After resting at the Li residence in Heaven Dou City for several days, Li Zhaoyan took Marco and Ye Lingling to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to complete their enrollment procedures. Before departing, Li Zhaoyan once again reminded Marco: "Marco, when we arrive at the academy, tell others that your Innate Soul Power is level nine." He knew full well that Innate Full Soul Power was too astonishing and could easily attract unnecessary attention or even trouble. Being more low-key would allow the child to focus better on cultivation itself.
Marco nodded in agreement: "I understand, Father." He glanced at Ye Lingling beside him. His sister's Innate Soul Power was level nine—though still genius-level, it wasn't unheard of, so there was no need to deliberately conceal it.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy was located in the suburbs of Heaven Dou City, built against a mountain with magnificent grandeur. Li Zhaoyan didn't stop at the entrance but led the two children straight to the most solemn area deep within the academy—the Education Committee sector. As a powerful Soul Douluo, he was clearly very familiar with this place.
In the Education Committee hall, three elderly men seemed to have already sensed their arrival and were quietly waiting. Upon seeing Li Zhaoyan, the three chiefs showed genuine smiles and stepped forward together.
The Control System Soul Douluo Meng Shenji at the forefront laughed: "Brother Li! What a rare guest! What brings such a busy man like you to our academy? It's truly been a long time!"
The plump, kindly-faced Defense System Soul Douluo Bai Baoshan also chuckled and added: "Indeed, Zhaoyan. Since you got married, you've rarely visited our academy."
The elegant Control System Soul Douluo Zhi Lin similarly smiled and nodded in greeting: "The three chiefs haven't gathered like this in so long. You must have important business today, right?"
Li Zhaoyan also smiled and cupped his hands in salute: "Three chiefs, long time no see. I hope all has been well. I do have a favor to ask today." He stepped aside to present Marco and Ye Lingling. "I've brought two children to enroll. I apologize for the disturbance."
Meng Shenji's gaze swept over Marco and Ye Lingling, a trace of curiosity flashing in his eyes as he sighed emotionally: "Time flies so fast! The once-renowned 'Fighter' Li Zhaoyan, who shook the Soul Master World, now has children old enough to enroll. It feels like those earth-shattering events happened just yesterday."
Ye Wantang stood to the side, smiling gently without interrupting Meng Shenji's words. Marco and Ye Lingling cast curious glances—they didn't know much about their father's past.
Bai Baoshan stroked his beard and laughed: "Zhaoyan's children must have extraordinary talent, right? Truly something to look forward to."
Zhi Lin also nodded in agreement: "With Li family bloodline and Wantang's Nine Heart Begonia, these two children's talents must be astonishing."
Seeing the children's interest, Meng Shenji continued with unconcealed admiration, "Children, you may not know how remarkable your father was in his prime. Back in the Soul Master World, Brother Li was famously known as the 'Fighter'—invincible among peers and capable of challenging those above his level! As a Soul King, he once slew a Soul Emperor. After advancing to Soul Emperor, he achieved the astonishing feat of defeating a Soul Saint! By the time he became a Soul Saint, it was widely acknowledged in the Soul Master World that ordinary Soul Douluo no longer dared to act recklessly in his presence! There were even rumors that at his peak as a Soul Saint, he possessed the ability to briefly contend with newly advanced Titled Douluo! We all believed he had the potential to become the continent's youngest Titled Douluo!"
He paused, shifting his gaze to Li Zhaoyan with a graver tone, "Now Brother Li has reached the eighty-third level, his strength unfathomable. To be blunt, even if the three of us old fellows joined forces, we might not reliably defeat him. Should he advance to Titled Douluo, his power would likely become immeasurable, potentially surpassing ordinary Titled Douluo."
Ye Lingling listened with slightly parted lips, gazing at Li Zhaoyan with worshipful eyes twinkling like little stars. Though Marco knew his father was powerful, hearing such concrete glorious achievements and his potential to rival Titled Douluo left him deeply shocked, while a sense of pride welled up within him.
Amid his astonishment, Marco grew curious and couldn't help asking, "Senior Meng Shenji, with Father being so formidable back then, weren't there major forces trying to recruit him?"
Meng Shenji laughed heartily, "Of course there were! Every notable force across the continent—from the Spirit Hall and the two great empires down to various sects and Soul Master families—essentially extended olive branches to your father, each offering more generous terms than the last. Even the Spirit Hall vigorously invited him." His tone then shifted, carrying a hint of regret and understanding, "But your father had different aspirations and politely declined most offers. After marrying your mother, he gradually withdrew from the conflicts of the Soul Master World to focus on family. Such temperament is truly admirable."
Marco seemed thoughtful, as if wanting to ask more about the Spirit Hall's specific circumstances, but before he could fully voice his question, Meng Shenji and Li Zhaoyan already understood his meaning. Everyone exchanged knowing smiles, and Li Zhaoyan gently shook his head, indicating the matter needn't be discussed further. Some past events might not be suitable for detailed discussion before children. With tacit understanding, they let the matter drop and shifted the conversation back to the present.
