Chapter 904: From Today, I Am the Dean!

Boom!

As the words fell, the light at the very center converged, and a token resembling a diamond, shimmering with brilliance, appeared before everyone's eyes.

This Dean's Token was crystal clear, flawless, dazzling like a diamond, making hearts tremble.

Elder Mi and Dean Jiang trembled again, their voices hoarse, as if they themselves could not believe what they saw.

“Not… a Supreme Dean's Token, but… a Perfect Dean's Token!”

“A Perfect Dean's Token—isn't that something that exists only in legends? How could it appear…”

Before them was not the Supreme Dean's Token, which required eighty percent approval, but one that had reached a higher realm… the Perfect Dean's Token!

This level required the complete admiration of every registered faculty and student in the Master Teacher Academy…

It existed only in theory; even the founding ancestor, Mu Kai, believed it was impossible to achieve!

After all, the more people, the more varied their thoughts. To make over a hundred thousand people admire you simultaneously was something only a spirit stone could achieve—a master teacher could never do it.

Even the Confucius of that era did not have everyone's submission.

Never in their dreams had they imagined that something beyond human capability, seemingly impossible, would not only be accomplished but… appear before their very eyes!

How had he done it?

At most, he had been in the Master Teacher Academy for less than two months, and most crucially, he had spent over a month outside, never showing his face…

“Whoosh!”

Amid the stunned gazes of the crowd, the Dean's Token flew straight toward Zhang Xuan on the platform and landed in his palm.

Catching it, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but pause.

Though only the size of a palm, the token was extremely heavy. He nearly dropped it from the platform when he grabbed it.

With his current strength—true energy, physical body, and soul totaling 65 million tons—he could easily crush even a great mountain. Yet he almost failed to hold a Dean's Token, leaving him utterly puzzled.

Looking down, he saw the token in his palm, like a crystal-clear diamond, very dazzling and beautiful.

From its appearance, it seemed weightless, even giving a light, airy feeling.

Extending his spirit, he glanced at it, and his pupils involuntarily contracted.

“This is… the weight of responsibility!”

He sighed.

This object was formed from gathered thoughts. In truth, it was not heavy—any child could lift it—but it carried the hopes of over a hundred thousand teachers and students… that made it heavy!

One could say the weight was that of responsibility, of duty, not of matter.

Originally, he thought being dean was fine as long as he could read books, but now it seemed not so simple.

Since he had taken on this heavy responsibility, he had to fulfill everyone's hopes and expectations, leading them further.

Otherwise, how could he deserve so many people's trust?

“Rest assured, as long as the Dean's Token is in my hand, I will not let you down…”

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan made a decision in his heart.

This Dean's Token was not an honor, not a lofty position, but… a burden on his shoulders!

The higher the position, the greater the responsibility.

At this moment, he finally understood why the old dean had insisted on going on that dangerous trial—it must have involved something very important.

Whoosh!

As soon as this thought appeared, the immense weight that had bent his arm and threatened to fall vanished instantly. The Perfect Dean's Token became as light as a feather.

The perfect token carried not only responsibility but also great power.

Putting the token away, Zhang Xuan looked down at the audience again.

All the students and teachers of the academy were clearly visible, like old friends he had known for years.

“From today, I am… the Dean!”

After an unknown time, Zhang Xuan's voice thundered.

“Dean!”

“Dean!”

“Dean…”

The crowd erupted, everyone shouting excitedly, like waves that never ceased…

The position that had been vacant for over two years finally had a new master, one who had earned the recognition and admiration of all teachers and students!

“This is our dean…”

Elder Mi and the others were all in tears.

Since the old dean's disappearance, the ten elders managing affairs had endured great pressure and faced many doubts.

Now, with a new dean, and such an excellent one, he would surely lead them further and higher.

…

At the same moment, on the record stand of the Master Teacher Hall in the Qingyuan Feudal Empire, a line of text appeared—

In the 18,827th year of the Qingyuan calendar, Zhang Xuan succeeded as Dean of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy.

This line was inconspicuous and soon buried among other messages on the record stand.

However, only later generations would know the true meaning of this line and what kind of legend it represented…

……

"Dean, these are congratulatory gifts from the surrounding empires, powers, and the Master Teacher Hall..."

The succession ceremony finally ended. Zhang Xuan left the high platform and hadn't yet reached the private courtyard prepared for him when Elder Mi approached and handed him a storage ring.

Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy governed over a dozen first-class empires and countless sects. Even if the strongest of many powers could not attend in person, their gifts would certainly be delivered.

Taking the ring, he swept his spirit sense over it and looked inside.

His eyes couldn't help but jump.

There were simply too many items, and they were too precious.

There were several thousand high-grade spirit stones alone, and countless pills and treasures.

"Put these in the academy's treasure vault. They belong to the academy, not to me personally..."

