My enemy is you

In the dawn's light, Xu Shengmo stood atop the jagged stones in the valley like a black falcon, watching as Lin Xi gracefully descended from the silver silk rope, landing with agility. 

"You broke the record for piercing the spear formation yesterday. Logically, you should flaunt your prowess before me today, yet you seem less jubilant than yesterday," Xu Shengmo remarked coldly, casting a disdainful glance at Lin Xi. 

Lin Xi smiled and replied, "I see you are aware." 

Xu Shengmo scoffed, "I also know that you have yet to exchange your credits for the necessities of cultivation. Since you have already earned a credit, why not redeem it? Show me how effortlessly you can do so, unlike yesterday." 

Lin Xi responded, "Because I have not yet consulted Professor An about the best items to exchange for. While you may disapprove of me, I have no doubt about your intellect; you wouldn't fall for the same trick twice." 

Xu Shengmo huffed, "I see you have considerable trust in Professor An." 

"It's Professor An; she is now a full professor, two ranks above you," Lin Xi said, looking at Xu Shengmo. "As for your inquiry about my current mood, it is because I realize that even if I complete my morning training today, I will still have to attend your martial arts class, which is quite displeasing." 

Instead of anger, Xu Shengmo wore a mocking expression: "Do not think to provoke me with your feeble tactics. Aren't you fond of blades? I regret to inform you that starting today, you will practice with a sword. Though I doubt you will ever reach the level of a saint capable of wielding a flying sword, you are considered to possess the potential of a true general star. Now, go and practice unsheathing and thrusting a thousand times before attending my martial arts class." 

"Is this a soul weapon?" 

Although Lin Xi understood that Xu Shengmo would not let him off easily today, he was still taken aback upon seeing the long sword left among the rocks. 

It was a seven-foot-long sword in its sheath, crafted from a peculiar, luminous green metal. Its hue resembled that of jade, yet the coldness of iron and the intricate natural patterns formed through countless folds reminded Lin Xi that this was indeed a weapon forged from true metal. 

Though the blade was not visible, the sheath and hilt suggested that the blade was likely made of the same luminous green metal. 

Moreover, the sheath and hilt were adorned with beautiful, vine-like inscriptions. 

Taking a silent deep breath, Lin Xi picked up the long sword, feeling its coldness as if grasping a stream of icy mountain spring water. It was heavy but not burdensome, weighing approximately the same as ordinary dark iron. 

For someone like Lin Xi, who hailed from another world, the material, color, and inscriptions were fascinating, making the luminous green sword appear exceptionally beautiful. 

Xu Shengmo cast a cold glance at Lin Xi, saying, "This is the 'Qingfeng' sword, the weakest soul weapon among all swords in the academy, both in material and power. Its unique inscriptions allow it to draw forth some soul energy automatically, making it suitable for practicing sword momentum and intent. Of course, even in the hands of a soul master, it would easily slay someone of your cultivation level, like slaughtering a dog." 

Ignoring Xu Shengmo's tone of derision, Lin Xi asked, "So, you only want me to perform the unsheathing and thrusting motion a thousand times?" 

Xu Shengmo replied coldly, "The third stance of the Qingluan Twenty-Four Forms includes the unsheathing and thrusting motion. Follow that movement, and you will naturally understand its meaning." 

Lin Xi ceased to argue further and, exerting a bit of force, found that the sword was seemingly held back by the sheath. After several attempts, he finally felt a surge of warmth flow from his dantian through his arm, and with a sharp "clang," he drew the sword, which gleamed like autumn water cascading down, revealing its entirely luminous green blade. 

Lin Xi furrowed his brow; it took a tremendous effort to draw the sword, requiring a moment of explosive strength. 

Practicing with this sword would undoubtedly cultivate the instantaneous explosive power needed for unsheathing and thrusting, resulting in astonishing speed. 

