Library of Heaven's Path Chapter 3: Imperfections in Heavens Path
Previously on Library of Heaven's Path...
"Teachers competing live by offering guidance?"
Zhang Xuan's face turns grim.
Even though he inherited the prior Zhang Xuan's memories, he hasn't sorted out the knowledge inside his mind yet. He can at best understand the various cultivation realms. Regarding flaws in cultivation techniques, the original Zhang Xuan could only bluff his way through, not to mention him now!
Instructing students... He is no match for Teacher Cao!
Should they truly clash, defeat is certain for him!
"What, afraid to take up the challenge? The rules explicitly state teachers may compete to help students choose wisely. This doesn't count as poaching!" Cao Xiong laughs. With a flick of his sleeves, a calm, scholarly demeanor settles over him.
"What exactly will we guide the students on?"
He realizes that without resolving this today, his sole recruited student will slip away. Zhang Xuan clenches his teeth.
Teachers offer guidance in numerous areas like cultivation methods, martial skills, and training errors... Each teacher's strengths vary accordingly.
"Here's an idea: since these are all freshmen we don't know, let them perform a punching routine. We'll point out flaws in their form, then test immediately. The teacher whose student shows the biggest improvement wins. Sound good?"
Against fellow teachers, Cao Xiong might lack confidence. But facing the lowest scorer, the one who got zero on the Teacher Qualification Examination, he trusts his own abilities.
Zhang Xuan wavers.
"Don't tell me you're too scared to agree? You boasted so boldly earlier, turning away all those students eager to follow you. If you've got real skill, let's duel. Don't block this young lady's path forward!" Cao Xiong presses him.
"Fine... Agreed!"
Zhang Xuan nods.
Death is the ultimate worst outcome anyway! Losing here is the most that can happen. Refusing now means the student he just gained will leave for sure! Retreat is no longer an option.
If he can't handle it later, he'll just improvise something. He has thick skin, so embarrassment won't faze him...
"Teacher Cao versus Teacher Zhang in a showdown!"
"Which of these bottom-tier teachers will come out on top?"
"That's the guy!"
"A zero-score Teacher Qualification Examination guy daring to compete? Seriously? Isn't he just courting humiliation?"
......
Word of the challenge spreads fast, drawing a crowd of dining freshmen over.
Freshman registration day brings many who've heard of the infamous zero-score teacher, though unseen before. Curiosity pulls them in to witness the spectacle.
"Per the rules, you'll guide my student while I guide yours!"
With the audience swelling, Cao Xiong's drive surges. He spreads his arms in a broad smile.
For fairness in teacher duels, one can't guide their own student to prevent cheating suspicions. They swap students instead.
"Young lady, come show your punching routine. Hit the stone pillar with all your might!"
Competition details set, Cao Xiong adopts a saintly, detached air as he turns to the stunned girl.
"I..."
Wang Ying's face flushes red while glancing at Zhang Xuan. Seeing no anger, she steps up. Legs spread, a relaxed aura envelops her.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Her punch whips up howling winds. Power surges through it.
No one seeing this dainty girl in action would believe such ferocity from her punching routine.
Steady stance, explosive might. Clearly, her foundation is rock-solid.
The routine wraps up swiftly.
Witnessing it, Zhang Xuan despairs.
Despite his background and predecessor's memories, he spots zero flaws.
No surprise he bombed the Teacher Qualification Examination—his flaw-detection eyesight is pitiful.
"Good, now unleash your full power on the stone pillar!"
Confirming her as a promising talent, Cao Xiong nods approvingly.
A stone pillar nearby measures student strength, helping them gauge their own power.
Wang Ying approaches bashfully.
Channeling her routine's momentum like shooting stars, she delivers a mighty strike!
Boom!
The pillar shakes, revealing numbers.
53!
"53kg—not bad punching power at all!" Cao Xiong approves with a nod.
For an unguided academy freshman, especially a girl, this punch weight is impressive.
"I noticed your routine brims with vigor and force. But your punches follow too short a path. Speed up your lower body rotation, and power jumps hugely! You're right—your legs are injured!"
Cao Xiong states.
True to a teacher's caliber, his insight dwarfs Zhang Xuan's. One glance reveals lower limbs as her routine's core, leading him to infer the injury.
"Yes!" Wang Ying nods.
"Your leg injury makes you hold back on lower body pressure. Here's a technique for you. Rest assured, it won't aggravate the damage!"
