Zhang Xuan's complexion looked terrible.
Although he had inherited the memories of his previous self, he hadn't had time to properly organize them. At best, he had a rough understanding of cultivation realms. As for guiding others in cultivation… that was another matter entirely.
Giving guidance?
Against Cao Xiong?
That was suicide.
If they really competed, he would undoubtedly lose.
"What's wrong? Afraid to agree?" Cao Xiong said with a smile, flicking his sleeves and maintaining a calm, scholarly air. "The academy has clear rules. Teachers may compete on the spot, and students choose freely. Snatching students doesn't count as a violation."
"Guidance… what kind of guidance?" Zhang Xuan asked.
He knew this situation couldn't be avoided. If he didn't resolve it today, the student he had finally managed to recruit would slip away. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stay composed.
Teacher guidance could take many forms—cultivation, martial techniques, combat application. Different teachers excelled in different areas.
"Well then," Cao Xiong said leisurely, "let these new students perform a set of fist techniques. We'll each point out flaws and offer guidance, then test them on the stone pillar. Whose student improves more wins. How about that?"
If he were facing another teacher, Cao Xiong wouldn't be so confident. But Zhang Xuan? The academy's infamous last-ranked teacher, the one who scored zero on the Teacher Qualification Examination?
He was brimming with confidence.
Zhang Xuan hesitated.
"What? Too scared to agree?" Cao Xiong pressed. "Weren't you boasting earlier that many students wanted you as a teacher? Why didn't you accept them? If you truly have skill, compete fairly. Don't embarrass these young ladies."
"…Fine," Zhang Xuan said at last, nodding.
At worst, he'd lose face.
If he refused now, even the student he had just recruited would be taken away. There was no retreat left. If things truly went wrong, he could only rely on shameless verbal maneuvering.
"Teacher Cao and Teacher Zhang are competing!"
"The last-ranked Teacher Zhang?"
"The one who scored zero?"
"He's competing with others? Is this real?"
"Isn't this just asking to be humiliated?"
The moment Zhang Xuan agreed, the cafeteria erupted.
Today was new student registration. Many people had heard of the legendary zero-score teacher but had never seen him before. Curiosity spread like wildfire.
"According to the rules," Cao Xiong announced loudly, "I'll guide your student, and you'll guide mine."
That was standard procedure. Teachers couldn't guide their own students in competitions—it avoided accusations of cheating.
"Miss, please demonstrate a set of fist techniques, then strike the stone pillar with your full strength."
Cao Xiong turned toward Wang Ying.
"I…" Wang Ying blushed, stealing a glance at Zhang Xuan. Seeing that he wasn't angry, she stepped forward, clenched her fists, and circulated her qi.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Her punches cut through the air with force and precision.
No one would believe it if they hadn't seen it themselves—such fierce punches coming from a gentle-looking girl. Her movements were clean, her strength solid. It was obvious she had an excellent foundation.
Zhang Xuan watched for a long moment… and nearly collapsed.
With his current insight—even after inheriting memories—he couldn't see a single flaw.
No wonder his previous self scored zero. His judgment truly was abysmal.
"Now, strike the stone pillar with full strength," Cao Xiong said, nodding in satisfaction.
Bang!
The pillar shook. A number appeared.
53
"Fifty-three kilograms. Not bad," Cao Xiong praised.
For a new student—especially a female one—this was already impressive.
"I noticed your punches are powerful and well-structured," Cao Xiong continued. "But your force transmission is slightly short. If you better coordinate your lower body, your strength will increase significantly. If I'm not mistaken, your legs were once injured."
"Yes," Wang Ying nodded.
"Because of that injury, you subconsciously hesitate to use your legs. Relax—I'll teach you a method that won't aggravate your wounds."
He explained patiently and clearly.
"I'll try," Wang Ying said.
She absorbed the lesson quickly. Stepping up again, she tightened her fists, her strength flowing through her entire body like a taut bowstring.
Bang!
63
A full ten-kilogram increase.
"That's nearly a 20% improvement," Cao Xiong said proudly. "My guidance is complete. Teacher Zhang, your turn."
A student stepped forward from behind Cao Xiong.
"Wait," Zhang Xuan suddenly said.
"What? Are you trying to back out?" Cao Xiong sneered.
