As they neared Mingdu City, due to the city's no-fly restrictions, Jing Hongchen and Huo Yuhao descended and continued into the city on foot.
After entering the city, Jing Hongchen temporarily arranged accommodations for Huo Yuhao at the luxurious Mingdu Grand Hotel, then left alone on some undisclosed errand.
In the lavish, elegantly decorated suite, Huo Yuhao soaked in a warm bath, then sprawled out comfortably on the soft, fluffy bed.
"Ah, now this is living."
Compared to the days of oppression and humiliation he endured in the White Tiger Duke's residence, this was truly heaven and earth. Huo Yuhao was deeply moved.
Say what you will—at least the Sun Moon Empire could provide him a luxurious place like this. And what about the Star Luo Empire? Huh? Huh?? He was the son of a duke, yet his childhood was so miserable?
As a transmigrator, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but reflect on the past ten-odd years of his life—so much bitterness and hardship.
This debt, he would make sure the Star Luo Empire paid back in full—starting with their lands.
With a heart full of joy from his new lease on life, and weighed by the hatred of the past, Huo Yuhao slowly drifted into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Jing Hongchen arrived at his room.
"Good morning, Dean."
"Mm. Get dressed. We're going to meet an important figure. After that, you can officially begin your studies at the Royal Soul Engineering Academy."
Jing Hongchen tossed him a set of clothes. Huo Yuhao caught them and took a closer look.
Judging from the style…
"This is the Royal Soul Engineering Academy uniform, right, Dean?"
"That's right."
It was a sharp-looking uniform, finely crafted, exuding the grandeur represented by the word "Royal." At the same time, it carried the youthful energy of the Sun Moon Empire's most elite young generation.
To be blunt, this uniform could blow all the top-tier high school uniforms from Huo Yuhao's previous life out of the water.
As for comparing it with the uniforms from his previous homeland… well, not even worth mentioning.
After changing in a nearby room, Huo Yuhao stood before a mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
"Yeah, I'm still pretty handsome. I don't know why that certain author kept stressing I wasn't good-looking."
When he emerged neatly dressed, Jing Hongchen also nodded approvingly.
"Well? Fits you?"
"Perfectly, Dean. You really do have sharp eyes—you knew my size without even asking."
"Haha, you cheeky kid. I like the flattery, though. Alright, enough nonsense, let's go. We can't keep that big shot waiting—it's our job to wait for him."
Trailing behind Jing Hongchen, Huo Yuhao grew more curious with each step. Who exactly was this "important figure" they were going to meet?
And when he realized Jing was heading toward the imperial palace, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but guess.
"Could it be the emperor? No, he hasn't ascended yet… it must be Crown Prince Xu Tianran. He would have reason to meet me."
But soon enough, Huo Yuhao would get his answer.
They arrived at a reception hall in the palace. No one else was present, which meant they would have to wait.
What surprised Huo Yuhao even more was that Jing Hongchen didn't sit down. Instead, he stood respectfully, hands clasped behind his back, awaiting the arrival.
Even for Crown Prince Xu Tianran, would Jing really need to show this much courtesy? Unless…
At that moment, the hall doors opened.
An elder dressed in magnificent robes resembling ceremonial garb entered. He had rosy cheeks, white hair like cranes, and sharp, commanding eyes.
The instant he appeared, Jing Hongchen bent low in a formal bow.
"Greetings, Master."
"Enough of that, Hongchen. You're a man of considerable standing now. No need to treat me with such ceremony."
"That won't do, Master. Once a teacher, always a father."
Seeing Jing's insistence, the old man smiled helplessly and shook his head. Then he turned his interested gaze toward Huo Yuhao, who stood behind Jing.
"Yuhao, this is my teacher, the Sun Moon Empire's Rank 9 Soul Engineer, and Head of the Worship Hall—Elder Kong Deming."
With such a grand introduction from Jing, Huo Yuhao showed no surprise and immediately bowed.
"Elder Kong, it's truly my honor to meet someone of your stature, given who I am."
"Rise. So your name is Yuhao? Tell me—do you carry the surname Dai?"
Though he asked with a smile, his tone carried a dangerously probing edge.
Jing Hongchen, however, seemed unconcerned.
Huo Yuhao stood upright and met Elder Kong's scrutinizing gaze without flinching.
"Elder Kong, surely you jest. My biological father is indeed the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao. That's undeniable. But taking on the name Dai? Never. In this life, I'll only bear the surname of my mother, who suffered and died at the hands of that noble household—Huo."
As he spoke, his eyes were firm and resolute.
Kong Deming's expression softened, the probing gaze replaced by a warm, grandfatherly smile.
"Good. Very good. I see you're already wearing the uniform of our empire's most prestigious academy. I hope you'll study hard and strive to fulfill your ambition. Hongchen, take him to enroll. We'll speak later—some state matters require your attention. And do take good care of young Huo."
And just like that, Huo Yuhao's first meeting with the Sun Moon Empire's undisputed number one figure came to an end.
"That's it, Dean?"
On the way to the Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Huo Yuhao asked with some surprise.
"That's right. Elder Kong is always like that—values efficiency above all. Once he sees there's no issue, there's no need for further discussion."
"In fact, every soul engineer appreciates that principle—efficiency first."
Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement. As a former researcher in his past life, he quite liked this style as well.
When they arrived at the gates of the Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Jing Hongchen said,
"Yuhao, wait here. Someone will come soon to show you around the campus. I've got to go."
"Take care, Dean."
Watching the dean vanish without hesitation, Huo Yuhao's anticipation for academy life grew even stronger.
"I've finally made it this far."
Soul tool technology was incredibly appealing. These four simple words represented the Douluo Continent's boundless future—and the fundamental force behind modern society's progress.
In this academy, backed by the full might of the Sun Moon Empire's educational resources, Huo Yuhao would receive the most advanced soul tool education on the continent.
As a former researcher, he had no shortage of clever ideas. He couldn't wait to bring them to life through soul tool crafting.
(End of Chapter)
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