At the top of the volcano.
A circular platform encircled the crater, which billowed with black smoke.
"This magma pool was brought here by Fire Dragon. There's a reservoir beneath, and below that, a mechanism that periodically raises the magma to keep it flowing."
Second Uncle explained as he led the way.
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng stepped forward and looked down. Around the crater spiraled a staircase leading deep into the subterranean magma lake.
Every few steps along the staircase, there were small platforms for rest. On two of those platforms sat people cross-legged in meditation.
Lin Feng squinted for a better look—and to his surprise, the cultivators were none other than Lin Long and Lin Xue.
Lin Feng couldn't help but feel puzzled. Lin Long's diligence was understandable, but when had Lin Xue become so dedicated?
Her forehead was covered in sweat, clearly exhausted from intense cultivation.
"This girl has been training hard lately. Perhaps she knows her fate has changed and is cherishing this hard-won opportunity."
Second Uncle chuckled, seeing Lin Feng's confusion, and offered an explanation.
"Guess what Rank Lin Xue has reached now?"
Lin Feng nodded slightly at that, then Second Uncle asked with a smile.
"Uh… Rank 57?"
"No wait—Rank 58?"
Seeing Second Uncle's smile, Lin Feng figured Lin Xue's rank couldn't be low. He originally meant to guess 57, but ended up saying 58.
With three levels added from his innate soul power boost, four levels from the immortal herb, and one from a soul ring, 58 seemed plausible.
"It's Rank 59."
"After Lin Long absorbed a 20,000-year soul ring and broke through to 58, Lin Xue followed suit and reached 59 just a few days ago."
Second Uncle shook his head with a proud grin.
"Hm?!"
Lin Feng was visibly stunned.
Second Uncle then took out a small booklet from his robe and handed it to Lin Feng.
"This is Lin Long's cultivation journal. He gave it to the clan, but I think he really meant it for you."
"He's a kid who knows how to show gratitude."
Lin Feng accepted the journal and opened it.
Inside were clearly organized notes on how to circulate soul power for more efficient cultivation.
Lin Long had even outlined a rudimentary theory of major soul power circulation, a kind of internal energy loop.
Lin Feng was deeply astonished.
In this world, there weren't any structured systems or manuals for cultivation.
Although Lin Feng himself had obtained the Mysterious Heaven Skill, this journal's content gave him fresh insights.
He couldn't help but marvel.
Lin Long was truly an exceptional talent.
Looking at these pages, Lin Feng felt a strange sense of familiarity—almost as if fate itself had linked this manual to him.
He even wondered whether, in his original timeline, it had been Lin Long who passed these techniques on to him, eventually enabling his breakthrough to Titled Douluo.
"Second Uncle, Lin Long is worth cultivating heavily."
Lin Feng looked up and said earnestly.
"I know. Right now, he's already receiving the highest level of resources the clan can offer."
Second Uncle nodded firmly.
Below, Lin Long slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Lin Xue still gritting her teeth through her fatigue, he frowned.
"You're not in good condition. Don't push yourself."
"Mhm."
Lin Xue responded stubbornly, biting her lip.
"Forcing yourself now won't help. It might even hurt your body."
Lin Long spoke sternly but patiently.
He stood up, preparing to leave.
Seeing him rise, Lin Xue reluctantly stood up as well, silently blaming herself.
She knew he'd stopped training just to accompany her. She had dragged him down.
She'd seen firsthand how hard he trained—this much effort was nothing to him.
"Don't overthink it. You're the future pillar of our Lin family."
Lin Long gently patted her head and smiled encouragingly.
Seeing everyone's dedication to cultivation, Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction and walked toward them.
"Greetings, Young Master!"
As Lin Long and Lin Xue climbed up and looked up, they were overjoyed to see Lin Feng and greeted him in unison.
"Lin Long, Lin Xue, keep up the good work."
"If you're short on resources or encounter any problems in cultivation, don't hesitate to bring it up with the clan."
Lin Feng nodded kindly, encouraging them.
"Yes! Thank you, Young Master!"
Lin Long and Lin Xue were both deeply moved by his words.
"Lin Long is excellent. With him around, you'll definitely learn a lot."
Lin Feng then turned his gaze toward Lin Xue.
"Mm."
Lin Xue nodded earnestly. Lin Long, beside her, responded politely,
"You flatter me, Young Master."
Then Lin Feng waved his hand and turned back to Lin Xue.
"Lin Xue, go rest. Don't wear yourself out. Cultivation can't be rushed."
Seeing how worn out she looked, Lin Feng's voice was filled with concern.
"Okay."
Lin Xue felt a wave of warmth in her heart and nodded obediently.
She silently vowed to train even harder and not disappoint the Young Master's expectations.
After a few brief exchanges, Lin Feng and Second Uncle continued on their way.
Behind them, Lin Xue and the others watched their departing figures, slowly retracting their gaze.
The Young Master valued them so highly—they had to double their efforts from now on.
Lin Long clenched his fists tightly.
---
Before long, it was mealtime.
Led by Second Uncle, Lin Feng entered a private dining room in the academy cafeteria.
The room was simple yet elegant. Wooden tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and a light fragrance of food filled the air.
Once seated, dishes began arriving one by one.
"Feng'er, the academy is now fully built. When do you think we should officially open?"
Second Uncle asked while pouring soup.
Lin Feng was about to eat a piece of meat when he paused and said after a moment of thought:
"I think we can start now. Since all the facilities are ready, there's no reason to wait."
Second Uncle chuckled and added, "There's just one problem left—without it solved, we can't open."
He grinned teasingly. "We still don't have a name for the academy."
"Ack—Second Uncle! I completely forgot!"
Lin Feng slapped his forehead and laughed.
He set down his bowl and chopsticks, resting his chin in thought. Then, his eyes lit up.
"How about… Monster Academy?"
"Monster Academy? That's… quite the name."
Second Uncle blinked, repeating it with a bit of confusion.
"We're only recruiting students with monstrous talent."
"To others, they'd look like monsters."
"Also, we're open to transfer students from other academies. They can attend classes here, but still represent their original academies in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."
Lin Feng explained with a smile.
"Wait, doesn't that mean we're strengthening other academies too?"
Second Uncle looked stunned.
"If they come, I'll have ways to make them stay."
"My real goal is to gather all the geniuses under one roof."
"That way, our academy will evolve in unimaginable ways."
Lin Feng grinned mysteriously, full of confidence.
"Well then, since you've got it all planned out, I'll get to it right away."
Second Uncle didn't ask further. He simply nodded in agreement.
---
Advance Chapters on Patreon!
p(a)treon(.)com/HudaLin
-Remove the parenthesis to access patreon normally
Thanks for the Support!