Devour

Chapter 439 Classroom Order

Mr. Xiao San said in a calm tone: "This sword technique was obtained from the ruins of the Thunder Department Heavenly Mansion in Nanli Mingzhou. After the academy sorted and studied it, it was confirmed that it was not the original 'Righteous Sword Qi', but rather the 'essence' summarized and refined by senior sword masters in actual combat. It can be called a quick learning method. No need for long practice, you can see immediate results!"

Lin Zhengyuan lowered his head in thought, a hint of nervousness flashing across his handsome face. He hesitated and asked, "Teacher, the so-called 'Rapid Mastery Method of Righteous Sword Qi' must be less powerful than the original, right? Is there a big difference between the two?"

Mr. Xiao San replied, “In my opinion, the accelerated method possesses more than 80% of the original power. Even if one only cultivates this essential text, the sword technique's grade will not be diminished, but the required time is much shorter. In the same amount of time, cultivators can save their time and energy to cultivate other techniques and sword skills, and their cultivation can actually improve even more. Therefore, studying the essential text is extremely valuable!”

Chu Kangzhi, who was sitting at the next table in the first row, saw that Lin Zhengyuan was silent, so he turned his head and smiled and said: "The swordsmanship of the Sword Qi Pavilion is superb, even better than the Nine Earth Vein Swords of my Dragon Vein Sect. I am fortunate to have been personally taught the 'Essence of the Vast Sword' by Mr. Xiao San. I am deeply grateful for his kindness. In the future, I will definitely integrate what I have learned into the swordsmanship of my sect and carry it forward."

These words, seemingly praising but actually criticizing, subtly changed the name of the sword technique while speaking jokingly. The implication was: "The Essentials of the Vast Sword and the Vast Sword Qi are no longer the same sword technique. Since they have already spread, the Sword Qi Pavilion has no right to interfere."

Lin Zhengyuan was a smart man and could understand the deeper meaning in his words. Although he was unwilling, he had no choice but to think, "Is this how our sect's unique skill is spread to the world? Fine... I might as well compare the two sword techniques and learn from each other's strengths. Perhaps I can take the Haoran Sword Qi to a higher level."

Cheng Bai strolled into Xiaoxiang Hall and saw that the classroom was packed. He looked troubled and said to An Yiren, "The lecture is in full swing. It would be inappropriate for us to enter halfway through and disturb the teacher's lesson and interrupt the students' thoughts. Why don't we just look around outside?"

An Yiren waved his hand dismissively and said confidently, "Da Bai is overthinking it. Senior Brother Xiao is very perceptive and sensible. He will always arrange things properly. Just come with me."

His words were full of confidence as he skillfully led Cheng Bai and Bei Tingjun across the school threshold together.

The hall fell silent. Mr. Xiao, standing on the podium, had a commanding view of every student's movements. Cheng Bai and the others tiptoed in from the back of the hall, their every move easily observed.

Mr. Xiao San's mind raced: "Seventh Brother usually idles away his time and does many shameful things. Judging from his bowing and scraping manner, he has probably accepted a generous gift from some rich young master to help him reserve a seat and audit classes. His behavior is disgraceful to scholars. Where is the dignity of Confucianism and Taoism? How can classroom rules be followed? I cannot tolerate him too much."

Thinking of this, Mr. Xiao suddenly raised his voice and sternly shouted, "Those students in the back, you're late!"

The students all turned around and looked at Cheng Bai and the others, their eyes all focusing on them, and the atmosphere suddenly became extremely awkward.

Cheng Bai and the others were somewhat at a loss. An Yiren stopped and bowed towards the podium, smiling as he tried to ingratiate himself, saying, "Hello, Senior Brother Xiao. I wouldn't dare ask for more, just three seats would be fine."

Mr. Xiao didn't even lift his eyelids, and said coldly and calmly, "Silence is the first priority in the classroom. Do not make noise or disrupt the order."

Cheng Bai bowed respectfully and said earnestly, "Greetings, sir. I apologize for this abrupt visit and dare not presume to offer any guidance. Please allow me to sit in the corner for a moment."

Mr. Xiao casually glanced at Cheng Bai. Although he seemed unfamiliar with him, he noticed that the other man's Azure Spirit Armor shone with extraordinary spiritual light, clearly a rare magical armor.

He brushed aside his slight displeasure, softened his tone, and casually inquired, "How did you come to Taowu Academy?"

Cheng Bai was astute and understood that the question was "how did you come?" rather than "why did you come?" So he simply replied, "I came with a friend."

"To ride in the carriage?" Mr. Xiao San casually pointed his Wind and Thunder Banana Leaf Fan into the distance and said indifferently, "You all go to the last row and choose a seat to sit with the others."

It's simple: it involves having several people squeeze onto the same table.

