Chapter 112: First Encounter

Two vines coiled around the two great Soul Masters who fell from the cliff, safely delivering them to the ground.

A powerful bear claw seized the head of the phoenix‑tail rooster‑crown snake; the other hand lifted and flicked the flesh crown, instantly causing it to fall into a coma.

Zhao Wuji tossed the phoenix‑tail rooster‑crown snake in front of Oscar.

"Two of you, stop hiding." Zhao Wuji's sharp gaze fell on Tie Li and Mu Wei's hiding spot.

Tie Li showed no panic and stepped out with Mu Wei.

"Senior, we are students of the Tian Dou Royal Academy." Tie Li stated his identity outright, his eyes also landing on the five Shilake Academy students.

Tang San, Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu. From their appearances one can roughly discern their identities,

Their clothing is plain, wearing a set of light‑blue battle attire; their looks are not handsome, but they give a friendly, easy‑going impression.

Golden long hair drapes over the shoulders, a handsome face bears a hint of firmness; the most striking feature is his uncanny eyes, with twin pupils.

The thick, full beard covers his face; the distinctive beard alone reveals his identity.

A chubby body, short hair, small eyes, with two little side whiskers at the lips.

Black, sleek long hair styled into a tidy scorpion braid; the upper body wears a pink little garment that wraps the developing figure, a pair of slender long legs with perfect golden proportions, a playful expression on the face, curiously watching the discovered Tie Li and Mu Wei.

From the soul power fluctuations on them, they are much stronger than those of this period in the original timeline.

"It seems our luck is good, meeting Tian Dou Royal Academy students here." Zhao Wuji said with a smile, looking at Fulangde beside him.

While Tie Li observed them, they were also observing Tie Li and Mu Wei.

"The teaching level of the Tian Dou Royal Academy should be decent; this talent placed in Shilake Academy could still rank well." Fulangde's sharp gaze lingered on Tie Li a moment longer, his voice adding a note of praise.

As for Mu Wei beside them, he scored a slightly below‑average level.

Judging an academy's merit and elimination, one can see much from the students' Soul Power Levels.

They are about to go to the Tian Dou Royal Academy for retirement, naturally hoping for a good teaching environment; if the academy's students are all poor seedlings unfit to look at, they might not stay.

Oscar took the short blade handed by Zhao Wuji and impolitely thrust it into the vital spot of the phoenix‑tail rooster‑crown snake.

In no time, the phoenix‑tail rooster‑crown snake's life force vanished completely.

Oscar sat cross‑legged on the ground, beginning to absorb the Soul Ring; at that moment Tang San removed all six soul‑beast eggs from the nest, gave one to the earlier group, and handed another to Tie Li and his companion.

"Consider this your guide fee; later take us to your academy." Fulangde said.

Even though he knew their identities, he still pretended, deliberately asking.

"Who are you?"

"We are from Shilake Academy, invited to your Tian Dou Royal Academy." Zhao Wuji said.

"So it's you, Mu Wei, go notify Teacher Qin Ming first."

"No need for that hassle, we can go together." Fulangde had intended to call Mu Wei.

"First give Teacher Qin Ming time to prepare; a sudden appearance might lead to inadequate reception." Tie Li immediately said.

Tie Li acted thus, naturally not wanting them to encounter the same situation as in the original timeline; with them entering the Tian Dou Royal Academy, he might not have to represent the Second Team in the Soul Master Competition.

He has already obtained the Fourth Soul Ring; now that the Tian Dou Royal Academy can attract him, only the library and cafeteria remain.

If they fully integrate into the Tian Dou Royal Academy, it means Shilake Academy will completely vanish from the history of Dou Luo Da Lu, and the subsequent timeline will undergo massive changes, how so?

After Oscar successfully absorbed the Soul Ring, Tie Li led them to the Tian Dou Royal Academy.

"Huh, isn't the Tian Dou Royal Academy inside Tiandou City?" Fulangde asked curiously.

"No, the academy is on a mountain outside Tiandou City; the lake and forest at the foot also belong to the academy's domain, and here there are camouflaged training environments…" Tie Li explained beside them.

Tang San's gaze kept lingering on him, and Tie Li guessed he might have recognized his identity.

After all, the two had known each other for years at the blacksmith shop in Nuo Ding City; although age had altered their looks, the general outline still made them easy to recognize.

When Tie Li brought them to the foot of the mountain, preparing to ascend, they saw Teacher Qin Ming waiting ahead.

As soon as they met, Qin Ming warmly stepped forward to greet them.

"Da Li, thank you this time." Qin Ming thanked Tie Li.

"It's nothing."

He said that, but Tie Li did not leave the group; instead he stayed behind Teacher Qin Ming, wanting to see the Education Committee's next test of Tang San, to gauge Tang San's current level.

What soul beast provided his Third Soul Ring? Does he still have the External Attached Soul Bone "Eight‑Spider Spear"?

Besides the academy's environment, the perks of Tian Dou‑level classrooms are also very appealing.

The three Education Committee members are now waiting in the academy, dressed in the highest ceremonial robes that signify their rank; such attire is usually worn only for duels with peers of equal level or for extremely important occasions.

The three Education Committee members don the robes to show respect for the Shilake crowd.

Qin Ming led the Shilake group into the academy and naturally saw the three Education Committee members.

Even Fulangde, faced with the attention from the three Soul Douluo, couldn't help feeling flattered.

"Shilake Academy, Fulangde. Martial soul Cat‑Eagle, Level 78 Agile Attack‑type Battle Soul Saint, pleased to meet you, senior." Fulangde crossed his hands over his shoulders, a customary greeting in the Soul Master world for juniors meeting seniors.

The three Education Committee members are all over eighty, while Fulangde is only in his fifties; performing the junior's courtesy is appropriate.

Meng Shenji stood in the middle, laughing heartily, then stepped forward to pull the hand from Fulangde's shoulder.

"Dean Fulangde, I have long admired your name; to have the Shilake Academy teachers present, our place also shines brightly;

Allow me to introduce myself: I am the chief of the Education Committee, Meng Shenji, martial soul Black Demon, Level 86 Control‑type Battle Soul Douluo."

He also pointed to Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin on the left and right, giving a brief introduction.

Fulangde also introduced the Shilake Academy teachers; aside from the Food‑type Soul Saint drawing extra attention from the three Education Committee members, their gazes were mostly on the students.

"Everyone, feel free; once here, treat it as your own home."

Meng Shenji invited everyone into the Education Committee hall; this was Tie Li's first time there, and it was not as luxurious as imagined, appearing very simple, with only a few necessary furnishings and plants as decoration.

(End of chapter)