Shen Tuo added, “The academy organizes a competition every year to refresh the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings. However, the rankings rarely change because most of the spots are occupied by the Dao Martial Department elites.”
Lin Xun digested this material and came to a conclusion. Of course it's normal for the Hidden Dragon Department students to be incapable of matching the Dao Martial Department elites.
As for the True Martial Department students, they had already long surpassed the Spirit Sea stage and obviously could not participate.
Lin Xun suddenly asked, “Given my current status, can I also participate in such competitions?”
Shen Tuo was taken aback. “Of course you may.”
Only then did he recall that Lin Xun had defeated Hua Wuyou a few months ago, who was one of the Dao Martial Department students!
With that in mind, wouldn’t Lin Xun’s current combat power allow him to vie for a spot on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings?
Even someone like Shen Tuo could not help but inwardly call Lin Xun a freak of nature. He had already displayed such unbelievable talent in runes and yet he hadn’t slouched one bit in his martial cultivation.
A genius like him was nearly impossible to find even in a place like Qinglu Academy!
“Let’s continue.”Shen Tuo continued leading Lin Xun into the academy.
It was not long before they arrived at a group of buildings that were covered in lush vegetation amidst a forest of tall, ancient trees. The buildings were incomparably old and thoroughly marked by the mottled traces of time.
Under the morning sun, the scene gave off a beautiful and solemn charm.
This was the Rune Department.
Shen Tuo brought Lin Xun into one of the buildings that turned out to be an accommodation for instructors.
Qinglu Academy had clearly put a lot of thought into securing Lin Xun. The accommodation they had provided for him was a spacious room with elegant furnishings. Everything looked meticulously prepared, and it had all the facilities he would need.
Three sets of instructor navy-blue clothes had already been prepared along with a blue jade insignia that represented his instructor status and a room key.
Shen Tuo explained, “This insignia has a special function. It can record the points collected by you. These points have many uses. They can not only be exchanged for aeth tools, pills, and medicine but are also used to borrow books from the martial manual library."
"In other words, the more points you have, the more privileges and benefits you can enjoy in the academy."
Lin Xun was surprised. He had not anticipated that even the instructors would need to earn and accumulate points.
This made Lin Xun recall Blood Kill Camp. Wasn't there also a similar system back then?
"Since we're done here, let me bring you to class."
After Lin Xun had changed into his navy-blue clothes and tied his hair into a bun, Shen Tuo led him out of the accommodation.
"The academy has prepared a level one instructor position for you. You will be responsible for teaching class 9C."
Shen Tuo went on to explain that the Rune Department classes were categorized according to mastery level.
The A class was for students with advanced rune master aptitude, and their instructors were usually rune grandmasters.
Take Shen Tuo, for example. Although he was the head instructor, he was also responsible for teaching one of the A classes.
The B class was targeted at students with intermediate rune master aptitude while the C class was targeted at students with initiate rune master aptitude.
Lin Xun was in charge of teaching class 9C.
One point worth mentioning was that an instructor's test results were tied to their students’ results. The better the students did, the better it would reflect on the instructor, and the more points the instructor would earn.
It could be said that their success and failure were tied together.
……
There were a total of nine C classes which were all held in an old three-story building.
Each floor had three classrooms and each class had thirty students.
The class allocated to Lin Xun was located on one corner on the first floor. The walls were covered in green vines, making the room look like a secluded sanctuary far away from the hustle and bustle of society.
"The students are already waiting inside. Go ahead."
This was where Shen Tuo’s tour came to an end.
Lin Xun nodded and walked toward the entrance. However, he suddenly sensed something, causing him to quickly scan the surroundings as an amused look flashed in his eyes.
In that instant, he had detected numerous gazes secretly watching this place with curiosity, amusement, excitement, and various other emotions.
Lin Xun withdrew his gaze and walked into classroom 9C.
……
A strange look rose in Shen Tuo’s eyes as he watched Lin Xun’s figure disappear into the classroom. After standing on the spot for some time, he ultimately let out a soft sigh and left.
He did not walk far but found an empty spot before looking back at classroom 9C as if he was waiting for something.
“Hmph, what’s so amazing about the nine draconic cries? He’s just a hairless kid that doesn’t have any teaching experience. Aren’t you guys just causing problems by letting him replace me to teach class 9C?”
