Wanting Both Benefits and Peace!

Inside the tent.

Ruolin looked at Xiao Ze as if she had discovered some rare, priceless treasure, scanning him up and down!

This could no longer be described simply as talent.

She had recruited a future top-tier powerhouse!

A twelve-year-old Dou Grandmaster—in the entire history of Jia Nan Academy, no student had ever reached such a level!

If other geniuses were merely potential powerhouses of the future, then the Xiao Ze before her was destined to become one.

This kind of talent, enough to drive anyone mad with envy, was sufficient to carry him toward the peak without a single obstacle in his path!

Ruolin changed the way she addressed him as well.

Xiao Ze was clearly a cultivator on the same level as her; to continue calling him "little one" would carry a hint of provocation.

Xiao Ze smiled without a word, and Ruolin, understanding his intent, spoke to the others.

"Handle the registration for the remaining new students and maintain order. Do not cause any trouble for me."

After giving instructions to her students, Ruolin looked at Xiao Ze.

"Let's go, Xiao Ze. Let's find a place to talk in private."

Xiao Ze signaled to Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, letting them know not to worry.

Amidst the gazes of envy and jealousy from the crowd, Xiao Ze quickened his pace to catch up with Instructor Ruolin.

He followed one step behind her as they left.

Once the figures of Ruolin and Xiao Ze disappeared, the tent erupted as if a pot had boiled over!

Countless exclamations and discussions resounded throughout the tent!

It all boiled down to one point: what exactly was Xiao Ze's true strength?!

Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, who remained in the tent, also became the focus of everyone's attention.

Xiao Yu's close friends swarmed over, pestering the two of them to ask about Xiao Ze's specific strength.

However, both girls kept their lips sealed; no matter how those girls acted spoiled or tried to curry favor, they responded only with smiles.

In the end, it was Xiao Yu who rushed in to rescue Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, using her own body to shield them from the crowd.

Retreating to a corner, Xiao Yu could not suppress her inner curiosity.

"Cousin Xun'er, what exactly is Xiao Ze's strength? Why was Instructor Ruolin so uncharacteristically flustered?"

A proud smile appeared on Xiao Xun'er's face, but under Xiao Yu's expectant gaze, she shook her head.

"Cousin Xiao Yu, it would be better if you asked Brother Xiao Ze yourself. Wouldn't it be more meaningful if he told you personally?"

Xiao Yu rolled her eyes, knowing she wouldn't get the truth about Xiao Ze's strength from this girl.

But if she were to ask Xiao Ze herself, she feared she would only be brushed off again.

The clamor inside the tent was so intense that even the newly arrived students felt a bit panicked.

Was this tent really the registration site for the enrollment ceremony?

However, once they learned what had happened inside, those new students were also plunged into shock.

Xiao Xun'er, in particular, received the most attention.

With the most mysterious figure, Xiao Ze, currently absent from the tent, Xiao Xun'er—the most outstanding individual after him—became the center of focus.

After all, this was a genius who had surpassed S-rank potential!

However, since Xiao Xun'er was surrounded by girls, no one dared to approach her to strike up a conversation.

On the other side, Xiao Ze followed Ruolin to a secluded area.

Ruolin crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes unable to stop scanning Xiao Ze.

How on earth did this person cultivate?

A twelve-year-old Dou Grandmaster!

It made Ruolin feel as though her own years of cultivation were nothing but a joke!

"Instructor Ruolin, could you please retract that strange look? I didn't follow you here to be stared at like a monster."

"Heh, it's only because I haven't told anyone else; otherwise, anyone would treat you like a monster!"

Ruolin said with an exaggerated tone, "Tsk tsk, a twelve-year-old Dou Grandmaster—I still can't believe it!"

"That is precisely why I didn't want to reveal my true strength."

Xiao Ze shrugged and said, "I ask that Instructor Ruolin please keep my true strength a secret."

