Chapter 89: Pre-Job Training (Part Two)

“This one is even more famous.” Zhao Hailong was very pleased to associate himself with a cultivator who was clearly under twenty and possessed an S-grade aptitude.

His own aptitude was only B. He had barely made it to the Soul Restriction stage, and with no successors in his family’s next generation, today’s connection might allow him to speak up in front of the other party in the future. Once he could speak up, the relationship might deepen.

Unless the other’s luck was terribly bad, their realm would at least be Impermanence.

Impermanence—that was no ordinary rank. Even a provincial governor would be on equal footing when meeting one!

So, he explained meticulously, “In the 1990s, after the entire country went online, due to the difficulty of circulating news, Elder Li established this website.”

“Even the current Slash APP has borrowed many ideas and sections from the Purple Qi Eastern Arrival Network. I might be saying something you don’t appreciate, but… truly, if you had lived through that era, you would know how renowned the Purple Qi Eastern Arrival Network was throughout the cultivation world.”

“It could be said that it was a sacred place in the hearts of cultivators! Recruiting such a mighty figure as vice principal shows how much effort Cultivation University has put in.”

Qin Ye nodded thoughtfully.

On the main stage, Xu Anguo and Li Tao had just concluded their brief and uninspiring congratulatory speeches, their expressions turning solemn. Xu Anguo stepped forward and said, “The reason for today’s mobilization meeting and pre-job training is because of a crucial matter.”

He scanned the room: “All present are at the Soul Restriction stage. Outside, 70% of cultivators would bow and clasp their fists, calling you seniors. In major regions, you are figures who can chat with mayors and party secretaries as equals. But… do you really have teaching experience?”

His gaze settled on Qin Ye. “Ah, that familiar face… Well, Mentor Timo, please say a few words.”

“Ahahaha!” Lin Han’s boar-like laughter erupted shamelessly from the back. Zhou Xianlong, sitting in the front row, was furious—this was his subordinate? Absolutely disgraceful!

With a cold snort and a slight finger movement, Lin Han suddenly fell silent.

Qin Ye stood up indignantly, thinking, Fine! I’m Timo! I only know how to grow mushrooms! Happy now?

He was seated in the middle, and visibly, several mentors or professors in their thirties and even forties in the front row were twitching their shoulders, clearly struggling to suppress their laughter.

“No!” Qin Ye took a deep breath and said fiercely, “I only know how to grow mushrooms!”

It was a clear act of self-abandonment.

“Ha ha ha ha!” The front row erupted with uncontrollable laughter, while Lin Han in the back silently pounded the table, laughing himself to the floor.

“Quiet!” This time, Zhou Xianlong couldn’t hold back and shouted angrily. The room finally fell silent.

Li Tao frowned and said, “Everyone, we will be colleagues in the future. The names of cultivators don’t matter. Apologies for the rudeness.”

A suppressed snicker bubbled quietly like a ghostly wind.

Xu Anguo suddenly sensed something was amiss and gestured at Qin Ye to sit down.

Qin Ye sat down resentfully, casting a sinister glance at the laughing faces. If I’m miserable, you won’t have it easy either! Zhou is showing his authority now, still dare to laugh?

Xu Anguo continued, “Indeed, none of you have teaching experience. However, all those present today were selected by major families, sects, alliances, and provincial, city, and county levels—more than 1,500 students in total.”

“Whether Cultivation University can produce results and gain fame depends entirely on the mentors here. Yes, the first batch isn’t elite; they have reservations about us. So we must give it our all! Even if they aren’t elite, we must train them into elites! Only then will true prodigies come next time. But first, we ourselves cannot fail!”

“Mentor who laughed the loudest,” Li Tao pointed at Lin Han, “I have a question for you. If you encounter an unruly cultivator under your command, what would you do?”

“Beat them up.” Lin Han answered straightforwardly, but before he finished, he was flung out, crashing against the wall and falling dumbfounded.

Zhou Xianlong’s face in the front row turned ashen.

Li Tao was unfazed by Zhou. He said calmly, “Look, Deputy Director Zhou is now Head of the Zhou Department but hasn’t set a good example. Don’t forget, we are a school—first a student-teacher relationship, then cultivation.”

“Teaching requires method. You’ve seen today’s atmosphere—lax. Yes, as cultivators, we are often lax and self-centered. But schools cannot be like that!”

Xu Anguo suddenly slammed the table and said sternly, “We may face legions of shadow spirits! Wars of shadow spirits! This isn’t about cultivators privately dueling or competing! We need discipline, a system, a legacy! That’s why major sects and alliances have brought out their most treasured spells and secrets this time!”

“For the establishment of Cultivation University, Elder Li and I have been planning for over ten years. I’ve repeated this many times! We are principals, so I reiterate: anyone who has no discipline, who does not treat this place as a school, please leave immediately! Remember, no matter how formidable you are outside, here, think first about the word ‘gardener’!”

Silence fell like a shroud.

No one expected Xu Anguo to be so severe.

Zhou Xianlong slightly opened his mouth, suddenly understanding why, despite being the highest realm cultivator and among the top in China, he was not made principal.

