Chapter 32: The Farce is Over!

“Cough, cough… Not bad. One of them is indeed Lin Jiaxin from your class.”

Teacher Zhang cleared his throat but didn’t hide the appreciation in his tone.

“Hmph hmph…”

Hearing this, Lin Jiaxin turned to look out the window, deliberately avoiding eye contact with anyone.

But the curve of her mouth from the side completely gave her away.

There was no helping it—your Sister Xin really was a genius when it came to cultivation!

“…”

Everyone’s gaze once again focused on Lin Jiaxin, their expressions complex.

They’d all been together for a month now, and honestly, they’d known since the first day of military training.

But… even though they understood the gap between their talents,

they still weren’t convinced.

Because Lin Jiaxin’s mouth was too sharp!

The gap in talent didn’t discourage them—instead, it ignited a competitive fire in many.

One by one, they all wanted to surpass Lin Jiaxin.

And then mimic her usual demeanor, launching mental attacks at her:

‘Trash~ trash~ talented trash~ got surpassed after all!’

…

“Alright, Lin Jiaxin, come up to the stage and assist your teacher for a moment.”

Teacher Zhang lightly tapped the lectern, then looked at Lin Jiaxin, who was still proudly putting on an aloof act.

“Okay, Teacher Zhang.”

Lin Jiaxin didn’t refuse. Upon hearing this, she stood up gracefully and walked to the stage.

She was also curious about what he wanted her to assist with.

But Teacher Zhang walked around her and began writing on the blackboard with chalk.

While writing, he introduced: “Our cultivation system is different from those of foreign countries. Here, cultivation is ranked from First Rank to Ninth Rank. First Rank: Leaping Mortal, Second Rank: True Master, Third Rank: Acquired War King, Fourth Rank: Innate Martial Emperor, Fifth Rank: Golden Core Spirit Emperor, Sixth Rank: True Lord, Seventh Rank: Spirit Venerable, Eighth Rank: Profound Sage, Ninth Rank: Tribulation Immortal. The gap between each rank is like a Heavenly Chasm.”

After saying this, Teacher Zhang had Lin Jiaxin extend her left hand and place it on the desk.

Then, he took out a device similar to a blood pressure monitor from who knows where.

“This is the Meridian Dynamic Feedback Instrument. Of course, that’s the official name. In private, we usually call it the Spiritual Pressure Detector. It’s only used in institutions of higher learning.”

Teacher Zhang explained while putting the cuff of the Spiritual Pressure Detector on Lin Jiaxin: “It can accurately detect cultivation at or below the Third Rank, but nothing higher—that would require more professional equipment.”

“Then Teacher Zhang! What’s my current cultivation base?”

Hearing this, Lin Jiaxin’s eyes lit up, and she instinctively leaned toward the screen to look curiously.

“Right now… you’re roughly at the level of Open Eye Aperture. You’ve just begun—not quite true First Rank yet.”

Teacher Zhang didn’t put away the Spiritual Pressure Meter. Instead, he let everyone else come up to look: “If the rest of you are interested, you can also come up and get a preview.”

“Why am I not First Rank yet…”

Lin Jiaxin muttered in dissatisfaction.

She’d thought that after working hard to show off and cultivate for the entire month, she’d at least be First Rank by now.

She never expected to still be stuck at the starting line.

“Pfft… only First Rank…”

The students gathered around were also a bit surprised, their words carrying a hint of mockery.

Who would’ve thought? You, Lin Jiaxin, have been acting Strong for so long.

Turns out your strength is actually pretty average!

“You all shouldn’t underestimate the difficulty of the cultivation path.”

Seeing this, Teacher Zhang couldn’t help but chuckle: “Among the three people in this major who comprehended cultivation methods on their own and stepped onto the cultivation path, you, Lin Jiaxin, are the fastest.”

“First Rank is divided into six minor realms: Open Heart Aperture, Eye Aperture, Nose Aperture, Ear Aperture, Mouth Aperture, and Leap Over the Dragon Gate.”

“Others are at Open Heart Aperture, and you managed to reach Open Eye Aperture all on your own. Isn’t that satisfying enough?”

