The Spirit Academy was vast, covering over ten thousand acres and encompassing the surrounding mountains. The entire academy was grand and seamlessly integrated with nature, offering a refreshing environment amidst the mountains and rivers.
The Spirit Academy had three main branches: the Elementary Spirit Master Academy, the Intermediate Spirit Master Academy, and the Advanced Spirit Master Academy. These institutions enrolled students with exceptional talent, as well as children from prominent families of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
Today was the first day of the new semester, and many students were about to embark on a fresh academic journey.
Lu Leng stood before the gates of the Spirit Academy, marveling at the wealth of the Spirit Hall. Even the gates were incredibly imposing, stretching a hundred meters in length and designed in a Gothic architectural style. A massive angel statue stood at the entrance, its arms open as if welcoming everyone.
Led by Hu Liena, Lu Leng entered the academy and quickly made his way to the administrative office.
The head of the administrative office was an elderly man with glasses named Solus, an eighty-eighth-level Spirit Douluo.
"Good day, Director Solus. This is my junior brother, Lu Leng, here to complete his enrollment procedures," Hu Liena said politely as she knocked on the door.
Upon hearing this, Solus was surprised and turned to look at Lu Leng. "Junior brother? So, he's the new disciple of Her Holiness the Pope?"
"Yes."
Solus couldn't help but scrutinize Lu Leng, noticing his striking appearance, outstanding demeanor, and the faint aura of confidence he exuded. After a moment of evaluation, he nodded and said, "He seems like a promising talent. Let's test his spirit power."
"No need for the test. It's level twenty-three. You can just record it," Lu Leng said.
"Level twenty-three?!"
Hearing this, Solus's face twisted in astonishment, the wrinkles on his skin seemingly smoothing out. He turned to Lu Leng, adjusting his glasses with his finger as if to get a clearer look. "How old are you?"
"Six and a half."
"Six and a half, level twenty-three?!" Solus was once again shocked. Although he had mentally prepared himself based on Lu Leng's appearance, hearing the actual numbers still left him momentarily stunned.
However, he quickly regained his composure and looked at Lu Leng. "It's not that I don't believe you, but the academy's rules require a test."
Lu Leng pursed his lips, clearly unconvinced.
Solus took out a crystal ball and gestured for Lu Leng to channel his spirit power into it. Soon, the crystal ball emitted a dazzling white light, illuminating every corner of the room.
"It really is level twenty-three!"
Solus's jaw dropped, and this time, he didn't care about maintaining his composure.
"As expected of a disciple chosen by Her Holiness the Pope. Such talent is unparalleled! I doubt there's anyone else like him in the entire Douluo Continent."
"Six and a half years old, level twenty-three. How about enrolling him in Class One of the Intermediate Academy?" Solus suggested.
"Director Solus, the teacher's intention is for Lu Leng to join the Saint Class," Hu Liena interjected before Lu Leng could respond.
"The Saint Class?!" Solus's expression turned even more astonished, mixed with a hint of doubt.
"Yes," Hu Liena nodded.
After a moment of contemplation, Solus finally spoke. "With Lu Leng's talent, it's only a matter of time before he enters the Saint Class. However, entering so early might affect his mental state. Once his mental state is damaged, no matter how high his talent is, it will be difficult for him to become a strong warrior in the future. This point..."
"Teacher has naturally considered this point, and she believes that Lu Leng can overcome it!" Hu Liena said resolutely.
"Since it's the arrangement of Her Holiness the Pope, I naturally won't go against it," Solus sighed. Although he said so, his gaze towards Lu Leng still carried some concern.
While thinking, Solus quickly completed the necessary procedures.
As Lu Leng walked out of the academic affairs office, Solus sighed once again.
Next, Hu Liena took Lu Leng to familiarize himself with the environment and then headed to the dormitory.
"What is the Saint Class?" Lu Leng couldn't help but ask on the way.
"The Saint Class, as the name suggests, is the preparatory class for the Saint," Hu Liena explained. When she mentioned the Saint Class, a look of longing appeared in her eyes.
"You're not the Saintess yet?" Lu Leng blurted out in surprise upon hearing this.
"Saintess?" Hu Liena was puzzled, wondering why Lu Leng would think she was the Saintess.
Realizing he had slipped up, Lu Leng quickly explained, "I mean, with your talent, I thought you would already be the Saintess."
Hu Liena sighed and said, "Of course, I want to become the Saintess, but it's not something you can achieve just by wanting it."
"Whether it's the Saintess or the Saint, they are the honors of the Spirit Hall and the next generation's Pope, with an extremely noble status. Although I am the teacher's disciple, I can't directly become the Saintess just because of this relationship."
"The Spirit Hall is vast and has a well-established operational mechanism. Everyone wants to seize the positions of Saint and Saintess. Without strength and relying solely on connections, even if you sit in that position, you will be pulled down."
"Moreover, the teacher's position in the Spirit Hall..."
"Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you more," Hu Liena suddenly stopped halfway.
Lu Leng realized that he had been presumptuous. When he read the novel, Hu Liena was already twenty-one years old when she appeared, so naturally, she was the Saintess. But now, Hu Liena is only twelve.
"I thought Hu Liena's status as the Saintess was due to Bibi Dong, but it turns out it's based on her own strength. No wonder Hu Liena could become part of the Golden Generation and Bibi Dong's most valued disciple," Lu Leng thought to himself.
"So, how does one become the Saint?" Lu Leng asked. Since she wasn't the Saint yet, he had some thoughts about the position.
"The Saint Class gathers the most talented students from the entire Spirit Academy, regardless of age, only strength matters. To become the Saint or Saintess, one must reach the level of a Spirit King before the age of twenty and continuously rank first on the Spirit Academy's strength list for six consecutive years." At this point, Hu Liena's eyes filled with confidence.
But when she looked at Lu Leng, that light instantly dimmed.
'This guy is a freak. If he can stay in the Saint Class, almost no one can compete with him for the position of Saint.'
Upon hearing the conditions to become the Saint, Lu Leng couldn't help but exclaim in his heart, 'This is too difficult for ordinary people!'
Just the fact of becoming a Soul King before the age of twenty is enough to eliminate ninety-nine percent of people. It's important to know that on the Douluo Continent, the average genius only reaches the Soul Ancestor level by the age of twenty.
Such talent, if found in any other sect or family, would undoubtedly be cherished and nurtured with utmost care.
However, in the Saint Class of the Spirit Academy, this level of talent can only serve as a stepping stone for others.
And the second condition is even more demanding.