--- Chapter 31 ---
Six months later.
Desolate Mountain, Dao Academy.
A tall, rustic-looking gate with a circle plaque stood tall on the foot of the mountain. Behind the gate are several new buildings, mainly dark red and pale blue, countless blue silver grass, and vibrant ancient trees encircled by brown walls, matching the aesthetic of the lonesome mountain.
This place looks untouched by humans. Even so, several people of various ages have gathered around the gate, especially youngsters with a strong aspiration to change their fate and become spirit masters!
Of course, some people only come to watch a new academy's opening ceremony for a show. They are either bored nobles or spies who like to gather new information on the Douluo Continent.
Their existence doesn't matter while they keep their dirty hands to themselves.
Of course, if they dare to make a single move today, someone will not leave them until they suffer enough because today is the day the Dao Academy was founded.
Someone walked down the stairs of the ancient gate, and it was none other than Liu Erlong. She modeled an open-back, sleeveless, dark-red dress with a white translucent cloak on top, mesmerizing everyone with her beauty. Her long, black hair was styled in braids, swaying gently and exposing her fair neck.
Her calm, determined eyes observed the audience as a charming smile formed on her face.
"Welcome to the Dao Academy, everyone."
"My name is Liu Erlong, and I'm the Dean of Dao Academy."
"Some might have known me as the Blue Tyrant Academy's dean, but I resigned because I lost my purpose."
"Why do I want to be a dean?"
"Why do I want to be a teacher?"
"Then, I realized I wanted to create an academy so common people can learn more about the world and become a respectable spirit master!"
"That's why I founded the Dao Academy. Here, you can find a new path, learn more knowledge, and hone your skills to surpass your limit."
"So, come and join Dao Academy. We will help you find your path!" Liu Erlong shouted with passion.
The commoners in the area couldn't help but cheer. Liu Erlong's words resonate with their struggle and hopelessness.
Although rare, some of their children are luckily awakened martial souls with innate spirit powers. Even then, they barely graduated from junior academy due to their low strength and potential, and no one accepted them besides Spirit Hall.
Joining Spirit Hall isn't easy, either. After all, there are corrupt people in the Spirit Hall, and many suffer from their greed. It's rare to see good deacons these days.
With the appearance of Dao Academy, they felt a new light come into their lives.
Of course, not everyone is happy with Dao Academy because of Liu Erlong's speech. These people are the previously bored nobles.
They looked down on commoners and felt they weren't worthy of such privilege. Studying? Why don't you plant some rice and breed some pig, you peasant!
Unfortunately for them, Liu Erlong already expected this.
Liu Erlong summoned her "Scarlet Dragon" martial soul and seven spirit rings rose from the ground. She roared to the sky, "EVERY COMMONER IS FREE TO ENTER DAO ACADEMY'S SELECTION! AS LONG AS YOU PASS THE TEST, WE WILL SUPPORT YOU UNTIL YOU CAN STAND ON YOUR OWN!"
"THIS IS MY PROMISE AS THE DEAN!"
"ALSO, ANYONE WHO MAKES TROUBLE FOR MY STUDENTS WILL FACE MY ANGER!"
Stumped. Every noble and spy in the area was stumped.
They didn't expect Liu Erlong to be so bold. She dared to announce such a thing, forgetting this land was 'literally' ruled by noble and blue-blooded royals.
They cursed her for being mad.
Why do you like commoners so much?
You're a Spirit Saint, for god sake!
Even though Spirit Saints is not titled douluo, they are still a powerhouse among the ranks of Spirit Masters.
Since Liu Erlong wanted to protect these commoners so much, they could do nothing about it. At most, they can only cause some trouble and leave with a mouthful of anger.
After shutting down the noble, Liu Erlong stared at the commoners and smiled faintly, "For those above six and less than fifteen with any level of innate spirit powers, you may follow me into the academy for selection."
"Don't worry, there won't be any fee."
"However, I must judge your potential, will, and character first."
"Our academy's motto is there are no useless martial souls, only spirit masters who couldn't train!"
Hearing the Dao Academy's motto, the commoner parents couldn't help but sigh in relief because such an academy would not teach their children useless knowledge.
Many parents quickly encouraged their children to follow Liu Erlong into the academy.
Not far away, a dark shadow watched Liu Erlong silently and sighed as it left the site of Dao Academy.
After the shadow left, Liu Erlong glanced at that location and shook her head. "It must be an intelligence-gathering agent of some faction."
"These people are so annoying..."
Although annoyed, Liu Erlong maintained her gentle dean's persona and led the candidate for new students into Dao Academy. They walked past the ancient gate, not realizing an invisible spiritual power scanning them.
As they ventured deeper into the Dao Academy, the children couldn't help but gape their mouths because these buildings are grand. The children whose parents worked as builders knew just how expensive the stone, wood, and other materials used to make this paved road.
They arrived at another set of stairs, but these stairs looked different than the ones they climbed at the foot of Desolate Mountain. Each step was made of an unknown grey stone, looking cold and mysterious.
"Welcome to the Dao Academy's 1st Selection Ground, Ninety-Nine Steps of Perseverance."
"You must reach thirty-three steps in 30 minutes to pass and be eligible for the second test."
"Well, let's start!" Liu Erlong clapped, and the candidates, especially the older ones, immediately ran for the stairs. She watched them step on the stairs and smirked.
"W-What is this!" One young man was stunned. His very body suddenly becomes heavier, making it difficult to walk.
Then, the others realized the selection test wasn't simple.
As they reached higher and higher steps, the heavy sensation became stronger and stronger. They smiled bitterly because they should have known such a paradise wouldn't exist.
Let alone thirty-three steps. Reaching ten is difficult.
Yet, many still gritted their teeth because those "high-level" academies won't accept them because of their lack of nobility and talent. It's no use to work hard.
At least Dao Academy gave them a chance.
Thirty minutes later, only fifty-four children passed the first test, and the rest lowered their heads in frustration. Some, who are close to thirty-three steps, cried.
Liu Erlong sighed and assured them, "Don't be sad, children. You still have a chance to join Dao Academy. We will hold another entry selection in six months, so I hope you prepare for it."
"Don't lose your hope."
"Believe in yourself!"
Those who failed wiped their tears and snots. They looked at Liu Erlong with determined, burning eyes and said, "Thank you, Dean Liu!"
Liu Erlong smiled, "I will escort you guys down. As for the rest, you may continue climbing the stairs. The higher you go, the more surprised you might get later."
After saying that, Liu Erlong slowly walked the failed candidate down the Desolate Mountain. When they passed the gate, another ray of spiritual power hit their heads and erased any "important information" about Dao Academy to prevent leakage.
Liu Erlong looked at the commoners crying in their parents' embrace and mumbled, "I wonder how many can reach the top of that stair. Xiao Yuan made that thing for a reason."
"Well, there are two more tests."
"I hope we can get more than seven students today."