Zhu Daoqi looked at them, slightly taken aback. Even as a leader who leaned towards academia, he could sense something was amiss between the two.

The way they carried themselves suggested anything but a first meeting; rather, it was as if some long-standing antagonism simmered between them, making them immediately confrontational.

“Professor Hua, Zhang Yang, what is going on here?” Zhu Daoqi couldn't help but inquire.

“Dean Zhu, we’re fine!”

Hua Feitian offered a gentle smile, then glanced at Zhang Yang, murmuring softly, “Previously, I was deeply curious about you, Student Zhang Yang. I simply hadn't expected such a complex and arduous research topic to originate from a student. But now, I believe you. Zhang Yang is different from the others; he is truly extraordinary!”

Throughout his speech, Hua Feitian maintained that brilliant smile, instantly making him likable.

Zhu Daoqi, oblivious to the deeper meaning behind the professor’s words, chuckled along, “Professor Hua is absolutely right. Zhang Yang does give off a distinctly different feeling upon first impression. I had an intuition when I first took him out for an event that he was destined for great things, but the results he achieved ended up exceeding even my expectations!”

Zhu Daoqi strongly agreed with Hua Feitian’s assessment and shared that feeling about Zhang Yang, dismissing any suspicion about the preceding tension.

“Dean Zhu, Professor Hua, you are both too kind. Compared to Professor Hua, I am still far, far behind!”

Zhang Yang smiled in return. A sharp glint flashed across Hua Feitian’s eyes again; he perfectly understood the subtext in Zhang Yang’s statement.

On the surface, Zhang Yang spoke of scholarship, but what he was truly referencing concerned internal energy—not just in the present, but previously as well. When Hua Feitian called Zhang Yang a genius, it referred specifically to his martial prowess.

Only Zhu Daoqi remained completely unaware of this intricate exchange.

“Haha, stop praising each other so much! Oh, by the way, Zhang Yang, the research project I was overseeing has been transferred to Professor Hua. His scholarly depth surpasses mine, so entrusting it to him is more appropriate. You have no objection, do you?”

Zhu Daoqi let out a hearty laugh, finally getting to the core reason for inviting Zhang Yang.

The Dean was up for promotion, and Zhu Daoqi, too, needed to lobby for his own position as Dean; no one wished to remain stagnant. Zhu Daoqi had anticipated needing more time before vying for the next step, but this opportunity arrived sooner than expected.

Engaging in these political maneuvers naturally meant he would have less time to personally dedicate to the research projects.

However, these two projects represented his most significant leverage, and he couldn't abandon them. He would oversee the main direction, but the day-to-day management would be delegated.

Director Li of the Clinical Department would take one, and the other would go to Professor Hua.

These projects had to yield results for Zhu Daoqi’s future advancement. Since Professor Hua possessed a scholarly brilliance that even he admired, handing the project over to him was the most suitable choice.

Still, such a matter required clearing it with Zhang Yang, as both projects fundamentally belonged to him.

“Dean Zhu, please arrange things as you see fit; I have no objections. Professor Hua is so accomplished; I’m certain placing it under his responsibility will lead to even better outcomes!”

Zhang Yang suddenly smiled. A single project held little weight in the eyes of either him or Hua Feitian.

Yet, the thought of Hua Feitian—the guardian of a venerable millennium-old family, a Great Perfection realm expert—taking charge of one of his projects at Changjing University was rather amusing.

“Professor Hua, what are your thoughts?”

Zhu Daoqi turned back to Hua Feitian. Zhang Yang’s agreement didn't particularly surprise him; he knew Zhang Yang was generally easygoing and rarely objected to matters not involving fundamental principles.

“I have no objection. Thank you, Dean Zhu, for giving me this opportunity!”

Hua Feitian nodded lightly, agreeing instantly. Zhang Yang’s eyes registered a flicker of surprise.

He found it interesting, but he hadn't assumed Hua Feitian would immediately acquiesce. Cultivators of the internal energy path, especially those from the great clans, possessed an inherent arrogance—not necessarily looking down on everyone, but certainly treating common folk with a degree of disdain.

Take Long Feng, for example. When he first arrived, no one other than Zhang Yang had managed to catch his attention. Only recently had Long Feng shown some improvement.

And that was Long Feng; individuals more vital to the major families, perhaps those at the Elder level, likely wouldn't even deign to interact with ordinary people, let alone work alongside them.

Hua Feitian, however, was a Great Perfection expert who not only agreed to serve as a professor but accepted responsibility for a project that belonged to Zhang Yang without hesitation. This was slightly unexpected.

To possess such equanimity suggested either that Hua Feitian had spent considerable time immersed in the secular world, or he was utterly deceitful.

For Zhang Yang, neither possibility bode well. The Zhang family’s ability to endure for over eighteen hundred years was intrinsically linked to their immersion in the mundane world; it was that tempering experience that instilled a sense of groundedness in every Zhang disciple.

This mental state was crucial. Of course, it wasn't to say all families should dwell in the secular realm; each had distinct characteristics. For major clans like the Long or Li families, living within the mundane world might hasten their ruin.

Regardless, personal tempering in the secular world greatly aids one’s cultivation. This was precisely why major sects and powerful families sent their disciples out to experience the world.

