Tiandou Royal Academy!
Three days passed in the blink of an eye whether fast or slow depends on one's heart, but for the Shrek Seven Devils, it was fleeting.
During these three days, everyone had shown noticeable improvement especially Dai Mubai, Tang San, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun.
Their spirit power levels had risen respectively from level 20 to 23 for Dai Mubai, 22 for Tang San, 23 for Oscar, and 22 for Ma Hongjun!
This leap in strength over just three days was largely thanks to Yuchen's [Mimicry Cultivation Domain], which adjusted spiritual energy density to match each individual's martial soul compatibility.
Aside from those four, the progress made by Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing was even more significant!
Because the three girls shared a dormitory with Yuchen, they benefited more directly from his domain. Xiao Wu's spirit power broke through to level 25, while both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing advanced to level 24!
This left them one or two levels ahead of Ma Hongjun, highlighting just how effective constant exposure to the Mimicry Space was!
As for Yuchen himself, after these three days of intense cultivation, his spirit power soared directly to level 38.
With just two more levels, he would reach the Soul Sect realm at level 40 an astonishing speed that would shock the entire continent if word got out!
On the morning they were set to head for Tiandou Royal Academy, Yuchen and Xiao Wu rose earlier than the others to prepare.
"Brother Chen, help me comb my hair!"
Xiao Wu, barefoot and freshly washed, skipped over with a pink comb in hand and sat obediently in front of Yuchen.
"Alright."
Yuchen smiled at her familiar request. Since the days back at Notting Academy, Xiao Wu had always asked him to comb her hair.
By now, he was well-practiced. With deft hands, he gently combed her soft hair, forming a neat ponytail.
"All done."
Yuchen handed her a mirror. Xiao Wu took one glance, beamed, and hugged the mirror close.
"Thanks, Brother Chen! It's beautiful!" she giggled, slipping on her shoes and following him outside.
Out in the courtyard, many students were already gathered.
Following the merger of Lanba Academy and Shrek Academy, the number of students had increased significantly. The once-quiet academy grounds were now bustling with energy.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar were chatting away with some of the senior female students from Lanba Academy, clearly enjoying themselves.
"Brother Chen, morning!"
As Yuchen emerged, both Shrek students and those from Lanba Academy stopped what they were doing to greet him warmly.
After his sparring match with Huang Yuan yesterday, his strength had left a deep impression on everyone. Though many were older than him, they respectfully addressed him as "Brother Chen."
"Morning," Yuchen nodded politely.
"Xiao Chen, since you're up, we should set off now."
Flender and Yu Xiaogang approached. "For this trip to Tiandou Royal Academy, we've rented a flying soul beast for travel."
They pointed to a massive creature stationed at the academy gates. In the Heaven Dou Empire, every major city had access to a Soul Hunting Forest. While many spirit beasts were reserved for providing spirit rings, some were bred for unique functions.
Just like communication spirit beasts that used mental signals, some, like this flying beast, served transportation purposes for weaker or younger soul masters who couldn't travel long distances on their own.
This flying spirit beast was enormous, with a pavilion structure on its back that could easily hold twenty to thirty people.
"Woo…"
Sensing Yuchen's approach, the beast perhaps resonating with his Suzaku Martial Soul shuddered and whimpered in reverence.
"Whoa! That's the first time I've seen one of these up close!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed, his eyes wide.
In the past, Ma Hongjun might've jumped on first. But now, if Yuchen didn't board first, he wouldn't either.
"Let's go."
Yuchen smiled, seeing Ma Hongjun's excitement. He stepped onto the beast's back first.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong immediately followed him without hesitation.
"Woo…"
The flying spirit beast let out a low groan and respectfully crouched for Yuchen to mount, showcasing its submission.
"Haha! Let's get on too."
Flender and Yu Xiaogang chuckled at the beast's attitude, then climbed aboard as well.
The party consisted of eight students Yuchen, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing along with Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong.
Zhao Wuji and the other teachers remained at Shrek Academy to watch over the school during their absence.
Once everyone was seated, the flying beast flapped its wide wings and took off steadily into the sky.
"Brother Chen, don't fly too fast!" someone shouted playfully from below.
Among the voices were several younger girls who blushed while waving goodbye, clearly infatuated with Yuchen.
Under their cheerful send-off, the flying soul beast soared away from Shrek Academy toward Tiandou Royal Academy.
…
Tiandou Royal Academy was located just outside the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.
From Soto City to the Imperial Capital spanned tens of thousands of miles—a journey that would've taken several days on foot.
Thanks to the flying soul beast, however, it took only a few hours before Yuchen and the others arrived at their destination.
"Wow! This is the most prestigious senior academy in the entire Empire?" Oscar marveled, gazing out.
"The place is enormous!" Ma Hongjun echoed. "But where's the teaching building? It's like a forest out here!"
Yuchen followed their gaze, raising a brow slightly.
Before them stretched a massive campus interwoven with natural scenery mountains, forests, rivers, and rare plants. The teaching areas were hidden among this splendor, making it difficult to pinpoint anything at a glance.
"Hey! Where do you hillbillies think you're going?!"
A cold voice suddenly rang out, interrupting their awe-struck moment.
"This is the Royal Academy of Tiandou! Only nobles and officials are allowed in. You lot don't belong here!"
To be continued.
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