While the entire arena was still reeling from Tang An's overwhelming display, a woman with an elegant short perm hurried over.
Her skin was porcelain-pale, and a faint beauty mark beneath the corner of her eye added a touch of cool allure. Her fitted uniform accentuated her slender yet shapely figure, while sheer black stockings hugged her long, straight legs.
She was Mu Jin, the homeroom teacher of Class Two—and Zhou Yi's sworn rival.
Mu Jin had witnessed Tang An's performance with her own eyes. Now her eyes practically glowed green. If she could poach a monster like him into her class, what chance would Zhou Yi have in this year's Outstanding Teacher selection?
Mu Jin plastered on a smile and spoke with almost exaggerated warmth. "I'm Mu Jin, the homeroom teacher of Class Two. Our class has far better teaching resources than Class One. Would you consider transferring?"
At once, Zhou Yi's face darkened. She stepped in front of Tang An protectively, like a mother hen with her feathers ruffled. "Mu Jin, he's my student. You're trying to poach him right in front of me? Have you no shame?"
Mu Jin gave a cold laugh. "Teacher Zhou, outstanding students deserve outstanding teachers. A talent like Tang An could be wasted in your class, famous for its high expulsion rate. Aren't you afraid your iron-fisted teaching will bury him?"
As the two argued furiously, the steady sound of approaching footsteps drew nearer.
A middle-aged man in gray robes hurried over, a badge from the dean's office pinned to his chest. He stopped before Tang An and bowed respectfully. "Young Master An, the vice dean wishes to see you."
"Young Master An."
The moment those two words left his mouth, Zhou Yi and Mu Jin fell silent.
They had guessed Tang An came from an influential background, but for someone from the dean's office to address him with such deference as "Young Master An"—that background was terrifying.
Tang An knew what was going on. Cai Mei'er had only one reason to seek him out: Ma Xiaotao.
Yesterday, after he had displayed Destruction Fire at the Martial Arts Arena, Yan Shaozhe had indeed been unable to sit still. Having a minion with Ultimate Fire under his control wasn't a bad deal. It would give him another artillery piece in a fight.
Tang An nodded to the man in gray. "Lead the way."
Seeing Tang An about to leave, Zhou Yi grew anxious. Mu Jin was watching like a hawk. She had finally landed a priceless treasure, and if that shameless woman took advantage of the moment to steal him away, Zhou Yi would never sleep easy again.
Zhou Yi cast aside her pride and called after him. "Tang An, could you come to the teachers' office later? There are a few things I'd like to ask you about."
Mu Jin's eyes narrowed at once. What trick was that old hag trying to pull now? Was she going to restore her old appearance and use her beauty to seduce him?
Then again, a young man full of vigor might well need a sensible female teacher to guide him through life's mysteries.
Not to be outdone, Mu Jin chimed in, deliberately making her voice soft and alluring. "Tang An, I have a few questions about cultivation I'd like to ask you, too."
They finished speaking at the same time, then glared at each other. Sparks seemed ready to fly between them. Each gave a cold snort and turned away.
Tang An glanced at the two women, turning the matter over in his mind. Yutong was going to join the Soul Guidance Department, so it would be good to speak with Zhou Yi first. Zhou Yi needed to understand Huo Yutong's talent.
As for Mu Jin, he wanted to see what tricks she had up her sleeve. Teacher seduction?
Tang An smiled and nodded. "All right. I'll come teach you both tonight."
Cai Mei'er and Ma Xiaotao had been waiting in the dean's office for quite some time.
Cai Mei'er wore a long academy uniform dress that day. Its fitted waist accentuated her dignified yet curvaceous figure. She had on white stockings and knee-high boots, exuding the commanding air of a mature woman.
At that moment, she paced back and forth, her expression anxious.
Ma Xiaotao stood by the window, her fiery red hair spilling over her shoulders. Tall and strikingly voluptuous, she wore a tight-fitting outfit that emphasized her enviable waist. Her beautiful face, however, was shadowed by the gloom and irritability brought on by her Evil Fire.
The door opened, and Tang An walked in.
