Douluo Continent: Starting with the Tiger Emperor Template

Stepping out of the Mingde Hall building, sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light on the ground.

Meng Hongchen walked ahead, her silver ponytail swaying gently with each step, her hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt.

The blush on her cheeks hadn't completely faded, and her grandfather's words, "We'll be together 24/7," kept echoing in her mind.

The thought made her heart race and her steps falter.

She would occasionally glance up at Lu Ren beside her, then quickly lower her gaze again, afraid of being discovered.

Lu Ren glanced at her.

It's not unpleasant to see a young girl in love, but it's probably just part of the experience of puberty.

Seriously though, having someone chattering around you like this actually gives you a real sense of campus life.

He suddenly recalled his school days on Earth in his previous life, and couldn't help but shudder, shaking his head repeatedly.

That place was no different from a prison.

Meng Hongchen suddenly stopped and turned around, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity:

"You don't seem worried at all? The Royal Inspectorate is no ordinary force; they're known for their tyrannical behavior."

Lu Ren walked at a steady pace: "With you here, what is there to worry about?"

These words sounded like a perfunctory remark, but they made Meng Hongchen's cheeks burn even more.

She coughed lightly, trying to appear calm:

"I won't protect you forever. If a fight breaks out, you'll have to take action yourself."

"nature."

Lu Ren nodded, his gaze sweeping over the students coming and going on both sides of the corridor.

Those gazes still held awe and curiosity, occasionally mixed with a few subtle hostility.

Most of them were Wang Shaojie's friends or followers.

As the two were walking towards the direction of the Soul Guidance Department, a figure suddenly rushed out from around the corner, almost bumping into Meng Hongchen.

"Teacher Xuan?" Meng Hongchen was stunned when she saw who it was.

Xuan Ziwen still looked as disheveled as ever, with her hair like a bird's nest, her clothes wrinkled, and the dark circles under her eyes even deeper than yesterday.

But his eyes were frighteningly bright, staring straight at Lu Ren.

"I'm looking for Lu Ren, are you free?"

Lu Ren was startled by his enthusiasm and subconsciously took a half step back:

"Teacher Xuan, I am not a Soul Master..."

He knew Xuan Ziwen all too well. A genius who was fanatical about soul tools to the core, looking at someone with that kind of gaze meant either he had discovered a new breakthrough in the field of soul tools, or he had found a soul tool master with extraordinary talent.

Neither of these things applies to him.

"Of course I know you're not," Xuan Ziwen waved his hand dismissively. "But pure Soul Masters are just as important to us. Otherwise, why would the academy have a Department of Controlled Soul Guidance?"

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts.

"Real control of the soul guidance system means that soul masters can enhance their own strength through soul guidance devices."

"They don't manufacture soul tools, but they are skilled at using various soul tools to enhance their combat power and survivability."

"This is the future direction of the integration and development of Soul Masters and Soul Crafters. The ability to create and the ability to use will eventually lead to two different cultivation paths."

Lu Ren listened without interrupting.

"I've observed your fighting style up close." Xuan Ziwen's gaze became focused. "Your invisible slashes and the black light that can distort space aren't soul skills, are they?"

Lu Ren did not deny it.

"Since it's not a soul skill, but a technique at the soul power level, theoretically it should be usable in the field of soul tools..." Xuan Ziwen became more and more excited as he spoke, gesturing with his fingers in the air.

"Teacher Xuan," Lu Ren interrupted him, his tone calm, "I understand what you mean, but unfortunately, it's almost impossible. My abilities cannot be used with soul tools."

Why?

"It's related to my martial soul. It's extremely special; without this martial soul, no one can do the same thing."

The flame in Xuan Ziwen's eyes went out instantly.

He seemed drained of all his strength; his shoulders slumped, and he regained that faint, lifeless air.

"I see... I was overthinking it."

The air fell silent for a few seconds.

Lu Ren watched his dejected figure and made a mental calculation. It wouldn't hurt to cultivate a good relationship with this genius who was destined to become a level nine Soul Master.

"Anything is possible." He spoke, his tone gentler than usual. "Teacher Xuan, don't be discouraged. Although I can't help you with the field of soul tools, I can still help you test your soul tools."

Xuan Ziwen turned around abruptly, his eyes lighting up again: "You said it?"

Lu Ren had a bad feeling, but he still nodded.

"Don't worry." Xuan Ziwen patted his shoulder with a smile. "You're a student, I have no reason to let you put yourself in danger. I'll make sure you're safe when I have you test it."

