Chapter 516: The truly powerful always walk their own path

"Is this Wuhun City? It really lives up to its reputation." Huyan Li exclaimed.

Huo Wushuang also nodded slightly and said, "Yes, this place is indeed very imposing."

Yu Tianheng looked at the Wuhun City in front of him, his eyes flashing with determination. He thought to himself: We must win this competition!

Under the leadership of Meng Shenji, everyone walked into Wuhun City. They saw shops lined up on both sides of the streets in the city, which was very lively. There were all kinds of soul master supplies, which were dazzling.

"This is truly a paradise for soul masters." exclaimed a student.

"Yes, if I could buy a suitable soul guide here, my strength would definitely improve a lot." Another student echoed.

Meng Shenji smiled slightly when he heard this and said, "If you are interested, you can go and have a look. But remember to be punctual and don't delay the banquet tonight."

"Yes, Teacher Meng." The students responded one after another.

Yu Tianheng was also excited when he saw the excited students. This competition was not only an opportunity to show strength, but also an opportunity to broaden his horizons.

Everyone dispersed and went to visit shops separately, while Yu Tianheng and Meng Shenji walked towards the depths of the Spirit Hall.

"Teacher Meng, where are we going?" Yu Tianheng asked.

Meng Shenji smiled slightly and said, "Go meet someone."

As he spoke, he quickened his pace. Seeing this, Yu Tianheng hurried to follow.

After a while, the two arrived in front of a palace. The palace was magnificent and splendid. Two guards in golden armor stood in front of the door.

"Excuse me, where is this place?" Yu Tianheng asked.

The guard glanced at the two of them and said, "This is the Pope's Palace. Outsiders are not allowed to enter."

Meng Shenji smiled slightly and took out a golden token from his bosom. The token was engraved with a phoenix pattern with its wings spread high, which looked noble and mysterious.

When the guard saw the token, his expression suddenly became respectful. He quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, sir. Please come in."

Meng Shenji nodded and took Yu Tianheng into the Pope's Palace.

The Papal Palace is decorated extremely luxuriously, with various precious gems and artworks dotted throughout. The air is filled with a light fragrance that makes people feel relaxed and happy.

"Your Majesty Meng Shenji, you are here." A gentle voice sounded in the Pope's Palace.

A middle-aged man in a gorgeous robe walked out of the inner hall. He had a handsome face and noble temperament. His eyes revealed an unfathomable light.

"Your Majesty Qianxunji." Meng Shenji bowed slightly and saluted.

Yu Tianheng looked at the middle-aged man in front of him and was shocked. He could feel the powerful aura emanating from the other person, which made him feel a little suffocated.

Qianxunji looked at Meng Shenji and Yu Tianheng with a smile and said, "This is a student from your Tiandou Royal Academy, right? He is indeed a handsome man."

Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Qianxunji nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad. Your Majesty Meng Shenji, you must perform well in this competition. We in the Spirit Hall value you very much."

Meng Shenji smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, we will definitely do our best."

Qianxunji nodded with satisfaction and said, "That's good. You guys go first, I still have some things to deal with."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Meng Shenji and Yu Tianheng bowed and left the Pope's Palace.

After leaving Wuhun City, Yu Tianheng couldn't help but ask, "Teacher Meng, who is that His Majesty?"

Meng Shenji looked at Yu Tianheng, a deep light flashed in his eyes, and said: "He is the Pope of the Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji. He is also our biggest supporter of this competition."

Yu Tianheng was shocked when he heard this. He didn't expect that the middle-aged man was actually the Pope of the Spirit Hall. You know, the Spirit Hall has a pivotal position in the Douluo Continent. It is undoubtedly a great honor to be supported by the Spirit Hall.

"Teacher Meng, we will definitely perform well." Yu Tianheng said firmly.

Meng Shenji smiled and nodded, saying, "I believe you."

At this time, the other students also returned one after another, holding various soul master supplies in their hands, with excited smiles on their faces.

The pavilion on the back hill of Tianshui University was quiet. The morning breeze, with its moist coolness, swept across the pond, creating a few ripples. Shui Ningyan, the dean of Tianshui University, was sitting in the pavilion, sipping a cup of hot tea, looking leisurely at the mountains and forests in the distance.