Cai Mei'er immediately went to greet him, her face bright with a smile. "Xiao An, you're here."
From the corner of her eye, she saw Ma Xiaotao still standing motionless by the window. A flash of alarm crossed Cai Mei'er's amethyst eyes, and she shot Ma Xiaotao a fierce glare.
Ma Xiaotao had no idea why she was being glared at. She was a genius Soul Master who had been doted on ever since she was little. When had she ever needed to humble herself and bow to someone?
Tang An looked at Cai Mei'er and joked, "Secretary Cai, what did you need me for? You know my time is precious. There'll be serious consequences if you interrupt me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Xiaotao could hold back no longer. Her brows shot up, and she stepped forward. "How can you talk to Aunt Cai like that? Do you even know that Aunt Cai is—"
Before Ma Xiaotao could finish, Tang An had already moved.
No one saw how he did it. Their vision blurred, and the next moment, Ma Xiaotao's wrist was twisted behind her back. He had pinned her face-down on the desk, leaving her unable to move, humiliated and furious.
Cai Mei'er broke out in a cold sweat. She wanted to plead for Ma Xiaotao, but one look from Tang An rooted her to the spot.
"As a Shrek student, do you know the consequences of speaking disrespectfully to the Vice Pavilion Master?" Tang An raised a hand and brought it down.
Smack!
The crisp sound rang through the office. Ma Xiaotao shuddered, her cheeks flushing red with embarrassment and anger.
"That one's for showing no respect to your elders."
Smack! He brought his hand down a second time.
"That one's for your lack of manners."
Ma Xiaotao clenched her teeth and struggled desperately. The Evil Fire within her surged out of control, and searing dark-red flames rose from her body.
But the next moment, a wisp of dark-red flame appeared in Tang An's palm—Destruction Fire.
Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire instantly recoiled as if it had encountered its natural enemy. It cowered inside her, trembling, unable to muster even the slightest thought of resisting.
Ma Xiaotao was utterly stunned. Her Evil Fire had been powerful enough to burn the heavens and destroy the earth for as long as she could remember. It had never been so timid before. The sensation was like a lowly beast encountering the apex predator of the food chain.
Smack! The third blow came down, lighter than the first two, and he gave her a rub for good measure.
"This one," Tang An paused, "well, I just felt like hitting you."
Tang An released her and stepped back. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his fingers, looking so composed that he might have just disciplined a disobedient child.
He turned to Cai Mei'er and asked casually, "Secretary Cai, who's this? What did you need me for?"
Ma Xiaotao lay face-down on the desk, her thoughts in chaos.
Her backside stung fiercely, but strangely, the Evil Fire inside her seemed much calmer. The Fire Poison that had always left her burning with restless agitation had eased, if only slightly.
The sensation was so bizarre that, for a moment, she couldn't tell whether to be angry or relieved.
Cai Mei'er wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and cursed Yan Shaozhe eight hundred times in her heart. It had all been his lousy idea. Well, now they'd met—and Ma Xiaotao had taken three slaps first.
She took a deep breath and, with an apologetic smile, explained Ma Xiaotao's situation in full: she had been tormented by Evil Fire for years, and her mental state was nearing collapse. If it wasn't resolved soon, she might follow the path of an Evil Soul Master.
Then she quickly added an explanation on Ma Xiaotao's behalf. "Vice Pavilion Master, Xiaotao isn't usually like this. The Evil Fire has driven her to it."
"Xiaotao used to be gentle and kind, and she treated everyone warmly. She was very popular among her peers, but the Evil Fire has tormented her for years, and her temper has grown more and more volatile."
Tang An sat down in a chair, tapping the armrest in a steady rhythm as his gaze shifted between Cai Mei'er and Ma Xiaotao.
He would certainly help. Getting a minion with Ultimate Fire for free was a good deal, and he'd already put them in their place.
Ma Xiaotao was now standing upright, one hand covering her backside. She wanted to look at Tang An but didn't dare. Her gaze darted away, her eyes rimmed red, yet she bit her lip and stayed quiet.
But putting them in their place wasn't enough. He had to make them pay some price. No one valued something that came too easily.
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