The silence in the room stretched, the ticking of the old clock on the wall the only sound filling the space. Bai Jian's thoughts drifted in and out, disconnected from the students around him. He scanned the classroom lazily, his eyes flicking over his classmates, all of them caught in their own little worlds.

  Xiang Yimu, still composed and serene, had not once moved. She sat quietly with an air of elegance, a quiet strength emanating from her that caught his attention. But Bai Jian had learned long ago not to waste his energy on chasing after things that didn't directly concern him. He noted her presence but didn't dwell on it.

  He let his gaze wander, landing on one student in particular, though not because he was interesting. Rather, it was because he was trying too hard. A boy sitting in the middle row, arms crossed, his posture perfect, his attire impeccably tailored. His sleek, silver hair was combed back, almost to the point of appearing artificial, and his jade hairpin gleamed with wealth and status. This was a boy who wanted to be noticed, a boy who believed that his appearance alone would place him above the rest.

  Bai Jian felt no urge to mock or confront him.

  And then, the door to the classroom creaked open.

  A wave of stillness swept through the students, their eyes instinctively turning to the entrance.

  A woman entered.

  Bai Jian's senses flared the moment she stepped inside. It wasn't loud, nor was it overt. But there was a presence to her that immediately demanded the room's attention. She entered with quiet dignity, tall and composed, her posture exuding authority without a single word. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a neat bun, though a few rebellious strands framed her sharp face, giving her an effortless elegance.

  The faint scar on her right cheek, almost invisible at first glance, only added to her aura.

  Her eyes, dark and deep, scanned the room with a calculated calmness. They didn't linger on anyone for too long, but they pierced through each student, one by one, like an unspoken assessment. When they landed on Bai Jian, he met them with a steady gaze, feeling something in the air shift, just slightly. It wasn't fear, nor was it awe. It was the kind of recognition you give to someone who doesn't need to prove anything, because their presence alone is enough.

  Bai Jian couldn't help but be intrigued. This woman did not hide behind false kindness or overly sweet words. Her aura was not cloaked or disguised as the typical teacher's would be. She wasn't here to make them feel comfortable or to fit into their preconceptions of authority. No, she allowed her strength to radiate openly, unapologetically.

  Her gaze lingered for a moment longer than necessary, but only just. And then, without a word, she took her place at the front of the room, waiting as the last murmur of whispers died down.

  "I am teacher Mei Shun." she said, her voice calm, smooth, but cutting through the air with an undeniable edge of authority. "I don't need to explain who I am. You've all heard my name, and if you haven't, you will in the future. But more importantly, I am here to nurture you."

  A quiet stillness fell over the room. There was no dramatic pause, no slow buildup to her words. It was simply the calm before the storm, and every student could feel the weight of her statement hanging in the air.

  "Unlike most teachers, I will not hold your hand. I will not pamper you. If you wish to grow, it is up to you to decide how far you are willing to go. You may think you know what it takes to succeed here, but in truth, most of you have only scratched the surface. I will not stand by while you waste time and squander opportunities."

  She stood still, not moving an inch, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. Bai Jian couldn’t help but feel her presence grow even more intense in that moment.

  "The academy has no room for those who seek comfort in familiarity." Teacher Mei continued, her gaze unwavering. "Those of you who've come here because you think you'll be coddled will quickly learn that this place is a crucible. You will either rise, or you will burn."

  Bai Jian felt the slight shift in the atmosphere. The words didn't land as a threat but as a challenge. There was a certain clarity to her message. It wasn't about making them feel welcome, it was about preparing them for the grind ahead, whether they were ready or not.

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  Teacher Mei's gaze flicked over the students, her lips tightening into a subtle smile that never quite reached her eyes. She had already sized them up, and she knew exactly how to draw them in, how to push their limits without needing to explain herself.

  "Now." she said, breaking the silence with a swift change in tone. "Let's begin with something simple. Everyone here knows the basics of cultivation..."

  The words hung in the air, and in an instant, Bai Jian's thoughts narrowed on the present moment. His mind caught onto the rhythm of the class. He was keenly aware of how much more there was to understand, even though, for now, the lesson felt almost like an echo of all that he had already learned.

