“If I dare to acknowledge Teacher Sun as my teacher, would you dare to accept me?”

  Tantai Yutang smiled in self-ridicule.

  There were basic requirements that teachers had when recruiting students. Although no one could really assess a person’s aptitude, and they didn’t have information on the students’ background and experiences, they could do basic assessments from their bodies.

  If students wished to cultivate, they’d need to at least reach the divine force realm. Not only would they need to have healthy bodies, but they also needed to be stronger than ordinary people. Otherwise, how would they be able to withstand the hardship of cultivation?

  Tantai Yutang had a sickly constitution. He kept on coughing, occasionally even coughing hints of blood. It was as though he would fall if a strong gust of wind were to blow.

  Given how weak he was, there’d be no teachers who would accept him as their disciple, unless they were blind.

  “If you dare to acknowledge me, then I’ll dare to accept!”

  Sun Mo replied then looked at this sickly person. All of his data immediately appeared next to him.

  He hadn’t seen wrongly the other time. This person’s potential value was really stated as being extremely high.

  He was of the same standards as Xuanyuan Po and Li Ziqi. During the three days of the student recruitment meet, Sun Mo had seen over 2,000 students. However, these three were the only students who had an ‘extremely high’ potential value.

  At the same time, the system also stated to not treat him in the same manner as one would toward a child. Otherwise, you’d get it bad. This showed that although this young man looked harmless, he might secretly be a scheming person.

  “Hmmm?” Tantai Yutang was stunned and he assessed Sun Mo. “You aren’t afraid that trash like me will become a blemish on your path as a great teacher?”

  “I have the confidence of nurturing you into someone great.”

  Sun Mo merely mentioned this in passing. He didn’t really care if he would be able to recruit Tantai Yutang successfully or not. It was because the system had said that this person was a time bomb, and it was advisable to stay far away from him.

  Tantai Yutang was stunned, and he looked at Sun Mo in surprise. This handsome-looking intern teacher seemed to be more confident than he was!

  To think that he would say something so narcissist? Who gave you the courage to do that?

  However, Tantai Yutang felt a slight throb in his heart. The reason he came to the Central Province Academy this time around was because a great teacher whom he had been admiring for a long time was a guest professor here. Although he made use of some tricks and got to meet the teacher, the teacher didn’t take him in as his disciple.

  The reason was because of his sickly constitution. What use would it be if he were to die young, even if he was a genius? Great teachers were very busy and didn’t lack disciples. Why would he have to waste his energy on Tantai Yutang?

  “Haha!”

  Tantai Yutang laughed in self-ridicule and decided to test out Sun Mo further. However, he was interrupted before he could say anything.

  “Is there an end to this? I hate people who try to scheme against me the most. Aren’t you here to come under my tutelage? If you’re willing, then kneel down now. Otherwise, scram.”

  Sun Mo felt displeased. (You want to test me? Who do you think you are?)

  Tantai Yutang’s calm expression changed. He couldn’t help but feel surprised that Sun Mo had seen through him.

  Tantai Yutang had seen the process in which Sun Mo had accepted Jiang Leng as his student, and it left a strong impression on him. Thereafter, he tried to find out about Sun Mo. The reason why he had come to the battle hall was so that he could check Sun Mo out. If Sun Mo met his expectations, then he’d ask to go under his tutelage.

  This was a little awkward. Moreover, it seemed that this Sun Mo was a schemer as well. Why would people say that he was someone who sponged off a woman? It seemed that there must be a hidden story behind this.

  “You’re so hesitant. Are you even a guy?”

  Sun Mo frowned.

  “Haha, Teacher Sun, you’re really different from others. But aren’t you afraid that I’ll bring you great trouble if you were to take me as your disciple?” Tantai Yutang asked.

  Pa!

  Sun Mo raised his hand and slapped Tantai Yutang’s face.

  “Huh?”

  Lu Zhiruo, who had been watching by the side, was shocked. Why did he suddenly raise his hands?

  “I’m someone who hates to repeat what I said for a second time! Don’t test me any further!”

