"Grandpa?!!"
Seeing Dugu Bo's expression, Dugu Yan said in shy annoyance, "If you don't want to go, then don't go. Why send him? The worship elders of our Heaven Dou Imperial Academy are at least above the Soul Douluo level!"
"He… probably isn't even as old as me."
The mocking words that reached her lips were swallowed back. Since this youth could be spoken of as an equal to her grandfather, he was extremely strange, so she restrained some of her usual irritable temper.
"Don't judge people by their appearance." Dugu Bo chuckled, gave Su Wen a complicated glance, but his tone remained as if he were talking to an old friend of equal seniority. "The treatment for worship elders at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is indeed quite good. If you're interested, this old man can help introduce you."
Su Wen sat in the chair.
He pondered for a while.
He wasn't interested in becoming a worship elder of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, but he was quite interested in the upcoming Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. Borrowing the status of Yu Tianheng, and Dugu Yan's teacher identity, to go take a walk around that tournament… plus, if he remembered correctly, at this time Qian Renxue's Crown Prince identity had not yet been exposed…
Using Dugu Bo as a bridge to integrate into the Heaven Dou Empire wasn't a bad choice.
"Alright."
"Grandpa, are you serious?"
Seeing that one dared to invite and the other actually dared to accept, Dugu Yan stared dumbfounded at the old and the young.
What do you two think the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is?
"Of course." Dugu Bo let out a light laugh. Mist curled around as he adjusted his aura to its peak. As the mist retracted, he slowly stood up. The dark green in his hair, pupils, and fingernails had lightened a fair bit; he looked energetic, with a feeling of returning to his original simplicity.
Even the normally thick-nerved Dugu Yan noticed something off. She examined him carefully. "Eh… Grandpa, you seem different?"
"This is all thanks to your… Brother Su, here." Dugu Bo couldn't hide the smile on his face. With his hands clasped behind his back, the changes in his body were becoming more apparent by the day.
Just a few days ago, he had swallowed the Jade Phosphorous Exotic Flower.
His control over poison had advanced a step further, as if he had undergone a complete cleansing and rebirth. The barrier of rank ninety-two had faintly begun to loosen.
…
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
The academy occupied an entire mountain peak—green mountains and clear waters, lush with emerald vegetation. It faintly resembled the future Shrek Academy, and reeked of gold soul coins. Maintaining a mountain full of precious plants was no cheap undertaking.
At the foot of the mountain.
From afar, several figures in black robes lined with gold trim came up to greet them.
"We've been eagerly waiting for your arrival."
The white-bearded elder at the front spoke with a broad smile.
The black robes were formal dress—ceremonial uniforms issued by Spirit Hall specifically to Soul Douluo. Titled Douluo wore red versions. The fact that these three were wearing them showed how important they considered Dugu Bo's visit.
"Please!"
Without waiting for Dugu Bo to explain, the elder spoke first, then led everyone up the mountain.
Behind the three elders were six young men and women, also wearing ceremonial uniforms.
When they saw Dugu Bo and the others heading up the mountain, they quietly gathered toward the back.
"Sister Yan, you really managed to convince the Poison Douluo to become our academy's worship elder?!!" a black-clothed youth said in disbelief. "Across the whole continent, academies that possess a Titled Douluo-level worship elder can be counted on one hand. With him here, that bunch from Shrek can forget about getting in."
"Exactly, exactly!" another handsome youth waved his arms in excitement.
Only Yu Tianheng, walking in front, sensed something off. He quietly asked the hesitant Dugu Yan, "What happened?"
"…"
The scene fell silent.
The others finally picked up on Dugu Yan's odd behavior.
"Actually, I didn't convince Grandpa…" Dugu Yan said, face tangled with conflict. This whole thing was just too absurd. Her grandpa actually intended to introduce that youth to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy as a worship elder!
As a worship elder, not as a teacher!!
Of course, if a worship elder was in the mood, giving a bit of guidance or taking on a disciple… there probably wasn't a single student who could resist that kind of temptation.
"Huh?!!"
Everyone was dumbfounded.
"Then… Sister Yan, from the looks of the teaching committee's posture today, this doesn't feel like just putting on a show…" Osler shrank his neck.
"Someone is indeed coming today to become a worship elder." Dugu Yan's expression was one big knot. "It's just that it isn't my grandpa, it's… him!" She pointed at the young man behind Dugu Bo, who was leisurely enjoying the scenery.
Everyone: ???
…
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Teaching Committee.
"Having you come to our academy truly brings glory to our humble institution." Meng Shenji said with a smiling squint.
"Yes, yes." Bai Baoshan chimed in on the side.
They were afraid of treating him poorly and causing this Titled Douluo powerhouse to leave in dissatisfaction.
"Hehe, it seems Yan'er must have conveyed my intention incorrectly." Dugu Bo grinned, glancing at Dugu Yan hiding in the corner not far away. "Actually, I am not here to recommend myself, but to recommend someone to your esteemed academy."
"Oh?" Meng Shenji was stunned for a moment, a flicker of disappointment flashing in his eyes, but in front of this Titled Douluo, he quickly restored his smiling face.
"May I ask who Senior Poison is recommending…"
"Him!"
Under Dugu Yan's face-covering gesture and the incredulous gazes of Yu Tianheng and the others, Dugu Bo pointed at Su Wen standing at his side.
"…"
The room went quiet.
Meng Shenji came to a sudden realization.
"So it turns out Senior Poison wants to recommend a junior to join the academy. That's naturally no problem; he only needs to undergo a test to enroll. Normally, this should be handled by the teachers in the admissions office, but since you are personally recommending him, I'll handle the assessment myself."
He was somewhat disappointed.
But being able to do Dugu Bo a favor was not bad either.
This old venomous thing often hid deep in the mountains, disappearing for years at a time. Many factions had tried to recruit him and all failed. If not for this youth, he probably wouldn't have come down the mountain so easily today.
With that, Meng Shenji turned his gentle gaze toward Su Wen.
"Child, I will release some pressure. Don't worry, it's just a small entrance test…"
As he spoke, his aura surged out, enveloping Su Wen.
Dugu Bo hesitated, swallowing back the words "worship elder." To be honest, he realized he actually knew nothing about Su Wen's true strength. It had only been a few days since they met. The youth had indeed saved his life, but if his strength turned out to be insufficient and he couldn't shoulder the position of a worship elder, that would be quite awkward.
The boy's origins were far too mysterious, beyond even his ability to fathom.
This was a good chance to test the waters using Meng Shenji.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
At that moment, Meng Shenji was the one feeling bewildered.
Rank thirty!
Rank forty!
Rank fifty!…
All the way to rank seventy, and the youth was still sitting steadily at the table, calmly sipping his tea. Even the tea in his cup didn't show the slightest ripple.
"Old Meng?" Bai Baoshan frowned slightly.
He thought Meng Shenji hadn't started the test yet.
"I…"
But Meng Shenji's face was full of confusion.
"Seventy already…"
At those words.
The hall fell completely silent.
The teacup in Bai Baoshan's hand suddenly shattered in his grip. He turned, staring at Meng Shenji in shock. "How much?!!"
"Say that again?"
"That's my limit."
Meng Shenji let out a long, turbid breath.
His expression was filled with doubt and disbelief.