A World Worth Protecting

Upon hearing Wang Baole’s instructions, the giant tree took his leave and went searching for Zhou Mei. He explained the situation briefly to the young woman, who was clearly nervous. She looked like a child who had just done something wrong.

The giant tree knew the teacher-student relationship between Wang Baole and Zhou Mei, so he stood patiently at one side and didn’t rush her. After a long moment, Zhou Mei finally took a deep breath. There was determination in her eyes as she followed the giant tree to Wang Baole’s palace.

When she entered the palace and saw Wang Baole sitting at the end of the hall, the anxiety in Zhou Mei’s heart surged. It was intermingled with excitement and respect as she bowed and greeted Wang Baole.

“Zhou Mei, your humble disciple, greets the dean.”

Wang Baole studied the young woman before him. Zhou Mei had clearly matured. Her cultivation had improved, and as a result, the muscular body that she had gotten from practicing Wang Baole’s Heaven Devouring Skill had slimmed down considerably. Regardless, her physical strength was clearly greater than others at the same cultivation realm.

This was a result of the cultivation technique that Wang Baole had taught them. Zhou Mei wasn’t the only one who had benefited from it. His original batch of students were now allocated to various departments in the Federation, and their physical strength was greater than others at the same cultivation realm. Wang Baole’s growing fame and reputation meant that his students’ respect towards him had grown stronger instead of weaker all these years.

Zhou Mei was no exception. She greeted Wang Baole excitedly and had addressed him as dean, which brought back many memories. He sighed and raised his right hand, and with a wave of his hand, a sudden gentle force lifted her to her feet.

“It’s been quite a few years since we last saw each other. You’ve grown. This is my oversight. I wouldn’t have known that you were here in the Dao Palace if I hadn’t seen your name.” Wang Baole stared at Zhou Mei and sighed. He was experiencing a strange sensation. He wasn’t that old himself, but now, seeing his student before him, he suddenly felt old.

Perhaps I’ve really grown old? Wang Baole instinctively patted his tummy. It had grown quite chubby.

“The dean is the Grand Supreme Elder of the Dao Palace and busy with administrative matters. Your humble disciple understands that. In truth, your humble disciple is too ashamed to face the dean,” Zhou Mei bit her lips and whispered.

The feeling she had towards Wang Baole was rather special. Their relationship felt like one between a parent and child, yet it wasn’t exactly that. He was the teacher who had taught her. Without Wang Baole, Zhou Mei wouldn’t have gotten to where she was now. She would have remained meek and timid like she had been. Wang Baole had changed her fate and the fates of her schoolmates.

Wang Baole had been the one who had taught them confidence and the power of unity. Wang Baole himself wasn’t aware of how his swift progression had united the students he had taught then. They identified themselves as Wang Baole’s faction, forming a new force across the various departments in the Federation.

Their faction was still newly formed, but one could imagine the influence it was going to have in the future as they developed further in their careers!

Their seniors had also formed a strong foundation in the Federation, and Mars was a clear indication of their strong presence!

That was why Zhou Mei had chosen to enter the Ethereal Dao College after graduating from the Dao Mountain Mist Academy. However, the fates were mysterious. She hadn’t realized then that she might one day fall in love with Li Wuchen, her senior and past enemy.

That was why she had been too ashamed to pay a visit to Wang Baole!

Wang Baole stared at Zhou Mei thoughtfully. He didn’t immediately mention Li Wuchen and started by asking Zhou Mei about the other students and how they were doing. Zhou Mei slowly relaxed and stopped being so nervous. Then, with a smiling face, he asked gently.

“Zhou Mei, this thing between you and Li Wuchen…” Wang Baole left his sentence hanging while staring seriously into Zhou Mei’s eyes.

Zhou Mei immediately became nervous under Wang Baole’s gaze, and as she listened to Wang Baole’s hidden question in his words, shock and fear colored her face. Her voice began to tremble, and she started stammering.

“Dean, I… about this matter…”

Wang Baole’s face grew dark as Zhou Mei grew nervous and began to stammer. He thought the worst and said suddenly.

“Did Li Wuchen try to make things difficult for you after you entered the Ethereal Dao College? Did he do anything despicable? That must be it. This Li Wuchen, how dare he!” Wang Baole smacked the handle of his seat. He unleashed a fearsome aura, then yelled at the giant tree, who had been standing in a corner.

“Fellow Daoist Osmanthus, go get Li Wuchen for me!”

