After the awards ceremony concluded, Qi Lin and the others returned to Heaven Dou Academy.
The three deans, led by Meng Shenji, also warmly welcomed their return, with a huge banner hung over the academy's main gate.
Countless dignitaries entered the academy, hoping to seize this opportunity to get to know Qi Lin, hoping to make a good impression, and also to send their children to study under Qi Lin.
After all, Qi Lin's teaching ability was evident to all.
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Feng, Oslo, and the Shi Mo brothers—these nobles had some idea of what they were like originally.
While they had some talent, they certainly hadn't reached their current level.
However, facing the intentions of these Empire nobles, Qi Lin ignored all of them, only meeting with the relatives of the Heaven Dou Battle Team members when they came to thank him.
...
A few days after Qi Lin and the others returned to the academy, the Shi Mo brothers, along with Oslo and Yu Feng, successively chose to graduate.
After all, at their current age, they had already reached the age for graduation, and Shi Mo and Shi Mo had even won the championship of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Competition.
It could be said that they had reached the pinnacle of their academic path.
Although continuing to stay at the academy and follow Qi Lin would have provided the greatest improvement for them, none of them wanted to leave Qi Lin with an image of being clingy.
Upon learning of their decision, many nobles secretly cursed them for being foolish, while simultaneously trying to send their children to study under Qi Lin through the three deans.
The three deans did mention this to Qi Lin, but without exception, he refused them all.
In fact, even Qi Lin himself began to consider leaving Heaven Dou Academy.
His original purpose for coming to Heaven Dou was to provide a platform for Xiao Wu, Rongrong, and Zhuqing to participate in the Soul Master Competition.
Now that the Soul Master Competition was over, there was no need for him to remain in the academy.
Moreover, Heaven Dou Academy only recruited noble students; it wasn't that all the students here were bad, but for an already decaying Empire, the vast majority of noble children were indeed mostly wastrels and good-for-nothings.
And when Qi Lin proposed to leave Heaven Dou Academy, it caused a huge uproar within the academy.
The three deans all came to Qi Lin's dormitory, pleading with him to stay.
Even Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, was alarmed and rushed over to persuade him.
Upon learning the reason for Qi Lin's departure, Qian Renxue said in a deep voice, "Brother Qi Lin, if you dislike the improper academic atmosphere of Heaven Dou Academy, then I, your elder brother, will immediately issue an order to rectify the academy's spirit and expel all the scoundrels and good-for-nothing nobles from the academy."
"Moreover, within this Heaven Dou Academy, I, your elder brother, guarantee that no one will disturb you again. You can teach students if you want, and not teach if you don't."
Qi Lin stroked his chin after listening, and Qian Renxue, seeing this, continued to strike while the iron was hot, saying, "Besides that, Heaven Dou Academy will never restrict Brother Qi Lin's freedom. You only need to be listed as a nominal member."
With Qian Renxue's words, it actually didn't matter whether Qi Lin left or stayed.
He smiled and said, "Since Xue Dage has said so, if I were to still withdraw from Heaven Dou Academy, it would be disrespectful to you."
Upon hearing Qi Lin's words, Xue Qinghe immediately let out a hearty laugh, then said, "Then I, your elder brother, thank Brother Qi Lin for giving me face."
After this incident, Heaven Dou Academy immediately began drastic reforms.
Nearly two-thirds of the noble disciples were expelled from the academy, causing no small stir in Heaven Dou City.
These nobles united to accuse Xue Qinghe and the three deans of the academy to Emperor Xue Ye.
As for Qi Lin, no one dared to accuse him.
After all, everyone knew that the beautiful woman accompanying Qi Lin was an unfathomably strong expert; even Hu Yan Zhen, the Sect Master of the Elephant Armored Academy, was crushed by her with one hand.
However, the combined accusations of these nobles didn't even cause a ripple.
The reason was simple: Emperor Xue Ye's health was deteriorating day by day. Xue Beng's death a year ago had already dealt him a huge blow, and the Heaven Dou Battle Team winning the Soul Master Competition had greatly surprised him.
At his current age, great joy and great sorrow were extremely damaging to his body.
Coupled with the 'Crown Prince' gaining another wave of prestige in Spirit City, Emperor Xue Ye was gradually transitioning his power to the 'Crown Prince'.
It was not an exaggeration to say that the Crown Prince was overseeing the Heaven Dou Empire now.
As for Prince Xue Xing, although his confinement had ended, he dared not show his face at this time.
Therefore, the accusations of the nobles against Qian Renxue and the three deans were completely like, "Who is below, daring to accuse this official?"
Qian Renxue took this opportunity to investigate these nobles, and the result was as expected: not a single one was clean.
So, with a wave of her hand, these nobles and ministers were either beheaded or exiled to the military.
Subsequently, Qian Renxue naturally took the opportunity to install her own people in the court, pulling the rug out from under them.
Half a month passed in a flash, and Yu Feng had his grand wedding. His wife was the legitimate daughter of a minor family, and their relationship was a marriage alliance. On the day of the wedding, he also invited Qi Lin and the Heaven Dou Battle Team.
Qi Lin specially refined two 'Concentric Knots' and gave them to the couple. These Concentric Knots were defensive treasures; activating them would release a protective shield.
This protective shield was sufficient to withstand attacks from a Titled Douluo level.
Yu Feng was so excited he almost knelt down to acknowledge Qi Lin as his godfather.
Besides Qi Lin, Xiao Wu and the others also presented their respective gifts.
Among them, Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong were the most generous.
Dugu Yan's family had an entire herb garden, so she specifically asked Qi Lin to select a few herbs and refine two pills for the newlywed couple.
Ning Rongrong's gift, on the other hand, seemed much more mundane.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had the most money, endless money.
So her wedding gift was five hundred thousand gold coins, as well as pearls, corals, gemstones, and other glittering treasures.
On the third day after Yu Feng's wedding, Qi Lin led everyone back to Nuoding City.
Having been away from home for two years, although they often communicated by phone, they still had to go home eventually.
This time, Qi Lin planned to ask his parents for their thoughts. If they were willing, he would directly bring them into the blessed land within his body.
Soon, Qi Lin and the girls arrived discreetly at Carrot Village.
After two years, Carrot Village had undergone tremendous changes. Looking from afar, every household had a new house, and the roads were clean and tidy.
Xiao Wu exclaimed, "Brother Qi Lin, the village has changed so much in the two years we've been away!"
Qi Lin smiled slightly, then said, "I heard Dad and Mom mention this a few days ago. The changes here should be the work of Uncle Ning and my 'Xue Dage'."