Compensation

After Zhu Youzhi left, Vidal said in surprise:

"Did I misjudge you? Which great family do you come from?

"Zhu Youzhi was able to become the director of studies because he naturally had the strength for it. Don't let his appearance fool you—he's a level fifty-nine Soul King!"

Yan Jin raised an eyebrow. "Huh? You really couldn't tell. That fatty is that strong?"

At Northland Academy, teachers, like students, were divided into three ranks. Regular teachers ranged from level thirty-six to level forty-five. Upon reaching level forty-six, one could become a Silver-Rank Teacher.

After reaching level fifty-six and passing certain assessments, one could be promoted to Gold-Rank Teacher, with a substantial increase in salary and benefits.

Additionally, if a teacher's Soul Power reached level sixty-one or above, they could become a Gold-Rank Teacher directly without taking any assessments.

As the director of studies overseeing all first-year affairs, Zhu Youzhi was naturally one of the Gold-Rank Teachers, and one of the best among them.

"Big Sister, didn't you say you wanted to change that reckless way of yours?" Lei Yin frowned.

Yan Jin chuckled. "Hehe, I thought about it again afterward. Don't I have a master now... He's pretty strong anyway, so he can handle most situations. There's no need for me to restrain myself too much. I should just do what I like."

After saying that, she glanced at Amon somewhat guiltily and softly asked, "Amon?"

"Mm, I don't object... As long as you're happy." Amon raised a hand and adjusted the Monocle over his right eye. "You chat first. I have something to take care of."

He slowly walked into the distance.

"Mr. Amon?" Lei Yin still wanted to ask something, but Yan Jin grabbed him.

"When he says that, it means he doesn't want us following..." Yan Jin stopped him.

After walking several dozen meters, Amon stopped at a corner. He lifted the brim of his Pointed Soft Hat, looked toward the restaurant on his right, and walked over.

On the second floor of the restaurant, Walter stood by the window with his hands behind his back, gazing outside.

"Mr. Walter, why did you suddenly send me a voice transmission?"

Amon's footsteps were soundless. He walked over to a red high-backed chair and sat down.

"What is Yan Jin's attitude now?"

Amon chuckled. "You mean her... It's not good, but it isn't bad either. She dislikes your so-called 'test' from before, but she doesn't reject becoming your disciple."

"As long as she doesn't reject it, she'll accept me wholeheartedly sooner or later." A faint smile appeared on Walter's face. "I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"A favor?"

"Just as I said before, I'm not very good at teaching others, nor do I possess extensive theoretical knowledge. I made it this far by struggling through countless life-and-death crises."

Walter spoke with a wistful, emotional tone:

"I want to ask you to continue teaching Yan Jin in the future."

Amon leaned back slightly against the chair and replied calmly:

"You should know that even if you hadn't said so, I would have done that anyway. She's the teammate I chose for the Soul Master Tournament."

"That is precisely why I need to say it. I hope you can consider her from the perspective of a more distant future.

"When choosing Spirit Rings, don't sacrifice her potential for growth merely for temporary combat power... She can go very far on the path of a Soul Master, farther than I ever could." Walter's expression was serious.

"Also, when hunting Soul Beasts, choose the best ones whenever possible. If they're rare, I can send people to search for them. If they're powerful, I can help personally, or even ask others to help..."

High risk called for high returns. Walter's past experiences had made him steadfastly believe in this principle.

Since Yan Jin had passed a test where failure meant death and earned his approval, he would give her the treatment she deserved.

Moreover, because this "test" had been arranged by him without informing her beforehand, he had to invest even more than originally planned to make up for it.

"I am not a shortsighted man. The plan I made for her Spirit Rings was based on the assumption that she could become a Title Douluo in the future... Besides, we don't need that tiny bit of combat power from her."

Amon gave a soft laugh, then said in a somewhat sarcastic tone:

"But Mr. Walter, you took a student who is practically half my disciple as your own disciple, then tossed her back to me for teaching?"

Walter's old face reddened. After pondering for a moment, he concealed his earlier embarrassment and said as evenly as possible:

"This is recognition of your teaching ability. I will compensate you... You're a Soul Elder now, right? I can assist with your fourth and fifth Spirit Rings and personally help you hunt them."

"A promise from a Soul Douluo. That's quite generous..." Amon crossed his left leg over his right, then changed the subject. "Before this, I thought you would have us all join Spirit Hall."

Walter smiled. "Not yet. I know you want to show yourselves at the Soul Master Tournament, but the members of Spirit Hall's competing team have already been decided. The Golden Generation will not be so easily surpassed.

"Furthermore, they represent more than just themselves. They also represent the people backing them. Even members who originally belonged to no faction should have gained one by now."

Amon took off his glasses, wiped them with a handkerchief, and put them back on. "Like Yan Jin, after she displayed her talent?"

"Yes, like Yan Jin. She was originally just a commoner Soul Master, but now she has me behind her." Walter nodded and continued:

"If you join Spirit Hall and want to replace certain people among them, you will not only have to display strength far exceeding theirs, but also engage in a contest with the people behind them."

"That would indeed be troublesome..." Amon nodded. "What about Lei Yin? His talent is quite good too. Won't you consider him?"

Amon was happy to see Walter take Yan Jin as his disciple.

It benefited everyone.

Yan Jin gained a master who could provide her with resources, while Walter gained a fine disciple who could inherit his legacy and surpass him.

And Amon could also gain considerable benefits from it. Through this connection, he could establish ties with a Soul Douluo!

In fact, from the very beginning, he had been "selling" Yan Jin's talent. That had been the case when he sought investment from Ma Wen, and it had also been the case when he hinted that Yan Jin should take a master.

Whether it was guiding Yan Jin and allowing her talent to flourish further, or putting on the appearance of wanting to participate in the Soul Master Tournament, Amon's fundamental goal was to acquire resources and help himself grow better and faster.

The only person he cared about was himself.

Of course, if he could benefit from it, he did not mind achieving mutual gain with others.

Walter hesitated for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "No. Having one disciple worthy of my wholehearted devotion and full effort is enough."

Northland Advanced Soul Master Academy, third-year teaching building, grade director's office.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

A knock sounded.

"Is Director Yu here?"

Yu Xinxue was lazily reclining on a sofa in a white long dress. A trace of confusion showed on her beautiful face as she yawned, seemingly not fully awake from her dream.

"Director Yu?"

Zhu Youzhi's voice startled her awake completely. It was still working hours!

She could not be this decadent!

She hurriedly stood up, straightened her clothes, and patted her cheeks with both hands.

After adjusting her posture, she said calmly, "Come in."

"Good afternoon." Zhu Youzhi entered the room and spoke softly.

Yu Xinxue frowned. "What are you here for? Which family's young master is it this time?"

She was the academy's best teacher and led its best class. People often used connections to stuff their children into her class.

She did not actually object to it, but they should at least consider the quality of the student they were sending in!

Slightly poorer talent was not much of a problem, but they could not have bad character. That would only corrupt the atmosphere of the entire class.

Zhu Youzhi often helped certain nobles squeeze students into her class. The key was that he never bothered to see what those students were like. As long as the connections were in place, or the money was sufficient, he would pay her a visit.

As a result, she did not have much goodwill toward Zhu Youzhi, though she did not dislike him enough to hate him.

She knew that, as the person in charge of the academy's first years, he was also responsible for receiving and seeing off guests. Some social obligations and exchanges of favors were unavoidable.