Heaven Dou Imperial Academy training grounds.
Backed by the towering tree that was the Heaven Dou Empire, the Imperial Academy naturally enjoyed ample resources. Compared to Shrek Academy's dirt pits in the original story, its training ground was leagues ahead: paved with special metals and even equipped with several dueling platforms.
Of course, its students were mostly noble heirs; some members of the royal family even studied here.
So everywhere Su Wen looked—though the uniforms were the same snow-white style, and the Heaven Dou Class's outfits even had gold trim—what went with those uniforms were handsome boys and beautiful girls.
From time to time, students snuck curious glances toward one corner of the training field.
Not just because the Academy's strongest Heaven Dou class was there, but because at their front stood a youth in casual clothes, extremely handsome and seemingly of the same age.
They looked like peers, but this usually arrogant and overbearing Heaven Dou Class suddenly behaved like a bunch of mice before a cat.
"Who is that? A newly arrived Heaven Dou-rank student?"
"Even Heaven Dou-rank shouldn't be that scary, right? Even Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, who are usually so proud, are acting meek in front of him."
"Could he be a new teacher?"
"Bullshit. How is that possible? The youngest Sky-Might-rank teacher has to be above level forty. This guy doesn't look any older than us. How could that be?"
"…"
"You don't have your own training room?" Su Wen looked around. The scenery was indeed beautiful, worthy of a noble academy. But for a top Heaven Dou class to not even have its own dedicated training room felt rather shabby.
"We do. Please, follow me." Yu Tianheng swallowed and hurried forward to lead the way.
The others exchanged looks, both shocked and delighted.
Qin Ming was gone, but in his place they'd gotten a Titled Douluo-level old monster. That was a huge win!
The carefree look Su Wen had worn yesterday, and the way the usually lofty Education Committee members had gone pale with fear—that scene was something they would never forget.
To have a teacher of this level—in the future, even just calling him "Teacher" would massively raise their status.
"Sis Yan, you're awesome!" Following behind, Osler quietly gave Dugu Yan a thumbs-up, his face full of excitement.
"Trust Sis Yan. One move and she brings in an old buddy of Poison Douluo himself. When are we ever going to break into the Titled Douluo circle? Connections…" Yu Feng sighed.
"You, a Titled Douluo? Keep dreaming." Osler pouted.
"You little—"
"Shut up!!" Yu Tianheng turned his head and glared.
They drooped their heads and trailed obediently behind, mouths closed but their eyes full of unspoken signals.
…
In the training room.
Su Wen sat leisurely drinking tea while the seven of them stood obediently to the side.
Shrek Academy had managed to win across ranks against Yu Tianheng's group—whose overall strength was higher—largely because of the protagonist halo. Aside from Tang San, the other six monsters couldn't withstand Yu Tianheng's group. They were all knocked down and badly injured. If they hadn't hurt Xiao Wu and triggered the God-King passive, the victors would most likely have been Yu Tianheng's team.
This alone showed how exceptional these seven's innate talent was.
"In truth, I don't have that much to teach you," Su Wen said with a pleasant smile.
"Most soul master knowledge is taught to you at lower-level academies or by your elders. There's no need for me to waste words on it. As your teacher, the only thing I'll be providing… is the conditions for special training."
With excellent talent, the main thing you need is to dump resources on them.
In the original story, the reason the Grandmaster was so criticized was because all he had was talk. When Tang San was only a Soul Grandmaster-level soul master, he dared take a six-year-old into the forest to hunt a hundred-year soul beast, and he'd even thought about recommending a ten-year bamboo as a spirit ring. Past the early phase, aside from weighted training, he was practically nonexistent.
Compare that to Elder Yao next door—techniques, pills, everything you could want in a master—no wonder the Master title's value plummeted.
"Special training… conditions?"
Yu Tianheng and the others were stunned.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy already supplied them with more resources than they needed. Whatever they asked for, they got; even their sparring partners were Soul Emperors. How could they be short of resources? And what did he mean by "special training"?
"A scene tailored just for you. You'll understand once you go in…"
Su Wen chuckled softly.
He clapped his hands.
The seven felt the world spin.
When the Shi brothers next opened their eyes, they saw a towering beast standing atop a rocky peak, its tail glowing faintly blue, its claws like blades that could rend space itself. It was the same beast that had almost wiped them out the other day!
As they stepped into this world, Little Gold snorted, blowing out gusts of air.
Its master had told it to give these two some special training.
Durability training.
It looked them up and down and frowned—these two little dots probably couldn't withstand even a single finger from it.
Forget it.
Fortunately, inside this little world, it was the master… well, the master besides its own Master. As it leveled up, its control over this Poké Ball inner world became more and more free, as if it were the world's owner. Setting up some training was nothing.
"Rumble—"
The rocky world quaked.
Before the Shi brothers' horrified eyes, layers of ground cracked and collapsed downward.
"Roar~"
Little Gold peered down at them with clear amusement.
This little world was made for it and naturally contained its attributes. If these two could truly endure this trial, then under the subtle influence of this environment they would benefit greatly…
…
"What a huge white ape." Osler stared in amazement and nudged the dazed Yu Feng beside him.
Gale glanced at the two of them.
Bored, it yawned, then casually waved its hand. A terrifying gale formed within this miniature world; ancient trees shuddered violently, making the two agility-attackers gape.
There were no ultimate elements yet at this time, but as fellow agility-attack types, they could sense the horror within that storm.
"Roar~"
Gale growled softly.
This was a task from its master, and it naturally had to see it done well.
In its own small world, its bloodline seemed one with the land. The air was filled with ultimate wind. It didn't expect these two to truly comprehend ultimate wind, but as long as they could gain some insights—or at least some subtle elemental enhancement—it would already be a huge boost.
…
"Where is this…"
Ye Lingling's red lips parted slightly as she looked around in shock.
A sapphire-feathered, phoenix-like giant bird gazed down at her with gentle eyes.
"And such rich life energy!"
"So this is what Teacher meant by… special training conditions."
Ye Lingling swallowed, stunned.
This was something that even the entire Heaven Dou Empire working together might not be able to create…
Just who was this teacher?
…
"S-Su… Uncle Su."
When Dugu Yan saw Su Wen, she looked a bit awkward.
"Grandpa told me to call you that. He said calling you big brother… would be inappropriate."
"Heh."
Su Wen's mouth twitched.
And calling him uncle was appropriate? That old geezer just wanted to take advantage of him.
"Forget it. Since you're Poison Douluo's blood granddaughter, and that old poison has a garden full of immortal herbs, the fastest way for you to improve your strength is to ingest one that suits you. So your training assignment… is to go home and pay your grandpa a visit."
Su Wen said calmly.
"Eh?" Dugu Yan was completely dumbfounded.