"Wuji Academy, with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon as a martial soul… Heh, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is something interesting."
Ning Fengzhi's gaze once again landed on Yun Yibai in the arena. Though he wore a smile, his thoughts were far more serious.
There was a flicker in his eyes — he was cooking up a new idea.
Salas had the same expression.
"If I can recruit him into Spirit Hall, that would be ideal. But if he refuses to see reason… then there's no need to let him live."
A dead genius amounts to nothing.
And it wasn't just Prince Xue Xing.
People from Spirit Hall and other elite soul master academies across the continent had also dispatched scouts to gather information on Wuji Academy.
Over at Shrek Academy
"Xiao Gang, what do you think?"
Flender looked solemn as he watched Wuji Academy, which hadn't even taken the field again yet.
Yu Xiaogang replied,
"They're a formidable opponent."
"And we still don't know whether they're hiding their true strength like we are."
"Hmph! I bet they're the ones who poached Oscar." Flender suddenly snorted coldly.
He held no fondness for Wuji Academy. A student with innate full soul power, someone who could realistically become a Titled Douluo if trained properly, was stolen away just like that. How could he not be upset?
After Flender's remark, Yu Xiaogang also recalled Oscar's four soul rings, and his face stiffened. A food-type soul master with full innate power — if he were still in Shrek, their odds of winning would've been much higher.
That Night – Inside the Crown Prince's Study in Heaven Dou Empire
Inside the private study of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, he and Ning Fengzhi sat across from one another. A stack of documents lay on the table beside them.
These were the compiled records on Wuji Academy and the participating students.
Judging from the worn pages and open folders, the two had already studied the contents in detail.
"Qinghe, you've read the file on Wuji Academy. What's your take?"
"What else can I do but sit and read it?"
Xue Qinghe gave a small sigh.
"What I didn't expect was that not far from Heaven Dou City, a new city had quietly risen… And even more surprising — the entire city is an academy."
He continued,
"With Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, and three of the four single-attribute clans from the former Clear Sky Clan present, the academy already has one Titled Douluo and three Soul Douluo. Add in several Soul Sages and Soul Emperors — in terms of overall strength, they may already surpass the Four Lower Sects."
"But that's what puzzles me — with that much power, why would they choose to establish a high-level soul master academy instead of founding a new sect?"
It was a valid question. At this point, soul master academies were considered less prestigious than soul sects.
Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly, adjusted his glasses, and replied,
"True. With their power, forming a sect wouldn't be difficult. A sect would grant them more autonomy and access to greater resources."
"After all, in today's world, sects enjoy far more status than academies. Sects have territories, can expand their influence, and secure more wealth and support. But academies are mostly confined to one city — even if they grow, it's still only to the scale of a major city."
"In terms of prestige, soul master academies have long existed in the shadow of the great sects. Their growth potential is limited."
Then, Ning Fengzhi changed tone slightly.
"But that's exactly why I think they're smart."
"Yes, founding a sect brings many benefits — but also many problems and conflicts."
At this, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.
"You're referring to suppression from Spirit Hall?" Xue Qinghe asked after a moment of thought.
Ning Fengzhi nodded lightly.
"Exactly."
"Qinghe, I've lived longer than you. I've personally witnessed Spirit Hall under both the current and former Popes."
"Under the previous Pope, Qian Xunji, Spirit Hall was powerful, but still somewhat restrained. They expanded quietly, working from the shadows."
"But under Bibi Dong, things have changed. Spirit Hall's ambitions and aggression have grown bolder and more overt."
"Take Salas's behavior today, for instance. Back in Qian Xunji's era, no one would've dared to offend the royal family so publicly. And don't forget the Elephant Armored Academy — they and their parent sect are leaning toward Spirit Hall now."
"Spirit Hall has always seen strong sects as threats, especially those with powerful lineages. If Wuji Academy had formed a new sect, Spirit Hall would no doubt try to suppress them."
"Qinghe, you don't fully understand the sect world. Conflict between sects is far more intense than between academies. Establishing a sect means entering that world of constant, bloody power struggles — and for those who seek knowledge and cultivation, it's probably not what they want."
"Take Dugu Bo — he's someone who dislikes restrictions, that's why he won't join Spirit Hall. As for the three single-attribute clans, each specializes in something unique, like alchemy or architecture."
"Teacher, I recall that the Destruction Clan, Agility Clan, and Control Clan all have grudges with Spirit Hall, don't they?" Xue Qinghe asked.
"Yes, they do."
"That's another reason I say they're smart," Ning Fengzhi added.
"If they had formed a sect, Spirit Hall would have targeted them immediately. For a new power, that's the last thing they need."
"But forming an academy, on the other hand? Spirit Hall doesn't pay nearly as much attention to soul master academies."
"I believe that's exactly what those leaders of Wuji Academy were thinking."
Xue Qinghe nodded slowly.
"For clans with grudges against Spirit Hall — the Destruction Clan, Agility Clan, and Control Clan — establishing an academy instead of a sect is an ideal choice."
Then he raised his gaze to Ning Fengzhi.
"Teacher, do you think it's possible to bring Wuji Academy under our influence?"
"We already know who their top members are. Judging from the files, their current contestants are no ordinary students either."
"Just today, Oscar and Yang Tai were both confirmed to be Soul Elders."
"And from data from a few years ago, Yun Yibai, Dugu Yan, and Feng Xiaotian — they're Soul Elders by now too."
"At the very least, Wuji Academy has five Soul Elders."
"Among all the teams in the Elite Tournament, Wuji Academy's overall strength is already among the top few."
"And that's just being conservative."
"Looking ahead, Wuji Academy has the potential to produce multiple Titled Douluo in the future."
"Such a force could become one of the Heaven Dou Empire's key assets in resisting Spirit Hall."
Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly.
"Qinghe, I'm glad to hear you thinking this way. It shows that you're already starting to view things from the perspective of a true leader."
"However, winning them over won't be easy."
"But if it's a partnership… that might be possible."
"Any soul master academy backed by a Titled Douluo should never be treated like an ordinary school."