Outside Blue Tyrant Academy.
Dugu Feng and Ning Rongrong chose to walk to Gem Academy rather than take a carriage.
The distance between the two academies wasn't far.
Suddenly, a building with colorful exterior walls came into view.
"Gem Advanced Soul Master Academy Admissions Notice:
If your Martial Soul is a gemstone, don't hesitate to join Gem Academy.
Join Gem Academy to explore the ultimate development path for Gem Spirits and fulfill your dream of becoming a high-level Soul Master!"
The announcement was surrounded by all kinds of colorful gemstones, creating a dazzling display.
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened in surprise.
"This is your academy's recruitment notice? Are you short of students?
I could ask my father to send some young Soul Masters from our family!"
She flashed a sly smile.
Dugu Feng gave her a measured look.
"Of course. I'm determined to make this academy the holy land for Gem Spirits!" he declared.
The Dugu Family's research had revealed that gemstone-type Martial Souls were actually quite common across the continent.
However, most Soul Masters lacked systematic Spirit Ring combinations and cultivation paths.
They also discovered a key point: compared to other Martial Souls, Gem Spirits relied less on innate talent but more on Spirit Rings and later-stage resources.
With the Dugu Family now controlling the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well,
their strategy was clear - recruit numerous commoner gemstone Soul Masters,
help them obtain optimal Spirit Ring configurations,
then use medicinal herbs to boost their cultivation speed.
This approach would undoubtedly produce a group of powerful experts.
As for those with high innate talent or strong Innate Soul Power -
the Spirit Hall, established academies, and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would inevitably claim them.
As a new force, the family's Gem Academy needed to take an alternative path to overtake competitors.
The Soul Master Competition coincided with graduation season each year -
precisely when students from elementary and intermediate Soul Master academies chose their advanced academies.
If Gem Academy could win the championship this year with a team of seven gemstone Soul Masters,
its reputation would skyrocket overnight.
But even before that, the academy's publicity campaign had already begun, with soft advertisements everywhere.
Throughout their walk, Ning Rongrong kept marveling at the Dugu Family's grand ambitions.
Dugu Feng merely smiled calmly - this was nothing compared to what awaited at the academy.
Soon, they arrived at the family's institution.
"Not bad at all! The environment is excellent!"
Ning Rongrong praised sincerely.
With the Dugu Family's limitless financial backing,
every building and arrangement was top-tier.
As they walked further, Ning Rongrong noticed something extraordinary.
Her eyes sparkled with amazement.
The training grounds' center and pathways were lined with every imaginable type of gemstone.
As a Soul Ancestor with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Spirit,
she was particularly sensitive to energies similar to her own attributes.
"The entire academy is a simulated cultivation environment?" she gasped in astonishment.
Dugu Feng smiled serenely.
After winning the wager in Suotuo City,
the Dugu Family had more Gold Soul Coins than they knew what to do with.
Gem Academy became the perfect outlet for their overflowing wealth.
"Your family's vision is truly remarkable! I must convince Father to send our talented Soul Masters here!"
After her initial shock, Ning Rongrong immediately decided to take action.
Many collateral members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School also possessed the Gem Spirit, and they would undoubtedly cultivate much faster here.
Dugu Feng was more than happy for Ning Rongrong to send more people over. Once she became the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the entire sect would follow his orders.
The two of them headed straight to the forest behind the dean's office.
"Greetings, Young Master."
At the edge of the forest, Shi Nian, along with the seven Soul Masters of the Gem Battle Team who possessed the Gem Spirit, bowed respectfully.
Shi Nian was skilled in spiritual power and had detected Dugu Feng's arrival the moment he stepped into Gem Academy.
"Fellow students, Elder Shi, no need for formalities. This is my girlfriend, Ning Rongrong. Her Martial Soul is the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, also a Gem Spirit. Elder Shi, please teach her how to cultivate the Seven Shura Illusion Realm."
Dugu Feng instructed.
Shi Nian's expression immediately changed. Was this a case of nepotism?
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda clearly belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
And she must be a core member at that.
With the surname Ning, could she be Ning Fengzhi's daughter?
"Young Master, the Seven Shura Illusion Realm is a Soul Skill Fusion Technique. It requires the Soul Skill 'Illusion Control' to perform!"
Shi Nian said with difficulty.
Ning Rongrong glanced at Shi Nian and then at the students behind him before speaking directly, "Teacher Shi, this is our first meeting. I hope for your guidance. Among my four Soul Skills, I indeed don't possess Illusion Control. However, my fourth Spirit Ring was also absorbed from a six-thousand-year Nightmare Beast, which produced a head bone. Its ability is precisely Illusion Control! Moreover, my fourth Soul Skill enhances spiritual power!"
Ning Rongrong grinned, showcasing her strength.
At this, Shi Nian and the other seven students were utterly stunned.
A Soul Bone with Illusion Control!
After a moment of shock, Shi Nian was overjoyed.
If Ning Rongrong could successfully practice this, it would mean the team would gain another Soul Ancestor—one who could enhance spiritual power.
He smiled obsequiously, "Welcome, Miss Ning, to the Gem Battle Team. With your addition, our team is sure to win the championship."
Dugu Feng nodded in satisfaction.
"Begin the practice. I'll watch from here," Dugu Feng said.
"Yes, Young Master. Zhang Jingyang, step forward. You and Miss Ning will form a group to perform Illusion Control. The others will divide into two groups of three for practice!"
Following Shi Nian's orders, the Soul Master in the center of the seven stepped forward.
Zhang Jingyang was the team captain, the oldest among them, with a Soul Power Level of 42.
Dugu Feng thought he looked about thirty, very mature.
Both he and Ning Rongrong released their Spirit Rings simultaneously.
"Activate your Soul Skills!"
At Shi Nian's command, the Illusion Control skills were all unleashed.
Zhang Jingyang's Illusion Control was his fourth Soul Skill. As his fourth Spirit Ring flashed, a bright yellow beam shot into the sky.
Ning Rongrong didn't hesitate either, immediately activating her Spirit Bone Ability, Illusion Control.
Her beam was multicolored, as dazzling as the light emitted by her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Fuse!"
The beams from both sides began to converge.
At the same time, the beams from the other two groups of three students also started to merge.
What happened next truly astonished Dugu Feng.
Shi Nian also activated his Illusion Control.
His skill had an enormous range, instantly enveloping all eight individuals.
This was precisely Shi Nian's unique method for training his students.
In the illusion he conjured, any mistakes or oversights made by the students, including Ning Rongrong during her first practice, would be clearly perceived by him.
He would then guide the students to correct themselves through the illusion.
Zhang Jingyang, who was collaborating with Rongrong, was not new to fusing Soul Skills with newcomers.
The Soul Skill was executed slowly, giving Rongrong enough time to react.
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