  The rest of the class passed in a blur. The material was not new, but the way teacher Mei approached it made him feel as if even the most basic concepts carried a deeper weight. Her questions were never just about right or wrong answers, but about self reliability.

  ...

  A few days later.

  Bai Jian sat in stillness, his legs crossed beneath him as he focused inward. The azure core, glowing faintly in his stomach. His mind swirled with thoughts as the qi within him stirred.

  The azure core was very special even amongst first grade cores . It granted the cultivator a near perfect combat system, its abilities were extremely powerful. However, it had a pretty big weakness, the amount of qi consumed was off the charts.

  Each technique and each ability required a massive outpouring of qi. The cost was so high that it would leave him at a disadvantage at his current stage. Where other cultivators could execute multiple moves with little amounts of qi, Bai Jian could only use a fraction of his abilities before his qi was exhausted.

  But as the days passed, and with the subtle pressure of his constant practice, Bai Jian began to notice something different.

  His mind, once chaotic and unable to fully comprehend the ebb and flow of his qi, began to calm. It was as if a fog had lifted from his senses. The once tense and fragile connections in his body began to stabilize. The azure core still pulsed in his belly, but now it no longer felt like a wild torrent, threatening to overwhelm him at any moment. His body, too, had adjusted. The qi was no longer pushing him to his limits at the first sign of exertion.

  Outside, Bai Jian took a deep breath, the cool air brushed against his skin as he moved, walking out into the open courtyard where sunlight filtered through the leaves. His thoughts were sharp, but the usual undercurrent of doubt had quieted for the first time.

  He stood for a moment, feeling the earth beneath his feet, the rhythm of his pulsating blood. He focused the qi within him, concentrating on directing it.

  Slowly, a flicker of azure light began to form in his palm. At first it was small, like a spark of fire catching the wind, but it grew quickly, swirling as if alive. The glow deepened to a brilliant blue, a vibrant and dangerous flame dancing in the air.

  Bai Jian's eyes widened slightly, though his expression remained calm. The azure ball of flame hovered in his palm, flickering as it pulsed with intensity.

  It was some sort of fireball, but blue, it had a brilliant azure hue that flickered with an incredible intensity.

  Bai Jian smiled and, with a wave of his hand, aimed at the sturdy willow. The azure fireball quickly flew toward its target.

  On impact, a bright blue light flashed several times in rapid succession, the force of the impact created a hole five meters deep in the tree, leaving behind azure flames. The strange thing was that no sound was heard.

  Unbelievable, even though it's the most basic attack the azure core offers, I wasn't expecting it to be this powerful. Hmph?!

  Swirl. Swirl.

  The azure flames intensified, even began to expand, then shrink, then coalesce into one, before finally dying out.

  Amazing! Not only is the azure fireball extremely powerful and has good penetration, but its flames are connected to me, allowing me to control them for a short period of time before the qi is consumed.

  That means it's true. The azure core, along with the abilities of the first grade cores, are unique to each cultivator, no wonder it is often placed in the first grade category. The only real reason it's not fully considered first grade is the high qi consumption compared to output.

  Unfortunately, in my current sub realm, I can only use this azure fireball two or three times before my qi reserves are depleted. Also, the azure fireball itself is a bit complicated to form. I'm afraid that until I reach the second gate, I won't be ready for battles.

  Bai Jian looked at the charred willow before deciding to call it a night.

  The night air was cool, touching his skin as he lay on the grass, arms crossed behind his head. The stars above shone like shards of shattered jade, distant and indifferent. His body still slightly warm from channeling the azure fireball.

  This was one of the rare moments when Bai Jian felt a genuine sense of happiness. There was a calmness that had settled over him like a warm blanket, the kind of serenity that didn't often appear in a cultivator's life. The grass beneath him was cool, the endless, star studded sky above gazed down at him, like a dotting mother.

  Here, in this sliver of tranquility, there was no danger, no bloodthirsty creatures, only the night, his breathing and the slow rhythm of nature. He didn't think about tomorrow. He didn't have to.

  

  The fatigue that had been quietly building up caught up with him. His body relaxed, his thoughts faded, and in just a few moments he fell into a deep, unguarded, peaceful, dreamless, and fully earned sleep.