Douluo: The Gate to Heaven

"Congratulations! I didn't expect you to get this far. This year's freshmen are outstanding among all the freshmen in Shrek Academy's history. The fact that the three of you won the championship of this freshman competition speaks volumes about its prestige." Qian Duoduo walked up to Tuoba Wukong and the other two who were celebrating with each other and said with a smile.

"Dean Qian." The three bowed in unison. They had all witnessed the argument and knew that the burly old man before them was the dean of the Soul Guidance Department of Shrek Academy, the true god of wealth of Shrek Academy.

Song Qinghan, in particular, looked at Qian Duoduo with shining eyes. His biggest goal was to join the Soul Guidance Department, and he naturally admired the dean of the Soul Guidance Department, Qian Duoduo, who was a well-known level eight and a half Soul Guidance Master in Douluo Continent.

"You are welcome."

Qian Duoduo smiled kindly, her gaze finally settling on Tuoba Wukong, and asked, "Tuoba Wukong, have you made up your mind? Are you willing to formally enter the Soul Guidance Department for cultivation?"

Tuoba Wukong paused for a moment, a hint of shame on his face, but said with unwavering determination, "I will never forget your kindness, senior. However, I am determined to become a powerful Soul Master. Moreover, a truly powerful Soul Master must also possess a strong Martial Soul. Therefore, please forgive me, senior, but I still wish to remain in the Martial Soul system for the time being."

"It's okay."

Qian Duoduo sighed inwardly. This kid really hadn't given up on cultivating his martial soul. But on the surface, he smiled and said, "Your idea is right. A powerful soul master does need considerable martial soul skills. It's fine for you to stay and cultivate in the martial soul department. But I also hope that you won't give up on cultivating in the soul guidance department. At least, the resources of the soul guidance department can make your path in martial soul cultivation smoother."

"Take this freshman competition for example. If the shield in your hand is a close-range soul tool, combined with your martial soul defense, the two shields combined will make you the strongest defensive soul master among this year's freshmen..."

"I understand this principle, and I will not give up the research on soul guidance technology," Tuoba Wukong said earnestly.

"That's good." Qian Duoduo nodded in satisfaction, took out a jet-black token, one side of which was engraved with the words "Soul Guidance Department," and the other side with the words "Core Disciple." She said, "This is a token representing the identity of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department. With this token, you can not only enjoy all the benefits of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department, but you can also freely enter and exit the academy's Soul Guidance area, and you can freely choose to study in any class of the Soul Guidance Department. Every week, someone will deliver the Soul Guidance Department's courses, and you can choose which classes to attend..."

Qian Duoduo recounted the treatment of core disciples of the Soul Guidance Department. In fact, this token was not an ordinary token for core disciples of the outer court's Soul Guidance Department, but rather a token for core disciples of the inner court's Soul Guidance Department. Tuoba Wukong also enjoyed the same treatment as core disciples of the inner court's Soul Guidance Department.

In Qian Duoduo's view, Tuoba Wukong is a true genius of the Soul Guidance Master, possessing a rare spirituality in the field of Soul Guidance Devices. If he were taught and nurtured in a step-by-step manner, it would be easy to erase this spirituality. Therefore, Qian Duoduo does not mind giving Tuoba Wukong the greatest freedom and letting him choose his own research direction in the Soul Guidance System.

Tuoba Wukong had long heard about the treatment of the core disciples of the Soul Guidance Department. Not only did they receive valuable medicinal meals every day, but they also had a certain amount of rare metals every month.

To cultivate soul tools, rare metals are indispensable materials. Many of the precision components of soul tools require rare metals to be refined. These metals are not only expensive, but more importantly, many rare metals are controlled items and cannot be purchased from outside sources.

Obtaining this core disciple token will bring immeasurable benefits.

"Thank you, senior." Tuoba Wukong did not refuse the identity token of a core disciple and officially chose to lean towards the Soul Guidance Department.

Qian Duoduo nodded in satisfaction and said, "Every gain comes at a price. There are many benefits to being a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department. But I have to be frank. Accepting the status of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department means that you have completely chosen the Soul Guidance Department. If you continue to stay in the Martial Soul Department, the level of training you will receive will be greatly reduced."

"Based on your performance in this freshman competition, there's no problem getting into the core disciple list of the Spirit Department. However, if you choose the identity of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department, you will no longer be able to become a core disciple of the Spirit Department. You will not be able to enjoy some of the unique resources of the Spirit Department. Do you still want to accept this token?"

"There are gains and losses, and I understand that principle." Tuoba Wukong accepted the identity token of the core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department without hesitation.

While the unique resources of the core disciples of the Martial Soul system did help him a lot, they were not crucial.

Conversely, the Soul Guidance System also possesses many resources that the Martial Soul System lacks. At least in terms of things that can be bought with money, the Soul Guidance System is far more generous than the Martial Soul System.

