Chapter 217: The Professional Elite Mu Jin—Thoroughly Cornered

"You're threatening me?" Mu Jin stomped her foot in frustration.

It was the first time in her life she'd ever been threatened. Did this guy really think she couldn't deal with him? Well... maybe he was right.

"Be my woman, and I'll get you promoted to Senior Teacher right away," Qian Ran said with a sly smile, having anticipated Mu Jin's reaction. It would have been strange if she hadn't reacted at all.

"Zhou Yi's recent promotion... so it was because of you. But you're not in my class, so what's the point of your talent to me?" Mu Jin snorted softly. While her animosity toward Zhou Yi had faded, she still didn't like being in her shadow.

"Actually, Zhou Yi's promotion came through... other channels."

"In simple terms, I have connections."

Qian Ran spoke with calculated calm. With Xian Lin'er's backing, a mere word from her could secure a promotion for someone.

Even at Shrek Academy, connections often mattered. If your strength and talent were exceptional, you could rise on merit. But when everyone's performance was comparable, promotions often came down to who had the better connections.

Otherwise, with equal ability, why should one person advance over another? Because they're better-looking?

"Mu Jin, you don't want to be stuck teaching lower-year students your whole life, do you?"

In Shrek's faculty hierarchy, Mu Jin and Zhou Yi were at the bottom rung, their status even lower than many Soul Tool Department researchers.

However, climbing higher—becoming a grade director or a dean—was a whole different story.

That kind of leap was incredibly difficult and often required more than just merit. In other words, it involved navigating a lot of unspoken rules and subtle manipulations.

According to the original story, Zhou Yi's class had consistently performed the best in the new student trials and had the most students admitted into the Inner Court. Yet, she had never been promoted to Senior Teacher. The excuse given by her colleague Wang Yan after she expelled Dai Huabin and others was that her temper was too fiery.

Clearly, that wasn't a real reason. Despite dismissing so many promising students with powerful martial souls, Zhou Yi's classes remained top-tier—a testament to her skill.

From Qian Ran's perspective, it was likely similar to the entertainment industry: without giving something in return, moving up was nearly impossible. For beauties like Zhou Yi and Mu Jin, there would naturally be many people coveting them.

"You!"

Mu Jin was momentarily speechless.

To climb the ladder, it wasn't just about working hard. Zhou Yi hadn't been able to move up in all these years, either.

Without power or connections, advancing meant paying a price.

Mu Jin had seen this clearly long ago and had remained single for years, knowing that staying unattached kept her options open. It allowed others to hold onto hopes for her, keeping her path forward viable.

But someone like her wasn't content to remain a lowly Outer Court teacher forever.

At Shrek Academy, connections were everything. Xian Lin'er was the personal disciple of Elder Mu, which is why, despite her mediocre ability with soul tools, she still became head of the Soul Tool Department. Qian Duoduo, an eighth-level soul engineer, was nominally Xian Lin'er's husband, so he became the vice dean. Meanwhile, Fan Yu, also an eighth-level soul engineer, was significantly lower in rank.

"Five years. Just five years, and I can arrange for you to become a grade director. During that time, I'll help you break through to the Soul Sage level—or even higher," Qian Ran continued to tempt her. For a professional elite like Mu Jin, the most painful thing was knowing she had the ability but being unable to achieve the position she deserved.

Mu Jin's struggle wasn't unique.

"I'll be your support. What's rightfully yours won't be taken away by anyone else."

"Hmph. How do I know you're telling the truth? You're just a kid, but you've got a knack for fooling people," Mu Jin retorted, though her resolve was already wavering.

She had stayed a virgin all these years out of sheer unwillingness to compromise.

But Qian Ran was different. Someone as exceptional as him—if she gave herself to him, she wouldn't be losing out.

Even if Qian Ran couldn't deliver on his promises now, when he became a Super Douluo in the future, helping her would be effortless for him.

Her background wasn't strong, and while her talent wasn't bad, her cultivation had stagnated due to a lack of resources. She was convinced that with the same resources as those from prominent families, she could have entered the Inner Court and even had a shot at reaching Soul Douluo in the future.

Since becoming a teacher at Shrek Academy, she had suffered countless setbacks due to her lack of connections. Though unspoken, it was clear that the only "leverage" she had left was her body.

Moreover, every year, the academy admitted students from powerful backgrounds. Some were obedient, but the more unruly ones often didn't respect her. After all, many of their bodyguards were stronger than her as a teacher.

"Don't believe me?"

"Fine. I'll arrange it within the next two days. By the end of the month, you'll be promoted to Senior Teacher. Once your cultivation improves, we can work on getting you into management. To become even a basic grade director, you'll need to reach Soul Sage level first."

"If that's not enough, I could transfer you to the Soul Tool Department as an Inner Court teacher. Soul Tool students generally have lower cultivation levels than those in the Martial Soul Department. You'd fit in perfectly as their combat instructor."

Qian Ran could tell from Mu Jin's expression that she had endured plenty of hardship over the years. While Zhou Yi had Fan Yu supporting her to some extent, Mu Jin had no one.

Mu Jin began to believe Qian Ran's words.

She knew Qian Ran had been taken in as Xian Lin'er's disciple and was highly favored by her. While Sea God's Pavilion elders only concerned themselves with broad policies, Xian Lin'er was at the top of the academy's management hierarchy. A word from her could significantly improve Mu Jin's situation.

If Qian Ran asked Xian Lin'er for help, there was a real chance Mu Jin could advance. She was well aware that the Soul Tool Department was essentially Xian Lin'er's domain.

"Fine. I'll make sure you're not shortchanged in the future." Qian Ran gently wrapped an arm around Mu Jin's slender waist, inhaling her delicate floral scent. It was fresh and sweet, likely reflecting her Jasmine Flower martial soul.

Mu Jin's long legs, full and shapely even in tailored trousers, carried a mature elegance that was impossible to ignore.

Her figure was as striking as Zhou Yi's, with tantalizing curves that left Qian Ran utterly captivated.

"Don't... not here," Mu Jin exclaimed, suddenly snapping out of her daze. Only then did she realize they were still in the hallway outside the classroom.

"What's there to be afraid of? You're single, aren't you? This doesn't violate the rules."

Qian Ran grinned mischievously. While Zhou Yi and Xian Lin'er had unique circumstances that necessitated secrecy in their relationships with him, Mu Jin was different. Even if their intimacy became public, it wouldn't be a problem.

(End of Chapter)