Douluo Continent: The Sky Revealed, What the Hell is Honkai Academy?

Chapter 51: Ranked 10th on the Soul Beast Potential Ranking, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King!
The moment he entered the dean's office, Xue Beng tried his best to remain calm, but his slightly trembling fingers betrayed his inner tension.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully: "The Fourth Prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire, Xue Beng, along with his younger sister Xue Ke, pays his respects to Dean Zhang Yi! By order of the Emperor, we have come to present the Empire's congratulatory gifts and express our sincerity!"

He presented a gift list several times thicker than that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, which listed rare metals treasured from the imperial treasury, fragments of soul tool cores, and nearly extinct thousand-year-old spiritual plants from the royal herb garden.

Zhang Yi accepted the gift list, but his gaze lingered on the meek and submissive Princess Xue Ke, a slight, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.
"His Highness the Fourth Prince has come in person, and he has also brought His Highness the Princess. This 'sincerity' is quite unique."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Xue Beng's face, but he forced himself to say, "Dean, you are wise. My brother and I both admire the academy and humbly request that you grant us the opportunity to take the exam."

"Especially my younger sister Xueke, who is gentle and kind, and has some talent..."

He began trying to sell his own younger sister.

Zhang Yi remained noncommittal, only interrupting calmly, "I have accepted the gift list, and I am aware of the Empire's intentions. As for the princes and princesses, they will all have to participate in the assessment. However, I would like to remind you that the academy's assessment only considers talent and character, not background."

He was speaking to both the avalanche and to people present at the scene.

Avalanche felt a chill run down her spine and quickly agreed, leading the shy Xueke to the side.

Then, the second group to enter were people from the Spirit Hall and the Hall of Offerings. The atmosphere instantly became somewhat subtle as the two groups entered at the same time.

Ju Douluo Yue Guan stepped forward, adopting a rather humble posture, his smile even carrying a hint of flattery:
"His Holiness the Pope's left and right protectors, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, along with Saintess Hu Liena and the Golden Generation members Xie Yue and Yan, pay their respects to Dean Zhang Yi."

He offered up the soul bone and rare metals, but his eyes kept glancing at Zhang Yi's reaction: "This is a small gift to express my respect and congratulations to the teachers and students of the academy for making it onto the Heavenly Ranking!"

Zhang Yi looked at the three glowing soul bones and nodded:
"Your Holiness is too kind. I have also heard of the geniuses of the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation."

His gaze swept over Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan, lingering for a moment on Hu Liena in particular. "Since you're here, let's take the assessment together. If you pass, you can naturally join our academy."

Almost simultaneously, Qian Renxue's clear, cold voice rang out: "Qian Renxue of the Offering Hall, accompanied by Protectors She Long and Ci Xue, pays respects to the Dean."

“I have come here on the orders of the High Priest to offer my congratulations and to present a small token of my appreciation from my temple.”

The "angelic feathers" she offered radiated a pure and luminous aura, while the scroll of "divine grace" exuded an ancient and mysterious flavor.

Zhang Yi looked at Qian Renxue, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He seemed somewhat surprised that she was willing to personally lead the team here. In his view, the Temple of Worship had a complete lineage of angels, so there was no need for her to join any academy for further study.

Moreover, Qian Renxue is a bit too old and is actually no longer suitable to go to school.

But since they came and brought gifts, Zhang Yi naturally accepted them all.

"Miss Qian Renxue is indeed just like those on the Heavenly Ranking, with extraordinary talent and outstanding appearance."

Zhang Yi accepted the gift, a hint of probing in his tone, "I'm somewhat surprised that the Hall of Offerings is willing to let a successor of the divine position join the Honkai Academy. Since you've come all this way, you should also go and prepare for the assessment."

Qian Renxue bowed calmly and stepped aside, clearly distinguishing herself from Hu Liena and the others.

Following closely behind, Yu Yuanzhen, the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family, and representatives from the Haotian Sect entered one after another, offering generous gifts and speaking earnestly, all in an effort to secure a few spots.