“Of course it’s not satisfying…”

Lin Jiaxin pursed her lips. At the very least, she needed to be a full major stage above her peers, reaching above First Rank.

Otherwise, how could she overpower the masses? How could she dominate eternity?

You need real strength to pull off showing off properly.

“But don’t be too impatient. Cultivation isn’t something achieved in one leap. You must take solid steps and stabilize your foundation. How can you eat hot tofu in a hurry?”

Teacher Zhang was also afraid Lin Jiaxin might go down the wrong path, so he couldn’t help but earnestly advise her.

“You… ahem, okay, Teacher, I understand.”

Lin Jiaxin forcibly swallowed back the words ‘Does your Sister Xin need you to teach her?’ that she’d almost let slip.

Damn. She really was used to showing off—she’d almost started showing off in front of the teacher.

Lin Jiaxin still had to maintain her respect for teachers.

“Alright, this was just a small demonstration for all of you. Once you’ve entered the path and have cultivation to rely on, you can use the school’s Spiritual Pressure Meter to test yourselves anytime.”

Teacher Zhang put the Spiritual Pressure Meter away and waved everyone off.

The crowd gathered around the lectern also sat back down in their seats along with Lin Jiaxin.

“We’re all adults here. You all know that our world has always faced a very powerful threat.”

“Ever since the Outer Domain Battlefield descended, we still haven’t been able to push it back.”

Teacher Zhang leaned on the lectern with both hands, looking seriously at the students below as he spoke slowly: “You are all the nation’s elite Immortal Seedlings, the hope of the future. Defending our homeland isn’t empty talk—it’s your responsibility and mission.”

“So, on the path of cultivation, if there’s anything you don’t understand, be sure to ask more, observe more, and learn more.”

“First Rank is manageable… but beyond Second Rank, stubbornly cultivating with your head down is an absolute taboo.”

“Take one wrong step, destroy your Dao Foundation, and it’ll be hard to turn back.”

Everyone’s expressions immediately turned serious.

Regarding the Outer Domain Battlefield, everyone present knew it well.

From the first history class in elementary school.

From the first time they participated in combat readiness evacuation drills in middle school.

From the first time they saw the casualty list from the front lines on the news in high school.

Those names were typed line by line at the bottom of the screen, scrolling slowly—so slowly that everyone could read every single character clearly.

Their generation grew up listening to air raid sirens and reports of victory.

They just couldn’t tell which one was more familiar to them.

So when Teacher Zhang only said ‘destroy your Dao Foundation and it’ll be hard to turn back,’ no one asked why.

Because everyone understood.

They were students of the Southwest United University of Cultivation.

Among hundreds of millions of students, they were the ones with the best talent.

They were going to take back the lost territories occupied by those Outer Domain Battlefields.

Take back the lands where their ancestors had lived for generations.

Take back… everything that rightfully belonged to them!

“Hmph hmph…”

Meanwhile, by the classroom window, Lin Jiaxin had her arms crossed, revealing a resolute gaze.

Although her mental age was more mature, and she wasn’t as fervent and blood-boiling as these students,

she had, after all, grown up here anew, with parents who loved her.

With people she cared about, this place could also be considered her hometown.

So… then let your invincible Sister Xin put an end to all of this!

Lin Jiaxin let out a light snort. Suddenly, she pushed her chair back and stood up.

The people around her instinctively turned their heads. Seeing her face, they silently turned back.

Was this girl… about to start again?

In class?

Under everyone’s gaze, Lin Jiaxin stuffed her hands into her pockets.

Her chin lifted slightly, her gaze passing over the tops of everyone’s heads, landing on the plaque inscribed with [Heaven Rewards the Diligent] on the back wall of the classroom.

“Heavenly Demons from the Outer Domain Battlefield…”

Lin Jiaxin slowly spoke. Her voice wasn’t loud.

But every word was crystal clear.

“Hehehe… just you wait! Your Sister Xin is about to get serious.”

She chuckled softly, then suddenly closed her eyes, took a deep breath through her nose, and slowly exhaled.

Then, she once again revealed a resolute gaze!

“I’m done playing with you all.”

“Because… the farce is about to end!”