The conditions for recruitment were even harsher now: only younger sisters or elder sisters could apply! No males allowed! And each candidate would be personally interviewed by Subei!
The interview location was a quiet, tree-lined hut a few miles outside the island of Huxin. Sunlight filtered through leaves, casting dancing spots of light on the ground and surrounding flora.
On the Blue Tyrant Academy's square, slender legs shimmered beneath skirts, as people speculated about the mysterious gathering in the nearby forest.
"Why so many girls heading to the small forest? Is there some big secret?"
"You don't understand. The Blue Tyrant Academy's Tianjiao class recruits only female talents under twelve, with strict limits on realm and innate soul power."
"The person overseeing the final review is said to be incredibly beautiful!"
"A rare sight, indeed. Too bad the standards are so high. Even seventh-level innate soul power applicants get rejected. Those candidates focus at the Five Elements Academies instead."
Following the crowd to the hut's entrance, Subei was bored. Inside, he found several girls waiting—some gracefully tall, others pretty, a few resembling royal daughters. All had been carefully screened by him, representing peak genius talent.
Northern Jiangsu felt as if he were in a harem.
For Subei's safety, Liu Erlong had assigned Soul Kings and Soul Emperor masters to form a protective human fence around the admiring crowd.
They were frenzied fans, chasing Subei like a celebrity—too many thoughts about him filled their minds day and night.
This cabin, personally reviewed by Subei, was relatively secluded in Lanba Academy.
Since Subei's debut, tales of the "peerless youth" spread like wildfire across ten cities within a day, gaining momentum toward sweeping Heaven Dou City.
Celebrity status brought a flood of fan art and merchandise.
An aspiring painter set up his easel early, frustrated after countless attempts to capture Subei's incomparable beauty and ethereal aura.
"No matter how I paint, the incomparable charm eludes me," he lamented. "Such a young man doesn't belong to this world."
Even if he were reborn as an artist, he doubted capturing Subei's majestic presence was possible.
In frustration, he slammed his brush down. "If I can't portray even a hint of his charm, I will never paint again!"
"Master! No!" his apprentice cried.
Word came that Tiandou Royal's top painter had labored through hundreds of sheets and sleepless nights, yet still failed to capture the key spirit of Subei's visage.
The painter finally fainted.
Normal for those trying to paint Subei's inspiring presence.
Northern Jiangsu now considered this commonplace—beauty brought both blessing and suffering.
Xiao Wu approached from Huxin Island, carrying a snack. She leaned on Subei's table.
"Brother, are you tired? Let Xiao Wu rub your shoulders and help you relax."
Northern Jiangsu glanced at Xiao Wu sternly. "No, it's brother's working time. I'm responsible for Lanba Academy and the future of Tianjiao class."
"Xiao Wu, go back to the fairy tale house. Don't disturb brother's work!"
Subei's eyes swept across the legs of the girls nearby—white flowers embroidered on their uniforms.
"But… brother, those girls are giving you strange looks. I don't like it at all."
Xiao Wu clenched her fists, glaring at the female students who resembled wolves and tigers, wishing to rush forward and defend Subei.
"Xiao Wu, you don't understand. They're eager to grow stronger alongside us. That's not malice."
"Since we're exceptional, many will want to rise with us, to become stronger!"
"In the future, you'll see many such gazes, Xiao Wu. You must learn to accept and get used to it—otherwise, people will think we're stingy."
"But… but I just saw a girl hugging brother!" Xiao Wu stomped her foot anxiously.
Subei stroked her head gently. "Xiao Wu, that hug was for salvation. Those girls said if I didn't hug them, they'd rather die. A hug gives them fresh life."
"Xiao Wu, tell me—did brother do the right thing?"
"It seems… yes, there's nothing wrong," Xiao Wu said, though she found her brother's words strange.
Subei suddenly shouted, "Xiao Wu! Brother forbids you to doubt yourself! Always be confident in your own thoughts!"
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