In the end, Xu Yi still sat here. Unless he wanted to cut himself off from Golden Core Academy, he had no choice.
As he'd said before, the gap in power between them was too great. Once she stopped caring about the rumors, Xu Yi had basically lost all room to struggle.
With all the South Campus bigwigs as witnesses, the entire ceremony of paying respects was solemn and dignified.
When the ceremony ended and the guests had left, only this newly formed master-and-disciple pair remained.
"Vice-Dean..."
"You should call me Master or Mentor. Since this is your first offense, I'll let it slide."
"Why did you have to do this? Hadn't we already talked things through?"
"What, do you think I'm unworthy of being your mentor, or that you're unworthy of becoming my personal disciple?"
"Neither. I just want to know why."
"It's simple. I saw potential in you, so of course I want to help you along. There's one other thing: you're quite useful, and clever enough to help me set someone up or take down a rival. And since we're a man and a woman, don't you think our arrangement is well suited to putting the rumors to rest?"
"I..."
"Don't hem and haw. Bring me some books another day. Of course, as your master, I should teach and guide you. If there's anything you don't understand about the Way of Alchemy, tell me and I'll answer your questions. Though I'm only your mentor in alchemy, you can come to me with any difficulties in your cultivation, too."
"I..."
Watching Xu Yi's crestfallen figure disappear, Xuan Lengyan stretched lazily and gazed out the window. The sunlight was lovely, and the flowers were in full bloom.
After leaving Minglun Hall, Xu Yi headed straight for somewhere with few