"Have you heard? Teacher Cao Xiong just competed with Teacher Zhang Xuan—the academy's last-ranked teacher!"
"They competed? Then wasn't Teacher Zhang bound to lose?"
"Lose? He won! With just a few casual pointers, he made a student's strength increase by 100%!"
"One hundred percent?! Even Teacher Lu Xun couldn't do that. Are you serious?"
"Dozens of people saw it with their own eyes. How could it be fake?"
The cafeteria buzzed with excitement as word spread like wildfire.
"Increasing strength by 100% with guidance?" Zhao Ya snorted disdainfully, her delicate nose lifting slightly. "That guy was just lucky."
Zhao Ya was the daughter of the City Lord of White Jade City, the third-largest city in the Heavenly Profound Kingdom. From childhood, she had received elite training and education. Her goal in coming to Hong Tian Academy was simple—become a disciple of the famed Teacher Lu Xun.
Hearing others compare Zhang Xuan to Lu Xun, she instinctively dismissed it.
"Just luck?" a student nearby couldn't help retorting. "That's a full 100% increase. That doesn't look like luck alone."
"Don't think I don't know who Zhang Xuan is," Zhao Ya snapped irritably. "He scored zero in the last Teacher Qualification Examination and was nearly expelled! What skill could someone like that possibly have? I'll expose him myself."
"Good idea!"
"Let's go take a look."
The three of them left the cafeteria together. After asking around, they quickly found Zhang Xuan's classroom and pushed the door open.
"Are you Teacher Zhang Xuan?"
Inside, a young man sat at the instructor's seat, wearing a faintly silly smile. No matter how they looked at him, he didn't resemble a powerful teacher—if anything, he seemed a bit… strange.
"I am," Zhang Xuan replied, lifting his gaze.
"I heard you defeated Teacher Cao Xiong and guided a student to a 100% strength increase," Zhao Ya said skeptically. "Good. Then guide me as well. Let's see if your guidance can double my strength."
"No time," Zhang Xuan waved dismissively.
A teacher's dignity had to be maintained. This wasn't a street performance—you don't just demand guidance and get it.
Besides, her attitude was terrible. He didn't owe her anything.
"No time?" Zhao Ya clenched her teeth. "You're clearly just sitting here!"
"I'm recruiting students," Zhang Xuan said indifferently. "I don't have time to entertain an ignorant little girl causing trouble."
"You—!"
Zhao Ya nearly exploded.
She was the dignified daughter of a city lord, admired wherever she went. And yet this man not only rejected her but called her childish?
Unforgivable!
"Fine," she said coldly. "How can I get you to guide me?"
"Become my disciple," Zhang Xuan replied flatly, looking at her as if it were obvious.
Zhao Ya nearly choked.
"Fine. I'll acknowledge you as my teacher," she said through gritted teeth. "But if your guidance is fake, I'll expose you!"
"Zhao Ya!"
"You can't! Once you acknowledge him, you can't become Teacher Lu Xun's disciple anymore!"
Her two friends nearly fainted in fright and hurriedly tried to stop her.
Zhao Ya hesitated.
She knew the academy rules. Once a disciple severed ties with a teacher, other teachers—especially someone as popular as Lu Xun—would almost never accept them again.
"Scared?" Zhang Xuan waved his hand impatiently. "Then leave. Don't delay my recruitment."
"Who said I'm scared?!"
Her temper flared instantly. "I acknowledge you as my teacher. Status confirmation!"
"Your attitude's terrible," Zhang Xuan replied lazily. "I don't feel like accepting you."
"What?!"
Zhao Ya was stunned.
She had swallowed her pride, agreed to acknowledge him—and he refused?
Rage surged through her chest.
But she had come specifically to expose him. If she stormed out now, wouldn't that mean he got what he wanted?
He must be trying to force me out, she thought coldly.
Dream on.
She forcibly suppressed her anger, squeezed out a polite smile, and revealed her white teeth.
"Teacher, please forgive my earlier rudeness. I sincerely wish to become your disciple. Please accept me."
"Now that's more like it," Zhang Xuan nodded. "But first—clean this classroom. There's dust everywhere. And the bathroom outside hasn't been cleaned either. Scrub the toilet spotless. If I'm satisfied, I'll accept you."
"…You're going too far!"
Zhao Ya nearly lost her mind.
She was a city lord's daughter—had never even washed her own hands, let alone cleaned toilets!
Was this man insane?
"If you can't even do this," Zhang Xuan waved his hand, "then don't bother. My disciples can't be lazy or useless."
"Who says I'm useless?!"
Grinding her teeth, Zhao Ya grabbed a broom and mop and began cleaning furiously.
"Zhao Ya, maybe we should forget it…"
"He's clearly just trying to humiliate you…"
Her two friends were shocked and hurriedly tried to persuade her.
"Go wait outside," Zhao Ya snapped. "I, Zhao Ya, have never suffered such a loss. Today, I'm going all the way!"
The two friends exchanged looks.
"This is bad," one whispered. "Let's inform Steward Yao. If he finds out that a zero-score teacher is making the young lady scrub toilets, he'll definitely stop it."
"Good idea!"
They hurried off toward the academy offices.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ya—despite having no experience with chores—adapted quickly. Before long, the classroom sparkled, and the bathroom was spotless.
"Not bad," Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.
"So now you'll accept me and guide my cultivation?" Zhao Ya asked through clenched teeth, her face twitching as she struggled not to punch him.
"Mm. Identity confirmation," Zhang Xuan said casually, tossing her a jade token.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Ya pricked her finger and completed the blood acknowledgment.
"Teacher Zhang," she said, her voice polite but dangerous, "I am now your disciple. Could you please give me some guidance?"
"Demonstrate a martial technique first," Zhang Xuan replied. "Let me see your foundation."
"Yes!"
Zhao Ya clasped her hands and immediately began her fist technique.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The wind howled with each strike. Her movements were fast, forceful, and precise—clearly superior to Wang Ying's. It was obvious she had trained diligently.
As Zhang Xuan watched, the Library of Heaven's Path stirred within his mind. A book appeared.
Zhao Ya
White Jade City Lord's DaughterMartial Artist First Layer, Gathering Breath Realm Peak
Cultivation Technique: White Jade Pure Maiden Art
Flaws: 27
1. Impulsive temperament contradicts the gentle, flowing nature of White Jade Art, preventing full power…
Zhang Xuan's expression turned strange.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Zhao Ya finished her routine and struck the strength-measuring stone wall.
110
"Not bad," Zhang Xuan nodded approvingly.
For someone not yet formally enrolled, this strength was indeed outstanding.
"Alright," Zhao Ya said, barely suppressing her anticipation. "Guide me."
Her eyes shone—now was the moment she would expose him.