Chapter 877: The Heart of a Teacher

"Famous teacher?" Zhang Xuan's body stiffened.

Since his rebirth, half a year had passed, and he had seen many famous teachers—whether four-star, five-star, or even six-star peak—all had the joys and sorrows of ordinary people, as well as selfish desires and emotions.

Thus, although he too was a famous teacher, he had never felt the weight of this profession until witnessing this scene, only then understanding its significance in the heart of every cultivator.

One could sacrifice life, could give up everything, as long as it was for the human race!

Because I am a... famous teacher!

Two words, not many, yet heavy, bearing the hope of humanity!

"Indeed!"

Zhao Bingxu also nodded: "A famous teacher is not just an honor, but more so a responsibility. For instance, Lu Feng has already applied to go to the underground cavern, even at the cost of his life, to defend the dignity of being a famous teacher!"

"Underground cavern?" Zhang Xuan trembled slightly.

Through reading books, he knew what that place was.

The underground cavern—the extraterritorial battlefield connecting the continent and the alien race—was fraught with danger; a single misstep could mean death. Lu Feng... had already gone to the underground cavern?

That was no different from seeking death!

"Dean Lu spoke for You Xu because they had a good relationship—that's emotion, that's humanity! The Hall of Famous Teachers never extinguishes humanity. Even Master Kong in his time never suppressed it; instead, he encouraged the development of character, saying that only then could humanity thrive. If all famous teachers lost their nature and temper, all cast from the same mold, that would be a disaster for humanity!"

Elder Mi said.

"This..." Zhang Xuan was speechless.

Humans are emotional beings; with character, one can go further.

If one only thought of preserving the heavenly way while extinguishing human desires, perhaps without the alien race making a move, humanity would destroy itself.

Perhaps that was why the Master Teacher Academy did not mind conflicts among students, letting the fittest survive.

"A famous teacher can be selfish, can think for his friends and family, can even fight fiercely over treasures, but... when it comes to racial issues, he must set aside all prejudices, even at the cost of his life, and charge forward courageously. That is what this profession should do!"

Elder Mi continued: "And that was Master Kong's original intention in establishing the title of famous teacher!"

"So... this is what a famous teacher truly is!"

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes.

The famous teachers he had seen before, some good and some bad, had always seemed no different from ordinary people, equally selfish. Only now did he realize this view was wrong.

A famous teacher could be selfish, could be self-interested, could even fight over trivial matters, but when faced with a major racial issue, he would never back down!

That was what a famous teacher should do, and must do.

In an instant, his soul felt as if it had been baptized.

He was a transmigrator; in his previous life, many fine traditional cultures had disappeared. Students no longer respected teachers, and many teachers had lost their professional dignity, even committing acts against teaching ethics.

After coming to this world, although he had also felt the greatness of the teaching profession, he still carried the mindset of his previous life, somewhat lax.

Only now did he understand that since he had taken on this identity... he had his own responsibilities and obligations!

He had to bear the heavy burden on his shoulders.

Crack!

From Zhang Xuan's chest, a sound rang out, like something breaking out of a cocoon. Then a special, vast aura descended from the sky, falling upon him, causing him to radiate light like a deity.

"Could it be..."

Seeing the sudden change in the dean, Zhao Bingxu and Elder Mi exchanged glances, their pupils abruptly contracting, their voices trembling: "The Heart of a Teacher!"

The Heart of a Teacher, like the Eye of Insight, was something only a famous teacher could possess. Only by firmly believing in one's original heart and becoming a true teacher could one have the opportunity to rise higher and higher.

Legend had it that only upon reaching eight-star famous teacher, educating all directions, could one attain it. Unexpectedly... Teacher Zhang, only at four stars, had already comprehended it!

Possessing the Heart of a Teacher, one was no longer limited to humans; even spirit beasts and savage beasts could be swayed by the Teacher's Word Heavenly Grant, making them students—truly teaching without discrimination.

In his time, Master Kong had comprehended the Heart of a Teacher, and among his many disciples, there were not only humans but also beast tribes and even alien races.

The Heart of a Teacher was in no way inferior to a Heaven-recognized famous teacher!

"The dean has comprehended the Heart of a Teacher... It seems our Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy will go further and further..."

The two elders trembled with excitement.

The Heart of a Teacher was extremely rare; throughout the history of the Hall of Famous Teachers, few had comprehended it! Their dean had actually comprehended it, and it was foreseeable that his future achievements would be limitless!

The Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy would surely become famous throughout the world, a sacred place everyone yearned for.

"Dean Zhao, the Heart of a Teacher is too important; we must not let the news leak. Otherwise, once Teacher Zhang becomes the target of the alien race... we will become eternal sinners!"

Quickly casting a hand seal to set up a barrier around them to prevent information leakage, Elder Mi said urgently.

A famous teacher who comprehended the Heart of a Teacher would progress faster and faster; becoming the pinnacle of existence was only a matter of time.

Once the news leaked and the alien race learned of it, he would surely be besieged. For his safety, they had to keep it secret.

"Rest assured, I swear by my identity as a famous teacher that this matter will never be divulged..."

Zhao Bingxu immediately made an oath.

