629 A Marital Arrangement! (1/2)

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.