That day.
Ian Song was drinking alone by the window on the third floor of a restaurant, his gaze casually sweeping over the street below, when he spotted a group arriving on horseback.
"What is she doing in Giant Jupi City?"
Ian was a little surprised, because he saw Hannah Dongli Frost. Compared to before, her cultivation had now reached the early Deity Transformation realm.
Coincidentally, Hannah Dongli Frost seemed to sense something, suddenly turning around to spot Ian Song sitting in the restaurant.
The next moment, she floated off her winged mount, passed through the window, and landed inside the restaurant, sitting directly across from Ian.
"Why did you come to Giant Jupi City?"
Hannah Dongli Frost asked bluntly. She was wearing a long blue dress today.
"I came because I felt like it!"
Ian Song replied with a smile.
"Tch!" Hannah Dongli Frost rolled her eyes. "So you’re not Yvonne Jiang’s bodyguard anymore?"
"Yeah," Ian Song nodded.
"Then come be my bodyguard!" Hannah Dongli Frost invited.
"Not interested!"
Ian Song shook his head.
Just then, a tall, handsome young man in luxurious clothes entered the restaurant, walked straight over to Ian, fixed him with an unfriendly stare, and asked, "Hanshuang, who is he?"
"My friend," Hannah Dongli Frost replied.
The young man urged, "If you want to catch up, do it later. Visiting Uncle Xicheng is important—don’t waste time, let’s go!"
The young man urged, "If you want to catch up, do it later. Visiting Uncle Xicheng is important—don’t waste time, let’s go!"
Hannah Dongli Frost replied.
Hannah Dongli Frost said irritably, then tossed a jade pendant to Ian Song. "Keep it. I’ll come find you another day!"
Seeing this, the young man’s expression turned slightly cold.
"Let’s go. What are you still doing here?"
Hannah Dongli Frost urged.
The young man glared at Ian Song before finally turning to leave. But he sent a voice transmission into Ian’s ear: "Kid, you’d better stay away from Hanshuang, or you’ll regret it!"
Ian Song didn’t respond—there was really no need.
But just then, Hannah Dongli Frost sent another voice transmission: "Don’t put that jade pendant in your storage ring, or I won’t let you off!"
Ian Song picked up the jade pendant and examined it; inside was a positioning formation.
After thinking for a moment, he put the jade pendant into his storage ring anyway.
To Ian Song, they were just passing acquaintances—he didn’t want to get too entangled with her.
That night, at the City Lord’s Manor.
Hannah Dongli Frost took out a jade pendant and infused it with true qi, but found it completely unresponsive. She couldn’t help cursing, clearly realizing Ian Song hadn’t followed her instructions to keep the pendant on him.
"Does he really think I care that much about him? Next time I see that guy, I’ll make sure he regrets it!" Hannah Dongli Frost thought angrily.
In the days that followed,
Ian Song didn’t go out; he spent his time instructing the three kids in cultivation.
All three had great fortune and strong comprehension; they improved rapidly each day. Even Yinyin had already reached the Innate realm.
For a moment, Ian Song hesitated, wondering whether he should bring his wife and child over.
After all, the Frontier Wastes Continent wasn’t really suitable for cultivation.
But there was no rush—he’d only left the Frontier Wastes Continent less than a year ago. He planned to wait until he reached the Immortal realm before bringing them over.
A few more days passed.
Finally, Ian Song left his courtyard, only to find most people on the streets discussing the same thing.
Namely, Heavenly Tome Academy in Giant Jupi City was recruiting new students.
Heavenly Tome Academy was one of the three top academies of the Great Jin Imperial Court.
One of its branches was located in the Imperial Capital.
Another was in a Heaven-grade city, and the last one was right here in Giant Jupi City.
Ian immediately understood why Hannah Dongli Frost had appeared; she was likely here to join Heavenly Tome Academy!
The academy's entry requirements were high: applicants had to be under fifty years old and already at the Deity Transformation realm or above.
Reportedly, the dean of the academy was an early Tribulation powerhouse, and all the instructors were Void Fusion experts.
Ian wondered, 'Does Heavenly Tome Academy recruit teachers?'
If they did, he could fish for some luck, and get the chance to meet the dean and scan his cultivation method for his system.
With this thought, Ian headed straight for Heavenly Tome Academy.
The main gate was guarded by attendants.
Ordinary people couldn’t get in at all.
"What do you want?"
The attendant stopped Ian Song.
"Is your academy recruiting teachers? I’m here to apply for a teaching position!"
Ian Song said.
"With just you?" The attendants looked at Ian Song with disdain.
"That’s right, just me!"
As his words fell, Ian Song released his aura—a late Void Fusion pressure crashed down on the attendants, leaving their faces pale and their breathing labored.
Just as they were about to collapse, Ian Song withdrew his aura.
"S-sorry, sir!" The attendant who had questioned Ian Song hurriedly apologized, flustered.
"Never mind! Go report inside!"
Ian Song waved his hand, not bothering to argue with the group of attendants.
"Please wait a moment, sir!"
That attendant hurried off to report to the academy.
Soon after, the attendant returned, bringing with him a long-legged woman in black robes.
"Sir, this is Assistant Instructor Ding Xiang from the academy!"
The attendant introduced her to Ian Song.
"Hello, Assistant Instructor Ding. I’m Ian Song, here to apply for a teaching position at the academy," Ian Song said with a smile and a nod.
This assistant instructor was at late Deity Transformation, barely qualifying as an expert.
"Hello, Ian Song!"
Daisy Ding looked Ian Song up and down, but couldn’t see through his cultivation. She grew cautious, secretly guessing he was probably a Void Fusion powerhouse.
"Fellow Daoist Song, please come with me!"
"Alright!"
Ian Song nodded and followed Daisy Ding.
Soon, under Daisy Ding’s lead, they arrived at a large office.
"Vice Dean Han, this is Fellow Daoist Ian Song, here to apply as a teacher. Fellow Daoist Song, this is our academy’s Vice Dean Han!"
Daisy Ding introduced them to each other.
"Alright, Assistant Ding, you may leave for now!"
Vice Dean Han waved her out.
Ian Song felt a bit disappointed. Although Vice Dean Han was also a late Void Fusion expert, he wasn’t a Tribulation powerhouse, so Ian had no use for him.
"Please, have a seat!"
Vice Dean Han stood up and personally poured Ian Song a cup of tea.
"Fellow Daoist Song, welcome to Heavenly Tome Academy!"
The next moment, Vice Dean Han smiled.
"That’s it?" Ian Song was a bit surprised.
Vice Dean Han laughed, "Haha, a late Void Fusion expert coming to our academy to teach—how could we possibly need to test you?"
Ian Song also laughed, "Then I’ll be counting on you for support in the future, Vice Dean Han."
"Haha, well said, well said! Teacher Song, we happen to be recruiting new students, but we’re a bit short-handed. How about you help out with some of the admissions work?"
"But I’m not familiar with the process," Ian Song said.
"No problem, I’ll have Assistant Ding help you!"
"Alright, then!"
Soon, Vice Dean Han called Daisy Ding back in, asking her to assist Ian Song with some of the admissions tasks.
Daisy Ding was briefly stunned, glancing at Ian Song; she hadn’t expected him to be hired so quickly.
But she quickly nodded, "Alright, Vice Dean Han. I’ll do my best to assist Teacher Song!"