  The reason why Sun Mo had done this wasn’t only because he was feeling a little angry. He was also trying to test Tantai Yutang. After all, he mustn’t ignore the system’s remark.

  The students nearby heard the commotion and looked over.

  Tantai Yutang, who had been hit, didn’t appear furious, violent, or ashamed. He only looked at Sun Mo with a hint of surprise.

  Thereafter, he shook his head, knelt down, and kowtowed respectfully.

  “Teacher Sun, please take me in as your disciple!”

  Ding!

  +1 favorable impression point from Tantai Yutang.

  Prestige connection with Tantai Yutang initiated: Neutral (1/100)

  Sun Mo’s gaze paused when he heard the system’s notification. (You didn’t contribute any favorable impression points when I saw through your scheme, but you showed a reaction after I gave you a slap. Are you a masochist?)

  As expected of a student who was deemed to be a time bomb by the system. His reaction was too surprising.

  What did those psychology books he had bought say?

  There was a high chance that someone like him wasn’t mentally well.

  “Teacher!”

  Lu Zhiruo hid behind Sun Mo, tugging at his sleeve secretly. She covered her mouth with her hand and reminded him, “I feel that he’s very scary. It’s better to not take him in as a disciple.”

  “Haha!”

  Sun Mo laughed as well. (When I play games, I love to challenge the highest difficulty level. How can I possibly back off when a student is challenging me now?)

  “Sun Mo, don’t go too far and end up failing miserably later!”

  The system suddenly reminded him.

  “Alright, after three kowtows, you’ll be my disciple.”

  Sun Mo spoke up, not paying the system any heed.

  “Teacher!”

  Lu Zhiruo tugged at Sun Mo’s sleeves anxiously.

  “Teacher, please accept three kowtows from this disciple!”

  Tantai Yutang kowtowed properly, knocking his forehead to the ground without trying any tricks.

  “Get up!”

  Sun Mo had his hands behind his back and walked out of the battle hall, not helping Tantai Yutang up.

  The sickly guy didn’t mind it. He got up, brushed off the dust on his kneecaps, and then bowed toward Lu Zhiruo. “Senior Martial Sister Lu!”

  Lu Zhiruo immediately ran off like a rabbit that had seen a hunter.

  “Oh my, that sickly guy hasn’t scared off my lucky mascot, right?”

  Sun Mo was a little worried.

  “You’re better off worrying about yourself. I’ll repeat it again. This is Middle-Earth’s nine provinces. Don’t use the teaching method you used back in No.2 High School. It’d be useless.”

  The system reprimanded, feeling that Sun Mo hadn’t listened to its advice.

  “Since you’ve chosen me as your owner, then you should trust me. Or are you saying that you’re blind?” Sun Mo’s lips twitched. “I was challenged, so what was I supposed to do? Avoid it? I’m sorry, I’d rather die!”

  The system suddenly fell silent. After hearing Sun Mo’s words, it suddenly felt that it might have made the best choice in choosing Sun Mo.

  Putting his capabilities aside, it was true that he had conducted himself with the air of a great teacher. Its previous few hosts would all immediately shrink back after docilely listening to its warning.

  “Are you feeling admiration for me now?” Sun Mo asked, “If so, just say it. Don’t keep it pent-up inside you!”

  “Scram!”

  The system made its point clear.

  Ding!

  ‘Mission released. Please make Tantai Yutang want to acknowledge you from the bottom of his heart. The reward will be one golden treasure chest.’

  It wasn’t that pleasant when Sun Mo heard the mission announced by the system. This sickly guy really didn’t harbor a pure intention, but that didn’t matter. Things would only be challenging then.

  After coming to the Central Province’s Tang Country, he couldn’t lay his hands on game consoles anymore and couldn’t play games. Therefore, he could only find his own fun. Teaching a student would be considered quite a good way of spending his time!

  Due to Gu Xiuxun’s efforts, the school agreed that as long as an intern teacher managed to recruit five students, they’d be converted to an official position, becoming a substitute teacher.

  An internal announcement had been released, so there wouldn’t be any changes to it.

