Chapter 282 – Others Come to Study, I Come to Teach?

Lihuo Dao Academy, Alchemy Branch, Teaching Building.

As the most powerful branch of the entire Lihuo Dao Academy, the Alchemy Branch not only occupied the best location within the academy, but even the luxury of its teaching building was unmatched by ordinary branches.

On one hand, this was because Lihuo Dao Academy placed great importance on alchemists. On the other hand, alchemists were generally very wealthy. Many alumni who graduated from Lihuo Dao Academy over the years would donate to the Alchemy Branch.

As the saying goes, not all wealthy people are alchemists, but all alchemists are wealthy. Since ancient times, how many cultivators could cultivate without relying on elixirs?

After arriving at the Alchemy Branch’s teaching building, Lu Chen quickly found the corresponding classroom based on the information provided by his wrist device. The classroom was quite spacious, capable of accommodating about a hundred people. However, at the moment, only around twenty people were present.

When Lu Chen appeared, the freshmen in the classroom curiously glanced at him. They had long heard that among their batch of freshmen, two monsters had emerged, both from Luocheng in Qingzhou. One was the legendary Phoenix Calamity Cultivator, while the other was a peerless sword immortal who had reached the Golden Core Stage during high school. Either of them alone would be enough to dominate an era, yet they had appeared simultaneously. Even more astonishingly, both came from the same place. This had drawn the attention of many across the Immortal Alliance Nine Provinces to Qingzhou and Luocheng.

During this period, Lihuo Dao Academy had been actively promoting the news that Lu Chen, the “Little Sword Immortal of Luocheng,” had enrolled in their academy. This was done to enhance the academy’s reputation among future candidates and encourage them to apply to Lihuo Dao Academy. Whether this strategy would prove effective remained to be seen.

Under the gaze of his classmates, Lu Chen walked alone to a window seat and sat down. Out of reverence for his Golden Core Stage cultivation, although the surrounding students were curious about him, no one took the initiative to strike up a conversation. Lu Chen, for his part, was content with the peace and quiet.

Not long after Lu Chen sat down, more people gradually arrived in the classroom. The originally quiet atmosphere was instantly broken when He Ziling appeared. Although most of the students present came from cultivation families and were accustomed to seeing beautiful women, He Ziling’s “beauty” still captivated them the moment they laid eyes on her. Her ethereal, otherworldly aura, combined with her stunning looks, perfectly embodied every cultivator’s fantasy of a “Fairy.”

While most were mesmerized by He Ziling, Lu Chen discreetly observed her. The moment He Ziling appeared, Lu Chen felt as if some power within him was being stirred. He had tried to identify this power before but found it originated from his innate divine ability. However, he couldn’t determine whether it came from the “Fairy Lotus Womb” or the “Heretical Avatar”—or perhaps both. After all, He Ziling’s presence indeed aligned with the concept of a “natural-born immortal.”Jade-like skin, pure and untainted.

Lu Chen surmised that the other party not only possessed some powerful innate talent but also cultivated a superior cultivation manual, possibly even the Immortality Art.

Mysterious—that was the feeling He Ziling had left him with after their two encounters.

For some reason, this time when He Ziling appeared, Lu Chen noticed that his innate divine ability was no longer restless.

He guessed she must have used some secret technique to suppress the mysterious connection between them.

Interesting…

Using human means to suppress the bloodline instincts brought by an innate divine ability.

This classmate named He Ziling… was no ordinary individual.

For reasons unknown, after scanning the surroundings, He Ziling walked over and took the empty seat next to Lu Chen.

“Classmate Lu, you don’t mind if I sit here, do you?”

He Ziling’s voice was soft and melodious, like a nightingale’s song, making it hard for anyone to dislike her.

“Not at all.”

With Lu Chen’s reply, He Ziling promptly sat in the empty seat, leaving one seat between them.

The classroom seating was arranged in rows of three, so if anyone else wanted to sit near the two, only the front or back positions remained.

Although many were eager to approach them, Lu Chen’s Golden Core Stage cultivation deterred most from acting on it.

Even so, the atmosphere in the classroom grew slightly restless after He Ziling’s arrival.

At the very least, Lu Chen noticed many male classmates discreetly or openly stealing glances at He Ziling beside him.

Half an hour later, the classroom, originally meant for a hundred, was filled with about sixty students.

