"On-the-spot guidance?"
Zhang Xuan's expression darkened.
Although he had inherited the previous owner's memories, he hadn't had time to truly sort through them. At most, he vaguely understood the cultivation realms. As for identifying flaws in techniques? The original Zhang Xuan had been careless and incompetent—let alone him, who had just transmigrated.
Giving guidance to others?
Against Cao Xiong?
If they truly competed, there was no doubt—he would lose.
"What? You don't dare?" Cao Xiong smiled faintly, flicking his sleeves with the relaxed air of a scholar. "The academy's rules are clear. Compete openly, let the student choose freely. That's not considered stealing."
Zhang Xuan clenched his teeth.
If this matter wasn't settled today, the disciple he had barely managed to recruit would definitely be taken away. He had no retreat.
Teacher guidance could take many forms—cultivation methods, martial techniques, combat application. Each teacher had their strengths.
"This way," Cao Xiong proposed calmly. "Let the students demonstrate a set of fist techniques. We'll each point out flaws and give guidance. Then we test results on the spot. Whoever improves more wins. How about it?"
Against other teachers, Cao Xiong might hesitate. But against the academy's dead last, the man with a zero score? He was full of confidence.
Zhang Xuan hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Cao Xiong pressed. "Didn't you just say countless people wanted to be your student, but you refused? If you really have the skill, compete. Don't ruin the young lady's future."
"…Fine."
Zhang Xuan nodded.
The worst-case scenario was already clear. If he refused, Wang Ying would leave anyway. If he competed, there was still a chance—no matter how slim.
Even if it came down to bluffing to the end, he would do it.
"Teacher Zhang agreed!"
"Wait—Teacher Zhang? The zero-score teacher?"
"Is this for real? Isn't this just asking for humiliation?"
The cafeteria erupted in whispers.
Many of the new students had only heard rumors of the infamous zero score but had never seen the man himself. Now curiosity burned brightly.
"According to the rules," Cao Xiong said loudly, enjoying the attention, "we guide each other's students."
This was standard practice. Guiding one's own student would invite suspicion of cheating.
"Little miss," Cao Xiong said kindly, turning to Wang Ying. "Please demonstrate a fist technique, then strike the stone pillar with full force."
Wang Ying's face flushed. She glanced nervously at Zhang Xuan, but seeing his calm expression, she stepped forward.
Hū hū hū!
Her fists cut through the air, wind roaring. Each movement was clean and powerful, her aura steady and controlled.
To anyone watching, it was hard to believe such force came from a delicate-looking girl.
Cao Xiong nodded in satisfaction.
Zhang Xuan, however, felt despair creeping in.
No matter how hard he looked, he couldn't see a single flaw.
No wonder the previous owner had scored zero. His judgment truly was abysmal.
"Good," Cao Xiong said. "Now strike the stone pillar with full strength."
Bang!
The pillar trembled. Numbers appeared.
53!
"Fifty-three kilograms," Cao Xiong said approvingly. "Very good for a new student."
Then he spoke slowly, confidently.
"Your fist technique is forceful, but your strikes lack depth. The problem lies in your lower body. If you transfer power more effectively from your legs, your strength will rise sharply."
He paused, eyes narrowing.
"And if I'm not mistaken—your legs were once injured."
"Yes," Wang Ying nodded.
"That injury made you subconsciously restrain yourself," Cao Xiong continued. "But relax. The method I'll teach you won't aggravate it."
He explained patiently, step by step.
"I'll try," Wang Ying said.
She quickly comprehended the changes. Returning to the pillar, she tightened her fist, power flowing smoothly from her stance through her body.
Bang!
63!
A ten-kilogram increase.
Nearly 20% improvement.
Gasps rang out.
"Excellent," Cao Xiong smiled. "My guidance is complete. Teacher Zhang, your turn."
He looked utterly satisfied.
"Teacher Zhang!" one of Cao Xiong's students stepped forward eagerly.
"Wait."
Zhang Xuan raised a hand.
"What? Regretting it?" Cao Xiong sneered.
"Regret?" Zhang Xuan scoffed, though inwardly his heart pounded. "I never go back on my word."
Then he added calmly, "This is your student. If he doesn't use full strength after my guidance, wouldn't that make this competition meaningless?"
"I will use my full strength," the student said firmly.
"I trust his integrity," Zhang Xuan replied, "but the competition is still unfair."
"Unfair?" Cao Xiong frowned. "How so?"
"If I win, Wang Ying remains my student. If I lose, she becomes yours. What do I gain?" Zhang Xuan said coolly. "That's like betting lives—you lose nothing, but I lose everything. Does that sound fair to you?"
Cao Xiong froze.
Indeed, the stakes were uneven.
After a moment's thought, he waved his hand.
"Fine. If I lose, Liu Yang becomes your student."
Liu Yang—the student about to receive Zhang Xuan's guidance—turned pale.
"Teacher…" he whispered.
"Relax," Cao Xiong said confidently. "I won't lose."
Liu Yang reluctantly stepped forward and immediately began his fist technique.
Hū hū hū!
Zhang Xuan's face darkened.
The boy didn't even give him a chance to speak.
As Liu Yang finished his routine, Zhang Xuan's mind raced.
Flaws… what flaws does this technique have?
Cold sweat broke out.
If he couldn't give guidance, humiliation would be secondary. Losing Wang Ying—and his last chance to stay in the academy—would be fatal.
Bang!
Just as panic peaked, his Sea of Consciousness trembled violently.
A thunderous sound echoed.
On an empty bookshelf within the Library of Heaven's Path, four massive characters appeared, radiating overwhelming authority:
Imperfections of the Cultivation Path
A book materialized and fell into his palm.
"What… is this?"
Zhang Xuan looked down.
On the cover were two characters:
Liu Yang
He flipped it open.
Information flooded his vision.
Liu YangOrigin: Liu Family, Xiayun CityCultivation: Martial Artist, First Layer — Gathering Breath RealmCultivation Method: Lotus Acupoint Breakthrough MightMartial Skills: Soaring Flower Fist (Minor Mastery), Dragon Inch Fist (Major Mastery)
Flaws (12):
1. "Excessive wasted force in empty movements"
2. "Improper breath coordination"
3. "…"
12. "Dominant left arm, yet fist technique favors right—unable to unleash peak power"
Zhang Xuan's mind went blank.
This… this was insane.
He had merely thought about flaws—and the Library of Heaven's Path had responded, recording everything in detail.
This was no library.
This was a Heaven-defying cheat.
Bang!
Liu Yang's punch struck the pillar.
62!
"Teacher Zhang," Cao Xiong said lightly, smiling. "Please give your guidance."
The crowd leaned in, eyes fixed on Zhang Xuan.
Everyone wanted to see—
How would the academy's only zero-score teacher guide a student?