Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 116 Even the Spirit Hall refused, let alone you!

Zhu Yu's voice carried a powerful, inspiring quality.

"The Star Luo Royal Academy is the highest institution of learning built by the Empire with all its might, possessing a foundation that is no less than that of the Spirit Hall Academy."

"There, your talents can be developed in the most systematic and top-level way, and your martial spirit can be understood and guided more deeply. Countless strong people have been its students, including... me."

Zhu Yu appropriately displayed a touch of "senior sister" warmth before extending the core olive branch.

"So, little Xia, I sincerely invite you to come to Xingluo City to study! Join the Xingluo Royal Academy!"

"I can personally introduce you to the best and most prestigious training opportunities!"

"Whether it's a top-notch simulated cultivation environment, assistance in acquiring a tailor-made soul ring, or access to the Empire's treasured artifacts... whatever the Empire can provide, I will do my best to get it for you!"

Zhu Yu's promise was firm and resolute, her eyes filled with eagerness and anticipation, as if she could already see Lin Xia's future shining brightly in Xingluo City.

This invitation is not only to recruit a genius, but also because Lin Xia is Lou Gao's disciple. This identity may play an unexpected bridging role in Zhu Yu's "major plan". It is even possible that because of Lin Xia's joining, Master Lou Gao will be closer to the Star Luo Empire.

This is far more valuable than simply recruiting a genius!
Lin Xia listened quietly to Zhu Yu's grand vision.

The prosperity of Star Luo City, the resources of the Royal Academy, the guidance of top mentors... these conditions are indeed extremely attractive, enough to make any young genius on the continent eager to try.

If it were anyone else, they would probably be moved to tears and bow down in gratitude.

However, he is Lin Xia.

Lin Xia, who came from the Spirit Hall, resolutely refused even the ghostly recruitment offer.

At this moment, the map of the Star Luo Empire that Zhu Yu depicted was indeed magnificent, but compared with the colossal Spirit Hall that covered the entire continent, its scale was ultimately small.

Moreover... Lin Xia's "heart" was no longer concerned with the mundane struggle for imperial supremacy.

The Dragon Tomb! That giant egg with nine-colored blood scales!

The dragon-shaped mark provides coordinate guidance!
God-level dragon skeleton!

There's also the Phoenix God's power and ancient dragon blood fused within Young Gilas... these are the ways he became stronger.

What are the resources of the Star Luo Empire?
Even if it's good, can it be better than the treasure in the Dragon Tomb?
The instructors at Star Luo Royal Academy?
No matter how strong it is, can it surpass the power inherited from the ancient dragon?

Moreover, Lin Xia knew that once he stepped into Star Luo City and entered the core of that power vortex, he would inevitably be unable to control his own destiny.

The Zhu family's friendships and resources are not free; they inevitably come with responsibilities and constraints.

His identity as a "disciple of Lou Gao" will become an important bargaining chip for the Zhu family and even the Xingluo royal family to win over and influence Master Lou Gao.

Lin Xia yearns to freely pursue the pinnacle of power and explore the mysteries of the world, rather than be drawn into the political games of the empire and become a pawn on someone else's chessboard.

Young Kiras seemed to sense the turmoil in Lin Xia's heart and her firm refusal.

It emerged completely from behind Lin Xia's legs, stood beside him, puffed out its small chest, and looked at Zhu Yu with the same calm and aloofness in its scarlet eyes as Lin Xia's. Its gaze seemed to say something.

We will walk our own path; we don't need your arrangements.

Lin Xia gently patted Young Gilas's hard head to comfort her companion, then raised her head to meet Zhu Yu's eager and expectant gaze.

A polite yet distant smile appeared on his small face, and his clear voice rang out in the hot desert wind, carrying a composure and decisiveness that was far beyond his years.

"Thank you for your kindness and invitation, Sister Zhu Yu." Zhu Yu's smile froze slightly as she keenly caught the "but" in Lin Xia's tone.

As expected, Lin Xia continued:

"Star Luo City is very prosperous, and the Royal Academy must be very remarkable. I will remember your kindness in personally introducing me, sister."

Lin Xia changed the subject, her tone becoming firm and clear.

"However, sister, please forgive Lin Xia for not being able to accept this kindness."

The light in Zhu Yu's eyes dimmed instantly, replaced by deep astonishment and confusion. She almost doubted that she had misheard.

"Xia, what...what did you say? Why? Are you worried that the academy isn't right for you? Or is there something you're concerned about? You can tell me, and I can help you resolve it!"

Zhu Yu was somewhat anxious and couldn't understand why a seven-year-old child would refuse such a golden road to heaven.

Could it be because of that "elderly person living nearby"?
But that was just Lin Xia's excuse, and she knew it perfectly well.

"neither."

Lin Xia shook his head gently, his eyes unusually calm, as if stating a very simple fact.

“My teacher taught me that the key to cultivation lies in being down-to-earth, and what suits you best is the best. Gengjin City and the Blacksmith Association are places where my teacher left his legacy, where I am familiar with the cultivation environment, and where I need to study things in peace. My current foundation needs to be solidified there.”

Lin Xia looked at Zhu Yu and slowly, word by word, dropped a bombshell that sent a shockwave through Zhu Yu's heart:
"Moreover... to be honest, not long ago, the Ghost Douluo of the Spirit Hall also extended an olive branch to me."

"But I refused!"

boom!
These words struck Zhu Yu like a thunderclap from the heavens!

Zhu Yu's pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints, and all the blood in her body seemed to rush to the top of her head, making her slightly dizzy.

She looked at Lin Xia in disbelief; his youthful face now seemed so mysterious and unfathomable.

"They...they refused?!"

Zhu Yu's voice was dry and trembling, a trait she herself was unaware of.

Rejecting the Star Luo Royal Academy and rejecting the Spirit Hall are two completely different things!

The former might be considered ungrateful, but the latter... is simply defying the heavens!

After all, Zhu Yu herself understood that for most Soul Masters, the Spirit Hall was the holy land of Soul Masters!
But the child actually refused outright!
Yes, I refused.

Lin Xia nodded, her tone calm and matter-of-fact.

"Because I know very well what I want and what path I want to take. The path of the teacher and the path of the Blacksmith Association are my current choices. The path of the Spirit Hall is good, and the path of the Star Luo Empire is also good, but neither is the path I want to take."

Lin Xia slightly raised her small face, looked into Zhu Yu's eyes which were filled with turbulent waves, and spoke her last words, her tone gentle but with an undeniable firmness.

"So, Sister Zhu Yu, I appreciate your kindness. Please convey my gratitude to the Star Luo Empire. I will stay in Gengjin City, follow in my teacher's footsteps, hone my martial spirit, and forge my path."

"As for the teacher, I will pass on the message that my sister needs to see him when he returns. If it's convenient for you, sister, you can leave your contact information or a token, and I will have him contact you when he comes back."

(End of this chapter)