After presenting the recommendation letter and related token from his grandmaster's elder brother, a powerful count he had never met, the guard at the gate allowed them to pass without issue.
Along the way, although they occasionally encountered groups of students dressed in bright yellow uniforms, they didn't run into any trouble.
No one tried to pick a fight either.
Just as Fang Ling had predicted.
Most likely, his value was simply too low for Xue Xing to bother sending Xue Beng to make trouble for him.
And naturally, no one came to greet him.
But that was fine, having no one interfere was something worth being happy about.
As long as he successfully enrolled, and became strong in the future, he would naturally earn respect.
Right now, with weak strength, any so-called respect was merely pity or charity.
That said, the scenery here was quite nice.
The headmaster led Fang Ling into the mountains. The luxurious surroundings gave him a direct sense of just how wealthy the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was.
The mountain steps were carved from white marble, with a different soul beast pattern on each step, exquisitely crafted.
Unfortunately, Fang Ling didn't recognize many of them, which only highlighted his lack of knowledge.
That wasn't too big a flaw, he could always study when he had time.
The mountain stood a thousand meters tall, but the steps were perfectly laid out, neither too long nor too short.
For soul masters, climbing them wasn't difficult at all.
The two walked at a steady pace.
Halfway up, they saw a fortress-like building with glazed tiles even covering the top of its five-meter-high courtyard walls.
The building had only one level, painted bright yellow, and looked very eye-catching.
The color combination was a bit odd.
Although well-maintained, it was clear the structure had some age to it.
It was probably a historical remnant of some kind.
Past the teaching building, they quickly arrived at the Education Committee.
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Education Committee was located at the heart of the main campus and was the grandest structure in the entire academy.
It was still a single-story building, but its highest point reached ten meters, somewhat reminiscent of Spirit Hall's architecture.
It was very quiet here, and with early spring just arriving, the air still carried a hint of chill.
"This is the place?"
Fang Ling wasn't very interested in the academy's buildings.
For him, cultivation came first. As long as he had a place to stay, that was enough.
"This is it. I've been to Heaven Dou Royal Academy several times, I know it fairly well."
His grandmaster patted him on the shoulder.
He sighed emotionally, "Let's go in."
After explaining their purpose, a servant led them into a plain office.
Only one chubby old man was inside. The other two committee members, Meng Shenji and Zhi Lin, were not present.
He was truly fat, four feet tall and four feet around the waist.
He was reading an exquisite book. Upon seeing guests arrive, he closed it and smiled warmly.
The fat on his face jiggled with his smile.
His eyes were nearly squinted shut by his cheeks, but they scanned Fang Ling's left leg with curiosity and amazement.
The grandmaster stepped forward quickly and bowed.
"Zhan Wang Academy, Lin Yuehua. Martial spirit: Gale Blade. Agility-type Soul Emperor, level 68. Greetings, Senior."
Fang Ling quickly followed suit.
"Zhan Wang Academy student, Fang Ling. Martial spirit: Long-handled War Scythe. Agility-type Grand Soul Master, level 23. Greetings, Senior."
The fat old man's eyes narrowed slightly at Fang Ling's cultivation level, then he laughed heartily and motioned for them to sit.
"Bai Baoshan. Martial spirit: Celestial Star Furnace. Defense-type Soul Douluo, level 84."
He responded politely and introduced himself.
Then he smiled and said, "No need to be so formal, Dean Yuehua. The one the Hurricane Count inquired about earlier, is that him?"
"Yes, Senior. Fang Ling is a true genius…" Lin Yuehua said proudly.
"Alright," Bai Baoshan raised a hand, gently cutting off the praise. "Let me ask the boy myself."
He gestured for Fang Ling to come closer.
With a gentle smile, he asked, "Young genius, how long has it been since you became a Grand Soul Master?"
"Just over two months," Fang Ling answered calmly and respectfully.
"I broke through to level 21 after being hunted for three or four days in Star Dou Forest by two thousand-year soul beasts."
"Not long after returning, I reached level 22. Then, on the carriage ride here, I advanced to level 23."
Fang Ling had been meditating daily without fail.
His cultivation speed had improved slightly due to his warrior's will, but not enough to explain the rapid progress.
He had used four attribute points to boost his soul power.
One more level came from natural progress on the experience bar.
After becoming a Grand Soul Master, his experience bar progressed faster, about four points per year.
But his leveling was still quicker than that, so this was only part of the story.
"Two months…" Bai Baoshan was quite amazed.
With his strength, he could instantly tell Fang Ling was indeed at level 23.
This seemingly exaggerated claim of "surpassing one's limits through life-and-death battles" actually had some truth to it.
"Let me see your evolved martial spirit."
Fang Ling summoned his war scythe.
It stood two meters tall, entirely silver-white, with a smooth blade and a striking appearance.
Bai Baoshan gently tapped the blade, producing a deep metallic hum.
"Not bad," he nodded slightly, satisfied with its strength.
"This is the Silver Soul Badge I earned in a life-or-death match at the Great Spirit Arena."
Before he could be asked, Fang Ling handed over a silver badge.
Bai Baoshan took it and studied it. His tiny eyes blinked once, and his tone suddenly turned stern:
"You were born with level 1 innate soul power. Why are you so determined to walk the path of a soul master, undaunted by life or death?"
Fang Ling's expression grew solemn, as if declaring an oath he had to uphold, a bold proclamation from deep within:
"Because my fate belongs to me, not to the heavens! Everyone says innate soul power determines the future, but I refuse to believe that!"
"So what if I'm level one? I will stand at the peak of all soul masters. I will become the strongest in the world!"
"I will make my light shine upon this world!"
Bai Baoshan had heard similar words from the Hurricane Count before.
He had assumed it was mere bravado.
But now, hearing it directly and seeing the unwavering determination in Fang Ling's eyes, he couldn't help but be moved.
"You have a strong will. If you can pass the final test, you'll be admitted."
"Bring it on!" Fang Ling was fully prepared.
Bai Baoshan gently nodded his chubby head, and the surrounding air seemed to tremble in response.
The grandmaster felt nothing unusual, but Fang Ling suddenly sensed the air being gripped by invisible hands, so heavy it was suffocating.
A surging wave of soul power crashed toward him.
With overwhelming pressure, Fang Ling felt his entire body tightly restrained by an invisible force.
Every muscle, every bone, felt locked in place by immense weight, unable to move at all.
It was the familiar soul pressure test.
Fang Ling calmly endured it.
Tang San had gone through the same thing during his assessment. Soul pressure was a fitting trial for low-level soul masters.
It was quick, efficient, and safe.
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