Aside from the three relatively familiar education committee members, there were four others present.
The first to catch Fang Ling's attention was an old man.
He wore an immaculately clean snow-white robe. His hair and beard were completely white, with long silver hair neatly tied behind his back.
His appearance was simple and serene, his face smooth like a baby's, and his expression indifferent. His eyes seemed not to notice anything around him, just standing there silently without a word.
Yet he exuded a powerful aura, as if all things in the world bowed before him.
It also felt like there was a sharp, dominant will hidden within him, ready to erupt at any moment.
Even though Fang Ling had never seen him before, the sword intent radiating from him was unmistakable. This had to be Chen Xin.
On the continent of Douluo, only Chen Xin could give such a powerful impression.
Just by standing there, he was like a sword in its sheath.
Beside him stood another man,his head had just a few strands of white hair, his face gaunt and withered, with sunken eyes and shriveled skin and muscles.
Though not overly muscular, his skeletal frame was massive. It looked as if his clothes were being supported by just bones. His terrifying height approached 2.5 meters.
He looked like a living skeleton. This was Gu Rong.
Dugu Bo had already described these two to Fang Ling before. He had said that once Fang Ling saw them, they would be easy to recognize.
In front of the two stood a handsome middle-aged man in his forties.
He had a gentle and refined face, with fair skin and soft features. His pristine white robe was spotless.
His long, smooth black hair was loosely tied behind him. His gaze was gentle, his entire demeanor peaceful and ordinary.
Fang Ling recognized him,this was Ning Fengzhi.
He appeared mild-mannered, especially friendly toward talented individuals. He never put on airs despite being the sect master of one of the Three Great Sects.
But beneath the surface, he was ruthless. Any genius he couldn't recruit, he would think of eliminating immediately to prevent future threats.
He was, at best, a hypocrite.
But Fang Ling wasn't afraid. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had too much to lose; they couldn't afford to offend Dugu Bo.
Finally, Fang Ling turned his gaze to the last person.
A young man around twenty-three or twenty-four. While not particularly handsome, his features were well-defined, with a straight nose and firm lips. His white robe was adorned with swan patterns, giving off a very clean impression.
His long black hair was tied with a blue ribbon, neatly hanging down his back.
His outfit was plain but carried a sense of grace, along with a special aura.
On the surface, he looked like a man.
But in reality, this was Qian Renxue,a genius who had squandered her innate level-20 talent.
The Angelic God Outfit was truly worthy of being a 99,999-year-old soul bone. Even Fang Ling's Lv7 Weakness Detection couldn't see through it.
He only glanced briefly before bowing slightly and greeting, "Fang Ling greets His Highness the Crown Prince, Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo."
His identity was no longer what it used to be. He was now Dugu Bo's disciple.
With Dugu Bo backing him, there was no need to play the subservient role like before.
He only needed to show basic respect to these senior soul masters.
"Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince…"
The others also quickly followed suit with respectful bows.
"There's no need for such formality among the elite of the soul master world," Qian Renxue said warmly, though her gaze remained fixed on Fang Ling.
At first glance, his calm demeanor and the unwavering golden eyes gave her a deep sense of admiration.
A true genius.
"You all head to the backup training field first. I believe these guests are here for me," Fang Ling said calmly to his team.
Under the pressure of Title Douluos and sect leaders, the others quickly nodded and left.
Only Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling didn't leave. Instead, they moved closer to Fang Ling in a show of support.
Fang Ling turned slightly, smiled, and gently patted their hands before looking back to the others. "This isn't the place for conversation. Why don't we move to the lounge area?"
The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team had a dedicated rest area near the training grounds.
Besides, the academy had plenty of places to talk. Standing here awkwardly wasn't ideal.
No one objected, but Ning Fengzhi sighed quietly to himself.
The idea of tying him to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect through marriage to his daughter was unrealistic.
What he couldn't understand was,how could Dugu Yan be willing to share a man with another woman?
And how could that old poisonous Dugu Bo approve of it?
Well, fine. Fang Ling really was a genius.
At the lounge, everyone casually found a seat.
Qian Renxue, speaking like an older brother from next door, took the lead and apologized gently:
"I was truly moved when I heard of such a peerless genius emerging in our empire. I visited in haste, disturbing your training. Please forgive me, Brother Fang Ling."
It was a calculated move,retreating to advance, showing humility instead of flaunting her royal status. If Fang Ling didn't know she was just acting, he might've developed genuine goodwill.
"Your Highness flatters me. I'm just a little more diligent, that's all," he replied with a slight smile, brushing off his remarkable soul power with modesty.
"That kind of result isn't something 'a little more diligent' can achieve."
Qian Renxue felt he was being too humble and recounted his journey:
"You started as a beggar, with innate level-one soul power. Spent three years at Nuoding Academy, became a soul master, entered Battle King Intermediate Soul Master Academy, and after just one year became a Grand Soul Master. Then entered Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and in only two more years, you've become a Soul Sect with ten-thousand-year soul rings…"
"How can all that be summed up as just 'a little effort'?"
Ning Fengzhi had previously assumed Fang Ling was some innate full-soul-power prodigy. Hearing now that he started from level one stunned him.
And it only took him three years to go from soul master to soul sect!
It was terrifying. Advancing one major rank per year,even those born with full soul power couldn't match that.
"Don't you resent your talent or background?" Qian Renxue asked in genuine surprise.
"So what if my talent was weak? Those who help themselves will be helped by the heavens," Fang Ling replied lightly.
"I know what I want, and I simply chose my own path and followed it with determination."
"If you're willing to give it your all, train hard, and fight for it,anyone can reach this level."
He understood Qian Renxue's intentions with these questions and also what the others were trying to see.
So he revealed his martial soul directly.
With a gesture, a large double-bladed scythe appeared,its hilt decorated with flowing water and cloud patterns, its blade silver-gray with an extraordinary texture.
Two yellow, one purple, and one black soul ring instantly emerged.
Seeing was believing. The deep black soul ring was dazzling and instantly drew everyone's attention.
Such a condensed, pitch-black glow was utterly eye-catching.
"A fine example of unwavering willpower!" Chen Xin, who also valued sword will, was visibly impressed and praised Fang Ling.
"Would you be willing to become my disciple?"
He had taken such a liking to Fang Ling that he disregarded decorum and made a direct offer.
"Screw you, old sword guy! He's my disciple!"
Having hidden nearby all this time, Dugu Bo could no longer hold back. He suddenly appeared and roared furiously.
He stepped in front of Fang Ling, his eerie green eyes burning with rage.
Dugu Bo shouted coldly, "Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sure has some low-class ways of poaching talent!"
"Didn't you see how close my Yan Yan is with Fang Ling? He's not just my disciple,he's also my grandson-in-law!"
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