  Li Ziqi, Lu Zhiruo, Xuanyuan Po, Jiang Leng, and now, with Tantai Yutang, there were a total of five of them. Although they each had their flaws, Sun Mo had managed to meet the requirements.

  “You guys can take a walk around the school by yourself. I’ll be taking my leave first.”

  Sun Mo had been going around for two days but hadn’t met that many students with high potential value. Moreover, it wasn’t easy for him to recruit students in the first place given his status as an intern teacher. Therefore, he decided not to waste time on this and went back to the dorm to continue his writing of [Journey to the West].

  Men mustn’t be short of money. It was because they’d have nothing to back them up if they didn’t have any. This was what Sun Mo had always thought. Therefore, he needed to come up with the manuscript quickly and head to the Reading Veranda to look for the boss whose surname was Zheng, exchanging the manuscript for money.

  Tantai Yutang touched his face where he had been slapped by Sun Mo and watched as Sun Mo departed. His lips curled up into a smile, hoping that this life spent in the Central Province Academy wouldn’t be boring.

  Lu Zhiruo had run off after Sun Mo. ……

  The student recruitment meet finally ended after three days.

  The staff from the logistics department dismantled the Martial Arts Platform, took off the banners that were hung up in various parts of the school, as well as some temporary infrastructures that had been set up. After they were done with all the work, they then had a gathering at a restaurant.

  After digging into the dishes and wine, the atmosphere became more lively.

  It wasn’t long before the conversation was turned to Sun Mo. There was no helping it since this guy had a relationship with An Xinhui.

  “Did you guys hear? Sun Mo had taken in quite a few students, out of which, one of them was a genius that Liu Mubai had taken an interest in. I think he is called Xuanyuan Po. I wonder if this is true!”

  Chen Mu felt curious.

  “It’s clearly a lie. Which student would be so stupid to study under an intern teacher?”

  Liu Tong let out a soft cough. He had drunk so much that his face was flushed up, and his breath smelled of wine.

  “That might not be the case. I heard that Gu Xiuxun had recruited five students on the first day. As expected of a graduate that our Headmaster An had personally headhunted. She’s too outstanding.”

  Chen Mu retaliated.

  “How can Sun Mo be compared with Gu Xiuxun? He’s not even worthy of carrying her shoes!”

  Liu Tong said in disdain.

  “That’s right. He must have spent money to get people to spread the rumor for the sake of his reputation. Weren’t there intern teachers who had done the same in the past? They still ended up being fired in the end!”

  “Even if Sun Mo has the capabilities, he won’t be able to work for long. Zhang Hanfu’s son had always liked Headmaster An. Do you guys think that Zhang Hanfu would let Sun Mo off?

  “That Sun Mo really doesn’t have a discerning eye. He thinks he has the right to get involved in our school’s chaotic matters? He’s planning on helping Headmaster An to bring back the school’s glory? To bring it back to the ranks of the Nine Greats? He’s thinking too much!”

  The workers from the logistics department had fewer reservations in their talks after having drunk a lot. It was difficult for the Central Province Academy to return to its former glory. If they were to be ranked last in this year’s league tournament, then they’d lose their rights and be removed from the list. It’d be all over for them then.

  It made sense. Zhang Hanfu and Wang Su had been in the school for over 20 years, and their influences were deeply rooted.

  It had only been three years since An Xinhui came. In the past, she didn’t have any experience of being a Headmaster. To be honest, it was already considered good that she hadn’t been chased off after three months.

  When An Xinhui just came, other than Zhou Lin, she had no other close aides by her side. She had to put in great effort to stabilize her standing in the school.

  “Old Li, you’ve been taking care of Sun Mo recently. What’s your take on this?”

  Liu Tong gulped down a cup of wine.

  “Haha!”

  Li Gong wore an awkward expression, having a strong urge to curse. He had been following Sun Mo over the past few days, wanting to see if there was any way to deal with the predicament. He then increasingly lost the courage to go up against Sun Mo.

  Taking Xuanyuan Po in was a rumor?

  What a joke. When Xuanyuan Po knelt down and acknowledged Sun Mo as his teacher, Li Gong had been hiding in the warehouse, witnessing the entire process.