He paused, then changed the subject: "Are you a spirit-type soul master?"

Lu Ren was taken aback: "No, my abilities have absolutely nothing to do with the mental system."

"But when I observe you in battle, a large amount of mental energy surges up every time you use your ability." Xuan Ziwen frowned. "Although my combat ability is poor, I am still an eight-ring Soul Douluo, so my close-range perception is not wrong."

A large amount of... mental energy?

Lu Ren was stunned.

He mistook magical power for mental power?

"Even if you're not a mental-type Soul Master, with your immense mental power, you're practically indistinguishable from one," Xuan Ziwen continued, his tone earnest. "What the academy needs most right now is a mental-type Soul Master. The effect of a mental-type controlling a Soul Tool is greater than the sum of its parts."

He took a metal badge out of his pocket and handed it to Lu Ren.

"Come find me when you have time, and I'll test your mental abilities."

Lu Ren took the badge and put it in his pocket: "Okay."

In this era, most people are still at a rudimentary stage in their use of mental power. If Xuan Ziwen could help him develop his potential in this area...

"Then I'll be going now." Xuan Ziwen waved his hand, turned around and left, his steps much lighter than when he came.

Meng Hongchen blinked, watching his figure disappear around the corner of the corridor, and couldn't help but sigh, "Even Teacher Xuan likes you so much."

"He just discovered some secrets of my martial spirit," Lu Ren explained casually.

Meng Hongchen got excited and took a step closer: "What type of martial soul do you have?"

"Theoretically speaking... it's an offensive type." Lu Ren thought for a moment and gave the most vague answer.

Meng Hongchen didn't ask any further questions and led him into the academy. Various soul-guided lighting devices were embedded in the walls on both sides of the corridor, and the light was soft and even.

"What kind of training room do you want?" she asked. "The training rooms here are just as good as Shrek's."

Lu Ren thought for a moment: "Something a bit creepy."

"Ugh." Meng Hongchen drawled, unable to resist making a sound of disbelief, "Are you some kind of dark-elemental evil spirit master?"

"Dark attributes don't necessarily mean someone is an evil spirit master," Lu Ren corrected her.

"That's true," Meng Hongchen admitted, her gaze sweeping over his face. "But I can't see any connection between you and the dark element."

Lu Ren smiled, a clean and bright smile, his eyes radiating the unique clarity of a college student, like shattered sunlight, warm but not scorching.

Meng Hongchen stared blankly for a moment, then quickly looked away.

"Alright, a rather gloomy training room... the conditions are a bit demanding. I need to ask Grandpa for permission first."

"please."

……

The approval process for the application was incredibly fast.

Jing Hongchen personally stepped in and cleared out a large, empty room opposite Lu Ren's dormitory, renovating it according to his requirements.

In less than half a day, a completely enclosed, dimly lit training room was completed.

The walls were painted dark gray, the floor was paved with matte stone that absorbed light, and only a few soul-guiding lamps on the ceiling emitted a dim yellow glow.

A faint coolness permeated the air, and the energy of heaven and earth was exceptionally rich here, as if drawn by something, slowly gathering together.

Lu Ren stood at the door, looking at the custom-made training room, and was speechless for a moment.

Dark, gloomy, and utterly gloomy, yet it is filled with a rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Jing Hongchen not only fulfilled all his requests, but also added extra ingredients.

The energy concentration in this training room is more than three times that of an ordinary training room.

"This..." Lu Ren turned his head and looked at Jing Hongchen, who was standing to the side with his hands behind his back.

Jing Hongchen's lips curled slightly, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

The kid finally showed a surprised expression.

No matter how talented or mature he is, he is still just a fourteen-year-old child.

As long as you're human, you'll have a sense of gratitude. By offering the best treatment and keeping Lu Ren's heart here, this investment was worthwhile.

Then... hehe.

He was already imagining the scene of Lu Ren, representing the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, crushing Shrek Academy, and even further into the future, when Lu Ren, representing the Sun Moon Empire, led his army to conquer and help them unify the entire continent.

"Cultivate diligently." Jing Hongchen raised his hand and patted Lu Ren's shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy. "You don't need to think about anything else."

Lu Ren quickly calmed down and, after figuring out Jing Hongchen's intentions, couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Brilliant! That was a brilliant move.

Jing Hongchen wasn't just giving him a cultivation room; he was telling him: This place treats you like family, this place has a place for you, and this place is worth staying.

Lu Ren looked up at Jing Hongchen and nodded seriously:

"Yes, Master."