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Godwind Academy!
After Feng Qinghou finished speaking, he turned his gaze to the three people before him—the head of Blazing Fire Academy, Huo Yuancheng; the head of Tianshui Academy, Shui Bingyue; and the vice head of Thunderclap Academy, Lei Jin.
All three wore grim expressions, but it was Lei Jin, the vice head of Thunderclap Academy, who spoke first. His martial soul was the Thunder Spider, and as a Level 74 Soul Saint, he was now the strongest in Thunderclap Academy. He spoke in a low, solemn voice:
"Dean Feng, Dean Huo, Dean Shui, you are all discerning individuals. It's clear as day that the destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, backing our academy, is deeply tied to Spirit Hall. If we sell ourselves to Spirit Hall now, I won't be able to justify it when I return."
Huo Yuancheng's face turned sharp as he spoke:
"We're not fools. Spirit Hall's recent actions have already made everything clear. If we join them, we'll likely be devoured entirely in no time."
Shui Bingyue spoke gravely:
"The real issue is, what can we do even if we know the truth? Spirit Hall's power is immense. If we don't submit, we'll be destroyed—unless... we find someone strong enough to rely on."
The four exchanged glances in silence. Finally, Feng Qinghou spoke in a calm voice:
"I plan to send my grandson, Xiaotian, to Heaven Dou City. He's from the younger generation, which makes things easier. Even if things don't go well, he'll have room to maneuver. He'll sound out the Heaven Dou royal family's stance and pay a visit to Blue Silver Douluo Wang Li while he's there."
"When he came to attack us back then, he was just a six-ring Soul Emperor. Now he's a nine-ring Titled Douluo—probably unimaginably powerful. He's the only one who can come and go from Spirit Hall as he pleases."
As his words fell, everyone present—except Lei Jin, Feng Qinghou, Huo Yuancheng, and Shui Bingyue—was deeply moved. Being beaten alone is humiliating; being beaten as a group becomes witnessing the rise of a genius.
All of them had witnessed the rise of the youngest Titled Douluo in the continent's history, and had once fought against him. Losing to such a genius was no shame.
Huo Yuancheng spoke immediately:
"I'll send Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang along."
Shui Bingyue followed:
"I'll have Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er go as well."
Not wanting to be left behind, Lei Jin added:
"We'll send Lei Dong to represent Thunderclap Academy."
Feng Qinghou nodded and solemnly declared:
"Let them set off as soon as possible. Who knows how much longer the Four Elemental Academies can hold out."
Huo Yuancheng, Shui Bingyue, and Lei Jin all agreed without hesitation.
...
Two days later, Heaven Dou City!
Representing the Four Elemental Academies, Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, and Lei Dong arrived in Heaven Dou City. After booking their hotel rooms, they began gathering recent intelligence, eventually regrouping to discuss their findings.
As the strongest among them—a Soul Emperor—Feng Xiaotian was undoubtedly the leader. At that moment, he addressed the group:
"You all understand what our elders want—to avoid selling ourselves to Spirit Hall and becoming their disposable lapdogs."
"If we, the Four Elemental Academies, want to resist Spirit Hall's threats, we need someone powerful enough to shield us. Should we approach the Heaven Dou royal family first, or seek out Blue Silver Douluo? What are your thoughts?"
Huo Wu stood up—tall and striking, her red hair flowing freely. Without hesitation, she voiced her opinion:
"Since we've come this far, if we're going to align ourselves with someone, it should be with the strongest. The Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Heaven Dou royal family may seem powerful when united, but they still dare not expose Spirit Hall's true face."
"Blue Silver Douluo, on the other hand, walks freely within Spirit Hall's territory, commands respect across the continent, and is renowned in both empires. He is the role model all soul masters should aspire to."
Feng Xiaotian nodded in firm agreement:
"Huo Wu is right. If we must follow someone, it should be a true soul master powerhouse. The Heaven Dou royal family is a mundane empire. If they start placing their spoiled nobles in our academy or make our students their retainers and guests, it would corrupt the very spirit of our institution."
Shui Bing'er looked at Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu, who had already made their decision. She didn't object—Wang Li's strength was evident to all. Aligning with him brought no psychological burden. The real issue was whether he would be willing to take them in.
She then spoke gently:
"We have no objections. Let's try to visit him and see if he's willing to accept us. If he is, we can discuss the specific terms afterward."
Once the three had spoken, Lei Dong had nothing to add. He simply nodded and said:
"Same here."
With all four academies' representatives in agreement, the matter was settled. They approached the meeting with utmost respect—sending a formal visiting card first, before arriving in person.
Blue Silver Sect, Base of the Yuanli Clan
Upon seeing the visiting card, Wang Li chuckled to himself, thinking how the pillow had come right to him just as he wanted a nap.
The next day, Wang Li met with Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, and Lei Dong. Though yesterday's discussion had gone smoothly, now that they were face-to-face, each of them was anxious, afraid of being ignored—or worse, humiliated.
Wang Li was the one to break the silence, smiling at them as he spoke:
"Don't just stand there like statues. Sit down. Speak freely. We're old friends—no need to feel so tense."
As his words fell, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Just moments before, none of them had dared even to breathe heavily in his presence. That was the kind of oppressive pressure the gap in strength between them created.
After taking their seats, they still remained tense, unable to fully relax, and all eyes turned to Feng Xiaotian.
Feng Xiaotian hesitated briefly, silently rehearsing his words in his heart before finally clasping his hands and saying:
"Your Excellency, we've come today to ask for your help. Since the destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the heavy blow to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Spirit Hall has brazenly declared that the Seven Great Sects will be reselected."
"Their ambition can no longer be restrained. They're allowing those aligned with them to devour others' territories, and even we, the Four Elemental Academies, are being threatened—both openly and in secret—by Spirit Hall."
"At this rate, we may not last much longer… we're on the verge of shutting down."
Wang Li nodded with a light "Hmm," still smiling as he replied:
"So, let's get to the point."
Feng Xiaotian took a deep breath, stood up, and said in a firm tone:
"Your Excellency, the Four Elemental Academies are in dire straits. We are willing to pledge ourselves to you and hope to receive your protection."
Having said this, Feng Xiaotian let out a sigh of relief, but Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, and Lei Dong only grew more nervous.
Wang Li tapped his finger on the table, the sound drawing out time like an eternity. Just as their anxiety peaked, he smiled calmly and said:
"No problem—but I want to know what I get in return. Can you make that decision? If not, I'll speak with your elders directly. Where are they now?"
Feng Xiaotian hesitated. Feng Qinghou hadn't set any clear terms before they left, as this visit was meant to test the waters. None of them had expected Wang Li to agree so readily.
"Uh…"
After a moment of hesitation, Feng Xiaotian replied:
"Everything is negotiable. We will relay your words on their behalf."