That morning, Yang Xiong departed from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School completely alone, dressed in ordinary clothing that wouldn't draw unwanted attention to his status or wealth.
Since successfully absorbing his second spirit ring approximately half a year ago, Yang Xiong had experienced remarkable physical growth. Though not yet twelve years old, his height had already reached close to 1.7 meters. Only his facial features retained a slightly childish appearance, but his impressive body shape and well-developed muscles made him appear like a young adult rather than a child.
Throughout the Spirit Master world of the Douluo Continent, the Spirit Hall commanded ultimate reverence and authority. Even sect disciples like Yang Xiong were required to carry official Spirit Master certificates for identification purposes.
To avoid revealing too much of his newfound wealth, Yang Xiong wore a discrete wrist guard spirit tool for storage, while keeping the valuable Hundred Herb Pouch concealed close to his body. Additionally, he carried a modest bag of gold spirit coins and a single gold spirit coin card for necessary expenses.
Originally, his father Yang Lin and mother Sun Yu had strongly disapproved of Yang Xiong leaving the sect's protection to travel to Heaven Dou City alone. Sun Yu had even insisted that she would personally escort Yang Xiong to Heaven Dou City to ensure his safety.
However, Yang Xiong had argued persuasively that he was already eleven and a half years old and would soon turn twelve. He explained that this trip to Heaven Dou City was primarily intended to examine various advanced Spirit Master academies to facilitate his future enrollment decisions.
It was important to note that Yang Xiong had already reached an impressive level twenty-four in spirit power. Even if he chose to apply to the prestigious Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the future, there would be absolutely no problem with his qualifications. As for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's policy of only accepting nobles, his exceptional talent, demonstrated strength, and prestigious status as a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School disciple would be more than sufficient to secure his admission.
Yang Xiong walked steadily for half a day before finally arriving at the magnificent Heaven Dou City. Compared to the familiar Seven Treasure City, Heaven Dou City appeared significantly taller and more majestic in its architecture. There were countless people entering and departing through the massive city gates, with armed soldiers maintaining vigilant guard duties.
However, after Yang Xiong presented his official Spirit Master certificate, he was immediately granted direct entry into Heaven Dou City. Throughout the entire Douluo Continent, Spirit Masters represented the most noble and respected profession. Even an ordinary Spirit Master certificate provided unobstructed passage through all cities without question.
After successfully entering Heaven Dou City, Yang Xiong's first destination was the Purple Star Academy, where his elder brother Yang Wei was currently studying and training.
Unfortunately, elder brother Yang Wei possessed only average talent for cultivation. Even after consuming Whale Gelatin multiple times over the years, he was now seventeen years old with his spirit power having reached only level thirty-one.
This meant that during the past five years, Yang Wei had managed to increase his spirit power by merely ten levels. This slow progress occurred despite the beneficial effects of Whale Gelatin enhancement and successful spirit ring absorption.
However, level thirty-one spirit power was actually considered quite respectable within ordinary advanced Spirit Master academies. After all, the graduation standard for many advanced Spirit Master academies required students to reach only level thirty.
The competitive teams of ordinary advanced Spirit Master academies typically included at most one or two Spirit Elders, and sometimes none at all. The remaining team members were usually advanced Spirit Grand Masters. Yang Wei had already achieved level thirty-one at seventeen years of age, and with several more years of dedicated effort, he might even earn a position on the academy's official team. If he maintained his perseverance, he could potentially participate in future Spirit Master competitions.
Yang Wei had been residing at the Purple Star Academy during this period, working extremely hard in his cultivation, hoping to demonstrate that he could earn a place on the academy team through pure effort and determination. Otherwise, he would be required to graduate in another six months.
The management policies of advanced Spirit Master academies were relatively strict and formal. Only enrolled students or authorized visitors were permitted entry. After Yang Xiong presented his proper identification, Yang Wei came to greet him shortly thereafter.
As the two brothers walked together through the Purple Star Academy grounds, Yang Wei expressed obvious surprise. "Little Xiong, why did you travel all the way to Heaven Dou City? Did Mom and Dad accompany you on this journey?"
Yang Xiong smiled warmly. "Brother, this time I came to Heaven Dou City alone for training and exploration. You haven't returned home for six months. Mom and Dad asked me to bring you some important items."
Yang Wei felt momentarily speechless. "Little Xiong, you understand that I've been working incredibly hard in my cultivation recently, so I haven't had any time to return home for visits."
Yang Xiong didn't waste time with unnecessary conversation and directly handed a spirit tool to Yang Wei. This represented part of the generous resources that Ning Fengzhi had provided him - one million gold spirit coins plus numerous valuable cultivation materials.
