Chapter 745: Elite Zone

“Oh, haven't you just admitted new students?” Master Mu said hurriedly. “I think it would be better to let her give lessons and recruit some students at the same time. However many she gets will be fine!”

“This…” The Head of the Pill Faculty paused, then nodded: “Alright!”

Logically, a new teacher wasn't qualified to give lessons, but since Master Mu personally requested it, there was no harm in agreeing.

It would only be a bit more trouble. Moreover, the more Master Mu displayed this attitude, the more people's suspicions deepened. If she wasn't a descendant of a Sage Clan, how could she receive such treatment? If she were just an ordinary junior, they would have simply dismissed her; there would be no need for such a solemn arrangement. Most importantly, Teacher Luo Ruoxi accepted it as a matter of course, with an air of composure. Only truly prominent families could cultivate such an demeanor.

“Master Mu…” After making arrangements for Teacher Luo, who was very likely undergoing a trial from a Sage Clan, many elders approached Master Mu and recounted the matter of the Otherworldly Demons.

“I was thinking before, no matter who was chosen as the new Head, none of you would be convinced, and it wouldn't be conducive to management. Since this incident has occurred…” Master Mu hesitated, then said: “Among the ten of you, whoever first finds the Violetleaf Beast, rescues it, and gains its recognition, will be the next Head!”

Although the Ten Great Master Teachers each presided over a faculty, they certainly had their own rivalries. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible for a new Head to remain unappointed for so long after the old Head's disappearance. He had a headache when he was assigned to appoint a new Head, but with this incident, it's good now. Whoever can find the Violetleaf Beast and gain its recognition will be the new Head. It's fair and just, and no one can object.

“This…”

“Alright!”

The crowd exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, then nodded in unison.

This incident had just occurred and was very tricky. Only by truly resolving it could one demonstrate their capability. If others couldn't do it, but one person could, then that person would indeed have the qualifications and ability to command others. Otherwise, no one would be convinced by anyone else, and the Master Teacher Academy would remain a disorganized mess.

While Master Mu was being welcomed, Zhang Xuan walked towards the very center of the Elite District. Elder Mi was in a hurry to return to discuss the Otherworldly Demon matter, so he didn't have time to arrange Zhang Xuan's lodging, leaving him to find it himself.

“Among this row of residences, the further forward one goes, the higher the rank. If I'm not mistaken, there must be a massive spiritual vein underground. The further forward one goes, the closer they are to the center, the more abundant the spiritual energy will be, and cultivation will be even faster!”

Walking slowly forward, feeling the changes in the surrounding spiritual energy, Zhang Xuan sighed inwardly. Even within the same row of courtyards, there were differences. It was likely that the academy's predecessors had set up a massive Spirit Gathering Formation beneath, which had cultivated a formidable spiritual vein over many years. The courtyards further forward were closer to the core of the spiritual vein. Cultivating in such a place would certainly yield twice the results with half the effort, leading to rapid advancement.

However, even with the abundant spiritual energy here, it held no particular appeal for him. He used spirit stones for cultivation, and no matter how abundant the spiritual energy from a vein was, how could it compare to spirit stones? Anyway, he had just acquired the spatial rings of Yu Cheng and Feng Wu, which contained quite a lot of these. Since he hadn't collected the next level of Heaven's Path Divine Art yet, there was no need to rush. Therefore, whether the residence was further forward or backward made no significant difference to him, as long as it was quiet enough.

After walking for a while, a tall building appeared before him. Elder Mi had told him to report here first before he could claim a residence in the Elite District.

He walked up the stone steps and entered. There weren't many people in the hall, only a few senior students sitting inside, seemingly discussing difficulties in their cultivation.

“I think for the Qi North Palm, the true qi should start from the left side and end on the right; only then can the energy circulate within the body and exert its maximum power!”

“I don't think so. If this cultivation technique were that simple, we wouldn't have failed to comprehend it for so many days. There must be other issues…”

“The teacher specifically explained that this palm art moves from south to north, so I think it must be related to direction…”

The few of them discussed, frowning as they did.

Those who could study here were at least peak four-star Master Teachers. Although he didn't know which year these few individuals were in, they all exuded a sense of profound strength. Since they weren't circulating their true qi and he wasn't using his Eye of Insight, even Zhang Xuan couldn't discern their exact power, though it likely wouldn't exceed the Bridging Heaven realm.

“Senior students!” Seeing that they were engrossed in their discussion and hadn't noticed his arrival, Zhang Xuan smiled and clasped his fist in greeting.

“You are…” Hearing his voice, the others finally reacted. Seeing a new face, they all frowned.

They were students who performed poorly in their annual assessments and were assigned by the academy to various places to handle chores like cleaning and logistics. This was the Elite District; students who could enter it were all super geniuses. Such individuals found even focusing on cultivation insufficient, so they naturally had no time for cleaning rooms, cooking, or laundry. Those who performed poorly in assessments were responsible for these tasks. Serving geniuses was, firstly, a form of training, and secondly, it helped them build connections, which might lead to a good future after leaving the academy. Because of this, everyone in the Elite District knew each other. This person was clearly a new face.

