Chapter 71: Revitalizing the Cultivation World (71% complete)
"The entrance examination has been successfully completed."
When Jun Huilian stood on the high place and announced with a smile, the crowd below the stage lowered their heads and gave a sparse round of applause.
A satisfactory conclusion? The end?
They haven't forgotten that torn-up clone.
That's an avatar of a Nascent Soul stage expert, right? An avatar with the same power as the original body, right?
He was torn apart in the blink of an eye?!
At this moment, the candidates suddenly felt fortunate that they hadn't joined the irrational people in causing trouble during the written exam, and those outside the canopy were also worried for the young people who had previously acted recklessly out of ignorance.
This is someone even a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't be able to resist; those of us in the Foundation Establishment or Golden Core stages are nothing compared to him.
The candidates who persisted until the final round but were still eliminated instantly lost all their resentment. The overwhelming strength of the proctors made them clear-headed like never before. Rather than complaining about the result, they were more willing to turn their thoughts to the next opening of Tianyan Academy.
Since the academy is located in the center of the four continents, it is impossible for it to only support this year's three thousand students. They are just one step away from making it to the final round. If they can't do it this year, they can definitely do it next year. Consider it a rehearsal. They will surely become the top students of the next class.
At this point, it was impossible not to have a positive mindset; Jun Huilian above was still looking at them with a half-smile.
It seems that only Su Xiaoyao and her group are in good form on the field.
Su Xiaoyao put down her melon seeds and dutifully took on the role of creating a lively atmosphere, leading the applause and practically cheering everyone on.
After taking away Wang Yikun's soul, Jiang Yun thoughtfully disposed of the remaining body without leaving a trace. He even diligently cleaned the arena to prevent the grotesque corpse and stench of blood from bothering Jun Huilian.
No one wanted to, and no one dared to, pursue Wang Yikun's matter. He had calculated his own actions first, and no one was willing to stand up for him, whether from a moral standpoint or in terms of strength.
There was only one stupid fool who was less skilled than others and brought this upon himself; even his master had already run away with his tail between his legs.
Under the bright sunshine, Jun Huilian lazily squinted his eyes, and in the peaceful moment, a talisman appeared at his fingertips.
“I’ve heard that many talisman practitioners have recently focused on talisman techniques and often gather together to exchange and learn. That’s good.” Her words came out of nowhere.
The people below immediately perked up upon hearing this. Although they didn't know why she said that, they were sure she had a reason.
Jun Huilian smiled brightly and shook the talisman he was holding: "Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Jun Laiye. I will soon be serving as a talisman master and steward at Tianyan Academy. You can come to me for anything you need in the academy."
She looked around: "And as your talisman teacher, I will assign a small pre-class assignment before the first lesson begins."
The candidates immediately erupted in excitement.
"Is this treatment only for talisman cultivators?"
"If only we had communicated more!"
"Sigh, you don't even look at who started it among the talisman cultivators. Shen Suqi has the Dao Ancestor's inheritance, so the other talisman cultivators are naturally convinced. But who can we sword cultivators listen to? Helian Yi or Qi Tian? It's good enough if they don't start fighting among themselves."
"We do have someone in our weapon-crafting cultivation who could be the leader, but she's busy running a restaurant to earn spirit stones."
"That's true, her restaurant makes way more money than working yourself to death as a tool repairman."
A murmur rippled through the crowd below, with voices of envy and admiration filling the air.
Only the talisman cultivators stood up with great enthusiasm and pride.
"May I ask, teacher, what is our homework before class?"
Jun Huilian rubbed his fingertips together, and the talisman in his hand instantly transformed from a single talisman into a thick stack, flying accurately to the hands of each talisman cultivator who passed the test, as if it had a soul.
"This is a communication talisman jointly created by my master and the first Palace Master of the Holy Prayer Palace. I think it's good to start teaching with this talisman. I hope that students who choose the talisman art course can draw the talisman proficiently before class. You don't need to use spiritual power, just familiarize yourself with the talisman's direction in advance. We won't give you extra time to practice during class."
The test takers were not initially aware of anything.
"The communication talisman of the Holy Prayer Palace? I've heard of this secret technique before. It turns out it's not unique to the Holy Prayer Palace."
"It was done by the first master of the Holy Prayer Palace. No wonder no one has been able to decipher it for so many years."
"It seems that the talisman teacher is quite important. Her teacher is the same as the founding master of the Holy Prayer Palace... No, wait."