These sixty would be Lu Chen’s classmates for this term.

The entire first-year Alchemy department had fewer than two hundred students in total.

This classroom alone accounted for one-third of the freshmen in the department.

Lu Chen also observed that most of these sixty students were at the third layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage, while He Ziling had reached the eighth layer.

Her cultivation level was so high that even Nangong Siying, the daughter of Linjiang Capital’s city lord, couldn’t compare.

It was worth noting that Nangong Siying was not only an Awakened with an innate divine ability but also someone who had mastered two Entering Dao Conceptions.

Although cultivation level didn’t represent everything, it could reflect a person’s potential.

The aptitude He Ziling displayed was at least on par with Nangong Siying’s, and likely even surpassed it.

Once everyone had gathered, the counselor who had notified them via the Academy Wristwatch appeared.

“Sorry, sorry! The start of the semester is always busy. My apologies for keeping you all waiting.”

Counselor Liang Zhao bowed in apology as he made his way to the podium.

Liang Zhao’s appearance was quite distinctive.

His right arm was actually a puppet arm crafted from special materials.

For the students present, this was undoubtedly a novel sight.

Their counselor must be the legendary “Spirit Energy Mechanist.”

Even Lu Chen was filled with curiosity.

After all, it was his first time seeing someone replace part of their physical body with “machinery.”

In the Immortal Cultivation World, which advocated the unity of spirit and flesh, this was undoubtedly unconventional.

Facing the students’ slightly scrutinizing gazes, Liang Zhao didn’t seem surprised.Without any reservation, he raised his right arm and said to everyone with a smile, “As you can see, this arm of mine is a Spirit-Tech Arm developed by the Spirit-Tech Research Institute in our Dao Academy. Not only does it compensate for my severed arm, but it also grants me many special techniques and Divine Abilities to a certain extent. It represents one of the latest advancements in Spirit Energy Technology at our Dao Academy.”

“If any of you are interested in Spirit Energy Technology, you can take elective courses related to it.”

Hearing this, a more traditional student couldn’t help but frown and ask, “Teacher, what use is this Spirit Energy Technology for our Alchemy? Why bother studying it?”

Liang Zhao explained with a smile, “When it comes to refining high-Rank Elixirs, Spirit Energy Technology currently can’t offer much assistance. However, for low-grade Elixirs below the third Rank, the help provided by Spirit Energy Technology is by no means insignificant.”

Perhaps aware that the students were skeptical, Liang Zhao immediately prepared to prove his words with practical action.

He raised his Spirit-Tech Arm, and the runes and Formations engraved on it instantly lit up. The energy powering the Spirit-Tech Arm came precisely from the Spiritual Power cultivation within Liang Zhao’s body.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the Spirit-Tech Arm released a unique blue flame.

“Spirit Fire?”

Many exclaimed in surprise as they watched Liang Zhao holding the blue flame in his palm.

So-called Spirit Fire refers specifically to flames with special attributes. In a sense, Lu Chen’s Samadhi True Fire is one type of Spirit Fire.

For Cultivators, mastering Spirit Fire is often not easy. It typically requires either a special Physique, cultivation of a unique Cultivation Manual, or some extraordinary opportunity.

Thus, the vast majority of Spirit Fires are not easily mastered.

If it were merely about manifesting Spirit Fire, it wouldn’t have surprised the students present. After all, more than half of the students there had mastered some form of Spirit Fire. There was even someone like Lu Chen, who possessed the Great Divine Power of Samadhi True Fire.

Yet even Lu Chen was quite curious about the method Liang Zhao had displayed. He could clearly discern that Liang Zhao’s ability to manifest Spirit Fire was entirely due to his special right arm.

Naturally, others had noticed this as well, which was why they were so astonished.

After the demonstration, Liang Zhao smiled and dispersed the Spirit Fire in his hand.

“As you all saw, my innate talent and Aptitude originally weren’t sufficient to allow me to wield this ‘Netherworld Ghost Fire.’ But with this ‘Azure Spirit-Ghost Arm,’ I can manifest the Netherworld Ghost Fire without altering my Cultivation Manual or Physique.”

“All of this is the change that Spirit Energy Technology has brought me, and it’s also the assistance it provides in my Alchemy.”

