Chapter 214 Dean of the Inner Court of Sky Dome Academy?

Su Yuntian departed, looking quite pleased with himself.

In the courtyard outside the hall, the remaining seven or eight leaders representing various small and medium-sized forces waited with increasing urgency and expectation, entering the hall in an invisible order to pay their respects.

Most of these people were prominent figures from several districts in the provincial capital or presidents of medium-sized chambers of commerce, with strengths mostly ranging from the Peak of Diamond to the Early Stage of Falling Star Rank.

Although the gifts they brought were not as shocking as those from the first-rate or hidden forces before, they were still quite substantial, often involving tens of thousands of spirit crystals, hundreds of millions of federal currency, or carefully selected rare Materials and high-level potions.

Their purpose was very pure.

They wanted to become a familiar Face before Grand Elder Dong Xuan, leave a good impression, and express their most sincere respect.

Jiang Yun received them one by one.

His attitude was gentle yet maintained an appropriate distance; he accepted the gifts and gave a few words of encouragement or promises that if there were simple appraisal needs in the future...

...he would give them priority consideration, along with other polite remarks.

And with that, it was done.

These forces did not ask for much.

Naturally, he would not give too much either.

About another half-hour passed this way. When the last person, a fat president from a material chamber of commerce, exited with profuse thanks, the hall finally regained its temporary peace.

Jiang Yun let out a soft sigh of relief.

He had received over a dozen groups of people in a row.

Even with his powerful Mental Energy...

...he felt a trace of fatigue.

He was just about to get up to stretch...

...and have a sip of tea, when he saw the hall door being pushed open gently once more.

A figure walked in slowly; the newcomer wore an elegant long robe, had a thin, refined Face, hair as white as snow, and eyes that were wise and peaceful. A faint, indifferent smile that seemed to see through the world played at the corners of his mouth.

It was actually the Vice Dean of Sky Dome Academy, Vice Dean Ming Jing!

Jiang Yun was slightly surprised.

Given Vice Dean Ming Jing's status and strength, as well as Sky Dome Academy's position as a top-tier institution directly under the Federation, he should have been among the first group of top-tier existences to enter, along with Shi Potian, Qian Guangquan, Yun Xi, and the others.

Yet he had actually waited until now, until all the prominent forces had finished their talks, before entering unhurriedly.

This composed patience and unique way of doing things caused Jiang Yun to immediately sharpen his focus.

“Dean Ming Jing, please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner.”

Jiang Yun stood up.

His attitude was a few degrees more solemn than it had been toward the previous leaders of those forces.

“Young friend Dong Xuan is too polite; it is I who am intruding.”

Dean Ming Jing sat down opposite Jiang Yun with a chuckle, observing him with a gentle gaze.

“Your performance today has truly opened the eyes of this old man. A sixteen years old Grand Tutor, and a Grand Elder to boot—this level of achievement, let alone in S Province, is something I fear you wouldn't find a second of even looking across the entire Human Federation's younger generation. The youth are to be feared; truly to be feared.”

“The Dean overpraises me; this Junior was merely a bit lucky.”

Jiang Yun responded politely.

In his heart, he was guessing the Vice Dean's intention for coming.

The other party had clearly not come simply to offer congratulations.

As expected.

After some simple pleasantries...

...Dean Ming Jing's smile faded, his expression became a bit more serious, and he stated his purpose directly.

“Young friend Dong Xuan, my visit today, besides offering congratulations, is actually to represent Sky Dome Academy in extending a formal invitation to you.”

“Oh? Please speak, Dean.”

Jiang Yun sat up straight.

“My Sky Dome Academy, as the highest institution of the Federation in S Province, has many specialized professional inner courts aimed at cultivating top talents in various fields for the Human Federation and protecting humanity.”

Dean Ming Jing said slowly:

“Among them is the Appraiser Inner Court. This inner court aims to systematically teach appraisal knowledge, cultivate new appraisal talents, and also undertake some internal or external collaborative appraisal research projects.”

He paused, looking directly at Jiang Yun.

“Currently, the position of Inner Court Dean is temporarily vacant, with a High Grade Rank Two Appraiser Elder acting as the host. However, after many discussions among the academy's upper management, we believe that given Sky Dome Academy's standards and future development plans, the Dean of the Appraiser Inner Court should be personally overseen by a Grand Tutor Level Great Master. Only then can it be worthy of its name and attract and cultivate truly top-tier appraisal talent.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yun's heart stirred.