“No, that’s not it!” Zhou Mei’s face turned pale before the giant tree could say anything. She stumbled forward hurriedly, tears filling her eyes as her face was colored with concern and fear. It was clear that she was worried. Wang Baole could see that. He sighed, then waved his hand and got the giant tree to stay put. Then, he rubbed his forehead and looked at Zhou Mei, who had lowered her head.

A long moment later, Wang Baole spoke again.

“Zhou Mei, tell me, are you really in love with Li Wuchen? Are you very certain you want to become Dao partners with him?”

“Stop trying to hide the truth from me. If you are, then you are. If you aren’t, then you aren’t.” Wang Baole’s voice lost its fierce quality. It was as if he had become the dean of the Dao Mountain Mist Academy again.

Zhou Mei blushed and lowered her head in thought. Then, she replied meekly.

“Yes!”

Wang Baole fell silent, then shook his head and smiled. Since both of them were willing parties in this romance, there was no need for him to continue observing them. They would eventually become partners in the future.

His interference would simply make the relationship official sooner. As a Dao Disciple, if Li Wuchen became Dao partners with someone from the Federation, this would further cement the alliance between the Federation and the Dao Palace.

Of course, what was most important was that both of them truly held feelings for each other, as it would be meaningless if one party was unwilling to commit.

At that thought, Wang Baole observed Zhou Mei for a while longer and concluded that she did indeed have feelings for Li Wuchen. He had come to a decision and said suddenly, “Fellow Daoist Osmanthus, please have Li Wuchen brought here.”

Zhou Mei still seemed worried, but Wang Baole’s polite tone made her sigh with relief. She kept her head down and stood there quietly. Her heart raced. She was a smart woman, and she knew what her dean was trying to do.

This was the first time Wang Baole was playing matchmaker, and it was a refreshing experience. He smiled and teased Zhou Mei, then began chatting about Jin Duozhi. He was surprised to find out that Jin Duozhi hadn’t returned to the Trilunaris Corporation after graduation but had joined the military on the lunar base.

The two of them chatted for a while before the efficient giant tree led Li Wuchen to Wang Baole’s palace. Li Wuchen hadn’t wanted to go, but the giant tree had told him that Zhou Mei was there, so Li Wuchen could only sigh secretly and follow the giant tree.

As soon as he entered the halls, he saw Wang Baole sitting at the end, chatting merrily with Zhou Mei. The sight filled his heart with a myriad of emotions. He knew that Zhou Mei was Wang Baole’s disciple, and he also knew that they couldn’t hide their relationship from Wang Baole.

Embarrassment and awareness of their past conflict made Li Wuchen nervous and fraught with anxiety. Right after Li Wuchen had entered the halls, before he could extend his greetings, the expression on Wang Baole’s face immediately turned icy cold. He said coolly, “Li Wuchen, what you have between you and Zhou Mei ends today. I don’t wish for you to bother my disciple in the future. If you do so, I’ll kill you!” As soon as Wang Baole said that, shock flashed across Zhou Mei’s face.

“Dean, you…”

Li Wuchen froze. His breathing grew heavy, and his face turned pale. Then, he saw the look on Zhou Mei’s face and heard what she had tried to say. It was as if he was suddenly infused with power. He ignored his nervousness and his anxiety and marched forward with determination and hostility in his eyes.

“Elder Wang, this is between Mei’er and me. You might have been her teacher, but that doesn’t give you the right to stop…”

“I can guarantee your advancement to the perfected Core Formation realm within a year. I can even guarantee your entry into the Nascent Art Chamber so that you can have a chance at attaining the Nascent Soul realm!”

“However, if you don’t agree to do as I say, I can make life difficult for you even if you belong to the Dao Palace. You’ll die in the sword body. Li Wuchen, you know what you must do. Think it through and give me your answer.” Wang Baole’s voice was cold, and violence filled the air. The entire palace was weighed down by a certain heaviness. Then, he raised his right hand and pointed at Zhou Mei. A spell flared into being and sealed Zhou Mei’s lips. She couldn’t speak and could only worry silently.

Li Wuchen’s face grew paler, and the fury in his eyes intensified. He glared at Wang Baole unblinkingly and forced his answer out without hesitation.

“Wang Baole, my answer is… no!”

Wang Baole rolled his eyes. He had to admit that he had been overly dramatic, but he had no choice, as that was how the television dramas playing in the Federation all unfolded. He believed there must be a reason for that. He listened to Li Wuchen’s answer and eyed him seriously. He came to a conclusion. He smacked the handle of his seat, then rose to his feet. As he spoke, his voice rang out, heavy with authority.

“No? So be it. I’ll make the decision for the both of you right now. Your union will be held inside this palace. You will become Dao partners, inseparable in both life and death!

“Li Wuchen, do you consent?”