“My apologies.” He stood up, sincerely cupping his hands to Xu Anguo and Li Tao, then to everyone behind him, before sitting down.

Everyone’s expressions turned serious, including Qin Ye, whose eyes flickered as he observed the two elders.

These two old men…

Are they about to die soon? No, wait… I’ll cultivate the Underworld properly first before they go…

This little pond of fish… no! I’m taking over the souls of these two old men!

Xu Anguo returned Zhou’s salute with a soft voice, “So pre-job training is essential. I don’t want to see any new students injured during drills. Therefore, Elder Li and I have drafted some regulations. There are still two months until the end of winter break; everyone can review them.”

Li Tao opened a dossier and said solemnly, “First, all students, mentors, and professors on campus may accept tasks issued by the school’s external affairs office. Every task is carefully selected, one in a hundred. Each task grants ten academic credits and five qualification points to the mentor.”

“Don’t underestimate these points. I can say with certainty that those working at Cultivation University will be highly sought after by major regions. A total of 100 credits is required; below 60 at semester’s end means forced expulsion. If a mentor has more than two students expelled, they must apply for resignation.”

“You are not fit for this position,” Xu Anguo said coldly.

Li Tao continued reading, “Second, due to Cultivation University’s uniqueness, teaching is tailored to aptitude and divided into five departments: Ghost Artisans, Academic Governance, Manufacturing, Theory, and Combat.”

He looked up and said, “I have reviewed your resumes. In today’s society, cultivators are weak in numbers. Some excel in combat, some in theory. Teaching will be tailored to ability, and staffing will be accordingly. Please comply with arrangements.”

“Additionally…” he paused, “the Ghost Artisans, Academic Governance, and Combat departments will hold a grand competition during the New Year Festival, pitting departments against each other. All three require practical combat foundations. The number of students assigned to each mentor will be based on department rankings. Details will be handed out by the former Hui University Student Council members shortly.”

A competition? Qin Ye frowned slightly. He had never fought anyone before, but it seemed reasonable.

Those few novices who took so long to defeat at the Soul Restriction stage were clearly no match… and with S aptitude, it was a waste. He just didn’t know where they ranked among mentors.

Overall, he was younger. Many in the room were in their forties, with much more combat experience.

“Third… Cultivation University differs from other universities; it’s not a four-year program but two.”

“Each semester, the first two and a half months are theory, followed by three months of intensive practice linking theory. Mentors in the Combat and Theory departments, please be patient. After all… even Manufacturing and Theory students must have self-defense ability.”

“Ghost creatures kill in countless strange ways. Without any self-defense, relying on others would greatly reduce human combat effectiveness. However, for Manufacturing and Theory students, assessment standards will be somewhat relaxed.”

“Fourth…” “Fifth…”

One regulation after another was read—eight in total. Qin Ye listened with interest, but the last one made him frown deeply.

“Eighth: After the New Year ranking, all mentors will be assigned to study at the main campus of Hui University in Daishan City for one and a half months, while preparing courses for at least two months. These will be inspected by department heads.”

Preparing lessons?!

Qin Ye felt his heart sink.

Finally finished, no one was in the mood to laugh. Everyone realized that Cultivation University was nothing like they had imagined.

Quit?

What a joke! Zhou Xianlong was still here, already admitting his mistakes. Quitting now would be an insult to the deputy chief of the Special Investigation Department, a judge-level expert.

“All right, that’s all. Dismissed. Oh, and now choose your dormitories. Hui University has many vacant rooms. Just register once chosen; no special approval needed.”

After these words, everyone headed outside, already pondering how to prepare their first lessons.

Qin Ye walked gloomily through the picturesque campus, unconsciously heading toward the building he had once lived in.

“Aren’t you happy?” Arthas asked calmly.

“How could I be? I’ve grown up not knowing how to teach. I’ve been to college five or six times,” Qin Ye shook his head.

Just as he reached the building, a voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

“Godfather, you finally came.”

Damn… Qin Ye’s skin crawled but not a hair fell off. He stared in shock at Zhang Linhua’s beaming face and the small cart he was pushing.

“I knew it might be inconvenient for you, Godfather, so I took the liberty to buy some things for you. Look, this is a cashmere quilt from Ordos. It’s cold; I’m worried you’ll catch a chill.” Zhang Linhua smiled as if forgetting everything, gesturing at the cashmere quilt on the cart.

Qin Ye sensed danger. This philosophical tone… could it be… his charm had reached this level?

“This is a blanket, also cashmere. TV, computer, wireless—all arranged. Wherever you want to live, just move in with your bags. Godfather, where do you want to stay? I can help you move in.”

“No… you…” Qin Ye was stunned, pointing at the pile of things. Only then did he recall that Li Tao or someone had said some Hui University student council members had stayed on.

Zhang Linhua blinked and suddenly laughed, “By the way, Godfather, you’re unfamiliar with Hui University—or rather, Cultivation University. No worries, I know the place well. I’ll take you to pick a dormitory. Guaranteed facing south, full amenities, and prime location!”