Cao Xiong then details a fresh method, explaining it clearly.
"I'll try it!"
Wang Ying's young age hides sharp comprehension. She grasps it quickly, returns to the pillar, fists tight. Power floods her like a coiling dragon.
Boom!
63!
Simple pointers boost her strike by 10kg!
"10kg gain—a 20% leap! My guidance ends. Your turn!"
Satisfied with the outcome, Cao Xiong smirks, triumph shining through.
A 20% strength surge from one guidance session? Solid achievement.
"Teacher Zhang!"
A student emerges from behind Cao Xiong, poised for his punching routine.
"Wait!"
Zhang Xuan halts him with a raised hand.
"What now? Backing out, Teacher Zhang?" Cao Xiong sneers.
"Backing out? Ridiculous. Do you think I'd renege on my word?" Zhang Xuan retorts sharply, though panic grips his heart inwardly.
As a soul from another world, how could he know student guidance? But for tips on romance movies? Expert level.
"I just feel that..." Under the crowd's stares, Zhang Xuan endures the shame, scrambling for an excuse. "He's your student, obeys you. What if he slacks off post-guidance? I'd lose unfairly!"
"I'll give full effort! I have at least that much honor!" Offended by the doubt, the student grits his teeth.
"Fine, I trust this student's honor. But the duel isn't fair!" With that assurance, Zhang Xuan drops it, steels himself, seeks another angle.
"Unfair how?" Cao Xiong demands.
"Wang Ying's mine. Win, she stays mine—what do I gain? Lose, she goes to you. Fair? It's like a bet where I win, you let me live; lose, I die for you. Fair?" Zhang Xuan argues.
"Er..." Cao Xiong stammers.
Viewed that way, the stakes tilt unevenly.
The wager favors Cao Xiong—no risk, full reward on loss.
"Then this: if I lose, Liu Yang becomes yours!"
After a brief pause, Cao Xiong points and proclaims.
Liu Yang is the student who'd stepped forward.
"Teacher..." Stunned by the call, Liu Yang panics visibly.
Swearing to a zero-score teacher? Death preferable...
"Relax, I won't lose!" Cao Xiong reassures confidently.
"Yes!"
Trusting Teacher Cao, Liu Yang advances, launches into his routine—whoosh whoosh whoosh—ignoring Zhang Xuan entirely.
"This..."
He'd planned more words to dissuade, but the instant start leaves Zhang Xuan helpless.
Truth be told, he doesn't even identify the routine, let alone spot flaws or guide.
"Flaws... what flaws does this punching routine have..."
Sweat drips, anxiety floods him.
Fail to find and fix a flaw? Minor shame. But lose his hard-won student and face academy expulsion!
Boom!
Amid his rising panic, the Library of Heaven’s Path quakes in his mind, thunder rumbling deeply.
Four words manifest above the shelves.
Heaven’s Path is imperfect!
These words radiate majestic pressure, like towering peaks, brimming with supreme authority.
As they form, a book materializes on the shelf, drifts ethereally into his grasp.
"What’s this?"
Zhang Xuan's heart skips. He examines the book.
Cover bears two words: Liu Yang!
Flipping open, dense text fills the first page.
"Liu Yang, from Xiayun City’s Liu Family. Hongtian Academy student. Fighter 1-dan Juxi Realm!"
"Cultivation Technique: Lotus Acupoint Breakthrough Might!"
"Battle Techniques: Soaring Flower Fists (Rookie), Dragon Inch Fist (Expert)!"
Flaws: 12 in total. No.1, excessive force in feints... No.2... No.3... No.4... No.12, left arm dominates but routine favors right-handers, limiting full power...
"This... This..."
Staring at the packed text, Zhang Xuan nearly loses his mind.
For real?
Pondering Liu Yang’s flaws triggers the Library of Heaven’s Path to generate this flaw compendium.
If accurate, his transmigration gift is insanely overpowered!
Everyone harbors flaws; no martial art is flawless. Perfection eludes the world. Detecting and cataloging flaws into books? This library defies the heavens!
Boom!
While marveling at the library's shift, Liu Yang finishes. The pillar trembles, numbers flashing.
"62!"
His punch clocks 62kg!
"Teacher Zhang, Liu Yang's demo is done. Care to provide guidance?"
Cao Xiong grins.
On cue, onlookers fix eyes on Zhang Xuan, eager for the zero-score teacher's guidance display.