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Feng Xiaotian and the others had come to the Body Academy after much deliberation.
Recently, Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny had gained significant renown in the soul master world. Dragon Duke Meng Shu was already a top-tier Soul Douluo, holding immense prestige in the soul master community. Moreover, the husband-and-wife duo Dragon Serpent Granny possessed a spirit fusion technique, granting them strength comparable to Title Douluos.
Now that Dragon Duke had broken through to the Title Douluo level, he was essentially the only independent wandering Title Douluo outside of the major sects.
Additionally, Dragon Duke Meng Shu had long been involved in education, earning him even greater status and influence in academic circles.
The four elemental academies' decision to relocate to Tian Dou City was driven by two main factors: seeking protection and escaping the Spirit Hall's relentless recruitment efforts.
After extensive investigation, they determined that only Tian Dou Imperial Academy and Body Academy in Tian Dou City could accommodate all four elemental academies simultaneously.
Comparing teaching styles, it was clear that students at Body Academy were genuinely focused on learning and cultivation, while other academies were beginning to show signs of disarray.
Following the Spirit Hall's recent aggressive actions, the soul master world had begun to fracture.
Soul masters typically lived within family structures, and children born to commoners had an extremely low chance of becoming soul masters.
The Spirit Hall employed both coercion and incentives to recruit independent soul masters and soul master families, encouraging their children to join as well. Many high-ranking members of soul master academies were also affiliated with the Spirit Hall.
In contrast to the splintered advanced soul master academies, Body Academy stood out like a secluded paradise.
It not only offered an excellent cultivation environment and the protection of a Title Douluo but also an abundance of resources, making it an ideal place for cultivation.
Faced with Feng Xiaotian's confusion, Yang Xiong shook his head helplessly: "Brother Feng, I understand your current situation, but you should know the structure of Body Academy—most of its members are from the three single-attribute families."
"Recently, both the three single-attribute families and the Dragon Serpent family plan to relocate away from Tian Dou City, so Body Academy will also move entirely."
"Of course, if you need it, I can arrange to leave some of Body Academy's original facilities behind. However, whether or not it will face pressure from the Spirit Hall afterward is beyond my control."
Feng Xiaotian and the others carefully assessed the situation. Surprisingly, it wasn't Dragon Duke, the Title Douluo, who was making decisions, but rather Yang Xiong—a reversal of roles.
After a moment of hesitation, Feng Xiaotian spoke: "Brother Yang, could you tell us where you plan to relocate Body Academy? Are you moving it to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Not the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. However, the situation there is currently complicated, and temporary difficulties remain."
Feng Xiaotian was startled: "Brother Yang, do you mean that the three single-attribute families and the Dragon Serpent family are relocating together? Could it be that you're planning to participate in this sect conference and establish a new sect?"
Yang Xiong couldn't help but glance at Feng Xiaotian twice. This guy not only possessed exceptional cultivation talent but also demonstrated sharp thinking, immediately linking the matter to the sect conference.
However, Yang Xiong smiled: "It does have some connection to the sect conference, but we have no intention of participating. In my eyes, this so-called sect conference is nothing more than a farce. You've experienced enough in the soul master world—you should understand the true nature of the Spirit Hall."
Hearing this, Feng Xiaotian and the others fell silent. Recently, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had been attacked, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan annihilated. Though the Spirit Hall publicly claimed to investigate the perpetrators behind these attacks, everyone knew the Spirit Hall itself was responsible.
The Spirit Hall's domineering methods and ruthless tactics were undoubtedly aimed at unifying the soul master world. This was why the four elemental academies were in such a hurry to relocate near Tian Dou City.
After hearing Yang Xiong's explanation, Feng Xiaotian and the others decided to discuss further before making a decision.
Meanwhile, Dragon Duke looked puzzled: "Master, considering the strength of the four elemental academies, have you thought about inviting them to join our Body Sect?"
Yang Xiong thought for a moment before replying: "The four elemental academies are purely educational institutions—they likely wouldn't join our Body Sect. Moreover, they each have their own backing, albeit distant. Even if they joined, it might lead to complications."
"Besides, the establishment of Body Academy wasn't for expanding our influence but for nurturing our own talents. That's one reason we haven't recruited students en masse."
Hearing this, Dragon Duke felt somewhat helpless. While he valued student education and development, he was also aware of the complexities of the soul master world.
Soon, Feng Xiaotian and the others finished their discussion.
Feng Xiaotian's expression turned resolute: "Brother Yang, if we join Body Academy, would we relocate with you? And could you treat us as fairly as you treat your own disciples?"
Yang Xiong looked puzzled: "Brother Feng, everyone within Body Academy is treated equally. However, each family has its own cultivation methods—we merely provide a platform."
"Why does your Elemental Academy want to join Body Academy? Aren't you afraid of attracting trouble in the future? After all, your academy has always focused on teaching and never aligned with any faction."
Feng Xiaotian's face revealed a bitter smile: "Brother Yang, I understand what you mean, but I'm also aware of the current state of the soul master world."
"Our group coming to Tian Dou City is simply to find a stable refuge and a suitable environment for teaching and development. From my recent observations of Tian Dou City, there is no truly peaceful place left in this world."
"Your Body Academy is the only place we feel secure—it might be the best fit for our Elemental Academy to continue its legacy."
