Chapter 220 The Golden Book Reappears

"A clear mind and righteous spirit, virtue and conduct as one. A teacher must first achieve these eight characters before students can truly admire him, completely submit to him, and even willingly go through fire and water for him, fight for his honor, vindicate his name, regardless of life or death." Zhuang Xian's lips trembled, his face full of disbelief: "Legend says that only teachers above four stars can achieve this during their teaching. He... he..."

He repeated "he, he" twice but found he couldn't utter another word.

What lay before him was too shocking, stripping all embellished language of its luster.

"These students have only been taught for about half a month, and we specifically observed that during this time, he was absent for at least ten days... meaning the total time spent with them was no more than four or five days... and they willingly vindicate his name? How... how is this possible?"

Zheng Fei also swallowed hard.

"Making students willingly vindicate his name requires an immense level of trust. It seems... we really underestimated this Teacher Zhang Xuan."

Liu Ling sighed.

"Indeed. Earlier, when I heard Teacher Yang had taken him as a disciple, I felt a bit disappointed. Now it seems, even if he became our disciple, we'd have nothing to teach him." Zhuang Xian smiled bitterly.

To be someone's teacher, one must have sufficient knowledge to impart. If the teacher is inferior to the student, how can he teach?

Earlier, they felt somewhat displeased that such a promising talent had been snatched by Teacher Yang. Now, seeing that Zhang Xuan's students, taught for only half a month, willingly vindicated his name without regard for life or death, they were all filled with embarrassment.

In such a short time, to earn such immense trust from students that they would dare to challenge higher levels—even they couldn't do that.

Fortunately, they hadn't succeeded in recruiting him as an apprentice; otherwise, an apprentice surpassing the teacher... would certainly be mortifying.

The three famous teachers felt embarrassed, but the crowd below was in an uproar, all stunned.

A student challenging a teacher and asking 'Do you dare to accept?' was a blatant provocation.

Especially for Lu Xun, this was a severe slap in the face.

He had failed the teacher evaluation, felt humiliated, and wanted to dominate Teacher Zhang in cultivation to regain some face. But now, the other side's students said, 'You want to challenge our teacher? You're not worthy; you can only compete with us...'

However...

This was a matter of pride. They were just newly enrolled students, even if they had made some breakthroughs, at most they had studied for half a month. Directly challenging the most famous star teacher of Hongtian Academy, a true Acupoint Opening realm expert—how could that be possible?

"Look at Zhao Ya!"

Just as everyone was wondering if these students were being too reckless, someone in the crowd shouted.

Hearing the shout, all eyes focused on the incredibly beautiful girl.

Her aura was like a sword piercing the sky, growing stronger and sharper.

Boom!

As her aura increased, she seemed to undergo a transformation, becoming more beautiful, more ethereal, like a celestial maiden.

"She... is breaking through!"

"Dantian realm peak, True Qi realm, True Qi realm peak, Skin and Bone realm... Skin and Bone realm peak? How is this possible?"

"In just a few breaths, she broke through several levels? How can anyone advance so quickly?"

"Could it be... she deliberately suppressed her cultivation, or held back from breaking through, and only now succeeded in one go, shocking everyone?"

"Very likely... Look, she's already at the Strength realm!"

...

Seeing Zhao Ya on the stage, everyone felt they were going mad.

She was breaking through wildly!

"This... this..."

Opposite her, Zhu Hong stumbled and fell to the ground, his lips pale with fear.

Earlier, he had thought about breaking through to the True Qi realm to avenge his previous defeat, but ultimately didn't get a chance to fight. He was unwilling and planned to find another opportunity to beat up Zhao Ya and the others. But seeing this scene, he realized how naive and ridiculous that idea was.

Fortunately, he hadn't been matched against her; otherwise, given Zhao Ya's state, she might have flattened him with a single slap.

Too terrifying!

How did this Teacher Zhang teach?

To make students progress so rapidly?

Finally, Zhao Ya stopped at the peak of the Strength realm, becoming even more ethereal and otherworldly, every move like a celestial maiden, dazzling beyond compare.

"Is this the activated Pure Yin Constitution?"

City Lord Zhao Feng and Steward Yao Han also widened their eyes, their fists unconsciously clenching.

Although they had known Zhao Ya had this constitution and Teacher Zhang had prepared the Yin-Breaking Pill to help her break through, they never dreamed it would be so terrifying, so astonishing.

In an instant, she rose to the peak of the Strength realm...

"Xiao Ya has truly met a good teacher!"

After the shock, City Lord Zhao Feng sighed.

As a father, he hadn't known his daughter had the Pure Yin Constitution, nor had he noticed her daily suffering—a grave dereliction of duty.

Had she not met this Teacher Zhang, not only would she not have broken through, but she would have been tormented by this special constitution, unable to advance in cultivation.

