It was possible—he was only considering the matter, after all. The students merely had to offer their opinions, while Chen An had a lot more to think about.
"Do the students have any objections?"
He knew people in Douluo thought very differently from him.
But by their usual way of thinking, they should consider Soul Masters to be noble. Why would they want to go somewhere that made a spectacle of them like monkeys?
None of his disciples should have wanted that.
Zhu Zhuqing's reasons were easy enough to understand: she was under pressure from Star Luo and wanted to overcome that hurdle on her own. Luo Xiaoshi's were just as clear: he was simply fond of fighting and itching for a scrap.
But why would Ning Rongrong agree? For one thing, she had little pressure to gain practical experience; for another, she came from a prominent family.
"They've basically all agreed."
In truth, the students at the academy were itching for a fight, and some wanted to earn a little money while they were studying.
Besides, martial artists were full of vigor and vitality. The more they trained, the more they wanted to test their skills. But they couldn't very well fight their fellow students; nobody wanted to break the school rules.
"Ning Rongrong, what about you? Tell me honestly."
Clearly, Ning Rongrong had guessed before coming that Chen An would ask her about it. Now that he had, her tone only grew more resolute.
"Master, I agree with the proposal. My father once said that a Soul Master who has never experienced real combat is just a vase."
Ning Fengzhi didn't seem like the sort of person who would say that. But since Ning Rongrong had said he did, Chen An couldn't very well claim she was wrong.
Besides, the resolve in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Fine. We'll do as you suggest. I approve, but there's no need to rush. I'll announce it once I've made the necessary arrangements."
Chen An took a breath. Everyone agreed, and the plan really would benefit the students. There was no need to force them to abandon it.
He just had to make the proper arrangements. That meant he would need to visit the Soto Great Soul Arena.
"Thank you, Master (Teacher)."
After the three teachers finished their report and left the dean's office, the remaining trio spoke in unison.
Chen An shook his head, though a smile crept across his face.
"You three, always finding trouble for me."
The three of them just grinned foolishly.
Chen An grew serious. "Since you've brought up going to the Soul Fighting Arena yourselves, I'm going to set some conditions."
At once, his three disciples straightened up. That was how things were between teacher and students: when the moment called for seriousness, they were serious. The rest of the time, they didn't have to wear stern expressions.
No one overstepped their bounds, which was why Chen An was so fond of all three disciples.
"First, you need to form a team of seven, and my direct disciples must make up its core."
Chen An said this because after breaking through level 90, his senses had grown sharper in certain ways. He had a strange feeling of being acknowledged.
He had sensed something before the report: he might soon take on another disciple.
But the feeling only made him aware of it. It wasn't like the rumors about some people being controlled by such a force.
"Second, from the day you start participating, you have two months to earn a gold badge."
He explained the badges: copper, silver, gold, and so on.
He stopped at gold because anything beyond that wouldn't mean much.
He set the two-month deadline because he thought they could win every match in a row. In fact, he had initially thought of giving them just one month.
After thinking it over, he decided that was a little unreasonable. Two months was fair.
"That's all. Of course, you don't get the option to refuse."
As he spoke, the three felt a wave of pressure. From what Chen An had told them about the Soul Fighting Arena, winning match after match would clearly be difficult.
But when they thought about who they were, their eyes sharpened.
Who were they? Chen An's direct disciples, outstanding representatives of Phantom Star Academy, and the academy's public face.
Zhu Zhuqing and Luo Xiaoshi had studied martial arts under Chen An for over a year. They felt they couldn't let their master's reputation down.
Ning Rongrong, meanwhile, thought that since she had chosen this path, she had to grit her teeth and see it through. Besides, she possessed a peerless technique; there was no reason she couldn't do it.
"Yes, Master (Teacher)."
After the three children left, Chen An found himself wondering how to divide them into pairs for the competition.
Eh, forget it. That was something the students could decide for themselves. He didn't want to interfere too much.
Another day passed, and the academy carried on as usual. The only change was that the training grounds were nearly repaired.
"Dean! Two Soul Douluo have arrived at the gate. It's the Dragon-Snake Couple."
Chen An's expression remained calm. He had expected this.
Just as he'd anticipated Ning Fengzhi's arrival earlier, the moment they entered Phantom Star's territory, he had sensed them.
"Please invite them in."
Chen An couldn't be bothered to get up, so he simply had them come to his office.
Feng Qingyang went over with a nervous tremble. Everyone at the academy trusted Dean Chen, but Feng Qingyang was only a Soul Douluo. Facing the renowned Peerless Dragon Snake, two Soul Douluo, made him tremble.
On the way, he wondered if the couple would be angry. He could only hope they wouldn't take it out on him—or on the children.
"Very well. Sorry for the trouble; please show us the way."
Dragon Duke Meng Shu spoke without a hint of agitation. To Feng Qingyang, that meant he had reined in both his presence and his temper.
He silently thought, Dean, you're incredible, then obediently led them on.
"Knock, knock."
At the sound on his office door, Chen An opened his eyes and sat up straight.
"Come in."
Two elderly people entered: Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang.
A reserved young woman followed behind them. She wore her short hair neatly and carried herself with a certain spirited grace. The couple must have reminded her to be on her best behavior.
"What brings you two here, seniors?"
There was nothing wrong with calling them seniors. They had made their names long before he arrived in this world, and they were far older than Chen An.
The two were respectful, though more like parents from his previous life bringing their child to ask for a place at school.
But when they heard Chen An call them "seniors," they only grew more apprehensive and hurried to protest.
"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare."
That single word had nearly made them break out in a cold sweat. They didn't deserve such a title.
"We've only brought our granddaughter, Meng Yiran, here to ask you to take her as a disciple."
Their deferential manner gave Chen An a few suspicions, but he still needed to verify them.
"Where did you hear about me or Phantom Star Academy?"
Before Dragon Duke could answer, Meng Yiran spoke up. She seemed to have summoned all her courage to do so. She must have thought that hiding entirely behind her grandparents would make her seem timid.
"Sir, a few days ago, I lost to someone in the Star Dou Great Forest. I wanted to become stronger, so I asked my grandparents for help. After they heard a little about this place, we came straight here."
As Meng Yiran spoke, the image of a woman surfaced in Chen An's mind: Bibi Dong of Spirit Hall.
But when he recalled the story, the classics of the sages taught at the academy, and the new ideas that would come later, he felt he could still teach her. Meng Yiran didn't seem as hidebound as Tang San.
So outwardly, Chen An remained calm and unhurried, as if he were simply sizing Meng Yiran up. This only made the three people present more nervous.
"I have three questions. If you can get through them, I'll consider it."
Before you continue