Zhang Xuan studied the Library of Heaven's Path for a while longer, only to discover that every book within it was blurred and indistinct—like the reflection of the full moon upon water. Close enough to see, yet forever out of reach.
Completely unusable.
Losing interest, he withdrew his consciousness from his Sea of Awareness.
"Time for lunch," he muttered. "This afternoon… I'll find a way to swindle two more."
Raising his head, he glanced out the window. The sun had already reached its zenith. Eighteen new students had passed by his classroom that morning, yet only one had acknowledged him as her teacher. The success rate was so low it was laughable.
He couldn't continue like this.
No matter what, he was a transmigrator. If he couldn't even deceive a few ancient people, how could he face himself after living in an age of advanced information and shameless marketing?
Stretching lazily, Zhang Xuan left his lecture hall and headed toward the academy cafeteria.
Much like a university dining hall from his previous life, Hongtian Academy's cafeteria was vast—large enough to accommodate over ten thousand students at once. Having successfully recruited one disciple, Zhang Xuan's mood was excellent. He took several dishes, found a quiet corner, and ate with gusto.
"Isn't this… Teacher Zhang?"
A voice interrupted him.
Zhang Xuan looked up and saw a young man smiling faintly at him. The smile, however, carried no warmth—only thinly veiled mockery.
"Teacher Cao?" Zhang Xuan recognized him immediately.
Cao Xiong.
They had entered the academy at the same time. From the very beginning, Cao Xiong had enjoyed competing with him—and seizing every opportunity to mock and suppress him.
The original Zhang Xuan had been driven to despair by such ridicule, ultimately drinking himself to death. Cao Xiong, without question, bore part of that responsibility.
"New students enrolled today," Cao Xiong said lightly. "They chose their teachers freely. How was your harvest? Judging by your appetite, it seems… not bad?"
He gestured behind him.
"Twelve new disciples. I brought them to eat, then I'll arrange their lodgings."
The smugness on his face was undisguised.
Indeed—he was showing off.
There was no deep hatred between them. But since they joined the academy together, comparisons were inevitable. Zhang Xuan had become the textbook example of failure, and Cao Xiong naturally wanted to savor his sense of superiority.
Behind him stood a group of energetic youths, eyes bright with curiosity at their new surroundings.
"Everyone," Cao Xiong said loudly, "let me introduce you. This is Teacher Zhang Xuan—one of the academy's most famous instructors. In fact, since the academy's founding, he is the only teacher to score zero on the Teacher Qualification Examination. A historic achievement."
The students erupted into discussion.
"Zero score? Is that even possible?"
"I heard his students suffered Qi deviation and nearly died."
"My family warned me before I came—said choosing him would be suicide."
"He looks… surprisingly normal."
Zhang Xuan listened calmly.
Annoyed? Not really.
The zero score belonged to the original owner of this body. Why should he care?
That said, Cao Xiong deliberately elevating himself by trampling on others still irritated him. Zhang Xuan waved a hand dismissively.
"Finished introducing? Then get lost. You're delaying my meal."
Cao Xiong's face darkened.
"Teacher Qualification Examination zero," he sneered. "Breaking academy records, yet you feel no shame at all?"
"Shame?" Zhang Xuan laughed. "Why should I? You said it yourself—I made history. The students know who I am. But you?"
He pointed casually at the disciples behind Cao Xiong.
"How much did you score? Do they know? Before entering the academy, did anyone recognize your name? If you didn't desperately recruit students—or even invite them to meals—do you think they'd acknowledge you as their teacher?"
"As a teacher with no fame, you dare show off in front of me?" Zhang Xuan scoffed. "With what?"
Cao Xiong nearly lost his mind.
A zero scorer… acting proud?
Where did this confidence even come from?
The students behind him stared in stunned silence.
Face? Shame?
Zhang Xuan had long since abandoned such concepts. In his previous life, scandals, clickbait headlines, and shameless publicity were daily occurrences. Compared to that, scoring zero as a teacher was nothing.
Cao Xiong's face flushed red."Teachers prove themselves through students. I won't argue with you today. When you actually manage to teach someone properly, then we'll compare again!"
He turned to leave.
Just then, a conversation nearby drifted over.
"That teacher… seems quite nice," a hesitant female voice said softly.
"Second Young Lady," an elderly man replied anxiously, "the young master instructed me to take you to Teacher Lu Xun. You refused, slipped away, and now you want to acknowledge him as your master?"
"But he was very kind," the girl said weakly. "He even gave me guidance… said I could become first in my grade…"
"First in your grade?" the old man panicked. "My little ancestor, do you know who he is? The academy's most infamous trash teacher! Zero score last semester! If the young master finds out—"
"Brother—!" the girl exclaimed, fear flashing across her face.
Cao Xiong's eyes lit up.
He turned back toward Zhang Xuan with a grin."Teacher Zhang, could this be the student you just recruited? Haha—seems she's about to return her token."
In the academy, teachers chose students—but students could also choose teachers. If they felt incompatible, they could return the identity token.
Cao Xiong deliberately raised his voice, drawing attention.
The old man approached Zhang Xuan.
"Teacher Zhang," he said stiffly, "our young lady wishes to return your curriculum."
"Elder Liu—" Wang Ying's face reddened as she hurried forward. "Teacher, I…"
Zhang Xuan cut her off calmly.
"Wang Ying, I rarely accept disciples. I accepted you because of fate. Are you truly willing to abandon such a rare opportunity?"
"You know how many people wish to become my student, yet I refuse them all?"
The surrounding crowd nearly blacked out.
Shameless. Utterly shameless.
"Teacher Zhang," Elder Liu stepped forward, "our young lady has made her decision. Please complete the formalities."
"Return me?" Zhang Xuan's gaze sharpened."Do you understand what that means? Returning a teacher brands a student with infamy. Other instructors may refuse her forever."
"Can you bear responsibility if her entire future is ruined by your impulsiveness?"
Elder Liu froze.
He was merely a servant. If the Second Young Lady's cultivation path was destroyed, he could never answer for it.
Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Xuan pressed on smoothly.
"Relax. Your young lady has excellent talent. Under my guidance, she will certainly achieve great results."
Boiled duck—how could he let it fly?
"Hold on," Cao Xiong suddenly stepped forward. "Who says no teacher would accept her? As long as she returns you—I'll take her as my disciple immediately."
Zhang Xuan's expression darkened.
"Cao Xiong, you dare openly steal my student?"
"Steal?" Cao Xiong laughed. "This is fair competition. Let the student choose. Dare you?"
The cafeteria fell silent.
And Zhang Xuan's eyes narrowed.