"Xiao Meng? What are you doing here?"
Jing Hongchen rushed as fast as he could, chasing from the Dean's Office all the way to outside the Soul Engineer Level Qualification Examination Hall. As soon as he descended, his sharp eyes spotted his granddaughter there, occasionally peeking inside as if waiting for someone to emerge.
Meng Hongchen shivered, then seamlessly switched to a sweet smile as she turned, intimately linking her arm through Jing Hongchen's. She then raised her fist and declared passionately:
"I happened to be passing by and overheard Director Lin saying that the hateful Teacher Xuan Ziwen was trying to snatch a student you value! As soon as I heard that, I thought, 'How could this be tolerated?' As your granddaughter, I absolutely had to come and confront Xuan Ziwen!"
"It just so happens that Tianxi and I have become quite familiar with each other recently. With both of us here, our combined weight is definitely much more significant than Xuan Ziwen alone!"
Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen, who had been somewhat suspicious, immediately broke into a wide smile. He lovingly stroked Meng Hongchen's forehead, a determined look on his face.
"Don't worry, Xiao Meng, don't you know your grandpa's capabilities? Just a mere Xuan Ziwen, I doubt he can stir up any big waves!"
With that, the imposing Hall Master Hongchen led his beloved granddaughter into the impeccably loyal Soul Engineer Level Qualification Examination Hall.
The moment he entered, a large part of his worries dissipated.
Xu Tianxi seemed to have just finished his assessment. Lin Jiayi was feigning an inspection of his Level 2 Core Array, which was clearly a flawless and problem-free creation.
Xuan Ziwen sat calmly to the side, seemingly unconcerned about the impending storm.
Seeing the powerful Jing Hongchen enter with Meng Hongchen, Xuan Ziwen sprang up, greeting Jing Hongchen's authoritative gaze with a smile:
"Hall Master, what brings you here, old sir?"
Jing Hongchen was displeased with this person who clearly knew the answer but still asked. He said irritably:
"I should be asking you that, Teacher Xuan. As the Chief Researcher of Mingde Hall, why aren't you focusing on your high-level research? What are you doing here proctoring an exam? Are you too idle?"
"Researchers also need students to help, don't they? I recall that researchers like me have priority when selecting students, don't we, Hall Master?"
Xuan Ziwen's gaze drifted to the side, trying to catch sight of Xu Tianxi, but to his surprise, he found Xu Tianxi shielded behind Meng Hongchen at some point. His mouth twitched slightly, and he spread his hands towards Jing Hongchen:
"In any case, you understand what I mean. Everyone in Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is your disciple, right? You've dedicated so much energy and time to the Sun Moon Empire; how could we let teaching students, such a minor matter, trouble you?"
Jing Hongchen immediately patted his chest, his eyes wide. "Who says this old man doesn't have time to teach students? This old man has plenty of energy!"
Xuan Ziwen rubbed his hands and chuckled, "I heard you've been working tirelessly on the Zero Machine research these days. It's been incredibly hard on you. Even Xiao Xiao was only able to sneak away last night."
Jing Hongchen: "—"
How does this guy know everything?
Hearing this, Xu Tianxi, who was shielded by Meng Hongchen, also had a strange expression. "Senior Sister Meng, Senior Brother Xiao only came out of the Academic Affairs Office last night?"
"Uh, that, that's not important right now—" Meng Hongchen stammered, delivering a true damage blow to a certain senior brother from afar.
Meanwhile, Xuan Ziwen's eyes flickered as he painted a grand picture for Jing Hongchen:
"Anyway, choosing a teacher is something to consider in fifth year, so there's no rush now. How about I make a sacrifice and take a bit of a loss, and take Xiao Meng and the others to visit the Hall of Worship more often in the future? I'm more familiar with that place than you are, and Teacher, that old man, will surely be pleased."
"What do you mean by that?"
Hearing Xuan Ziwen bring up his backing, Jing Hongchen's eyes immediately narrowed. Could it be that this uncharacteristic behavior of his is at Old Kong's instruction?
"It means nothing. It's just that when I visited Teacher in the Hall of Worship a while ago, I mentioned Xiao Kong and Xiao Meng to him during our chat. He, that old man, became interested and told me to teach them well. Don't worry, he didn't tell me to take them as disciples."
Xuan Ziwen smiled, taking out his 'imperial sword' and declaring his strong advantage.
Of course, I, a top Level 8 Soul Engineer, can't compete with you, a Level 9 Soul Engineer. But I have my teacher. You wouldn't dare cause trouble in front of him, would you?
"Is that really Old Kong's intention?"
Jing Hongchen's heart sank, and he calmly confirmed again.
Xuan Ziwen made a gesture to take out a Soul Guided Communicator: "If you don't believe me, should I contact him right now?"
