Early the next morning, golden sunlight streamed through the windows.
"Yu Kuang, I need you to return to the clan immediately and deliver a message to Second Uncle. Let him know how things are going on our side."
Lin Feng rose early and summoned Yu Kuang with a serious expression.
"Yes, young master."
Yu Kuang accepted the order and swiftly departed.
"Yan'er, Lingling, Xiao Wu—we should pack up. Tomorrow, we'll begin our journey back."
Lin Feng then turned to the three girls who had arrived a bit late, speaking with a calm tone.
"But Lin Feng, we haven't had enough fun yet! Can't we stay a few more days?"
Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu clung to him with reluctant expressions.
Amid the playful protest, Lin Feng paused to consider.
Even if they returned now, the academy was likely not yet completed. He might as well let them enjoy themselves a bit longer while gradually making their way back.
"Alright, alright—we'll travel while having some fun along the way, how's that?"
He gave in with a gentle smile.
"Yes!"
The girls jumped up in excitement.
---
Time passed quickly, and a full month flew by.
Eventually, the group arrived at Flame City.
As they approached, their eyes widened in astonishment at what lay before them.
The once modest Flame City had been transformed into a grand and magnificent stronghold, with vast new sections expanding its borders.
"Has it really changed this much in just a short time?"
Liu Erlong couldn't help but marvel aloud.
Perplexed by the transformation, the group stepped into the city and immediately noticed numerous people dressed in red and black.
The red-clad individuals were clearly members of the Lin Clan, including several familiar faces from their time in Heaven Dou City.
With her sharp eyes, Liu Erlong quickly identified those in black as members of the Yu Clan.
"Lin Feng, was this expansion built with the help of the Yu Clan?"
"No wonder Flame City changed so dramatically in just a few days."
She turned to Lin Feng, offering her deduction.
Lin Feng nodded slightly, a glint of understanding in his eyes.
The group continued on, making their way through the bustling city until they found Second Uncle, hard at work.
"There you are! I've been hoping you'd return every day."
Seeing them from afar, Second Uncle broke into a warm smile and strode over to greet them.
"Uncle, what's with the drastic transformation of the city?"
"It's beyond anything I expected."
Lin Feng, after a few words of greeting, quickly asked in surprise.
"Hahaha."
"Ever since I got your message about building the academy, I didn't waste a moment."
"Then I thought, since we're building an academy anyway, why not expand the entire city while we're at it?"
"After all, this will become the foundation of our Lin Clan."
Second Uncle explained with a laugh.
"Foundation?"
Lin Feng repeated, a bit confused.
"The Lin Clan has been granted the noble title of Marquis."
Second Uncle beamed with pride as he dropped the bombshell.
"What?! Granted a marquisate?"
"Don't tell me…"
Lin Feng's eyes widened in shock, his mind already racing ahead.
"That's right. It's because your father has been appointed as the new Grand Marshal of the Empire."
"That honor is what brought our clan this prestigious title."
"And honestly, it's all thanks to you."
Second Uncle saw through Lin Feng's thoughts and nodded.
To outsiders, it seemed as though the Lin Clan had risen to prominence because of Lin Ye.
But only insiders knew—Lin Feng was the true reason behind the clan's meteoric rise.
"Hahaha, Lin Feng!"
"From now on, when you introduce yourself, won't you have to start with: 'Son of the Marquis'?"
Dugu Yan teased him with a playful grin.
"What's a marquis?"
Xiao Wu tilted her head, her rabbit ears drooping as she blinked curiously.
"Hahaha!"
Second Uncle, Liu Erlong, and the others burst out laughing.
"Xiao Wu, noble titles are ranks of honor bestowed by the royal family."
"A marquis is about as high as a noble family can reach—it means owning an entire city as your fief."
"Above that is the duke, who commands dozens of cities and governs a duchy—about one-tenth of the Heaven Dou Empire's territory."
"These titles usually go to royal elites or long-standing noble families that have existed since the founding of the empire."
"Ordinary people could never reach such heights."
"Over half the empire is under the control of these great dukes."
Ye Lingling patiently explained as Xiao Wu listened, her wide eyes full of innocent confusion.
"Ohhh..."
Xiao Wu nodded vaguely, still not quite understanding, but she tried her best.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng quietly nodded to himself, a warm satisfaction welling in his chest.
His father had long dreamed of this marquis title. Now that it had finally come true, Lin Feng was sure he must be overjoyed.
"Lin Feng, are these your new companions?"
Second Uncle looked over and noticed a few unfamiliar faces.
"Mhm. This is Xiao Wu, and next to her is Ma Hongjun."
Snapping out of his thoughts, Lin Feng introduced them one by one.
"Hello, Uncle!"
Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun quickly greeted him with smiles and bows.
"Very good!"
"It's great to see our Feng'er attracting more and more talented companions."
Second Uncle laughed proudly.
The more, the better, he thought—because everyone Lin Feng brought back was impressively gifted.
"Uncle, has Poison Douluo arrived yet?"
Lin Feng asked next.
"He has. As soon as he heard it was your request, he agreed without hesitation."
"It's a shame, though. Your academy can't have a family member as headmaster."
Second Uncle shook his head with some regret.
"It's only natural. Grandpa Dugu is far more renowned than our family for now."
"And Father's duties as Grand Marshal won't allow him the time anyway."
"So having Poison Douluo as the headmaster is the perfect choice."
Lin Feng smiled and explained.
"You're right. And in the end, we're all family."
Second Uncle agreed without hesitation.
Then, the group followed him toward the new academy grounds.
There, in the newly expanded section of Flame City, rows of brand-new buildings rose from the earth.
---
Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the main teaching hall, Flender—who had been working nonstop for days—finally took a break.
Looking down over the training field, he watched as two students sparred below.
Several young girls stood nearby, cheering and excitedly watching the match.
Older Lin Clan disciples, including Lin Jian, stood on the high platforms at the academy gate, observing with interest.
Flender felt his blood surging with passion, his chest swelling with pride.
This... this is what a true monster academy looks like!
And to think all this talent came from just one clan—the Lin Clan!
How could there possibly be a shortage of geniuses with a young master like Lin Feng at the helm?
He stroked his chin and sighed with admiration.
---
Elsewhere.
Lin Feng entered the academy grounds with Dugu Yan, Liu Erlong, and the others.
The campus was bustling with activity.
"Young Master! Elder Lin!"
"Young Master has returned!"
Voices greeted them from all directions.
"While you said the academy should only admit true talents,"
"A school of this scale needs support staff to function smoothly—so I asked our clan to help."
Second Uncle explained as they walked.
Just then, a figure streaked through the sky like a shooting star and landed gracefully before them.
It was Dugu Bo.
"My precious granddaughter—you're finally back."
He smiled warmly, eyes full of affection as he gazed at Dugu Yan.
---
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