"Have you heard? Cao Xiong laoshi just competed with the academy's worst teacher, Xiao Ran!" "They competed? Then Xiao Ran laoshi must have lost for sure, right?" "That’s what you’d think, but it wasn't so. Xiao Ran laoshi won! He casually guided a student and doubled her strength!" "Doubled her strength? With his first lesson? Not even Gao Feng laoshi could do that! Are you serious?" "Dozens of people saw it with their own eyes. How could it be fake?" … The students who had witnessed the competition in the canteen were still discussing it excitedly. "To double a student's strength in a single lesson?" Zhao Ya scoffed. "It was obviously just luck." Baiyu City was the third-largest city in the Tianxuan Kingdom, and Zhao Ya was the daughter of its City Lord. She had received a first-class education from a young age, and her sole purpose in coming to Cangyun Academy was to be accepted as Gao Feng’s student. She hadn't expected to hear rumors that placed some unknown teacher named Xiao Ran above the very master she sought. Naturally, she refused to believe them. "Luck? I don't think so. We're talking about doubling someone's strength! Luck alone can't explain that," a student sitting nearby couldn't help but interject. "You don't think it was luck? Don't think I don't know who that Xiao Ran laoshi is. He’s the one who scored a zero on the Teacher Qualification Examination and was nearly fired! What kind of skill could a man like that possibly possess? If you don't believe me, I'll go unmask his facade right here and now!" Zhao Ya had always been impatient. Hearing someone praise the academy’s most infamous teacher, she shot to her feet. "Fine! We also want to know if he's all talk!" Instantly, two other students stood up to join her. The three of them left the canteen and, after asking for directions, soon found Xiao Ran's classroom. They pushed the door open and walked inside. "You're Xiao Ran laoshi?" Stepping into the classroom, they saw a young man at the teacher's desk, lost in a foolish-looking grin. No matter how they looked at him, he didn't seem like an impressive teacher. In fact, he made them feel distinctly uncomfortable. "That's me." Noticing the new arrivals, Xiao Ran emerged from his analysis of the Celestial Dao Library and turned to face them. "We heard that you defeated Cao Xiong laoshi in a competition, and that the student you guided doubled her strength." Zhao Ya’s tone was thick with disbelief. "Fine. Then I want you to guide me. Let’s see if you can double my strength, too." "I'm not free," Xiao Ran said, waving a dismissive hand. Teachers had their pride. They weren't street performers, obligated to put on a show for any passing stranger. How could he just offer guidance to anyone who demanded it? Besides, what was with her attitude? It wasn't like he owed her anything. "Not free? You look pretty idle to me." Zhao Ya could tell he was just trying to get rid of her. She ground her teeth in frustration. She had just announced that she was going to expose him as a fraud, and now he was chasing her away before she even got a chance. The embarrassment was galling. "I have to recruit students," Xiao Ran said calmly. "I don't have time to fool around with an arrogant little girl." "You…" Zhao Ya was so furious she saw red. She was a City Lord's daughter, blessed with exceptional looks. Everywhere she went, people treated her with admiration. Yet this man not only rejected her but called her an arrogant little girl who was fooling around. How hateful! Even if he was a teacher, this was unforgivable. Gritting her teeth, Zhao Ya demanded, "What will it take for you to guide me?" "Become my student," Xiao Ran replied evenly, giving her a look one might reserve for an idiot. Seeing the look on his face, Zhao Ya faltered for a moment before steeling herself. "Fine, I'll become your student. But… if you teach me incorrectly or just spout nonsense, I will expose your lies!" "Zhao Ya!" "You can't! If you take him as your teacher, you won't be able to become Gao Feng laoshi's student…" The two friends who had come with her were aghast, and they immediately tried to talk her out of it. Their words gave Zhao Ya pause. She knew the academy's rules. Once a student was registered under a teacher, they would have to formally withdraw from that teacher's tutelage before seeking another. Most teachers, especially a popular one like Gao Feng, would be reluctant to accept a student who had already quit on someone else. "Don't have the guts? If you're scared, then hurry up and leave. Don't waste my time… I have new students to recruit," Xiao Ran goaded her with a wave of his hand. "Who said I don't have the guts?" She had been hesitating, but his taunt was all it took. Zhao Ya's temper flared. "I'll acknowledge you as my teacher right now! Let's verify our relationship!" "Your attitude is terrible. Even if you wanted to become my student, I wouldn't accept you," Xiao Ran said, waving her away again. It was only natural to want obedient students, like Su Ling from before. This girl, however, was a walking powder keg. He wouldn't accept her even if he was desperate. "You…" She hadn't expected him to refuse her even after she had agreed to his condition. A hot flush of anger rose in her chest. She had come here specifically to expose his fraud. If she stormed away in a huff