Chapter 28: Angry Old Mo

Zhang Xuan was unaware of the events unfolding at the Wang family. After leaving the classroom, he headed once more to the Library Pavilion.

"Although my cultivation has advanced significantly, I still don't know much about combat techniques," he thought. "I must seize this opportunity to study them thoroughly! Also, I need to learn the first and second levels of cultivation methods. Otherwise, if I teach my students without knowing anything, my ignorance will surely be exposed!"

Zhang Xuan had made continuous breakthroughs in his cultivation last night, significantly increasing his strength. However, he knew very little about combat techniques and wasn't well-versed in the first and second levels of cultivation methods. For instance, when teaching Zhao Ya today, he hadn't known which cultivation method to impart to her to address her Pure Yin Body.

He decided to use this time to research thoroughly and prepare for the next class.

Otherwise, if other students asked questions and he couldn't answer, his facade would eventually crumble.

"Elder Mo!" Zhang Xuan called out upon arriving at the Library Pavilion, where Elder Mo was still standing guard outside.

"What are you doing here?" Elder Mo asked, his brow furrowing in irritation. Yesterday, this young man had come and just flipped through books randomly, driven by vanity, which had already displeased him. Seeing him return today made the Elder even more annoyed.

"I'd like to look at books on combat techniques!" Zhang Xuan bowed.

"Combat techniques? Cultivation is the foundation of practice! Instead of cultivating properly, you're learning from others, seeking vanity and fleeting pleasures, straying from the right path! You are not allowed to enter the Library Pavilion today!" Elder Mo waved his hand dismissively.

In his opinion, Zhang Xuan wasn't here to read books at all. He was merely flipping through them randomly, trying to memorize titles and features to feign erudition. When teaching students, it was crucial to avoid superficial knowledge. If one's own understanding was shallow, wouldn't it be easy to lead students astray or cause them to suffer qi deviation?

This Zhang Xuan had visited twice yesterday, and each time he had haphazardly flipped through books. At that speed, he wouldn't even be able to read the titles, let alone memorize anything. What else could such behavior be but an act of vanity? The Library Pavilion was a place for teachers to consult materials and study; how could such a person be allowed inside?

"I'm vain and pursuing fleeting pleasures?" Zhang Xuan blinked, utterly confused. Where did that come from?

He couldn't help but say, "Elder Mo, I truly am here to study. I promise not to cause any trouble..."

*Tap, tap, tap!* Just as he was about to explain in detail, before he could even finish his sentence, he heard a series of footsteps behind him, followed by a gentle voice. "Elder Mo, I'd like to go in and pick out some books!"

He turned his head and saw none other than Shen Biru, the "goddess" teacher he had encountered yesterday! Dressed in light purple, her exquisite figure and flawless face exuded an ethereal beauty that was truly captivating.

"Oh, it's Teacher Shen. Please, go ahead!" Seeing it was her, Elder Mo did not stop her in the slightest.

Shen Biru was not only beautiful but also a renowned genius among the teachers. At only 20 years old, she had already reached the peak of Martial Artist Five Realms, just a step away from the Aperture Opening realm.

"Thank you, Elder Mo!" Shen Biru nodded gracefully. As she turned, she noticed Zhang Xuan standing to the side and couldn't help but feel a slight surprise.

The old Zhang Xuan, though he never explicitly said he liked her, would blush and become speechless whenever he saw her, behaving bashfully like a maiden. Even the dullest person could discern his feelings. She had expected the same reaction this time, but to her surprise, he merely glanced at her before turning his head away. His eyes no longer held any trace of his previous admiration; instead, they were clear and serene, like a pristine spring, as if her beauty had no effect on him whatsoever.

What was more important was that the old Zhang Xuan, due to his low cultivation and poor teacher assessment results, would always feel a sense of inferiority when encountering other teachers, as if he were beneath them. But now, standing there, he exuded an imposing presence and natural grace. In terms of sheer demeanor, he was like a completely different person. Combining this with how he had dared to openly refute Shang Bin yesterday, Shen Biru couldn't help but wonder: When did this shy, insecure young man change so much?

"Elder Mo, I'm also here to read books. Why can she go in, but I can't?" Zhang Xuan, unaware of her thoughts, waved his hand helplessly. As a fellow teacher, to be discriminated against just for wanting to read a book felt absolutely ridiculous!