  Chapter 59: You Guys Don’t Know How Terrifying Sun Mo Is!You Guys Don’t Know How Terrifying Sun Mo Is!

  If Li Gong hadn’t seen it for himself, he might have thought that Sun Mo had just gotten lucky before anyone had noticed Xuanyuan Po. But what was the truth like?

  Qin Fen had also been present at the scene then. He had even confidently mentioned his brilliant achievements to prove how outstanding he was. In the end, Xuanyuan Po still chose Sun Mo.

  Even until now, Li Gong could still remember how furious Qin Fen had been after losing to Sun Mo. He was just short of devouring Sun Mo up.

  Was Xuanyuan Po a genius?

  Li Gong couldn’t tell. However, he knew that Liu Mubai and Gu Xiuxun had both wanted to recruit him. But in the end, he landed up in Sun Mo’s hands.

  As someone who was used to the society’s ways, having experienced a lot of ups and downs, Li Gong didn’t believe in luck. There must be a reason why Sun Mo had been able to win against Qin Fen.

  Then, Li Ziqi came up by herself to look for Sun Mo, wanting to become his disciple.

  Li Gong had seen for himself how many teachers had fought to recruit her. Putting aside Liu Mubai and Gu Xiuxun, who were new teachers that An Xinhui had held great expectations for, even a few great teachers came. However, Li Ziqi hadn’t wavered at all and insisted on choosing to follow Sun Mo.

  Li Gong found it funny after seeing Xu Shaoyuan returning in disappointment, wearing an expression as if someone had stolen his food supply. (You great teachers have always carried yourself so loftily. You’ve been defeated now, right?)

  However, Li Gong’s amusement was then replaced by respect and fear. Xu Shaoyuan was a 2-star great teacher, and even he had wanted to recruit Li Ziqi. This showed that Li Ziqi was either very talented or had come from a wealthy family, having a distinguished status.

  Regardless of which it was, Sun Mo had gotten a good deal.

  Of course, there was also the possibility that he might suffer great losses.

  Not all great teachers were good people with respectable morals. What would happen when someone snatched the opportunity and recruited a student like Li Ziqi, whom even great teachers wanted?

  Of course they’d keep on sending trouble to that particular teacher’s way. This trouble wasn’t referring to fighting, but in the area of their teaching capabilities.

  If the teacher’s capabilities were insufficient, they’d gradually lose confidence from these challenges. They might even become reclusive, feeling that they weren’t able to teach the student well and take on the initiative to rescind their teacher-student relationship.

  There was no other way out. Who would still have the face to continue as a teacher after failing too many times?

  Li Gong had been working in the Central Province Academy for close to ten years and had seen such occurrences before. Great teachers didn’t just need to be able to recruit students with good potential, but they also had to be capable of holding onto them.

  “Hmph, Sun Mo, don’t be proud. The real tests are the ones that are coming.”

  Li Gong wanted to see Sun Mo ending up in a wretched state. However, upon recalling his pathetic state the other day after being struck by the ‘Ignorant and Incompetent’ halo, he shuddered and quickly dismissed this thought.

  Even if Sun Mo were to lose, he still wouldn’t be someone that Li Gong could taunt.

  At the thought of this, Li Gong felt upset and drank an entire jug of wine.

  Ding.

  +20 favorable impression points from Li Gong.

  Prestige connection with Li Gong: Neutral (76/100).

  “Sun Mo isn’t as bad as you guys say, okay? In order to fight for students, he even had a competition with Qin Fen and ended up winning.”

  One logistics worker pointed out. He had been present at the scene then.

  “I heard about that as well. It was said that after he won, that pair of twin brothers immediately knelt and asked to study under him. However, did he really reject them?”

  Chen Mu asked.

  “It must be fake. If it were you, would you reject students who want to study under you?”

  Liu Tong was very certain.

  “I wouldn’t.”

  Chen Mu shook his head. “I would want to put them up on an altar and revere them.

  (That’s why you’ll forever be a logistics worker, while Sun Mo is a teacher. Moreover, it is very likely that he might become a great teacher.)