Finally, someone was a beat slow to react.
Having lived for ten thousand years, who else could research spirit talismans alongside the first Palace Master of the Holy Prayer Palace?
That's it—
The answer was obvious.
"Heavenly Dao Ancestor!"
Everyone suddenly realized why the Heavenly Dao Ancestor could entrust the entrance examination to her alone, why she had such great power as the proctor, and why she could wipe out Nascent Soul cultivators with a wave of her hand...
After learning Jun Huilian's "identity," everyone felt enlightened, as if everything made sense.
Jun Huilian's expression was calm and composed, seemingly unaware of the heavy repercussions of her casual remark, but Jun Feibai could sense her elation.
Is it really that interesting to use someone else's authority to justify your actions?
He doesn't understand, so he can only respect it.
The little Pixiu thought about it and decided there was no need to worry so much. Jun Huilian was going to start a class, and he needed to provide each student with teaching guidance before the class started.
Then he buried himself in his work and continued to do it for her.
Jun Huilian was also busy and felt it was time to dismiss the students.
"I look forward to having a pleasant exchange with the students who choose my course in the next class. Whether you are a talisman practitioner or interested in spirit talismans, you are welcome to audit the class. However, seats are limited, and students majoring in talisman arts have priority in choosing seats."
The students were thrilled; the assessment was over, and this was the first course to be announced.
"What does 'elective' mean? Does it mean choosing to cultivate? In other words, when a class is offered, you can choose whether or not to attend?" Some people started discussing with great interest.
The cultivator next to him was very excited: "These are courses offered by the Heavenly Evolution Academy. I don't want to miss any of them. Although I am not a talisman cultivator, I would like to audit some classes. Maybe I can learn some useful knowledge."
“You’re right. Who knows if I have any talent in talisman arts? Before, I was a rogue cultivator with no way to learn, unable to afford manuals or obtain secret realm inheritances. Now that I’m in the academy, I can learn whatever I want!” the man laughed heartily.
She can truly say she's triumphant this time. After years of hard work, she's finally entered Tianyan Academy, a place with a bright future ahead of her.
Everyone who stayed here had no doubt that their future was bright.
"I remember reading on the internal network that a library was built in the second heaven, containing all sorts of strange books and anecdotes, which all students can borrow freely. I even saved that post, thinking that one day when I successfully enroll, I must go and take a look." The cultivator next to him became faintly excited.
"For many years, various sects and families have monopolized the cultivation methods, and I finally have the opportunity to read the books," the rogue cultivator said with great enthusiasm.
She had never been so proud of her identity.
She was just a rogue cultivator without any sect or resources! Yet she managed to squeeze out tens of thousands of people to stay at Tianyan Academy! Her past dark experiences have become her glorious resume—look, so what if she's a rogue cultivator? She's reached the top of the mountain.
A monk who was standing very close to them overheard their discussion and couldn't help but join in.
"Don't even mention you rogue cultivators, I'm envious too. The best things are often monopolized by top sects and families, and we small families suffer terribly. If we want to survive, we have to protect what we have. If we're not careful, our family's wealth will be stolen and we'll lose our foundation." He spread his hands, expressing the helplessness of small families struggling to survive.
"That's right, hey, we'll all be classmates from now on, no matter what sect or rogue cultivator we are. Let's go to the Hundred Flavors Restaurant for a meal and drinks another day," the rogue cultivator said with great enthusiasm.
When life was at its most enjoyable, she became more open-minded and cheerful.
She felt they were equals, and she even proved that she could push many people from prominent families to the foot of the mountain.
"Sure, our academy doesn't ban bars?" The young man from the small aristocratic family was also very outgoing, and he quickly became friends with them.
"I can't help it! I've heard that our talisman master is standing right behind the Hundred Flavors Pavilion!" The cultivator who spoke first winked and gestured upwards.
The young master from a noble family grumbled, "It's a pity I didn't learn talisman techniques. The steward said we could ask her for help if we needed anything in the future... Sigh, the steward's status is so high, how could we dare to bother her?"
“Calling someone ‘Master’ sounds so formal. In the academy, it’s more appropriate and friendly to call them ‘Teacher.’ Look at Su Xiaoyao and the Talisman Master, they’re acting like sisters and they’re so comfortable with each other. It seems that teachers aren’t so difficult to get along with,” the rogue cultivator said.
