Douluo Continent: The Real World

On the way back to Lanba Academy, Liu Erlong was still debating with Yu Tianyan about the Extreme Flow Soul Master. Teacher Yinshu was waiting for them by the lake.

"Please wait, Dean," Yinshu, dressed in a silver-white teacher's uniform, bowed respectfully and spoke.

He was nearly 50 years old and had broken through to the Soul King realm nine years ago. After absorbing the 30,000-year soul bone given by Liu Erlong, his soul power reached level 56, which was two levels higher than when he had received Flanders and his party in the original story. Under Yu Tianyan's guidance, he was promoted by Liu Erlong to the academy's chief teaching director two years ago, now overseeing all academy matters. Since his promotion, Yinshu had devoted himself to teaching. He dared not disturb the brother and sister unless there was something truly urgent, as he knew he'd face Liu Erlong's wrath if he disrupted their lives.

"Director Yinshu, is there something you need?" Liu Erlong asked.

Yu Tianyan ran up to Yinshu, hooked his arm around his neck, and said with mock dismay, "Uncle, Erlong-jie bullied me."

Yinshu reached out to wipe non-existent cold sweat from his forehead, then smiled helplessly, patting Yu Tianyan's head.

"Xiaoyan, don't make trouble. The Dean loves you so much; how could she bully you?"

He couldn't help but recall scenes of Liu Erlong chasing Yu Tianyan around the academy grounds. The young Yu Tianyan would hide behind teachers with his short legs, while Liu Erlong brandished a stick and declared that anyone who tried to stop her would get hit too. Having watched Yu Tianyan grow up, Yinshu had taken many beatings for him, and in turn, Yu Tianyan had often shared the brunt of Liu Erlong's wrath on their behalf. Their close bond was forged in shared "discipline."

Liu Erlong looked displeased. Ever since Yu Tianyan started helping her control her inner rage a year ago, she found herself disliking him getting close to anyone else, whether man or woman.

After pulling Yu Tianyan off of him, Yinshu began to speak.

"Dean, the candidates for next year's Soul Master Elite Competition have been selected."

This was indeed timely news, though it likely wouldn't affect their performance.

Yu Tianyan, pulled down and unhappy, listened half-heartedly. He had been close to Yinshu since childhood. To some extent, Yinshu was practically a second parent, having changed his diapers. He tolerated Liu Erlong's clumsy attempts at "training," but his loyalty lay with Yinshu.

Liu Erlong nodded but didn't seem too invested. She understood the reality. The students chosen were the oldest in the academy, and none were particularly exceptional. Her Blue Tyrant Academy only accepted commoners, which meant its students weren't as well-trained or innately powerful as those in other soul master academies, who often came from noble backgrounds and had been trained since birth.

She had long wanted to train a formidable team to achieve respectable results in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition, but quality recruits were hard to come by. At this point, she only hoped Yu Tianyan would one day bring honor to Lanba Academy.

"Alright, I understand. Anything else?" Liu Erlong asked, ready to end the conversation.

Sensing her impatience, Yinshu continued, bowing slightly.

"Dean, among this year's recruits, there are four students with exceptional talent and character. I believe we should prioritize their training. While they may not do well this time, they could be invaluable in future competitions."

Hearing this, Liu Erlong's interest was piqued.

"Oh? Really? What are their names and ages?"

In the past two years, she had been focused on her own cultivation and hadn't kept up with academy affairs, even neglecting next year's competition.

Yinshu adjusted his glasses—already the eighth pair, thanks to Yu Tianyan's antics—before beginning.

"Tai Long, 14 years old, martial spirit Mighty Ape; Jiang Zhu, 14, martial spirit Healing Scepter; Jing Ling, 15, martial spirit Skull; and Huang Yuan, 15, martial spirit Lone Wolf. They are all at the level of Great Soul Master. Tai Long has shown the best progress, having reached level 27."

Liu Erlong smiled, pleased. The academy hadn't seen students with this level of talent in many years.

Yu Tianyan's expression shifted upon hearing their names. Busy with physical training and helping Liu Erlong stabilize her inner fire for the past two years, he hadn't kept track of the academy's new students. He hadn't expected the future substitute team to have already enrolled. Upon reflection, he realized their ages aligned with the Haotian Sect's timeline for closing its doors.

He knew these four couldn't compare with the Shrek Seven, who possessed extraordinary skills, nor could they rival the best teams from the two empires or the Five Elements Academy. However, among other advanced academies, they certainly held first-tier talent.

"The Mighty Ape…" Liu Erlong murmured, realizing something. "Is that Tai Long from the Li Clan?"

The Power Clan was once an affiliated clan of the Haotian Sect, known for their martial spirit, the powerful Mighty Ape—a rare, pure-strength martial spirit in the soul master world.

"Yes, Tai Long is the only grandson of the Power Clan's chief, Titan," Yinshu replied.

Titan, known for his unrelenting strength, was not someone Liu Erlong feared. Nodding, she said, "Alright. Bring them here tomorrow; I'd like to meet them in person."

Yinshu bowed and took his leave, touching Yu Tianyan's head affectionately before departing.

Watching Yinshu's retreating figure, Yu Tianyan's gaze darkened, and his face grew solemn. The next Soul Master Competition would be next year, meaning it wouldn't be long before Yu Xiaogang came to Tiandou City. He needed to prepare.

Liu Erlong noticed the intense, restrained look in Yu Tianyan's eyes—a look no nine-year-old should have. Behind it, she saw a flash of murderous intent.

"What's wrong, Xiaoyan?" she asked. She'd only seen him look like this when he talked about his parents.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Tianyan suppressed his anger. To be honest, if he weren't afraid of losing Liu Erlong, he wouldn't care whether Yu Xiaogang was a scoundrel or a theory expert.

"It's nothing, sister. I'm just tired from the journey. I'm going back to rest," he said, turning to walk towards his cabin.

{Thank you all for your votes and support! I'm not well-educated, so I don't know how to express my gratitude eloquently.

To my dear readers:

Dai Mubai is first introduced at age 15 with a level of 37.

Yu Tianheng appears to be 19 with a level of 39 in the original work.

Does this make sense? Dai Mubai, with better talent than Yu Tianheng, before he ate the Qirong Tongtianju?

There's also information suggesting Yu Tianheng was 16 with a level of 39, which I can accept, but the original states that Yu Tianheng was the oldest in the Royal Fighting Team. This makes no sense. Dugu Bo mentioned that Dugu Yan was seven years older than Tang San, so Dugu Yan must be older than Yu Tianheng. It's confusing. The inconsistencies are driving me crazy!}--- From Original Author

(End of chapter)