Chapter 9

Upon reaching the temporary lodgings, Gu Xuan freshened up in his room and then followed his teacher to the dining hall for dinner.

Translate: "After arriving at the temporary residence, Gu Xuan entered his room, freshened up, and then followed his teacher to the cafeteria for dinner."

We need to keep as single line.

Someone like Gu Xuan, who comes from a background, naturally doesn't need to purchase any daily supplies—his personal storage soul tool is already stocked.

Translate: "A child with a background like Gu Xuan naturally doesn't need to buy any daily necessities; their own storage soul tool already has everything prepared."

The teacher didn't rush to get Gu Xuan sorted with other campus cards or assignments, since tomorrow he'll undergo a trial that will decide whether he joins the Royal Battle Squad's first team, second team, or just a regular advanced class.

Translate: "And the teacher wasn't in a hurry to take Gu Xuan to handle other campus cards and academic tasks, because tomorrow Gu Xuan will participate in a trial that will determine his affiliation—whether it's the Royal Battle Team First Squad, Second Squad, or just an ordinary excellence class."

So there's no hurry today.

Translate: "So there's no rush today."

Meals are paid for using either the student card of the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy or a teacher's faculty card.

Translate: "When eating, the commonly used cards are the student cards of the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy, or the teachers' teacher cards."

Note the duplication: the phrase "student cards of the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy" appears twice; it simply means the student cards of that academy.

It's worth noting that teachers at the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy are also graded: levels 41–50 are Tiānwēi-level, 51–60 are Tiānzhì-level, and 61 and up are Tiāndǒu-level.

Translate: "It's worth mentioning that the teachers at the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy are also graded by level: levels forty-one to fifty are Heavenly Minor-level teachers, fifty-one to sixty are Heavenly Supreme-level teachers, and sixty-one and above are Heavenly Battle-level teachers."

Inside the academy, Tiānwēi-level members get no discount on their campus cards, Tiānzhì-level holders receive a 10% discount on all purchases, and Tiāndǒu-level holders get a 30% discount.

Translate: "Within the academy, whether teacher or student, the campus cards of Heavenly Minor-level members have no discounts; Heavenly Supreme-level cards enjoy a 10% discount on any item, and Heavenly Battle-level cards enjoy a 30% discount."

This is also the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy's way of rewarding diligent students and staff.

Translate: "This is also the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy's preferential treatment for hardworking students and teachers."

The meal was charged to Teacher Taiga's card—Taiga is the teacher who brought Gu Xuan, and his soul power is level 55, putting him in the Tiānzhì tier.

Translate: "This meal was paid for with Taijia teacher's card; Taijia teacher is the one guiding Gu Xuan, his soul power is already at level fifty-five, making him a Heavenly Supreme-level teacher."

After dinner, Teacher Taiga showed Gu Xuan around the academy to get him acquainted with the surroundings.

Translate: "After the meal, Taijia teacher took Gu Xuan around the academy to familiarize him with the environment."

Of course, ordinary folks wouldn't get such perks, but Gu Xuan isn't just exceptionally gifted—he also has the background of his grandfather Gu Rong, a Titled Douluo, so the academy's special treatment is understandable.

Translate: "Of course, ordinary people definitely wouldn't receive this treatment, but Gu Xuan not only has extraordinary talent, he also has the background of his grandfather Gu Rong, a Titled Douluo of Bone, so the academy giving him some preferential treatment is normal."

After all, the academy isn't just about fighting; it's also about interpersonal skills and worldly wisdom.

Translate: "After all, the academy isn't just about fighting and bickering; it's also about human relations and worldly wisdom."

By nightfall, Gu Xuan had learned the academy's main buildings and layout, and then he headed back to his temporary residence on his own.

Translate: "Until nightfall, Gu Xuan basically knew the academy's landmark buildings and territory, then he returned alone to his temporary residence."

Gu Xuan has long substituted cultivation for sleep; after a night of training, his soul power grew a bit more solid, and he felt refreshed and clear-headed.

