Translator: Lordbluefire

  In the afternoon, on the campus…

  After the melodious bell rang out, the students walked out of the teaching building. They then slowly gathered into a stream of people walking toward the canteen.

  “Quickly look, someone is flying in the sky!”

  It was unknown who shouted this but immediately after, the students inclined their heads and looked at the sky.

  Under the blue sky and white clouds, a woman clad in the Black-White Academy’s great teacher robe was flying in the sky. She truly exuded the feeling of an immortal flying around happily.

  Countless people were dumbfounded.

  “It’s Teacher Bai Fu!”

  Someone with good vision recognized her.

  Boom!

  The students didn’t even want to eat anymore. They were like kids watching a kite, running here and there, wanting to find out more.

  “Did Teacher Bai comprehend Meteoric Rise?”

  Someone guessed.

  “That shouldn’t be the case. That halo is very rare!”

  “Is there still a need to think? Teacher Sun must have tattooed a Skyward Spirit Rune on her for the sake of recruiting her!”

  The students were discussing.

  From the past until now, there wasn’t a single cultivation art that could allow one to fly. However, there were two great teacher halos that could do so.

  The first was Meteoric Rise and the second was Lotus Step.

  The former one was an extremely rare halo. Not only must the users have a grand imagination that was not bound by reality, but they also had to have extraordinary talent, amazing achievements, and experience that they could ascend to the heavens in a single step, bathing in boundless glory.

  Only then would one be able to comprehend this.

  And the second one was even rarer. It was a great teacher halo bestowed by the heavens after one became a saint.

  When saints walked, every step they took could produce a footprint, be it the sky, sea’s surface, canyon, the abyss…

  To saints, geographical terrains no longer had a way to obstruct them. They could go wherever they wanted to. At the same time, the lotuses formed from their steps would produce fragrance capable of dissipating poisonous fog, miasma, the cold wind, the summer heat, and all evils!

  From ancient times until now, the sky was an existence that caused humans to be filled with inferiority. Being able to soar in the sky and fully experience freedom was something everyone thirsted for. And now, Sun Mo could achieve this.

  When Bai Fu landed on the ground, a group of great teachers immediately crowded over.

  “Teacher Bai, how do you feel?”

  “Is it satisfying or not?”

  “Is the scenery when viewed from above extremely beautiful?”

  The great teachers all stared fixedly at Bai Fu like a bunch of young kids crowding around and asking questions after seeing a friend of theirs that had a new toy.

  The gazes of everyone had envy, curiosity, and shock.

  If it wasn’t for the fact that Bai Fu was a female, some great teachers would want her to piggyback them as she flew around the air.

  Bai Fu fell silent. She pondered over her wording before she spoke.

  “The scenery is the most beautiful I’ve seen in my life. I won’t be able to forget it for all eternity!”

  Bai Fu recalled. She felt that her heart seemed to have entered a clear pool overflowing with sweetness.

  “Sun Mo is indeed worthy of the title ‘Number One Spirit Runist in the Nine Provinces’!”

  Bai Fu praised.

  Sun Mo could write novels, educate people, and was even handsome. Although he was sometimes unpleasant when he spoke, if he was her man, she would definitely not suffer a disadvantage.

  Ding!

  Favorable impression points from Bai Fu +10,000. Reverence (21,000/100,000).

  “Teacher Bai’s Skyward Spirit Rune isn’t counted in the ten slots, right?”

  “I think it counts. It must have been because of this that Teacher Sun could recruit her. She must be his person now.”

  The gazes of all the great teachers were filled with unfriendliness.

  “Everyone, I’ve bled and suffered before for the Black-White Academy. There are ten name slots and I definitely must have one. If not, I will fall out with you all!”

  “I’ve worked in the Black-White Academy for 50 years. Even if I don’t have any credit, I’ve labored extensively for the school. I deserved a slot!”

  “Why are you guys speaking so much nonsense? Just come and fight it out and see who can get the name slots based on their strengths!”

  These high star-ranking great teachers conversed with each other, and the atmosphere was extremely tense like they all had their daggers drawn. It was like a single spark could set off the entire thing and cause things to descend into a chaotic fight.

  They couldn’t be blamed for their greed.