"I've heard that once a special constitution is activated, cultivation advances by leaps and bounds, undergoing a qualitative change. I thought it was nonsense, but now it seems... it's true. City Lord Zhao, you have a good daughter. I'm afraid our Tianxuan Kingdom's future rise depends on her!"

Emperor Shen Zhui beside him also couldn't help sighing.

Since Zhao Feng came to the royal city, the matter of his daughter Zhao Ya's Pure Yin Constitution had become known. They thought she would be at most a bit more talented than ordinary people, but they never dreamed... so much more talented.

In just over half a month, from the first level of martial arts, Qi Gathering realm peak, to the fifth level, Strength realm peak...

This could no longer be described as monstrous; it was absolutely heaven-defying!

With such talent, she would surely grow into a great figure, protecting the realm. Perhaps the future of Tianxuan Kingdom would rely on this girl to support it and lead it to greater glory.

...

"And you think you can challenge me?"

Unaware of the crowd's shock, seeing that his attempt to fight Zhang Xuan was blocked by his students, Lu Xun's face twitched.

He wished he had never spoken.

Now, blocked by these students, if he didn't fight, people would say he was afraid of them; if he fought, it would be bullying the weak. Worst of all... winning wouldn't be glorious, and losing would be even more shameful!

Intense frustration nearly drove him mad.

"That's right. Even if we can't win, for Teacher Zhang's honor, we'll stop at nothing!"

Zhao Ya and the others showed unwavering determination.

Even Wang Ying, who had seemed somewhat timid, did not retreat.

Teacher Zhang was the most sacred line of defense in their hearts. What had they been working so hard for these days if not to win glory for him?

Today, the culprit who wanted to trample his dignity was right here... They would not retreat a single step!

Teacher Zhang, let us seek justice for you!

Teacher Zhang, let us wash away the contempt and humiliation he has shown you!

"These kids..."

Seeing their actions, even Zhang Xuan, with his calm and composed state of mind, felt his eyes redden.

He had taken on these students only to avoid being expelled from the academy and to resolve the first crisis after his rebirth.

He never dreamed that planting a seed would yield a forest.

He had no special teaching methods, nor had he deliberately sought their gratitude. He had only done his best, not wanting to let anyone down. And the result moved him deeply.

Looking back, he had often wondered if it was worth it. Now he knew that the human heart cannot be measured by money or material things. Only by treating others sincerely can they be sincere in return. There is no such thing as worth or not worth, should or shouldn't!

"No wonder they practiced the joint attack formation. Even if Lu Xun hadn't challenged me to a duel, they would have sought to reclaim our honor and vent for me!"

Moved, he finally understood what he had seen in the library earlier.

He had been puzzled why these kids were practicing the joint attack formation. Now it was clear—it was for this moment.

Lu Xun had challenged the teacher evaluation, forcing Zhang Xuan to accept, making him look awkward and damaging his reputation. They had seen it all. Even if Lu Xun hadn't provoked them today, they would have charged at him, argued, and challenged him to a fight.

Even knowing they might not win, even knowing it was like a moth flying into a flame... they would not hesitate.

Only to... prevent their teacher from being humiliated!

These kids...

Unexpected...

Trembling inside, Zhang Xuan held back his tears.

"I can't let them take risks..."

Just as he stood up to stop them, his mind shook. On the deep shelves of the Heaven's Path Library, a golden book appeared again.

"This book... is it related to the students' gratitude?"

Seeing the book form, Zhang Xuan was startled.

Last time the golden book formed, he hadn't known when. Now, he witnessed it firsthand. His students were risking everything for him. Could the formation of the golden book be related to his students?

The thought flashed through his mind, and he didn't dwell on it.

Now was not the time to study this. He stood up and was about to walk over to make the students retreat when they all turned around.

"Teacher Zhang, this is our decision. We hope you won't interfere."

Zhao Ya looked at him with clear eyes, smiled slightly, and her voice rang out around them, carrying an unyielding determination.

"You have done so much for us. We just want to do something for you, to show everyone the results of your guidance these days, and to let everyone know..."

"Your honor... cannot be insulted!"

"Your dignity... cannot be violated!"

Seeing these kids with their resolute gazes and unwavering decisions, Zhang Xuan's body tensed, and he couldn't help but stop.

"Please grant us your permission, Teacher!"

Zhao Ya clasped her fists.

"Please grant us your permission, Teacher!" The other four spoke in unison.

"Alright, be careful. If you truly can't win, admit defeat. Rest assured! With your teacher standing here, no one dares to insult me, and no one can!"

With his hands behind his back, Zhang Xuan raised his brows, and his aura surged forth, shooting into the sky.

The surrounding tables and chairs exploded into powder under the powerful aura.

"Tongxuan realm... peak?"

A chorus of exclamations.