Chapter 319: Aversion to Learning?

"I know that everyone present has rich teaching experience and are all certified formal teachers from the guild. Simply based on resumes and a few casual questions, choosing one over another would hardly be convincing."

Dean Xie Bi glanced around and continued, "In that case, I will select based on the standard for evaluating teachers."

"The standard for evaluating teachers?"

Everyone looked over in confusion.

"Exactly! A teacher is one who transmits the Way, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts! The most fundamental duty of a teacher is to instruct students, guiding them onto the right path and helping them achieve better development! I have two students here, both with some issues. Whoever can resolve them will be admitted to the academy. If both can resolve them equally, the one who does better will rank higher!"

Dean Xie Bi said.

"A teacher's duty is teaching; if teaching is poor, everything else is useless!"

"No matter how high one's cultivation, if they cannot explain it, it's all in vain!"

Hearing the selection criteria, everyone nodded in agreement.

"This kind of assessment is quite reasonable!"

Mo Hongyi also showed a satisfied expression.

Each profession has its specialization; without teaching experience, having never led students, and lacking pedagogical theory, even the strongest abilities might not yield good classroom results!

Many great scholars go to teach, talking about everything under the sun, but after a lesson, the students end up knowing nothing at all.

"Bring them in!"

At Dean Xie's call, two students of fifteen or sixteen were brought in.

One male, one female.

The girl wore an aloof expression, while the boy's eyes flickered like an eagle or owl.

The two students came before the group, showing no fear in their eyes, as if aware of their role, and stood in complete silence.

"These are the two students. Who would like to take a look first?" Xie Bi glanced around.

"I will!"

The young man at the late Tongxuan stage, standing in front of Zhang Xuan and Mo Hongyi, snorted and stepped forward with an arrogant expression.

"Good, a teacher must have this kind of courageous attitude. Being timid and hesitant probably won't produce good students either!"

Dean Xie nodded approvingly.

Hearing this, the others felt a pang of regret.

They should have stepped forward earlier; this fellow not only stole the spotlight but also gained Dean Xie's favor, possibly securing success in the assessment.

Hearing the praise, a glint flashed in the young man's eyes. He strode over to the two students, circled them, and instructed, "Each of you, perform a martial technique!"

"Yes!"

The girl showed an indifferent expression and began first.

Her martial technique was standard, full of strength and agility, demonstrating good talent. Soon she finished a set of punches, and the boy stepped into the arena.

His moves were less agile than hers, more direct and fast, carrying a vigorous force that even hinted at a killing aura.

As the two performed their techniques, the other teachers watched, each lost in thought.

Soon, the demonstration ended, and the two stood with clasped fists.

"Alright, this teacher may now comment!"

Xie Bi gestured.

"Good!" The young man responded, clasping his hands behind his back with an air of authority: "The technique this girl performed is the 'Clear Water Floating Cloud Hand'—light and breezy, agile in power. The moves are exquisite, and her foundation is solid, but... her true qi is insufficient. When circulating through the meridians, she appears strained. If I'm not mistaken, she has just recently broken through to the True Qi realm and is still unfamiliar with using true qi."

He then looked at the girl, inquiring, "Am I correct?"

"I broke through to the True Qi realm three months ago," the girl nodded.

"Though the technique is well-practiced, her control over true qi is lacking. No matter how beautiful or precise, it's all just a facade. If she were my student, I would have her focus on cultivation, first finding a way to consolidate her true qi. Only when her true qi reaches a substantial level can she fully execute the techniques!"

The young man smiled: "Her physique is graceful and dignified, her qi pure. I would recommend she practice the academy's 'Jade Essence Art,' which suits her temperament and will allow her to cultivate with ease!"

"I am indeed practicing the Jade Essence Art!" The girl's eyes showed surprise as she spoke.

"Heh!"

With a smug expression, after commenting on the girl, the young man turned to the boy: "Your power is fierce and forceful, indicating you are suited for strength-type techniques and martial arts. I think 'Bamboo Sun Art' is more fitting for you."

"Reporting to the teacher, I am indeed practicing the Bamboo Sun Art!"

The boy nodded.

"Alright, my comments are done..."

Flicking his sleeves, the young man walked back to the crowd with a smug look, and as he passed Zhang Xuan and the others, he deliberately raised his chin.

"I saw all that too; I should have spoken up earlier!"

"Exactly! He stole the chance. If we go now, it would be gilding the lily, and it wouldn't look good!"

"How infuriating..."

...

Hearing the young man's words, everyone showed regret.

Being qualified to assess formal teachers, they naturally saw these things too. But since someone else had already spoken, going up again would seem like plagiarism and wouldn't earn any favor.

