Chapter 24: The Awkward Yu Xiaogang... Heaven Dou Imperial Academy! The Fourth Prince—Xue Beng

Yu Xiaogang sat on the sofa, looking at Tang San before him, and said calmly, "You refuse to accept this?"

Tang San shook his head and said, "He is a three-ring Soul Venerable, while I am only a two-ring Great Soul Master. Moreover, Control-type soul masters are not inherently suited for one-on-one combat at the early stages."

"It’s just that I didn't expect to lose so miserably..."

A smile appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face as he said, "Having the courage to face failure is a good thing!"

"You have hidden weapons and a second martial soul. If you had gone all out from the very beginning, he might not have been your match!"

"The reason Lu Yu was able to win so easily is that his soul power far exceeds yours. And if I am not mistaken, his third soul ring is likely a thousand-year soul ring!"

"A thousand-year soul ring provides a massive enhancement to the physical body. Combined with his cunning—deliberately not releasing his martial soul to make you underestimate him, then unleashing a sudden burst of power backed by his physical and rank advantages—it is only natural that your strength and speed could not keep up."

Tang San listened quietly. Yu Xiaogang continued, "You didn't lose because of the gap between you and Lu Yu; you lost due to a lack of combat experience..."

At this point, Yu Xiaogang's voice cut off abruptly. Tang San's expression stiffened as well. The two stared at each other, their expressions incredibly awkward.

Lost due to a lack of combat experience?

Three years ago, Yu Xiaogang had personally claimed that Lu Yu only knew how to work behind closed doors and did not focus on improving his practical combat experience...

He had even boasted that Tang San could defeat Lu Yu despite the gap in their ranks.

But now...

Lu Yu had defeated Tang San cleanly and decisively without even revealing his martial soul, his strikes fast, accurate, and ruthless.

It was as if a heavy slap had landed squarely on the face of the "Master of Theory," Yu Xiaogang!

Yu Xiaogang’s face flushed red, and he quickly changed the subject. "San, stay at the academy for these next two days and focus on your cultivation. I am going out to meet a few old friends..."

Tang San, also feeling the awkwardness, said nothing more.

...

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, as a vital institution controlled by the Heaven Dou Imperial family, was not located within the capital city of Heaven Dou, but rather on a mountain not far outside the city.

Or, to be precise...

This mountain, which rose into the clouds, along with the forests and lakes at its base, were all part of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, illustrating the massive scale of the institution.

Beyond the academy, there were also many other major power bases surrounding the city of Heaven Dou.

For instance... the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!

A luxurious carriage slowed to a stop at the foot of the mountain of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Meng Shenji and Lu Yu stepped out.

"Lu Yu, you’ve had a long journey. Let me take you to the academy and show you the dormitory prepared for you!"

As Meng Shenji spoke, he led Lu Yu through the main gate.

It was afternoon, and many students dressed in goose-yellow uniforms were coming and going.

Upon seeing Meng Shenji, these students respectfully bowed and offered greetings, while also curiously eyeing Lu Yu. Most, however, did not have the courage to step forward and inquire.

Even though many students at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy were of noble birth, they dared not be insolent in the presence of an eight-ring powerhouse.

They hadn't walked far when a youth of about sixteen or seventeen approached and asked without reservation, "Chief Meng, who is this..."

Meng Shenji’s attitude was amiable as he smiled and said, "Your Highness, this is a new student specially admitted by the Imperial family, Lu Yu."

The youth looked Lu Yu up and down, curled his lip, and said, "Specially admitted? Him?"

Meng Shenji's expression stiffened. He quickly replied, "This was a decision by the Academic Affairs Committee, and it also reflects the Emperor's will!"

"If Your Highness has any objections, you may take them up with the Emperor!"

Having said that, he ignored the youth and turned to lead Lu Yu away.

Lu Yu was not angered; he merely looked at the youth with interest.

To be addressed as "Your Highness" and be a student at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy—the identity of this youth was obvious...

The Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Imperial family, Xue Beng!

A master of acting who disguised himself as a dissolute playboy!

Not long after Lu Yu and Meng Shenji departed, Xue Beng, with a dark look on his face, said to one of his lackeys, "Find out for me!"

"I want to see what is so special about this kid that Chief Meng would personally intervene to ensure his special admission!"

The lackey didn't think much of it, assuming Xue Beng was just being his usual arrogant self and wanted to give Lu Yu a hard time.

But he did not know that Xue Beng’s mind was already beginning to scheme...

Meanwhile, Meng Shenji had brought Lu Yu to the entrance of a small courtyard.

The courtyard was spacious, with a two-story building in the center.

"This is your dormitory..."

Meng Shenji said, "As agreed, you are free to enter and leave the academy as you please. However, in one month, the annual Academy Grand Tournament will be held."

"The reward for the champion is one hundred thousand gold soul coins, along with temporary VIP status for the Heaven Dou Auction."

At this, Meng Shenji lowered his voice and said with a smile, "As a VIP, the auction waives all handling fees, and after winning a treasure, you only need to pay seventy percent of the price."

"Although the temporary VIP status expires after the auction, that hundred-thousand-gold-coin prize is enough to buy many fine things!"

Lu Yu was slightly taken aback. In his past life, he had heard of the Heaven Dou Auction, but never of this so-called VIP status.

Meng Shenji explained further, "In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, very few possess VIP status. Aside from a handful of nobles and members of the Imperial family, only the masters of the Seven Great Sects are eligible!"

"Lu Yu, although you are a specially admitted student, you already have the cultivation of a three-ring Soul Venerable. Are you interested in participating?"

Lu Yu understood that Meng Shenji had likely witnessed his battle with Tang San and wanted to test his strength, which was why he was encouraging him to join the tournament.

However, Lu Yu’s purpose in coming to Heaven Dou Royal Academy was to hone himself through combat with other soul masters, so he naturally would not miss this opportunity. He nodded immediately and said, "Chief Meng, I am willing to participate!"

Meng Shenji laughed heartily, patted Lu Yu on the shoulder, and said, "Then I shall take my leave! The dormitory is fully stocked with daily necessities; if you need anything, you can go directly to the Academic Affairs Committee!"

With that, Meng Shenji turned and left.

As an eight-ring powerhouse, he did not have time to waste here.

He had only personally recruited Lu Yu and patiently explained so much because he valued Lu Yu's talent and wished to foster a good relationship.

After Meng Shenji left, Lu Yu entered the courtyard.

The small building was luxuriously furnished. Just as Meng Shenji had said, all daily necessities were provided, and most were of considerable value.

"As expected of a noble academy..."

Lu Yu shook his head and chuckled. Compared to this Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the Notting Primary Soul Master Academy was practically a slum...

After taking a look around, Lu Yu went out again to wander through the grounds of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

It had to be said that in the original story, the reason the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's first team, as the seeded team in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, could be so easily defeated by the Spirit Hall team was not without reason...

The entire academy was shrouded in an atmosphere of luxury, displaying wealth at every turn.

Coupled with the fact that most students were of noble birth and pampered, it was likely that few of them had their minds set on cultivation!

Feeling bored, Lu Yu walked straight out of the academy gate and arrived at the lake at the foot of the mountain.