Chapter 1

"Liar! Big liar!" A furious, delicate voice cried out, followed by the sound of footsteps scurrying away across the bluestone ground.

Zhang Xuan helplessly extended his hands. "I'm really not a liar; I'm a teacher at the academy. I just want you to be my student! And even if you call me a liar, why add 'big'? You make it sound like I'm an unforgivable villain..."

After muttering, Zhang Xuan remembered what the dean of instruction had said and rubbed his temples. "That's the seventeenth one! If I can't recruit even one student today, I can pack my bags and go home tomorrow!"

Zhang Xuan was not originally from this world. He had been a librarian at an ordinary university library on Earth. All he remembered was a raging fire, and then... nothing. He had woken up in this new world.

Just like in the novels he’d read, martial arts reigned supreme, and power was king!

He had expected to transmigrate as a loser, suffer a humiliating broken engagement, and then execute a dramatic comeback, rising to glory. It seemed he had thought too much. Upon arriving, he discovered he wasn't a student at all, but... a teacher!

The most pathetic teacher in the entire academy!

While other teachers' classrooms were packed, overflowing with students, his was empty. The few he *did* manage to coax inside eventually cursed him as a "liar" several times before turning and fleeing!

The reason was simple: the original owner of this body was not only the weakest among the teachers, but also possessed terrible judgment, unable to discern anything useful. Crucially, he even taught incorrectly, once causing a student to suffer qi deviation!

This incident was akin to a death at a hospital; his reputation was severely damaged, and he was despised. Even new students gave him a wide berth, terrified of falling into his hands and being taught into a semi-comatose state!

With no students and facing constant criticism, he ranked last in the academy's teaching evaluation last year, even receiving the only zero score in its history.

Depressed, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol and, as if granted his wish, died, allowing Zhang Xuan to transmigrate into his body.

As the new semester began, the academy issued an ultimatum: if he failed to recruit even a single student for his class this year, his teaching qualification would be directly revoked!

Today, seventeen new students had already passed by his classroom. Without exception, upon hearing his name, they all fled as fast as little girls encountering a strange man.

"It looks like I'll have to find a way to trick someone into enrolling!"

As he pondered how to entice a student, a sweet-faced, somewhat naive-looking girl poked her head through the doorway.

"Excuse me, is this Teacher Lu Xun's classroom?"

Her voice was sweet and lovely, and her appearance was delicate and appealing.

Teacher Lu Xun was the academy's star instructor; his classes were always packed, attracting countless students who came specifically for him.

"She's the one!" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up, seeing someone willingly walk into his trap.

Recalling all the pretentious ploys he had seen in his previous life, he sat quietly in his seat, striking the pose of an otherworldly master. "You wish to become his student?"

The girl nodded repeatedly like a sparrow, her dark eyes filled with admiration. "I heard Teacher Lu Xun is the most formidable instructor at Hongtian Academy, and his students are all exceptionally skilled. Everyone is proud to join his class!"

"Rumors aren't always true. A teacher is like a pair of shoes: it's all about the fit. No matter how brilliantly he teaches, if his methods don't align with your cultivation theory, you won't just fail to progress—you might even regress! Conversely, a less famous teacher, if their theory suits you, can also lead to rapid progress and significant cultivation growth!"

"Is that so... My brother also told me something similar!" The girl paused, her beautiful eyes slightly confused. "But I don't know what kind of class would suit me best!"

Seeing her take the bait, Zhang Xuan's eyes gleamed. After a slight hesitation, with thoughts of Marx, Engels, and other philosophical sages flashing through his mind, he put on a troubled expression. "Meeting is fate. How about this: I am also a teacher at this academy. I can examine your physique, talent, and temperament for free, and then recommend a suitable teacher for you!"

"Then I'll trouble you, sir!" The girl excitedly nodded, surprised by the generosity of this casually encountered teacher.

"First, demonstrate your cultivation for me to observe!"

Zhang Xuan's eyes were half-closed, a picture of nonchalance.

"Understood!"

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*

In an instant, fist winds whistled through the room as streams of internal energy flowed through the girl like swimming dragons. Her entire aura was concentrated yet not dissipated, powerful yet subtle, indicating an exceptionally solid foundation.

"Alright, I see it. You cultivate diligently and painstakingly, your foundation is solid, your talent is exceptional—you are a rare genius!" After she finished her set of punches, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

He had learned this trick from Earth's fortune-tellers: using broad, universally applicable statements that sounded profound without being specific, making people secretly believe them to be accurate.

"Especially the strength in your legs, like coiling dragons—every movement is like a surging river, endless. If you cultivate well in the future, you will certainly have a bright future..."

"Teacher, my legs were injured," the girl interrupted his flow, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "The physician said they're basically crippled..."

"Injured..." Zhang Xuan's face flushed, but his thick skin ensured no one noticed. He continued to bluster and exaggerate: "Do you think I didn't see that? I knew the moment you exerted your strength! The reason I spoke that way is because... sometimes you must break to build! Although your legs are injured, you unexpectedly gained a unique opportunity. If you seize it well, your leg techniques will undoubtedly become your most formidable combat strength, leaving others in the dust!"

Since he was already bluffing, he might as well go all out. His priority was to trick one student into becoming his disciple.

"An opportunity? Teacher, what kind of opportunity?" The girl's eyes brightened.