"Back out?" Zhang Xuan scoffed loudly, though his heart was pounding. "You think I'd dare?"
Inside, panic reigned. Guiding cultivation? He was a transmigrator who barely understood this world. Watching cultivation was about as useful to him as watching a romance drama for combat tips.
"I just thought," Zhang Xuan said casually, "this is your student. He'll follow your orders. If he doesn't use full strength after my guidance, wouldn't that mean I lose on purpose?"
"I'll definitely use full strength!" the student said firmly.
"Good. I believe in his integrity," Zhang Xuan nodded. "But this competition is still unfair."
"Unfair?" Cao Xiong frowned.
"If I win, Wang Ying becomes my student. If I lose, she becomes yours. What do you lose? That's like betting with your life—you win, you take my life; you lose, you lose nothing. Is that fair?"
Cao Xiong froze.
"…Then if you win," he said after a pause, "Liu Yang becomes your student."
Liu Yang stepped forward.
"Teacher…" he said anxiously.
Becoming the disciple of a zero-score teacher? He'd rather die.
"Relax," Cao Xiong said confidently. "I won't lose."
"…Yes."
Liu Yang stepped forward and immediately began his fist technique,不给 Zhang Xuan any chance to speak.
Zhang Xuan's face darkened.
He couldn't see a single flaw.
If he failed here, he wouldn't just lose face—he'd lose his job.
Bang!
Just as Zhang Xuan was sweating bullets, his consciousness trembled.
A deep, thunderous sound echoed in his mind.
Within the Library of Heaven's Path, four massive characters appeared:
Imperfections of the Heavenly Path
A book dropped into his hands.
Liu Yang
He opened it.
Details filled the pages.
Cultivation realm. Techniques. Martial skills.
And then—
Flaws: 12 in total.
Zhang Xuan nearly went insane.
This… this was his transmigrator cheat?!
Liu Yang finished his punch.
62
"Teacher Zhang, will you offer guidance?" Cao Xiong asked with a faint smile.
All eyes turned toward Zhang Xuan.
"I…" Zhang Xuan began.
Then he remembered the book.
Straightening his back, he said boldly, "Your fist technique has many flaws. Twelve, to be exact."
The crowd exploded.
"Twelve flaws?!"
"This is the funniest joke I've heard!"
"Soaring Flower Fist is one of the most refined basic techniques in the kingdom!"
"It's practically flawless!"
"Even the principal couldn't find twelve flaws!"
Cao Xiong laughed coldly. "Oh? Please enlighten us, Teacher Zhang."
Zhang Xuan felt his scalp tingle.
But retreat was impossible.
He glanced at the book again and clenched his teeth.
"Your punches favor the right side. Now, switch to the left and strike the pillar."
The crowd erupted again.
"That's nonsense!"
"He's sabotaging him!"
"Left hand? Is he insane?"
Even Cao Xiong smirked. "Liu Yang, follow his advice."
Liu Yang sneered inwardly. He wasn't left-handed. This was absurd.
Still, he performed the technique again and struck with his left fist.
Buzz!
A number appeared.
The laughter froze.
123
The entire cafeteria went silent.
"123 kilograms?!"
"That's… double?!"
Even Liu Yang stared at his fist in disbelief.
Zhang Xuan nearly laughed out loud.
It was real.
The Library of Heaven's Path was real.
"Your guidance increased strength by 20%," Zhang Xuan said calmly. "Mine increased it by 100%. Teacher Cao, anything else to say?"
Cao Xiong's face turned deathly pale.
Grinding his teeth, he drew a jade token, let blood drip onto it, and handed it over.
"Liu Yang, you're no longer my student. Acknowledge Teacher Zhang as your master."
He turned away, humiliation burning in his chest.
Liu Yang hesitated, but rules were rules. He completed the ritual.
"Come to class tomorrow," Zhang Xuan said, already turning away.
Back in his classroom, Zhang Xuan immersed himself in his consciousness and studied the library.
The conclusion was simple:
As long as someone displayed martial techniques before him, the Library of Heaven's Path would automatically generate a book of their flaws.
He laughed.
"With this… how could I ever score zero again?"
As a transmigrator, Zhang Xuan finally felt his heroic destiny unfold.