"When you first met me in the dormitory and we sparred, you felt me up all over."
"How come you've turned into such a gentleman now that you've met a high-born lady like Ning Rongrong?"
"Hmph! Scumbag! Double-standard dog!"
Xiao Wu only felt a sourness in her heart.
Although it was a good thing that Lin Yuan ignored other girls, this obvious difference in treatment still made her feel a bit upset.
Just then, Chen Xin, who had been observing Lin Yuan, finally couldn't help but speak.
"Young man."
Chen Xin looked at Lin Yuan with burning eyes, his voice carrying a rare hint of appreciation for talent:
"What is the name of your Spirit?"
"To be able to comprehend Spear Intent and step onto the threshold of the Concept at such a young age."
"Who is your teacher?"
Chen Xin was truly tempted.
Throughout his life, he had been obsessed with the Dao of the sword, proud and peerless, and had never taken a Disciple.
On one hand, it was because the Seven Kill Sword was passed down to only one person per generation.
On the other hand, it was because there were too few Geniuses (Sword Cultivators) in this world who could catch his Dharma Eye.
Although Lin Yuan used a spear and not a sword.
However, there are three thousand Great Daos, and all paths lead to the same destination.
The Dao of weaponry is interconnected once it reaches the extreme.
Such an unpolished gem would be a complete waste if buried in this small Nuoding Academy!
If he could be brought back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, even if he couldn't inherit the Seven Kill Sword, training him to be a protector of the Sect would definitely result in a Peak Douluo in the future!
However, before Lin Yuan could answer, a sudden flurry of urgent footsteps came from afar.
The Dean of Nuoding Academy was seen running over, panting while wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
The guard had just reported that two Titled Douluos had arrived, nearly scaring him to death.
"I didn't know your Excellencies were visiting! Please forgive my lack of hospitality!"
Before the Dean even got close, his voice was already trembling.
This was Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's sword Dao, and the famous Poison Douluo!
Was this small Nuoding Academy going to explode today?
Why did these two great figures come?
"Dean? Why are you here?" Lin Yuan feigned surprise. "Are these two the famous Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo?"
The Dean nodded. "Yes. Lin Yuan, hurry and greet their Excellencies!"
Lin Yuan bowed slightly in salute, then straightened up and answered Chen Xin's previous question with neither servility nor arrogance:
"To answer the Sword Douluo, my Spirit is named the Soul Slaying Spear."
"As for my teacher..."
Lin Yuan paused, a hint of apology appearing on his face:
"I'm sorry, but my master once specifically instructed that he does not like to show his face in public, nor does he allow me to reveal his name to the outside world."
"He is merely a reclusive hermit, like a wild crane among the clouds."
Lin Yuan simply fabricated a teacher.
In this Douluo Continent where master-Disciple lineage is highly regarded, a Spirit Master usually only takes one teacher in their lifetime.
This move was intended to directly extinguish Chen Xin's thought of taking him as a Disciple, while also providing a perfect justification for his own unreasonable abilities.
Hearing this, the Dean on the side grew anxious.
He knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
"Lin Yuan! What nonsense are you talking?"
The Dean quickly whispered his advice, "Since the Sword Douluo asked, he must have taken an interest in your talent!"
"If you could join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, that would be a blessing many people couldn't earn in several lifetimes!"
Then, he turned to look at Chen Xin with a fawning smile:
"Your Excellency, please don't mind him; this child has been quite independent since he was young."
"But I can guarantee that Lin Yuan is definitely the greatest Genius since our academy's founding... no, in the history of the entire Nuoding City!"
"A top-tier Tool Spirit, Innate Full Spirit Power, and his Comprehension Ability is even more of a Prodigy!"
Hearing this, the look of appreciation in Chen Xin's eyes grew even stronger.
Soul Slaying Spear?
The name alone sounds incomparably domineering!
And he has even cultivated Spear Intent!
If nurtured, his future achievements would be at least that of a Super Douluo!
Unfortunately, upon hearing Lin Yuan say he already had a teacher, a deep look of regret indeed appeared in Chen Xin's eyes.
A gentleman does not take away what others cherish.
Since the boy already had a famous master teaching him, it wouldn't be right for him to try and poach him.
"Since you have a teacher, I won't force the matter."
Chen Xin sighed, but he still didn't want to give up on recruiting him:
"However, with your talent, staying in this Nuoding Academy forever would indeed be a waste."
"I wonder if you'd be willing to join my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? As for resources, you won't have to worry at all."
However, Lin Yuan still shook his head in refusal.
Though his voice was youthful, it carried an unquestionable firmness:
"Thank you for your kindness, Sword Douluo."
"But my teacher once taught me: a spear cultivator should be as upright and unyielding as a spear, domineering and peerless."
"If one is bound by the forces of a Sect too early, it will instead dull the sharp edge in one's heart."
"This would be detrimental to the growth of my Spear Intent."
"Therefore, there is a high probability that I will not join any Sect forces."
"I would still prefer to study at an academy, drawing on the strengths of many and growing freely."
These words were spoken with such righteous self-assurance and style.
Even Chen Xin was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then nodded thoughtfully.
"A spear cultivator, the Dao of dominance..."
"Only by being unbound can one achieve true freedom."
"Your teacher... is indeed a great master."
Chen Xin smiled, the regret in his eyes fading a bit, replaced by even more admiration.
"He has a point."
"I also only joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School after becoming a Titled Douluo."
"In my youth, without the tempering of traveling the world, my Sword Intent would not have reached Perfection."
"In that case, if you ever have the idea of joining a faction in the future, I hope you will give priority to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
Seeing that Chen Xin was no longer insisting, the Dean beside them stomped his feet in anxiety but dared not say anything more.
Is this kid stupid?
That's one of the Upper Three Sects!
It's one thing to refuse, but he doesn't even want the resources?
Then, Chen Xin asked, "However, since you plan to go to another academy for further studies after graduation."
"Do you have a target in mind yet?"
Lin Yuan shook his head, a trace of distress appearing on his face:
"Not for now."
"I've researched the high-level Spirit Master academies on the continent, and I feel none of them are quite suitable for me."
"The Five Great Elemental Academies only recruit students with specific attributes, and some are even xenophobic; their attributes don't match mine."
"As for the Royal Academies of the two Empires..."
Lin Yuan spread his hands, looking helpless. "I've heard they only recruit children of the Nobility."
"As an orphan of Commoner birth, no matter how good my talent is, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to get through the front gate."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan exchanged a look, laughing inwardly.
This guy is quite the actor; clearly, in his diary, his first choice was the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Chen Xin gave a light chuckle and said, "I didn't expect you to have such a thorough understanding of the situation on the continent."
"However, there's one thing you might not know."
...