66: Chapter 66 The Dean's Request

"To tell you the truth, I've been paying attention to you ever since the Martial Arts Exam ended."

Lin Mo withdrew his gaze after letting it linger on her face for a brief moment.

The Dean Zhou Qingyuan before him looked to be around thirty years old. To have reached the position of Dean, she had clearly broken through to level sixty by the time she was about thirty.

This alone was enough to prove that she was no ordinary person.

"Aha, is that so?" Lin Mo smiled, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

"That's right." Dean Zhou Qingyuan nodded, her fingertips lightly tracing the document on the table.

"Later, I checked your background and discovered you were quite the top student. So, now that I know you've formulated a new Soul-Condensing Potion recipe, I'm not too surprised. You have an innate drive for research; you're the stuff masters are made of."

Her tone was sincere, without the slightest hint of deliberate flattery.

Lin Mo could feel that this Dean was truly observing him, rather than just valuing the worth of that potion.

"Dean, you flatter me." Lin Mo reined in his smile, his tone becoming more earnest. "I just happened to think of some different formulation ideas."

"Being able to find a new direction outside of conventional thinking is a skill in itself."

Dean Zhou Qingyuan raised her hand to signal him to sit. "Tell me, what are your thoughts regarding this new recipe?"

Hearing her ask this, Lin Mo guessed that she already had an idea in mind. Not wanting to waste any more mental energy, he said directly, "Dean, you tell me. If it's appropriate, I'll listen to you."

"Good! You are indeed the person I had my eye on."

Dean Zhou Qingyuan nodded approvingly, then said with a serious expression, "I have two proposals: First, register the copyright in your name and then publish the recipe. This way, you can receive a significant amount in copyright fees every year."

"Second, authorize the recipe to the Academy's research institute. We will produce and sell it ourselves, and then give you a share of the profits based on a percentage."

"Is there any difference between these two proposals?" Lin Mo thought both sounded quite good and couldn't make up his mind for a moment.

"Yes!" Professor Yi Nan, who was beside them, interjected, her tone grave.

"The biggest difference is that the first suggestion has the advantage of being safe and stable, and you can also receive official merit points as a reward."

"As for the second, while it could earn you more money than you could ever imagine, you would be targeted by pharmaceutical giants both domestically and abroad, and you might even attract hostility or assassination attempts."

Lin Mo understood instantly—the second proposal was tantamount to moving the cheese of the established giants.

Even with Dean Zhou Qingyuan protecting him, he likely wouldn't be able to fend off the open attacks and hidden arrows.

"I choose the first one!" He didn't hesitate at all.

"Good, Lin Mo, you are very sensible; you haven't been blinded by money."

Dean Zhou Qingyuan let out a sigh of relief; she actually preferred that Lin Mo chose the first one.

Otherwise, with the strength of the Eastern Martial Soul Academy, she really couldn't protect this wealth capable of stirring up storms.

She changed the subject, "Since you've made your decision, there's one thing I must make clear—because this recipe was created in the Academy's research lab, according to the rules, 20% of the copyright fees must go to the Academy. You don't have any objections, do you?"

Lin Mo waved his hand indifferently, "No objections."

It was just an ordinary potion recipe. Once he "fed" all the books in the research lab to the System AI, he might even be able to come up with something better.

"Alright, if you have no objections, sign here."

Dean Zhou Qingyuan handed him a document, "The Academy will handle the rest; you just wait to collect the money."

Lin Mo took the pen and signed his name decisively.

The soft sound of the pen tip sliding across the paper was like a period drawn at the end of this decision.

Sometimes, knowing how to compromise is more important than blindly being greedy for more.

"By the way, Dean, you and that bald guy just now..."

If it were someone else, Lin Mo wouldn't bother asking, but since this matter involved Lu Mengmeng, he had to get to the bottom of it.

Hearing Lin Mo call Vice Dean Liu "bald guy."

Dean Zhou Qingyuan couldn't help but chuckle, then cautioned, "It's fine to say that here, but don't let him hear it, or you'll be in for it."

She reined in her smile and explained, "Actually, it's not a big deal. You know that our Eastern Martial Soul Academy used to be a girls' school. After being promoted to a second-tier academy last year, the Martial Soul Association demanded we cancel the girls' school status and change it into a regular institution."