Such training would greatly benefit Lin Xi, yet he harbored a significant doubt. Feeling free to speak his mind to Xu Shengmo, he said, "Are you seeking personal revenge, teacher? While this may indeed help me become familiar with swordsmanship and learn how to strike fiercely, how can I endure a thousand repetitions and still attend Professor Tong's specialized training?" 

Xu Shengmo cast a disdainful glance at Lin Xi, coldly stating, "Let me be clear: while you will undoubtedly suffer under my tutelage, I am a person of principle. Even if I do not hold you in high regard, I will still teach you what you need to learn. I never seek personal vengeance. The Qingfeng sword is the weakest soul weapon in the academy, consuming only a small amount of soul energy. Given your soul energy cultivation, completing a thousand repetitions is still within your capability. Furthermore, the unique inscriptions on the Qingfeng sword will enhance your arm's recovery and strength with each unsheathing. I have calculated that after a thousand repetitions, your arms will merely feel sore for half a day, not hindering your evening training." 

After a brief pause, Xu Shengmo regarded Lin Xi with even greater coldness and disdain: "Moreover, let me clarify: although I may disagree with many in the academy regarding teaching methods and the institution itself, even if I oppose Vice Dean Xia's views, as an instructor, it is my duty to ensure that my methods, whether they involve tormenting or humiliating you, ultimately benefit your training. Whether you can endure it is your concern." 

Lin Xi looked at Xu Shengmo and remarked, "It seems you possess quite a strong sense of principle, teacher." 

Xu Shengmo coldly turned away, clearly unwilling to engage Lin Xi further. 

"I know your greatest disagreement with Professor Tong and Vice Dean Xia lies in their belief in human compassion, which you see as weakness." Yet Lin Xi continued to gaze at Xu Shengmo earnestly, saying, "If you wish to prove them wrong and aspire for the Qingluan Academy to grow stronger, that is commendable. However, what if you are mistaken? If you discover that your ambitions only exacerbate the academy's difficulties, what will you do then, teacher?" 

Xu Shengmo still refused to look at Lin Xi, but his brow furrowed deeply as he replied gravely, "Such a simple truth, how could I possibly be wrong?" 

"Every human is capable of error, and each person holds different perspectives on the same issue," Lin Xi persisted, staring at Xu Shengmo's profile. "Just as you believe I cannot become a true general star and achieve significant success in cultivation, I will prove you wrong." 

Xu Shengmo snorted in the cool morning breeze: "Very well, I shall await your proof. Now, I do not wish to waste any more time; complete your thousand unsheathing and thrusting motions first." 

"Clang!" 

Without further ado, Lin Xi sheathed the sword and then forcefully drew it once more, executing the unsheathing and thrusting stance from the Qingluan Twenty-Four Forms. 

He understood that Xu Shengmo's mindset was deeply entrenched, much like how the majority of people in this world believed in the divine right of kings, rendering them blind to any alternative. Lin Xi's modern perspective differed significantly; were he to openly advocate for equality and assert that the emperor shares the same blood as ordinary people, he would undoubtedly be deemed a heretic. 

As a traveler, Lin Xi had no desire to radically change this world—such ambitions were both difficult and troublesome. However, whether he could attain the strength of a true general star was a matter of his own cultivation... and that was the true battle between him and Xu Shengmo. 

Fully aware of his exceptional qualities akin to Director Zhang, Lin Xi felt confident in his extraordinary abilities in this world... Thus, he was resolute in his determination to confront Xu Shengmo and win this battle, proving to Xu Shengmo that in this matter, he was gravely mistaken. 

... 

Not only did he need to exert tremendous force, but he also had to move swiftly; otherwise, the sword's edge would adhere to the sheath, increasing the resistance. 

The unsheathing and thrusting stance in the Qingluan Twenty-Four Forms required a coordinated effort from the legs, waist, abdomen, shoulders, arms, and wrists, making Lin Xi's every thrust with the Qingfeng sword extremely swift and fierce, resembling arcs of green light flashing through the air. 

