After taking care of everything, Chen An could go back to taking it easy for a while.
He returned to his routine, like a production line: tending medicinal herbs, purchasing supplies, then giving the students and disciples their usual guidance.
Recently, he'd been thinking about starting a teacher-training class—or, as people called it, a Rocket Class.
"Let's see when we can hold a grand competition to test their strength."
But it was still in the planning stages. He had no idea when they'd actually be able to hold it.
There were all sorts of details to work out: how the competition would work and how many categories there'd be.
Besides, they were still building a foundation, so there was no need to rush. Holding a competition now would be pointless.
"Tsk. Why's someone coming to visit?"
After resting for a few days, he'd been about to get back to his usual routine when someone showed up at his door.
Two Titled Douluo had stepped into his territory. How could he not sense them?
"Sect Master, why won't you let me go see Rongrong? She's right inside."
Sword Douluo followed behind Ning Fengzhi and spoke in a low voice.
"Business comes first."
They had come discreetly. While Chen An had been in seclusion, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had sent people here, and they'd inevitably crossed paths with Spirit Hall.
Naturally, both sides had learned how much the other valued Phantom Star—or, more accurately, Chen An.
That was why Ning Fengzhi had arranged this trip.
"You've both gone to the trouble of visiting Phantom Star Academy. What can I do for you?"
As soon as Chen An sensed someone entering the academy grounds, he flashed over. If he hadn't sensed that they meant no harm, he would've already attacked.
"Who?"
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were both startled and instinctively summoned their Martial Souls.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and the Seven Kill Sword.
Chen Xin had been on guard, yet he hadn't sensed Chen An's silent approach at all.
"So it's Sect Master Ning and Sword Douluo."
Seeing them summon their Martial Souls, Chen An noted that a tower and a sword made a rare combination. Besides, the only people he could imagine Sword Douluo escorting here were Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong.
"Dean Chen?"
Ning Fengzhi asked cautiously.
It was simply too astonishing. If this person had wanted to ambush them, they wouldn't have stood a chance.
"That's right. Please, come in, Sect Master Ning."
Once he knew who they were, Chen An immediately put on a welcoming face. Anyone who came to see him now was probably looking to win him over or invest. Those were both easy enough to discuss.
The three of them arrived at Chen An's office without a sound, and Ning Fengzhi finally relaxed.
"Dean Chen, you certainly know how to enjoy yourself."
A guest deserved a warm welcome. Since Chen An had agreed to meet them, he naturally wouldn't treat them poorly.
He brewed a pot of fine tea for them. The fragrant aroma made even Ning Fengzhi praise it.
"Excellent tea."
Just by smelling it, he could tell it was high-grade.
As the saying went, first smell, then look, then taste. With his broad experience and unquestioned position as Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he also knew a thing or two about tea.
"Heh, thank you for the praise, Sect Master Ning."
Among the tea in his collection, this was one of the finest—probably in the top five, right on the cusp.
It was just right for entertaining guests.
"I'm only stating the facts."
Ning Fengzhi didn't put on airs. Instead, he said, "I came by today to see Ning Rongrong. You may not know this, but she's my precious daughter."
He meant it, but that clearly wasn't his only reason for coming. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made a special trip to see Chen An instead of going straight to Ning Rongrong.
But since Ning Fengzhi hadn't said anything more, Chen An wouldn't bring it up himself.
So he teased, "Does that mean you want me to give Rongrong special treatment?"
If Ning Fengzhi really wanted that, Chen An would happily agree. Anyone could talk a big game.
He wasn't afraid of making enemies, either.
"No. I want you to put the girl through her paces. You don't know how unruly she is back at the sect."
Thinking about Ning Rongrong's behavior at the sect gave him a headache. He'd had no choice but to send her away.
"I don't think so. She's doing quite well here."
Chen An's words made Ning Fengzhi bristle. What did he mean, she was doing well at school?
Knowing Ning Rongrong, that didn't sound right.
Even Sword Douluo beside him looked unconvinced.
"That's really how it is. Why don't you go see for yourself? Or should I call her over?"
As expected, Ning Fengzhi waved his hand. After getting his expression under control, he said, "There's no need to rush that. I have something I'd like to ask Dean Chen about."
Ning Fengzhi took a sip of tea and waited for Chen An's reply.
He'd originally wanted to discuss how Ning Rongrong was doing at school, but this was the perfect time to get down to business.
"I'm all ears."
Ning Fengzhi had made a good impression on him. After all, first impressions mattered.
So Chen An was quite happy to keep talking with him.
Before speaking, Ning Fengzhi turned the matter over in his mind once more. He decided his earlier approach wasn't ideal, and hurriedly came up with another.
"Dean Chen, would Phantom Star Academy be willing to accept an investment?"
At first, he'd wanted to recruit Chen An into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
He'd hoped to turn Phantom Star Academy into a subordinate academy of the sect.
But after learning about Chen An's Soul Rings, he'd changed his mind.
Now that he'd met Chen An and seen the tea he'd brought out and the layout of his office, Ning Fengzhi wasn't confident he'd get a favorable response.
He didn't think the revised pitch would work either, so he had to come up with something else on the spot.
And he was right. If Ning Fengzhi had proposed taking over the academy, Chen An would've immediately turned cold and ended the conversation.
In his eyes, Phantom Star Academy would never be subordinate to any faction.
If he wanted that, why not choose to align with Spirit Hall?
"I'm afraid I can't accept."
An investment and a donation were two different things.
An investment meant giving up some of his authority, and the investor might start telling him what to do.
He had no interest in that and wouldn't accept such a proposal.
"But..."
Ning Fengzhi tried to say more, but Chen An cut him off.
"Phantom Star Academy is an institution independent of every faction."
That gave Ning Fengzhi a headache. He wanted to recruit Chen An, and he also wanted to build a good relationship with him.
But simply giving him gifts wouldn't do, so he'd chosen this approach.
"What if we just worked together?"
A crafty old fox like him could always find another path when one had been blocked.
Put it another way, and there might be no problem.
"Oh? What kind of cooperation?"
Now that the other party had backed down, Chen An's attitude softened a little.
"Every year, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will provide resources to support your academy. In return, when you enroll students, could you also accept some of ours?"
Chen An replied calmly, "There must be other conditions, right?"
He had no objection to accepting extra students. It wouldn't take spots away from ordinary students.
At worst, he could set up a separate class. No problem.
"Of course. You'll need to show me that your academy can teach students well."
"That's easy. I'll take you to meet one of the students in a moment, and that should put your concerns to rest."
"Good."
That should have settled the matter, and they should have gone to meet the student next.
But Chen An didn't move, so Ning Fengzhi stayed put as well.
"I have another proposal for cooperation. I wonder if Sect Master Ning would be interested?"
How could Ning Fengzhi not be interested when Chen An had brought up cooperation himself? He put on an attentive expression, then said, "Please, go on."
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