Dongfang Min'er gestured towards the largest teaching building, "All students in my school are elites. You can also choose one as a disciple."
Ming Zhitian waved his hand slightly, "Take on disciples? No plans yet."
Dongfang Min'er smiled charmingly, "Indeed, anyone who catches your eye, Emperor Ming, must be either a crouching dragon or a hidden phoenix."
Ming Zhitian asked, "Is it really okay to give up the Misty Pavilion you've meticulously managed for years and instead manage such a large academy?"
Dongfang Min'er smiled in a manner that retained traditional Eastern culture, "With Ju Hong, Qing Zi, and them managing it, I am very reassured. I'm getting old and should retire to enjoy some peace."
Looking at her enduring grace and captivating beauty, Ming Zhitian chuckled, "People have their own preferences. Living is just about handling the everyday, being at ease with oneself. It's good."
Dongfang Min'er remarked, "Emperor Ming, you've changed."
"How so?" Ming Zhitian glanced sideways.
Dongfang Min'er smiled knowingly and teased, "You've become more handsome."
"Hahahaha..." Ming Zhitian threw his head back and laughed, "You truly know how to speak."
Dongfang Min'er puffed out her chest proudly, "Of course. Otherwise, how could I be the dean?"
Upon reaching the academic affairs office, hundreds of top instructors, dozens of directors, many grade heads, and five vice-principals were present, indicating the academy's immense scale.
Dongfang Min'er declared, "This is our distinguished VIP guest, Instructor Ming. You will treat him as you would me. No insubordination, understand?"
"Yes! Dean!........"
They exited the grand academic affairs office, and Ming Zhitian couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to introduce them?"
Dongfang Min'er smiled slyly, "I suspect you're too lazy to remember their names anyway."
Ming Zhitian chuckled, "That's true."
The school corridor...
A beautiful woman in a white dress, holding three folders of various colors, approached them. She bowed respectfully to Dongfang Min'er, "Greetings, Dean Dongfang."
Dongfang Min'er nodded, meeting her gaze, "Ling'er."
She then turned to look at Ming Zhitian.
Ming Zhitian seemed to be staring, dumbfounded. He had been searching for Star Empress's daughter, Piao Ling'er, all these years, but his subordinates had found no trace, returning empty-handed. He never expected her to be hiding in the Soul Brilliance Heavenly Academy.
He couldn't help but cast another glance at Dongfang Min'er. Dongfang Min'er felt a pang of guilt, "Why are you looking at me? I'll leave, you two talk."
Saying that, she slowly walked away.
Piao Ling'er bore an uncanny resemblance to the Star Empress, as if they were molded from the same mold. Ming Zhitian couldn't resist embracing her tightly.
Dongfang Min'er couldn't bear to watch, "Emperor Ming, please mind your image."
Piao Ling'er, however, proactively kissed him, "I've missed you so much..."
She had seemingly forgotten he was her father's killer, after all, three hundred years had passed.
"It seems I'm superfluous," Dongfang Min'er quickened her pace away.
"Chen'er, do you know? I miss you so much..." Ming Zhitian's eyes welled up.
Piao Ling'er's body trembled, "You... called me what?"
Immediately, she pushed him away!
Ming Zhitian finally came to his senses. The Star Empress was dead. Though the woman before him bore an eighty to ninety percent resemblance, she was Piao Ling'er, unique in her own right.
"I..." Ming Zhitian hesitated.
"Slap!"
Piao Ling'er slapped him, tears in her eyes, "What do you take me for? Am I just a substitute for my mother?"
"I'm sorry." Ming Zhitian could never forget anything about the Star Empress. He admitted that he had indeed treated Piao Ling'er as a substitute for the Star Empress to alleviate his longing.
Piao Ling'er wept sadly, covered her mouth, and ran off. Ming Zhitian just watched, making no move to chase. Regarding the feelings between them, he had ultimately failed her.
Dongfang Min'er emerged from the shadows. Ming Zhitian asked, "Finished watching? Was it good?"
Dongfang Min'er smiled knowingly, "Aren't you going to chase after her?"