Cai Mei'er was completely focused.
At that moment, not a trace of a vice dean's sternness showed in her. She looked more like a devout believer, offering up her deepest sincerity in her own way.
Only occasionally did she raise her eyes to glance at Tang An. Her gaze held both a hint of probing and something impossible to put into words.
After an unknown length of time, Tang An's hand, resting on the armrest, clenched hard, then slowly relaxed. He let out a long breath, and the tension between his brows eased.
Cai Mei'er rose to her feet, took a silk handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently dabbed the corner of her lips.
Her movements were graceful and composed, though a faint blush lingered on her cheeks, and a trace of moisture glimmered in her eyes.
Yet there was not a hint of embarrassment in her violet eyes. When she looked at Tang An, her gaze held a peculiar frankness.
"Vice Pavilion Master, I'll pay the interest up to here for now."
Cai Mei'er's voice had returned to its usual gentle composure, though the very end carried a faint, barely perceptible hoarseness. "As for the principal... we'll leave it to Xiaotao to pay back herself."
Tang An was about to say something when a knock suddenly sounded from the door behind him.
The knock was very soft, just twice, but before Cai Mei'er could respond, the door was pushed open.
Cai Mei'er reacted swiftly. The instant the door opened, she had already turned around and set her teacup on the table, her movements unhurried.
The door swung open, and a tall figure walked in.
The fitted, deep teal pantsuit accentuated her graceful curves. Her short, blue-green hair was neatly cut to her ears, and her bright blue eyes gleamed like gemstones. Her skin was fair, and her features were delicate yet spirited.
It was none other than Xian Lin'er, dean of the Martial Combat Department.
She had heard Cai Mei'er had invited Tang An over alone, and alarm bells had immediately gone off in her head. She dropped what she was doing and hurried over.
"Vice Pavilion Master, I just heard..."
As soon as she entered, she saw Tang An about to rise from his seat while Cai Mei'er stood beside the table, her head tilted slightly back and her lips pursed, as if she were swallowing something.
"Dean Cai, you were just..." Xian Lin'er's gaze swept between the two of them. Something seemed off, but she couldn't say exactly what.
Cai Mei'er set down her teacup and gave her a flawless smile. Her voice sounded just a little unnatural. "I was drinking water. I talked too much just now, so my mouth was dry. Assistant Xian, what brings you here?"
Tang An picked up the conversation too, calling out casually, "Assistant Xian, what did you hear?"
Xian Lin'er came back to her senses and temporarily set aside her doubts. Her expression turned serious. "Vice Pavilion Master, I just heard that Dean Cai had specially invited you to the Martial Soul Department office, so I came to see. What matter requires the Vice Pavilion Master to handle it personally?"
Tang An thought it over. There was no need to hide this, so he answered frankly, "It's about Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire. I've already agreed to help suppress it and even evolve her Martial Soul into the ultimate flame. The condition is that Ma Xiaotao serves as my maid for a year."
Xian Lin'er's brows lifted slightly. This was indeed a major matter.
Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire had plagued the Martial Soul Department for years. Even Limit Douluos had been helpless. If Tang An could resolve it, it would be a tremendous kindness to the Martial Soul Department.
When Xian Lin'er heard the words "maid for a year," her brows twitched, and a sudden sense of urgency surged in her heart.
Cai Mei'er had moved too fast. She'd sent Ma Xiaotao straight to the Vice Pavilion Master's side. With Ma Xiaotao following him around every day for a year, who knew what might happen?
No. She needed to step up her own efforts, too.
Xian Lin'er pushed her thoughts aside and put on a smile. Her tone grew warmer.
"Vice Pavilion Master, is there anything you need help with in your cultivation? Lin'er may not be able to compare with Mu En, but I do have some experience with combat techniques. I'm always available to spar with you."
Tang An looked at her and keenly sensed the subtle urgency in her words.
This Assistant Xian had probably heard that Cai Mei'er was offering people and showing goodwill again, and was starting to feel restless.