He raised his own doubt.

“Dean, forgive me for being blunt. There should be no fewer than ten High-Grade Appraisers in the provincial capital. For teaching students and imparting basic appraisal knowledge and experience, the attainments of a High-Grade Appraiser should be more than sufficient. Why must it be a Grand Tutor Level? This seems... a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?”

This was a reasonable question.

Grand Tutor Level Appraisers held a revered status and their time was precious; they usually focused more on high-difficulty appraisals, their own research, or serving top-tier forces. Very few were willing to spend a lot of time at an academy lecturing and leading students.

Besides, if Jiang Yun were to teach... he didn't know how to teach!

Others relied on the accumulation of knowledge and rote memorization.

He relied directly on talent!

Could such a thing be taught? Obviously not... Dean Ming Jing seemed to have anticipated Jiang Yun's question.

A prepared and persuasive smile appeared on his Face.

“Young friend, you are mistaken. There are three reasons.”

“First: reputation and benchmarking.”

“The goal of Sky Dome Academy's Appraiser Inner Court is not merely to produce qualified Middle or High-Grade Appraisers, but to cultivate elites with the potential to reach for the Grand Tutor Level or even higher! Having a Grand Tutor Level Dean in charge is itself the best advertisement and role model. It can greatly enhance the inner court's reputation and appeal, attracting the most gifted appraisal prospects from the entire province and even surrounding provinces to apply.”

“Second: resources and projects.”

“Many high-level appraisal research projects, collaborations for ancient ruin exploration, and even exchange opportunities with the Central State General Academy have rigid requirements for the Appraiser Rank of the person in charge. Without being Grand Tutor Level, one doesn't even have the qualification to apply for many core projects, and the academy would miss out on a vast amount of precious resources and cutting-edge information as a result.”

“Third, and most importantly.”

Dean Ming Jing's expression became solemn.

“It involves the academy's own Aptitude rating and resource allocation. The Federation has a strict Rank evaluation System for the various disciplines of its direct academies. If the Appraiser discipline wants to be rated as Grade A and receive the corresponding top-tier federal resource tilt and support, the Appraiser Rank of its discipline leader must be Grand Tutor Level! This is a hard metric! Currently, our academy's appraisal discipline is only Grade B+, its resources are limited, and its development is slow. If you are willing to serve as the Dean, I have confidence that within three years, I can push our academy's appraisal discipline to Grade A!”

So that was it!

Realization dawned on Jiang Yun.

This wasn't just a matter of Face; it concerned the very real academy ratings, resource distribution, and development prospects!

Sky Dome Academy needed a Grand Tutor to prop up the facade and qualifications of the appraisal discipline to obtain more support from the federal government.

This reason was logically clear and carried significant weight.

Seeing Jiang Yun fall into thought...

...Dean Ming Jing added another sentence.

“The one currently acting for the inner court's affairs is a High Grade Rank Two Appraiser Elder of our academy named Vice Dean Yan Song. You must have some impression of him from today's assessment.”

Vice Dean Yan Song?

Jiang Yun's brow twitched under his mask.

Of course he had an impression!

Wasn't that the one on the Wanjian Heavenly Altar...

...who had echoed Gu He, repeatedly speaking out to question and mock him, and who finally looked ashen-faced after being slapped hard by the facts—that High Grade Rank Two Peak Appraiser?

He hadn't expected...

...that he was actually the acting Dean of Sky Dome Academy's Appraiser Inner Court.

Seeing the slight change in Jiang Yun's expression...

...a flash of understanding crossed Dean Ming Jing's wise eyes. He let out a soft sigh, his tone carrying a trace of apology and helplessness.

“Although I did not observe the entire matter on the Wanjian Heavenly Altar, I have heard a bit about it. Elder Vice Dean Yan Song is... arrogant. He has been immersed in the Dao of appraisal for over a hundred years and has been stuck at a Bottleneck for a long time. Suddenly seeing a Junior as young and talented as you, his mindset became unbalanced, leading to many offensive words and actions. This matter is also due to my Sky Dome Academy's lack of strict discipline.”

He paused and said sincerely:

“To be honest, my visit today is also to take this opportunity to apologize on his behalf and hope to resolve this grievance. Elder Vice Dean Yan Song... after this incident, must have deeply realized his own mistakes and limitations.”

