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Chapter 13: Forced to Show Off
🕑 Added 2024-12-17 11:25:32 +0000 UTCFeng Qi paused his lecture after covering about a third of the material. Looking up, he noticed all the students staring at him with rapt attention, their eyes brimming with anticipation.
“Teacher, please continue! Don’t stop now, or I’ll feel uneasy all day!”
“This is incredible! Your unique perspective on body refinement has sparked so many ideas. I can’t wait to put them into practice after this lecture. Please, keep going!”
“Absolutely brilliant. Truly brilliant! The term ‘genius’ suits you perfectly, Teacher!”
…
“Pfft. Weren’t they just looking down on me earlier?” Feng Qi grumbled internally.
The students had started addressing him as “Teacher,” which he assumed was just a customary term of respect within the exchange group. He didn’t think much of it.
Seeing the eager looks on their faces, Feng Qi pondered briefly before deciding to resume his lecture on the fundamentals of Tiger Fist. Although he was still mildly irritated by their earlier arrogance, he chose not to hold a grudge.
After all, this was a golden opportunity to share Tiger Fist with more people. By spreading this technique, he could potentially accelerate the development of modern cultivation sciences, which would in turn influence the future.
Outside the classroom, Lin Ran was completely engrossed in the lecture.
When the voice inside the classroom abruptly stopped, he felt an itch of impatience, like a cat scratching at his heart. The ideas Feng Qi presented about body refinement were refreshing and completely different from anything Lin Ran had encountered before. He couldn’t help but admire the speaker.
As he waited anxiously, the lecture resumed. Lin Ran sighed with relief, plopped himself down on the ground outside the classroom, and pulled out his notebook to start taking notes.
“Old Liang, what’s up?” a voice came from a communicator nearby.
“Lin Ran’s with you now, right? You’d better take good care of him. He’s not only my prized student but also a pre-selected researcher for Tiger Soul Research Institute. If anything happens to him, don’t blame me for being unpleasant!”
“Relax. I’ve already made arrangements. By the way, I was just about to sit in on his lecture. Let’s see if he’s as exceptional as you claim.”
Ending the call, Bai Fusheng stood up and started heading toward the second teaching building.
Lin Ran wasn’t actually a student at Star City Academy; he was an exchange student from Winterfell Academy. When arranging Lin Ran’s schedule, Bai Fusheng had made a deliberate decision to send him to lecture in Combat Class One—a group known for their arrogance. This was meant to humble them, showing them that there was always someone better out there.
Along the way, Bai Fusheng nodded and smiled at passersby, exchanging greetings with students and teachers. Arriving at the classroom, he was about to enter when he noticed a figure sitting in the corner, diligently scribbling in a notebook and nodding occasionally.
“Lin Ran, weren’t you supposed to be teaching? What are you doing out here?”
“Shh! Don’t talk. I’m taking notes,” Lin Ran replied without even glancing up.
Bai Fusheng: …
Confused, Bai Fusheng turned toward the classroom. Through the window, he saw a young student confidently delivering a lecture at the podium.
This sight made Bai Fusheng frown.
Combat Class One wasn’t an exchange program or an informal discussion group like the Cultivation Exchange Class. Who was bold enough to commandeer the podium during an official session?
Bai Fusheng looked back at Lin Ran, who was still furiously taking notes, and his confusion only deepened.
“…Incorporating the philosophy of Xingyiquan into body refinement techniques, one must adopt the spirit of a tiger—unyielding and relentless in battle. Only with such determination can…”
Hearing the content of the lecture, Bai Fusheng’s expression gradually softened. He realized that the student lecturing inside wasn’t just bold; they were highly capable. Their insights into body refinement were sophisticated and backed by a coherent philosophy.
In an instant, Bai Fusheng’s initial anger dissipated, replaced by curiosity. He joined Lin Ran outside and began listening attentively.
Inside the classroom, Feng Qi had stopped again after covering two-thirds of the foundational framework of Tiger Fist. His throat was parched from all the talking, and he needed a break.
Seeing him pause, the students immediately scrambled to hand him bottles of water and snacks, imploring him to take a short rest before continuing.