Tang An thought it over. He had originally planned to take Yutong to Zhou Yi's place that evening, but since Xian Lin'er had come to him, he might as well tell her directly.
Besides, if he went alone to Zhou Yi and Mu Jin, something interesting might happen.
Tang An gathered his thoughts and said to Xian Lin'er, "Assistant Xian, there's something I need to tell you. There's a student by my side with exceptional talent for Soul Tools."
"She's the one who just defeated a level-twenty-five opponent in one move at the Martial Arts Arena. I want her to report to the Soul Guidance Department. Please arrange it for her."
Xian Lin'er's eyes lit up at once, and the doubts she'd had moments ago vanished.
What kind of talent did a student have to possess for the Vice Pavilion Master to personally call it "exceptional"? She hurriedly asked, "Where is she now? I'll have someone bring her over right away!"
"Let's go to your office," Tang An said. "Have someone fetch Huo Yuhao from Freshman Class One."
Xian Lin'er nodded in agreement, already planning ahead. She was the dean of the Soul Guidance Department, but when it came to crafting Soul Tools and talent in the field, Fan Yu was truly the best in the academy.
Since the Vice Pavilion Master had recommended someone with such exceptional talent, she had to bring Fan Yu along and let him assess her personally.
She immediately sent someone to fetch Huo Yuhao from Freshman Class One, then had someone notify Fan Yu in the Soul Guidance Department. After that, she led Tang An toward her office.
Cai Mei'er stood beside the table, holding her teacup as she watched them leave. A faint smile flickered in her amethyst eyes.
"Xian Lin'er, you're almost there too, aren't you?"
Xian Lin'er's office was more spacious than Cai Mei'er's. Several Soul Tool diagrams hung on the walls, and the bookshelves were crammed with metal components and blueprints.
Tang An had barely sat down when there was a knock at the door.
Huo Yutong pushed the door open and came in, a hint of nervousness still on her little face. She had just demonstrated Soul Shock at the Martial Arts Arena and was worried she'd caused trouble by going too far.
When she saw Tang An there, she visibly relaxed and instinctively walked over to him, calling softly, "Brother Tang An."
"Sit," Tang An said, pointing to the chair beside him. "I've found you a good teacher. Let Assistant Xian and Teacher Fan take a look at your talent with Soul Tools."
Before long, a lean, stern-faced middle-aged man strode in. It was Fan Yu, a leading figure in the Soul Guidance Department and a Level 8 Soul Engineer.
Fan Yu saluted Xian Lin'er, then paused slightly when his gaze fell on Tang An. He didn't recognize the young man, but since Xian Lin'er was personally accompanying him, his identity was certainly no ordinary one.
He didn't ask any questions and turned to Huo Yutong. "Dean, is this the student you mentioned?"
Xian Lin'er nodded. "The Vice Pavilion Master personally recommended her and said she has exceptional talent for Soul Tools. Fan Yu, test her yourself."
Fan Yu didn't waste words. He picked up a palm-sized metal base from the table. Three sensing crystals were embedded in it, corresponding to the three basic indicators: Soul Power perception, Soul Power control, and Soul Power stability.
This was the standard entry-level test equipment used by the Soul Guidance Department. Though simple, it gave the clearest picture of a student's talent for Soul Tools.
"The test has three steps," Fan Yu explained methodically. "First, perception. Infuse the crystal with Soul Power. Its brightness will reflect the strength of your spiritual power."
"Second, control. Build a complete Soul Power circuit between the three crystals."
"Third, stability. Keep the circuit running. The longer you maintain it, the better your stability."
Huo Yutong nodded, took a deep breath, and placed her right hand on the metal base. A faint silver light glimmered in her eyes as Spirit Analysis quietly activated.
The first crystal suddenly lit up, shining like a brilliant star. Then the second and third crystals lit up at the same time, blazing with dazzling silver light. The three beams intertwined steadily, without the slightest flicker.
Fan Yu's brows lifted, and he was about to nod.
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