Chapter 16: The Battle for Enrollment.
Ye Xingyue sized up Ye Xuanming, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.
"This is Ye Xuanming, whom we met in Sunset Forest today."
Ye Lingling gave a brief introduction.
Ye Xingyue looked Ye Xuanming up and down, then glanced at her daughter and Dugu Yan, a sly glint in her eyes.
"Oh? Is this Yanzi or Lingling's boyfriend?"
"Mother~"
Ye Lingling's voice carried a hint of shyness.
"Aunt Ye~"
Dugu Yan's face instantly turned red to the roots of her ears.
Ye Xuanming smiled and spoke after seeing the two women's reactions.
"Aunt Ye, we're just friends. My name is Ye Xuanming."
"Also surnamed Ye?"
Ye Xingyue's eyes lit up.
"Then Xuanming can call me Aunt Ye from now on. We're from the same clan."
She took Ye Xuanming's hand and said affectionately.
"Come inside quickly, it's chilly outside."
After everyone entered the house, Ye Xingyue busied herself preparing tea and snacks.
"Xuanming, where do you live? What do your parents do?"
While busy with her work, Ye Xingyue asked casually.
Ye Xuanming paused for a moment.
"I am an orphan; my parents died early."
Ye Xingyue paused in her movements, a hint of apology flashing across her face.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Ye didn't know."
"It's alright, Aunt Ye."
Ye Xuanming shook his head, indicating that he didn't care.
Looking at the young boy in front of her who was unusually mature despite his young age, Ye Xingyue felt a surge of maternal affection.
"Since we're from the same family, this will be your home from now on. You can stay as long as you want."
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
Ye Xuanming bowed respectfully.
Dugu Yan watched this heartwarming scene from the side, feeling a little envious.
Although Ye Lingling doesn't have a father, she is fortunate to have such a gentle mother.
As for myself... apart from my grandfather, that means I have nothing left.
But now...
Dugu Yan's gaze shifted to Ye Xuanming, as if she had found a new source of amusement.
"By the way, Aunt Ye, I plan to recommend Ye Xuanming to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Dugu Yan spoke.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Ye Xingyue pondered for a moment.
"It is indeed a good choice. With Xuanming's talent, he can receive better training there."
She paused, then added.
"And you and Lingling can look after each other there."
Ye Lingling nodded beside her.
Although she was not usually talkative, she was supportive of Ye Xuanming joining the academy.
"Then it's decided. Tomorrow, Lingling and I will go to the academy together to help you with your enrollment procedures."
Dugu Yan said excitedly.
"Yanzi, don't you need to go find your grandfather?"
Ye Xingyue asked.
"No need, I can handle this little thing myself."
Dugu Yan was full of confidence.
It was late at night. Ye Xingyue arranged for Ye Xuanming to stay in the guest room, while Dugu Yan stayed with Ye Lingling.
Lying on the unfamiliar bed, Ye Xuanming reflected on what he had accomplished that day.
Not only did he obtain his second spirit ring, but he also successfully made contact with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, bringing him one step closer to his goal of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Just as he was about to meditate and rest, he heard two girls whispering in the next room.
"Lingling, what do you think of Ye Xuanming?"
"What do you mean, how about it?"
"So... what's it like being a boy?"
"Yanzi, you wouldn't be...?"
"I don't know, I just felt he was special. The way he saved me..."
"What position?"
"It was the one who had his arm around my waist... My heart still races when I think about it."
The two girls chattered away, as today was the first time Dugu Yan had been in such close contact with a boy.
...
The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the window, and Ye Xuanming woke up early.
He habitually does morning exercises, stretching his muscles in the yard.
Ye Xingyue pushed open the door and saw a small figure practicing boxing in the courtyard. The movements were fluid and graceful, and each move contained considerable power.
"Xuanming, breakfast is ready."
"You're here, Aunt Ye."
Ye Xuanming stopped his movements and walked into the house.
At the dining table, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were already seated. The two girls had chatted late into the night and were both a little sleepy.
"I'll accompany you to the academy today," Ye Xingyue said as she served porridge.
"Aunt Ye is going too?" Dugu Yan was a little surprised.
"Of course I have to go to Xuanming's school entrance exam, which is such an important event." Ye Xingyue smiled gently.
"Besides, given my status as the Nine-Hearted Begonia, my recommendation for someone to enroll should be more convincing."
Ye Lingling nodded in agreement.
"Mother is right. The Nine Heart Begonia has a very special status on the mainland, and the Education Commission will not refuse to give it face."
Ye Xuanming felt a warmth in his heart.
After breakfast, the four of them went out together.
The Heavenly Dou Royal Academy is located in the northern part of Heavenly Dou City and covers a vast area.
From afar, the magnificent building complex gleamed in the morning light.
"Wow, it's huge!" Ye Xuanming pretended to be someone who had never seen anything like it before.
Dugu Yan raised her chin smugly beside her.
"Of course, this is the best academy in the Heaven Dou Empire."
Ye Lingling added softly.
"The teachers in the academy are all Soul Emperors or higher, and the Education Committee members are even Soul Douluo level."
The four arrived at the academy gate, and the guards on the gate immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
"Miss Dugu, Miss Ye."
"We need to see the Education Commission; it's important," Dugu Yan said.
The guards dared not delay and immediately sent someone to report.
Soon, an elderly man with white hair walked over.
He was tall with neatly combed silver hair, and his soul power fluctuations were extremely strong.
It was Meng Shenji, one of the three academic committee members of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.
"Patriarch Ye, I have long admired your name." Meng Shenji took the initiative to bow to Ye Xingyue.
The unique nature of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul gives Ye Xingyue a remarkable status throughout the entire Heaven Dou Empire.
Even a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse wouldn't dare underestimate a top-tier healing-type Soul Master.
After all, no one can guarantee that they will never get hurt in their lifetime.
"You're too kind, Commissioner Meng," Ye Xingyue returned the greeting.
"We've come today to enroll this child in school."
Meng Shenji's gaze fell on Ye Xuanming, and he looked him up and down.
"Who is this...?"
"Ye Xuanming, a distant relative of mine," Ye Xingyue said, taking the initiative to speak.
A warm feeling welled up in Ye Xuanming's heart once again.
Ye Xingyue is endorsing herself, using her identity as the Nine-Heart Begonia as a guarantee.
Meng Shenji nodded.
"Since it's recommended by Patriarch Ye, there's naturally no problem. However, according to the academy's regulations, a test is still required."
"Of course," Ye Xingyue said, expressing her understanding.
The group arrived at the testing hall inside the academy.
"First, measure your bone age."
Meng Shenji placed his hand on Ye Xuanming's arm, and the next moment, Meng Shenji raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Test soul power again."
Ye Xuanming placed his hand on the crystal ball, and blue light instantly filled the entire sphere.
Meng Shenji observed carefully for a while, his expression changing from calm to surprise, and finally to shock.
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(End of this Chapter)