  Li Gong sneered in his heart. He had seen that competition as well. He had even been outside the classroom, making use of some tools to peep at the process in which Sun Mo had used the Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands massage technique on the student called Zou Ping. It was too magnificent and too amazing.

  If he could have the good fortune of enjoying it, his lame leg would definitely be able to recover.

  At the thought of this, Li Gong felt even greater respect toward Sun Mo. Just with his hands alone, it wouldn’t be a problem for him to take care of his living needs in the Central Province Academy.

  The only problem was that the vice-headmaster Zhang Hanfu would definitely destroy his reputation and chase him out of the school so that his son would be able to marry An Xinhui.

  Ding.

  +20 favorable impression points from Li Gong.

  Prestige connection with Li Gong: Neutral (96/100).

  The logistics workers chatted on, and the topic soon changed to the ladies. They talked about female teachers, students, as well as throwing out all sorts of lewd jokes.

  Li Gong was usually someone who enjoyed conversations like these, but he had no mood for that today.

  What kind of person was Sun Mo?

  Li Gong felt that given his judgment that he had trained up while mingling in society for so many years, he was able to see through plenty of people. However, he was unable to see through Sun Mo.

  Why did he reject the Zou brothers?

  They were young men who were called geniuses and had their names listed on the talent booklet. If Sun Mo didn’t care for them, then why did he take in Jiang Leng thereafter?

  Having stayed in the school for a very long time, even Li Gong knew of some basic techniques for selecting students. One shouldn’t take students who were covered in spirit runes. That would mean that the students would have no more potential for growth. One shouldn’t take in sickly students either……

  However, not only did Sun Mo recruit Jiang Leng, but he had even gone up against Lian Zheng, who was a 1-star great teacher, to get him. Lian Zheng was someone that Li Gong would anxiously curry up to, but Sun Mo was unafraid of him.

  At the thought of how he had threatened Sun Mo back then, Li Gong felt that he had been too ridiculous. In Sun Mo’s eyes, he was probably more of a clown than a clown was.

  Ding!

  +20 favorable impression points from Li Gong.

  Prestige connection with Li Gong: Friendly (106/100).

  “Li Gong, drink up!”

  Chen Mu called out.

  “Oh!”

  Li Gong downed another cup of wine. He was completely in submission to Sun Mo after having seen his performance during the student recruitment meet. He decided to do as Sun Mo planned. After he got his lame leg treated, it wouldn’t be a problem for him even if he had to seek a living elsewhere.

  What Sun Mo said was right. With a lame leg, he’d be despised by the prostitutes even if he were to patronize brothels. It’d take him a long time to struggle to change ‘positions’, and he’d have gotten ‘soft’ then.

  “I’m telling you, even if Sun Mo were to become an official teacher, he won’t be able to stay here for long. Would Zhang Hanfu let him off? Would Liu Mubai let him off?

  Liu Tong was gloating. “Given how An Xinhui has reputation, beauty, and status, who wouldn’t want to marry her? Sun Mo is destined to be kicked away when he is standing at the very front.”

  “Haha, it’d be good if he can be kicked to death!”

  “Liu Mubai might be barely worthy of Headmaster An, but who is Sun Mo?”

  “That’s why Sun Mo should do things properly. If he is a toad, then he shouldn’t be lusting after the swan’s flesh.”

  The group of logistics workers started laughing. An Xinhui had a very good reputation in the Central Province Academy. This was like people seeing the female celebrity they liked announcing that she had gotten engaged. Moreover, the guy was someone who had extremely ordinary looks.

  “Kick Sun Mo aside? They’d probably get their legs broken instead!”

  Li Gong mumbled.

  Of course, he didn’t dare to say this out openly. As someone experienced with the way things worked in society, he knew how he should act to integrate with a group. He had to smile on the surface, sharing the same views as the majority. ……

  The entire story of [Journey to the West] wasn’t long, and Sun Mo wasn’t planning on giving old man Zheng the entire manuscript in one go either. In the event that the old man denied things, then he’d have an alternative route to turn to.

  It wasn’t that Sun Mo didn’t believe old man Zheng, but it was just that he liked to keep a backup plan and not let himself be sunk into a desperate strait. This was one of his beliefs.

