"Swindler! Absolute swindler!"
Angry shouts echoed across the bluestone courtyard as hurried footsteps fled into the distance.
Zhang Xuan stood frozen, both hands stretched helplessly into the air."I really am not a swindler," he protested weakly. "I'm a teacher at the academy… I only wanted you to become my student! And even if I were a swindler, why add great? Am I truly that unforgivable?"
Muttering to himself, Zhang Xuan recalled the headmaster's icy warning from earlier that morning. He rubbed his aching forehead.
"Seventeenth," he sighed. "Today is already the seventeenth. If I don't recruit even one student today, I'll be packing my bags tomorrow."
Zhang Xuan was not a native of this world.
In his previous life on Earth, he had been nothing more than a library administrator at a university. His final memory was of raging flames—then darkness. When he awoke again, he had already arrived in this strange world where martial cultivation reigned supreme, and strength was the only truth.
At first, he had been ecstatic.
A world like this usually meant clichés: useless trash turned genius, broken engagements, arrogant young masters slapped into submission, soaring to the peak of power.
Reality, however, had cruelly corrected him.
He had not become a student.
He had become… a teacher.
Not just any teacher—but the most pitiful teacher in the entire academy.
Other classrooms overflowed with disciples, so crowded students had to stand. His classroom, on the other hand, was completely empty. Even the few students he had managed to recruit with great effort had cursed him as a "swindler" and fled after just one lesson.
The reason was simple.
The original owner of this body possessed abysmal eyesight, poor judgment, and laughable cultivation comprehension. He couldn't distinguish right from wrong techniques and had even taught cultivation methods incorrectly—causing students to suffer Qi deviation.
His reputation was completely ruined.
Students avoided him like the plague. Even new disciples kept a respectful distance, terrified they might be taught half to death.
Without students, he had been scolded repeatedly. Last year's Teacher Qualification Examination had sealed his fate—dead last, with the academy's first-ever zero score.
Depressed and drowning his sorrows in alcohol, the original Zhang Xuan had died—making room for the soul from Earth.
And now, with the new semester underway, the academy issued its final ultimatum:
Recruit at least one student this year—or lose your teaching qualification forever.
Today, seventeen new students had passed by his classroom.
Every single one ran away the moment they heard his name.
Even a timid little girl who peeked in had fled as though she'd encountered a deranged uncle.
Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.
"It seems… I'll have to rely on deception."
Just as he was wondering how to lure someone inside, a small head cautiously peeked through the doorway.
"Um… excuse me," a gentle voice asked. "Is this Teacher Lu Xun's classroom?"
The voice was soft and pleasant. The girl was delicate and pretty, her eyes clear and sincere.
Teacher Lu Xun—Hongtian Academy's star instructor. His classes were always full, disciples flocking to him like moths to a flame.
"She walked right into a trap," Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.
He recalled every "acting cool" scene he had ever read in his previous life. Sitting upright, he assumed the posture of an aloof expert, eyes half-closed.
"Do you seek a master?"
The girl nodded eagerly, admiration shining in her eyes."I heard Teacher Lu Xun is the strongest instructor in the academy. Every student he teaches becomes powerful. Joining his class is an honor!"
Zhang Xuan shook his head faintly."Reputation is not everything. A teacher is like a pair of shoes—it must fit. No matter how famous the teacher, if their path does not match yours, you may regress rather than advance."
The girl froze. "That… my brother said something similar."
She hesitated, confused. "But how do I know which teacher suits me?"
The bait had been swallowed.
Zhang Xuan hesitated theatrically, recalling every sage he'd ever read—Marx, Engels, and the rest."Fate brought us together. I am also a teacher here. I can examine your talent, roots, and temperament—for free—and recommend the most suitable instructor."
Her eyes widened. "Then… thank you, sir!"
"Demonstrate your cultivation."
"Yes!"
She moved.
Fists cut through the air, Qi roaring like a dragon. Her aura was stable and condensed, revealing an excellent foundation.
Zhang Xuan nodded approvingly."Diligent, steady, talented. A rare seedling."
Every word was carefully vague—fortune-teller rhetoric from his past life, impossible to refute yet flattering enough to inspire confidence.
"Especially your legs," he continued smoothly. "Your movement flows like a raging river. If trained properly, your future is limitless—"
"Teacher," the girl interrupted hesitantly. "My legs are injured. A physician said I'm almost crippled."
Zhang Xuan's face flushed—but he pressed on shamelessly."I know! Destruction before construction. Because of this injury, you'll gain a rare opportunity. If seized properly, your leg techniques will surpass all others."
"An opportunity?" Her eyes sparkled.
"This chance," Zhang Xuan sighed, "could let you soar above all peers. But such opportunities are rare. Only three teachers possess it… and the other two haven't accepted students for years."
Her heart sank—then suddenly leapt."Then… Teacher, will you accept me?"
Zhang Xuan put on a conflicted expression."I am indifferent to fame and fortune…"
Before he could finish—
Thud!
The girl knelt.
"Please accept me as your disciple! I will never disgrace you!"
Zhang Xuan rejoiced inwardly, maintaining his solemn façade."I value peace and quiet…"
"I promise not to disturb you unless necessary!"
"Resources may be lacking…"
"I don't mind!"
Seeing her hesitate no longer, Zhang Xuan immediately said,"Very well. Identity authentication."
A token appeared. Before she could react, Zhang Xuan swiftly cut her finger and pressed the blood onto it.
Buzz!
Light flashed.
"From today on," he said calmly, "you are my student. What is your name?"
"Wang Ying."
"Take your token. Collect your belongings. Tomorrow, come officially."
"Yes!"
As she left, Zhang Xuan exhaled deeply.
"Finally… fooled one."
At that moment, the last remnants of the former owner's resentment vanished.
"Since I've taken your body," Zhang Xuan murmured, "I'll live well for you."
Suddenly—
Boom!
A vast voice echoed in his mind.
"Heaven and Earth are unkind…"
A colossal palace appeared in his consciousness. Five radiant words hovered above its gate:
Library of Heaven
Shelves stretched endlessly inside.
Zhang Xuan stared in disbelief.
"A library?" he groaned. "I was a librarian in my last life—am I still one now?"
Reaching for a book, his hand passed straight through.
"…You're joking."
Zhang Xuan collapsed.
"What kind of cheat is this supposed to be?"
And thus, his legend began.