Hearing this, everyone present fell into deep thought. After all, the utility of Spirit Fire isn’t limited to enhancing Alchemy proficiency; it also offers significant benefits in combat and cultivation.

Geniuses like Lu Chen might not care much about such assistance, but for many without innate talent, mastering a Spirit Fire could undoubtedly lead to a transformative effect.

Moreover, this was just one aspect. Liang Zhao’s demonstration revealed another, even more terrifying potential: if everyone could achieve what he had, wouldn’t it mean that Lihuo Dao Academy could mass-produce Cultivators who master Spirit Fire?That was truly terrifying.

However, everything has its pros and cons…

“Instructor Liang, such a Spirit-Tech Arm must place quite a burden on you, right?”

“And if an ordinary cultivator were to undergo such an arm transplant, the Golden Core Stage might be their limit.”

Liang Zhao looked at Lu Chen and said with a smile, “Student Lu, there’s no need to be so formal. You can just call me Fellow Daoist Liang.”

“Although I am nominally your instructor, you are a Golden Core Stage cultivator, while I am only at Foundation Establishment Perfection. If I were to meet you outside the academy, I would have to respectfully address you as Golden Core Senior.”

“You are correct. This Spirit-Tech Arm is not something just anyone can transplant, and even if the transplant is successful, there are significant limitations.”

“The Golden Core Stage is indeed the current limit for Spirit-Tech cultivators.”

“However, we have already developed several solutions. Moreover, Fellow Daoist Lu, you overestimate most people. After all, many spend their entire lives without necessarily achieving a breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage.”

“As for whether Spirit Energy Technology can become a school within the Immortal Alliance that rivals ancient cultivation traditions in the future, I cannot say for sure. But I believe we can trust the wisdom of future generations, don’t you agree?”

Lu Chen did not refute these words.

Because Lu Chen had always believed that all paths ultimately lead to the same destination.

It was true that Spirit-Tech cultivators currently could not reach the Nascent Soul Stage.

But that didn’t mean it would always be impossible.

Although this was Lu Chen’s first time seeing a Spirit-Tech cultivator, he had already thought of several methods that could allow Spirit-Tech cultivators to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage.

For example, the South Li Vermillion Bird Army beneath his feet right now.

But when a Spirit-Tech cultivator’s entire body is replaced by Spirit Energy Technology,

whether such a cultivator could still be considered a true cultivator, Lu Chen couldn’t say for certain.

Yet, this was indeed a viable path.

After briefly demonstrating Spirit Energy Technology, Liang Zhao began to explain the purpose of gathering everyone here.

“Students, I’ve called you all together this time not only to meet you but also to discuss a few matters.”

“First, regarding academic credits. These credits are not only crucial for your daily cultivation but also determine whether you can graduate successfully. It would be best for you to carefully plan your credit usage to avoid the tragedy of being held back due to insufficient credits.”

“Second, our Lihuo Dao Academy is divided into the Inner Courtyard and Outer Courtyard. You may move freely in the Outer Courtyard, but the Inner Courtyard is restricted to students above the fourth year and other special students. Unauthorized entry is prohibited.”

“Anyone who enters the Dao Academy without permission will face severe consequences – light penalties include heavy credit deductions, while serious offenses may lead to expulsion and legal accountability. I sincerely hope none of you will face expulsion for this reason. Remember this well.”

“Third, our Lihuo Dao Academy experiences Earthfire surges every month. This Earthfire is extraordinary and fills the academy’s Spiritual Power with violent Earthfire energy, commonly known as Fire Poison.”

“Excessive inhalation of Fire Poison can cause irreversible damage to your bodies.”

“Every year, some students end up injured by Fire Poison during Earthfire surges due to various reasons while moving around the academy. I hope none of you will encounter similar situations.”

“However, the Dao Academy will provide a one-week advance notice before each Earthfire surge. As long as you remain inside the academy buildings during that time, you won’t be affected. So there’s no need to worry too much about it.””Finally, there’s something the teachers from other branches have asked me to do.”

As he spoke, Liang Zhao looked at Lu Chen and inquired, “Fellow Daoist Lu, would you be interested in serving as a guest Sword Path instructor at the Combat Branch?”

Upon hearing this, the entire classroom erupted in commotion.

Even Lu Chen himself was momentarily stunned.

Everyone else came here to study – how did it become teaching in his case?

(End of Chapter)