Library of Heaven's Path Chapter 2: Shameless

After scanning around a bit longer, Zhang Xuan figures out that every book in the library mirrors the moon in water, making it impossible to take them off the shelves. With that, his enthusiasm wanes, and his awareness pulls back from his mind.

"Time for lunch. Once I eat, I'll find a way to persuade two more to join."

Glancing outside the window, it looks like noon. From the 18 students who stopped by that morning, he only convinced one to sign up. His success rate remains terribly low. He can't keep going like this in the afternoon. After all, as a transcender, if he fails to trick folks from this ancient time, how could he boast about coming from an information age world?

Stretching lazily, he heads out of the lecture hall toward the cafeteria.

Much like high schools in his old life, Hongtian Academy's cafeteria spans a vast area, big enough for over ten thousand students to dine at once. Having snagged a student successfully, his spirits soar. So, he grabs extra side dishes and settles in a corner to savor his food.

"Isn't that Teacher Zhang?"

As he munches contentedly, a voice rings out. He looks up to see a young man beaming at him. Yet, the smile lacks any real warmth, radiating phony cheer instead.

"Teacher Cao?" Zhang Xuan identifies him right away.

Teacher Cao, whose full name is Cao Xiong, entered the academy alongside him. He loves pitting his accomplishments against others to boost his own pride.

The body's former owner couldn't handle the mockery, leading to his drunken demise. This guy surely piled on the pressure that pushed him over the edge.

"Freshmen are reporting today to pick their teachers. How's your recruiting coming along? Seeing you chowing down so relaxed, it must be going great! Check out my recruits—twelve in total. I'm treating them to lunch before settling them into dorms!"

Teacher Cao wears a smug expression. He gestures behind him while boasting loudly.

No question, he's here to show off.

Zhang Xuan holds no grudge against him. Still, entering the academy together invites inevitable comparisons. Thus, he frequently uses Zhang Xuan to elevate his own status.

A group of youngsters trails him, their faces bright with excitement and curiosity about this new place.

"Everyone, let me introduce Teacher Zhang, a true star of our academy. He's the first teacher ever to get zero on the Teacher Qualification Examination since we started! He made history!"

Teacher Cao announces to the group.

"Zero on the Teacher Qualification Examination?"

"Ah, I caught wind of it on the way here. A student he taught lost control and nearly got ruined!"

"I heard too. Lots of folks warned me before arriving not to pick him. Otherwise, forget cultivating—you'd be courting death!"

"Never thought it was him. He looks so decent!"

...

Cao Xiong's words spark an uproar among the students.

The Teacher Qualification Examination covers many areas, scored comprehensively. Students' test results factor in too. With any pupils, a score emerges. Hitting zero is historic.

"Finished your intro?"

Despite the buzz, Zhang Xuan stays calm, unangered.

The zero belonged to the old Zhang Xuan—what's it got to do with him now?

Still, even without real fury, he finds Teacher Cao's put-down tactics irritating. Waving dismissively, he declares, "Once your intro's done, get lost. Don't ruin my meal!"

Cao Xiong never imagined this guy wouldn't blush at his record's exposure, even getting told to scram. His face sours. Shaking a finger with teacherly authority, he demands, "Scoring zero on the Teacher Qualification Examination shattered the academy record. Don't you feel any shame?"

"Shame? Why bother? You said it yourself—I broke the record and gained fame. All freshmen know me now. But you?" Zhang Xuan points at the kids behind Cao Xiong. "What'd you score? Do they know? Before arriving, did they recognize you? Without your begging and buying them food, would they pick you? Staying obscure as a teacher, yet bragging to me—what's there to be proud of!"

"Ga?"

Most scoring zero would hang their heads in disgrace outside. But this guy revels in it, head held high, while scorning Cao Xiong for not matching that zero.

Cao Xiong feels ready to burst.

His hide is impossibly thick! Worse, how can he strut with such scores?

His trailing students exchange bewildered glances.

Where's his dignity?

This teacher... isn't he utterly shameless!

Shame? Thick skin? Laughable! Back in Zhang Xuan's era, celebs chased fame with far worse stunts—nude pics, scandals—without batting an eye. A zero on the Teacher Qualification Examination pales beside that.

Cao Xiong's face flushes crimson. "A teacher's core duty is instruction. I won't argue today. Let's compete once you snag a student. We'll see whose pupils shine brighter!"