"Really... a teacher? I can't believe I'm actually able to call the Dao Ancestor's disciple 'teacher' one day! Unbelievable!"
"Besides, that's our teacher. We should respect our teachers and visit them every now and then to say hello." The rogue cultivator was much more generous. She felt that everything had started a new chapter, and she became bolder, eager to try everything.
"If I had known earlier that the steward was the Dao Ancestor's disciple... never mind, I wouldn't have dared to approach him if I had known." The young master from the noble family muttered.
When Jun returned and saw that the students were in high spirits, he was satisfied.
She glanced towards the sky, a nonchalant smile playing at the corners of her upturned eyes.
The cultivation world, which is decaying from within, should be healed from the inside out. The best way is to replace the corrupt and old with the fresh and beautiful.
This is a new prelude.
She withdrew her gaze and leaped down from the platform, her wide sleeves fluttering in the wind. The gold threads along the edges shone brilliantly in the sunlight, making it difficult to distinguish whether the radiance was the gold itself or the color of the surrounding spiritual energy.
After landing, she casually gathered her sleeves, and a pair of dark armbands with gold thread appeared on the cuffs. The cuffs of her red robe narrowed, and there were also some subtle changes in the details. The lazy red clothes were cleverly transformed into a set of tight-fitting clothes, making her look heroic and dashing.
"Wow, this means we won't have to change clothes all year round!" Su Xiaoyao exclaimed, looking at Jun Huilian who had landed in front of her.
"We still need to change them; we can't neglect the other clothes, can we?" Jun Huilian said.
"That makes sense, that's impressive." Su Xiaoyao gave a thumbs up.
She still had a few questions she wanted to ask, so she took the opportunity to say, "Xiao Ye, if you were to become our steward, wouldn't that be similar to being my college counselor? But I don't think you're the type to like being in charge."
Upon hearing that it was an elective course, she knew that the system adopted by the Heavenly Dao Ancestor in establishing the academy was based on her original world.
She subtly thought that Jun Huilian's carefree and unrestrained personality didn't seem like someone who would be willing to diligently handle the trivial problems of three thousand students.
"The management team, as for them," Jun Huilian smiled, "is focused on the idea that 'being there means being there for someone.'"
Su Xiaoyao understood: "When you were observing my original World University, did you also observe my university counselor?" The one who submitted a leave request on the first day but it wasn't approved on the thirtieth.
Otherwise, how could they have grasped the essence of management?
“I’ve done some research.” Jun Huilian winked at her.
"That's not the right way to do it! There's an old saying in my original world, 'Take the essence and discard the dross.' Xiao Ye, you can't just learn the dross. In my original world, there are many dedicated tutors. They are serious, responsible, and meticulous in their work. You should take a look at them. They are more worthy of your emulation and learning." Su Xiaoyao's eyes flickered, as if she had a new idea. On the surface, she spoke with righteous indignation.
After this outburst, Jun Huilian's gaze towards her changed.
She kept writing, eagerly anticipating it.
The next moment, Su Xiaoyao changed the subject: "However, since things have come to this, we can't force you to do something you don't want to do, so I think you can improve in other ways."
"For example?" Jun Huilian asked, curious about what she was going to do.
“For example,” Su Xiaoyao pulled Jiang Yun from behind her to the front and pushed her bewildered friend forward half a step, “you could add a grade assistant position.”
Jiang Yun was unaware of the reasoning, but she knew her friend must have her reasons for doing this.
So the boy, who had been covered in blood not long ago, obediently followed her force and was pushed forward, like a well-behaved child letting his parents show him off.
Jun Huilian sized up Jiang Yun.
Faced with Jun Huilian, who had indirectly helped him, Jiang Yun was momentarily at a loss for what to do with his hands. He nervously gripped the handle of the soul-summoning banner, his fingertips unconsciously curling up.
Su Xiaoyao spread her palm out towards Jiang Yun, showing Jun Huilian her best friend in every way.
She spoke with great confidence, as if she were the top seller in some shady shop: "You know my friend Jiang Yun. He's meticulous and serious in his work, works hard but eats little, and is known as 'Extremely Reliable.' You only need to pay the temporary right to borrow the Soul-Crossing Banner to use him for four years. See? Isn't that a great deal?"
Jun Huilian raised an eyebrow.
She finally understood what she meant after hearing the last part.
Jiang Yun also understood.
He didn't expect that Su Xiaoyao would also remember the Soul-Crossing Banner. Her knowledge of the Three Saints Banner was limited to what Helian Yi had mentioned on the day they landed on the island.