Ever since her leg injury, she had felt inferior to others, harboring a secret sense of inadequacy. She never imagined that her misfortune could turn into a blessing.

"This opportunity can make you skyrocket, making you the top new student is no exaggeration. After all, your talent is already superb; you are a peerless genius, one in a million. However..." Zhang Xuan boasted endlessly, stopping just short of pulling out a "Buddha's Palm" manual.

Hearing that she could become the top new student and being praised as a genius, the girl's face flushed with excitement. She quickly pressed, "However, what?"

"However..." Zhang Xuan sighed, feigning regret that such a talent might be overlooked. "There aren't many teachers in this entire academy who can discern this kind of opportunity! Including myself, there are only three. The other two stopped accepting students three years ago, so... I can't really speak on your behalf..."

"Don't accept students?" The girl, who had held such great hope, felt her eyes dim slightly upon hearing this. Then, as if realizing something, she suddenly bounced up. "If they don't accept students, then Teacher... do *you* accept students?"

"Of course I still do," Zhang Xuan said, a troubled expression on his face. "But, as you can see, I am indifferent to fame and fortune, and I don't have much time! I won't easily accept anyone unless they are truly a rough gem of good character and share a strong destiny with me..."

*Thump!*

Before he could finish speaking, the girl knelt down on the ground. "I know you are a man of integrity, please accept me as your disciple! I promise to cultivate diligently and never bring shame upon your name!"

Zhang Xuan was ecstatic internally, but maintained a troubled expression. "You and I certainly share a connection, but... as you can see, I prefer peace and quiet..."

"Your student promises not to disturb you unless it's absolutely necessary!" Seeing his feigned reluctance, the girl quickly nodded, her face full of sincerity.

"I don't have many students, so I might not have as many resources as other teachers, and you might also face criticism from others..." Zhang Xuan continued.

"Oh... I heard that cultivation resources are very important..." The girl hesitated slightly.

The resources teachers received from the academy were linked to various factors, including their students' performance and enrollment numbers. If resources were insufficient, cultivation would be difficult to advance.

"Ahem, I was merely testing you!" Zhang Xuan quickly cut her off, seeing her hesitation. "Since your resolve is firm and you sincerely wish to acknowledge me as your teacher, I will reluctantly accept you! Let's complete the identity verification!"

"This... so quickly?"

The girl was slightly bewildered by how quickly this teacher's demeanor shifted, as if flipping a book. She took the identity token Zhang Xuan handed her, still debating whether to proceed with the verification, when the previously composed Teacher Zhang already pulled her hand, took out a sharp knife, and lightly pricked her, letting a drop of blood fall onto the jade token.

*Buzz!*

The token pulsed with light.

"Oh..."

The girl stared blankly.

Didn't this teacher just say he needed to consider it, and that he was indifferent to fame and fortune? Why was he so fast, and... did he even have a knife ready beforehand?

"From now on, you are my student!" With the blood acknowledgment complete, Zhang Xuan finally relaxed, resuming his grand master demeanor. "What is your name?"

"My name is Wang Ying, Teacher!"

Knowing it couldn't be undone, the girl said nothing further, nodding sweetly.

"Alright, take this identity token, go collect your bedding and books, and find your dormitory. Formal classes begin tomorrow; just come here to find me!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand dismissively.

"Understood!" Wang Ying nodded and turned to leave.

"Phew! Successfully tricked one!"

Seeing her become his student, Zhang Xuan finally relaxed and smiled faintly.

It hadn't been easy. If he hadn't seen so many pretentious techniques online, he might not have succeeded today.

With one student, he could avoid the misfortune of being expelled. As Zhang Xuan's mood relaxed, he suddenly felt his entire being lighten. The last lingering obsession from his predecessor, which had been circling in his mind, slowly vanished.

"Don't worry," he thought. "Since I've transmigrated as you, I'll live well on your behalf!"

The original Zhang Xuan had died due to his inability to recruit students, filled with lingering regret. Now that he had a student, that final persistence vanished without a trace. It was at this moment that Zhang Xuan truly gained complete control over the body.

*Boom!*

Having fully taken control of the body, Zhang Xuan was just contemplating how to trick a few more students when his mind suddenly trembled, and the booming sound of a great bell resonated within him.

"Heaven and Earth are not benevolent; they treat all things as straw dogs..."

"The sun and moon wax and wane; Heaven and Earth have their imperfections..."

*Boom!*

Various profound phrases made him feel dizzy. Immediately afterward, a vast palace appeared in his mind, with five large characters gleaming on it.

Heaven's Path Library!

He pushed open the door and stepped inside. Countless bookshelves lined the space, filled with an endless array of books, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Is this the transmigration bonus gift package? A library? Damn it, I was a librarian in my last life! It can't be the same in this world, can it?"

Other people's bonus packages were either wise old mentors or powerful systems, filled with incredibly useful things. But his was a library. Zhang Xuan's vision swam, and he almost fainted.

A library? What good is that? In a fight, will others throw swords while I throw books?

"Let's see what kind of books these are."

Helpless, Zhang Xuan reached for a book on a shelf, hoping to discover the library's function. But his hand passed directly through it, grasping only air.

"Are you messing with me? You give me a library, but I can't pick up or read any books? What exactly am I supposed to do with this?"