Translate: "Gu Xuan has long been accustomed to cultivating instead of sleeping; after cultivating all night, his soul power became a bit more solid, and his whole person felt refreshed and clear-headed."

At 8 a. m., after gathering his toiletries, Gu Xuan left his temporary lodgings, had breakfast with Teacher Taiga in the cafeteria, and at 9 a. m. followed him to the academy's training facility.

Translate: "At eight in the morning, after packing up his washing supplies, Gu Xuan left his temporary residence, went to the cafeteria to have breakfast with Taijia teacher, and at nine o'clock followed him to the academy's training hall."

It's a small training hall that usually accommodates no more than a hundred people, since it's reserved exclusively for the Royal Battle Squad.

Translate: "This is a small training hall that normally accommodates at most a hundred people, because it is exclusively for the Royal Battle Team."

The academy also has a large training hall open to everyone, but its facilities are far inferior to those of this small training hall.

Translate: "The academy also has a large training hall that all members can use, but its conditions are far inferior to those of this small training hall."

Though small, this training hall is fully equipped—like a tiny sparrow with all its organs—offering every piece of equipment needed for any soul master's training.

Translate: "Although this training hall is small, it's complete with all necessary facilities—everything a soul master could need for training is available here."

As they entered the training hall with Teacher Taiga, Gu Xuan admired the lovely setting and well-equipped facilities, couldn't help but nod, and could only say it's no surprise it's the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy—the facilities are top‑notch; even a noble like him felt compelled to praise them.

Translate: "Following Taijia into the training hall, Gu Xuan looked at the beautiful environment and complete facilities, couldn't help but nod, thinking, 'No wonder it's the Heavenly Battle Royal Academy—these hardware facilities are indeed excellent; even someone like Gu Xuan, a young noble, can't help but want to praise them.'"

The center of the training hall features a prototype arena a hundred meters in diameter, currently occupied by eight people. One is a young man in his thirties wearing the garb of a Tiāndǒu‑level teacher; though his looks are plain, he exudes a sharp, irresistible aura.

Translate: "At the center of the training hall is a prototype arena a hundred meters in diameter; currently eight people stand on it. One youth looks to be in his thirties, wearing the attire of a Heavenly Battle-level teacher; although his appearance is ordinary, he gives off a sharp, unstoppable aura."

The other seven wear the Royal Battle Squad's gold‑yellow uniforms, each striking in appearance, yet they all show respect toward the young man, with no sign of defiance.

Translate: "The other seven are dressed in the Royal Battle Team's gold-yellow uniforms, each with remarkable appearance and distinct features, yet when facing the youth they all show respect, with no hint of defiance."

Having read the original, Gu Xuan recognizes the eight without Taiga's introduction: the plain‑looking yet solemn youth is the genius Qin Ming first mentioned in the source, who debuted at age 34, level 63—reportedly the second‑youngest Soul Emperor, expected to eventually reach Titled Douluo status.

Translate: "Gu Xuan, having read the original work, doesn't need Taijia's introduction to know the identities of these eight people; the plain-looking yet stern youth is naturally the genius Qin Ming first mentioned in the original, who debuted at thirty-four years old, level sixty-three, said to be the second-youngest Soul Emperor, with hopes of breaking through to the Titled Douluo realm in the future."

But these are characters whose settings were wildly changed by the original author; later on, Qin Ming's talent amounts to nothing, let alone being called the second‑youngest Soul Emperor.

Translate: "However, these are characters whose settings were wildly altered by the original author; later on, Qin Ming's talent really amounts to nothing, let alone being the second-youngest Soul Emperor."

In the original, Qin Ming first appears with the Royal Battle Squad at the Grand Soul‑Master Arena in Suotuo City, which occurs a little over a year later—by then Ning Rongrong is twelve, and in the original she also went to Shrek Academy at twelve, studied for a few months, then met the Royal Battle Squad and used them as experience fodder.