  These people were high star-ranking great teachers. Given their position and wealth in society, they basically could have anything they wanted.

  Famed courtesans and prostitutes?

  They had long since grown tired of these things.

  Delicious and exotic food?

  They ate so much of those that they felt like puking!

  In fact, they had even collected many precious treasures. But there were still some things they couldn’t obtain.

  The prime example was Sun Mo’s Skyward Spirit Rune!

  Everyone here was a great teacher and had a good brain. They instantly understood the value this rune could bring to combat. At the very least, if they encountered danger and couldn’t win against their enemies, fleeing by flying through the skies would definitely improve their survival rate greatly.

  It was equivalent to having an extra life!

  It would then be strange if they didn’t vie for it.

  Honestly speaking, 7-stars and 8-stars great teachers didn’t have much clout before Sun Mo. If they wanted to request for a spirit rune, they had to at least be a secondary saint to diminish the risk of Sun Mo rejecting them.

  Sun Mo had also underestimated the passion of everyone toward flying. In the end, things were only settled after he gave in and granted 30 sets of Skyward Spirit Runes.

  However, his harvests were also immense.

  All the upper echelons of the Black-White Academy were very amicable to Sun Mo and kept expressing their goodwill. They even took the initiative to suggest that they could head to the Central Province Academy every year for half a month to interact with the students and give lectures.

  One must know that major characters of this level were usually very busy. Besides, they didn’t lack money. So, even if many famous schools were willing to pay very high prices to invite them, they wouldn’t go.

  It was like an ordinary school that could invite great academicians for public lectures. Their clout was definitely something uniquely great.

  Just based on this point, the Central Province Academy would have a very easy time recruiting students during the recruitment season. All the parents would definitely be in a hurry to agree, wanting to send their children over.

  Humans, who were bound by gravity but were suddenly able to fly freely in the sky… For a topic like this, no matter which era it was, it would be extremely explosive and popular.

  It simply took a mere three days before it spread through the Black-White Academy to the entire city. It even continued to spread to the surrounding cities.

  …

  Wan Kangcheng busied himself for an entire day. When he returned home, he received a report from his servant that his daughter-in-law’s father had arrived and had been waiting for some time.

  “What is he doing here?”

  Wan Kangcheng was clueless.

  Wu Pan was the third wealthiest businessman in the Liao Country. He would usually be extremely busy and every time Wan Kangcheng interacted with him, Wu Pan would always feel disdain because he felt Wan Kangcheng’s knowledge was inferior to others. This was why Wu Pan wouldn’t visit him often.

  Besides, their children recently had some conflict. So, their parents (Wu Pan and Wan Kangcheng) didn’t want to meet each other even more.

  Wan Kangcheng went to the guest room after a simple washing up.

  Wu Pan had changed his past manner of smiling coldly every time they saw each other. Right now, his fat face revealed a warm and amiable smile. When he saw Wan Kangcheng entering the room, he even stood up in welcome.

  “Dear in-law, it has been a long time since we last met. How have you been?”

  Wu Pan’s smile was like Maitreya, the Smiling Buddha, which exuded a sense of friendliness.

  “Have you gone crazy? What are you trying to do?”

  Wan Kangcheng hated false civilities like this. This fellow was usually very arrogant because his family was extremely rich and powerful.

  “Ai, that’s why I always say that people in the learning industry like you are very troublesome. You guys don’t know anything about the ways of the world.”

  Wu Pan sighed.

  “Enough, what are you here for?”

  Wan Kangcheng sat down with a gloomy expression. He felt that the other party was here because he wanted to discuss the problems between their children.

  (If things cannot continue, just get a divorce then?)

  “Eh…I heard that Sun Mo is currently in your esteemed school. I wish to pay him a visit!”

  Wu Pan also knew of Wan Kangcheng’s smelly temper, so he went straight to the point.

  “Huh?”

  Wan Kangcheng was pedantic but he wasn’t foolish. Upon hearing this, he immediately understood. “For the Skyward Spirit Rune?”

  “Haha, when I was young, I’ve always dreamt of flying in the skies!”