"I also swear by my identity as a famous teacher!" Elder Mi nodded.

As the two were speaking, the special power in the air dissipated. Zhang Xuan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze firm, as if lightning flashed within.

Having comprehended the Heart of a Teacher, he now understood what a 'teacher' should and should not do.

He was no longer confused as before.

"Elder Mi, have them stop the battle. Tell them that the new dean of the Master Teacher Academy wants to negotiate with them!"

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan said calmly.

"Negotiate?"

Both elders were startled. Elder Mi quickly said: "No! Dean, the reason we didn't tell you about this was precisely because we feared you would do this! Once your identity is revealed and something goes wrong, none of us can bear the responsibility!"

"Yes, the Master Teacher Academy finally has a dean approved by all ten deans and affirmed by Teacher Mu. We don't want to lose you again..."

Zhao Bingxu also said hurriedly.

"Won't my identity be revealed at the ceremony tomorrow as well?" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

It would be revealed anyway, and it would be revealed tomorrow as well. Even if it were revealed today, what difference would it make?

"It's different. After the succession ceremony tomorrow, you will be qualified to control the Dean's Token, which can protect your safety... Absolutely not now!"

Elder Mi said.

"Dean's Token?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"That's right. The Dean's Token will be imbued with the will of all students of the Master Teacher Academy. If the spirit race tries to harm you, their will will block them... Only then can your safety be ensured!" Elder Mi explained.

"In that case... does the missing old dean have the Dean's Token?" Zhang Xuan said.

"Of course he does..."

"Then why did he go missing, with no news of life or death?" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

"This..."

Elder Mi was left speechless.

"Danger has always existed. They were not afraid, so why should I be?" Looking at the countless master teachers below, who were advancing wave after wave, Zhang Xuan said.

They were also master teachers, advancing wave after wave, unafraid of death. What did he have to fear?

"Alright, I will speak now. However, I will say that Elder Zhao Bingxu and I are willing to negotiate with them. I hope the Dean will understand!" After hesitating for a moment, Elder Mi said.

Even if Master Zhang was not afraid, they did not want the Master Teacher Academy to lose its dean again.

"Mm!" Knowing this was the other's bottom line, Zhang Xuan said no more.

Dispelling the surrounding restrictions, Elder Mi leaped down from the back of the sacred beast.

"Are the kings of Cloud Mist Ridge present? I, Mi Zhu, am willing to represent the Master Teacher Academy in negotiations with you!"

Boom!

The voice of a peak Saint Realm First Layer spread out like a huge sound wave, spreading everywhere, instantly enveloping the entire mountain range.

"Negotiations?"

"Why negotiate? These spirit beasts are trampling on human dignity; we must not let them off!"

"That's right. If we negotiate, how can we face the many injured master teachers?"

...

Hearing about negotiations, all the master teachers below immediately erupted in uproar.

Negotiation was a sign of weakness!

The esteemed Master Teacher Academy, attacked by spirit beasts, not only failed to fight back but also wanted to negotiate—this was a loss of human dignity and face.

"If you want to negotiate, you can. Come to Cloud Mist Ridge, and we'll give you a chance to negotiate!"

A grand voice came from behind the spirit beasts.

It should be the most powerful existence among the many sacred beasts and spirit beasts of Cloud Mist Ridge, the so-called king.

"Go to Cloud Mist Ridge? Dean Mi, you can't agree!"

"That's right, this is walking into a tiger's den..."

"Once they catch us, where will the dignity of the Master Teacher Academy be?"

...

All the master teachers grew even more anxious.

The other party's request was clearly ill-intentioned.

Cloud Mist Ridge was their lair. Once there, they would likely be surrounded by countless Half-Saint, Saint, and Saint Realm spirit beasts, unable to escape even if they tried!

Moreover, humans fighting spirit beasts—first negotiating, clearly showing weakness, then going to the enemy's lair—wasn't that like being at someone's mercy?

The esteemed Master Teacher Academy, the pillar of humanity, how could it suffer such humiliation?

Once the news got out, wouldn't it cause great panic among the human race?

"Dean..."

As the discussion below raged, Elder Mi in the air couldn't help but look at Zhang Xuan on the back of the sacred beast.

Going to Cloud Mist Ridge for negotiations was indeed too dangerous.

"Agree to it!" Zhang Xuan said calmly.

"Dean, please reconsider..." Zhao Bingxu quickly cupped his fists.

"No need. If we don't go to their lair, how can we see their king?" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"This..."

Elders Mi and Zhao looked at each other and sighed.

Indeed, that was the case.

These sacred beasts valued their lives even more; otherwise, they wouldn't have sent so many spirit beasts to charge.

If they didn't agree, the other party wouldn't come out.

"Alright, we agree!"

Knowing the Dean had made his decision, the two said no more, silently resolving to protect him even at the cost of their lives. Elder Mi stepped forward and then spoke.

"What? Dean Mi..."

"Dean, you can't agree..."

Hearing him speak, the crowd below erupted again.

"Enough. This is the decision of the Master Teacher Academy. All master teachers, immediately retreat and assemble at Lei Yuan Peak!"

Elder Mi did not explain, but waved his hand grandly from the air.