The entire Yang family now lacked only a proper storage spirit tool for Yang Wei's use. Yang Xiong had simply purchased two high-quality storage spirit tools directly in Seven Treasure City. One was intended for Yang Wei, while the other he kept concealed on his person for storing personal items in the future. His original two spirit tools had been gifts from the sect and were too conspicuous and inconvenient to hide effectively.
Yang Wei excitedly accepted the spirit tool, his eyes filling with genuine surprise and delight. "Little Xiong, you're incredibly thoughtful! You remembered that I've wanted this type of storage spirit tool for such a long time."
Yang Xiong smiled with satisfaction. "Brother, having a spirit tool is much more convenient when you're living away from home."
Yang Wei carefully examined the spirit tool with obvious appreciation. He clearly loved the gift immensely. After discovering the contents stored within the spirit tool, he became even more pleasantly surprised.
"Little Xiong, why are there so many valuable resources included here? These items must be worth an enormous amount of money."
Yang Xiong explained thoughtfully, "Knowing that you're working so hard in your cultivation, Brother, these resources might help you achieve better progress. Perhaps you'll even be able to participate in the next Spirit Master competition as a substitute team member."
Yang Wei nodded with renewed determination. "There are still two and a half years remaining until the next Spirit Master competition. If I can improve to level thirty-four or even thirty-five, then securing a position will be absolutely no problem."
Yang Xiong simply smiled knowingly. In the original storyline, the substitute members of Shrek Academy, including Huang Yuan and others, were only level thirty-five. With his brother's Iron Sword martial soul and current spirit power level, he genuinely had excellent prospects of becoming a substitute for the Purple Star Academy team.
Next, under Yang Wei's enthusiastic guidance, Yang Xiong received a comprehensive tour of the Purple Star Academy facilities.
The entire Purple Star Academy didn't occupy an enormous area, but it still encompassed over one thousand acres of land. The academy housed approximately three hundred students in total. The campus also featured numerous simulated training environments designed for practical combat experience.
Purely in terms of total area, faculty quality, and environmental resources, the academy fell far short of the prestigious Heaven Dou Royal Academy. However, establishing an advanced Spirit Master academy within Heaven Dou City required not only qualified faculty, but also significant political background and substantial financial resources. It was well known that relying solely on student tuition fees could never support an advanced Spirit Master academy. Such institutions required backing from the empire, major sects, or powerful noble families to remain operational.
A hint of genuine pride appeared on Yang Wei's face. "How do you find it, Little Xiong? Our Purple Star Academy isn't bad at all, is it? You should understand that our Purple Star Academy is a veteran advanced Spirit Master academy with an established reputation. We basically participate in the Spirit Master competition every year. This academy was also carefully selected by our father as the most suitable advanced Spirit Master academy for my cultivation needs."
Yang Xiong smiled approvingly. "It's genuinely impressive. Although the campus is somewhat smaller than others, all necessary facilities are complete, and the learning atmosphere appears excellent. It's indeed well-suited for your Iron Sword martial soul, Brother."
Yang Wei continued enthusiastically, "Little Xiong, you'll be turning twelve years old soon. Would you consider coming to the Purple Star Academy in the future? Then we could look after each other. With your exceptional strength, there's no realistic hope for this current Spirit Master competition. However, you might be able to become a main team member in the next competition."
Yang Xiong considered the suggestion carefully before responding. "I haven't made any final decisions about where to enroll yet, but if there are no unexpected complications, I should probably attend the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. You're aware of the close relationship between our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Heaven Dou Royal Family."
A hint of disdain appeared on Yang Wei's face. "Those spoiled second-generation nobles at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy may have access to superior cultivation resources and environmental advantages, but unfortunately the academy's overall atmosphere isn't particularly good. Just last time, their second team was thoroughly defeated by our Purple Star Academy."
"You should realize that even their second team consists of students whose innate spirit power and cultivation levels were stronger than ours when they first entered the academy. However, that group of privileged nobles lacks any real combat effectiveness or practical experience."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but sigh with resignation. From his own careful observations, only the Heaven Dou Royal Academy seemed somewhat decent among available options. The other strong teams were essentially monopolized by various powerful families, and his unique martial soul wasn't particularly well-suited for most academy environments.
However, upon more careful consideration, if he genuinely wanted to cultivate in a low-key manner without drawing excessive attention, the Purple Star Academy would indeed represent an excellent choice. Unfortunately, as an inner disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, many aspects of his future had probably already been arranged by the sect leadership.
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