Lin Jiayi massaged his temples, saying with a bit of a headache, "Alright, both of you quiet down for me. This is the Dean's arrangement, and I cannot alter it either."
"Furthermore, although their soul power is generally not high, their strength is very formidable, especially Feng Piaoling. He is already a Class 5 soul engineer."
Yes, Class 5, not Class 6. This was because Feng Piaoling had deliberately asked Xuan Ziwen to help conceal it. After all, if a soul engineer were to exceed their rank by three full classes, anyone with half a brain could deduce that something fishy was going on.
Class 5 was just right.
In this manner, it would showcase his talent and value to Xu Tianran without causing him to become suspicious.
"A Class 5 soul engineer? How is that possible? I recall that Feng Piaoling is only twelve years old, and his soul power hasn't even reached the Soul Elder level," Xiao Hongchen cried out in astonishment.
Meng Hongchen, on the other hand, revealed an intrigued expression. "Now this is interesting. If that's the case, I really want to meet him."
"Regarding this point, I have already received confirmation from Teacher Xuan Ziwen."
Lin Jiayi's words instantly dispelled the doubts of the two. After all, it was impossible for a teacher like Xuan Ziwen to crack this kind of joke.
"Fine. I'd like to see just how much ability he possesses. If he has genuine talent and practical learning, then I don't mind letting him become my teammate. If he doesn't, I'll make him turn right back around and return to wherever he came from."
Xiao Hongchen's expression turned serious.
Having finished speaking, he paid no heed to Lin Jiayi's reaction, turning around to depart.
Meng Hongchen cast a glance at Lin Jiayi and followed closely behind him.
After the siblings left, Jing Hongchen walked out from the inner room. Lin Jiayi said with some worry, "Dean, will this be an issue?"
"No matter. They are young people, after all; it is always better for them to have some competitive drive." Jing Hongchen walked to the window with his hands behind his back, watching his grandson and granddaughter as they gradually receded into the distance. A sly smile emerged on his fleshy, aged face.
....
On the other side, after leaving the Director of Instruction's office, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen headed straight toward the direction of the first-year dormitory.
As Meng Hongchen walked along nonchalantly, she asked casually, "Brother, it's already this late. Are you still going to look for that Feng Piaoling for a soul duel?"
Xiao Hongchen glanced at the bright moon hanging in the sky, raising an eyebrow as he said, "It is indeed a bit late today. Even if I defeat him, there won't be any witnesses. Fine, we'll do it tomorrow then. As for today, let's give him a show of authority first."
"But we still don't know which room he lives in. Besides, it's not very convenient for a girl like me to go to the boys' dormitory," Meng Hongchen noted.
"That's simple. Once we arrive below the first-year dormitory building, we can just find anyone to ask, and then call him down."
As Xiao Hongchen spoke carelessly to his sister, Meng Hongchen suddenly went silent. Looking back, he discovered that she had stopped walking at some unknown point.
She was staring blankly toward the distant right. There, a slender figure was walking with large strides.
The frequency of his steps wasn't particularly fast, yet his pace was remarkably swift.
Even more bizarre was that on this utterly silent plaza, not a single sound accompanied his walking. Had he not been wearing the uniform of the Sun Moon Royal Academy, one might have thought they were seeing a ghost.
Yet what truly captivated Meng Hongchen was clearly not this, but his appearance. He wore an ordinary, standard-issue school uniform of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
A school uniform that appeared somewhat thick and heavy on others served to perfectly accentuate his slender, straight, and flawless physique.
His long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, his pure black eyes were devoid of any impurities, and his high, heroic nose paired with impeccable facial features made it no wonder that Meng Hongchen was so lost in thought.
"Sister," Xiao Hongchen said in a low voice to remind her, unable to watch any longer.
Only then did Meng Hongchen snap out of it. After letting out an "Ah, oh," she said, "Brother, weren't you looking for Feng Piaoling? Looking at that person's uniform, he should be a first-year too. It's perfect to go over and ask him."
As she spoke, she didn't wait for Xiao Hongchen's reply, quickly walking over.
Xiao Hongchen rolled his eyes. This sister of his was perfect in every way—whether it was talent, appearance, or strength, she was impeccable.
But her only weakness was that she had very little resistance against handsome guys.
Fortunately, she still possessed decent standards.
Merely being handsome wasn't enough; he also had to possess sufficient talent and strength.
A short moment later, Meng Hongchen caught up to the youth. "Hey, junior, please wait a moment."
"Is something the matter?"
This person was naturally Feng Piaoling, who had just completed a full day of cultivation. Ever since he finished mastering the knowledge and craftsmanship of a Class 6 soul engineer, he had temporarily halted his studies of soul tools.
He had shifted his primary focus back to his cultivation.
He had long since noticed the pair of Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen, but he had merely assumed they were passing by and paid them no mind. After all, traveling back and forth to the dormitory every day, he had seen plenty of upperclassmen.
Meng Hongchen smiled slightly and said, "It's nothing much. I just wanted to ask you about someone. Do you happen to know a student named Feng Piaoling?"
By this time, Xiao Hongchen had also walked over, though he had no intention of speaking to Feng Piaoling. In his view, this was merely a pretty boy who looked somewhat handsome.
If he lacked strength and talent, his sister would lose interest in him on her own without needing any reminder.
Hearing that they were looking for him, Feng Piaoling subtly inspected the two of them once more, his brow furrowing slightly. "What business do you have with him?"
"It's nothing. Isn't the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament about to begin? We are members of the academy's preparatory team. My name is Meng Hongchen, and this is my brother, Xiao Hongchen. The academy arranged for him to participate in the tournament with us, so we wanted to come over and get to know him in advance."
It was plain to see that Meng Hongchen was truly very patient with Feng Piaoling.
"So that's how it is." The tension in Feng Piaoling's brow completely eased. He was someone who always responded well to gentleness rather than force. Since the other party's attitude was so pleasant, he naturally wouldn't strike a smiling face.
"Mm, mm. By the way, I don't know your name yet?" Meng Hongchen asked with a smile, blinking her eyes as she looked at Feng Piaoling's handsome face right before her.
"Feng Piaoling," he replied calmly, stating his name.
"Oh, so your name is Feng Piaoling. It happens to be the exact same name as the person we are looking for." It was unclear whether Meng Hongchen was genuinely dense or what, but she actually uttered such nonsensical words.
At this point, Xiao Hongchen could no longer watch passively. He glared at his sister, taking a step forward as he said, "So you are Feng Piaoling. Let me formally introduce myself: the captain of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy preparatory team, Xiao Hongchen."
"It seems there is still some time before the tournament begins. Why, Captain Xiao Hongchen, do you have business with me?" Feng Piaoling asked with a calm expression.
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