Chapter 147: A Long and Arduous Road
Ye Cheng had always known that Douluo Continent was a world where talent determined everything. As long as one possessed innate talent, even a fool could rise to power. Because of this, many spirit masters neglected education, dismissing it as irrelevant, and focused solely on increasing their spirit power levels a mentality that was understandable, yet deeply flawed.
To Ye Cheng, such individuals were nothing more than brutes with power, or worse beasts in human form. In his eyes, these people were nothing but wild predators, far too dangerous for ordinary civilians.
What separates humans from animals is the ability to exercise self restraint, to rationally control desires, and to understand morality, ethics, and shame. If someone simply indulged in their instincts, acting without restraint, then how were they any different from beasts?
Across the continent, countless spirit masters relying on their strength ruthlessly unleashed their desires upon the weak. Some even committed acts so depraved that they defied human morality.
Morality? Ethics? Honor? Shame?
These were meaningless to such monsters in human skin.
The tragic reality was that, in this semi feudal, semi slavery society, these kinds of "beasts" were everywhere. The very structure of this world fostered their existence, allowing them to thrive.
If Ye Cheng had no power, he would have simply protected himself, refusing to sink to their level. But now that he had the strength to change this world, he saw no reason not to reshape it into what it should be.
And everything would start with his academy.
First, he would train a new generation of top tier spirit masters. Then, through these strong individuals, he would influence the entire continent, spreading his philosophy of education and moral discipline.
"Those in power set the standards for those below."
This was the essence of leadership.
That was why moral character was equally important in the selection process for academy instructors. No matter how powerful a candidate was, if they failed in moral integrity, Ye Cheng would never allow them into the academy.
Sun Zhongjing had already mentally eliminated the illiterate applicants. After all, what kind of Spirit King or Spirit Emperor couldn't even read? These were clearly the kind of mindless muscleheads who relied purely on brute strength.
What use were such beasts in the academy?
Would they educate students or turn them into terrorists who terrorized the weak?
"If the leadership is corrupt, those beneath them will follow suit."
Ye Cheng had no intention of letting White Cloud Academy become another Shrek Academy a place that, in the original timeline, produced countless generations of bullies, who preyed on the weak while worshipping power above all else.
If one day, White Cloud Academy became as twisted as Shrek Academy, Ye Cheng would personally destroy it.
The First Exam Ends
After some time, Sun Zhongjing suddenly announced:
"Time's up! Stop writing immediately!"
Panic swept through the applicants.
"Already?! I only answered eight questions!"
"Damn, I only got through three!"
"Haha! I finished all 100 questions!"
"So what? I finished even earlier!"
"These questions weren't even hard. Why do you all look so stressed?"
"Damn it! I CAN'T READ! Why the hell does a TEACHER application require a written test?! Isn't strength all that matters?!"
"Wait… are they really going to eliminate people based on this? I'm a Spirit Sage! Any other academy would worship me as an instructor!"
The crowd erupted in discussion, many wearing anxious expressions.
However, despite the murmuring, not a single person dared to question the man standing before them. These were spirit masters who only bullied the weak they wouldn't dare challenge a peak expert like Sun Zhongjing.
Ignoring their reactions, Sun Zhongjing casually waved his hand.
In an instant, all the desks, chairs, and test papers vanished into thin air.
Then, he stated plainly:
"Those who pass will receive a notice within half a month. Those who do not… well, you know what that means. The final selection exam will follow. Only those who pass will be officially accepted into the academy."
With that, he vanished.
No one dared to protest.
Some looked confident, others frustrated, while some simply stood in stunned silence.
The Grim Reality of Spirit Masters
Back in his residence, Sun Zhongjing sat at his desk, pulling out a thick stack of test papers. He began carefully grading them, flipping through page after page.
However, as he continued reading, his expression darkened.
The answers these applicants had written…
They were disgusting.
Of the 100 questions, most focused on martial spirit knowledge. However, a few examined moral character, testing how candidates would react in critical situations.
In essence, this wasn't just an academic test it was a concealed character assessment.
The applicants, unaware of this, had revealed their true selves through their answers.
Although 100 points was technically the maximum score, those who answered all questions correctly could actually achieve up to 200 points. Moral questions were weighted far more heavily than academic ones one ethics question alone was worth as much as six academic ones.
And yet…
As Sun Zhongjing read through the responses, he felt he had severely underestimated the depths of human depravity. He had overestimated the moral integrity of this world's spirit masters.
What these applicants wrote…
It was beyond horrifying.
Through these answers, their true thoughts were laid bare.
When he finally finished grading, Sun Zhongjing rubbed his temples, feeling an intense headache.
"Recruiting instructors… will be much harder than I thought."
Because…
Every single applicant today had failed.
Not a single one had passed.
Total elimination.
Not one of them was qualified.
A Harsh Reality
Fortunately, the academy's recruitment drive would continue for three months, allowing spirit masters from all across the continent time to arrive.
Today's batch of applicants had all been failures, but there was still hope.
However, what was once a confident expectation had now turned into deep concern.
"Over 100 applicants today… and not a single one passed."
"These people might not represent every spirit master, but… if this ratio is accurate…"
Sun Zhongjing sighed heavily, realizing just how corrupt and broken the spirit master world truly was.
This world needed change.
And White Cloud Academy had a long and arduous road ahead.
(End of Chapter)
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