"Teacher Shen is going in to study. You know perfectly well what you're doing in there! Do I really need to spell it out?" Elder Mo snorted coldly.

"It's full of books; what else could I be doing?" Zhang Xuan shook his head with a bitter smile. "Of course, I'm here to read books and learn!"

"Learning knowledge? Hmph!" Elder Mo's face showed his displeasure. Flipping through books constantly without even looking at them—was that what he called learning? Every cultivation method here was incredibly precious; it couldn't be absorbed in an instant. Without even copying them down, how could he possibly learn?

"Elder Mo!" Just as Zhang Xuan was about to continue explaining, Shen Biru, standing nearby, smiled gently, like a blooming flower. "Teacher Zhang might genuinely want to study. Perhaps you should let him in! Keeping him out while other teachers watch doesn't look very good, does it?"

"Alright! I'll let you in out of respect for Teacher Shen. However, I'm warning you now: if you want to read, read seriously. If I catch you loitering or pretending to read inside, you'll see how I punish you!" Elder Mo waved his hand.

"Thank you!" Zhang Xuan nodded, clasped his hands towards Shen Biru again, and walked into the Library Pavilion.

"Hmm?" Shen Biru had expected him to seize the opportunity to chat a bit after she helped him, but he simply turned and walked away, leaving her slightly taken aback. Nevertheless, she said no more and followed him into the Library Pavilion.

Her assistance to Zhang Xuan had been merely a casual gesture, without any special reason or ulterior motive. Since he didn't speak to her, she was content with the quiet.

"It was such a hassle to get into the Library Pavilion this time; I definitely won't be able to come in next time!" Standing before a bookshelf, Zhang Xuan wasn't in a hurry to read but scratched his head. He didn't know why Elder Mo kept stopping him, but it was certainly related to his identity as the last-ranked teacher!

This identity was embarrassing everywhere he went; not only did it affect student recruitment, but even his colleagues showed some discrimination. He had only managed to enter this time because Shen Biru happened to speak up for him. What about next time?

"This Library Pavilion isn't particularly large. If I work fast, maybe I can finish all the books in one day! That way, I won't have to come back next time!" Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

Since Elder Mo kept stopping him, he figured he simply wouldn't come next time. This vast library held hundreds of thousands of books. For anyone else, even if they spent their lives here, they wouldn't be able to read more than a few. But he was different! Any book, as long as he flipped through it, would automatically generate an identical copy, complete with noted flaws, in the Library of Heaven's Path!

If he worked quickly, it wasn't impossible to imprint all these books into his mind in a single day! Once successful, he wouldn't have to go through the trouble of finding books here again.

"Let's begin!" Deciding to act immediately, Zhang Xuan wasted no time. He went straight to the first row of bookshelves. Without caring what type of book it was, he casually pulled out several volumes and, with a *swish*, flipped through them.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!* Just as he expected, the Library of Heaven's Path instantly responded, and identical copies of the books he held appeared on its shelves.

"Good, this works!" Realizing he could successfully process several books at once, he didn't waste any time. He moved slowly forward, pulling out multiple books at each section and imprinting them into his mind simultaneously.

*Rustle, rustle!* The Library Pavilion was soon filled with a succession of footsteps and the sound of flipping pages.

"This fellow, he still claims he isn't... putting on an act and seeking vanity?" Elder Mo, standing guard outside the door, continued to pay close attention to Zhang Xuan even after letting him in. Previously, the young man had only picked up one book at a time, flipping through it before putting it back. Though not serious, it at least looked somewhat like reading. But now, he was grabbing dozens of books, casually fumbling with them, not even bothering to read their titles, and then putting them back.

What was he doing? Was he reading books or picking cabbages?

Moreover, after watching him flip through books for a while, Elder Mo felt increasingly dizzy. Cultivating Wisteria Root, refining Jadegreen Pills, things to note when forging artifacts... The books were incredibly varied, covering all sorts of topics.

Cultivation methods, combat techniques, herb cultivation, pill refinement... as long as it was a book, this guy flipped through it! Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses, and human energy was limited; it was impossible to learn everything down to the smallest detail. Therefore, reading should be selective. This fellow was flipping through everything. Was he certain he wasn't there to cause trouble?

"He's definitely causing trouble! When he comes out, I'm going to give him a good talking-to!" Elder Mo's face was grim, and he let out a cold snort.