"What are they really thinking? What do they want to do?" Tang Fei wondered to himself.
He didn’t believe that Xuanyuan Mingjing truly valued his talent, which is why he wanted to take him as a disciple...
He did have talent, but talent was only one aspect, and not even the most important reason.
There were so many talented and capable students, so why had he only had Shen Xinglan as a disciple for so many years?
"So, what could the real reason be?"
"What do they want to gain from me?"
"But... what do I have to offer? Aside from a handsome appearance and a relatively young body..."
Tang Fei was utterly baffled.
However, things were ultimately moving in a positive direction.
With Great Grandmaster Xuanyuan Mingjing as his mentor, the first thing he had to do was advance his cultivation realm and improve his strength; there was nothing more important than strength.
Secondly, he had become sworn brothers with Shen Xinglan...
Shen Xinglan seemed to be an easy person to get along with, and he had even helped him a lot today.
But, he was also the descendant of his enemy...
A myriad of thoughts tangled like a mess in his mind.
At that moment, Tang Fei’s cell phone, which lay on the table, rang.
Tang Fei picked it up and saw Phoenix’s name displayed.
He pressed the answer button, and Phoenix’s image appeared in the room.
"How do you feel?" Phoenix, also in pajamas but a set of rather conservative white loungewear revealing nothing substantial, asked, "Have you settled in yet?"
"Pretty good, my classmates are very nice to me," Tang Fei said with a smile.
He and Phoenix had been staying in the hospital until a few days ago because he needed to report to school, so he checked out early. However, judging by Phoenix’s background, it looked like she was still in the hospital.
They used to chat every day at the hospital, and now they video chatted after he left...
It almost felt like they were lovers.
"That’s good. I was worried you might have conflicts with your classmates." Phoenix said with a grin, "Did they assign you a mentor? Who is your teacher?"
"Xuanyuan Mingjing," Tang Fei said.
"Xuanyuan Mingjing is the dean. I was asking about your mentor...." Phoenix suddenly widened her eyes at Tang Fei, saying, "You mean... Xuanyuan Mingjing became your mentor?"
"Yes," Tang Fei nodded seriously, his face showing a hint of modest pride.
"How is that possible? Xuanyuan Mingjing hasn’t taken any disciples for many years... Why would he take you as his disciple? The academy wouldn’t arrange that either."
"Because I am excellent," Tang Fei boasted, saying, "He cherishes talent, and I just happen to be the talent he needs...."
However, Phoenix’s smile faded as she looked at Tang Fei and said, "Tell me the sequence of events, and let’s analyze what’s really happening."
Tang Fei nodded and began recounting everything from when he first initiated his request upon reporting to the school, to Xuanyuan Mingjing’s assessment, his opinions about him, and the things they discussed over dinner and drinks....
Phoenix listened quietly, occasionally asking a question.
When Tang Fei had finished, he looked at her and asked, "Why do you think he took me as his disciple?"
Phoenix smirked as she squinted her eyes and said, "Didn’t you say it already? Because you’re excellent."
After hanging up the phone, the smile slowly faded from Phoenix’s face, as if she had fallen into deep thought.
"Hey, there’s still a living person here," Sheng Xinhua, sitting in a corner drinking, noticed Phoenix’s dazed and foolish state after the video call and said, "What happened? You’ve turned into a statue pining for her husband..."
"I haven’t. I’m just thinking about something..." Phoenix responded, slightly annoyed.
"About what?" Sheng Xinhua asked as he walked over with a bottle of alcohol, asking, "Do you want a drink?"
Phoenix reached out to take it but quickly retracted her hand, saying annoyed, "I’m still sick, how could I drink?"
"Your minor injuries were healed long ago, with Doctor Qin Luo around, what problem can’t be solved?" Sheng Xinhua said with a knowing look, adding, "Drink if you want to drink, or I will finish this bottle myself. You have no idea how hard it is for me to get a bottle around here..."
"I’ve been wondering about that too. I heard that everyone who comes in has to be searched; how did you manage to bring in alcohol?"
"I couldn’t bring it in, of course," Sheng Xinhua replied. "I went straight to Guan Xinchao; I said I know you have alcohol hidden in your office, give me a bottle or I’ll report you... Guan Xinchao had no choice but to share his stash with me..."
"You dare to blackmail the dean for alcohol?"
"What else can we do?" Sheng Xinhua glanced at Phoenix and added, "I can’t take Tang Fei’s place or fill the void in your body..."
"Alright, alright, to the point." Knowing that Phoenix was sensitive and would get angry if he continued, Sheng Xinhua changed the subject, "What really happened? I heard you two talking about Tang Fei being taken as a disciple by Xuanyuan Mingjing. Isn’t that a good thing? Why the long face?"
"I think Xuanyuan Mingjing has ulterior motives," Phoenix stated.
"Oh? Is he fond of Dragon?" Sheng Xinhua’s eyes sparkled as he said, "No wonder he first chose Shen Xinglan and then Tang Fei... Both of them are exceptionally good-looking; Shen Xinglan is handsome and Tang Fei is graceful... But why does this man always compete with you for men? I’ll go online later and criticize him..."
"People aren’t as sordid as you, always thinking about such things," Phoenix responded irritably. "I know a bit about Xuanyuan Mingjing, and although he’s a Great Grandmaster, he also understands worldly matters... Why would he suddenly take Tang Fei as a disciple after so many years? What does he want from Tang Fei?"
"What could Tang Fei possibly possess that a Great Grandmaster would covet enough to scheme to snatch away?" Sheng Xinhua asked back.
Phoenix thought for a while and then said, "Nothing."
Although she also felt her ideas were a bit absurd, she genuinely believed Xuanyuan Mingjing had an ulterior motive...
There must be a demon behind the abnormal!
If a person is abnormal, there must be mischief!
"That settles it then? As for the Great Grandmaster, his whole body is a treasure. Seeing how well I know Tang Fei, he probably drools in his sleep thinking about the Great Grandmaster..."