Meng Yiran Becomes a Disciple

Chen An shifted his gaze away from Meng Yiran, looked over the Dragon-Snake Couple once more, and then stared at them, asking earnestly.

"Why have you brought her here to seek instruction? For yourselves? For your clan?"

He had intentionally omitted certain possibilities as a subtle nudge; if the answer lay within those options, there would be no need to continue the conversation, but if it lay beyond them, it was worth further consideration.

The Dragon-Snake Couple did not hesitate and answered directly.

"For Meng Yiran. Our clan will not interfere with her, nor will we inquire into what she learns at the academy."

Their answer was brief and firm; to avoid any misunderstanding, they added nothing more.

"Hm. Second question: Meng Yiran, why do you study martial arts?"

Chen An spoke calmly. He did not expect much of an answer to this second question; after all, what could a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl possibly say?

Moreover, as a child born into a clan, what could she really answer? Surely he couldn't expect her to recite the Four Statements of Hengqu.

If she actually blurted those out, Chen An would have to start doubting the identity of the Meng Yiran standing before him.

He heard Meng Yiran pause, her expression turning thoughtful.

It was the first time she had ever been asked such a thing. Usually, she simply accepted the arrangements made by her grandparents or the clan.

She had never considered such a question. As she pondered, she felt a bit uneasy, then seemed to grasp a glimmer of something, gritted her teeth, and spoke.

"For myself. I want to become stronger, for no other reason."

Chen An accepted this answer; at the very least, it was not a clan-style response.

It wasn't something like "for the development of the clan" or "for the common people of Heaven Dou City."

"Good. Now, the third question: If one day this academy were to cross paths with the man you encountered in the Star Dou Forest, what would your stance be?"

As soon as these words left his lips, Meng Yiran was stunned, and without a filter, she blurted out.

"How does the Master know about that?"

Chen An replied with composure.

"I am quite well-versed in celestial phenomena."

He certainly couldn't tell her he had read the script, so he had to fabricate an excuse.

"I chose this academy. Before I arrived, I had feelings for him, but since coming here, I have felt nothing at all. Looking back now, I don't even know why I liked him."

The corners of Chen An's mouth twitched inexplicably. This development didn't seem right—was this girl not even going to hesitate?

And what did she mean by "feeling nothing since coming to the academy"? Did his place have that kind of effect?

The only thing he could think of was that "World Consciousness" nonsense.

"Very well, you have passed."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yiran almost jumped for joy, but she managed to suppress her excitement and respectfully prepared to perform the Douluo-style apprenticeship kowtow.

Just as she was about to kneel, Chen An reached out to support her.

"My disciples do not kneel to anyone."

Chen An felt nothing special saying this, but the Dragon-Snake Couple behind them were utterly shocked.

In a world where traditional values were so deeply rooted, for someone to actually say such a thing—how could they not be startled?

Yet, they dared not speak a word.

"Thank you, Master."

Seeing that the kowtow was not to be, Meng Yiran immediately gave a small bow.

The last disciple this sensible had been Zhu Zhuqing, and that felt like a long time ago. Sensible children were always likable.

Thus, Chen An was in a good mood.

Just as he intended to take Meng Yiran to meet her senior brothers and sisters, he noticed that Meng Shu and his wife had not moved; or rather, they were standing in place, not leaving.

They seemed to be hesitating over something, caught in a conflict between wanting to speak and not daring to bring it up.

"Since you two are still here, is there something you wish to say?"

Seeing their hesitation, Chen An broke the silence first.

Chen An's words acted like a push, and it was Chao Tianxiang who spoke first.

"Dean Chen, my husband and I would like to seek a position within the academy."

After Chao Tianxiang finished, Meng Shu let go of his inner reservations and added.

"Dean, we don't ask to be teachers, we only wish to secure a role."

Chen An saw through their intentions clearly.

Seeking a position would allow them to see Meng Yiran daily, and it could also be seen as a gesture of allegiance to him.

They hadn't mentioned the clan yet, but he couldn't afford not to ask.

"This academy does not involve itself with clans, nor does it provide support to them."

Chen An stated this with great seriousness and gravity, and he watched as the Dragon-Snake Couple nodded and replied.

"We understand, we understand."

They were essentially placing a bet; if Phantom Star rose to prominence, their status would naturally rise as well. As long as their family didn't court disaster, they would be able to live securely.

Chen An did not consider this level of arrangement to be the academy providing aid, but rather a natural occurrence. It was just like when someone in a village was admitted to a top university through a special program.

Their family would naturally walk with more confidence in the village; it was the same principle.

"The academy only has a vacancy in security..."

In the academy's arrangements, the position of teacher could not be given out casually, because that role required at least an entry-level mastery of the All-Martial Heart Scripture.

Currently, in Chen An's hands, this scripture was effectively a teaching certification.

Therefore, from any angle, the Dragon-Snake Couple was unqualified.

"No problem, we both accept. Thank you, Dean."

The couple moved to kowtow, but Chen An hurriedly reached out to support them.

He grumbled inwardly that feudal thinking was truly harmful; it seemed the students' daily ethics classes would need to be extended.

If the students in the academy knew what Chen An was thinking right now, they would surely start cursing.

"The two of you need not bow; this humble one cannot bear it."

The two elders were moved, but Meng Yiran's expression became complicated.

She was not a six or seven-year-old child anymore; she was fifteen or sixteen now and understood many things.

These security personnel, in a certain sense, could be called guards, or perhaps gatekeepers.

She was studying and apprenticing here, yet her own elders had come to work as guards—how could she balance that in her heart, especially since her background was considered above average in Tiandou?

"Grandpa! Grandma!"

Meng Shu smiled kindly at this moment, lacking the imposing demeanor he usually displayed while dominating the continent.

"Good child, you only need to cultivate well under your master. With us here, the family side won't give you any trouble."

Hearing this, Meng Yiran wilted and did not refute the statement.

Chen An heard their conversation and thought even more highly of these two seniors.

So it wasn't entirely because of his strength; from the perspective of family, they had done quite well.

As for why he agreed, he had his own considerations.

The students were going to participate in the Great Soul Arena, and he would have to follow them for a period of time. Besides the Academy Protection Array, the academy needed first-class combat power present.

It was better to be safe than sorry; furthermore, if there came a day when he no longer went to the Great Soul Arena, someone would still need to escort the students there.

"Let's go, Yiran. I'll take you to meet your senior brothers and sisters. You two go to the second floor of this building and find a teacher named Lin Ran. She will guide you through the onboarding process and familiarize you with the duties."

Chao Tianxiang and Meng Shu bowed slightly. After Chen An led Meng Yiran away, the Snake Matriarch spoke.

"Old man, are we really doing the right thing?"

The woman's tendency to worry was very apparent at this moment, and Meng Shu thought for a moment before replying.

"You also know that Yiran's talent is limited; this is the best outcome. Besides, didn't our son want to arrange for her to go to some Exotic Beast Academy?

"Furthermore, we heard the Dean was very strong before we arrived, but after meeting him, you also know that even if we joined forces, we would likely be defeated within three moves."

Meng Shu sighed. He truly admired Chen An now; to have such strength and not seek power, not indulge in extreme luxury, but instead open an academy and be passionate about educating others.

"I have a premonition that our academy will surely achieve great things. Alright, we should go report for duty."

The more Meng Shu spoke, the more his relief grew. After hearing this, Chao Tianxiang was no longer so conflicted.