Chapter 895: The Heart of a Teacher

"Master Teacher?" Zhang Xuan's body stiffened.

Since his reincarnation, a little over half a year had passed. He had met many Master Teachers, whether four-star, five-star, or even peak six-star. They all displayed the joys and sorrows of ordinary people, along with personal desires and emotions.

Therefore, even though he was also a Master Teacher, he had never felt the weight of this profession. Only upon witnessing this scene did he understand the significance it held in the hearts of every cultivator.

They could give up their lives, make sacrifices, abandoning anything and everything for the sake of humanity!

Because I am a... Master Teacher!

These two words, though simple, carried immense weight, bearing the hopes of humanity!

"That's right!" Zhao Bingxu also nodded. "Being a Master Teacher isn't just about honor; it's more about responsibility. Take Lu Feng, for instance; he applied to go to the Subterranean Cave. Even if it means death, he will defend his dignity as a Master Teacher!"

"The Subterranean Cave?" Zhang Xuan trembled slightly.

Through reading books, he knew what kind of place this was.

The Subterranean Cave was an extraterrestrial battlefield connecting the continent to the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe. It was fraught with danger, and one wrong step could lead to death. Lu Feng... had already gone to the Subterranean Cave?

This was no different from walking to his death!

"Principal Lu spoke up for You Xu because of their good relationship—it was about emotion, about human nature! The Master Teacher Pavilion never sought to suppress human nature. Even Master Kong back then didn't stifle it; instead, he encouraged the development of character, saying that only in this way could humanity become more prosperous! If all Master Teachers lost their individuality and temperaments, becoming mere replicas, it would instead be a disaster for humanity!" Elder Mi said.

"This..." Zhang Xuan was speechless.

Humans are emotional beings; only with character can they go further.

If one only sought to preserve the Heavenly Dao while extinguishing human desires, humanity might self-destruct without the need for the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe to act.

Perhaps this was why the Master Teacher Academy did not mind conflicts among students, allowing for the survival of the fittest.

"Master Teachers could be selfish, consider their friends and relatives, and even fiercely contend for treasures. However... when faced with matters concerning the race, they must cast aside all prejudices and press forward, even if it meant death. This was what the profession demanded!" Elder Mi continued, "It was also Master Kong's original intention when establishing the Master Teachers!"

"So this... this is what it means to be a Master Teacher!"

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes.

The Master Teachers he had met before, some good, some bad, had always made him feel that they were no different from ordinary people, equally selfish. Only now did he realize that this idea was mistaken.

Master Teachers could be selfish, self-serving, and even contend over trivial matters. However, when truly faced with major racial issues, they would never retreat!

This was what a Master Teacher should do, and ought to do.

In an instant, his soul felt as if it had been baptized.

He was a transmigrator, and in his previous life's world, many excellent traditional cultures had vanished, and students no longer respected teachers. Many teachers had also lost their dignity, even committing acts that violated professional ethics.

After coming to this world, although he had also realized the greatness of the teaching profession, he still maintained a somewhat casual attitude from his previous life.

Only at this moment did he truly understand that since he had assumed this identity... he must bear his own responsibilities and obligations!

He had to shoulder the heavy burden.

Crack!

A sound emerged from Zhang Xuan's chest, as if something was breaking out of its cocoon, transforming into a butterfly. Immediately, a unique and vast aura descended from the sky, enveloping him and making him radiate light, like a deity.

"Could it be..."

Witnessing the sudden change in their Principal, Zhao Bingxu and Elder Mi exchanged glances, their pupils contracting sharply, their voices trembling: "The Heart of a Teacher!"

The Heart of a Teacher, like the Eye of Insight, was something only Master Teachers could possess. Only by firmly believing in one's core principles and becoming a true teacher could one hope to ascend higher.

Legend had it that only an eight-star Master Teacher, capable of enlightening all, could possess it. They never expected... that Master Zhang, a mere four-star, had already comprehended it!

Possessing the Heart of a Teacher meant one was no longer limited to humanity. Even spiritual beasts and savage beasts could be influenced by a teacher's heavenly bestowed words, becoming students, truly embodying education without discrimination.

Back then, Master Kong had comprehended the Heart of a Teacher. Among his many disciples, there were not only humans, but also beastfolk, and even members of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe.

The Heart of a Teacher was in no way inferior to a Heavenly Acknowledged Master Teacher!

"The Principal has comprehended the Heart of a Teacher... It seems our Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy is truly destined for greater heights..."

The two elders trembled with excitement.

The Heart of a Teacher was incredibly rare; throughout the Master Teacher Pavilion's history, few had managed to comprehend it! Their very own Principal had actually comprehended it, which meant his future achievements were bound to be limitless!

The Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy would also surely become renowned throughout the world, a sacred place everyone yearned for.

"Principal Zhao, the Heart of a Teacher is far too important; this news must not be leaked! Otherwise, if Master Zhang becomes a target of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe... we will certainly become eternal sinners!" With a swift motion of his hand, Elder Mi hastily set up a restriction around them to prevent the news from leaking, and quickly spoke.

A Master Teacher who comprehended the Heart of a Teacher would progress at an ever-increasing speed in the future, and becoming a peak existence would only be a matter of time.

Once the news leaked and reached the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe, he would surely be targeted for assassination. For his safety, they had to keep it a secret.

"Rest assured, I swear by my identity as a Master Teacher that this matter will never be leaked..."

