"Bai Baoshan? Isn't he one of the chairmen of the Education Committee at Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Hearing who had arrived, Lin Fan couldn't help being a little surprised. What did he want with me?
If it was about setting up a stall to sell Martial Souls, he should've come out long ago!
Was he here to recruit me too?
In an instant, Lin Fan guessed Bai Baoshan's purpose.
It wasn't that Lin Fan was conceited. What he'd shown really was completely different from the cultivation system that had always existed on Douluo Continent.
On top of that, Lin Fan now had Dugu Bo behind him. Ordinary people wouldn't dare make a move against him, so recruiting him had become the best option.
Having guessed why Bai Baoshan had come, Lin Fan didn't put on airs. In his previous life, he'd been a rich second-generation kid who only wanted to enjoy himself and have fun, and he'd always treated his friends well.
Even now that he had gained strength, he wouldn't let it go to his head.
Lin Fan had always cared deeply about his family and friends!
Bai Baoshan hadn't done anything against him and was being so courteous, so Lin Fan naturally wouldn't put on airs.
Lin Fan remained calm, but Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan did not.
Whatever their backgrounds or Martial Souls, Bai Baoshan was still their teacher. They hurried out to greet him.
A moment later, a round man who stood four feet tall and was four feet across walked in ahead of Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
His face wore a kindly smile, and his gaze was just as gentle as it settled on Lin Fan.
"I've long heard that the head of the Lin Clan in Starry Sky City is an outstanding man, having reached the Soul Saint realm at such a young age. I never expected his son to be even more impressive!"
Bai Baoshan chuckled. "This old man is Bai Baoshan. It's a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Lin."
As the saying went, you didn't strike a smiling face. Lin Fan smiled as well and said, "You flatter me, senior. Please, come in."
"..."
Nearby, Qian Ying and Gu Chen stopped their emotional conversation. Qian Ying's expression darkened in particular as she stared fixedly at Bai Baoshan.
At this moment, in Qian Ying's eyes, Lin Fan was more than just a young member of her family. He was also her savior, so naturally, she put his safety first.
If Bai Baoshan dared harbor any ill intentions toward Lin Fan, Qian Ying would strike without hesitation.
The gaze of a Soul Douluo naturally carried considerable pressure, and Soul Power began to spill from her.
Bai Baoshan was also a Soul Douluo, so he could sense it. He turned to Qian Ying and smiled. "There's no need to worry, my friend. I mean no harm."
"I just have something I'd like to discuss with Young Master Lin."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Ye Lingling froze. Her beautiful eyes widened as she looked at Lin Fan, astonished.
If she remembered correctly, Bai Baoshan was a Soul Douluo!
Soul Masters at that level were exceedingly rare across the entire continent. Yet here he was, treating such a young child with the utmost courtesy?
The sight instantly upended Ye Lingling's worldview!
Dugu Yan wasn't particularly surprised. After all, she'd already seen how her grandfather treated Lin Fan. He was still rather cold, but compared to how he treated everyone else, the difference was enormous.
Bai Baoshan wasn't Dugu Bo, so his courteous attitude toward Lin Fan made sense to her.
"You're too kind, senior."
Lin Fan smiled lightly. "To you, I'm just a junior. Whatever it is, please, go ahead."
Bai Baoshan smiled but didn't take Lin Fan's words seriously.
If he really treated Lin Fan like a junior he could summon and dismiss at will, he probably wouldn't live much longer.
For someone so young to have so many exceptional qualities, with both parents being Soul Saints and a close relationship with Dugu Bo, Bai Baoshan absolutely couldn't believe that he had no even more powerful backing.
"Young Master, you have extraordinary talent. May I ask if you have a teacher?"
"A teacher?"
Hearing the question, Qian Ying understood Bai Baoshan's intentions. She pursed her lips, thinking, My Fan'er even turned down an invitation from Spirit Hall. How could he possibly agree to join you?
"I don't."
Lin Fan's eyes shifted, and suddenly he felt eager.
When Spirit Hall had tried to recruit him, they'd offered extremely favorable terms and had even given him a Soul Bone.
Hmm?
A Soul Bone!
At the thought, Lin Fan suddenly realized he still hadn't absorbed that Soul Bone from earlier!
He'd been too focused on evolving Dugu Yan's Martial Soul at the time.
"Then, Young Master Lin, would you be willing to study at my Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Hearing Lin Fan's answer, Bai Baoshan's eyes lit up. He immediately got to the point and stated his purpose.
He sincerely wanted to recruit Lin Fan!
A genius like him, with a powerful force behind him, would be a tremendous asset to Royal Academy if he joined.
"If Young Master Lin is willing to come to our academy, you'll be free to do as you please!"
"Whatever resources you need for cultivation, as long as the academy has them, you may take them as you wish."
The words sounded casual, but Qian Ying's breathing suddenly caught.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were even more astonished.
Was this how you recruited a disciple?
Wasn't he practically inviting over some exalted lord?
"Senior, you're being awfully generous."
Lin Fan smiled. "What if I wanted a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone?"
"Then I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."
Bai Baoshan waved his hand. He could tell Lin Fan was joking.
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Fan decided not to join the academy after all.
Other people joined academies or factions because they had no ability of their own and could only rely on outside help!
But even with a flaw in his Martial Soul, his own father had broken through to the Soul Saint realm at such a young age. That showed how powerful the family behind him was.
Rather than fighting tooth and nail for another faction, he might as well return home and enjoy himself.
Lin Fan didn't know why Lin Qingfeng and Qian Shu hadn't gone back home. But now that he was here, with strength and confidence to back him up, whether they returned home was up to him!
And if anyone in the family dared bully his parents?
Lin Fan would show them what cruelty meant!
"Thank you for your kindness, senior, but I don't wish to join any faction. I just want to stay at home and enjoy life as a Noble Young Master."
"..."
Bai Baoshan studied Lin Fan for a moment. Seeing his resolute expression, he knew there was no room to change his mind. He smiled and said, "It seems our Royal Academy isn't fortunate enough to have you. Still, Young Master Lin, would you be willing to take an honorary position at our academy?"
"You'd only need to lend us your name and serve as an Honorary Elder! I'll give you two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins a year as an honorarium. And if there are any events at the academy or among the academy alliance that interest you, you can join us whenever you like."
"Young people enjoy these sorts of things. I imagine Young Master Lin would too."
There was no denying it: Bai Baoshan was the smoothest talker among the three faculty members.
Even Lin Fan found himself interested after hearing those words.
That was right. For Lin Fan, sweeping all before him and standing at the pinnacle of the world of Douluo Continent would be far too boring.
When he had nothing else to do, showing off in front of young people seemed like a pretty good way to pass the time.
"Not only that, our academy can work with you to help you earn even more money!"
"!!!"
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