As he spoke...

...Dean Ming Jing did not wait for Jiang Yun's response.

Instead, he raised his voice slightly...

...and said calmly toward the hall door: “Come in.”

The hall door was pushed open again in response.

A figure, hunched over and head bowed, shuffled in with heavy, slow steps.

It was precisely that Great Master Vice Dean Yan Song, who had been high-spirited before but was now ashen-faced with dodging eyes!

As soon as he entered the hall...

...his gaze didn't even dare to meet Jiang Yun's. He walked straight to a spot three to five paces in front of Jiang Yun.

With a thud, he actually knelt down on both knees, touching his head to the floor. His voice trembled beyond recognition out of fear, shame, and regret.

“Jun... Junior Vice Dean Yan Song had eyes but could not see! I did not recognize Mount Tai! Today at the Wanjian Heavenly Altar, I was disrespectful to Senior Dong Xuan and spoke wildly. It was truly... truly a capital offense! This Junior knows he was wrong! Truly knows he was wrong!”

As he spoke...

...he tremblingly took out two items from his robe and held them high above his head with both hands.

One was an Advanced storage ring.

The other...

...was an inner armor shaped like a small tortoise shell that emitted a soft pale golden light. It was full of Spiritual Qi, clearly a defensive treasure of excellent quality.

Most Appraisers had relatively low cultivation levels.

They would basically prepare many defensive treasures for self-protection.

Even many Beast Tamers would do the same...

...to prevent themselves from being targeted by sneak attacks.

It was considered a life-saving measure.

This was not surprising.

“In this Storage Pouch are this Junior's... this Junior's life savings of five million Attribute Spirit Crystals! This mystic tortoise spirit armor is an eclipsing moon grade defensive treasure this Junior obtained in his early years; it is enough to withstand several full-strength attacks from a Falling Star Rank powerhouse! This Junior... this Junior is willing to offer these two items to Senior to express my apologies! I only beg... only beg that Senior can be magnanimous and forgive this Junior's previous ignorance and arrogance! This Junior... this Junior will never dare to offend Senior in the slightest again!”

Five million spirit crystals!

An eclipsing moon grade defensive treasure!

Jiang Yun's heart was shaken once more.

This Vice Dean Yan Song was indeed filthy rich!

A High-Grade Appraiser could actually produce such a massive compensatory gift so casually!

It seemed the profession of Appraiser, regardless of the level, was a properly wealthy one.

He looked at Vice Dean Yan Song, who was kneeling on the ground, his body slightly trembling, a completely different person from before. Then he looked at Dean Ming Jing opposite him, whose expression was calm as if everything was under control.

Clearly...

...Dean Ming Jing bringing Vice Dean Yan Song here was both to apologize and resolve the enmity, and also to demonstrate Sky Dome Academy's sincerity and disciplinary capability.

This Face...

...he had to give.

After all, Sky Dome Academy had a deep background, and the Vice Dean had personally come to mediate.

But... it couldn't be given too easily.

Since the other party needed something from him and was in the wrong first, wasn't this a good opportunity to fight for more benefits for himself?

Jiang Yun's mind raced...

...but he remained outwardly impassive.

He gave a faint glance at Vice Dean Yan Song, who was prostrate on the ground, his tone flat and devoid of emotion, making it impossible to tell if he was angry or pleased.

“Elder Vice Dean Yan Song, please rise.”

“As for the previous matter, since Dean Ming Jing has stepped forward and you have recognized your mistake and repented, this matter... shall end here.”

“You may take back the spirit crystals. I will accept this treasure as a form of punishment.”

Jiang Yun didn't even know what attributes these spirit crystals were.

If they were useless, taking them would serve no purpose.

If he were to sell them...

...it would be too beneath his current status.

This treasure, however, was a good thing; he could certainly keep it as a life-saving measure for the future.

As he spoke, Jiang Yun took the treasure away.

This move of his both gave Face to Dean Ming Jing and displayed his own magnanimity.

Upon hearing this, Vice Dean Yan Song felt as if he had received a great pardon and kowtowed repeatedly.

“Thank you, Senior! Thank you for your magnanimity, Senior!”

He didn't dare to actually take the things back; he continued to hold the Advanced storage ring, looking at Dean Ming Jing at a loss.