"Stop, stop! Old Kong has been in secluded cultivation for many years; how can such a minor matter disturb his peace?"
Confirming that Xuan Ziwen was indeed prepared this time, Jing Hongchen waved his hands repeatedly, indicating that everything was negotiable.
As a figure in the core circle of power within the Sun Moon Empire, Jing Hongchen feared nothing, except for Kong Deming.
Even he had to respectfully bow as a junior when he saw him.
If Kong Deming became interested and felt that Xuan Ziwen closing his door wasn't enough, and wanted to take on another new closed-door disciple, there was truly nothing Jing Hongchen could do.
Hmph—
Thinking that his prized duck, which he had just put into the pot, was being eyed by someone, and that person also had a powerful figure he couldn't afford to offend behind them, Jing Hongchen couldn't help but sigh deeply in his heart.
No longer looking at the bothersome Xuan Ziwen, Jing Hongchen walked directly towards Xu Tianxi, a kind and amiable smile seamlessly appearing on his face.
As if by magic, he pulled out a Purple Gold Card and slipped it into Xu Tianxi's hand. Jing Hongchen said with a smile:
"Student Tianxi, congratulations on passing the Level 2 Soul Engineer certification exam in just two and a half months. This is an incentive from me, on behalf of the academy. With this, you can enter the academy's Soul Guided Device Warehouse at any time and borrow conventional Soul Guided Devices up to Level 6 for research and study without any other credentials."
"I know you have a special fondness for Fixed Soul Tools. This card allows you to borrow up to twelve Level 6 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells at once for study. This is the maximum amount for student rewards currently. Even I have to follow procedures to deploy Fixed Soul Cannon Shells above Level 7."
Xuan Ziwen raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Hall Master, I recall your grandson became a 'warehouse rat' thanks to this, didn't he?"
Jing Hongchen's face darkened, and he rolled his eyes:
"What are you saying? Xiao Xiao is just a bit mischievous by nature, but he has never damaged any of those high-level Soul Guided Devices.
and he's already spent a long time reflecting in the Dean's Office."
"It's you, Teacher Xuan, that I remember. Weren't you always causing trouble at the Academy back then, relying on Elder Kong's protection? I think you were even worse than Xiao, right? Should we settle old scores and set up a dedicated reflection room for you in the Dean's Office too?
I'll cover all the expenses. We can even move your entire lab there. No reimbursement needed, and I'll add a budget for experimental equipment and rare metals. I believe Elder Kong wouldn't object either."
"Haha, no need for that, of course. How could a researcher like me dare to let you go to such expense? Little Kong, Little Meng, you two should come visit my lab when you have time."
With his dark past brought to light, Xuan Ziwen, feeling his face burn, quickly ducked his head, shut his mouth, and fled at light speed.
Meng Hongchen, who hadn't said a word the entire time, subtly raised her chin, a beautiful and charming smile gracing her small face.
Little Xuan Ziwen, no big deal.
Having driven away the annoying Xuan Ziwen, Jing Hongchen nodded in satisfaction, a triumphant smile on his face:
"Tianxi, you don't need to think about anything else right now. Just focus on your cultivation. I believe you'll achieve even greater things in the future."
Xu Tianxi nodded earnestly, his voice firm, "Dean, don't worry. Your student will catch up to Senior Sister Meng and Senior Brother Xiao as quickly as possible."
Jing Hongchen paused, then immediately broke into a hopeful smile. "Good, I look forward to it."
"Senior Sister also looks forward to it. You must break Xiao's record. Don't let him get carried away again."
Meng Hongchen was quite optimistic about Xu Tianxi's ambition to catch up to her, and even more pleased at the prospect of Xu Tianxi breaking Xiao Hongchen's record.
Xu Tianxi responded with an even stranger expression, secretly feeling sorry for Xiao Hongchen.
Indeed, one shouldn't get too carried away. If you get too high up, even your own relatives will want to knock you down a peg or two.
One year later.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy welcomed a new end-of-semester season, and the long-unheard broadcast once again echoed in the ears of thousands of students.
Unlike the previous announcement of school rules, this time it was a school-wide commendation.
"Fellow students, Kong Tianxi, an outstanding fifth-year student of our academy, passed the Level 5 Soul Engineer Qualification Examination this morning. Certified personally by His Excellency Dean Jing Hongchen and several Level 8 Soul Engineer Grandmasters of our academy, he has been granted the identity of a Level 5 Soul Engineer!
As everyone knows, Kong Tianxi previously passed the Level 4 Soul Engineer examinations consecutively in one month, one and a half months, three months, and four months. He lived up to expectations, creating another unprecedented miracle by doing so in five months."
"Our esteemed Dean, His Excellency Jing Hongchen, expressed his hope that all students will be inspired by this, continue to strive, and showcase their talent and strength in the upcoming examinations—"