"I can only guarantee that I won't tell irrelevant people, but I must inform the Academy Dean."

Ruolin pondered for a moment before offering an explanation.

"After all, as the most gifted student in the history of Jia Nan Academy, the method of your cultivation must be decided by the Dean."

Xiao Ze nodded in understanding and said with a smile, "I am naturally aware of that. I simply do not wish to attract too much attention, though I am quite tempted by the academy's cultivation resources."

"I see it now; you little fellow want the academy's highest level of cultivation while simultaneously wanting to avoid unnecessary trouble."

Ruolin felt she had seen through Xiao Ze's intentions.

Otherwise, had Xiao Ze simply falsely reported his strength as a three-star Dou Practitioner, she would not have been bored enough to actually investigate.

Yet, Xiao Ze had specifically revealed his strength as a Dou Grandmaster to her, clearly wanting to secure the full support of Jia Nan Academy!

The two continued to chat for a while, and their relationship grew noticeably closer.

Ruolin reverted to calling him "little fellow," her eyes filled with doting affection as she looked at Xiao Ze.

It was a look that made Xiao Ze feel somewhat overwhelmed.

"Ahem, Instructor Ruolin, before we part, I have one more request I hope you can grant."

"Oh? What could you possibly need, little fellow? Just ask!"

Ruolin said generously; this was a genius who had made history.

Simply recruiting him would serve as a major achievement for her career!

It would clear the obstacles for her promotion to Mystic Grade Instructor!

Seeing Ruolin so forthcoming, Xiao Ze quickly made his request.

"I would like Instructor Ruolin to—"

"Hey! How old are you, little fellow, to be wanting me already!?"

Instructor Ruolin interrupted Xiao Ze in surprise.

Staring at Xiao Ze in disbelief, Ruolin even clutched her chest with both hands in a mock display of alarm.

Xiao Ze rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Instructor Ruolin, could you please let me finish my sentence!"

"Haha, I was only joking. Go on."

Ruolin giggled; she couldn't help but tease this student who was as talented as he was amusing.

"I would like to invite Instructor Ruolin to stay at the Xiao Clan temporarily during the recruitment period. Before I leave, I wish to secure some benefits for my family."

With Xiao Ze stating his intentions so clearly, Ruolin understood immediately.

As a transcendent power independent of the three great empires, Jia Nan Academy generally avoided entanglements with local factions in recruitment areas.

Moreover, Ruolin's status as a recruitment instructor was enough to make countless people scramble to curry favor with her!

Many factions hoped to use Instructor Ruolin's influence to send their own children to study at Jia Nan Academy.

Ruolin glanced at Xiao Ze and, without much hesitation, nodded in agreement.

Staying at the Xiao Clan for seven days was merely a way to send a signal to the outside world.

It wouldn't actually involve using her power for personal gain to help other factions.

"Very well, but I will not meet with any other factions. I am simply staying at a student's home, do you understand?"

Xiao Ze nodded; this was already enough!

The mere signal sent by Ruolin staying at the Xiao Clan would be sufficient to make many factions in Wutan City scramble to curry favor with the Xiao Clan!

"Then, Instructor Ruolin, I shall take my leave to prepare your accommodations!"

Xiao Ze bowed politely and retreated.

Ruolin watched Xiao Ze leave with a smile.

This student was not only peerless in talent and intellect but also impeccable in his conduct.

Xiao Ze returned to the tent and departed first with Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian.

At the same time, he instructed Xiao Yu to ensure Instructor Ruolin was brought to the Xiao Clan.

Upon receiving the news, the high-ranking members of the clan began making frantic arrangements for the residence.

They were determined to make Instructor Ruolin feel the warmth of home!

I ask all my readers to please keep up with the latest chapters; the current recommendation rankings depend entirely on follow-up reads. Please move your hands to the very last page of the book—I am eternally grateful!

Thanks to "Han Ling" and "Xiao Pang 751" for their support with monthly tickets!

Thank you so much!