The longer one spent in the secular realm, the more their temperament was honed. If Hua Feitian could truly integrate into the mortal world, his state of mind must have reached an elevated level.

Conversely, if he were entirely pretentious, inwardly scornful yet outwardly composed, such a person would be far more dangerous.

“It’s good that you both agree. Professor Hua, I have prepared the research materials; you can start immediately. Since Zhang Yang is here, you two can discuss any initial issues together!”

Zhu Daoqi continued cheerily, utterly oblivious. Among the three of them, he was the most confused.

At this moment, he failed to realize that the two standing beside him were both peerless masters of the current age; any sect or family would treat them with utmost deference.

“That works well. However, this place is a bit distracting. I’d like to find a place outside to talk properly. Student Zhang Yang, what do you think?”

Hua Feitian accepted the file folder from Zhu Daoqi and addressed Zhang Yang.

“As long as Professor Hua has the time, I have no problem!”

Zhang Yang smiled and nodded. He, too, preferred leaving the school grounds now. Hua Feitian’s sudden appearance put him on high alert, but he also wanted to ascertain the professor’s true intentions.

“Very well, you two go chat wherever you like. I have a few things to attend to on my end!”

Zhu Daoqi chuckled happily, completely missing the underlying current between them. Both men were talents highly valued by the university—or perhaps, they were individuals beyond even his management capacity.

Whatever they wished to do would proceed without opposition.

Bidding farewell to Zhu Daoqi, Zhang Yang and Hua Feitian left the administrative building, one following the other. Hua Feitian led, with Zhang Yang maintaining a step behind.

“Follow me!”

As soon as they exited the building, Hua Feitian murmured, striding forward with noticeably increased speed, not even turning back.

Zhang Yang’s brow twitched, but he kept pace. At this moment, before venturing into the Savage Mountain range, he would have been contemplating ways to return home for Zhang Pinglu’s protection. Before the Savage Mountain trip, he certainly wouldn't have dared to challenge a Great Perfection master.

To Zhang Yang’s surprise, Hua Feitian led him not to a study area, but to the parking lot, where a sleek Bentley waited—the professor's vehicle.

Driving such an opulent car suggested this Great Perfection expert was hardly a man who sought obscurity.

Zhang Yang followed Hua Feitian directly into the car. Now, bolstered by his skill and confidence, he dared to follow despite knowing the man’s rank.

Then again, with Zhang Yang’s current strength, even if he couldn't defeat Hua Feitian, retaining him would prove difficult. Any significant commotion would surely alert Zhang Pinglu.

With two Great Perfection masters of the Medical Saint lineage stationed in Changjing, no one could easily make a move against him there.

He finally understood why Zhang Pinglu didn't travel widely but remained in Changjing: he was watching out for Zhang Yang. As long as Zhang Pinglu was present, Zhang Yang would be safe.

The same principle applied to other high-ranking experts from major families and sects who rarely ventured far—any critical issue within the family would be instantly known to them.

Hua Feitian drove directly toward the outskirts of the city.

Zhang Yang wasn't surprised by their destination, sitting quietly in the car and observing the passing scenery.

However, his focus was entirely centered on Hua Feitian. Being in close proximity to a Great Perfection master whose allegiance was uncertain—friend or foe—demanded extreme caution.

“Get out of the car!”

The Bentley stopped near a hill on the edge of the city—a modest peak around Changjing that remained largely undeveloped, featuring many desolate stretches.

Zhang Yang felt no surprise at being brought here; he too would have sought an open space.

“Before Huyan Feng died, he mentioned that Hua Feitian knew I could achieve energy solidification and would certainly not let me go. I want to know why,” Zhang Yang stated, stepping out and standing by the car door.

This statement effectively declared his hand, informing Hua Feitian that he knew the professor's true identity.

“That old scoundrel Huyan Feng actually said that?”

Hua Feitian turned around, appearing genuinely shocked for a moment, but quickly recovering with a light laugh, shaking his head gently.

“He was a petty man, and it's no wonder he guessed with a petty mind. Perhaps you don't know, but if I had the chance, I wouldn't just want to kill you; I’d want to kill him too!”

“Kill him?”

Zhang Yang frowned slightly. Hua Feitian admitted his intent to eliminate him, but he hadn't expected him to hold such animosity toward Huyan Feng.

“That’s right. When my Hua family’s protectors were disrupted and we fell into hardship, the Huyan family was the first to try and swallow us whole. We relocated a thousand li from Mount Taihang specifically to escape them. If my strength were sufficient, I would never let them off the hook!”

Hua Feitian looked at Zhang Yang, speaking slowly, a hint of hatred coloring his eyes, showing no restraint.

A degree of understanding dawned in Zhang Yang’s mind. Millennium-old families without a Great Perfection protector were vulnerable. The recent incident with the Huyan family made this abundantly clear to Zhang Yang.

The Hua family, having lost their protectors in the past, would inevitably attract those coveting their ancient wealth. Zhang Yang knew they had suffered a disaster, but he hadn't realized the Huyan clan had been the aggressors, which explained Hua Feitian’s intense hatred.

(Recommend a friend, Fisherman’s Fire Burning God’s new book, Violent Medical Saint. You can tell from his pen name the boundless depravity he possesses. Everyone, please collect it and feel free to despise it! Book Title: Violent Medical Saint, ISBN... To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)RQ