This left Feng Qi exasperated. He had come here to observe a cultivation exchange, yet somehow he’d been roped into giving a full-fledged lecture.
But as the saying goes, if you’re going to show off, you might as well commit fully.
He reasoned that since he had already explained most of the content, he might as well finish the rest and let the students copy everything down.
While Feng Qi rested, Lin Ran glanced up at Bai Fusheng with an aggrieved look.
“Elder Bai, I prepared my lecture thoroughly. I even rehearsed my best lines for maximum impact. But now? The clown was me all along. Did you set this up to humiliate me? Does my mentor know about this?”
Bai Fusheng: …
For a moment, Bai Fusheng was at a loss for words.
Humiliating Lin Ran had never been his intention. In fact, his goal was the exact opposite—to humble the students of Combat Class One by showing them the disparity between themselves and a true genius. Yet now, someone he didn’t even recognize was teaching the class instead.
However, Bai Fusheng couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. He had inadvertently discovered a hidden talent within the academy. Clearly, the academy had more outstanding individuals than he had realized.
Looking at Lin Ran’s accusing gaze, Bai Fusheng deliberated for a moment before responding in a serious tone:
“Lin Ran, you must understand—there is always someone stronger out there. While your performance at Winterfell Academy has been outstanding, Star City Academy is no less abundant in talented individuals. See for yourself; this is the strength of our academy. My arrangement was meant to push you further. Don’t let being pre-admitted to the Tiger Soul Research Institute make you complacent—you still have a long way to go.”
Bai Fusheng’s face radiated kindness, and Lin Ran nodded earnestly.
“Elder Bai, I understand now. This class has been incredibly enlightening. I’ve gained a lot from it—thank you for your guidance!” Lin Ran stood and gave Bai Fusheng a respectful bow.
Hearing this, Bai Fusheng felt a surge of satisfaction.
He had heard countless praises for Lin Ran, the rising star of Winterfell Academy. Lin Ran’s contributions to battle technique innovation and research had earned him the attention of the Tiger Soul Research Institute, which pre-admitted him due to his outstanding talent.
Yet, whenever Bai Fusheng reflected on Star City Academy’s inability to produce a comparable talent, it always left him somewhat disheartened.
Today, however, brought an unexpected surprise—he had discovered a hidden gem, a raw talent shining in obscurity.
“Elder Bai, which class is the student lecturing from, and what’s their name? I’d like to get to know them better,” Lin Ran inquired, his eyes brimming with curiosity and admiration.
Bai Fusheng: …
The question left Bai Fusheng speechless.
He had no idea who was teaching the class. But now was not the time to falter. Having already played up his connection to the academy, admitting ignorance would ruin his carefully constructed image.
Maintaining an air of composure, Bai Fusheng replied, “He’s one of our academy’s most outstanding students. I’ll introduce you two sometime.”
“Elder Bai, I’m well aware he’s an exceptional student from your academy,” Lin Ran persisted. “But which class is he in, and what’s his name?”
“You’re here to attend the lecture, aren’t you? It’s started again!” Bai Fusheng deflected, thankful for the reprieve as Feng Qi resumed teaching.
Lin Ran, recognizing the futility of pressing the matter further, returned to his seat and resumed taking notes.
Meanwhile, Bai Fusheng opted to stand silently in the back of the room, occasionally nodding in approval at Feng Qi’s lecture.
When Feng Qi finally concluded the class, thunderous applause erupted throughout the room. The students’ enthusiasm and admiration lingered even as Feng Qi stepped out of the classroom. The applause refused to subside.
“Elder Bai, there he is—please introduce us!” Lin Ran’s excitement was palpable as he pointed toward Feng Qi, who was walking toward them.
“Alright, let’s make the introduction,” Bai Fusheng replied, despite feeling utterly cornered. Summoning his resolve, he stepped forward, only for Feng Qi to sidestep him entirely with a humble bow and continue walking past.
Bai Fusheng: …
Lin Ran: …
Watching Feng Qi’s figure disappear into the distance, Lin Ran turned to Bai Fusheng with a puzzled expression.
“Elder Bai, are you sure you know him? Or, does he know you?”
Bai Fusheng: …
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