Time passed quickly.
Seven days later.
Spirit Hall City.
Outside the Spirit Academy.
Bibi Dong walked gracefully into the Spirit Academy, accompanied by several enshrined Douluo of the Spirit Hall. Among them, Snake Spear Douluo followed directly behind her.
At her side, Golden Crocodile Douluo stood like a towering iron pillar, silent but imposing as he entered with her.
Chrysanthemum Douluo was already waiting at the gates of the academy to greet her, flanked by several so-called “supporting Spirit Masters” dispatched by Spirit Hall.
To call them “supporting” was little more than a polite fiction. Inside the academy, they were essentially useless—relegated to sweeping floors and wandering the grounds.
They knew nothing of how Dean Lin Fan instructed his students each day.
But that was intentional. Lin Fan permitted spies from Spirit Hall, but he would never allow them to extend their influence too deeply.
Of course, even useless pieces could still be put to use.
Chrysanthemum Douluo would meet with these Spirit Masters from time to time. After every such private conversation, another of them would inevitably become part of the Swarm.
Now, only a few remained unconverted—but it hardly mattered.
Golden Crocodile Douluo studied Chrysanthemum Douluo for a long moment before letting out a chuckle.
“Elder Ju, your strength has grown, hasn’t it?”
Bibi Dong’s gaze also lingered on Chrysanthemum Douluo, her eyes flashing with surprise.
He had already broken through to Rank 96 Super Douluo, a level that could only be called extraordinary.
But now, had he actually advanced again?
If Golden Crocodile was impressed, it meant the improvement was not minor. Could it be… Chrysanthemum Douluo had reached Rank 97?
A thoughtful gleam flickered in Bibi Dong’s eyes as silent calculations stirred in her mind.
Beside them, Ghost Douluo watched the confident Chrysanthemum Douluo standing proudly at the gates. His eyes filled with envy, a complicated mix of emotions welling up in his chest.
At last, he let out a long breath, then forced a smile and clapped his old comrade’s arm.
“Congratulations, old Chrysanthemum. You’ve gone even further.”
Chrysanthemum Douluo laughed lightly and patted him back.
“Just a bit of luck and sudden insight. Don’t worry, old Ghost, I believe you’ll break through soon as well.”
Ghost Douluo gave a bitter smile.
“How could I possibly encounter such fortune? Forget it.”
But Chrysanthemum Douluo’s smile grew mysterious.
“That’s not certain at all. Old Ghost… there is always a way.”
Without explaining further, he led the group into the academy.
Ghost Douluo stared at his retreating figure, Chrysanthemum’s words echoing in his mind. For the first time in many years, his tranquil heart stirred with unrest.
“Old Chrysanthemum… Do I really still have a chance?”
Shaking his head, he followed the others inside.
In the training field, six Spirit Hall students already stood in a straight line. Their youthful faces bore none of the immaturity of their age; instead, they radiated composure and calm.
They waited silently, expressionless, for the arrival of their teachers and elders.
Bibi Dong’s heart clenched when she saw Hu Liena among them—so cold, so still. Her breath hitched, and with a trace of anger she turned sharply to Lin Fan.
“What have you done to my student? How exactly are you teaching them?”
Lin Fan only smiled faintly.
“Your Holiness, don’t be so hasty. Look closer. Don’t you see? This is what true geniuses of Spirit Hall should look like—unshakable, invincible.”
“No matter the opponent, no matter the situation, their emotions will not waver. They will always remain calm.”
“You—!”
Bibi Dong’s chest rose and fell violently. She wanted to retort, but Golden Crocodile Douluo interrupted.
Stroking his chin, he studied the students with genuine interest.
“Hmm… fascinating. How did you achieve this? I can sense from them the aura of a hardened army—a killing intent that only soldiers possess. And this has only been… what? Just over a week?”
Lin Fan’s eyes gleamed.
“Sharp as always, Elder Golden Crocodile. Yes, this is the result of a secret training regimen I’ve developed—Spirit Hall’s new generation of prodigies.”
He chuckled proudly.
“Of course, the process is harsh. These students have endured extremely strict discipline and methods that would break most.”
Golden Crocodile nodded.
“Without rules, there is no order. In that, I agree.”
Bibi Dong looked at Hu Liena again, her once lively and beloved disciple now so hardened. Her heart ached bitterly.
She had always been stern, but never could she bring herself to push her student to such cruel extremes.
Lin Fan clapped his hands, drawing all eyes to him.
“Now, let me show you the results of these past days. Behold the true geniuses of Spirit Hall!”
The six students released their Martial Souls at once.
Soul power surged across the training field in violent waves. One after another, rings of light rose behind them, illuminating the arena in radiant colors.
Snake Spear Douluo’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
“This… what kind of monsters are these?”
Each of the six displayed the same configuration: five soul rings—Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Black, Black!
From the fourth ring onward, they all possessed black ten-thousand-year rings!
The audience stood dumbfounded. The ideal distribution was Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black.
But these six? If the fourth ring was already black, what would their ninth be?
Would they one day all possess scarlet hundred-thousand-year rings?
Even Golden Crocodile Douluo trembled slightly, his eyes grave, even fearful, as he stared at Lin Fan.
How could this be? The three of the Golden Generation were already exceptional, their progress understandable.
But the other three had been merely average talents. How could they advance like this in such a short time?
Bibi Dong herself was trembling, her gaze burning with a mix of disbelief and desire.
It was real.
He had truly done it.
If ordinary Spirit Masters could be turned into geniuses… then with her Twin Martial Spirits, could she not go even further?
Among Spirit Masters, she had always considered herself unparalleled—perhaps a talent unseen for three centuries.
But now…
Lin Fan noted the reactions of everyone present, smirking inwardly.
Be amazed. Be curious. Let your desires grow.
Only when desire burns fiercely does one become fragile… and most easily controlled.
Bibi Dong’s eyes flickered with deep thought. Then, with a swirl of her robes, she turned away.
“Since you teach them so well, I am reassured.”
The enshrined Douluo exchanged glances, then followed her out.
Golden Crocodile Douluo narrowed his eyes, glancing between Bibi Dong and Lin Fan, his expression unreadable before he too departed.
Lin Fan watched Bibi Dong’s retreating figure, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
Bibi Dong… her heart has been moved.
****
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