  Wu Pan was somewhat embarrassed. Actually, other than wanting to experience the joy of flying, he wanted the feeling of being as high as the skies themselves, hoping that the metaphorical meaning of flying skyward would bring good luck to his business.

  “It’s useless even if you look for me!”

  Wan Kangcheng rejected.

  “Are you not the acting headmaster of the Black-White Academy? Sun Mo can’t possibly not give you this bit of face, right?”

  When Wu Pan heard this, his countenance darkened. He felt that Wan Kangcheng didn’t want to help him.

  “He won’t give me!”

  Wan Kangcheng didn’t want to go and beg Sun Mo.

  “Old Wan, I think you are the one not giving me face!”

  Wu Pan coldly snorted. “I don’t need you to do anything, I just need you to set up a meeting between me and Sun Mo.”

  “Hehe!” Wan Kangcheng mocked. “What? You want to spam money again?”

  “Wan Kangcheng, let me tell you that money can even make ghosts do your bidding. I will pay ten million taels. Don’t you think I can purchase the Skyward Spirit Rune successfully?”

  Wu Pan was filled with disdain.

  From his point of view, as long as he could meet Sun Mo, he could simply pay a high price and this matter would be settled.

  “You know who Li Feng, Great Teacher Li, is, correct?”

  Wan Kangcheng smiled.

  “Yes!”

  Wu Pan was a businessman. For high star-ranking great teachers like this, regardless of them being useful to him or not, he would surely have to be acquainted with them. “I’ve dined with her before!”

  “Do you know how much Sun Mo was offering to recruit her to the Central Province Academy?”

  “How much?”

  Wan Kangcheng erected his index finger.

  “Ten million? Che, for a ‘B’-grade school, this price is truly a lot!”

  Wu Pan was somewhat shocked. It seemed that he had to increase his price.

  “Wrong!”

  Wan Kangcheng shook his head.

  “Huh?” Wu Pan started. “How much then?”

  “Guess!”

  Wan Kangcheng chortled. (This person who always thinks that money can solve all problems is truly shallow.)

  “A finger but the amount is larger than ten million? Could it be 100 million?”

  After thinking of this amount, Wu Pan quickly shook his head. This was absolutely impossible. It was just recruiting a great teacher, and the great teacher being recruited didn’t belong to the top level. Why would someone pay so much?

  Could Sun Mo be a wastrel?

  But how much did one finger signify?

  “100 million. You didn’t expect this, right?”

  Wan Kangcheng ridiculed him.

  “Impossible!”

  Wu Pan was dumbfounded. “This is an empty promise, right? I don’t believe Sun Mo will give Li Feng that much money!”

  “So, people like you basically don’t understand the values of top-level great teachers. You think 100 million is high? In Sun Mo’s eyes, that amount is equivalent to a dog fart!”

  Wan Kangcheng scolded. “Also, for people with similar levels and compensation like Li Feng…Sun Mo recruited twenty-one of them!”

  “Where did he get so much money from?”

  Wu Pan was shocked.

  “Why don’t you go and ask him?”

  Wan Kangcheng felt that Sun Mo must have found a mine. After all, if he didn’t own a spirit stone mine, how would he dare to state such prices?

  One must know that Sun Mo represented the Central Province Academy. Once he failed to honor his promise, both his and the school’s reputation would be damaged together.

  Wan Kangcheng didn’t know that Sun Mo didn’t only have a mine, but he also had an immense private forest with several precious herbs within. Moreover, even without these things, Sun Mo could get a lot of money just by selling a few of his prescriptions and doing ‘massages’.

  Sun Mo himself was a treasure bowl.

  “…”

  Wu Pan had an unsightly expression on his face. For someone like Sun Mo who could take 100 million…no 100 million times twenty-one…how would Sun Mo care about the little money he had?

  “Old Wu, I have to remind you to pay attention to your wording. It’s taboo to call Sun Mo’s name directly. You better not doubt whether he can fulfill his promises or not. He isn’t someone you can afford to offend.”

  Wan Kangcheng lifted a cup of tea and drank a mouthful.

  This was the signal to send the guest away. The servant immediately came over and escorted Wu Pan away.

  “A…are there no other solutions?”