“I am a new student this year. Elder Mi instructed me to reside here, so I hope you all can help with the arrangements!” With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan flipped his wrist and took out the token Elder Mi had given him.

“Elder Mi?” The few of them were startled and quickly stood up. Elder Mi was the Head of the Beast Faculty and one of the Ten Great Master Teachers. If he personally arranged for someone to stay here, even as senior students, they wouldn't dare to be negligent.

They took the token from his hand, examined it carefully, and confirmed its authenticity. One of the slightly older youths clasped his fist and said: “Please wait a moment, junior. We'll discuss it and then take you there!” After speaking, he motioned for the others to gather to one side. Different locations in the Elite District carried significant implications, and poor arrangements could easily lead to trouble. How and where to arrange someone was a great skill.

“To receive personal arrangements from Elder Mi, this junior must possess extraordinary talent,” one of them said. “Coincidentally, the junior who occupied the first spot in 'District D' just passed into second year, vacating his position. We can definitely let him move in!”

“First spot in District D? Not bad!” another senior student nodded.

The Elite District was divided into four areas: A, B, C, and D, corresponding to fourth, third, second, and first years respectively. The further forward the location, the closer it was to the core of the spiritual vein, and thus the better the spot. Although the person before them was a new student, he had been personally instructed by Elder Mi, one of the Ten Great Elders. Such treatment was definitely considered top-tier among first-year students, making him fully qualified to occupy the first spot.

“Moving in right after arriving… isn't that a bit inappropriate?” Some agreed, others objected.

“That's right. Although Cheng Yue left that spot, several students behind him have been eyeing it covetously,” another senior student said. “If he's arranged there right after arriving at the academy, I'm afraid those guys won't be convinced!”

A peak four-star Master Teacher could pass the exam to enter the Master Teacher Academy. However, to become a five-star Master Teacher and enter the second year, it would take an unknown number of years. Generally, ten years was a significant hurdle. In other words, Master Teachers who entered the academy this year, even if they were already at peak four-star, would need at least ten years to become a five-star Master Teacher!

From four-star to five-star, not only did one's cultivation need to increase, but their Mind of Heart, discernment, and knowledge also had to improve. Especially for auxiliary occupations, not only did one need to add another, but all of them also had to reach five-star. This requirement alone was enough to trap countless geniuses.

It was precisely for this reason that the Master Teacher Grand Competition was held once every ten years, a rule that had never changed. Over the past ten years, the academy not only recruited new students through the Master Teacher Grand Competition but also admitted some mid-way, like Ye Qian from the Illusory Feather Empire. However, regardless of how they entered, if they didn't advance to five-star, they couldn't enter the second year.

The first spot in District D had always been occupied by a first-year student named Cheng Yue. This year, he had just successfully passed the assessment to become a five-star Master Teacher, vacating the position. Although it was empty, many Master Teachers who previously resided further back all wanted to move in. Therefore, letting a newly arrived student move in here would easily lead to ostracism from others.

“What's the big deal?” the first senior student who spoke laughed. “It's Elder Mi's arrangement. Even if they're not convinced, what can they do? Anyway, it's not our headache. It's also a good chance to see how capable this new student is, to be personally given a token by Elder Mi!”

“That's true…” The others nodded in agreement. After finishing their discussion, the few of them came before Zhang Xuan: “We have arranged your lodging. Please come this way!” With that, they led the way.

Zhang Xuan didn't refuse and followed them out closely. Soon, they arrived in front of a private residence.

Looking around, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction. This residence was located at the very front, and not only was the spiritual energy abundant, but most importantly, it was quiet. As long as he casually set up a formation to kill the Violetleaf Beast, outsiders wouldn't detect it.

“Teacher Zhang, you can stay here. Here's the key!” The senior student opened the door and handed over the key. On the way, the few of them had learned the young man's name and changed their address from “junior” to “Teacher Zhang.”

Zhang Xuan nodded, just about to enter the courtyard, when he saw a young man approach, looking displeased.

“Huang Xing, Zhou Tong, what is the meaning of this? I've told you countless times not to give this key away to anyone else! Who is this? Why does he get it?”

“When did someone like him join the first year? I've never even heard of him!”

“He just arrived and gets to move in? Who does he think he is, Cheng Yue?”

Immediately after, two more people, a man and a woman, both wearing four-star Master Teacher attire, approached and looked at Zhang Xuan with displeasure.

They were precisely the first-year senior students residing in the second, third, and fourth residences of District D. They had long coveted the first spot. Residing here not only meant abundant spiritual energy but also signified the highest status among first-year students, drawing much attention. Originally, with Cheng Yue's departure, the three of them believed that one of them would surely get to move in. They didn't expect Huang Xing and the others to bring this fellow here.

“Who is this?”

“Where did he pop out from? Moving in without a word, so shamelessly. Does he even know what this position represents?”