With that, he pivots to depart.

Then, voices drift from behind—a guy and a girl chatting.

"That teacher seems pretty good. Nice personality too..."

A hesitant girl's voice chimes in, laced with uncertainty.

"Second young miss, heed me. Before leaving, the young master tasked me with delivering you to Teacher Lu Xun. But you ignored me, ditched me even. Worse, you picked him of all people..."

An old man's frustrated tone cuts in.

"That teacher... isn't as awful as you claim. He... he's kind, promised to guide me. Said... with proper training, I could top the class..." The girl's voice wavers still.

"Top the class? Studying under him means you're lucky not to go mad cultivating. Second young miss, do you grasp who he is? The academy's top flop teacher. Zero on the last Teacher Qualification Examination... My little miss, retract your choice quick, or the young master will have my head..." The old man pleads desperately.

"Big brother!"

At mention of the young master, the girl pales, face twisting in conflict.

Overhearing, departing Cao Xiong's eyes gleam. He grins at dining Zhang Xuan. "Teacher Zhang, is this girl your new recruit? Haha, tough luck. She looks ready to ditch you!"

Teachers select students, but students choose teachers too.

Dissatisfied pupils can return their acceptance token.

Cao Xiong's booming voice draws eyes. The debating mistress-servant pair looks over.

"Second young miss, is he your chosen teacher?" The old man eyes Zhang Xuan.

"Yes!" The girl nods.

The old man rises swiftly, approaching Zhang Xuan. "Teacher Zhang, our family's young miss withdraws from your tutelage!"

"Old Liu..." Surprised by his speed, the girl blushes, rushing up. Apologetic eyes on Zhang Xuan, she stammers, "Teacher, I..."

She's Wang Ying, Zhang Xuan's fresh recruit.

"Wang Ying, you know I rarely take students. I accepted you because fate aligned us. Why quit now and toss away this golden chance? Know how many beg to join me, yet I turn them down?"

No way Zhang Xuan lets his hard-won prize slip. He adopts a sage-like tone.

"What the..."

Those nearby, privy to his rep, nearly black out.

Bro, any shame left? Refusing students? Fate aligning? Crowds begging? You're the one desperate for any pupil...

"I, that's not..."

Grilled by him, Wang Ying flails her hands, but interruption cuts her off.

"Exactly!" Seeing her waver, Uncle Liu advances. "Teacher Zhang, our second young miss quits your class. She struggles to say it, so I'll handle the withdrawal for her!"

"Withdraw?" Zhang Xuan's eyelids flicker. "Think carefully. Ditching a teacher stains your record. Other teachers won't touch you! Willing to wreck your young miss's future over your pigheadedness? Can you shoulder that?"

"This..." Old Liu halts, stumped.

Withdrawals are allowed, but they slight the teacher. Plus, jumping ship once means you might again. Teachers shun such 'tainted' kids.

Insulting teacher prestige? No colleague wants that headache.

Accepting one poached from a peer slaps their face—bad for relations.

No teacher in academy life spells doom for a student.

Old Liu burned with resolve moments ago. Now, he hesitates.

Mere servant, he can't risk delaying her prospects.

"Don't worry, your young miss has fine talent. I'll instruct her properly—she'll excel for sure..." Spotting Old Liu's doubt, Zhang Xuan sweet-talks him too.

Joke's on anyone thinking he'd let dinner escape!

"Hold on—who says no teacher will take her? Miss, drop this guy, and I'll take you right now!"

Before Zhang Xuan finishes, Cao Xiong strides up, arms wide.

Fresh off losing face to Zhang Xuan, he seizes this chance.

"Cao Xiong, what's your game?"

Zhang Xuan's expression sours.

"Game? Such talent going waste would be tragic. Quit him, join me instantly! They came to learn, so pick the best guide—not a Teacher Qualification Examination zero!"

Chuckling triumphantly, Cao Xiong gloats.

"Stealing my student in public? Think I won't report to Central Education Bureau?"

This goes beyond spat—overt poaching!

Academy pushes free choice, but bans blatant snatching! It sours teacher ties, poisons school vibe.

"Stealing? Too harsh. Just fair rivalry, advising her choice. Let her decide. Dare accept?"

Cao Xiong challenges.