Zhang Yi handled the situation with ease, accepting all the gifts without hesitation, maintaining a gentle distance yet undeniably assertive attitude throughout.

He was like a master merchant, holding rare commodities, sitting firmly in the central command tent, unmoved by any storms, waiting for the fish to take the bait, and then carefully selecting them.

After all the representatives of the major powers had met, Zhang Yicai gave instructions to Rita:

"Pass down the notice to ensure these distinguished guests are properly accommodated. Our academy will conduct a unified enrollment assessment at the academy square after the Soul Beast Potential Ranking is completed." "In addition, the warehouse expansion plan will be launched immediately, using the Void Treasury to create three more layers of auxiliary space."

"Yes, Mr. Dean."

Rita bowed gracefully, her eyes filled with admiration for the Dean's methods.

In just half a day, the "sponsorship" the academy received was probably more terrifying than the combined tax revenue of many empires over ten years.

After the representatives of all parties left the office, they were all filled with trepidation.

This Dean Zhang Yi, though young, is unfathomable and his attitude is ambiguous. Getting a substantial promise from him will probably be no easy task.

Future entrance examinations will be crucial!

……

Just as Zhang Yi's various factions were still wavering over joining the Honkai Academy—

The next day, at noon, under the blazing sun, the sky suddenly darkened!

The golden scroll that had always hung in the sky, radiating a faint aura of power, reappeared and unfurled without warning, bursting forth with a golden divine light that had never dimmed in the slightest!

In an instant, a dazzling light shone upon the earth, even briefly obscuring the sun's radiance.

At this moment, both the hustle and bustle of human cities and the howls of the soul beast forest were eerily still.

All living beings, regardless of strength, instinctively raised their heads and looked in awe at the golden scroll that seemed to be the embodiment of the Dao.

The majestic voice of Heaven resounded clearly deep within the minds of every living being:

[The Soul Beast Potential Ranking is officially launched!]

[Their future potential is comprehensively assessed based on their bloodline, talent, growth potential, and affinity with the laws of nature!]

As the sound faded, enormous golden ancient characters on the scroll flowed and coalesced like gilding, finally transforming into crystal-clear text, imprinted in the sky and in the hearts of all who watched:
[Soul Beast Potential Ranking, No. 10 - Deep Sea Demon Whale King]

[Race]: Deep Sea Demon Whale (Beast King Level)

[Bloodline]: A branch of the Sea God Dragon bloodline (extremely rare)
[Cultivation Level]: Nearly one million years (reached the limit of mortal cultivation, with profound accumulation)

[Potential Assessment]: ★★★★☆

[Talent Domain]: Demon Whale Domain (Water Control, Energy Absorption)

[Core Abilities]: Possesses control over the vast water element and the power of raging lightning; its body is nearly immortal, and its energy reserves are unfathomable. Its single eye has already glimpsed divinity; if it can overcome the heavenly tribulation and condense its divine essence, it may transform into a sea dragon and wield some authority over the ocean.

[Reason for inclusion]: Reigning as king in the endless deep sea, relying on its mutated bloodline and unyielding will, it forcibly broke through the shackles of its race and reached the pinnacle of mortal soul beasts. Its impact and accumulation towards the divine realm endowed it with potential that surpassed ordinary ferocious beasts.

[Potential Ranking Rewards]:
1. Bloodline Essence Pill: After consumption, it can refine and purify the bloodline in the body, and has a certain probability of stimulating a deeper level of the Sea God Dragon bloodline, improving the quality and concentration of the bloodline.

2. The Source of Water: Provides the purest primordial energy of heaven and earth, which can be absorbed without hindrance and used to solidify the foundation, repair hidden injuries, or accelerate the breakthrough and enlightenment of the million-year bottleneck.

3. Enhanced Innate Divine Ability - [Thunderous Tide]: Enhances the user's control over the fusion of thunder and ocean power, allowing the user to simultaneously unleash heavenly thunder and deep-sea currents within the domain, multiplying the power.

(End of this chapter)