Sun Three-Headed Serpent—is the Lin Clan's legacy. With my experience, your progress will be twice as fast with half the effort."
Ye Qingmei stood up and looked at Lin Ye with admiration in her eyes.
"Yes, Feng'er. With your father's guidance, you'll grow much faster."
"Your father is already a general, and he reached Soul Sage at the age of 44."
"If I hadn't seen his strength and potential back when we were young…"
"Even if we grew up together, I might never have married him."
As she said this, a soft blush colored her cheeks, and she shyly averted her eyes.
Lin Ye, meanwhile, rubbed his head in embarrassment and chuckled.
Lin Feng, however, kept a serious expression.
He took his parents' hands and said clearly:
"Mother, Father… I've heard you mention the tension on the border many times."
"If it weren't for the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony, Father probably wouldn't have returned home."
"I've been thinking about it."
"I want to attend a soul master academy."
Both parents exchanged startled glances, then smiled knowingly.
They looked at their son with pride and affection.
Lin Ye's thoughts turned.
If Feng'er went to a soul master academy—
First, he could focus fully on the war at the border.
Second, with Ye Qingmei taking care of things at home, he would have peace of mind.
Feng'er… was thinking of their family.
After careful thought, Lin Ye nodded.
"If that's what you want, your mother and I will support you wholeheartedly."
"I'll come home often to visit you both."
"Thank you, Father!"
Hearing his father's approval, Lin Feng broke into a grin.
His mother beamed at him.
"Then it's settled. Our Feng'er will go study at the Royal Junior Soul Master Academy!"
---
Three days later.
It was the start of a new term at the Royal Junior Soul Master Academy.
At the academy plaza stood a grand archway, towering and majestic.
From a distance, it looked like a divine sword descending from the heavens, striking directly into the hearts of those who looked upon it.
Lin Feng stood before the gate, marveling to himself.
Anyone able to attend this school…
Had to be royalty or noble-born.
After completing his enrollment paperwork, he followed the guidance of the academy instructors.
Once he had claimed his dorm room, he made his way to the classroom.
Suddenly—
A girl sat down beside him.
She had short, deep-purple hair and an air of bold confidence. Though not a great beauty, she had a striking, otherworldly charm that contrasted sharply with her delicate features.
"Hi, I'm Dugu Yan. We're classmates."
She casually toyed with her emerald-green fingernails, her dark green eyes lazily fixed on Lin Feng.
For a moment, Lin Feng was dazed by those eyes.
Dugu Yan?
She's in the same class as me?
That means I'm exactly seven years older than Tang San!
The Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, would only be about eight years old now—and hasn't yet been replaced by Qian Renxue.
This was still early in the timeline.
He had plenty of time to make plans.
And more importantly—
Dugu Yan was the granddaughter of the Poison Douluo. Forming a connection with her now would give him a path to obtain immortal herbs in the future.
Could this be the work of Supreme Luck?
He lost a Soul Douluo teacher… but gained Dugu Yan?
What a massive win!
The two stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
"What are you staring at? I'm talking to you, hey!"
Dugu Yan frowned, leaning closer.
Her sharp gaze locked onto him, radiating a chilling intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.
Snapped out of his trance, Lin Feng quickly responded.
"Lin Feng."
He reached out his hand with a proper introduction.