A sound of footsteps came from afar, breaking the silence. A figure ran over briskly. It was Shui Ningyan's daughter, the little witch of Tianshui College - Shui Qingling. She was wearing a simple blue and white college uniform today. Her short hair was a little messy, but it made her look particularly energetic.

"Mom!" Shui Qingling quickly ran to the pavilion, propped her hands on the stone table, and smiled slyly, "I have something to discuss with you."

Shui Ningyan raised her eyes and glanced at her. Her voice was as soft as water, but it carried an irresistible majesty: "What trouble are you trying to cause again?"

"No way, I'm just thinking about the academy!" Shui Qingling curled her lips, then said seriously, "Mom, have you heard of the boy named Lu Yu from Tiandou Royal Academy?"

Shui Ningyan put down the teacup and frowned slightly, but her tone was not surprised: "Lu Yu? The talented soul master who has recently emerged in Tiandou Royal Academy. His martial soul is a mutated lightning phoenix. It's him, right? He is only fifteen years old this year, and his soul power has reached level 40. He is indeed a rare genius."

Shui Qingling's eyes lit up when she saw that her mother really knew the answer, and she quickly said, "Yes, yes, that's him! Mother, do you think such a genius is worthy of our academy making an exception to recruit him?"

Shui Ningyan smiled calmly: "Tiandou Royal Academy has cultivated such a genius, will they let him go easily? Besides, our Tianshui Academy has never participated in the competition for talents between academies. Do you want me to do something that violates the rules?"

"Mom!" Shui Qingling suddenly became anxious. She pulled a stone bench over and sat down, resting her hands on the stone table. Her tone was full of pleading. "Rules are dead, but people are alive! You also said that geniuses like Lu Yu are rare. Although our academy has trained many excellent soul masters, there are still too few true top geniuses. Think about it, if Lu Yu can join our Tianshui Academy, then wouldn't he be a sure winner of the future soul master competition?"

"Qing Ling," Shui Ningyan's tone was still calm, "Let me ask you, how much do you know about Lu Yu? Why did he choose Tiandou Royal Academy instead of other academies? Why did Tiandou Royal Academy make him stand out?"

"Uh..." Shui Qingling was stunned by the question. She pursed her lips and said, "Well... I heard that his family background is average. The reason why he joined Tiandou Royal Academy is probably because the resources of Tiandou Royal Academy are better. As for the rest, I'm not sure."

Shui Ningyan shook her head: "If you don't even know his character and background, and you rashly propose to recruit him, aren't you asking for trouble? Such a genius can't be easily poached. Besides, if Tianshui Academy does this, what kind of reputation will it have in the spirit master world? Have you ever thought about it?"

Shui Qingling was a little unconvinced: "If others can grab it, why can't we? Besides, Lu Yu may not be unwilling! As long as the conditions are good enough, who would refuse?"

"Qing Ling!" Shui Ningyan's voice sank, and she looked at her with a hint of reproach, "As the successor of Tianshui College, you must understand the dignity and bottom line of the college. We never bother to use such means to compete for geniuses. This is the character of Tianshui College. If even this principle is lost, wouldn't Tianshui College become a joke?"

Shui Qingling was shocked by her mother's tone, but she was still unwilling in her heart, and muttered: "But Lu Yu is really important. His Lightning Phoenix Martial Spirit is very compatible with the elemental soul masters of our academy. If he can team up with me..."

Shui Ningyan suddenly stood up, her long sleeves fluttering in the wind. She leaned over and tapped Shui Qingling on the forehead gently: "You always only see the small benefits in front of you. Lu Yu is indeed gifted, but Tianshui Academy is not short of talents. The real strong people are never recruited, but cultivated by ourselves."

"Oh, Mom, be gentle!" Shui Qingling covered her forehead and cried out, looking at her mother aggrievedly, "I just want to gain some future for the college, why are you hitting me?"

"I'm teaching you a lesson, so that you understand what principles are." Shui Ningyan's tone slowed down, but her eyes were still sharp. "Qing Ling, you are still young, and you need to slowly learn to look at many things in the long term. You like geniuses, that's fine, and the academy also needs more strong people, but we have to attract them in a legitimate way, not robbing them like street merchants. Do you understand?"

Shui Qingling pouted and whispered, "I understand..."

Shui Ningyan saw her expression, sighed, and softened her tone: "You always think about geniuses, but geniuses also have flaws. Lu Yu's Thunder Phoenix is ​​indeed powerful, but his martial soul control is extremely dangerous. Once out of control, it will not only hurt the enemy, but also endanger himself. This is why he has not served as the main attacker in the academy's team so far."

