Education Committee Building.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the conference room was somewhat tense.
The seats below the stage were fully occupied, and on the stage, Chief Meng Shenji was passionately delivering a speech:
"I don't understand why everyone is talking about how our Heavenly Dou Royal Academy has suffered seven consecutive defeats against Spirit Hall Academy, as if the Soul Master Competition battlefield is destined to bring us misfortune for the Heavenly Dou Empire."
"Twenty years ago, I embarked on my journey from Saibei City to teach at Spirit Hall Academy, marking the beginning of my first teaching career. Back then, the Spirit Hall Team swept through the Soul Master Competition like an autumn wind, conquering all in their path, and wherever they went, the audience welcomed them with utmost sincerity!"
"It was truly a time of great vitality, where everything flourished, and that vibrant scene is still vivid in my mind!"
"Yet, just twenty years later, has this place turned into my burial ground?"
"No matter how you look at it, in this year's competition, the Battle Soul Masters are Soul Grandmasters against Soul Grandmasters, and the advantage lies with us!"
As his words fell, thunderous applause erupted from the audience below.
"Bravo! Chief, your insight is profound!" Bai Baoshan stood up, clapping with a smile.
"It seems His Majesty made no mistake in inviting Meng Shenji to be the Chief of the Education Committee."
"Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it is!"
"Absolutely, not to mention Chief Meng Shenji has recruited a super genius, Qin Ming, for our Heavenly Dou Royal Academy."
"This year's Soul Master Competition is undoubtedly the most promising one in history for us to win the championship!"
Hearing the discussions from the audience, Meng Shenji's lips curled into a smile, and he was in high spirits. He casually asked, "Everyone, have any of you seen that kid Qin Ming?"
The audience below all shook their heads.
At this moment, Director Li walked up to Meng Shenji with a grim expression, leaned in, and whispered a few words into his ear, recounting the incident that had occurred between Qin Ming and Gu Feng.
"How could this happen? Ah, this Qin Ming is really causing trouble!"
"Forget it, let him rest and recover properly."
Meng Shenji waved his hand, too lazy to inquire further.
After all, if you make a mistake, you must own up to it, and if you get beaten, you must stand tall.
Just then, the door of the conference room was knocked.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Come in."
With Meng Shenji's permission, Xu San immediately pushed the door open. Seeing everyone present, his face lit up with excitement: "Chief Meng Shenji, I have an extremely important matter to report to you!"
Meng Shenji's brows instantly furrowed, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes: "What's so urgent? Can't you see we're in the middle of a meeting?"
Xu San, unable to contain his excitement, said in a deep voice, "Chief, this is a matter significant enough to affect our academy, directly related to the championship of the Soul Master Competition for the next two, or even three, editions!"
As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a heavy bomb had been dropped into a calm lake, stirring up a storm in everyone's hearts.
"Do you realize what you're saying?"
Everyone exchanged glances, and then a wave of skeptical murmurs broke out.
"How is this possible? How dare he make such a bold claim?" An elderly teacher shook his head repeatedly, his face full of doubt.
"Exactly, the Soul Master Competition is filled with countless experts, and the variables are immense. How can the championship be determined so many editions in advance?" A younger teacher chimed in, his eyes filled with distrust.
"Is Xu San out of his mind, spouting nonsense to disrupt the meeting?" In a corner, a chubby teacher muttered under his breath.
Meng Shenji raised his hand to signal for silence, his gaze fixed intently on Xu San as he asked, "Since you dared to speak such words, you must have your reasons. Explain carefully, what exactly is going on?"
Xu San took a deep breath, calming his excitement, and said, "Chief, are you familiar with the Bone Dragon?"
Meng Shenji frowned, rolling his eyes in annoyance, and scolded, "Nonsense! That's the Martial Soul of His Excellency Bone Douluo. How could I not know?"
Xu San licked his dry lips, his voice trembling slightly, "What if I told you that a student with the Bone Dragon Martial Soul and Innate Full Soul Power has joined our academy? Wouldn't you want to see for yourself?"
These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone stunned.
