"Scream. Go on. Weren't you screaming happily just a moment ago?"
Peng Ming looked at Peng Fan with a smile that made his son swallow nervously. That smile didn't reach his eyes. His face was downright terrifying.
"D-Dad..."
Peng Fan forced a weak smile, trying to stay on his father's good side.
"Dad? I'm your father now? Could've fooled me. I thought he was your old man!"
Peng Ming let out a cold snort and jabbed a finger at Lin Jin.
His eldest son's antics had gotten under his skin.
"How did I end up raising a son like you?"
"Whoa, hey—don't look at me." Lin Jin raised his hands in mock defense, a helpless smile on his face.
"I'm still a pure-hearted bachelor. No girlfriend, no kids. Don't drag me into your father-son drama. I've spent years protecting my innocence."
Peng Ming shot him a look—half-amused, half-exasperated.
The idea of Lin Jin being Peng Fan's father was almost laughable.
"Get out. I need to speak with him alone."
Peng Fan glanced at Lin Jin, hesitating. "Should I… go outside, then?"
"Go, go," Lin Jin waved him off with a knowing smile. Things were about to get serious.
Once Peng Fan stepped out, Peng Ming picked up a teacup from the table and took a sip—only to spit it out immediately.
"Ugh! Just tea stalks!"
Lin Jin chuckled awkwardly.
"Heh… the academy's budget is a bit tight. We do what we can."
Peng Ming set the cup down, clearly unimpressed. His expression turned serious as he looked at Lin Jin.
"Dean Lin, no matter how strong you are, I've come to take Peng Fan back."
"Oh?" Lin Jin raised an eyebrow, lounging back.
"And why's that?"
"Do I need a reason?" Peng Ming narrowed his eyes.
"You're a smart man. You know someone like you doesn't belong in a place like this—let alone someone like Fan'er. He's not going to grow here."
He let out a quiet sigh. "I admit, I misjudged his talent; it's disappointing. But I won't give up on him. Still, what future can he have here?"
"This place offers nothing. You're powerful, sure—mysterious even—but that won't help him improve."
He paused, allowing the silence to linger before continuing.
"So I've arranged for Fan'er to transfer to Heaven Dou Royal Junior Spirit Master Academy. It's the best place for his growth."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a pouch.
"And, of course, I'll repay your kindness. I'll donate ten thousand gold coins to the academy. Support your work here."
"What do you say, Dean Lin?"
Lin Jin took a slow sip of his terrible tea, unbothered by the bitter taste that had disgusted Peng Ming.
"Viscount, you're only looking at appearances. How do you know I can't help Peng Fan grow?"
Peng Ming frowned slightly, unsure what Lin Jin meant—until the latter glanced toward the door.
"You little brat," Lin Jin sighed.
"If you're going to eavesdrop, at least learn to do it right."
Click.
The door creaked open and Peng Fan peeked in, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Heh… uh, Dean…"
"Oh, come on! You call that sneaking? You made it so obvious you never left." Lin Jin rolled his eyes.
"Usually you're quick-witted. What happened today?"
Peng Fan's face flushed bright red. He stayed quiet.
Peng Ming's mouth twitched. This boy is usually a little tyrant at home, and now he's suddenly acting all obedient after being scolded twice? Unbelievable.
"Go on—give your hand to your father. Let him check your Spirit power."
"Huh? Oh… okay."
Peng Fan walked over to Peng Ming, a bit confused, and stretched out his hand.
The two of them locked eyes for a moment—father and son. Their features were cut from the same cloth.
"Dean Lin, this is…?"
Peng Ming finally couldn't help but ask.
"You can't tell?" Lin Jin leaned back calmly, entirely at ease, watching as Peng Ming examined Peng Fan's Spirit power.
Peng Ming silently grumbled to himself.
"What's the point? It was hard enough for him to become a Spirit master, and I know they've already checked Peng Fan. He only had first-level innate Spirit power. What more could there be to see?"
Still, he followed Lin Jin's suggestion.
"What if… just maybe… Spirit Hall was wrong? A small flicker of hope stirred in his chest, though even he found it a little pathetic."
He took Peng Fan's wrist, closed his eyes, and began to sense the Spirit power.
A sigh was already forming—as expected, still weak... But then—wait!
Peng Ming's eyes narrowed. His brow furrowed deeply as he focused again.
No… something's different.
His Spirit power has grown by nearly half a level! In just a few days?! How is that possible?
Shock began to ripple through his expression.
He quickly looked up at Lin Jin, hesitating.
"Dean Lin… this…"
"How is it?" Lin Jin grinned with quiet confidence.
"Not bad progress, right?"
Between the academy's aura field and the cultivation room's benefits, he had no doubt this was the best environment for nurturing Spirit masters.
Well... unless you had access to immortal herbs, maybe.
But Peng Ming didn't react with the surprise Lin Jin had expected. Instead, his expression darkened, brow furrowing further. He turned sharply to his son.
"Fan'er! Be honest—how exactly have you been cultivating yourself over the past few days?
Peng Fan blinked, confused. "Just… sitting and meditating, like you told me to."
"And? Nothing else? Nothing unusual—no strange food, pills, or anything?
"I mean, breakfast was just milk and bread. Lunch was mashed potatoes and stew. Dinner… more stew, I guess."
Peng Fan's plain answer threw Peng Ming off.
He'd expected something suspicious, some explanation that made this sudden progress make sense—but this?
Lin Jin gave Peng Ming a pointed look.
"What? Did you think I drugged your son or something?"
Peng Ming froze for a second, realizing what that look meant. His expression turned a little awkward.
"Ah… Dean Lin, I didn't mean to—"
Lin Jin cut him off, his face calm and unreadable.
"If you still want to take Peng Fan, I won't stop you."
Peng Ming...