"This Vice Dean Liu was sent by the Martial Soul Association. He has always wanted to seize power in the Academy, and because of this, he has given me plenty of trouble."

Dean Zhou Qingyuan's tone was flat, as if she were talking about an ordinary matter, but a trace of imperceptible helplessness flashed in her eyes.

It was only because it was Lin Mo that she bothered to explain all this.

Only then did Lin Mo realize that the infighting in the Academy was far more complex than he had seen.

That Vice Dean Liu was targeting Lu Mengmeng, likely not just for the sake of a so-called "strong team," but also because he wanted to use the students' strength to make things difficult for the Dean.

"Then, what he said earlier about moving Lu Mengmeng to Teacher Liu Mugang's team..."

"It was just him trying to undermine me."

Dean Zhou Qingyuan picked up her teacup and took a sip, "Lu Mengmeng was brought by you. He wants to poach her not only to strengthen his own side but also to slap me in the face."

She set down the teacup and looked at Lin Mo, "Don't worry, as long as I am the Dean, I won't let him act recklessly. Your team should train hard. For the University Tournament in three months, show them what you're made of."

Lin Mo nodded, having a clear understanding.

It seemed the competition in this Academy wasn't just a contest between students; even the teachers were secretly vying with each other.

"Since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Lin Mo checked the time and found it was already past nine.

It was time for training with the two beautiful instructors again.

"Mm, go ahead..." Dean Zhou Qingyuan nodded.

Suddenly remembering something, "Oh, right, Lin Mo, I heard you can guide the awakening of Soul Skill?"

Lin Mo was delighted to hear this.

He quickly straightened his back, "That's right. Didn't Teacher An and the others prove that?"

Hearing Lin Mo admit it with her own ears, Dean Zhou Qingyuan's eyes lit up.

"Very good. I would like to ask you to come tonight to help me with my guidance, is that okay?"

Lin Mo was instantly overjoyed.

"No problem, I'll come find you here after class!"

Being able to perform bone-setting on such a charming and graceful Dean, how could he not be excited?

"Good, I'll be waiting for you here after class!" Dean Zhou Qingyuan smiled sweetly.

After Lin Mo left, Professor Yi Nan finally snapped back to reality.

Her mouth slightly agape, she looked bewildered, "Wait, Senior Sister, you're letting this kid guide your Soul Skill awakening?"

"Hehe, don't underestimate him. He is a monster of talent; otherwise, why do you think I treat him this way?"

Professor Yi Nan only then realized.

Just now, her Senior Sister had treated Lin Mo with an approachable attitude the entire time.

"Senior Sister, quickly tell me about this kid..."

...

The sun climbed to the top of the sky.

Dappled light and shadows in the forest filtered through the leaves and fell onto the ground, making one's eyes dizzy.

In the woods.

Four students were sitting cross-legged resting, but none of them could keep their eyes still; they were all glancing toward the distance.

They saw the two instructors being taught hand-in-hand by Lin Mo.

Mu Liuli frowned slightly, unable to suppress the feeling of absurdity in her heart.

"Why do I feel like Lin Mo is the teacher of our team?"

"What's so strange about that?" Lu Mengmeng didn't even lift her head, her tone matter-of-fact.

"My parents are willing to be students when they see Boss!"

"Hehe, I reckon... Brother Mo seems to be taking liberties with the teachers." Niu Dachun chuckled.

"Slap!" A crisp smack landed on the back of his head.

"Ow! Sister Mengmeng, why did you hit me?"

"Hmph, if you dare to slander Boss again, I'll smack you again!" Lu Mengmeng raised her small pink fist and glared at him angrily.

Mu Liuli and Su Xiaoxiao exchanged glances, both seeing speechlessness in the other's eyes.

Lu Mengmeng, are you Lin Mo's dog?

What Da Chun said... doesn't seem wrong, either.

Over there, Lin Mo appeared to be earnestly guiding the two instructors in adjusting their stretching postures to exercise their physiques.

But in the eyes of the four students watching, it looked somewhat different no matter how they viewed it.