Sending Him to Leng Yaozhu as a Disciple?

The next morning.

At Maple Forest Orphanage, a group of children were doing their morning exercises under the Dean's supervision.

Suddenly, the sound of something cutting through the air rang out, and a figure appeared in the sky.

"Wow, he can fly! He even has wings!"

"Is that a flying Spirit Master? That armor looks so cool!"

"A Jin has Innate Full Soul Power. He'll become someone that powerful someday too, right?"

The children's eyes sparkled as they gazed at the figure in the sky with utter admiration.

Yet a trace of worry flashed through the wrinkled Dean's eyes. She looked around, and only relaxed after failing to spot Lin Jin.

Taking two steps forward as though nothing had happened, she respectfully bowed. "May I ask why you have come here, sir?"

The person in the air moved. His armor sank into his body, and in the blink of an eye, he had appeared before the Dean, hurriedly supporting her with a panicked expression.

"Dean Lin, what are you doing?"

Yes, the Dean of Maple Forest Orphanage was surnamed Lin. Many of the children had, in fact, taken her surname as well.

Dean Lin feigned ignorance and asked in confusion, "Sir, do you know me?"

Meng Canglan smiled.

Know her?

Of course not.

As the Tower Master of the Eastsea City branch of the Spirit Pagoda, how could he possibly know the Dean of such a rundown orphanage?

He had come only because his subordinates had reported that a child with Innate Full Soul Power had appeared here that morning.

Furthermore, his Martial Soul was a Fire Element Lotus.

A prodigy like that—if he, the Tower Master of the Eastsea City branch of the Spirit Pagoda, failed to recruit him into the Spirit Pagoda, it would be a serious dereliction of duty.

Besides, there had recently been rumors that Leng Yaozhu, the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo and deputy tower master of headquarters, intended to take on a disciple.

One had to know that Leng Yaozhu was a Four-Word Battle Armor Master. Across the entire Federation and its three continents, she was unquestionably among the strongest.

It was no secret, either, that her Martial Soul was the Heavenly Phoenix and that she wielded the Heavenly Phoenix True Fire.

A genius with a Fire Element Lotus and Innate Full Soul Power would absolutely catch her eye.

So long as he recruited this youth named Lin Jin into the Spirit Pagoda, nurtured their relationship for a while, and then introduced him to the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo—

He would have truly gotten himself onto that path and secured a powerful backer.

A promotion and transfer to headquarters would then be just around the corner.

That was why he had come in person this time. The moment he arrived, he had revealed his Three-Word Battle Armor without concealing his strength in the slightest.

Naturally, he had also had his subordinates prepare a dossier on Maple Forest Orphanage.

The reason he was so polite to Dean Lin and had not immediately swept the place with his Spiritual Power was, ultimately, both because he feared injuring these ordinary people and because he wanted to combine kindness with intimidation.

He needed to cow them while also showing his gentler side, ensuring that he could win over Lin Jin.

As for why he did not simply use force...

"Hahaha, Tower Master Meng, you came rather quickly. Were you afraid we might snatch him away from you?"

"Exactly! Graduates of our academies aren't restricted from joining any particular faction. Why be so anxious?"

Two voices rang out, one boisterous and one steady.

Only then did the sounds of two figures slicing through the air follow.

They were Long Huantian, the broad-built, dark-red-haired Dean of Tianhai Academy, and Zhang Zhenpeng, the bronze-skinned Dean of Hailu Academy.

Though the two were far weaker than Meng Canglan, both were renowned figures in the Skysea Alliance and held considerable status.

"You two certainly have well-informed sources." Meng Canglan smiled, polite yet distant.

He was not surprised that they had learned the news and rushed over.

After all, news from a mere two-ring Spirit Transmission Master could not possibly have reached his ears directly. It was perfectly normal for information to leak along the way.

At the same time, he sneered inwardly.

Indeed, these academies did not interfere with what factions their students joined, whether during their studies or after graduation.

But every one of these people regarded Shrek Academy as sacred ground and would stop at nothing to send their own students there.

With Lin Jin's talent, if he fell into their hands first, would he truly still be willing to join the Spirit Pagoda?

Of course, the chances that he would agree were still high, but that would inevitably mean disputes over benefits.

Sometimes, who came first mattered greatly.

"Are you distinguished gentlemen here for Lin Jin?"

Dean Lin knew perfectly well that she did not have enough standing to deserve the respect of these people. Despite her nervousness, she immediately redirected the conversation.

After all, if these big shots suddenly started fighting, Maple Forest Orphanage would be finished.

At the mention of Lin Jin's name, Meng Canglan and the other two immediately turned their attention back.

Meng Canglan said, "That is indeed the case. Dean Lin, Lin Jin possesses extraordinary talent. Only with the best cultivation can he become a true powerhouse. There is no need for me to elaborate on the Spirit Pagoda's advantages. Later, you should persuade Lin Jin."

Though he said that, Meng Canglan was completely confident.

Unless one was a fool, anyone would choose to join the Spirit Pagoda.

Long Huantian cursed inwardly and hurriedly added, "Joining the Spirit Pagoda is naturally an excellent choice, but when it comes to systematic instruction, Tianhai Academy is still superior. Whether in teaching staff or other aspects, we are exceptionally suitable..."

"Joining the Spirit Pagoda does not conflict with studying at an academy. I think..." Zhang Zhenpeng immediately spoke up as well.

In an instant, Long Huantian and Zhang Zhenpeng glared at each other, while Meng Canglan merely sneered and ignored them.

The children had gone from admiration at the beginning to fear under the unconsciously released pressure from the three men as they competed with one another. None of them dared to speak.

Dean Lin was not a Spirit Master either, and cold sweat poured down her face.

Afraid that the three might truly start fighting, she quickly said, "My lords, I am only an ordinary person, and the children of this orphanage are ordinary people as well."

"I do not understand Spirit Masters' affairs, nor can I make decisions for Lin Jin. Why don't you ask him directly?"

Without waiting for the three to respond, she immediately said, "Lin Xiaocao, go and call Lin Jin out."

"Got it." Lin Xiaocao had awakened Blue Silver Grass and possessed first-rank Innate Soul Power.

Only then did the children realize that Lin Jin had not gotten up for morning exercises.

"Maybe awakening his Martial Soul exhausted him too much?" they secretly guessed. After all, they did not have Innate Full Soul Power and did not know the specifics.

Long Huantian and Zhang Zhenpeng exchanged a look, snorted, and turned away from each other, temporarily falling silent.

Meng Canglan, meanwhile, remained calm throughout, looking completely assured of victory.

A moment later.

"Oh no, Granny Dean, Lin Jin..." Lin Xiaocao's anxious voice rang out.

Everyone's expressions changed.

Dean Lin's breathing suddenly quickened, and her face turned ugly. "What happened?"

"Lin Jin... Lin Jin is gone!" Lin Xiaocao panted, his face filled with worry.

"What?!" Meng Canglan and the other two all changed expression.

Dean Lin's vision went dark, and she fell stiffly backward.

"Granny Dean!"

"Dean Lin?"