"Ah? There is such a thing?" Shui Qingling raised her head in surprise.

Shui Ningyan nodded: "So, you must learn to see the essence through appearances. Don't be fooled by your talent, and don't let your personal preferences cause unnecessary trouble to the academy. Do you remember this?"

Shui Qingling nodded with a complicated expression, and after a while she whispered, "Mom, I understand... But what if he is really willing to come to Tianshui College in the future?"

Shui Ningyan smiled and raised her hand to gently stroke her hair: "At that time, he was not robbed by us, but chosen by himself. This is the glory of Tianshui College, do you understand?"

Shui Qingling bit her lip and nodded heavily: "I understand!"

Shui Ningyan looked at her with satisfaction, with a hint of relief in her eyes: "Okay, now that you understand, go and see the new students in the academy. You are a little witch, so don't scare them too much."

"I know!" Shui Qingling stood up, regained her usual liveliness, made a face at her mother, then jumped away.

In the pavilion, Shui Ningyan watched her daughter leave, sighed softly, and her eyes were full of tenderness. She murmured in a low voice: "Qing Ling, one day you will understand that the real strong always walk their own way..."

Lu Yu and Meng Shenji stood in the hall, with the graceful Xue Qinghe beside them. The light of the colored glass lamps shone on everyone's face, making the atmosphere more solemn and quiet. At this moment, several eyes were cast on Lu Yu and Meng Shenji. Obviously, this courtesy meeting was full of more expectations for some secret reason.

Lu Yu took a deep breath, his eyes flickered slightly, but soon lowered, and he gave a standard bow to Xue Qinghe: "Lu Yu, meet your highness."

Meng Shenji followed closely behind, and said solemnly: "Meng Shenji, I pay my respects to His Highness."

Xue Qinghe smiled slightly, and his clear, glass-like eyes fell on the two of them. Everyone could feel the warmth and gentleness on his face, but only those who stood close could catch a glimpse of his slightly meaningful scrutiny.

"Lu Yu." Xue Qinghe suddenly spoke. His voice was not loud, but it had a heart-pounding penetrating power. "Get up quickly. Why are you being so polite?"

Lu Yu was startled, but still bowed his head and saluted without raising his body: "Your Highness is a distinguished person of the royal family, Lu Yu dare not neglect you."

Xue Qinghe shook his head gently, as if he was helpless but also as if he had a deeper meaning. He stepped forward and personally helped Lu Yu up: "I said, no need to be so polite. You don't need to be so reserved when you see me in the future."

This action caused the hall to suddenly become quiet. Everyone's eyes were filled with surprise, and some even opened their eyes slightly wide, as if they couldn't believe what they saw.

The moment Lu Yu was lifted up by Xue Qinghe, he was stunned. A trace of astonishment that was difficult to conceal appeared on his face, but Xue Qinghe's hand firmly held his arm, and his strength did not allow him to refuse.

"Your Highness..." Lu Yu's voice was a little hesitant, "Lu Yu is just... an ordinary soul master, how dare I accept such preferential treatment from Your Highness?"

Xue Qinghe smiled slightly, and looked at Lu Yu steadily, as if he had penetrated all his defenses. His voice was gentle but with a hint of unquestionable majesty: "It is not your turn to question my decision. Remember, there is no need to be polite in the future."

Meng Shenji stood aside, his lips moved but no sound came out. His eyes swept across Xue Qinghe and then fell on Lu Yu, revealing some complex emotions.

The silence in the hall did not last long, and soon people began to discuss cautiously in low voices. Almost everyone's expression was filled with curiosity and shock - Xue Qinghe's attitude was too special, especially the action of personally helping Lu Yu up, which was something he had never seen before.

Xue Qinghe seemed to be oblivious to the gazes from all around. He slowly loosened his hand that was supporting Lu Yu, casually waved his sleeves, and asked calmly, "Lu Yu, are you doing well lately?"

Lu Yu lowered his head and replied docilely: "Your Highness, Lu Yu is fine."

"Yeah." Xue Qinghe nodded, seeming satisfied, and thoughtful. His eyes stayed on Lu Yu for a moment, then he looked around the room and said calmly, "Today is just an ordinary meeting, no need to be restrained, everyone please be casual."