Chapter 6: Zhang Weiyun

Morning has arrived, and a drizzle has begun to fall from the sky.

Xu Fan, sheltered under a specialized rainproof air cover, is hurrying toward the Heavenly Gate Freshman Valley, where newcomers learn the ropes.

Before reaching the Qi-refining stage in Heavenly Gate, all trainees are arranged together in a massive valley where thousands of new disciples are recruited every year.

In a valley deep in the mountains, a massive city appears before Xu Fan's eyes. Not only are there new recruits here, but also many ordinary people serving the sect and some cultivators who have given up on promotion.

Xu Fan can't help but admire the sight of the enormous city wall every time he sees it.

"What's the point of such a huge wall?"

Upon arriving at the city gate, Xu Fan takes out the Token and enters the city, heading toward the area where new disciples are arranged. He has become intimately familiar with this city over the course of his three-year stay.

"Hey! Isn't this Brother Xu? You're back to see Little Yun!"

A middle-aged uncle stops Xu Fan, who turns to see him.

Xu Fan's face bears an awkward smile that is not devoid of politeness.

"Uncle Zhang, long time no see. You're looking more and more lively."

Looking at the person before him, Xu Fan thinks of the little girl who insisted on marrying him. At that time, he found it amusing and so agreed to do so.

"Alright then, in the future, I'll be your husband. Later on, I'll go present betrothal gifts to your father."

His casual remark was overheard by the little girl's father, who happened to be looking for her. As a result, Xu Fan acquired a father-in-law.

"Never mind how lively I am, just give me the betrothal gifts first. Little Yun has been eager to see you lately."

"I suppose it won't be long before you can see Little Yun in the Outer Sect."

Speaking, the middle-aged uncle takes out a paper crane, attaches a Spiritual Power to it with a hand gesture.

"Uncle Zhang, don't notify Little Yun. I just came to give a lecture and then leave. As you know, I can't stay long in this place," Xu Fan hurriedly stops the uncle as he takes out the paper crane.

"Too late," says Uncle Zhang.

The paper crane has already flown into the distance.

"As a man, you have to keep your word. Moreover, both Aunt Lin and I are very pleased with you."

Uncle Zhang's sweet smile makes Xu Fan very uneasy. At that time, wasn't he supposed to be angry with the man who made such a promise to his daughter, and why are you looking at me as if I'm the perfect son-in-law?

"Alright, let's not talk about it anymore. I still have a Spirit Field to water."

Uncle Zhang pats Xu Fan on the shoulder and walks toward the edge of the city.

"Man, you're really casual about your daughter's lifelong affair," Xu Fan mutters, watching Uncle Zhang's retreating figure.

When Xu Fan arrives at the School, he finds that all the students have already gathered, over one hundred children, ten years old and above, all watching him eagerly.

"Are there so many disciples walking the Planting Path this year?" Xu Fan curiously asks the old professor who led him to the School.

"This year, there are many battle geniuses in the Door Central War Hall. It has become rather excessive, so the sect is focusing on developing talents in alchemy, devices, and planting," the old professor explains slowly.

"Macro-control, huh?" Xu Fan jokes.

As Xu Fan enters, he begins his first lesson, which will be split into two classes over three days.

In the classroom, Xu Fan gazes at the pairs of innocent eyes and feels a touch of nostalgia, reminiscing about the scene when he first entered Heavenly Gates.

"I am your teacher for today's Small Spirit Rain Technique class."

As Xu Fan speaks, a light curtain appears on the wall behind him.

The secret techniques and skills needed for the Small Spirit Rain Technique are displayed on the light curtain.

Another light curtain appears, presenting a diagram of the human body with lifelike meridians.

"You should have at least reached the Qi Refining First Layer if you have managed to enroll in this school."

"Now, I will teach you the technique for the Small Spirit Rain Technique and what you should pay attention to when using the hand seals."

"The speed and degree at which you mobilize your Spiritual Power within your body have an essential relationship with the speed at which you form the hand seals."

"You won't succeed just by conjuring the seals simultaneously while releasing your Spiritual Power."

As Xu Fan explains in depth, the young newcomers' eyes light up.

"Finally, a teacher who knows how to teach!" These are the thoughts of all the students in the School.

These insights were gathered by Xu Fan while he was learning the Small Spiritual Rain Technique on his own. Back then, the teacher would only tell the students to study the Jade Slip more and practice the technique more often, saying that success only comes with frequent practice.

The old professor standing outside the classroom and listening to the lesson nods in satisfaction. The techniques are quite simple, but Xu Fan manages to explain them well.

After finishing the class, the next group of students is already waiting outside.

"Goodbye, teacher!"

All the students stand up and bow to Xu Fan.

Xu Fan feels a strange sense of pleasure seeing this.

"I haven't finished teaching yet. Follow me outside." Xu Fan takes the new disciples outside of the classroom.

By now, the drizzle has stopped, and the sun breaks through the gaps in the clouds.

"I'll perform the Small Spirit Rain Technique slowly so that you can watch me."

As he speaks, Xu Fan's body begins to glow. He uses the Light and Shadow Technique to cover his body and display the meridians needed for the Small Spirit Rain Technique.

A shadow four meters tall emerges. The human-like shadow forms hand seals slowly, coordinating them with a diagram of the body's meridians.

A perfectly executed Small Spirit Rain Technique is formed.

"If you still can't learn it this way, you might as well give up on techniques."

Xu Fan then proceeds to teach the second class with the new disciples.

After finishing the two lessons, Xu Fan is about to leave the city when he is caught by a beautiful young girl in a beige dress with scattered flowers.

"My dear husband, I've finally found you!" a cute voice sounds out.

Xu Fan tries to push the girl away awkwardly but discovers that she is surprisingly strong and gives up the struggle.

"Little Yun, let me go. I was only joking when I made that promise to you," Xu Fan says helplessly.

"It wasn't a joke. According to the customs of our village, we have exchanged tokens of love; now we are husband and wife for life,"

Zhang Weiyun takes out a Hello Kitty pendant for Xu Fan to see.

"Look, husband, this is the token you gave me."

"I gave it to you as a toy, it's not a token of love," Xu Fan says, grinning.

"I don't care, you are the husband of Zhang Weiyun,"

"......."

In the end, Xu Fan spends considerable effort getting away from Zhang Weiyun and heads to Taixue Peak, where there are still more classes to be held.

"If I encountered this situation in my past life, I would have been ecstatic,"

"Now, sigh, it's better to forget about matters of love. It's destined to be a tragedy,"

The odd system Xu Fan has acquired in his life eliminates any hope for a Dao Companion.

After attending the afternoon classes at Taixue Peak, Xu Fan returns to his small hill.

"In another 7 or 8 days, the Spirit rice crops will be ready to harvest,"

"With Spirit Stones, I can begin my alchemy journey. I'm really looking forward to it," Xu Fan muses, looking at the rice field in front of his house.