Translate: "In the original, Qin Ming's debut was alongside the Royal Battle Team at the Grand Soul Battle Arena in Suotuo City, which happened a little over a year later, because a year later Ning Rongrong would be twelve, and in the original Ning Rongrong also went to Shrek Academy at twelve; after studying there for a few months she encountered the Royal Battle Team and used them as experience fodder."

From that point, the Shrek Seven Monsters' rise began gradually, as this battle with the Royal Battle Squad brought Tang San and Gu Yu into contact.

Translate: "From then on, the rise of the Shrek Seven Monsters gradually began, because this battle with the Royal Battle Team allowed Tang San and Du Gu Yan to make contact."

Then, under the arrangement of 'Heaven's Mandate' (the dog author), they encountered Gu Yu Bo: first a classic scene of suppressing the protagonist, then when the protagonist was about to drown his hatred in the northwest, a turning point came, they became friends, and the protagonist seized the opportunity.

Translate: "After that, under the arrangement of 'Heaven's Mandate' (the dog author), they met Dugu Bo; first came a classic scene of suppressing the protagonist, then when the protagonist was about to drown his grudges in the northwest, a turning point arrived, they became friends, and the protagonist smoothly seized this opportunity."

Meeting Gu Yu Bo led Tang San to discover the Ice and Fire Yin‑Yang Eyes, after which his road to becoming the Tang God King became unstoppable, culminating in his attaining godhood.

Translate: "It was precisely because they met Dugu Bo that Tang San discovered the Binghuo Liangyi Yan, after which the path to Tang God King unfolded unstoppably, culminating in his attaining godhood."

Having said all that, Gu Xuan now has a rough idea of Qin Ming's and the other Royal Battle Squad members' current ages; though it differs a bit from his own imagination, it's not a major issue, since the present Tang San can't interfere with him anyway.

Translate: "Of course, after saying all that, Gu Xuan also roughly knows the current ages of Qin Ming and the other Royal Battle Team members; although it differs a bit from his own imagination, it's not a problem, after all, no matter what, the present Tang San cannot interfere with him."

Qin Ming is now 32, level 61—just having broken through level 60 and gained a soul ring—he's been promoted to Tiāndǒu‑level teacher and made captain of the Royal Battle Squad's first team; it's a genius teacher leading genius students, and the academy has high hopes for this generation of the squad.

Translate: "Now Qin Ming is thirty-two years old, level sixty-one, having just broken through level sixty and obtained his soul ring, he has been promoted to Heavenly Battle-level teacher and officially become the captain of the Royal Battle Team First Squad; it can be said that a genius teacher leads genius students, and this generation of the Royal Battle Team is highly anticipated by the academy."

Right now the training hall holds only Qin Ming and the seven members of the Royal Battle Squad's first team, so Gu Xuan and Teacher Taiga's arrival naturally draws their attention.

Translate: "At this moment, the training hall only contains Qin Ming and the seven members of the Royal Battle Team First Squad; the arrival of Gu Xuan and Taijia naturally drew their attention."

Not only the Royal Battle Squad members, but even Qin Ming turned his head to check out Gu Xuan.

Translate: "Not only the Royal Battle Team members, but Qin Ming himself turned his head to size up Gu Xuan."

Last night, the three deans informed Qin Ming about Gu Xuan; Qin Ming is fair and strict, and even though he knows Gu Xuan's background, he won't let Gu Xuan slide by if he doesn't meet today's standards.

Translate: "Last night, the three deans had already told Qin Ming about Gu Xuan; Qin Ming is also a fair and strict person, so even though he knows Gu Xuan's background, if Gu Xuan fails to meet his standards today, he won't let him slip through as a makeshift filler."

As the Royal Battle Squad assembles, they're also announcing Gu Xuan's imminent arrival—only to find that he had already shown up the moment they finished speaking.

Translate: "Now, gathering the Royal Battle Team is also to announce that Gu Xuan will arrive soon; unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Gu Xuan was already there."