Meng Shenji's eyes widened in disbelief. He abruptly stood up, slamming his hands on the table, and exclaimed, "What did you say? A student with the Bone Dragon Martial Soul? And with Innate Full Soul Power?"
The meeting room erupted into chaos as everyone began whispering, their faces filled with shock and doubt.
"This is impossible. Innate Full Soul Power geniuses are already as rare as phoenix feathers, and those with a top-tier Martial Soul like the Bone Dragon are even rarer. Moreover, the Bone Dragon is unique to Bone Douluo's lineage. How could such a person suddenly appear in our academy?" A senior teacher voiced his skepticism, his tone rising involuntarily.
"Perhaps Xu San misjudged or was deceived by the student," another teacher muttered softly, his eyes filled with doubt.
Meng Shenji, however, ignored the surrounding chatter. His sharp eyes bore into Xu San as if trying to see through him. "Xu San, do you understand the consequences of spreading falsehoods? This matter is of great importance. Are you absolutely certain the information is accurate? Where is this student now?"
Xu San felt a chill run down his spine under Meng Shenji's intense gaze, but he nodded firmly. "It's absolutely true, Chief! The student just enrolled today. I personally witnessed his Bone Dragon Martial Soul manifest, which is why I rushed here to report it to you."
Meng Shenji pondered for a moment, a thought crossing his mind: "Could it be Bone Douluo's grandson has come to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy? But I've never heard of Bone Douluo having a grandson."
Then, with a wave of his hand, he declared, "Let's go. Take me to see him. If what you say is true, this would be a great fortune for our Heavenly Dou Royal Academy."
With that, he strode out of the meeting room. The other teachers, seeing this, quickly followed, forming a large group as they hurried toward the freshman teaching building.
Along the way, Xu San continued to chat casually with Meng Shenji, much to the envy of the other teachers.
After all, Meng Shenji had been personally invited by the Emperor three times, and his status and position were incredibly high.
Since joining the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, he had already recruited a genius, Qin Ming, who, at just over 20 years old, possessed the strength of a Soul Grandmaster and even had the potential to become a Titled Douluo in the future.
If Xu San's class truly had a Bone Dragon Soul Master, it would undoubtedly be a significant achievement for the year!
Soon, they arrived at Freshman Class 3.
Xu San pointed to a corner and said, "Chief, that's him. His name is Gu Feng."
"Gu Feng? The surname Gu? Could it be..." Meng Shenji muttered to himself, his heart suddenly trembling as his earlier suspicions seemed to align perfectly.
Gu Rong—Gu Feng?
Could it be any more obvious?
With this thought, Meng Shenji suppressed his excitement and walked straight toward Gu Feng's position.
At that moment, Gu Feng was idly staring out the window, so lost in thought that he didn't even notice Meng Shenji approaching.
Yu Feng, sitting nearby, saw Gu Feng's oblivious state and couldn't help but reach out to gently poke his arm, trying to alert him.
Director Li also hurriedly spoke up to remind him, "Gu Feng, shouldn't you greet the Education Committee?"
"There's no need to worry about such formalities."
Meng Shenji quickly intervened, not wanting to ruin his impression in Gu Feng's eyes over a minor issue.
Then, with a warm and amiable smile, Meng Shenji spoke softly, "Young friend Gu Feng, I am Meng Shenji. Are you settling in well at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy? If you need anything, feel free to come to the Education Committee anytime."
This scene was witnessed by the many teachers behind them, who exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.
After all, Meng Shenji, as the Chief of the Education Committee, was usually so authoritative. Yet now, he was lowering himself to such an extent for a newly enrolled student—it was truly hard to believe.
Even if the student had some talent, was this level of treatment necessary?
Gu Feng, just snapping out of his thoughts, instinctively replied, "It's alright."
Wait, Meng Shenji?
That name sounded so familiar—wasn't he the head of the academy's Education Committee?
Gu Feng suddenly perked up, staring intently at the old man before him, and blurted out, "You're Chief Meng Shenji? I actually have something to ask. A friend and I enrolled at the same time, so why wasn't she assigned to this class?"
"Besides, I'm in the Power Attack System, and she's in the Support System. I remember that Power Attack and Support aren't supposed to be separated, right?"
(End of Chapter)