He turned back to look at Su Xiaoyao with gratitude.
Su Xiaoyao immediately turned his head around and urged him from behind, "Hurry up, show me how reliable you are."
Su Xiaoyao gave him a chance to shine, and Jiang Yun immediately straightened his back, his tone somewhat stiff.
"Teacher, I will do my best."
Su Xiaoyao was exasperated. Why was this child so dull? He should have taken more opportunities to showcase his talents.
However, Jun Huilian, having been navigating deceit and treachery for so long, actually prefers such straightforward juniors.
She couldn't help but reach out and ruffle the boy's fluffy head, her tone unusually gentle: "Then it's up to you. How about the right to use the Soul-Crossing Banner for three days each quarter?"
Jiang Yun's eyes lit up suddenly; it went even more smoothly than he had imagined!
"Thank you so much, teacher!" he said with heartfelt gratitude.
"No need to thank me, your efforts will naturally be rewarded." Jun Huilian's gaze swept over Su Xiaoyao.
She had originally intended to say, "You should thank the person who offered this reward, not me," but then she thought that the friendship between Su Xiaoyao and the others seemed to need no further explanation.
"Then it's settled. I'll train Jiang Yun and then I'll give you a perfect assistant." Su Xiaoyao originally just wanted to give it a try, but it turned out to be a success.
Xiao Ye, whom she knows, is a very easygoing and carefree person. She treats people she likes very well, and she won't refuse small requests from friends that don't cross boundaries.
She dared to be so bold because she felt she was familiar with Jun Huilian, and because she thought that the Soul-Crossing Banner was used as a decoration on the spaceship, which meant that it wasn't that important to Jun Huilian. She also figured out his temperament in a few places.
After careful consideration, Su Xiaoyao realized that she already owed Jun Huilian a lot of favors, but the disparity in their status and strength made it difficult for her to help him. Jun Huilian, with his status and strength, lacked nothing.
Jun Huilian is quite perceptive of people's emotional fluctuations. Moreover, Su Xiaoyao can't hide anything on her face, so she can easily read her thoughts.
She thought to herself that the best way to repay her was for the new generation of young cultivators to change the cultivation world by setting an example. Everything she did was to build an ideal world.
Jun Huilian smiled and said, "I've heard that the new assistant delivers food by sword not only quickly but also very steadily. I haven't tasted any new and exciting things in the cultivation world for a long time. If Bai Niang Qian Wei Lou has any newly developed dishes, you must send me a serving."
"No problem!" Su Xiaoyao nodded without saying a word.
She understood that Jun Huilian meant he didn't expect anything in return. Since she had nothing to repay him with, she would simply be a warm friend.
Seeing her nodding her head like a rattle drum, Jun Huilian's hands started to itch again.
Just as he was about to ruffle Su Xiaoyao's black hair, his hand was grabbed.
Looking to the side, Jun Feibai expressionlessly grabbed her hand and placed it on his head, then narrowed his beastly eyes dangerously.
He had to work while also watching her show kindness to others, and suddenly he was consumed by jealousy.
The little Pixiu was unhappy, so Jun Huilian immediately dropped everything to coax it.
"You can do everything they can do, but they can't do everything you can do. You are the most... the only one who is important to me."
Jun Feibai, having been appeased, continued to busy himself with guiding the students, though he was originally a body length away from her, now wished he could stick close to her to assert his dominance.
Su Xiaoyao gave Jun Huilian a teasing look with an "I understand" expression, then took Shen Suqi's arm and used her other hand to urge Jiang Yun and Xiao Tingyuan back.
"It just so happens that my betting platform on the intranet is due to collect its fees. I'll play with you again sometime!"
"Okay, come play in my talisman class sometime."
Nobody goes to class to play.
Unlike other students experiencing university life for the first time, Su Xiaoyao, a former college student, was not curious about elective courses. Involution and 8 a.m. were two completely different concepts.
She waved her hand, deflecting the question: "I'll deliver takeout to you next time!"
Jun Huilian chuckled lightly: "Don't even think about escaping. Even if it's not for credits, you still have to attend the required courses."
Su Xiaoyao reluctantly agreed, "Alright then, see you in class, Teacher Jun~"
The last syllable of "teacher" was drawn out with a particularly lingering quality.
Jun Huilian chuckled and emphasized the syllables: "See you in class, my 'good' student."
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