Moreover, it's not impossible to obtain some training for the Martial Soul system later on.

Qian Duoduo nodded in satisfaction, handed the Soul Guidance Department's core disciple token to Tuoba Wukong, then looked at Song Qinghan and said with a smile, "Your name is Song Qinghan, right? Are you also interested in cultivating in my Soul Guidance Department?"

"I came here specifically for the Soul Guidance Department," Song Qinghan said excitedly.

Qian Duoduo laughed and said, "Okay, okay, but I can't give you the status of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department directly. However, I can let you enjoy the treatment of a core disciple for a year. If you perform well enough after a year, you will definitely have a place among the core disciples of the Soul Guidance Department."

Qian Duoduo also had some understanding of Song Qinghan. Although his talent was not as outstanding as Tuoba Wukong's, he was still a promising talent in the Soul Guidance Department. In the future, he might be able to obtain the status of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department based on his own strength. With Tuoba Wukong's connection, Qian Duoduo did not mind letting Song Qinghan enjoy the treatment of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department ahead of time.

"Thank you very much, Dean." Song Qinghan said excitedly. He was already very surprised to be able to enjoy the treatment of a core disciple. Song Qinghan also knew that although he had won the championship of the freshman competition, his performance was just average. He was already very satisfied to be admitted to the Soul Guidance Department in advance and to enjoy the treatment of a core disciple.

"Alright, then this old man won't disturb the three of you celebrating your first victory at Shrek Academy any longer. This is your first victory, but I believe it won't be your last. Given time, I believe you will create even more legends at Shrek Academy." Qian Duoduo encouraged him with a smile, then gracefully departed.

This time, he had achieved his biggest goal. Although he did not directly recruit Tuoba Wukong into the Soul Guidance Department, Tuoba Wukong had already accepted the identity token of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department and was already considered a member of the Soul Guidance Department. Yan Shaozhe could not poach him even if he wanted to.

More importantly, Qian Duoduo could sense Tuoba Wukong's emphasis on soul tools. Unlike other students who were focused on cultivating in the Martial Soul Department, he would not give up the research and study of soul tool technology.

This is enough.

"Dean Qian is really approachable. I thought he would be a very stern person, like Grandma Zhou, who always has a stern face." Even though Qian Duoduo had already left, Song Qinghan was still very excited and said excitedly.

"When did I start having a long face all the time?" Zhou Yi had somehow appeared behind Song Qinghan and heard Song Qinghan's complaint. She said without any expression.

"Teacher Zhou... Teacher Zhou!" Upon hearing Zhou Yi's voice, Song Qinghan instinctively shivered and said in a stiff voice.

During the three months of study for the freshmen, very few people in the class were not afraid of Zhou Yi.

"Teacher Zhou." Tuoba Wukong and Tu Nan Bupo also bowed respectfully.

Upon seeing the two, Zhou Yi finally smiled, "You two did a good job, you didn't embarrass Class One."

Then he looked at Song Qinghan and said, "Giving teachers nicknames in private, I won't punish you since you did well this time. If I catch you again, you'll have to run a hundred laps around the track."

Song Qinghan trembled slightly and said, "Yes, Teacher Zhou."

Zhou Yi smiled and said to Song Qinghan, "Alright, Tuoba Wukong will continue to study in the Martial Soul Department, but you will probably go directly to the Soul Guidance Department. I won't have the chance to teach you anymore."

"Although I won't be teaching you anymore, I hope you won't slack off in your martial spirit cultivation."

"Tuoba Wukong is right about one thing: a truly powerful Soul Master must be an excellent Soul Master. Only a powerful Soul Master can unleash the true power of a Soul Tool. Even the Sun Moon Empire is trying its best to improve the strength of its Martial Soul system. Do you understand?"

Even if they don't become teacher and student in the future, Zhou Yi sincerely hopes that Song Qinghan will have a bright future.

"Teacher Zhou, you will always be my teacher, and I will remember your teachings," Song Qinghan said, her voice trembling with emotion.

He was still just a child.

Although Zhou Yi's teaching was strict, they could see the results. This time, not only were the champion and runner-up both from Class 1 of the freshmen, but none of the 67 students from Class 1 who participated in the assessment were eliminated.

Although Zhou Yi's education was extreme, its effects were remarkable.

If it weren't for the fact that very few students could withstand her high-pressure teaching style, she would have been a senior teacher long ago.

Zhou Yi laughed and scolded, "Alright, it's not like we're parting ways or dying, don't do this. Even though you're going to the Soul Guidance Department, you'll still be at Shrek Academy, and we'll see each other all the time. That's enough, you guys go celebrate. Don't forget to come to the playground tomorrow for the freshman competition's award ceremony and class assignment ceremony."

"Your results this time are outstanding, and the rewards for the freshman competition are quite generous. They may be of great help to your future cultivation, so don't miss out."