"Hmm."

Unlike the others, Dean Xie's face showed little change, but a hint of disappointment appeared. He then looked around: "Does anyone have anything to add?"

"I do!"

After a moment's hesitation, another person stepped forward.

This was a middle-aged man, around forty.

"It's Teacher Du Xun from Tianquan Academy!"

"I heard he's a star teacher and has already become an apprentice to a renowned master!"

"Yes, I've attended his lectures; he's very impressive..."

"It seems there will be one fewer slot!"

...

Seeing the middle-aged man step forward, everyone buzzed with tension.

He hadn't stood out much in the crowd, but once he stepped forward, many recognized him.

Those who become star teachers and apprentices to renowned masters all have exceptional abilities.

Among the applicants, most were ordinary teachers, far from someone of this caliber.

"I also watched their martial technique demonstration. The girl's power is light and agile; the previous teacher was right that she is suited for the Jade Essence Art. However... he overlooked one point. This girl broke through to the True Qi realm only three months ago and has already cultivated such impressive techniques, integrating true qi with her body so well... This fully demonstrates her talent, surpassing ordinary people. She is... a genius!"

Teacher Du Xun approached the two, examined them carefully, and gave a detailed assessment.

"The Jade Essence Art is a common technique for women. For those with slightly inferior talent, it's fine, but for someone with exceptional talent, it would be a waste. I think switching to the 'Jade Maiden Art' would be more suitable!"

"As for this young man, his power is fierce and his aura vigorous. The strength-type 'Bamboo Sun Art' is appropriate, but his moves are short, sharp, and aimed at vital points, indicating extensive combat experience. The Bamboo Sun Art enhances cultivation but is somewhat slow in execution. Compared to his attack-oriented nature, it falls short. I believe 'Overbearing Force Art' would be more fitting. This technique is short, fast, and can better leverage his strengths!"

With that, Teacher Du Xun clasped his fists: "I'm done!"

"Very good!"

Hearing his words, Xie Bi nodded approvingly.

When the young man spoke earlier, Xie showed disappointment, but when Du Xun spoke, he praised him, indicating a clear difference between the two.

"Damn it!"

Seeing the change in expression, the young man's smug look fell, and he clenched his fists.

An expert knows at a glance whether there is substance. Though what he said was not wrong, compared to Du Xun, it seemed mediocre. Indeed, Du Xun's approach would yield better results than his own.

"Alright, does anyone else have anything to add?" Xie Bi looked around again.

A few more people stepped forward, but their comments were similar to the previous two, offering little novelty.

"If there are no further additions, the slots will go to the first two teachers!"

With slight disappointment, Xie Bi continued.

"Let me try."

Mo Hongyi stepped forward.

Seeing someone still coming forward after so many had spoken, everyone focused their attention. But when they saw his cultivation level, they shook their heads.

Many at the late or peak Tongxuan stage had spoken without much innovation; how could a mere early-stage cultivator have deeper insights?

Even Dean Xie and the elders held little hope.

Cultivation level, though not directly indicative of teaching ability, does reflect one's understanding of cultivation, which in turn informs teaching.

A higher cultivation level implies a deeper understanding of cultivation, leading to more insightful teaching.

Ignoring the crowd's gaze, Mo Hongyi approached the two students, circled them, and looked at Dean Xie: "Dean, if I'm not mistaken, these two students have some issues. It's not about guiding their cultivation, but something else, right?"

"Something else?"

"What else would a teacher guide if not cultivation?"

"Ridiculous! If you don't know, don't talk nonsense..."

...

Hearing his words, the teachers who had participated in the assessment all darkened their expressions. The first young man sneered contemptuously.

If students have problems, what else could it be but cultivation?

Could it be about their family background?

"Oh? Please elaborate!"

Dean Xie, who had been full of disappointment, perked up at these words.

"For this girl, whether she practices the Jade Essence Art or the Jade Maiden Art makes little difference. As Teacher Du Xun said, her talent is extremely high; even if there are some differences in techniques, it won't affect her much."

Mo Hongyi looked over: "Moreover, even if the Jade Essence Art is slightly inferior, she has practiced it for years and is familiar with it. Abruptly switching would actually hinder her progress. Besides, with proper guidance, these two techniques, which are already similar, don't differ much!"

"So... in my view, her biggest problem is not the cultivation technique, nor strengthening her true qi, but... aversion to learning!"

"Aversion to learning?"

Dean Xie's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but look over: "Good, continue!"

"This..."

Hearing his admission, everyone's eyes widened.

Aversion to learning?

How on earth could that be discerned?