After packing up briefly, Yin Zhang set out with Qiangu Yuan.
Qiangu Yuan gave off an elegant, considerate air, making conversation with him completely effortless. Along the way, Yin Zhang talked about everything he had experienced since arriving in Spirit City over the past few days, and his mood noticeably improved.
Qiangu Yuan treated him very kindly, and Yin Zhang also learned quite a bit during their walk.
Qiangu Yuan was the son of the Seventh Consecrated Elder of the Hall of Worship—the Demon Subduing Douluo. He was nearly sixty years old and possessed the Coiling Dragon Rod Spirit. Although his talent couldn't compare to his father's or uncle's, he had still cultivated to Rank 77.
After walking for about thirteen minutes, Qiangu Yuan glanced around and spoke.
"We're about ten minutes away from the academy now. Xiao Zhang, let me introduce Spirit Hall Academy to you."
Yin Zhang nodded, but first asked a question that had been bothering him for several days.
"Dean Qiangu, do you know exactly how many Titled Douluo Spirit Hall has?"
In the original story, besides Bibi Dong, Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and the seven Titled Douluo of the Hall of Worship, there were also Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo guarding Qian Renxue.
But what about the Titled Douluo who died during the Soul Hunting Operation?
Yin Zhang couldn't recall it clearly.
Qiangu Yuan stopped, thought for a moment, and replied.
"In Spirit Hall, aside from the three at the Supreme Pontiff Palace, there are the many Consecrators of the Hall of Worship. As for others… I only know of those three. However, I suspect there are still Titled Douluo hidden in the shadows that even I'm unaware of."
Yin Zhang felt a bit disappointed. The number Qiangu Yuan knew was actually fewer than what he himself remembered.
He didn't press the matter further, and Qiangu Yuan began introducing Spirit Hall Academy instead.
"Our academy is divided into four levels. Those below Rank 20 are in the Elementary Class. Rank 20 to 30 enter the Intermediate Class. Rank 30 to 40 are placed in the Advanced Class. Anyone above Rank 40 belongs to the Elite Class."
"Students who enter the Elite Class gain the qualifications to participate in the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."
"As for promotion to the Elite Class…"
By the time Qiangu Yuan finished explaining, Yin Zhang had a clear understanding.
Given his current situation, he would be placed into Intermediate Class One as a transfer student. Once he reached Spirit Elder, he would be reassigned according to his aptitude.
But it was obvious that his stay in Intermediate Class One wouldn't last long.
After all, Yin Zhang was already at Rank 29—only one step away from becoming a Spirit Elder.
"Dean Qiangu," Yin Zhang asked, "are there any students in Intermediate Class One worth befriending?"
Qiangu Yuan gave a brief rundown.
After listening, Yin Zhang felt slightly disappointed. None of the names mentioned were Hu Liena, Xie Yue, or Yan—the so-called Golden Generation from the original story.
But it made sense.
Qian Renxue was nine years older than Tang San, while Hu Liena was seven years older. Yin Zhang himself was two years younger than Qian Renxue and two years older than Hu Liena.
At ten years old, Yin Zhang was already Rank 29.
But eight-year-old Hu Liena, even with her talent, couldn't possibly have reached Rank 20 yet.
Hu Liena had Innate Rank 9 spirit power. At present, she, her older brother Xie Yue, and that annoying Yan were still in the Elementary Class.
And so, under Qiangu Yuan's guidance, Yin Zhang entered Intermediate Class One.
Just the introduction alone was enough to deeply shock everyone present.
Ten years old. Rank 29. Taken as a disciple by the Second Consecrator, Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Even if they didn't fully understand what the Second Consecrator represented, a Titled Douluo was still a Titled Douluo.
At ten, they themselves were still struggling in the Elementary Class, with most of them only just becoming Spirit Masters at Rank 10.
Yet Yin Zhang, at the same age, was already on the verge of becoming a Spirit Elder.
The comparison was infuriating.
After the morning classes ended, Yin Zhang was immediately surrounded.
Several of the girls were already in their teens and quite mature.
Some even deliberately flirted with him, teasing him and making soft, breathy sounds that caused Yin Zhang—who had been ten years old for an entire decade—to blush furiously.
After all, dragons were inherently lustful.
Before awakening the Charizard Spirit, Yin Zhang had been unaffected. But under such stimulation, he quickly circulated his spirit power to suppress his physical reactions and avoid embarrassment.
"Xiao Zhang~ are you really only ten years old?"
"Xiao Zhang~"
Yin Zhang didn't dare stay any longer. Keeping his head down, he slipped out of Intermediate Class One and followed the crowd toward the Spirit Hall Academy cafeteria.
The academy cafeteria was completely free.
Almost all the food served was made from Spirit Beast meat—tender, flavorful, and capable of enhancing spirit power cultivation if eaten regularly.
However, there was one strict rule: no wasting food.
Violators would be severely punished.
While lining up, Yin Zhang noticed an unusual pair to his right.
They looked like siblings, about eight years old.
The boy wore an undisguised pride on his roguishly handsome face.
The girl, though young, was already beginning to show her figure. She looked pure and innocent, yet possessed an Innate coquettish charm that stirred possessive impulses in anyone who saw her.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena?
Yin Zhang froze for a moment.
But after thinking about it, it couldn't be anyone else.
The two were clearly discussing something, but when Yin Zhang overheard their conversation, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
They were talking about him.
"Brother, I heard from my friend that a transfer student joined her brother's class. He's only ten and has Innate Full Spirit Power! His cultivation speed is unbelievable—his spirit power is already Rank 29!"
Hu Liena clung to Xie Yue's arm, shaking it excitedly.
"And my friend said he's super handsome! He even wears a really pretty necklace—he's totally my ideal type!"
Xie Yue interrupted impatiently.
"I remember you saying the same thing last year. What happened then? And Rank 29 at ten years old?"
"Even if he ate Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Beast meat every meal, he couldn't cultivate that fast. Sounds like nothing but a rumor to me."
"Brother! I already told you—I dumped him the moment I found out he was a scumbag!"
Hu Liena pouted.
"Are you really going to interfere with my dating life? Who was it that said they wouldn't meddle in these things when we were kids?"
"And you haven't even seen him yet! How can you say it's fake?"
"All right, all right," Xie Yue sighed helplessly. "You're right, you're always right. I'll just listen to you, okay?"
Not long after, Yin Zhang carried his tray to a table beside a pillar.
Just as he sat down, a soft gasp sounded behind him.
"Are you Yin Zhang?"
Yin Zhang turned around.
Standing there were Hu Liena and Xie Yue.
He glanced around subconsciously. Yan wasn't with them.
Nodding slightly, he asked—despite already knowing the answer—
"That's me. Is something the matter?"