  Wu Pan was reluctant. This was a spirit rune that could allow one to fly. He really wanted it……

  Chapter 1171: Emperor of Great Liao Sending a Son to Take Sun Mo on as a Personal Teacher!

  Translator: Lordbluefire

  “When it comes to spamming money, you won’t be able to win against Sun Mo. Sun Mo rose to 4-stars in one stretch, no……5-stars. He is a new rising superstar that created a brand new record and is also a great ancestor spirit runist. His eldest disciple is the most beloved princess of the Great Tang Emperor. His second disciple, forget it. I would scare you to death if I revealed her identity!”

  Wan Kangcheng shook his head. “Tell me, what do you have to make Sun Mo draw a spirit rune for you? Just because your face is big?!”

  Wu Pan was scolded so badly until he became depressed.

  “Oh right, Sun Mo is deeply respected by Headmaster Song and has been named as the honorary headmaster by him. This matter has passed through the votes by all the members of the upper echelon. Three days later, it will be announced to the entire school!”

  Wan Kangcheng divulged another matter of immense proportions and directly stunned Wu Pan.

  “Sun Mo……No, Great Teacher Sun is only 20+ years old, right? How can he have such dazzling achievements?”

  Only now did Wu Pan understand how much he had underestimated Sun Mo earlier!

  Many great teachers over 50 years old might not have as many achievements as him!

  …

  During these few days, many incidents like the one between Wan Kangcheng and Wu Pan happened. The famous great teachers of the Black-White Academy were hounded by their friends and families who wanted to get Skyward Spirit Runes for themselves. However, all of them were rejected with no exceptions.

  It wasn’t that they didn’t want to help. They themselves couldn’t even get the spirit rune despite wanting it.

  There was no solution for it. In this entire world, no one knew this spirit rune other than Sun Mo.

  …

  On the ninth day of the month, in the morning…

  The sun was warm and gentle. The school conducted an entire school meeting, and Song Yan announced publicly that Sun Mo had become the honorary headmaster of the Black-White Academy.

  Among great teachers, they had been discussing this topic hence they weren’t too shocked. However, for the students who didn’t know anything, they were completely dumbfounded.

  Usually speaking, a position like an honorary headmaster was assumed by aged great teachers with very high star rankings. Wasn’t Sun Mo a little too young?

  However, after thinking of Sun Mo’s achievements, everyone understood.

  Geniuses naturally were cherished and loved more than others!

  After that, thunderous applause rang out. No students were against this decision. After all, during this period, Sun Mo had used God Hands and his spirit rune techniques to completely convince everyone.

  One couldn’t help but say that since he could help an 8-stars great teacher to break through his bottleneck and ascend to the secondary saint realm, he was worthy of the title ‘honorary headmaster’.

  Not only students, but even some great teachers were also rejoicing. Now that Sun Mo had become their honorary headmaster, they would definitely find it easier to consult him for guidance if they ran into any problems in the future.

  The meeting ended and everyone was happy.

  “Headmaster Song, I’m preparing to return to Jinling and will leave the day after tomorrow.”

  After the meeting ended, Sun Mo went to bid farewell to Headmaster Song. If it wasn’t for him wanting to wait for those great teachers he recruited, Sun Mo actually wanted to head back this afternoon.

  “Why are you in such a hurry? Why don’t you stay for a few more days?”

  Song Yan tried to make him stay, wanting Sun Mo to continue staying here forever.

  “It’s fine. I still have a bunch of matters to deal with at school.”

  Sun Mo missed his students. They had been apart for a year, and he wondered how they were.

  “Allow me to send you off during this afternoon then?”

  Headmaster Song instructed his assistant to head to the school canteen to prepare a feast.

  Xie Enhui who was beside him was prepared to praise Sun Mo, but she suddenly saw a group of soldiers coming over from the pathway.

  This caused her to frown.

  The Black-White Academy was a sacred ground for learning. Hence, the first generation headmaster had decreed that no horses and carriages could be driven here to avoid harming others.

  However, after so many years, there were bound to be some changes to the rules.

  For example, great teachers whose ranks were 7-stars or above could be seated on a horse or a carriage to travel around the campus for the sake of saving time.

  At the same time, the royalty of Liao Country also had the qualifications to do so.

