Chapter 666: Teacher Shang’s Lesson

Everyone in the upper echelons of the institution knew that Shang Xia created his own path of cultivation.

During an exchange with Kou Chongxue, he agreed to leave behind his inheritance in the institution. He wished to spread his knowledge about his own cultivation path and received the patriarch’s approval.

The only problem he was facing was how he would get the others to agree with his ideology and path of cultivation. He had to think long and hard about it. Otherwise, Shang Xia was afraid that even though his method of cultivation was unique, he would still be ostracized in the institution due to how different it was. It could even be suppressed by the current school of thought.

After Shang Xia received Liu Qinglan’s notification to teach the inner division and learned about the upcoming competition, he saw a chance within.

The Fifth Class of the Inner Division seemed to possess a much lower standard than the others, and it could be said to be the bottom of the barrel of the Inner Division.

It was especially so after they suffered a devastating defeat in the battlefield between the two worlds. Because of that, they might not even be able to gather enough students to form a proper team.

Everything might seem hopeless to them, but Shang Xia didn’t think so. At the very least, they could band together and face their enemy when threatened. There were also a few of them who were willing to step out despite knowing how dangerous it was.

Compared to the other classes, the Fifth Class might not have many students who stood out from the rest. However, the number of them who were truly useless was actually a minority. Their individual cultivation also seemed to be the most balanced among those in the Inner Division.

Shang Xia’s first lesson for all of them might not be anything special, but it definitely fulfilled the requirements. He didn’t go into every topic of cultivation with a bunch of flowery words. Instead, he used the simplest of languages to describe everything. As long as one managed to pay attention, they would understand most of what he was saying.

As the lesson came to a close, several students would start to bring up questions they had about cultivation.

In the past, the Fifth Class had been taught by many different teachers. Most of them came over to fulfill their duty as posted by the institution and they lacked a sense of responsibility when compared to the class they were actually in charge of. They would quickly conclude the lesson and gloss over any questions the students had.

Now that the Fifth Class finally received their very own teacher, many students brought up questions they were facing during their cultivation. Moreover, they didn’t have a question or two. They had a bunch of them regarding obstacles they faced.

Shang Xia patiently went through every single one of them. Even though his ability to teach was average at best, his cultivation could be said to have reached a terrifying level. He also had a bunch of experience and he was able to point out the key points to those questions they had. Even if he was unsure of something, he would understand what they faced after asking a question or two. In several words, he would clear their doubts and point them in the correct direction.

The more that happened, the more enthusiastic the students felt. The questions kept on rolling and the time it took for him to go through every one of them slowly increased.

Naturally, he wouldn’t care about a little time. He patiently listened and answered their questions one by one.

While that was happening, students of other classes in the Inner Division started to leave their respective plazas as their lessons ended. When they passed by the training plaza allocated to the Fifth Class, some of them discovered what was happening within.

However, almost every other student had received news of the upcoming competition and they were discussing excitedly among themselves.

There were several more outstanding students who crowded around several teachers as they tried to fish for more information.

The teachers who were passing by the Fifth Class’ training plaza also noticed what was happening within when they were looking around. As soon as they saw a certain someone, their jaws dropped in surprise. They couldn’t be bothered with the students any longer and they casually found an excuse before leaving hastily, leaving behind a bunch of clueless students.

Nothing outside the plaza could be hidden from Shang Xia, but he couldn’t care less about them.

After he finally concluded his lesson after clearing the last question, an hour past the lesson time had passed.

The students revealed embarrassed looks as they knew that the time of every teacher in the institution was precious. They usually wouldn’t be willing to use too much time outside class to guide others.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Shang Xia didn’t mind in the slightest. After all, he actually wasn’t too busy. At the very least, he could only try to improve his foundations when cultivating. Without finding every treasure required to craft his rank five advancement medicine, he couldn’t do anything!

Originally, Shang Xia planned to show the others the Yin Yang Sword Formation after they were done with their questions. Looking at the current situation, he couldn’t do so anymore.

When they bade him farewell and got ready to leave, Shang Xia suddenly turned to stare in a certain direction.

Ju Hang was making his way over to the training plaza when he caught sight of the entire group from far away. Anger burned in his heart as he yelled, “What the hell are all of you doing?! I’ve been waiting for an hour! The competition hasn’t started yet and you guys are already planning to give up?!”

As the Custodian of the Fifth Class of the Inner Division, the pressure Ju Hang had to endure was massive. He had been mocked by other teachers and Custodians because of his student’s failures.

When Yan Weihai saw Ju Hang barreling over with a belly full of rage, he felt extremely guilty. They completely forgot about their next class as everyone was busy clearing their doubts with Shang Xia earlier.

“Disciple greets Custodian Ju!” Yan Weihai brought the others to greet him the moment he arrived.

Originally, Ju Hang planned to heavily chastise his students in order to get rid of the anger that he bottled up. However, the figure of someone he knew appeared as soon as all of them bowed.

The solemn expression on his face froze.

“You… I mean… Why are you here?!” Ju Hang stuttered incoherently.

The students of the Fifth Class thought that Ju Hang’s strange tone was merely because he was surprised at seeing their long absent teacher.

Straightening their backs, they started to move to the side so that Ju Hang would be standing directly in front of Shang Xia.

Hesitating slightly, Ju Hand didn’t know if he should be cupping his fists in greeting or if he should bow.

No matter if they were comparing status or cultivation, Shang Xia was far above him. However, the 2 of them had always been rivals when they were fellow students and he truly wasn’t willing to lower himself.

Luckily, Shang Xia quickly got him out of his predicament. He took two steps forward and laughed, “What’s the matter, we were fellow students and old friends after all. It’s been long since we met, but there’s no need for you to act like this.”

Only then did the students of the Fifth Class learn that their new teacher was part of the same batch as their Custodian.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Ju Hang revealed a grateful expression.

It was true that they were fellow students, but it wouldn’t be accurate to call them old friends. After all, when Shang Xia was the Chief of the Outer Division back then, Ju Hang challenged him time and time again. Their relationship couldn’t be considered great.

Soon, Shang Xia’s cultivation started to rise like a rocket and his position of the chief disciple became unassailable. He made significant contributions to the institution continuously and it was difficult to even find Shang Xia. Ju Hang knew that they weren’t on the same level a long time ago.

The feeling of challenging Shang Xia died in him a long time ago.

“I never thought that you would come here personally…” Ju Hang said as complex emotions clouded his heart.

A laugh escaped Shang Xia’s lips and he sighed a little apologetically, “It’s my first class and I failed to take note of time. I wonder which teacher’s class I ate into?”

Ju Hang waved his hand and chuckled, “It’s my practical combat class but it’s alright.”

“Oh? You’re their Custodian, but you’re also teaching their practical combat class?” Shang Xia gasped softly.

Ju Hang could probably guess that Shang Xia had no idea what was going on in the institution after so many years of changes and he started to explain patiently, “The institution has always been focused on teaching our students actual combat. As such, a good portion of disciples from the Protection Division and Outreach Division have been asked to take on roles as Custodians and teachers. Because of the manpower shortage, Custodians would usually be in charge of teaching the practical combat class.”

Shang Xia nodded slightly and responded, “Perfect. I promised to teach them a suitable battle formation earlier but I ran out of time. Since you’re their practical combat teacher, I won’t stand on ceremony. You can just stand there and pretend to be their opponent.”

“...”