Chapter 23: Lu Yu's Additional Condition! Another Challenge! Tang San's Crushing Defeat!

Seeking help for soul ring acquisition?

With his current strength, Lu Yu could go head-to-head with a soul beast of roughly ten thousand years! As for the so-called Imperial Prince? In the face of absolute power, royal authority would be within his grasp. Once Lu Yu reached the hundredth level and attained godhood, wouldn't the so-called Emperor have to obey him obediently?

Though he thought this to himself, Lu Yu replied without hesitation, "Senior, I am willing to join the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!"

However, he shifted his tone and continued, "But I have one additional condition..."

Meng Shenji had not expected Lu Yu to agree so readily, and his face instantly beamed with joy. He asked, "Let's hear it!"

"During my time at the academy, I hope the institution will not restrict my freedom or interfere with my private affairs," Lu Yu stated, neither humble nor arrogant.

Upon hearing this, Meng Shenji laughed heartily and replied without hesitation, "No problem! I can guarantee that!"

For the Imperial family, it was enough to simply bind Lu Yu to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Geniuses were often mavericks; since Lu Yu wanted freedom, he would be granted it.

Meng Shenji pondered for a moment and said, "Since the matter is settled, go back and pack your things. In half an hour, I will take you to Heaven Dou City!"

Lu Yu nodded and took his leave.

Knowing full well the calculations of the Heaven Dou Imperial family, why did he agree to Meng Shenji's conditions? The reason was simple: Lu Yu needed the advanced soul master academy as a springboard to participate in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Cultivation was not about closing oneself off; to become a powerhouse, one must constantly hone their skills in battle. The types of martial souls on the Douluo Continent were numerous, and the combat styles of different soul masters varied greatly. Constantly fighting other soul masters would allow Lu Yu to better understand the experts of various levels on the continent, while simultaneously sharpening himself through combat.

Most importantly, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well—that treasure trove—was located in the Sunset Forest outside of Heaven Dou City!

Returning to the dormitory, Lu Yu had nothing to pack; he simply bid a brief farewell to Wang Sheng and the others. Hearing that he was graduating early and heading to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, everyone was filled with envy. Tang San and Xiao Wu were not in the dormitory; he did not know where they had gone.

Half an hour later, Lu Yu left the dormitory. As soon as he reached the playground, he saw Meng Shenji waiting at the academy gate. Lu Yu quickened his pace and greeted him courteously.

Meng Shenji stroked his beard with a smile, gestured toward a luxurious carriage outside the academy, and said softly, "Let's go!"

Just as the two were about to walk out of the academy gate, a voice suddenly came from behind.

"Wait!"

The two turned in confusion to see Yu Xiaogang and Tang San walking over quickly. Approaching them, Yu Xiaogang glanced at Lu Yu and then said politely to Meng Shenji, "Chief Meng, I am Yu Xiaogang."

Hearing this name, Meng Shenji paused, a strange look flickering in his eyes before he smiled and said, "I have heard of the Master's name like thunder! I never imagined that such a small Notting Junior Soul Master Academy would be hiding such talent. May I ask why the Master has stopped us?"

Yu Xiaogang smiled with an air of self-importance, "Those are just empty titles; I am unworthy of such praise. This is my personal disciple, a fellow townsman of Lu Yu. As they are about to part ways, he wishes to spar with him. I wonder if Chief Meng would be willing to observe the match with me?"

From beginning to end, Yu Xiaogang did not look at Lu Yu, as if he had assumed Lu Yu would not dare to defy Meng Shenji's wishes. But to his surprise, Meng Shenji did not give a direct answer; instead, he looked at Lu Yu and asked, "Lu Yu, are you willing to accept the challenge?"

Meng Shenji's attitude made Yu Xiaogang narrow his eyes, his gaze shifting restlessly.

Glancing at Yu Xiaogang and then at Tang San, Lu Yu felt speechless. In the five years he had spent at the Notting Junior Soul Master Academy, he had almost no interaction with them, let alone any grievances. *You, Yu Xiaogang, are amazing, you are noble, you want to cultivate your disciple—why must you use me as a negative example?*

With that thought, Lu Yu's gaze grew sharp. He said indifferently, "Since the Master has asked personally, then let's begin!"

Seeing his agreement, Meng Shenji and Yu Xiaogang both nodded and stepped back a certain distance, clearing space for the fight between him and Tang San.

Tang San's expression was calm as he stepped forward and said softly, "Tang San, Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass, twenty-sixth-level Controller-type Great Soul Master!"

Lu Yu said calmly, "Lu Yu, Soul Venerable."

Tang San's self-introduction was a customary courtesy among soul masters before a spar; naturally, there would not be so much idle talk in a life-or-death battle. But Lu Yu was blunt; he only stated his realm as a Soul Venerable, without revealing his specific cultivation or martial soul. In the unspoken rules of the soul master world, this represented contempt!

Lu Yu was not a pushover. Since this master and disciple had sought trouble time and again, he would naturally show no more face.

Tang San's eyes turned cold. Blue Silver Grass appeared in his palm, and two yellow soul rings rose. Then, his first soul ring shone brilliantly, and the vine-like Blue Silver Grass swept out, binding toward Lu Yu!

Lu Yu simply stood still, letting the Blue Silver Grass wrap around his body. Seeing this, both Meng Shenji and Yu Xiaogang frowned. But immediately after...

A golden light flashed on Lu Yu's body, and a violent surge of soul power erupted. The Blue Silver Grass wrapped around him was snapped into pieces, turning into debris that filled the air!

Before Tang San could react, Lu Yu darted out like lightning, appeared before Tang San in an instant, and smashed a fist directly into his face!

"Bang!"

Tang San had anticipated countless tactics, but he never expected that Lu Yu would effortlessly shatter his first soul skill, "Binding," without even manifesting his martial soul. He never expected Lu Yu's speed to be so great that he didn't even have time to use his hidden weapons!

In a flash, Tang San was sent flying by the punch, blood streaming from his nose as he fainted on the spot.

"Thud..."

Tang San's body hit the ground heavily, and he moved no more. Lu Yu stood in place with a calm expression, slowly retracting his fist and dusting off his sleeves.

"Senior Meng, let's go!"

Hearing Lu Yu's words, Meng Shenji and Yu Xiaogang finally snapped out of their shock. The former beamed with joy, feeling more and more that he had found a treasure. He pulled Lu Yu out of the academy gate without even glancing at Yu Xiaogang again.

Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, had a face as dark as water. He hurried forward to pick up Tang San and headed straight for the teachers' dormitory.

That night, at the top floor of the Notting Junior Soul Master Academy's teachers' dormitory building. The entire floor had only three rooms, each one large and luxuriously decorated. One belonged to the Dean, one to the Vice-Dean, and the last one had been occupied by Yu Xiaogang for the past few years.

Tang San stood in the center of the living room, head hanging, saying nothing. His nose was still swollen, though it had stopped bleeding.