Chapter 922: Today, I Am the Dean

Boom!

The moment his words fell, the light in the very center receded, revealing a diamond-like token that shimmered and appeared before everyone's eyes.

This Dean's Token was crystal clear, flawless, and as dazzling as a diamond, causing hearts to tremble.

Elder Mo and Dean Jiang staggered again, their voices hoarse, as if they could not believe what their eyes were seeing.

“It’s not… the Supreme Dean’s Token, but… the Perfect Dean’s Token!”

“The Perfect Dean’s Token, isn’t that something only found in legends? How could it possibly appear...”

What appeared before them was not the Supreme Dean's Token, which required eighty percent approval, but the Perfect Dean's Token, a level much higher!

This level required the complete admiration of one hundred percent of the registered faculty, staff, and students of the Master Teacher Academy to achieve...

It only existed in theory; even the academy's founder, Mu Kai, believed it was impossible to achieve!

After all, the more people there were, the more complex their thoughts. To earn the simultaneous admiration of hundreds of thousands of people was simply impossible for a master teacher, unless they were spirit stones themselves.

Even Master Kong himself, back then, didn't have everyone's complete submission.

They never dreamed that something seemingly impossible for human power, something utterly improbable, had not only been achieved but had also appeared before their very eyes!

How was it done?

All things considered, he had been in the Master Teacher Academy for less than two months, and, more importantly, he had spent over a month outside, never seen by anyone...

Whoosh!

Amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd, the Dean's Token flew straight towards Zhang Xuan on the high platform, landing in his palm.

Reaching out to catch it, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but be surprised.

Although the object was only palm-sized, its weight was immense. A slight grip almost caused him to fall from the high platform.

His current strength, combining his zhenqi, physical body, and soul, amounted to sixty-five million ding. Even a large mountain could be easily lifted by him, yet this single Dean's Token had nearly slipped from his grasp, leaving him utterly bewildered.

He looked down to see the token in his palm, shimmering beautifully and dazzling like a crystal-clear diamond.

From its appearance, no weight was discernible; on the contrary, it felt feather-light.

His spiritual energy spread outwards, and with just one glance, his pupils involuntarily contracted.

“This is... the weight of responsibility!”

He sighed.

This item was formed from the convergence of intentions. Honestly, it wasn't physically heavy; any child could pick it up. But carrying the hopes of over a hundred thousand teachers and students... that's where the immense weight lay!

In essence, what was heavy was the responsibility, the burden, not the physical substance.

Originally, he thought being the Dean was just a formality, as long as he could read books. Now, it seemed it wasn't that simple.

Since he had taken on this immense responsibility, he had to fulfill everyone's hopes and expectations, leading them further.

Otherwise, how could he be worthy of so many people's trust?

“Rest assured, as long as the Dean's Token is in my hands, I will not let you down...”

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan made a decision in his heart.

This Dean's Token was not merely an honor or a lofty status; it was... a heavy burden on his shoulders!

The higher the status, the greater the responsibility.

At this moment, he finally understood why the Old Dean had gone to that perilous trial, knowing the dangers; it was likely because something extremely important was involved.

The moment this thought emerged, the immense weight in his palm that had made his arm bend and threatened to drop the token immediately vanished. The Perfect Dean's Token became as light as a feather.

The Perfect Token not only carried responsibility but also possessed immense power.

Placing the token safely on his person, Zhang Xuan looked out at the crowd below again.

All the students and teachers of the academy were clearly visible, each appearing like an old friend he had known for countless years.

“From today onwards, I am... the Dean!”

After an indeterminate amount of time, Zhang Xuan's voice boomed.

“Dean!”“Dean!”“Dean...”

The crowd below erupted, everyone excitedly shouting, their voices like a perpetual tide...

The position, vacant for over two years, finally had a new master, and he had earned the recognition and admiration of all teachers and students!

“This is our Dean...”

Elder Mo and the others were all teary-eyed at once.

With the Old Dean missing, they, as the ten elders in charge of affairs, had been under immense pressure and faced much skepticism.

Now, with a new Dean who was so exceptional, he would surely be able to lead them further and higher.

At the same moment, on the record stand of the Master Teacher Pavilion in the Qingyuan Conferred Empire, a line of text appeared—

Qingyuan Calendar, 18,827th year: Zhang Xuan succeeds as the Dean of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy.

This line of text was inconspicuous and quickly drowned out by other messages on the record stand.

However, only later generations would understand the true meaning of this line of text and what kind of legend it represented...

“Dean, these are the congratulatory gifts from various surrounding empires, powers, and the Master Teacher Pavilion...”

The succession ceremony finally concluded. Zhang Xuan left the high platform, and before he even reached the courtyard specially prepared for him, Elder Mo approached and handed him a storage ring.

Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy guarded over a dozen first-tier empires and countless sects. Even if the strongest figures from many powers couldn't attend in person, their congratulatory gifts would certainly be sent.

He took the ring and, with a sweep of his spiritual energy, examined its contents.

His eyes couldn't help but twitch.

There was simply too much, and it was all incredibly valuable.

There were thousands of high-grade spirit stones, and countless pills and treasures of all kinds.