  After writing about staying the night at the Wuzhuang Monastery and secretly eating the Renshen Fruit, Sun Mo stopped writing. The school had already sent out the notification that they’d be holding the meeting for intern teachers.

  They mustn’t be late for such meetings, so Sun Mo went to sleep now.

  However, before long, the system’s notification rang out. He had received favorable impression points from Li Gong.

  “What is this?”

  Sun Mo frowned.

  “Li Gong has developed a reverence for you and thus generated favorable impression points!”

  The system explained.

  “Come on, can we be more reasonable with things? I had just fallen asleep! I won’t be encountering a lot of such situations in the future, right? I’d definitely die young then!”

  Sun Mo was speechless. (Li Gong, you’re a guy. Can you think of a woman before you sleep? What do you mean by having reverence for me?)

  The system fell silent, not talking crap with Sun Mo.

  Sun Mo lay down, but a few minutes later, the system’s notification rang out again.

  20 favorable impression points was a lot. It was as if he had picked up 100 dollars while walking on the road in the day. However, Sun Mo didn’t feel good about it. He got up from his bed, poured himself a cup of water, and drank as he thought about things. What was this situation? Why did Li Gong contribute so many favorable impression points?

  Were there any schemes in this?

  It wasn’t long before another notification rang out. The word ‘friendly’ was especially pleasant-sounding.

  “Haha!”

  Sun Mo had no idea what to say now. Even though he felt happy from receiving the favorable impression points, at the thought of how a man wasn’t sleeping at night but thinking of him instead, he felt uncomfortable despite that it was the feelings of reverence.

  How good would it be if it was changed to a big-boobed girl?

  Ding!

  “Congratulations, your prestige connection with Li Gong has been raised to ‘friendly’. Rewarded with one black-iron treasure chest. Please keep up the good work!”

  A pitch-black treasure chest immediately dropped down and appeared before him.

  “Keep it!”

  Lu Zhiruo, who could increase his luck, wasn’t by his side, so Sun Mo didn’t dare to open up the chest. Otherwise, it’d be as useless as throwing meat buns at a dog to beat it.

  After waiting for another half an hour, there was finally no new notifications. However, Sun Mo wasn’t able to go back to sleep anymore. Left without a choice, he could only open up the [100 types of alchemical secret concoction methods] and continued to study it.

  Other than grasping three great teacher halos, one must also reach the expert-grade in a secondary occupation to become a 1-star great teacher. The original owner of this body had studied alchemy previously, so Sun Mo decided to go with it. ……

  The wind in the early morning had a hint of coolness.

  Sun Mo woke up early as usual, practicing his Grand Universe Formless Divine Art. Thereafter, he had breakfast and then headed for the teaching building. The meeting for intern teachers was going to start at 8 a.m.

  Sun Mo arrived 15 minutes earlier, but when he reached the classroom, he realized that close to 200 of the intern teachers had already arrived. It seemed that everyone wanted to leave a good impression of being punctual to the school’s leaders.

  Gu Xiuxun was talking to some teachers when she saw Sun Mo entering. She threw him a glance. The others also noticed Sun Mo, and the talking sounds instantly softened.

  Everyone’s gazes turned toward Sun Mo.

  “That’s Sun Mo?”

  As An Xinhui’s fiancé, as well as the only intern teacher who had been thrown to the logistics department, quite a number of people hadn’t seen Sun Mo before. However, there was almost no one who hadn’t heard of his name.

  Sun Mo couldn’t be bothered to walk further in and randomly found a seat in the last row to sit down.

  As there were too many people and they wouldn’t fit in the office, they could only come to the classroom to hold the meeting.

  “He looks so composed!”

  Some intern teachers were surprised. If they were the ones to get so much attention, they’d definitely feel nervous and at a loss.

  “Tsk, although he looks calm, he’s definitely very anxious inside!”

  Some people looked down on him.

  Gu Xiuxun pursed her lips. The one directing today’s meeting was the vice-headmaster, Zhang Hanfu. Sun Mo was in for a scolding.