Those students qualified to sit in the lecture hall were all distinguished individuals. Even the lowest-ranking students in the last row came from noble families from various countries.

When they saw that someone had come and wanted to squeeze into a seat, all the students present showed disgust on their faces. Some curled their lips in disdain, while others turned their heads away to avoid it, for fear that the person would get close and sit down.

Cheng Bai looked around and keenly noticed the obviously repulsive gazes. He thought to himself, "I might as well sit in the corner and enjoy some peace and quiet."

An Yiren, however, did not rush over, but waited with a smile on her face.

Mr. Xiao San gently waved his fan and took a few steps unhurriedly. Then he thought to himself, "Seventh Brother has very high standards and knows how to choose his clients. The fact that he's willing to accompany me personally means he might be a patron of some rare and powerful family or sect. I shouldn't be negligent!"

He looked at Cheng Bai, his expression softening slightly, and asked, "Uh... student, what kind of spirit beast, chariot, or spirit boat do you ride?"

A person's vehicle often directly reflects their status and position, and even cultivators are not exempt from this custom.

Cheng Bai readily admitted, "It's a flying armor."

"Oh..." Mr. Xiao San breathed a sigh of relief, quickly analyzing the content of the conversation in his mind, "The flying armor is light and agile, tasteful, and has a high price."

"Wait!" He suddenly realized the key point. "This kid just said 'bringing friends along,' so it's definitely not a small flying armor that you wear, but a fortress-type flying armor that can accommodate many people."

Mr. Xiao quickly changed his mind, stopped waving his fan, and said in a deep voice, "You may move forward three rows to take your seats."

Cheng Bai waved to signal the people behind him to follow, and then walked leisurely forward.

The students along the way suppressed their disdain, their eyes darting around, their faces alternating between surprise and caution. They knew perfectly well that the short distance between the last row and the first three rows represented a world of difference in status.

Mr. Xiao San walked with a graceful stride and elegant rhythm, still lightly waving his Wind and Thunder Banana Leaf Fan, as if casually asking, "Hmm... is the Flying Armor anchored at Zhuma Slope or Tinghe Terrace?"

Although both locations are public places for parking vehicles, their specifications are quite different.

Zhuma Slope is located on the outskirts of the academy and was set up for ordinary monks who came and went. Although those who stayed here were of mixed character, most of them were mediocre juniors.

The Tinghetai, however, is quite different. Located at a transportation hub, it is a post station exclusively for the academy's illustrious figures and cultivation giants, truly a place of refined elegance.

Cheng Bai slowed his pace and calmly replied, "My flying armor has already been stored in my storage magic treasure, so there is no need to stop at the post station."

"Oh?!" Mr. Xiao's eyes lit up, and he was secretly delighted: "A storage magic treasure that can hold a fortress flying armor is obviously of a higher grade, far superior to any ordinary treasure bag!"

His expression grew even more solemn as he said gently, "Please move to the first five rows and take a seat of honor."

Cheng Bai continued walking without stopping, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The students around him looked on with surprise, glancing at him and whispering among themselves.

As Mr. Xiao San paced back and forth, he asked in a measured tone, "How many storage magic treasures are there?"

This question concerns a cultivator's foundation; without sufficient confidence, it is inconvenient to answer.

Cheng Bai pondered for a moment, then said frankly, "There are five items in total, large and small, two of which can be used to store the magnificent landscape."

This is far beyond what ordinary storage magic treasures can compare to!

Mr. Xiao was secretly shocked upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "A weapon that can encompass mountains and rivers, contain the universe within, and form its own rules of heaven and earth is enough to serve as the sect's treasure weapon for a major sect. And he actually possesses two of them!"

The thought was chilling. Mr. Xiao could no longer maintain his calm demeanor and repeatedly asked, "How many personal guards and how many retainers do you have?"

Usually, if someone possesses a valuable treasure, they will either have exceptional skills or be protected by elite soldiers.

Cheng Bai spoke casually, as if mentioning a trivial matter: "I only have one maidservant with me."

"What?" Mr. Xiao stopped in astonishment, feeling a sense of horror. He turned around abruptly and stared intently at Bei Tingjun, who was standing beside Cheng Bai with his head bowed.

"A maidservant?" Upon hearing this, the students present couldn't help but chuckle softly. It was the first time they had ever heard of a maidservant being brought to the classroom, and a sense of absurdity arose spontaneously within them.

Bei Tingjun said crisply, "I have already reached the early stage of Nirvana Realm cultivation. I am willing to go through fire and water for my esteemed lord without hesitation."

As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was shocked!

"A Nirvana Realm expert serving as a maid could be a match for a thousand troops!" Mr. Xiao's opinion suddenly changed, and his expression shifted slightly.