After pondering for a moment, Yang Xiong replied: "Brother Feng, Body Academy can accept you, but it will undergo changes soon. The three single-attribute families and the Dragon Serpent family will jointly establish a sect—an independent and strict sect."
"In the future, all those joining Body Academy will also join this sect, including your people. This requires greater commitment from you. Are you not worried about potential issues down the line?"
Feng Xiaotian shook his head: "We don't mind that, Brother Yang. I trust your character, and with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect backing you, even if something goes wrong, it won't result in catastrophe, nor will it cost all of us our lives."
"However, I'd like to ask one more thing: If our Elemental Academy joins Body Academy, can you ensure that all our members will be treated fairly? Will you interfere with our teaching methods?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "No interference. While Body Academy has a unified curriculum, it also respects the unique educational essence of each family, allowing for independent development."
"However, Brother Feng, think carefully. Once you make a decision, there's no turning back. Both Body Academy and our new sect have relatively strict personnel management."
Feng Xiaotian didn't hesitate: "That works. Perhaps our Elemental Academy's approach is indeed a bit outdated."
Clearly, Feng Xiaotian and the others had thoroughly studied the performance of top-performing soul master academies in the recent soul master tournament. Cultivation methods in the soul master world seemed to be evolving, with everyone gradually placing greater emphasis on physical fitness.
Yang Xiong looked puzzled: "Brother Feng, given the significant sacrifices required, why didn't you choose Tian Dou Imperial Academy?"
Feng Xiaotian chuckled: "Joining Tian Dou Imperial Academy or any other academy in Tian Dou City is essentially the same as joining the Tian Dou Imperial Family. If we don't pay a price, the imperial family won't tolerate us."
"The soul master world is in chaos now, with countless soul masters flooding into Tian Dou City. I'm aware that Tian Dou City could undergo drastic changes at any moment. At that point, even the destruction of our entire Elemental Academy is possible."
"We understand that without a strong backing in the soul master world, survival is nearly impossible. With the emergence of hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beasts and the complex web of forces in Tian Dou City, whether it's to compete for the hundred-thousand-year spirit beast or for other resources, a major conflict seems inevitable."
"You hail from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and have the support of a powerhouse like Dragon Duke. Even if someone wanted to provoke Body Academy, they likely lack the strength to do so. Remember, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect still has two Title Douluos and a top-tier auxiliary soul master like Elder Ning."
Hearing this, Yang Xiong couldn't help but smile wryly. He had underestimated Feng Xiaotian's decisiveness and the severity of the current crisis in the soul master world.
"Then congratulations to you all—Body Academy won't disappoint anyone."
Hearing this, Feng Xiaotian and the others finally relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
However, Feng Xiaotian quickly asked: "Brother Yang, may I ask where you plan to relocate Body Academy? And what will the new sect be called?"
Yang Xiong smiled: "The new sect I'm establishing is called the Body Sect, and our destination is Thunderclap Gorge."
As Yang Xiong spoke, his entire body turned crimson, covered in golden patterns, and displayed six soul rings: two yellow, one purple, two black, and two red.
When the two hundred-thousand-year soul rings appeared, Feng Xiaotian and the others were shocked.
Though Feng Xiaotian had trained hard over the years, he had only progressed from forty-five levels to the Soul Emperor level.
To think that Yang Xiong, in just five years, had risen from forty levels to the Soul Sage level was terrifying. Especially those two hundred-thousand-year soul rings—they sent chills down their spines.
"Welcome, Brother Feng and everyone else. Our sect will become the most powerful in history, and Body Academy will be the best platform for your teaching. The four elemental academies will surely endure for ten thousand years."
"Of course, you can still back out now. But once you join, I hope you'll consider the Body Sect and Body Academy as your home."
…
Afterward, Yang Xiong didn't delve into the details but handed everything over to Dragon Duke to handle.
However, according to Yang Xiong's design, the four elemental academies would receive treatment similar to that of the single-attribute families. The deans of the elemental academies could serve as elders of the Body Sect, while all students would study together under a shared curriculum while also receiving specialized instruction from their respective disciplines—a system reminiscent of universities from his previous life on Earth.
This mirrored the current structure of Body Academy, where students underwent general physical training alongside specialized cultivation methods tailored to their families. There were slight differences in focus, but the overall framework remained consistent.
Perhaps spurred on by Yang Xiong's two hundred-thousand-year soul rings, the subsequent negotiations proceeded smoothly.
Dragon Duke provided a detailed explanation of Body Academy's internal structure and the benefits the elemental academies would receive upon joining, earning high praise from Feng Xiaotian and the others.
After further discussions, the deans of the elemental academies planned to visit soon to finalize the details of the academy's relocation.
According to Yang Xiong and Dragon Duke's plans, the elemental academies would remain in place for the time being and later relocate together to Thunderclap Gorge.
It was evident that Dragon Duke held the four elemental academies in high regard. Though they lacked true top-tier experts, their reputation in the field of education was unparalleled. As a longstanding advanced soul master academy in the Tian Dou region, their teaching methods were deeply rooted and distinct.
Moreover, Dragon Duke and Yang Xiong's vision for Body Academy was perfectly suited for the elemental academies. Not to mention, Thunderclap Gorge was widely recognized as a sacred cultivation ground for soul masters—though the elemental academies lacked the strength to claim it.
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