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--- Chapter 291 ---
Yang Kun led them to the third floor. Ruo Ling and the others entered a modest office that provided a scenic view of Wu Tan City. Behind a red mahogany desk sat a chubby-looking gentleman sipping tea calmly.
Upon seeing him, Ruo Ling felt a familiar dread stir in her heart—similar to the fear she had experienced when faced with the elders of the Outer Courtyard.
After all, those elders were at least Dou King Experts!
It was hard to believe such a distinguished figure would choose to settle in a small place like Wu Tan City.
"Ah, a teacher from Jia Nan Academy," Meng Xi said, setting his warm tea down. "Please, take a seat. Treat this place as your home."
Ruo Ling chuckled to herself, thinking, 'I wouldn't dare to do so.'
"My name is Ruo Ling. I apologize for my sudden visit, Dojo Master Meng Xi," she said, walking forward calmly.
"It's all right, it's all right. The Soaring Wind Dojo hasn't had visitors from outside the empire in years. I also don't really like travelling around anymore." Meng Xi replied, waving his hand dismissively.
"I'm actually surprised that the infamous Jia Nan Academy has recruited students this far out."
Ruo Ling said with a polite smile. "I happened to encounter one of my students here. While recruiting new students outside the Black Corner Region, I'm also allowing her to return home."
"Sometimes, you can find diamonds in the rough like this."
"Is that so?" Meng Xi raised an eyebrow, nodding in understanding. "It seems you were quite fortunate to find a potential student in a place like this."
"Dojo Master is jesting," Ruo Ling giggled. "Didn't you also discover a strong genius during your 'recent' adventure?"
At her words, Meng Xi burst out laughing—not just out of happiness but also out of helplessness. He hadn't truly accepted a genius, but that genius had accepted him instead.
After all, who would have believed someone so young could perform miracles? Yet, that 'person' had done just that.
As Ruo Ling took a seat in front of Meng Xi, her students stared at their usually stern teacher in disbelief.
Is this really the fierce Teacher Ruo Ling they knew?
But then they quickly deduced that her current demeanor had become like this due to the presence of a strong person, that is, Meng Xi, which only added to their shock.
Xue Ni, keen-minded as always, thought, 'Wait, since Teacher Ruo Ling is already a Dou Grandmaster Expert, this Dojo Master must be significantly more powerful than she is.'
'Back at the academy, Teacher Ruo Ling wouldn't back down even from those with Dou Spirit cultivation, which means this Dojo Master is at the very least at the peak of the Dou Spirit Realm—or perhaps even a Dou King!'
'Damn! It's no wonder Xiao Yu's grandpa and the Xiao Clan felt helpless against this seemingly ordinary martial arts dojo! This Soaring Wind Dojo actually has a Dou King Expert behind it!'
Others began to make similar connections, gasping in shock and staring at Meng Xi with newfound respect and admiration. After all, Dou King Experts are not ordinary people. They are experts who have faced countless bloody trials.
The exception was Xiao Yu, who was determined to investigate the Soaring Wind Dojo's genius.
While she understood Meng Xi's power, he wasn't her target. Moreover, a senior like him wouldn't dare to cross a junior with shallow cultivation, would he?
Meng Xi glanced at Xiao Yu without much interest. His young master had informed him that this little girl was from the Xiao Clan. To Meng Xi, the Xiao Clan was like tasteless chicken wings—he wouldn't gain anything from bullying them, so he dismissed their affairs. That tedious task was for those from the Jie Lie Clan and the Aoba Clan.
However, Meng Xi was aware that his young master also had a plan for this naive girl. She would be a valuable pawn piece in creating future chaos.
'Cough, cough, why am I thinking so deviously?' he thought, choking back a laugh at himself. 'The Young Master is innocent, and his actions are for the greater good! I'm simply following his instructions to do the work of a rising god.'
Meng Xi rested his elbows on the desk and asked calmly, "So, what is your intention in visiting my humble dojo today?"
Ruo Ling put on a solemn look, "Senior Meng, have you thought about your disciple's further study?"
"I know you can train him just fine as you're an expert yourself, but our Jia Nan Academy could provide him with more resources and facilities on a path of cultivation."
"Hmm, that's weird," Meng Xi didn't mind Ruo Ling's words. "I didn't know that a teacher from Jia Nan Academy could do special admission like this?"
Ruo Ling shook her head helplessly, "I can't help it. Your disciple is truly a rare case, and it would be a shame if he couldn't show his talents to the world."
"Well, you're not wrong." Meng Xi nodded in understanding.
"It would be a shame if my disciple couldn't explore the world more."
"However, can you really guarantee that Jia Nan Academy will provide my disciple with the needed resources and facilities?"
"Let me tell you, I don't like people who all talk."
Ruo Ling stared at Meng Xi and said calmly, "That depends on your disciple's talent, senior."
"If he were as impressive as I heard him, then I would personally ask the Outer Courtyard Elders to recommend him to join the Inner Courtyard."
"Very well, then," Meng Xi smiled faintly.
"And since you want to see how impressive my disciple is, let him show it himself."
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu was stunned. She didn't expect her teacher to come to the Soaring Wind Dojo, which was actually for recruiting that genius Han Yuan.
'Doesn't it mean that Han Yuan and I are going to be fellow students at Jia Nan Academy?' She thought to herself. 'No, this won't do!'
As Xiao Yu was about to voice out her thoughts, the sound of an opening door echoed from behind. "Morning, teacher. I heard from Yang Kun that you have visitors from Jia Nan Academy." A pleasant voice brushed Xiao Yu's ears.
"Ah, Xiao Yuan, I knew you'd be here. Come in, come in. Let me introduce you to the beautiful teacher of Jia Nan Academy, Ruo Ling." Meng Xi said while waving his hand inwardly.
"H-How could it be you!" Xue Ni was shocked as she pointed her finger at the blue-clothed young man at the entrance. "You're the handsome guy on the second floor!"
Xiao Yu's body trembled as she glanced back in fascination. The tall and handsome young man in blue, whom she had seen earlier, is actually the genius who defeated her cousin.
Because she had only seen this guy from afar earlier, she didn't see him clearly, but now that he stood before her, Xiao Yu didn't expect him to be so muscular, which was cleverly hidden by the loose blue martial robe.
He has a sharp feature, straight nose, faintly red lips, chiseled jawline and chin, and finally, a pair of sharp silver eyes that seemed to electrify her senses.
For some reason, Xiao Yu's heart is throbbing at this moment.
The young man flashed a sunny smile at Xiao Yu and scratched his head awkwardly, "Ah, sorry, young lady. I should've surprised you by appearing like that."
"Let me introduce myself… My name is Han Yuan! It's a pleasure to meet you all!"
"Han Yuan..." Xiao Yu felt a struggle in her heart.
Yes, this handsome and sunny young man is none other than the person Xiao Yu has wanted to see all this time. The supposed to be irritating guy who had beaten her genius cousin into depression, Han Yuan!