Tianlin swaggered out with Yang Wudi and the Element Academy students.
Emperor Xue Ye, Prince Xue Xing, and Crown Prince Xue Beng could do nothing but seethe in silence.
As they watched Tianlin's group leave, the Grandmaster, who had been hiding in the crowd, spoke up with a final comment: "Holy Demon Douluo Jun Tianlin—now that this overwhelmingly powerful new Titled Douluo has risen, the balance of the continent is about to change completely!"
After leaving the palace, Tianlin first took the three deans to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to collect their students. Unfortunately, many students had become spoiled by the academy's atmosphere and refused to leave.
After all, they used to train hard every day, but here, as long as they attached themselves to a noble, they could eat and drink well with no effort.
The deans felt bitter, but there was nothing they could do. It was the students' choice.
In the end, out of all three academies, fewer than a hundred students chose to leave with them.
For Tianlin, this was enough. He'd rather have one hardworking student than a hundred spoiled noble brats.
He already knew Ning Fengzhi's plan to found an academy in the future—a school that focused solely on nurturing talented students, regardless of politics. Such an institution would be vital for the continent's development. Even the most gifted needed guidance—not just in training and fighting, but in how to be a good soul master.
The four people who had taught Tianlin the most since arriving on this continent were Ning Fengzhi, Qian Renxue, Chen Xin, and Qin Ming.
Chen Xin taught him swordsmanship and combat; Qin Ming taught him teamwork; Ning Fengzhi taught him to use his intellect; Qian Renxue taught him that a soul master's code must be based on law and virtue.
Many of these things Tianlin had learned in his previous life's compulsory education, but not everyone had past-life memories. For the continent to progress, these values must be passed down through generations. That's why a school that could last millions of years—like Shrek Academy in the original—was needed.
Tianlin admitted that Shrek's early school motto wasn't great, but its millennia of contributions to the continent could not be denied.
On the way back, Tianlin shared this idea with the three deans, who immediately grew excited about the future. As teachers, the chance to build an academy that would pass on knowledge to the whole continent was the greatest honor.
"How wonderful, Lord Tianlin! This academy must be built soon—I want to transfer and be part of the first graduating class!" Shui Yue'er's eyes sparkled. She dreamed of making history.
"Yue'er, you should address him as Holy Demon Douluo now. He's already chosen his title, so don't be disrespectful," Shui Qingwu admonished. Before, when he hadn't picked a title, it didn't matter, but now, respect was required—this was the honor due to a Titled Douluo.
"What's the big deal? Holy Demon Douluo doesn't act all high and mighty," Shui Yue'er pouted, though she didn't dare say more—her strict mother scared her most.
This time, Tianlin didn't argue. He didn't really care how others addressed him, but Shui Yue'er's nicknames were a bit much. Having one "Rongrong" was enough. He preferred others use normal titles.
"Oh, Lord Holy Demon, forgive my boldness, but may I ask your current level?" Feng Xiaotian asked. He had always considered Tianlin his goal. Even though he knew he couldn't catch up now, he wanted to know the gap.
"Ninety-fourth rank. My ninth soul ring is stronger than usual, so after absorbing it I gained several levels at once. I'm just one step away from becoming a Super Douluo," Tianlin replied.
To start as a Titled Douluo at rank ninety-four shocked everyone once again. Now, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly had nothing to fear from Spirit Hall.
Indeed, Spirit Hall had two peak Douluo—Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong—but so did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
In a straight fight, Tianlin was not afraid of either. Of course, defeating them would still be hard, since their spirit power was much deeper. If he couldn't win quickly, a drawn-out fight would be disadvantageous.
Maybe if he summoned both gods, he could suppress them briefly, but that consumed soul power rapidly. If they dragged things out, he'd still be at a disadvantage.
Still, the only gap was soul power reserves. If it came to a fight lasting days, he wouldn't be at much of a disadvantage.
And Tianlin's ninth soul ring—expected to grant four abilities, since it was a million-year ring—actually gave him only one, meaning four skills had merged into one ultimate move.
That was the Heaven and Earth Elemental Spirit Slash, fusing all five elements into one. Thanks to the divine ring, his Demon Sword's properties were now fully harmonized.
Even Tianlin couldn't estimate the attack power of this move. He only knew that if he'd used it in the palace just now, with no one to stop him, not just the palace, but the capital, the Royal Academy, and everything within hundreds of miles would have become a wasteland.
Soon after, Tianlin led everyone back to the sect, where Ning Fengzhi was waiting. As always, he was gracious and respectful to talent, despite being a Titled Douluo himself. Even Xue Beng understood the importance of strength—how could he not?
Being greeted personally by the sect master, the three deans were deeply grateful.
Ning Fengzhi asked Tianlin to take the Element Academy students to rest, then listened to Gu Rong recount everything that had happened at the palace.
"You didn't kill Xue Ye, Xue Beng, or Xue Xing? What a pity!" Ning Fengzhi said when he heard the story. He had hoped for more chaos, but Tianlin was sentimental—because the three elders had always looked after him, he gave them face.
Still, Tianlin had killed a Clear Sky Sect elder and stolen the Crown Prince's bride, so he'd completely fallen out with both the Empire and the sect.
Now, it was only a matter of time before Spirit Hall reacted.
Spirit Hall's power was enough to found a nation. In the original, they did so three months after the Seven Great Sects' tournament. They'd only held off so far out of fear of the top three sects and the two empires joining forces.
Now, with Ning Fengzhi intentionally breaking ties with the Empire, he'd handed them the perfect opportunity.
Meanwhile, after settling the Element Academy people into guest rooms, Tianlin excused himself.
"Miss Shui, please wait," Yang Wudi suddenly called to Shui Bing'er.
"Senior Yang, why are you up? You're still injured. Didn't Lord Holy Demon tell you to rest?" Shui Bing'er hurried to help Yang Wudi sit down.
She owed her rescue today to Tianlin, but it was Yang Wudi's involvement that made Tianlin act. She was deeply grateful.
"It's just a minor injury. I forgot something. Here, this is for you—the Snow Spirit Pill I promised," Yang Wudi said, taking out a small wooden box containing a cold, radiant pill.
Shui Bing'er accepted it, touched that Yang Wudi remembered his promise. Tears she'd held back all day finally fell—not tears of sorrow, but of joy.
"Senior Yang, I can never repay your kindness. My father abandoned me, but your presence feels like the fatherly love I never had. Senior, if you're willing, I'd like to recognize you as my father and care for you all my life," Shui Bing'er said suddenly.
"If I had a daughter like you, that would be wonderful. But I've never been a father—I don't know if I'd be any good at it," Yang Wudi replied, scratching his head.
Shui Bing'er smiled gently. "It's okay if you don't know how to be a father. I know how to be a daughter. I think being filial to a father is much like to a mother."
Hidden nearby, Bai He smiled, seeing that Xue Beng's actions had at least done some good—giving the old goat a lovely daughter and giving Shui Bing'er the fatherly love she missed.