  After all, Liaojin was the capital of the Great Liao Country, and the Black-White Academy was the national school of Great Liao. They received education funding from Great Liao every year and if they didn’t give a little preferential treatment to the royal clan, it would be too nice then.

  The carriages put up red-colored flags of flying dragons and there was a golden character ‘Liao’ on them. After that, when one saw the accompanying soldiers who formed into a magnificent team of honor guards, they immediately knew that the person arriving was the Great Liao Emperor.

  Song Yan led a group of people over to welcome him.

  “Headmaster Song, it has been several days since you exited your seclusion. I didn’t manage to come over with gifts then, please forgive me!”

  A man wearing dragon-style robes jumped off his carriage and strode over with large steps. The words he spoke sounded very grand and heroic.

  His build was extremely sturdy, and he looked like a brown bear.

  “Good afternoon, Emperor!”

  Song Yan led a group of teachers as they greeted in unison.

  Although Song Yan could simply not care about Emperor Xiao Luqi, he understood the ways of the world. If you respected someone, that person would naturally return your respect.

  After chatting idly for a while, Xiao Luqi’s vision landed on Sun Mo. His eyes involuntarily brightened as he marveled at how good-looking Sun Mo was.

  Even though he wasn’t acquainted with Sun Mo, he wouldn’t recognize him wrongly.

  Since there was such a young teacher standing beside Song Yan, there wouldn’t be anyone else save for Sun Mo.

  “I believe this must be God Hands, Sun Mo, Great Teacher Sun?”

  Xiao Luqi smiled.

  “I’m precisely him!”

  Sun Mo also revealed a societal smile.

  The feeling that this emperor gave him wasn’t like a sovereign that stood above the masses. He was like a big brother from the pugilistic world instead.

  However, this wasn’t strange. Before the Great Liao empire was formed, the people here were just a group of nomads and didn’t have any historical inheritance.

  “I have long since heard that a new unmatched genius has been born in the great teacher world. Now that I’ve met you today, indeed, the rumors are true. It is my fortune to meet you!”

  Xiao Luqi laughed uproariously and took the initiative to head forward and hugged Sun Mo.

  “I didn’t expect that the Liao Emperor would be so good at exchanging pleasantries!”

  Gu Xiuxun, who was in the crowd, couldn’t help but comment. After that, she felt somewhat envious. When would she be able to make an emperor regard her so highly?

  Everyone wasn’t silly. They could tell that Xiao Luqi was here for Sun Mo. Hence, when Xiao Luqi mentioned that he wanted one of his sons to take Sun Mo as a personal teacher, no one was surprised.

  Since a future saint was at one’s doorstep, if they didn’t grab hold of the opportunity, that would be true stupidity.

  To the royalty, there were plenty of princes and princesses, so it wasn’t a bad investment to bind one of them to a genius great teacher to nurture a good teacher and student relationship.

  One could say that all royalties of the Nine Provinces were doing this.

  Naturally, if the royal clan regarded a great teacher very highly, the prince they sent would surely be one with higher status. For example, the personal teacher of the current crown prince of Great Liao was none other than Song Yan.

  “This is my youngest son. He is birthed by the concubine I dote on the most!”

  After Xiao Luqi finished speaking, he roared at an 8-year-old male kid, “Why are you not paying your respects and kneeling to your esteemed teacher yet?”

  The boy immediately knelt.

  “Disciple Xiao Feng pays respect to Teacher!”

  As the little boy spoke, he was about to kowtow.

  “Wait a moment!” Sun Mo spoke.

  Swish~

  The boy’s body was as though it had been frozen. It directly stiffened and he couldn’t finish the kowtow.

  “Sun Mo’s Profound Words is so skilled!”

  Everyone marveled silently.

  This was the effect of a great teacher halo named Profound Words. The words spoken by the great teacher would then become a golden rule that the target had to execute unconditionally.

  “Great Teacher Sun, why must you do this?”

  Xiao Luqi frowned.

  “Your majesty, he basically doesn’t hold royal authority in his eyes at all!”

  A gorgeously dressed royal consort cast a ruthless glance at Sun Mo.

  She was Xiao Feng’s mother and naturally hoped that her son could ascend to the throne in the future, reaching the limits of humans.