A tanned elder had appeared at some unknown time. He was clearly a little miffed as he icily snorted. “I’m interested to see how big of a joke his first lesson will be. He’d better not be blasted out of the classroom by the students.”
His gloating voice was filled with a sliver of anger and resentment.
The old man was called Fang Zhongjian and he was a very veteran advanced rune master. He was also the original instructor of class 9C.
Having his nest suddenly taken over by another bird naturally made him very unhappy.
“Old Fang, the academy has made other arrangements for you that are far better than being an instructor. Don’t say such cynical things.”
Shen Tuo frowned. Although Fang Zhongjian was only an advanced rune master, he was very experienced and was also from the same generation as Shen Tuo. As such, it was difficult for him to say much.
“Hehe, kicking me aside for a kid that’s still wet behind the ears might be nothing, but have any of you considered that although he might be a talented genius, he has yet to create any masterpieces to prove himself!”
Fang Zhongjian sullenly said, “Most importantly, he has no teaching experience, and letting him be a lecturer is no different from leading the students astray! Who will bear responsibility if anything happens?”
Shen Tuo’s expression darkened. “Old Fang, watch your words!”
Fang Zhongjian snorted. “Fine, I won't say any more. Let’s watch how this kid will make a fool of himself!”
Shen Tuo frowned as a sliver of worry rose in his heart.
From what he knew, class 9C was a very problematic class. If they were determined to make life difficult for Lin Xun, his first lesson would likely end in failure.
It was not something Shen Tuo wished to see.
As Fang Zhongjian had said, Lin Xun might be a true rune grandmaster with outstanding talent, but he was ultimately still a young teenager who had never taught a class before.
This meant that it was very easy for him to make a mistake during his first lesson and become a laughing stock. In fact, it might even hurt his pride, making it very difficult for him to raise his head in front of his students.
That would be problematic.
However, since things had already reached this point, Shen Tuo could only pray that Lin Xun would be able to subdue those students and successfully finish his first lesson.
Fang Zhongjian offhandedly said, “I forgot to mention that because of Lin Xun’s arrival, all of the instructors and students in the Rune Department are watching his first lesson today.”
These words made Shen Tuo’s expression darken again. “Are you the one who told them? Are you intentionally trying to show Lin Xun his place?”
Fang Zhongjian expressionlessly said, “Who doesn’t know that Lin Xun is the most amazing rune grandmaster of the younger generation? In fact, rumors about him are still spreading like wildfire in the Forbidden City. Who wouldn’t wish to personally see such a legendary young genius in action?”
His words were not wrong, but his tone was sarcastic and filled with mockery. It made Shen Tuo slightly enraged. “Old Fang, you’ve gone overboard!”
“Overboard or not, things have already happened. Let us quietly watch the show.”
Fang Zhongjian softly chuckled.
Shen Tuo inwardly sighed and did not say anything else.
The truth was that it was exactly as Fang Zhongjian had said. Upon knowing that Lin Xun was coming to the Rune Department today, the attention of numerous people was drawn toward him.
Everyone was waiting to see how the Forbidden City’s most famous rising star would perform in his first lesson.
Would he make a fool of himself and become a joke or would he successfully overcome this trial?
Everyone was waiting for the answer.
……
Classroom 9C was rather spacious. Behind each of the thirty, neatly arranged tables was a radiantly glowing youngster.
These youths ranged between sixteen and seventeen years of age. They were all dressed in the same white clothes and were nearly impossible to distinguish at a glance.
However, from the aura and energy they radiated, it was clear that these youths never had to worry about money.
There were also a few of them that stood out from the rest due to their uniquely prideful looks.
Ever since coming to the Forbidden City, Lin Xun had seen many noble disciples and could easily identify them at a glance.
While he was observing the students, they were also observing him.
Their gazes contained various things such as haughtiness, willfulness, curiosity, amazement, etc. For a time, the large classroom was very quiet.
"Everyone……"
Lin Xun stood on the podium. Just as he was about to introduce himself, he was interrupted by an odd cry.
“F*ck, are you Lin Xun? You don’t even look as old as us! Has your hair even started growing yet?”
The voice was extremely rude and sudden, causing Lin Xun to swallow the words he had prepared.
Roaring laughter immediately followed.
Lin Xun’s expression remained unchanged as he looked over to find a tall and muscular young man with a fat head and large ears in the third row. He had crossed his arms, raised his chin, and was looking back at Lin Xun with an expression that was filled with ridicule.