Zhao Bingxu immediately swore an oath.

"I also swear by my identity as a Master Teacher!" Elder Mi nodded.

As the two spoke, the special energy in the air dissipated. Zhang Xuan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze firm, as if lightning flashed within them.

Having comprehended the Heart of a Teacher, he now understood what a "Teacher" should and should not do.

It was different from his previous confusion.

"Elder Mi, tell them to stop fighting! Say that the new Principal of the Master Teacher Academy wishes to negotiate with them!"

"Negotiate?"

The two elders were stunned simultaneously. Elder Mi quickly said, "No! Principal, the reason we didn't tell you about this was precisely because we feared you would do something like this! If your identity is exposed and something goes wrong, none of us can bear the responsibility!"

"Indeed, the Master Teacher Academy finally has a Principal whom all Ten Principals approve of, and even Master Mu affirms. We don't want to lose another one..." Zhao Bingxu also said hurriedly.

"Won't my identity be revealed at tomorrow's ceremony anyway?" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

It would be revealed either way; if not today, then tomorrow. What difference would it make if it were revealed now?

"It's different. After tomorrow's succession ceremony, you'll be qualified to control the Principal's Token. The Principal's Token can protect your safety... It's absolutely not allowed now!" Elder Mi said.

"Principal's Token?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"That's right. The Principal's Token imbues the wills of all Master Teacher Academy students. If the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe tries to harm you, those wills will obstruct them... That's how it protects your safety!" Elder Mi explained.

"In that case... did the missing former Principal have a Principal's Token?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"Of course he did..."

"Then why did he also disappear? With his fate unknown?" Zhang Xuan looked at them.

"This..."

Elder Mi was speechless.

"Danger always exists. If they aren't afraid, why should I be?" Zhang Xuan said, looking at the Master Teachers below who were charging forward one after another.

They were all Master Teachers, charging forward relentlessly, unafraid of death. What did he have to worry about?

"Alright, I'll say it now. However, I will state that Elder Zhao Bingxu and I are willing to negotiate with them. Please forgive us, Principal!" After a moment of hesitation, Elder Mi said.

Even if Master Zhang wasn't afraid, they didn't want the Master Teacher Academy to lose another Principal.

"Understood!" Knowing this was their bottom line, Zhang Xuan said nothing more.

Removing the surrounding restriction, Elder Mi leaped from the back of the saint beast and flew down.

"Are the kings of Cloudmist Ridge present? I, Mi Zhu, am willing to represent the Master Teacher Academy and negotiate with you!"

Boom!

The voice, coming from a Saint realm first-level pinnacle expert, spread out, like a massive sound wave, expanding in all directions and instantly engulfing the entire mountain range.

"Negotiate?"

"Why negotiate? These spiritual beasts are infringing upon humanity's dignity; they absolutely cannot be let off!"

"Indeed, if we negotiate, how can we face the many injured Master Teachers?"

Hearing about the negotiation, all the Master Teachers below immediately erupted in an uproar.

Negotiation was a symbol of weakness!

The esteemed Master Teacher Academy had been attacked by spiritual beasts. Not only would they not fight back, but they would also negotiate, which was simply a loss of human dignity and face.

"If you wish to negotiate, you may, but come to Cloudmist Ridge. We will give you a chance to negotiate!"

A majestic voice came from behind the spiritual beasts.

It was likely the most powerful existence among the saint beasts and spiritual beasts of Cloudmist Ridge—the so-called King.

"Go to Cloudmist Ridge? Principal Mi, you cannot agree!"

"Indeed, this is leading you into a tiger's den..."

"Once they capture you, where will the dignity of our Master Teacher Academy be?"

All the Master Teachers grew even more anxious.

The opponent's demand clearly indicated ill intentions.

Cloudmist Ridge was their lair; once they went there, they could very likely be besieged by countless Half-Saint, Conferred Saint, and Saint realm spiritual beasts, making escape impossible!

What's more, for humans to fight spiritual beasts, then negotiate, clearly showing weakness, and then go to their opponent's lair—wasn't this just offering themselves up for slaughter?

How could the esteemed Master Teacher Academy, a pillar of humanity, endure such humiliation!

Once this news spread, wouldn't it cause widespread panic among humanity?

"Principal..."

Below, discussions buzzed, and Elder Mi, still in the air, couldn't help but look at Zhang Xuan on the saint beast's back.

Going to Cloudmist Ridge to negotiate was indeed too dangerous.

"Agree to it!" Zhang Xuan said calmly.

"Principal, please reconsider..." Zhao Bingxu quickly cupped his fist.

"No need. If we don't go to their lair, how can we meet their king?" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"This..."

Elders Mi and Zhao exchanged glances and sighed.

It was indeed true.

These saint beasts valued their lives more; otherwise, they wouldn't have sent so many spiritual beasts to charge.

If they didn't agree, the other party wouldn't emerge.

"Alright, we agree!"

Knowing that the Principal had already made his decision, the two said no more. They secretly resolved to protect him even if it meant fighting to the death. Elder Mi took a step forward and then spoke.

"What? Principal Mi..."

"The Principal cannot agree..."

Hearing him speak, the crowd below erupted in an uproar once more.

"Enough, this is the Master Teacher Academy's decision. All Master Teachers, retreat immediately and gather at Leiyuan Peak!" Elder Mi offered no explanation, simply waving his hand dismissively in the air.