Chapter 106: New Troubles (Part 2)

If they followed a step-by-step training regimen, by the end of this semester, he was confident he could help these five students make astonishing progress and truly stand out.

However, the challenge of a battle in just half a month made things difficult.

Wang Ying, Zhao Ya, Zheng Yang, Liu Yang, and Yuan Tao all had various physical issues that, even if identified, would be hard to resolve in such a short period.

The Heaven's Path Library could identify flaws but wouldn't provide the correct solutions.

The solutions for these students' problems were conclusions he had drawn himself after studying many books, and their effectiveness was only mediocre.

With so little time, if their fundamental issues couldn't be fully resolved, how could he possibly expect their cultivation to skyrocket and their strength to explode?

Of course, if he were to impart the Heaven's Path Divine Art, their cultivation would surely advance significantly. However, Zhang Xuan knew that this cultivation technique could not be taught to anyone else besides himself.

As the saying goes, "an innocent man holding a jade is guilty." If it were to leak out, it would undoubtedly bring about a catastrophe.

Even with the Heaven's Path Library, which could identify vital points, it would be useless against true powerhouses.

Leaving aside whether true powerhouses even had such flaws, even if they did, if his own speed and strength couldn't keep up, striking a vital point wouldn't inflict any damage.

"Zheng Yang is relatively simpler; I can try to find a martial art for him that he can master within half a month, which should be enough to handle the situation!"

"For Wang Ying, I helped her unblock the sealed acupoints in her legs, but she's been injured for two full years, and her internal foundation is severely damaged. Both her meridians and muscles require long-term nourishment. It's absolutely impossible for her to fully recover or even advance further within half a month using ordinary methods! Unless... she's nourished with special medicinal liquids!"

"Liu Yang, on the other hand, needs some elixirs to clear his meridians and dissolve the blockages accumulated over the years!"

"As for Zhao Ya and Yuan Tao, it's still the same as before; I just need to find a way to activate their unique physiques!"

It sounded simple, but in reality, it was incredibly difficult.

Aside from the others, even Zheng Yang, who seemed the easiest, had practiced spear arts for years. If he switched to another martial art and couldn't fully integrate it, it would become a detriment, decreasing his strength instead of increasing it!

Martial arts that were powerful took a long time to master, while weaker ones were useless. To achieve mastery in half a month... the difficulty was immense.

"Don't worry about the martial arts for now. The Alchemist Guild should have the medicinal liquids Wang Ying needs. This means all four of Zhao Ya's group's problems can be resolved at the Guild!"

Determination flashed in Zhang Xuan's eyes: "It seems today's elixir debate is imperative, and I must pass!"

In truth, now that the danger of being expelled had passed, he could have relaxed, taken his time, and taught slowly. However, since Lu Xun had come to humiliate him, and as a transmigrator with a golden finger, how could he live with himself if he were truly defeated by a native?

There was no need for talk of "thirty years east of the river, thirty years west." Revenge shouldn't wait overnight. Since this celebrity teacher wanted to provoke him, he certainly wouldn't show any mercy.

Moreover, while it seemed he had handled the academic affairs office and his teaching qualification wouldn't be revoked anytime soon, many people were still waiting to see him fail. After all, humiliating a superior as a teacher and causing a scandal for the academy regarding its personnel choices meant that such a volatile individual would not be tolerated anywhere!

If he lost the Freshmen Grand Competition, various pressures would surely follow, making his path even more difficult.

Therefore, he had to win, no matter the cost.

As for why he wouldn't simply leave and wander the world freely... as a teacher, abandoning a challenge would be no different from fleeing in fear of punishment. It would leave a blemish on his record throughout the entire Teacher Guild, preventing him from becoming a renowned master, or perhaps even a senior teacher.

Most critically, these five students had placed their complete trust in him, seeing him as the most important person in their lives. As their teacher, he couldn't possibly disappoint them!

"Alright, let's begin the lecture now!"

With a plan decided, he no longer felt rushed and began teaching as usual.

His explanations, derived from the correct conclusions found in all the books in the classroom's library, though not particularly engaging, were exceptionally profound and gave his listeners a sudden enlightenment.

Not only did the five students benefit immensely, but even Wang Tao, Wang Yan, Zhao Yanfeng, and others who were observing from the side were flushed with excitement, as if they had consumed a ginseng fruit.

At that moment, they all realized that even as auditors, unable to receive personal guidance from Teacher Zhang, they were still gaining a tremendous amount!

As long as they listened carefully, their cultivation would surely advance rapidly.

Teacher Zhang was explaining a new cultivation system, a new set of values, capable of overturning the entire cultivation world's established principles.

"That's all for today's lesson! Go back and cultivate diligently; I'll check your progress tomorrow!"

Glancing at the time, which was nearing noon, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Yes!"

Zhao Ya and the others stood up and took their leave.

"The elixir debate is about to begin; I should head over now!"

Knowing that time waited for no one, and having already applied for the debate, he certainly wouldn't give up. Zhang Xuan walked out of the classroom and headed towards the Alchemist Guild once more.

As soon as he entered the guild, Wen Xue came to greet him.

Yesterday, her eyes had held disdain; today, they held reverence.

Even though the person before her was younger, he was a genuine alchemy apprentice, someone she dared not offend.

"Alchemist Ouyang asked me to wait here. He said that ten alchemists have been gathered and we can begin at any time. Of course, if you change your mind now, I can arrange to cancel this elixir debate!"

Wen Xue looked at him.

"No need to cancel!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He didn't need to waste too much time just to be assessed as an alchemist. Since it could start today, there was no reason to postpone it.

Seemingly guessing his decision, Wen Xue shook her head and led the way.

It was still the previous assessment area, but further inside. Soon, they arrived at a spacious hall.

Spanning several hundred square meters, ten chairs were arranged in a circle. Directly behind them was a massive cauldron, its roaring fire emitting an intense heat.

For an elixir debate, the validity of a claim needed to be verified on the spot, and the cauldron served precisely this purpose.

"Zhang Xuan, you're here. It's still not too late to change your mind. Don't worry, with your talent, if you learn from me, I can ensure you successfully refine elixirs and pass the alchemist assessment within six months!"

The door creaked open, and Ouyang Cheng walked in, his words filled with persuasion.

He still didn't believe the young man could pass the elixir debate.

"Six months is too long!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

What a joke. If he had six months, he wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to find books at the Alchemist Guild.

"Alright then!"

Seeing his insistence and realizing he couldn't dissuade him, Ouyang Cheng couldn't help but shake his head.

In his view, Zhang Xuan was simply young and impetuous. Once he stumbled, he would surely realize the difficulty of the elixir debate.

"Everyone, please come in!"

At his call, figures filed in one after another—exactly ten of them, no more, no less. There were middle-aged individuals and elders, the youngest likely over forty.

Alchemist Du Man, whom he had met before, was conspicuously among them.

All of them wore the special robes tailored for alchemists, with a distinct badge pinned to their chests, on which a single star shone brightly.

One-star Alchemist!