  Although this hope was very faint, how could one not have dreams?

  Hence, this royal consort hoped that the personal teacher of her son could be someone extremely famous and powerful. By being so, the great teacher could become a barrier against those who wanted to harm her child.

  “Shut up!”

  Xiao Luqi berated. After that, he looked at Sun Mo and waited for his explanation.

  “I hope my students can take the initiative to acknowledge me as their personal teacher because they really wish to learn some things from me. I don’t want them to be a tool for the sake of an ‘alliance’.”

  Sun Mo explained.

  Si~

  Upon hearing this, many people were dumbfounded.

  This Sun Mo was truly young and spirited!

  The Liao Emperor brought a prince here to take Sun Mo on as a personal teacher. How great was this glory? How many high star-ranking great teachers wanted this in their dreams? In the end, Sun Mo was still so picky?!

  (If it was me, I would have long since agreed!)

  Leaving aside other things, being able to become the teacher of a prince meant that one could enjoy a sizable yearly income that exceeded the money garnered by the hard work of many people through several lifetimes.

  “Great Teacher Sun, what does a young brat like him know? I admire you and approve of you. This is already enough!”

  Xiao Luqi felt a little unhappy. He felt that Sun Mo was intentionally fault-finding.

  “I can teach him for a period of time. But whether he wants to take me on as a personal teacher or not, that will be up to him. This is to avoid him not having a choice anymore if he regrets this in the future.”

  Sun Mo didn’t care for Xiao Luqi’s attitude.

  He had the qualifications to do so.

  In the crowd, Lu Zhiruo secretly stretched out her finger and prodded Li Ziqi’s arm.

  “Teacher is so tyrannical!”

  The papaya girl was filled with worship.

  “Headmaster Song, look at my son’s aptitude. He is a piece of unpolished jade!”

  That consort interjected again. “Feng`er, execute a punching routine!”

  “No need”! Song Yan rejected. “Consort Rong, if Xiao Feng can enter the tutelage of Great Teacher Sun, it would be the greatest fortune of his life. You must not make a mistake that will harm him!”

  “…”

  Consort Rong’s expression immediately turned unsightly.

  Her goal was for her son to enter the tutelage of a saint. Even if that couldn’t happen, her son had to enter the tutelage of a secondary saint. What the hell did a 4-stars count as?

  This Sun Mo might be in the limelight now, but what if he was another Shan Zhongyong?

  It would definitely be much stabler to choose a secondary saint instead.

  One couldn’t blame Consort Rong for being shallow. Since she lived inside the palace, she wasn’t able to come in contact with news from the outside. She had no way to know how impressive Sun Mo was.

  “Great Teacher Sun, are you worried that he is trash and will tarnish your reputation?”

  Xiao Luqi had an unsightly expression.

  “Nope, he is a genius!”

  Sun Mo had long since activated Divine Sight to check Xiao Feng’s data.

  (Speaking of which, this name you have given your son is truly imposing! If there’s a special BGM belonging solely to him, no one would be able to defeat him.*)

  Xiao Feng. Potential value: Extremely high!

  “He has an outstanding talent in terms of martial cultivation.”

  Xiao Luqi felt that these words were something Sun Mo said to fawn on him, and he didn’t treat it as true. But the next sentence uttered by Sun Mo caused him to frown severely.

  “There’s a problem with the cultivation art you are training in!”

  Sun Mo glanced at the data of this Emperor. “If you don’t mind it, could you allow me to inspect your body?”

  “Please!”

  Xiao Luqi had heard of Sun Mo’s God Hands. Hence, he didn’t reject.

  Sun Mo executed the ancient massaging technique and the data he received verified what he saw with his Divine Sight.

  “The cultivation art you received a year and a half ago seems to provide the effect of extending longevity. But in truth, it’s squeezing out your vital force. If you continue training in it, you will die within three years!”

  Sun Mo spoke bluntly.

  Si~

  Upon hearing this, all the great teachers here were stunned.

  (You are speaking to the emperor of a country, can’t you be a little more tactful?)

  [1] Xiao Feng is the name of an extremely powerful character in the novel: Demigods and Semidevils