The excitement of Grand Martial Academy's opening ceremony gradually subsided. Representatives of various factions left, each with complicated feelings, but the names "Body Sect" and "Grand Martial Academy" began to shake the continent.
From the very first day, the academy launched intensive follow-up work and future planning.
In a quiet, elegant room, Chen Yi gazed at the elder before him, his face filled with surprise and confusion, as if doubting what he'd just heard.
"What? You want me to go to Grand Martial Academy… to study?"
He repeated the Grand Elder's words, his tone incredulous.
Chen Yi didn't dislike studying at the academy; thanks to memories from his previous life, he had no ill feelings toward campus life. The Body Sect in this life had abundant resources, but most training was self-cultivation or guided by seniors; he'd never truly experienced systematic academy education.
What surprised him was that, with his current strength, attending the academy to study would be blatant bullying.
Though still only ten, Chen Yi's soul power had reached the Soul Ancestor. His true combat power matched or threatened even Soul Saints who had unlocked the true form of their martial spirits. With such strength, even placed in the highest-level soul master academies, he'd be overqualified as a teacher or department head.
For him and the disciples who regularly left the Soul Ancestor to participate in evaluations, joining as students would seem bizarre.
The Elder saw Chen Yi's barely concealed surprise but remained calm, as if he had predicted this reaction. He picked up his tea, took a slow sip, and spoke.
"Xiao Yi, I know your strength well. Attending the academy isn't about learning basic theory or low-level combat training like an ordinary student."
The Grand Elder set down his cup, his gaze deepening.
"The academy may have started with great momentum, and there are five titled Douluos as heads, making for an unrivaled faculty. But if we truly want to shake the system of soul master education that Spirit Hall has built up over years, this alone isn't enough."
His tone grew slightly solemn.
"Don't look at the current generation of Spirit Hall Academy—they don't have monsters like you or geniuses like Bing'er. But you must know that Spirit Hall has sub-halls across the continent, with over 80% of the continent's young soul master geniuses enrolled!"
He continued his analysis.
"Within Spirit Hall, after thousands of years, a powerful network of soul master families has formed. These families send their outstanding descendants to Spirit Hall Academy generation after generation. Their accumulated heritage, connections, and unique cultivation legacies cannot be underestimated."
"The students of this generation may not be the best in a single academy, but in terms of quantity, quality, and especially core strength, Spirit Hall is undoubtedly the best on the continent."
"Our Grand Martial Academy may have the strongest faculty, but we do not have an absolute advantage over Spirit Hall."
A gleam of wisdom flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes.
"I can guarantee that after Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others return to Spirit City and report what they saw at our academy, it will shock the upper echelons of Spirit Hall. In response, I fear they will soon undergo a major bloodline renewal and strengthening."
"When that happens, our faculty's advantage will be greatly weakened."
Chen Yi listened quietly, his mind already clear. Spirit Hall's foundation ran too deep to be shaken in a single night.
"So," the Elder concluded, his eyes blazing as he stared at Chen Yi, "if Grand Martial Academy wants to quickly establish itself, surpass Spirit Hall Academy, and become known as 'the continent's number one academy,' there is only one fastest, most direct, and most appropriate method—"
He paused, fixing Chen Yi with a steady gaze.
"That is, in the upcoming Continental Five Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, defeat Spirit Hall's team in a dignified manner before the eyes of all!"
Chen Yi nodded, understanding the sect's strategic intent. The Soul Master Tournament was the most influential event on the continent. Beating Spirit Hall Academy there would signal the fall of the old king and the coronation of the new.
The Elder referred not to the tournament attended by Tang San in the original work, but the one three years later. As Chen Yi recalled, the original barely mentioned this tournament, and Spirit Hall's strength was only average—certainly not at the "Golden Generation" level. With no super-geniuses, victory would be within reach thanks to Qian Renxue's power and her own help.
"Understood," Chen Yi replied. "The sect wants me as a member of Grand Martial Academy's team for the competition three years from now."
"Exactly." The Elder looked satisfied. "Don't worry, this won't delay your regular training. You'll still have the best resources and inheritances; your path will still be governed by the Body Sect system."
"At the academy, you're more of a symbolic figure. You'll only represent the academy when needed, and your daily training and freedom won't be restricted. The academy will also provide every convenience."
This was equivalent to being a specially contracted ace student—free to train normally, but expected to perform when it mattered. Naturally, Chen Yi had no objections.
"Very well. I'll follow the sect's arrangements."
Once things were settled, Chen Yi recalled yesterday's events, and the Elder's intriguing attitude towards Ghost Douluo, and asked with interest, "Elder, about Ghost Douluo… How does the sect plan to handle him?"
The Elder pondered for a while, his expression thoughtful.
"All Body Under Heaven Are One Family," he said slowly and solemnly. "This is the foundation of our sect, and it will never change."
"I heard stories of ghosts when I was young. Years ago, after discussion and analysis with the sect master and several old brothers, we speculated that the so-called 'Ghost' was likely a rare, accidental second awakening of an Body Martial Spirit triggered by an extremely special and dying environment."
After a pause, the Elder continued, "But at that time, the people around him didn't understand the mystery of a second awakening, and the special environment failed to complete it fully. Instead, he became trapped in a strange state—he did not gain the full power of a second awakening, but did acquire some foundations and features."
"With the Body Sect's current depth and ability in Martial Spirit body research," the Elder's tone brimmed with confidence, "if he wants to complete the link and achieve his unfinished second awakening, while it will take resources and effort, it's not impossible."
Chen Yi remained silent. He understood that the only known Body Martial Spirit Douluo outside the sect—Ghost Douluo—had always been a potential target for the Body Sect. In the past, however, the sect's strength was unclear, and the situation was awkward. Sudden contact might have delayed Ghost Douluo's progress or even brought danger to themselves.
"But…" Chen Yi asked the most crucial question, "after all, he was raised and cultivated by Spirit Hall, and is of direct lineage. Would he really want to return to the Body Sect? That would be extremely difficult."
The Grand Elder responded with a meaningful, mysterious smile.
"Xiao Yi, wherever there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and thus, conflict. Especially in a huge force like Spirit Hall, after thousands of years, the interior is tangled and full of factions."
The Elder's gaze seemed to penetrate the walls and see the undercurrents within Spirit City.
"For many years, Spirit Hall has not been monolithic. Besides the Three Main Systems—the Woship Hall, the Elder Hall, and the Pope Hall—many soul master families and interest groups belonging to different factions have arisen."
"Ghost Douluo is strong and among the elders of the Elder Hall, but both he and his colleague come from humble origins, lacking the strength of powerful families to rely on."
His tone was detached but insightful. "When the wind is calm, one can stand firm on one's own strength. But if there's a major power shift or collapse within Spirit Hall, titled Douluos with high rank but no family foundation are often the most vulnerable."
"So," the Elder withdrew his gaze, looking at Chen Yi with resolve, "when the real choice is before him and he realizes his true 'roots' and 'destination,' Ghost Douluo will… make the most correct and beneficial choice for himself."
"All we need do is wait patiently and extend a hand for reconciliation at the right moment."
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