However, this exertion was not merely taxing on his arms; after over a hundred repetitions, Lin Xi's entire body began to ache, and his arms felt as heavy as lead. Nevertheless, he understood the benefits of this training and was determined to demonstrate to Xu Shengmo that he was wrong; thus, he persevered with joy. 

... 

In the martial arts training class of the Zhi Ge system, after completing a thousand repetitions of the unsheathing and thrusting motion, Lin Xi's arms were slightly swollen. Although the unique tremors in his blood had become more pronounced, and the warmth flowing through his arms seemed to aid in his recovery, when he entered another valley with the other students of the Zhi Ge system under Xu Shengmo's lead, his arms and entire body felt utterly drained. 

"This is the force measuring device, which will assess your training results during this period." 

Xu Shengmo, whose cold demeanor instilled dread in most students of the Zhi Ge system, halted before a large stone resembling a grinding wheel. From its center, a thick iron chain with a pull ring protruded, as thick as a child's arm. 

Without any preamble, Xu Shengmo instructed the Zhi Ge students to line up one by one: "Pulling out a section of the chain equates to twenty pounds of force. You have been at Qingluan Academy for quite some time; let's see how much you can pull." 

"Lin Xi, as the chosen one of the Zhi Ge system, you go first." 

"Ah, so this is how you intend to humiliate me," Lin Xi said as he approached the stone, grasping the iron ring attached to the chain. He shook his head in self-mockery before pulling with all his might. 

A dull clang of metal echoed from beneath the stone as Lin Xi managed to pull out four and a half sections of chain before releasing his grip in exhaustion. 

"Ninety pounds of force? As the chosen one of the Zhi Ge system, your cultivation is surprisingly poor," Xu Shengmo remarked with a blank expression, coldly addressing Lin Xi, before glancing at the nearby Mu Shanzi, who wore a smug grin: "You, come forth." 

Mu Shanzi eagerly stepped up, pulling the chain with vigor and managing to draw out six and a half sections. 

Xu Shengmo sneered, "One hundred and thirty pounds of force; at least you haven't wasted your meals." 

After a brief pause, Xu Shengmo's gaze swept over the others, including Bian Linghan, Hua Jiyue, and Li Kaiyun: "If anyone fails to exert their full strength, I will require them to start over and impose certain penalties." 

... 

"How pathetic, the so-called chosen one ranks last in the Zhi Ge system!" 

"Only ninety pounds of force; he trembled while pulling, clearly at his limit... Such a chosen one, no matter how well he performs in mathematics, what does it matter? This rate of cultivation is a disgrace to our Zhi Ge system." 

"Qiu Lu, although you lost to him, at this rate of cultivation, by the time you become a soul master, he may not even reach the high-level soul apprentice stage. The disparity in soul energy will be vast; no matter how skilled he is, you could defeat him with a mere finger." 

"I hear even Xu Laoshi holds him in low regard... With a talent rating of two, he is destined for mediocrity." 

After the martial arts class, whispers of criticism and ridicule enveloped Lin Xi like a tidal wave. 

Lin Xi could not refute them, as the specialized training for the true general star and the Windwalker were both academy secrets, not to be disclosed. He understood that the news of his last place ranking in the Zhi Ge system would undoubtedly spread across the academy, and in the days to come, he would hear even more ridicule and criticism, facing further humiliation. However, the concerns of Hua Jiyue and the others did not trouble him... He felt neither despondent nor upset; rather, Xu Shengmo's actions amused him. For Lin Xi saw Xu Shengmo as his true rival... Since he had already regarded the instructor as an opponent, he dismissed Qiu Lu and the others as inconsequential. 

"I am just like that middle-aged man..." 

What Xu Shengmo did not anticipate was that Lin Xi felt far prouder than Wen Xuanyu. And because of his absolute confidence... Lin Xi's indifference stemmed more from boredom than disdain.