Ye Tianming's greatest fear had come true.
Dragon Chen's first Spirit Ability, Demonic Sound Summons Taotie, would expose his devouring ability if used against other Spirit Masters.
This was simply too dangerous for him.
Ye Tianming immediately decided not to send Dragon Chen to the Royal Academy for the time being, to avoid him being ostracized as an anomaly and affecting his mindset.
The most important thing now was to guide Dragon Chen's growth and ensure he walked the correct path.
Ye Tianming looked around and said,
"It's getting late, Long Chen, Lingling, you two go inside and sleep. I'll stand guard."
"Alright, thank you, Uncle Ye, for your hard work."
Dragon Chen and Ye Lingling entered the pre-pitched tent, sleeping side by side.
Ye Lingling whispered,
"Brother Dragon Chen, your first Spirit Ability is amazing."
Dragon Chen smiled.
"Aren't you scared seeing that ferocious beast?"
"I'm not scared, because you summoned it."
"Lingling, I will use that fierce beast to protect you. It's getting late, go to bed early."
"Mm."
Looking at Ye Lingling's tender young face, Dragon Chen thought of the things she might experience.
He knew that, according to the timeline, Ye Lingling would become a member of the Tian Dou Royal Academy Team and lose to the Shrek Team led by Tang San and Dai Mubai in the Great Spirit Arena's Spirit Fighting Competition in Soto City.
In that competition, Ye Lingling would be threatened by Tang San.
In the subsequent Soul Master Competition finals, the Tian Dou Royal Academy Team would also suffer a crushing defeat to the Spirit Hall Academy Team, and all members of the team would be mercilessly attacked by Xie Yue, sustaining serious injuries, Ye Lingling being no exception.
Dragon Chen silently vowed in his heart to protect Ye Lingling, who regarded him as family, and not let such a tragedy befall her.
The next day, Ye Tianming took Dragon Chen and Ye Lingling out of the Sunset Forest.
After returning home, Ye Tianming told Ye Susu everything that had happened in the Sunset Forest.
Ye Susu was also shocked after listening.
"The first Spirit Ability Long Chen obtained is actually so bizarre. The Human-faced Demon Sheep turned into a Taotie, is it because of his mutated Spirit?"
"I don't know either. According to him, that Taotie possesses powerful devouring ability, ignoring any century-old Spirit Abilities, and also has a devouring and weakening effect on Spirit Abilities older than a century. Such a Spirit Ability is truly terrifying."
"Indeed."
Ye Susu also worried about Dragon Chen's future.
"Brother Tianming, we cannot let Long Chen expose his special abilities to others too early."
"You're right. So, I plan not to send him to the academy for now."
"Then we'll teach him ourselves?"
"Mm. Before he is capable of protecting himself, we must guard him and guide him correctly. He possesses a more mature mind than children his age, and I believe he will not fall into depravity."
That evening, Dragon Chen was cultivating in his room when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.
It was Ye Tianming.
"Uncle Ye, you're still awake."
"Mm, just came to see you. You're not asleep either, are you?"
"I was just cultivating."
Ye Tianming smiled and nodded.
"Long Chen, I came to tell you that I won't be sending you to the Royal Academy for now."
"Alright, I'll follow your arrangements."
Ye Tianming patted Dragon Chen's shoulder and said earnestly,
"Long Chen, you are a sensible child, and it's time to tell you our concerns.
Your Darknight Demon Lyre is mutated and possesses powerful evil attributes.
Once you lose control of that evil power and are controlled by inner demons, you will slaughter indiscriminately and be suppressed or even executed by the Spirit Hall.
Your first Spirit Ability has a devouring effect, which is an ability only found in evil attributes.
This ability cannot be easily displayed in front of outsiders, as it will put you in danger.
Although the Heaven Dou Royal Academy has better simulated environments and cultivation resources, I don't want your abilities to be exposed to the public too early.
I hope you understand that Uncle and Aunt are doing all this for your own good."
Dragon Chen nodded and smiled,
"Uncle Ye, I understand your and Aunt's painstaking efforts. Then I'll cultivate at home; having you guide me is just as good."
"I will arrange targeted special training for you then."
"Alright. So Lingling will be going to the academy alone?"
"Yes. I'll talk to her properly."
"Uncle Ye, I'll go and tell her."
"That's fine too, she might be more willing to listen to you. Alright, it's getting late, you should rest early too."
After Ye Tianming left, Dragon Chen lay in bed, pondering his next plan.
He knew that Ye Tianming's worries were justified.
Given his current situation, even if he went to the Royal Academy, he would be ostracized due to his special abilities.
The students of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy were all children from wealthy and influential families, nobles among nobles, and most of them were arrogant.
Dragon Chen also did not want to deal with those people.
If he didn't go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he would lose the opportunity to befriend Dugu Yan, let alone enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
However, Dragon Chen would think of other ways.
With nearly ten years remaining, he would prepare in advance and strive to achieve his plan.
The next day, Dragon Chen went to find Ye Lingling.
"Lingling, I can't accompany you to the Royal Academy for now."
"Why?"
"The abilities my Spirit brings me are not suitable for cultivation at the academy."
Subsequently, Dragon Chen explained the reasons in detail to Ye Lingling.
Ye Lingling felt a little disappointed after listening.
Dragon Chen comforted her,
"Lingling, it's okay even if you go to the academy alone. The academy is just outside Heaven Dou City, and I'll visit you often."
"Mm, I understand."
Although Ye Lingling was a little helpless, she expressed understanding.
She knew that her parents were doing all this for Dragon Chen's sake.
A few days later, Dragon Chen and Ye Tianming accompanied Ye Lingling to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy was not inside Heaven Dou City but outside the city, not far from it.
The reason the academy was built outside the capital was to prevent the luxury of the capital from affecting the students' cultivation, and more importantly, Heaven Dou City itself was not large enough to provide a suitable location for the academy.
The number of students at the Royal Academy was not very large, but all the complete facilities required a lot of space.
Building it outside the city was clearly more suitable.
Under Ye Tianming's lead, Dragon Chen and Ye Lingling arrived at the main gate of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
The academy was located on a large mountain, with a forest behind the mountain and a lake at the foot of the mountain on the left, all within the academy's management scope.
Ye Tianming smiled,
"It's a very nice environment here, nestled by mountains and water, and it's less than twenty kilometers from the capital, Heaven Dou City. It truly is a good place. Lingling, you should study hard here from now on."
"Mm, I understand."
"Let's go, I'll take you inside."