The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was located about twenty li (roughly 10 kilometers) outside of Heaven Dou City. Built into a mountain range, the academy encompassed the entire mountain from its base to its peak. Within its boundaries were countless training grounds and specialized facilities.
The main campus was situated around the mountainside and housed the library, cafeteria, classrooms, and similar facilities. The residential areas for faculty and instructors were located elsewhere.
The place where Chen Ming and Qin Ming had been talking was a room near the foot of the mountain. In contrast, the location of the three Deans — the powerful committee members — was near the mountain's peak. Even for soul masters, the distance between these two places wasn't short.
The path to the top consisted of steps carved from stone by skilled craftsmen, each one etched with patterns of soul beasts. Every single stone was worth more than several months of income for an average household. Most people would be stunned just by looking at them. Even Chen Ming couldn't help but silently wonder how much money had been squandered on this extravagance.
After activating their Martial Spirits, both Chen Ming and Qin Ming experienced a substantial boost in their physical abilities. With soul power enhancing them, they flashed like shadows up the staircase.
Qin Ming, being an agility-type Soul King, wasn't at all hindered by such steps. Were it not for his need to keep pace with Chen Ming, he would've likely already reached the top on his own.
As they ascended, Qin Ming secretly kept part of his attention on Chen Ming's condition.
"A Level 23 Grand Soul Master... soul power at this level isn't particularly deep. At this speed, not only will his soul power deplete quickly, but it will also put tremendous strain on his stamina. If either one begins to falter, the other will start draining faster as well. If he tries to rush through it in one go, he could easily hit exhaustion."
Watching the speed and soul power fluctuations around Chen Ming, Qin Ming silently made his calculations.
"Seems like the kid doesn't have much real-world experience... but that's not a big issue."
Although he had his thoughts, Qin Ming didn't correct anything out loud. He still didn't know the full extent of Chen Ming's abilities and wanted to use this climb as a way to observe him in greater detail.
Soon, a quarter of an hour had passed. Chen Ming still looked composed, and his pace hadn't slowed down in the slightest. Seeing this, Qin Ming nodded approvingly.
"Good endurance. Physically well-trained. He might not have experience, but his body's conditioning is excellent."
After another quarter-hour, Chen Ming's breathing grew slightly heavier, but his pace remained steady. This time, Qin Ming couldn't help but be surprised.
"Emerald Scorpion... it's not a Martial Spirit known for stamina. For him to maintain this level of endurance? Unbelievable. Could it be the amplification from his thousand-year soul ring? Or maybe he has some innate trait that made it possible to absorb such a soul ring so early?"
Fifteen more minutes passed, and the two finally reached the area where the Deans' office was located.
At this point, Chen Ming's cheeks were slightly flushed, and his forehead showed a sheen of sweat. But there was no sign of fatigue on his face, and his pace remained brisk. Even the earlier heavy breathing had somehow stabilized — now rhythmic and composed.
Qin Ming had no words left.
Was this sheer physical training or extraordinary talent? To Qin Ming, Chen Ming's endurance was practically inhuman — at a monstrous level.
When Qin Ming himself was at level 23, he had more speed, but his stamina didn't even compare. For such a high climb, he would've needed at least one break, even pacing himself. Yet Chen Ming was pushing through like it was nothing. His current physical endurance was nearly on par with Qin Ming's when he was close to level 40.
And what stunned Qin Ming the most was Chen Ming's soul power efficiency.
Most soul masters could only get full value out of their soul power if they were truly talented. One unit of soul power for one unit of result was already excellent. If someone could double that — using one unit of soul power for the effect of two — they'd be considered a genius. But across the continent, many soul masters couldn't even manage one-for-one. Sometimes one unit of power only yielded half the expected result.
But Chen Ming? He was wielding one unit of soul power like it was five or six, stretching it to its absolute limit. Combined with his soul power regeneration, his consumption rate was unbelievably low — to the point where he might even have more soul power left than stamina.
As bold as it was, Qin Ming even began to suspect whether Chen Ming was secretly a transformed 100,000-year soul beast disguised as a human. Because by all logic, no human soul master should be capable of this kind of ability.
Not long after, the two arrived at their destination — a modest-looking building.
It really did seem plain. Only two stories tall, it was built with average-looking stone, lacking any decorations or carvings. The only signs of life were a few flowers and plants growing near the front.
In a place like the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where even bricks were covered in soul beast carvings, this building was plain to the point of looking like a storage shed. In fact, compared to their decorative bricks, even the school's warehouses looked more extravagant.
"Xiao Ming," Qin Ming said, "this is where the three Deans usually conduct their work. When you go in, remember that your first impression is very important. These three Deans are powerful Soul Douluo-level soul masters — pillars of the Heaven Dou Empire — and renowned across the continent."
"The three of them combined are said to rival even a Title Douluo. You must watch your words and appearance."
Qin Ming wasn't exactly smooth-tongued. His tone came off less like a teacher and more like a nagging parent. Anyone with a short temper would likely find him annoying. But Chen Ming could tell there was genuine concern in his words.
Though they hadn't known each other long, Chen Ming had a good first impression of Qin Ming. He seemed like a kind, responsible, and easygoing instructor.
"Thank you, Teacher Qin. I'll be mindful," Chen Ming replied, wiping the sweat from his brow, taking a moment to collect himself, then nodding with a polite smile.
Seeing Chen Ming's composed behavior, Qin Ming nodded in satisfaction. He stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Deans, this is Qin Ming. While reviewing the new students this year, I discovered a promising talent. I brought him here right away in hopes that you could take a look."
"Ah, Qin Ming, come in," a deep voice replied from inside. A ripple of soul power pulsed outward, and the door opened by itself.
Before even entering, Chen Ming smelled a familiar scent in the air — a subtle but distinct aroma he'd often encountered in basements. It was the smell of lamp oil made from deep-sea whale soul beast fat.
As they stepped into the room, the furnishings gradually came into view.
The spacious room was lined with cabinets filled with materials harvested from soul beasts. Various unfamiliar calligraphy scrolls and paintings hung from the walls.
In the center was a large round table. Three elderly men sat around it, their table laden with food. Several jars of alcohol were placed by their feet. Two of the men had flushed cheeks from drinking, and one was clearly reeking of alcohol. Yet all three had bright, alert eyes — not a trace of drunkenness in sight.
(End of Chapter)