A trace of a helpless smile flashed in Dean Ming Jing's eyes; he had clearly heard the underlying meaning in Jiang Yun's words.

He waved his hand.

“Elder Yan, since Elder Dong Xuan has forgiven you, you may rise. The items... since they are a gift of apology, how can they be taken back? Just leave them. You may head out first; I still have important matters to discuss with Elder Dong Xuan.”

“Yes! Yes!”

Vice Dean Yan Song hurriedly placed the Storage Ring respectfully on the table beside Jiang Yun, then gave a bow each to Jiang Yun and Ming Jing. Only then did he back out of the hall with a hunched back, almost at a run, as if there were a primordial beast behind him.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Yun was also somewhat stunned.

It seemed he couldn't refuse even if he didn't want it!

He sighed in his heart.

It would be hard to bargain with Dean Ming Jing in a moment.

Jiang Yun thought...

...that perhaps this Dean Ming Jing had already seen through his intentions!

Looking at the storage ring...

...he thought it was fine to keep it!

Even though he didn't know what Attribute Spirit Crystals were inside!

It was still a terrifying amount of wealth.

Even if he couldn't use them, he could take them to trade and exchange with others.

Thus, Jiang Yun could only accept the storage ring.

Only Jiang Yun and Ming Jing remained in the hall once more.

“Your broad-mindedness is admirable, young friend.”

Dean Ming Jing praised him once again.

He pulled the topic back to the main point.

“So, regarding my previous proposal to invite you to serve as the Dean of our Sky Dome Academy's Appraiser Inner Court, what do you think?”

Jiang Yun did not answer immediately.

Instead, he let out a soft sigh, his Face showing a perfectly timed look of difficulty, his tone carrying a trace of heart-to-heart helplessness.

“I am deeply grateful for Dean Ming Jing's high regard. Sky Dome Academy is a pillar of the Federation; to be able to serve the academy is this Junior's honor.”

He changed the subject.

“It's just... as the Dean has seen, today I have just accepted the cooperation and invitations from several families like the Qian family, the War Beast Sect, and the Huang Family. I myself also hold the title of Grand Elder of the Appraisers Guild. Although the affairs are not complex, with more titles comes unavoidable entanglement. This position of Inner Court Dean carries great responsibility; it requires preaching and teaching, which consumes mental effort and time... This Junior is young and has shallow experience; I fear I lack the ability and might delay the academy's great affairs.”

These words...

...seemed like a humble refusal, but in reality, every sentence was a hint.

I am very busy, I have many identities, I am very important—if you want me to be the Dean, the price cannot be low.

What kind of person was Dean Ming Jing?

He was an old fox; how could he not hear the underlying meaning in Jiang Yun's words?

Not only was he not annoyed, but a look of even greater appreciation appeared on his Face.

This was how a negotiation should be.

He wasn't afraid of you setting conditions; he was only afraid of you not being interested.

“You are too modest, young friend.”

Dean Ming Jing said with a beaming smile.

“With your ability, holding several positions concurrently is something you can do with ease. As for time and energy... the academy does not require you to be present every day. You only need to set aside one or two days a month to give a few public lectures for the inner court students, give some pointers to promising prospects, or host one or two important appraisal projects every quarter. The specific affairs will naturally be handled by the Vice Deans and many tutors.”

He paused.

He threw out the real bargaining chip.

His voice was clear and steady.

“As for the remuneration... as long as you are willing to hold the title and fulfill the basic duties mentioned above, my Sky Dome Academy is willing to offer 2 million Attribute Spirit Crystals every month as the Inner Court Dean's monthly stipend. Additionally, all resources, facilities, and research results within the academy can be used or consulted by you with priority through your status as Dean. You will also be entitled to a corresponding share of the additional federal resources obtained from the academy's future Rank increases.”

Two million spirit crystals!

Every month!

Even though Jiang Yun was already mentally prepared...

...he was still startled by this number!

This was directly four times the 500,000 from the War Beast Sect and the Huang Family!

Sky Dome Academy truly lived up to being directly under the Federation.

They were truly wealthy and powerful!

He felt embarrassed to ask for more!

Under the mask...

...Jiang Yun's breathing quickened imperceptibly for a moment, and a flash of fiery light crossed the depths of his eyes.

Resources! More massive amounts of resources!

Jiang Yun sighed inwardly!

Just from this one trip...

...the future of Little Fire and Little Skylark was becoming increasingly bright!