Li Zhaoyan took the opportunity to formally introduce, "Chief Meng, Vice-Chief Bai, Third Seat Zhi Lin, this is my adopted son Marco, six years old. His Martial Soul has undergone a benign mutation—it's the Azure Flame Phoenix. With ninth-level Innate Soul Power, he just obtained his first Spirit Ring and is now a thirteenth-level Power Attack System Soul Master." He truthfully disclosed the Martial Soul name and adopted son status but still concealed the fact of Innate Full Soul Power, adjusting the soul power level as required. "This is my daughter Ye Lingling, also six years old. Her Martial Soul is the Nine Heart Begonia with ninth-level Innate Soul Power. She just obtained her first Spirit Ring and is now a twelfth-level Support System Soul Master."
Upon hearing the words "adopted son," Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin simultaneously showed surprised expressions on their faces.
Meng Shenji clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Ah! Brother Li, we've long heard about you adopting a son but never had the chance to meet him. Who would have thought we'd encounter such a fortunate coincidence today! And even more unexpectedly, this child's talent is so remarkable! The legendary Phoenix Martial Soul with level nine Innate Soul Power! This is truly... truly astonishing!"
Bai Baoshan's round face beamed with a wide smile as he marveled, "Indeed, Zhaoyan! You've made an excellent choice in adopting this child, a truly brilliant decision! The Phoenix - this is a legendary top-tier Martial Soul, its rarity and power far surpassing ordinary Martial Souls! Level nine Innate Soul Power, a thirteen-level Soul Master at six years old! Such talent is something even many direct descendants of major clans cannot hope to achieve! His future accomplishments will be limitless, absolutely limitless!"
Zhi Lin's scholarly face also showed full appreciation. After carefully sensing the steady yet blazing Soul Power fluctuations emanating from Marco, as well as his foundation that far exceeded his peers, he nodded and said, "Solid foundation, condensed Soul Power, a steady yet fierce aura - truly worthy of a top-tier Martial Soul possessor. Brother Li, not only are you exceptionally powerful yourself, but your eye for selecting and nurturing successors is equally sharp! With your guidance, this child is destined to become another brilliant rising star in the Soul Master World!"
The surprise and admiration from the three chiefs came from the heart. They had originally thought Li Zhaoyan's child's exceptional talent came from inheriting excellent bloodlines from both parents, never expecting one of them was actually adopted, and this adopted son's talent seemed even more astonishing. They naturally knew of the Phoenix Martial Soul's reputation - an existence in no way inferior to top-tier Martial Souls like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Clear Sky Hammer, and even more rare and powerful in certain aspects.
Meng Shenji looked at Marco again, his eyes filled with expectation: "Child, you're excellent! Truly outstanding! For Brother Li to adopt you as his son is both your opportunity and his blessing. To achieve such accomplishments, you must have put in tremendous effort yourself. In the future at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, you must diligently cultivate, never failing to live up to your father's expectations, nor wasting this exceptional talent of yours!"
Feeling the three chiefs' sincere praise and expectations, Marco felt warmth in his heart and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your praise, three chiefs. Marco will definitely work hard in cultivation, living up to the expectations of my father and you three seniors."
Li Zhaoyan looked at Marco, his eyes showing gratification and pride. Ye Wantang smiled gently, softly holding Ye Lingling.
Meng Shenji clapped and laughed: "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Brother Li, you've delivered two treasures to our academy! One with a mutated top-tier assault-type Phoenix Martial Soul, and another with the world's number one healing-type Nine Heart Begonia, both with level nine Innate Soul Power! Rest assured, while these children are at the academy, we three old fellows will definitely provide careful guidance!"
After pondering for a moment, Meng Shenji instructed a waiting teacher beside him: "Teacher Sun, please take Marco and Ye Lingling to register at Sky Minor Grade Class One. Most children in this class are new one-ring Soul Masters, making it perfect for them to integrate into academy life from the beginning. Teacher Sun is also this class's homeroom teacher, so please take good care of the children from now on."
A man who appeared to be in his thirties, with a gentle and capable demeanor, stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Yes, Chief. Senior Li, rest assured, I will take good care of the two children." He turned to Marco and Ye Lingling with a kind smile: "Marco, Ye Lingling, welcome to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Please follow me."
After bidding farewell to the three chiefs and their parents with a bow, Marco and Ye Lingling followed Teacher Sun and left the Education Committee. A new academy life was about to unfold before them. The awe and pride brought by their father's legendary past, as well as the expectations carried by their own Phoenix Martial Souls, were deeply imprinted in their hearts, transforming into an invisible force that spurred them forward.
Teacher Sun led Marco and Ye Lingling through the grand corridors toward the Sky Minor Grade teaching building. Along the way, Teacher Sun briefly introduced the academy's layout: "That area is the Simulated Training Area, which simulates various environments based on different Martial Soul characteristics and is highly beneficial for cultivation. Over there is the Soul Duel Area, where students can spar and compete. And that is the library, housing many books on Soul Master theory and Spirit Abilities..."