At the very top floor of the main building, in the Academy Board of Directors' meeting hall.
Around the long metallic table in the center sat a full crowd, most of them elderly. Principal Xu Lin sat in the main seat.
Beside him sat another white-haired elder. From that seat alone, one could tell the old man's status was no lower than Xu Lin's.
In fact, his status wasn't just equal—it was higher.
His name was Gu Ming, former principal of the Sun Moon Royal Academy, now the head of the Federal Research Institute and one of the core members of the Federal Parliament. In the Federation, his position was pivotal—one of those people whose single footstep could shake the entire nation.
Principal Xu Lin had to address him respectfully as "teacher." If it weren't for Gu Ming's request, Xu Lin wouldn't even dare sit beside him.
On each side of the table sat twelve people, all upright and serious. Even those who normally joked and laughed kept themselves in check.
Before Gu Ming, none dared to be casual—not only out of fear of his position but also respect for an elder. Many here were either Gu Ming's direct students or his students' students; no one outranked him in seniority.
Yun Ze and Gu Yuena's seating was also noteworthy—right beside Gu Ming, with Yun Ze next to him and Gu Yuena next to Yun Ze. These were temporary chairs added just for them, a clear sign of the importance Gu Ming placed on the two.
At this moment, the soul guide screen opposite the meeting table was playing a battle—Yun Ze's earlier fight with Long Chen.
The footage stopped, and the spacious meeting hall fell silent. All eyes focused on Yun Ze.
Shock, admiration, satisfaction—these emotions showed clearly on many faces. The video had left quite an impact.
"Good, good, good!" Gu Ming was the first to break the silence, exclaiming the word three times in excitement as he stood up.
As soon as he rose, everyone else stood quickly; none dared to remain seated.
Yun Ze and Gu Yuena, helpless in this situation, had no choice but to stand as well. If everyone else was on their feet, they couldn't very well keep sitting.
Though they didn't particularly want to stand, the situation forced them to at least go through the motions.
"Good child." Gu Ming looked at Yun Ze, patted his shoulder, and smiled. Wrinkles bunched together on his face like withered tree bark.
Now over two hundred years old, his body was bent with age, his white hair sparse, his form marked with the traces of time.
Though his wrinkled face wasn't exactly pleasant when smiling, it carried no unpleasantness—only warmth, kindness, and gentleness.
Yun Ze smiled faintly without speaking.
"Everyone, sit down," Gu Ming gestured with his left hand. Once he sat, the others followed.
"Child, would you be willing to be my student? I mean a formal disciple," Gu Ming asked with expectation in his eyes.
"I already have a teacher, so I can't formally become your disciple," Yun Ze declined.
Gu Yuena added, "Elder Gu, when Yun Ze's teacher accepted him, he made Yun Ze promise never to acknowledge another master."
His refusal caused frowns among the board members and Principal Xu Lin. It came off as a bit tactless.
After all, many begged Gu Ming to take them as disciples and were refused. Now he had offered on his own initiative, only to be turned down—how could that not sting his pride?
Gu Ming didn't speak immediately, and though the others felt dissatisfied, none dared say anything aloud.
"I see…" A deep disappointment flashed in Gu Ming's eyes, and a trace of desolation appeared on his aged face.
With a sigh, he said, "It seems we are not destined to have a master-disciple bond. Since you already have a teacher, let's pretend I never said those words."
"Although you can't formally become my disciple, if you ever have questions about soul tools, you're still welcome to come to me."
"Thank you," Yun Ze replied politely. Though he had no intention of doing so, it was still a kindness, and politeness demanded thanks.
"Mm." Gu Ming patted Yun Ze's hand, sighing with emotion. "I had originally planned to invite you to join the Federal Research Institute."
"But after seeing this video, I've given up on that idea. Your talent shouldn't be devoted entirely to soul tools—cultivating both paths is what suits you best."
"For now, just study well in the Academy. We will give you our full support."
"Thank you," Yun Ze said again.
Gu Ming nodded with a smile. After a few more words, he let them leave.
Once Yun Ze and Gu Yuena were gone, Gu Ming signaled to Xu Lin. "Xiao Xu, tell us about Yun Ze's situation."
"Yes," Xu Lin replied respectfully and began sharing the intelligence gathered.
In such a short time, he had basically uncovered all there was to know about Yun Ze—his intel-gathering ability was formidable.
Of course, Yun Ze and his companions had not hidden these details, deliberately leaving them in the open for others to see.
"Let's hear your thoughts," Xu Lin said.
"Coming from a reclusive clan, such a person, even if trained, might never serve the Academy. Pouring resources into him may not be worth it."
"I agree. Nurturing someone from a hidden clan could end up being like drawing water with a bamboo basket—nothing to show for it."
"I disagree. I think the child is promising. If we train him, he'll remember the favor and won't be ungrateful."
"Besides, with talent like his, he's bound to become a peerless powerhouse. Whether or not he keeps the Academy in his heart, he'll still be a Sun Moon Royal Academy graduate, and that's enough."
"When he surpasses Yun Ming one day, our Academy's reputation will finally eclipse Shrek Academy's."
"Old Wang is right. This child is definitely worth cultivating…" Opinions differed, with board members speaking in turn.
"Enough," Gu Ming said with a calm but firm tone, and the room fell silent.
"Xiao Xu, your opinion?"
"Yes." Xu Lin stood, glanced around, and said, "I believe this child is worth our full effort and resources."
"I agree," Gu Ming stated, making his stance clear.
With Gu Ming's position decided, further discussion was unnecessary—the matter was settled.
After leaving the meeting room, Yun Ze and Gu Yuena walked straight out of the Academy and returned to the hotel to rest.
On the neon-lit, traffic-filled streets, the two strolled along, chatting idly.
"By the way," Gu Yuena said, "my teacher Leng Yaozhu has come to Mingdu. She'll be here for a few days—do you want to meet her?"
"She's your teacher. Why should I meet her?" Yun Ze chuckled.
"Her coming to Mingdu has something to do with you, you know," Gu Yuena said with a playful smile, teasingly keeping him in suspense.
"With me?" Yun Ze thought for a moment. "Did Xingyue City report my awakening to her?"
(End of this chapter)