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan suppressed the urge to pocket them and handed the ring back.

Though he very much wanted to claim them for himself, he also knew that these gifts were given not to him, but to the position.

In other words, even if it weren't him, anyone else sitting in this position would receive the same treasures.

Therefore, strictly speaking, these things belonged to the Master Teacher Academy, not to him.

Besides, having obtained the many treasures from Cloud Mist Ridge, these items no longer held such great appeal for him.

"Yes!"

Elder Mi nodded, looked at the young man before him with even greater admiration, and took out another ring. "This one is from His Majesty Yu Shenqing, for the Dean personally!"

"For me personally?"

Zhang Xuan was startled, then looked inside and blinked.

Though it paled in comparison to the previous gifts, it was still extremely valuable. Even if it hadn't emptied half the national treasury, it was probably close to a third!

"His Majesty Yu Shenqing said that you not only revived their Bodhi tree but also imparted profound soul cultivation methods. These things are a personal reward for you, and he hopes you will not refuse!"

Elder Mi said.

"This..."

Zhang Xuan hesitated.

He had revived the Bodhi tree for Wei Ruyan's sake, and he had taught the soul cultivation method because he had secretly learned their technique... Accepting so many gifts from them would make him feel undeserving.

"Please convey my thanks to His Majesty for his kindness, but I cannot accept a reward without merit!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

The items were good, but accepting them would mean owing a favor, which was no easy burden.

Without the merit, he would not take on the karmic debt.

"Yes..."

Elder Mi nodded and said no more.

"Take me to the Record Mountain! I intend to take the Six-Star Master Teacher examination."

After a few more words, Zhang Xuan declined all other matters and spoke.

Having become the dean of the Master Teacher Academy, it was time for him to take the Six-Star Master Teacher examination.

"Alright!"

Elder Mi acknowledged and casually explained, "Record Mountain is a place in the Master Teacher Academy to test one's strength. Anyone below Half-Saint can attempt it. It has a total of nine levels."

"Nine levels?"

"Yes, each level is harder than the last. The third level is comparable to Half-Saint cultivation, the sixth level to Sub-Saint cultivation, and the ninth level... is equivalent to a Saint Domain First Layer expert!"

Elder Mi said. "This is not just a record but also a standard for selecting War Masters. Those below Half-Saint who can reach the sixth level qualify to become War Masters. Those who can reach the ninth level can be specially selected to enter the War Master Hall directly!"

"Below Half-Saint, reaching the sixth level... meaning defeating a Sub-Saint with Half-Saint strength?"

Zhang Xuan looked at him.

"Correct. Master Teachers themselves have the ability to challenge those above their level. Defeating a Sub-Saint with Half-Saint strength shows that both foundation and combat prowess are extremely formidable!"

Elder Mi nodded solemnly.

"I see." Zhang Xuan responded.

The Wu Xu and Lu Cheng he had encountered earlier were very likely War Masters; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to easily challenge above their level and trounce the four genius students of the Master Teacher Academy.

"In all these years, how many people in the Master Teacher Academy have passed the sixth level while below Half-Saint?"

Thinking of something, Zhang Xuan couldn't help asking.

"In the nearly ten thousand years since the academy's founding, a total of three hundred and twenty-seven people have become War Masters. But fewer than a hundred have passed the sixth level of Record Mountain while below Half-Saint!"

Elder Mi said after a moment's thought.

Those who become War Masters are all exceptionally talented Master Teachers with extremely strong combat prowess, far surpassing their peers. However, many of them only accomplished this after reaching Half-Saint. Before Half-Saint, trying to challenge above one's level and contend with a Sub-Saint is difficult!

There is a huge chasm between Saint and Spirit. Those who have not reached it are mere ants, and crossing it is nearly impossible.

"I see." Zhang Xuan nodded, then asked, "Who holds the highest record in the Master Teacher Academy for those below Half-Saint?"

Since there were challenges, there were naturally records. He wanted to see what level the highest record in the Master Teacher Academy had reached.

"The highest record was set by Dean Mo Liuzhen!" Elder Mi laughed. "Dean Liuzhen was known as the greatest genius of the academy in ten thousand years, and that reputation was well deserved. Back then, just after breaking through to the Silkworm Seal realm, he came to challenge Record Mountain and charged straight to the seventh level, astonishing everyone!"

"Just reaching the Silkworm Seal realm and charging to the seventh level?" Zhang Xuan's eyes widened in shock.

He had also just reached the early stage of Silkworm Seal, the same strength as the other had when challenging.

The ninth level was equivalent to an early Saint Domain First Layer expert. That meant the seventh level, at the very least, required combat power around the middle or late Sub-Saint stage to pass!

This meant that Dean Mo Liuzhen, at the same strength as him, had combat prowess nearly equal to his, perhaps even slightly stronger!