At that moment, the three education committee members who had witnessed the entire battle exchanged glances. Regret was clear in each of their eyes. If only we had been a little firmer back then...
Zhi Lin let out a long sigh.
Meng Shenji snorted lightly, seemingly recalling the warning Dugu Bo had given the three of them some time ago. "That old poisoner's vision is truly sharp. To tie down Lin Yang, he was even willing to offer up his precious granddaughter."
"Ah....."
On the training field.
Only after forcefully suppressing the turmoil in his heart did Qin Ming refocus his attention on the scene before him.
He looked at everyone present, his expression turning serious once more. "You all saw Lin Yang's strength earlier. Let me remind you once again..."
His gaze slowly swept over each person.
"The reason you can stand here and become reserves for the future Heaven Dou Battle Team is not because your martial souls are particularly strong, nor because your backgrounds are powerful. It is because of the strength and potential you possess."
"The team is not yet complete. No one knows whether the next person I select will be an even more outstanding genius than any of you."
Qin Ming's voice deepened. "It is entirely possible that they could replace your positions."
"So I hope those of you currently at the front don't become arrogant, and those temporarily at the back don't lose heart. You all have enough time to grow."
"The future is still unknown!"
After this motivational speech, Lin Yang and Dugu Yan showed little change in expression. Yu Tianheng, who had looked somewhat dejected, shook his head, and his eyes regained their determination.
It seemed that motivational talk wasn't completely useless sometimes.
After thoroughly testing everyone's limits, Qin Ming announced an immediate dismissal. Lin Yang's impact on him had been too great; he needed time to digest it.
The teaching plan he had drawn up earlier would probably need a complete overhaul.
What a monster!
Qin Ming inwardly complained, then strode away with large steps.
As soon as Qin Ming left, the atmosphere on the training field relaxed considerably. The gazes of the other three subconsciously focused on Lin Yang.
Dugu Yan moved closer to him, her eyes carrying an inexplicable meaning. "You really stole the show today."
Lin Yang shrugged. "That was Teacher Qin holding back!"
"You really think I'm blind?"
Dugu Yan pouted, but she didn't dwell on it. She then asked, "Where are you heading next?"
Lin Yang thought for a moment. "First, I'll check out the mimetic cultivation area Teacher Qin recommended, then browse the library. I'll return to Butterfly House in the evening."
Even though he had become a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Lin Yang had no intention of giving up on Butterfly House.
Kathleen's training also needed to continue.
Hearing Lin Yang's fully packed schedule, Dugu Yan pouted in disappointment.
She had been hoping to go out with him today and nurture their relationship a little.
Noticing the change in Dugu Yan's expression, Lin Yang understood. He said, "I remember the Blessing Festival is in a few days. The city will be quite lively then..."
Although the Douluo Continent had no concepts like Spring Festival or New Year's Day, it had its own local festivals, and the Blessing Festival was one of them.
It was a day to pray for blessings from the Angel God. Though it had become largely ceremonial, the tradition continued.
Dugu Yan's eyes brightened, her brows curving happily. "Great!"
Beside them, Yu Tianheng watched the scene silently and turned to leave without a word.
Ye Lingling did the same.
Afterward, Lin Yang and Dugu Yan left the training field and headed separately to their respective mimetic cultivation areas.
Upon entering the No. 2-1 mimetic cultivation area in District A recommended by Qin Ming, the surrounding environment shifted the moment Lin Yang stepped inside.
"Interesting!"
It was a vast, open plain with soft grass underfoot and faint mountain ranges visible in the distance.
That wasn't the main point. The key was the five wolf-shaped soul beasts standing opposite him, baring their teeth and slowly closing in from different directions.
Their greenish-yellow eyes gleamed, low growls rumbling from their throats.
Sharp fangs and claws scraped the ground—they looked ready to pounce at any moment.
It seemed this was some kind of combat-oriented mimetic cultivation area.
But that suited him perfectly!
"Awooo—!"
With a howl from the lead wolf, the other four soul beasts charged toward Lin Yang as if receiving an order.
Clang—!
The Nichirin Blade was unsheathed, and the battle began immediately.
Once life fell into a regular rhythm, time passed surprisingly quickly.
Besides attending classes and cultivating, Lin Yang did not stay at the academy. Every day he returned to Butterfly House to see patients and instruct Kathleen.
He also wrote letters to the little rabbit every few days to learn about her cultivation progress and daily life.
His days were simple, like a straight line.
Life flowed steadily without any ripples.
Three months passed like fine sand slipping through fingers, vanishing silently.
During these three months, Lin Yang's soul power rose steadily.
He had already broken through to level 34, with level 35 only a step away.
In less than ten days or half a month, his soul power would firmly reach level 35.
Meanwhile, as Butterfly House's influence continued to grow, its patients were no longer limited to ordinary civilians and mercenaries.
It had begun to gain a certain reputation among hunting groups and lower-tier soul master organizations.
With more patients, Butterfly House's staff started to feel stretched thin.
Kathleen was especially busy, her feet never touching the ground.
Lin Yang was not a black-hearted boss who would overwork her alone.
Just as he was considering hiring more people as medical assistants, Kathleen's elder brother, Keynes, arrived at just the right time.
If it had been just him, that would have been fine—it wasn't the first time.
What surprised Lin Yang most was that Keynes had not only come himself but had also brought four girls around ten years old.
They stood neatly in a line, looking quite well-behaved.
Lin Yang eyed him strangely. "You... didn't do anything shady, did you?"
"How could I!"
Keynes nearly jumped up, looking like an innocent man being slandered. Still, he explained, "Don't worry, they're all children from clean backgrounds. Their families simply can't support them anymore. I heard from Kathleen that you were short on hands, so I brought them over."
He paused, then added, "No need to worry about anything else. You don't have to pay them wages—just provide food and lodging."
Although Keynes hadn't explained in detail, Lin Yang understood what he meant.
These children were the kind their families had completely given up on. Their futures held only a few bleak possibilities.
Bringing them here must have taken no small effort on Keynes's part.
Lin Yang thought for a moment and said, "Let these children stay at Butterfly House for now. I'll pay them wages as well. In the future, whether they want to leave or stay will be their own decision."
Keynes nodded slightly.
He trusted Lin Yang's character; that was why he had brought the children to Butterfly House.