Although Liu Yang had accepted Zhang Xuan's guidance, deep down he did not believe the man was truly capable. In his eyes, everything so far could be explained by luck.
After all, correcting flaws in basic fist techniques was not real skill.
Because of this, he subconsciously looked down on Zhang Xuan and showed little respect.
"Teacher."
Upon entering the room, Liu Yang clasped his fists perfunctorily. His tone was polite, but entirely devoid of reverence.
"Demonstrate the martial skills you usually practice," Zhang Xuan said calmly, as though he hadn't noticed the disrespect. "At your age, cultivating Soaring Flower Fist to minor completion and Dragon Inch Fist to major completion is fairly impressive."
"What?!"
Liu Yang's indifference shattered instantly. His face went pale as he stared at Zhang Xuan in disbelief.
"You… how do you know I cultivate Dragon Inch Fist?!"
That instant, fear surged through his heart.
Properly speaking, given his cultivation level, he should have focused on techniques like Soaring Flower Fist. Dragon Inch Fist, a Mortal-grade low-tier martial skill, possessed far greater power—and far greater requirements.
In order to strengthen himself, Liu Yang had secretly practiced Dragon Inch Fist behind his family's back. Even after reaching major completion, he had never displayed it in front of anyone.
Before Zhang Xuan, he had only demonstrated Soaring Flower Fist.
And yet—
Zhang Xuan had named it directly.
And even stated its realm.
"How could he possibly know?"
"There's the shadow of Dragon Inch Fist hidden within your Soaring Flower Fist," Zhang Xuan replied calmly.
Naturally, he could not mention the Library of Heaven's Path. His explanation flowed effortlessly, without hesitation.
"That alone is enough to tell?"
Liu Yang found it hard to believe.
The two fist techniques had no direct relation. Even when he demonstrated in front of Teacher Cao Xiong before, the man had noticed nothing.
Yet this so-called worst teacher in the academy had seen through him at a glance?
Before he could process this, Zhang Xuan continued.
"When you practice Dragon Inch Fist, your armpit aches, and the Shoulder Well acupoint itches, doesn't it?"
Liu Yang staggered back several steps.
His pupils shrank, terror flashing across his face as though he had seen a ghost.
It wasn't just correct.
It was too correct.
It was as if Zhang Xuan had been watching him cultivate with his own eyes.
"You… how do you know this?" Liu Yang asked hoarsely.
"Simple," Zhang Xuan said. "You're cultivating it wrong."
His voice remained steady, but the words struck like thunder.
"If you continue like this, within three years your entire arm will suffer muscle necrosis. Even divine medicine won't be able to save you."
"Actually," he continued, "it won't even take three years. Haven't you already noticed stiffness when you sleep? Occasional numb twitching?"
"I…"
Liu Yang trembled violently.
Every word was true.
He had felt those symptoms—but dismissed them as exhaustion.
He had never imagined that the problem lay in the Dragon Inch Fist itself.
"Dragon Inch Fist emphasizes inch-force and treats the body like a coiling dragon," Zhang Xuan explained. "If you had reached the Fourth Layer, Skin & Bone Realm, True Qi would nourish your muscles and protect you. But you're only at the Gathering Breath Realm."
"Your body is too weak."
"Cultivating such a martial skill now only forces damage upon your arm. The injury will accumulate until it becomes irreversible."
He paused, then delivered the final blow.
"That's why—despite being right-handed—your left arm is stronger. Your right arm is already injured. If you don't stop… you'll become disabled."
"Teacher—save me!"
All of Liu Yang's pride collapsed.
His knees hit the floor heavily as he knelt, bowing deeply.
At this moment, he finally understood.
This man before him was not merely capable.
He was a true expert.
Everything Zhang Xuan said aligned perfectly with his own experience—things he had ignored, things others had never noticed.
Even famous academy teachers had failed to detect this.
Yet Zhang Xuan had seen it instantly.
What qualification did he have to be arrogant in front of such a person?
What he once thought was humiliation—being forced to study under Zhang Xuan—was in fact fortune.
"Stop cultivating Dragon Inch Fist immediately," Zhang Xuan said. "Focus on improving your cultivation base first. As for the hidden injuries, I'll find a way to resolve them later."
Then he waved his hand.
"Go. Call Zhao Ya in."
"Yes!"
Liu Yang responded without hesitation and hurried out.
Outside the room, Zheng Yang, Zhao Ya, and Yuan Tao were waiting.
"Did you withdraw from the class?" Yuan Tao asked eagerly.
"Withdraw?" Liu Yang scoffed, his expression righteous. "Why would I withdraw?"
"A teacher for a day is a father for life! I, Liu Yang, would never do something so disgraceful. Who do you think I am?"
He looked at them with disdain.
"Honestly, I don't understand you people. Thinking about withdrawing all day—aren't you ashamed?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
The three stared at him in silence.
Shameless.
Utterly shameless.
Just moments ago, he had been swearing to withdraw no matter what. Now he acted as though he had always been loyal.
His face was thicker than a city wall.
Zhao Ya took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
Perhaps… this teacher truly has ability, she thought.
Even Uncle Yao Han's words had shaken her earlier. But Zhang Xuan had accurately described her condition—something impossible to fabricate.
"Sit," Zhang Xuan said.
She obeyed.
"Teacher, you said… you could help treat my illness…" Her cheeks flushed faintly.
Zhang Xuan nodded. "Your problem is simple."
In truth, Zhao Ya was not sick.
She possessed a Pure Yin Body, an extremely rare constitution coveted by countless cultivators.
If guided correctly, her cultivation would progress at an astonishing pace.
Unfortunately, no one in White Jade City had recognized this.
Instead, she had been given a Yin-attribute cultivation technique—perfectly suitable for ordinary women, yet disastrous for a Pure Yin Body.
Her Yin Qi accumulated excessively. While young, the imbalance remained hidden, but as her body matured, suppression became increasingly difficult.
If left untreated, the condition would worsen uncontrollably.
"That awkward sensation you experience," Zhang Xuan said calmly, "comes from this."
Zhao Ya was stunned.
Not even her father knew of her constitution.
And yet—
"You cultivate the White Jade Pure Maiden Art, correct?"
Her face drained of color.
"How… how do you know that?!"
"That technique doesn't suit you," Zhang Xuan replied. "To solve this completely, you must change your cultivation method."
"What should I cultivate then?" Zhao Ya asked, struggling to suppress her shock.
"A technique that draws out your constitution's potential—rather than one that accumulates Yin Qi."
He stood.
"Tomorrow, I'll visit the academy's Compendium Pavilion and find something suitable for you."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Her eyes shone with excitement.
"Call Zheng Yang in."
As Zhang Xuan continued guiding his students inside the classroom, footsteps echoed outside.
A tall youth strode forward, his expression dark.
"Elder Liu—what you said is true?" he asked the old man behind him.
"Absolutely true, Young Master," Elder Liu replied repeatedly. "Young Lady has indeed acknowledged Teacher Zhang Xuan as her master."
The youth's eyes flared with anger.
"Zhang Xuan? That zero-score teacher from the qualification exam?"
He clenched his fists.
"What right does a fraud like that have to teach my sister?"
"Today, if I don't beat him until he understands the price of deception, I won't be called Wang Tao!"
With murderous intent, he stormed toward the classroom.