now, wouldn't she be playing right into his hands? Perhaps this man was intentionally trying to chase her away so his deception couldn't be exposed. She refused to let things go his way. Hmph, I'll swallow my pride for now. After I expose your true colors, we'll see who's laughing! With that thought, Zhao Ya suppressed the rage simmering in her heart. She managed a tight, saccharine smile that revealed her pearly teeth. "Teacher, please don't be angry. I was disrespectful. I sincerely wish to become your student. I beg you to accept me." "That's more like it." Seeing her change in attitude, Xiao Ran nodded. "I can accept you as my student. But first, you're going to clean this room. I don't want to see a single speck of dust. Also, tidy up the washroom outside. Scrub the toilet bowls until they're spotless. I'll check your work afterward. If I'm satisfied, I will accept you under my tutelage." "Don't you go too far!" Zhao Ya was on the verge of exploding. Who did he think she was? She was the daughter of a City Lord, a noblewoman. She had never done a single household chore in her life, and this man wanted her to sweep the floors? And… clean the washrooms? Scrub the toilets? Was he insane? "If you can't handle a simple task like this, you can leave right now. I have no use for lazy, useless students," Xiao Ran said coolly. Heh, little girl. You want to play games with me? You're far too inexperienced. "Who said I'm useless! I'll clean! I'll scrub!" Zhao Ya snarled. She grabbed a broom and mop and began to tidy the room with furious energy. "Zhao Ya, maybe we should just forget it…" "I don't think he's really capable. He's just trying to make things difficult for you…" Her two friends were horrified to see the young mistress of a great city cleaning and rushed to dissuade her. "Both of you wait outside," Zhao Ya said, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Since I was a child, I, Zhao Ya, have never backed down from a challenge. Today, I'm seeing this through to the end!" "But…" Her friends knew Zhao Ya's temper. Seeing that she couldn't be swayed, they exchanged a helpless glance. "Let's find Butler Yao! Didn't he come to the academy with us? If he knew that the teacher who scored zero on his exam was ordering the young mistress to scrub toilets, he would definitely put a stop to this!" one of them suggested after a moment. It was true. A person of Zhao Ya's status had, of course, been escorted to the academy. That escort, Butler Yao, was likely still nearby. "Alright, let's go find him now!" Without another moment of hesitation, the two of them hurried out of the academy. For all her stubborn pride, Zhao Ya was also a fast learner. Though she had never done chores before, it didn't take her long to get the hang of it. Soon, the classroom was immaculate. Even the washroom outside was sparkling. "Not bad," Xiao Ran nodded in satisfaction. "You should be satisfied now. You can accept me as your student and guide my cultivation, right?" Having finished her work, Zhao Ya ground her teeth so hard her jaw ached. Her lovely face was contorted with the effort of holding back the urge to punch the man in front of her. "Mm. Your identity token." Ignoring her murderous glare, Xiao Ran casually tossed a jade token to her. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Zhao Ya pricked her finger and dripped a drop of blood onto it, formalizing their relationship. "Xiao laoshi, now that I am your student, can you give me a pointer or two?" On the verge of accomplishing her goal and exposing the despicable man before her, Zhao Ya suppressed a surge of excitement and met his gaze. "First, show me a fighting technique, so I can gauge your fundamentals," Xiao Ran beckoned. "Yes." Without another word, Zhao Ya clasped her hands, bowed, and began to execute a series of movements. Huhuhuhu! The air howled around her fists. Her blows were full of might—far faster and stronger than Su Ling's had been. It was obvious at a glance that she had put considerable effort into her training. As Zhao Ya performed, Xiao Ran's mind was in the library. As he expected, with a faint tremor, a book fell from the shelves. The two words 'Zhao Ya' were written on the cover. "Zhao Ya, daughter of the City Lord of Baiyu City. Fighter 1-dan Juxi Realm Pinnacle!" "Cultivation Technique: White Jade Pure Maiden Skill!" … "Weaknesses: 27 flaws. No. 1: Her personality is rash and she is easily angered. This conflicts with the White Jade Skill's nature of calmness and smoothness, preventing her from bringing out its full power. No. 2…" The book was just like the one he had seen before, recording every flaw and deficiency in Zhao Ya's cultivation. Peng! Peng! Peng! After a short while, Zhao Ya finished her routine. Balling her fist, she turned and struck the stone pillar in the classroom used for measuring strength. With a sharp crack, a number materialized on its surface. 110! "Not bad, not bad," Xiao Ran couldn't help but nod. To possess such power before even beginning her studies at the academy, Zhao Ya was indeed the daughter of a City Lord, with extraordinary talent. "Alright, give me some pointers." After executing her technique, Zhao Ya stood perfectly poised, without her face flushing or her breath hitching. She turned to look at Xiao Ran, her eyes sharp and expectant.

Chapter 5: More than just luck