"What… what happened here?"
When Water Cloud Heart arrived at the square and saw the crowd of students gathered together, her heart tightened.
"What's going on over there?"
Meng Shenji casually called over a student.
Seeing the three Education Committee members, the student immediately answered respectfully:
"Reporting to the Education Committee Member: earlier, the Fourth Prince had a conflict with people from Heavenly Water Academy and ordered the commoner youth named Bai Mu to be driven out.
That youth said he remembered the academy had previously admitted commoners, but the Fourth Prince said those were peerless geniuses who only appeared once every few years, not a bumpkin like him.
The youth insisted he was that kind of genius and even claimed he could defeat the person beside the Fourth Prince without moving… and he really did."
"What?"
Meng Shenji raised an eyebrow.
So everything Water Cloud Heart said was true?
"He's clearly only Rank 11, but he fought a total of ten matches and defeated every opponent in a single move!"
The more the student spoke, the more excited he became. "Every time he said 'Extreme Speed,' his spirit vanished, and then the opponent was sent flying! In the end, he even used a spirit ability to heal everyone!"
The three Education Committee members exchanged glances with Water Cloud Heart.
The spirit disappeared? What a strange description.
Meng Shenji took a deep breath and looked at Water Cloud Heart.
"Cloud Heart, the child you brought this time… is no ordinary child."
"I told you, I wasn't lying."
Water Cloud Heart smiled, but inwardly she was still shocked.
Winning ten consecutive battles without moving—no matter how you looked at it, that was absurd.
The four of them quickly walked toward the center of the crowd.
"The Education Committee members are here!"
The surrounding students immediately parted to make way.
Seeing this, Bai Mu understood—the key figures had arrived.
"Child, are you Bai Mu? Is this your spirit?"
Meng Shenji carefully observed Bai Mu and the majestic Zygarde beside him, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
"Yes, Education Committee Member."
Bai Mu bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"We've already heard about what happened," Meng Shenji said slowly. "Teacher Water has also recommended you to us. However, Heaven Dou Royal Academy has always maintained extremely strict admission standards for commoner students…"
He paused, his tone turning solemn. "Therefore, we must conduct a formal test. If you pass, you may directly enroll. If you fail…"
"I will leave on my own, without complaint."
Bai Mu finished the sentence calmly.
"Very good. You have confidence!"
Meng Shenji said loudly. "The test is simple. You only need to withstand the pressure I release."
As his voice fell, two yellow, two purple, and four black spirit rings rose from beneath his feet.
In the next instant, a terrifying pressure surged toward Bai Mu like a tidal wave.
Water Ice and Water Moon looked on anxiously.
But Bai Mu only bent his waist slightly.
"Not bad."
Meng Shenji smiled faintly, then his black robe billowed as he released even stronger pressure.
"Hmm?"
Bai Mu felt as if the air around him had solidified. The pressure pressed down from all directions, growing heavier by the second.
In just a few breaths, his body trembled slightly, sweat dripping from his forehead.
Even a Rank 30 Spirit Master would struggle to endure this pressure for more than a few minutes.
Yet Bai Mu looked up at Meng Shenji, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Aura Break."
In the next moment, a strange force spread out from Bai Mu's body, instantly shattering the pressure closing in on him.
His previously bent back straightened once more.
"Huh?!"
Meng Shenji's expression changed. Sensing something was wrong, he immediately released even greater pressure.
But even when he used his full strength, it still had no effect on Bai Mu.
"Could it be… that this spirit can ignore pressure?"
Meng Shenji glanced at Zygarde standing obediently beside Bai Mu, his heart filled with shock.
What he didn't know was that Aura Break could disrupt—or even reverse—not only his pressure, but also the aura of divine beasts and the domains of powerful experts.
"Bai Mu, you're outstanding."
After a few more seconds, Meng Shenji withdrew his pressure and smiled.
"Child, would you mind introducing yourself?"