“Place them in the academy's treasure vault,” he said, shaking his head and suppressing the urge to pocket them. “These belong to the academy, not me personally...”

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan suppressed the urge to pocket them and handed the ring back.

Although he really wanted to keep them for himself, he knew that these congratulatory gifts were given not to him personally, but to his position!

In other words, even if it weren't him, anyone occupying this position would still receive these treasures.

Therefore, strictly speaking, these items belonged to the Master Teacher Academy, not to him.

Furthermore, having already acquired numerous treasures from Cloudmist Ridge, these items held less appeal for him.

“Yes!”

Nodding, Elder Mo looked at the young man before him with even greater admiration, then took out another ring. “This one is from His Majesty Yu Shenqing, specifically for the Dean personally!”

“For me personally?” Zhang Xuan was startled, then looked inside the ring, blinking his eyes.

Although it was significantly less than the previous gifts, it was still incredibly valuable. Even if it hadn't emptied the entire national treasury, it was probably close to half of it!

“His Majesty Yu Shenqing said that not only did you save their Bodhi Tree, Dean, but you also imparted advanced soul cultivation methods. These items are a personal token of gratitude, and he hopes you will not decline!”

Elder Mo said.

“This...”

Zhang Xuan hesitated.

He had saved the Bodhi Tree for Wei Ruyan, and he had taught the soul cultivation methods because he had secretly learned their cultivation technique... If he were to accept so many items from them, he would feel truly ashamed.

“Please thank His Majesty for his kindness on my behalf. I cannot accept gifts without contributing to them!” Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

The items were good, but accepting them would mean doing favors for the other party, which was not an easy task.

Without having earned the merit, he would not bear the karmic implications.

“Yes...”

Nodding, Elder Mo said no more.

“Take me to Record Mountain! I plan to take the six-star master teacher examination!”

After saying a few more words and politely declining various matters, Zhang Xuan stated.

Having become the Dean of the Master Teacher Academy, it was now time for him to take the six-star master teacher examination.

“Alright!”

Elder Mo replied and casually introduced, “Record Mountain is where the Master Teacher Academy tests strength. One can challenge it before reaching Half-Saint, and it has a total of nine levels!”

“Nine levels?”

“Yes, each level is harder than the last. The third level is comparable to a Half-Saint's cultivation, the sixth level to a Grand Dominion's, and the ninth level... is equivalent to a Saint realm 1-dan expert!”

Elder Mo continued, “This isn't just for records; it's also the standard for selecting combat masters. Anyone below Half-Saint who can clear the sixth level qualifies to become a combat master! Clearing the ninth level grants them an exceptional selection, allowing them to directly enter the Combat Master Hall!”

“Below Half-Saint, clearing the sixth level... does that mean defeating a Grand Dominion with Half-Saint strength?”

Zhang Xuan looked over.

“Precisely. Master teachers inherently possess the ability to challenge those beyond their cultivation rank. For a Half-Saint to defeat a Grand Dominion means their foundation and combat prowess are truly formidable!”

Elder Mo nodded with a solemn expression.

“Understood,” Zhang Xuan replied.

Wu Xu and Lu Cheng, whom he had encountered before, were very likely combat masters. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to easily challenge and defeat the four prodigies of the Master Teacher Academy so effortlessly.

“Over the years, how many people in the Master Teacher Academy have cleared the sixth level before reaching Half-Saint?”

Thinking of something, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask.

“Since the academy's establishment, in nearly ten thousand years, a total of three hundred and twenty-seven people have become combat masters. Among those, fewer than a hundred cleared the sixth level of Record Mountain before reaching Half-Saint!”

Elder Mo pondered for a moment before answering.

Those who become combat masters are all astonishingly talented master teachers, possessing formidable combat strength far surpassing their peers. However, many achieved this after reaching Half-Saint. To challenge those beyond their rank and contend with a Grand Dominion before Half-Saint is difficult!

There's a vast chasm between the Saint and spirit realms. Before reaching Saint, one is merely an ant; to bridge that gap is almost impossible.

“Understood,” Zhang Xuan nodded, then asked, “Among those below Half-Saint, who holds the Master Teacher Academy's highest record?”

Since there were challenges, there were naturally records. He wanted to see what level the Master Teacher Academy's highest record had reached.

“The highest record, naturally, belongs to Dean Mo Liuzhen!” Elder Mo chuckled. “Dean Liuzhen is hailed as the most prodigious genius the academy has seen in ten thousand years, a reputation well-earned! Back then, right after breaking through to Chrysalis Realm, he came to challenge Record Mountain and, in one go, reached the seventh level, astonishing everyone!”

“Reached the seventh level right after breaking through to Chrysalis Realm?” Zhang Xuan's eyes widened in shock.

He himself was currently at the early Chrysalis Realm, the same strength as Mo Liuzhen when he first challenged.

The ninth level was equivalent to an early Saint realm 1-dan expert. This meant that, at the very least, one would need the combat strength of a mid to late Grand Dominion to clear the seventh level!

This implied that Dean Mo Liuzhen, at the same cultivation level as him, possessed combat strength remarkably close to his own, perhaps even slightly superior!