In reality, the three major schools were quite similar. Vulpix was just the most famous one; aside from that, through the schools' channels, students could also contract other rare spirits. "The reason flamingos became the flagship is, first, their numbers, and second, the cultivation plans jointly perfected by many Master-level and Champion-level trainers, which allow the flamingo's potential to be tapped without detours."
A Vulpix spirit, with proper training methods and sufficient resources, could advance all the way to the quasi-monarch level. These evolutions were called monarch pathways. One step further, and they became the main force or even aces of Champion-level trainers. Call them rare—they truly were.
But aside from the flamingo pathway, Su Hao could name a few others. For example, the Blazing Qiongqi pathway, the "Nest Bird → Wind Rider Bird → Roc" pathway, or the Water Spirit Foal's bloodline evolution into the Water Qilin pathway. However, the conditions for monarch pathway evolution were very high. Many spirits could never meet them in their lifetime, and even if some evolved into their final form, they lost some potential due to taking wrong turns, preventing them from reaching the quasi-monarch level in adulthood.
Flamingo University was different. A student who could contract a Vulpix was almost guaranteed a quasi-monarch spirit. After graduation, they would at least be a renowned Master-level Spirit Summoner. "But it doesn't appeal to me..." Neither the spirits nor the training plans. "Besides, the region where Flamingo University is located is too hot." "Yeah, I looked it up—it's summer all year round, with temperatures usually above forty degrees. Sure, water spirits can cool things down, but..." Gu Lingyao glanced at Quan Lingling, who wasn't much shorter than her. "Water types probably can't stand it even more." "Woo-moo~ Woo-moo!" Quan Lingling nodded repeatedly. Right, right, don't go there, woo-moo~! Mi Mengdie pondered for a moment and indicated +1. The sun exposure would be bad for her wing patterns.
Liu Ren's Lava Turtle didn't care—sleeping was sleeping anywhere. Only Li Songting looked eager. "Only training that makes you sweat is truly passionate. I feel like I'm about to burn up!" Su Hao subtly stepped a few paces away from him to avoid catching his chuunibyou aura.
Dragon Capital University and Whale Island University were both on his radar. Dragon Capital University had a long history. Besides Champion-level Spirit Summoners, it had three active Cultivation Masters and numerous scholars and PhDs researching various fields. Su Hao was a bit tempted. With its rich heritage and vast collection of books, he could probably gain a lot of intel there. But... 'Once I reach Elite level, I can explore the new world and get a boost in intel,' 'And Whale Island University has a library too—it just lacks some rare, obscure books. Even if I attend Whale Island, I can still visit Dragon Capital's library.' 'On the other hand, advanced secrets like mysteries are only held by a few Master or Champion-level Spirit Summoners... and Whale Island University has more publicly known experts.'
The scales in Su Hao's mind had already tipped. "I'll probably choose Whale Island University. What about you?" Li Songting answered instantly, "You're my lifelong rival, so of course I have to follow your lead!" Gu Lingyao said, "I'm leaning toward Whale Island too... well, I have to pass the exam first." Liu Ren patted his chest. "What are we? Since you're going to Whale Island, I'm going too! "Cough... of course, once we're in college, my spirit's training plan will be all on you." Su Hao: "..." I treat you as a friend, and you're eyeing my plans!
...
Spirit Square, Professional Training Hall. Inside a high-level training room covering about five to six hundred square meters with a ceiling over ten meters high, Su Hao was trying to ride the Water Spirit Foal. He clamped his legs around the horse's back, arms wrapped around its neck. The posture looked a bit awkward. But... The Water Spirit Foal still ran fast. Just a bit bumpy. Su Hao was getting used to horseback riding. After all, Based on his estimate, the Water Spirit Foal could evolve before the college entrance exam, but there wasn't much time left to practice.
Inside the training room, the Water Spirit Foal galloped joyfully, showing no strain. A Su Hao weighed less than its usual training load. Ahead, Mi Mengdie and Firewool Crow were each training their moves. Su Hao dismounted and ordered the Firewool Crow, "Use Feather Clone." "Caw caw~" The Firewool Crow flapped its wings, sending black feathers flying, which transformed into two identical copies of itself. The three Firewool Crows made different movements, indistinguishable from the real one. Their wings vibrated as they swooped through the air, black feathers growing with a metallic sheen, then suddenly bursting into flames, burning brightly. They aimed at the target ahead and slashed down with a swoosh. Su Hao's eyes couldn't keep up with the Firewool Crow's speed; he only saw six red lines appear around the target. The next moment, With a crack, the target made of high-strength alloy was sliced into countless pieces. "The Instant Prison Kill Array from Feather Clone + Steel Wing + Fire Feather + Wing Attack is much more refined than before." The Feather Clone was stable, persisting even after executing the Instant Prison Kill Array. It also incorporated the Fire Feather move—improved from Fire Feather Needle—making the Firewool Crow's wings not only sharp as blades but also superheated, capable of melting metal. In pure lethality, the Firewool Crow surpassed even Mi Mengdie. It was the team's frontline attacker. Of course... "Gu no~!" Mi Mengdie fluttered down to land on his head, her exclusive VVIP seat, while the Firewool Crow could only perch bitterly to the side.
"Let's test the team combo move." Su Hao stepped back a few paces, then a few more, retreating to a corner of the training room. He pulled the Water Spirit Foal in front of him as a shield, still feeling it wasn't enough. "Give me a Bubble Defense too." "Hee-loo hee-loo ￣へ￣" It snorted and spat out a giant bubble, enclosing Su Hao. Su Hao poked it. It didn't pop. Passable.
At that moment, Mi Mengdie and the Firewool Crow began executing their moves. The Firewool Crow flapped its wings, scattering a sky full of fire feathers. Not the usual Fire Feather Needles—the fire feathers fell slowly, like clusters of small flames, burning fiercely. "Gu no~!" Behind it, Mi Mengdie flapped her wings as well, unleashing a storm. It was the Hurricane move. Within the hurricane, faint green particles were visible—materialized wood-element spiritual power. Using spiritual power as soil for the flames to burn, And the hurricane fanned the fire. In an instant, a raging firestorm formed before them. Waves of heat rolled in. Even Mi Mengdie couldn't help but retreat. Only within the firestorm, a red figure spread its wings and soared. —Fire-type spirits weren't immune to fire damage. But in "Fire Feather Stance," the Firewool Crow's flame cloak continuously absorbed the surrounding fire, radiating a dazzling red glow.
Su Hao summoned the highest-level targets. He summoned ten in total. Within the firestorm, the Firewool Crow split into three, each clone draped in a flame cloak. Red figures flickered in the storm, producing cracking sounds. After a moment, The firestorm gradually dissipated. The special energy-absorbing floor and walls bore many scorch marks. Around the shattered targets, smoking scratches on the ground were clearly visible. It seemed he had gone a bit overboard.