Shen Biru, cold and aloof like frost, listened to the exchange and unexpectedly revealed a faint smile.
This roundabout way of cursing someone was nothing unusual on Earth—but here, it was refreshingly novel.
Seeing that smile, Shang Bin immediately felt as though he were being laughed at. His face flushed red, then pale. Yet with the goddess present, he forcibly suppressed his rage and did not dare to attack Zhang Xuan directly.
"What, did I say something wrong?" Shang Bin sneered, forcing his tone steady."Your level is known throughout the academy. As for this fatty—he came to my class earlier. Fat like a pig aside, his defense is all he has! His fist strength is a pathetic fifteen kilograms. In the Crossing the Threshold Assessment, he wasn't last—he was second to last! If that isn't trash, what is?"
"Second to last?"Zhang Xuan paused and turned to look at the fat man.
"Who said second to last?" Yuan Tao argued confidently, then scratched his head awkwardly."I was only… ranked 9,997th."
"…9,997?"Zhang Xuan nearly spat blood.
Hong Tian Academy recruited ten thousand students each year. Ranking 9,997 was practically dead last. And this fellow still sounded proud?
"You—" Zhang Xuan felt a headache coming on.
"So you really can't recruit students unless you accept anything with a pulse?" Shang Bin laughed coldly."I have a clear rule—anyone ranked below 500 doesn't even qualify to enter my class! The First From the Bottom teacher, the First From the Bottom student… truly a perfect match! Hahaha!"
Zhang Xuan merely shook his head."Finished? Then you may leave."
Using the Library of Heaven's Path, he already knew Yuan Tao lacked proper cultivation techniques and guidance. Once his Dragon Rhino Bloodline awakened, his progress would be explosive.
"You—!"Shang Bin felt as though his fists had struck cotton.
Anyone else would have exploded in rage at such ridicule, but Zhang Xuan seemed completely indifferent. The more Shang Bin spoke, the uglier his expression became.
"Hopeless," Shang Bin snorted coldly. He turned to Shen Biru."Teacher Biru, let's go. Spending too much time with trash like this will contaminate your aura."
Shen Biru's delicate brows knit slightly. Instead of leaving, she turned to Zhang Xuan.
"Teacher Zhang Xuan."
Her voice was clear and melodious, like an oriole's song.
Zhang Xuan was momentarily startled. He hadn't expected the academy's most beautiful teacher to speak to him first.
"Although your previous… Teacher Qualification Examination results weren't ideal," Shen Biru said gently,"you shouldn't deliberately ruin yourself. Cultivate diligently. You may yet find success."
She meant well. In her eyes, Zhang Xuan had deliberately accepted a hopeless student out of resignation. Even if she felt nothing for her former admirer, she didn't wish to see him completely fall.
"Thank you for the reminder," Zhang Xuan nodded sincerely."But this student may appear ordinary now. Uncut jade, however, shines once polished."
Shen Biru gave a small nod and said no more. To her, it sounded like a kind excuse. A student this old, this fat, and this poorly trained—his future was clearly limited.
"Damn it…"Watching the goddess speak warmly to Zhang Xuan, Shang Bin's face twisted with fury.
In his mind, Shen Biru should have been walking with him—yet now she had turned away after speaking to that trash teacher.
"Teacher Shang," Shen Biru said coolly as she departed,"I'm tired today. Please don't follow."
Her figure faded into the distance.
"Damn it! Damn it!"Shang Bin clenched his fists, fury burning as he stared at Zhang Xuan."Zhang Xuan, just wait. I'll make you regret existing."
Once they were gone, Zhang Xuan turned to the fat man.
"Since you've acknowledged me as your master, you should at least know where my classroom is."
"Good!" Yuan Tao straightened immediately, grinning."Teacher, now that I'm your student… which teacher are you exactly?"
Zhang Xuan pressed his forehead.
Only now did this fellow think to ask?
"My name is Zhang Xuan."
"…Teacher Zhang Xuan?"Yuan Tao froze."The… Teacher Qualification Examination zero-score… First From the Bottom… Teacher Zhang?"
"…That would be me," Zhang Xuan nodded.
"…!"Yuan Tao's fat body trembled. His lips twitched as if he were about to cry.
"T-Teacher Zhang…" he scratched his head nervously."You see, I'm weak, not very smart, and… kind of fat. Or maybe… you could withdraw my enrollment?"
"…."
"The other teachers said so too," Yuan Tao continued earnestly."If you keep me, it'll hurt your reputation. I'm afraid I'll drag you down…"
"I'm not afraid of being dragged down," Zhang Xuan snapped."And since your blood is already on the jade token, remember this—alive, you are my student. Dead, you are my dead student. Stop talking nonsense."
"…!"Yuan Tao's face twisted. Tears welled up.
He wanted a powerful teacher for a bright future—yet ended up joining First From the Bottom with First From the Bottom.
Why was his life so bitter?
"This is my classroom," Zhang Xuan said bluntly."Get your bedding. Be on time tomorrow."
"…This classroom…"Seeing the tiny room, Yuan Tao nearly cried again.
"Teacher… if I don't come tomorrow, can you dismiss me?"
"Dismiss you?" Zhang Xuan nodded seriously."No problem. I'll personally throw you into the lake you were planning to jump into earlier—feed the turtles."
"Teacher—!"Yuan Tao suddenly straightened, eyes blazing with determination.
"I'll be there tomorrow! I'll clean the classroom in advance! Being able to follow such a good teacher is my honor! Anyone who tries to recruit me again—I'll reject them and scold them to their faces!"
"…."
Zhang Xuan stared at him silently.
He had thought he was shameless enough.
Turns out, his disciple was even worse.