But that works out well, because Yu Tianheng is already itching to act.

Translate: "But that's just fine, because Yu Tianheng was already itching to act."

Qin Ming actually didn't reveal Gu Xuan's identity at first; he merely mentioned Gu Xuan's soul power level and martial soul, asking them to send someone later to test him.

Translate: "In fact, Qin Ming initially didn't reveal Gu Xuan's identity; he only mentioned Gu Xuan's soul power level and martial soul, asking them to send someone later to test Gu Xuan."

However, Qin Ming overlooked one detail: Gu Xuan's martial soul is extraordinarily unique—only the Bone Douluo Gu Rong family on the whole continent possesses it, and aside from their bone dragon martial soul, no other bone dragon martial soul has been reported elsewhere.

Translate: "However, Qin Ming forgot one thing: Gu Xuan's martial soul is extremely unique—on the entire continent, only one family possesses it, that of Bone Douluo Gu Rong; aside from their family's Bone Dragon martial soul, no other Bone Dragon martial soul has been heard of elsewhere for now."

Gu Rong's martial soul is an acquired mutation that has been inherited.

Translate: "Because Gu Rong's martial soul is an acquired mutation, it has been passed down."

Yu Tianheng took an interest once he learned Gu Xuan's identity; although his soul power is level 37—four levels above Gu Xuan's—this doesn't hinder his testing of Gu Xuan.

Translate: "So after Yu Tianheng learned Gu Xuan's identity, he became interested; although his soul power is as high as level thirty-seven, four levels above Gu Xuan's, this doesn't affect his testing of Gu Xuan."

He also wants to gauge Gu Xuan's level, since his grandfather Yu Yuan‑zhen once told him that, in the present world, beast martial souls capable of matching the Blue‑Electric Tyrant Dragon Sakura Wind are rare, and the bone dragon martial soul is one of them.

Translate: "Moreover, he also wants to test Gu Xuan's true level, because his grandfather Yu YuanZhen once mentioned to him that beast martial souls capable of matching the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Cherry Blossom Wind are rare nowadays, and the Bone Dragon martial soul happens to be one of them."

Remember, their Blue‑Electric Tyrant Dragon is a true dragon martial soul, hailed as the world's top beast martial soul; Yu Tianheng wants to see just how strong this bone dragon martial soul actually is.

Translate: "After all, their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is a true dragon martial soul, bearing the title of the number one beast martial soul under heaven; Yu Tianheng wants to see just how formidable this Bone Dragon martial soul really is."

Actually, to Gu Xuan, the bone dragon martial soul isn't truly a beast martial soul; strictly speaking, it's a mutated body martial soul—his martial soul is his own skeleton, which, upon awakening, mutated and evolved into dragon bone.

Translate: "In fact, from Gu Xuan's perspective, the Bone Dragon martial soul isn't really a beast martial soul; if one must categorize it, it's a mutated innate martial soul, since his martial soul is his own skeleton, which merely mutated and evolved into dragon bone during awakening."

The dragon bone has no attribute or level; it simply keeps evolving and growing stronger as the soul master's power increases. Its ultimate limit is unknown—for now, Gu Rong is the first‑generation bearer of the bone dragon martial soul and is only at level 96, so further progress may still be possible.

Translate: "And this dragon bone has no attribute or level; it only keeps evolving and growing stronger as the soul master's strength advances, and as for its limit, it's currently unknown—after all, Gu Rong is merely the first-generation Bone Dragon martial soul possessor, now at level ninety-six, so further progress may still be possible."

Today, Gu Rong's bone dragon martial soul has at least reached the quality of a true dragon, and his soul power is even one level above Yu Yuan‑zhen's, making his strength all the more terrifying.

Translate: "As for Gu Rong's Bone Dragon martial soul today, in terms of quality it has at least evolved to the level of a true dragon, and his soul power is even one level higher than Yu YuanZhen's, making his strength even more terrifying."

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