"My name is Bai Mu. I'm from Nuoding City. I'm nine years old. My innate spirit power was Level 1, and I'm currently Rank 11. My spirit evolved once when I reached Rank 10."
Bai Mu calmly stated information that could easily be verified.
Nine years old. Innate Level 1. Rank 11. Evolution.
Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin exchanged looks, their expressions filled with excitement.
Even without the feats of killing Wolftaken or instantly defeating students, this alone qualified him as a different kind of genius.
"Wait—your innate spirit power was only Level 1?!"
Water Cloud Heart was stunned. "Why didn't you mention that earlier?"
"Auntie, you didn't ask."
Bai Mu smiled awkwardly.
Who would normally brag about having only Level 1 innate spirit power?
"This… I was careless…"
A trace of regret flashed across Water Cloud Heart's face.
If a Level 1 unevolved spirit could reach Rank 9 in three years, then after evolving…
Even if he only maintained this cultivation speed, he'd reach Rank 32 in seven years.
That might sound low, but considering he could kill a Wolftaken at Rank 11, defeating a Rank 41 opponent wouldn't be impossible.
That would be more than enough for the Spirit Master Tournament.
And with Bai Mu's age, he could participate twice more. If he reached Rank 40 or 50 by then, wouldn't he be unbeatable below the Spirit Saint level?
"Little Mu, are you willing to come with me to Heavenly Water Academy?"
Thinking this, she immediately grabbed Bai Mu's shoulder.
"I can take you as my personal disciple and admit you exceptionally. You'd be the only male student in the entire academy—and the school is full of beautiful older sisters!"
"Huh?"
Bai Mu blinked rapidly.
A man entering an all-girls academy—what kind of wish-fulfillment novel plot was this?
Everyone knew Heavenly Water Academy had only three recruitment requirements: female, beautiful, water-attribute spirit.
If he went there, he'd truly be surrounded by beauties.
"Cloud Heart, that's not right. You brought Bai Mu here—how can you take him away?"
Meng Shenji immediately objected.
"Besides, as for disciples, the three of us old fellows could also take him…"
"I think Bai Mu has a destined connection with Heaven Dou Royal Academy…"
"Our academy also has plenty of beautiful girls, advanced training facilities, and even noble titles upon graduation…"
Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin both spoke up, competing openly.
Four elders—three Spirit Douluo and one Spirit Saint—were arguing fiercely over a mere Rank 11 Spirit Master.
The surrounding students were completely stunned.
"It looks like we're getting a terrifying junior."
Oscar laughed.
Yu Feng added, "With his combat power, don't you think he might even become our teammate someday?"
"That's possible."
Dugu Yan pressed her slender finger against her lips, her eyes filled with thought.
"That spirit ability felt extremely comfortable… If he joins the academy, I might visit him."
"Bai Mu, what do you think?"
Unable to outcompete them, Water Cloud Heart gently asked.
"Bai Mu, come to Heavenly Water Academy!"
Water Moon eagerly invited him, while Water Ice looked on with quiet anticipation.
"I'm sorry, Auntie, Ice, Moon—but I've decided to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Bai Mu shook his head.
In this world, strength was everything.
With strength, anything was possible. Without it, one could only become helpless before true power.
Moreover, only by staying at Heaven Dou Royal Academy could he better pursue his goals.
"How could this be…"
Water Moon's face fell instantly, and Water Ice sighed softly.
"Very well. Since you've made your choice, the doors of Heavenly Water Academy will always be open to you."
Water Cloud Heart smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Auntie Cloud Heart."
Bai Mu looked at the sisters and said, "We'll just be at different academies. If I get the chance, I'll come visit you."
"You have to!"
Water Moon waved her small fists. "Next time, maybe you won't even be our match anymore!"
"We'll be waiting."
A resolute light shone in Water Ice's eyes.
"Good, good, good! Welcome to Heaven Dou!"
The three Education Committee members laughed heartily.