Chapter 28

The middle-aged bald man Lin Mo recognized was Wang Shuo, the homeroom teacher of Class Seven, nicknamed Wang Tou for his smooth, round skull.

He usually wore a cheerful smile whenever he met anyone, rarely showing such a “fierce and menacing” expression as today.

Old Li beside him looked awkward, cleared his throat, and suddenly felt a strange sensation rise in his chest.

It was like his own pig had wandered into someone else’s field and rooted up the finest cabbage.

Lin Mo’s expression showed no embarrassment at all; instead, he waved his hand.

“What a coincidence, Teacher Li, uh, hello, Wang Tou!”

Old Li chuckled. “What coincidence? I came here specifically for you. And stop being so disrespectful—call him Teacher Wang!”

Lin Mo complied immediately. “Hello, Teacher Wang!”

Wang Shuo nodded stiffly, his gaze unconsciously drifting to Lin Mo’s hand still resting on Chu Wange’s shoulder.

Still not letting go? How bold you are!

Lin Mo naturally noticed his gaze and met it calmly, expression perfectly composed.

Who are you to tell me what to do? You’re not her father!

Just as tension flared, the sensible Old Li quickly spoke up:

“Alright, alright, since you’re here now, come with us to the principal’s office—the principal, the headmaster, and the admissions teachers are all waiting for you.”

These words immediately quelled Wang Shuo’s urge to scold on the spot.

So Lin Mo kept his hand on Chu Wange’s shoulder, not pressing hard, but as if gently guiding her forward.

Chu Wange’s face showed no expression, as if she found nothing amiss.

The two teachers—one furious, one embarrassed—followed behind them.

After they left, the students who had rushed out to watch began whispering among themselves.

“Admissions teachers? Is Lin Mo getting recommended again?”

“Why say ‘again’? Wasn’t he already recommended yesterday?”

“According to Da Hai, Lin Mo slipped away early, so…”

“No way, really? Is Lin Mo crazy? Turning down such a great opportunity?”

“I’m so jealous I could cry—this would make me laugh awake in my dreams.”

“Could it be Master Nong Qing is here again? Even Chu Wange showed up—does that mean she’s going to Xuan Yuan Dao Academy too?”

“Possible, but Ye Chen rejected the Immortal Master yesterday—why would Chu Wange, ranked higher, still go?”

“Who says that? This would make me laugh awake in my dreams *2!”

“…”

…

…

“Creak—”

The principal’s office door opened.

Under the gaze of everyone inside, a handsome young boy walked in, bowed respectfully to the room, and said:

“Greetings, teachers and Immortal Masters! My name is Lin Mo, eighteen years in Dao cultivation, this year’s candidate for the Immortal Examination. My hobbies are meditation and stance training…”

Everyone in the office was baffled. Wait, who the hell are you?

“Lin Mo!”

Old Li, who had just entered behind him, widened his eyes and shouted.

Lin Mo glanced at him in confusion. “Isn’t this the part where I introduce myself?”

Do you think this is an interview?!

Who gave you permission to introduce yourself?

Everyone in the office internally burst into a string of question marks.

Old Li clutched his head, feeling a headache coming on—he’d never realized this kid was so erratic.

Just as he stood there, toes curling in embarrassment, a young man in a white robe chuckled:

“Heh, this young friend must be the one Miss Chu mentioned? Indeed, outstanding appearance and remarkable words!”

Huh? That works?

Old Li was stunned.

But Lin Mo showed no surprise at all; instead, he calmly completed the bow he had begun, then asked:

“If I’m not mistaken, it’s me, right? May I ask, Immortal Master, who are you?”

The man in green robes smiled but said nothing, instead glancing casually at the principal beside him, Zhu Xian.

Got it… Principal Zhu instantly understood, stood up with a smile, and said:

“You must be Lin Mo? I’ve heard of you from Little Li—you’re a promising talent! Come, come, let me introduce you.”

“This is Immortal Master Meng of Wen Dao Academy. That one is Immortal Master Feng of Qing Shan Sect.”

The two Immortal Masters wore white and green robes respectively, seated on the left and right of the reception area’s main seats—even Principal Zhu’s position was slightly lower.

“Immortal Master Meng, Immortal Master Feng!”

Lin Mo politely greeted them again, behaving like a well-mannered, innocent student utterly unaware of social nuance.

Even the stoic Immortal Master Feng, moved by such enthusiastic conduct, gave a slight nod in response.

This seamless, natural performance left Old Li behind utterly stunned.

He recalled last night, when he’d urged Lin Mo to approach Master Nong Qing—and how Lin Mo had dodged with every excuse imaginable.

Back then, he’d assumed Lin Mo was naive, too proud, and clueless about social etiquette.

Now he realized he’d been wildly wrong.

Even if slow to catch on, he saw now that Lin Mo had used just a few words to defuse what should have been an excruciatingly awkward situation, leaving even the two Immortal Masters with a decent impression.

This opening was already excellent.

If Old Li had tried, he might not have done half as well.

Of course, Lin Mo’s handsome face probably helped.

Anyone with decent looks always has invisible advantages.

Especially when Lin Mo stood beside Chu Wange—regardless of his talent, the two looked perfectly matched, like a match made in heaven.

“Excellent, excellent!”

Principal Zhu nodded at Lin Mo, his expression clearly pleased. “I heard you did well on the written exam, and even better in yesterday’s Immortal Examination—Master Nong Qing of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy even offered you a recommendation?”

It’s a comrade… Lin Mo glanced at Principal Zhu and instantly understood, continuing smoothly:

“Master Nong Qing did mention it, but given my own circumstances, I feel Xuan Yuan Dao Academy may not be the best fit, so I didn’t wish to trouble him further.”

"Master Nong Qing did mention it, but considering my own circumstances, it might not be quite suitable for the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy, so I didn't want to trouble Master Nong Qing further."

“Not the best fit,” “didn’t wish to trouble him further…”

Even if it ever reached Master Nong Qing’s ears, he wouldn’t take offense.

Even Principal Zhu felt a quiet admiration.

Though Lin Mo’s response wasn’t perfectly natural or flawless, most Immortal candidates his age were still just dumb kids who only knew how to meditate—someone who understood social nuance like Lin Mo was rare.

Just as Principal Zhu nodded inwardly, preparing to continue the charade, Immortal Master Feng cut straight to the point:

“So you don’t want to enter Xuan Yuan. You’re trying to ride on Chu Wange’s opportunity to join the Nine Great Academies?”

The room fell instantly silent.

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the office froze instantly.