Feng Xiaotian: A Cautionary Tale

Spirit Hall Academy.

Tian Chen introduced Qin Yuan to many aspects of the academy, and Qin Yuan's appointment as a teacher was quickly arranged.

Once the Soul Master Tournament ended, Qin Yuan could report for duty.

"Is there anything else you need, Teacher Qin? The academy will do its best to provide it." Tian Chen had always valued talent, especially talent in Soul Master theory.

If Qin Yuan was willing, Tian Chen would even groom him as his successor.

"I'll never forget your kindness, Headmaster Tian Chen. I won't be living at the academy for now. If I need anything, I can only submit a request once I start working here. I hope you won't turn me down."

Tian Chen patted his shoulder, smiling openly. "Of course not. It's our honor to have you at Spirit Hall Academy, Teacher Qin."

"Oh, right. Would you like to meet Hu Liena and the other two ahead of time? Hu Liena is His Holiness the Pope's disciple. Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo also take great care of the other two. Perhaps it won't be long before the two elders decide to take them as disciples."

Qin Yuan was in no hurry.

He had the benefit of an all-knowing perspective and understood the temperaments of Hu Liena and the other two.

All three were proud, too—harder to tame than even Lei Meng.

If he met them early and gave them time to prepare, how would he keep them in line?

Better to surprise them. He might even catch one of them out and put them in their place.

After that, he could have them eating out of his hand.

It wasn't that Qin Yuan had to do things this way. It would simply speed up their training.

He couldn't spend too long on one task. If Hu Liena and the others never graduated from his tutelage, was he supposed to stay at Spirit Hall for the rest of his life?

"I prefer a little uncertainty. Meeting them early would take away the novelty."

Tian Chen's eyes lit up. "It seems you enjoy a challenge, Teacher Qin. I felt the same way when I was young. It's a shame I'm older now and don't have the drive you young people do."

"Those three will be pillars of Spirit Hall one day, Teacher Qin. Do take good care of them."

Then he broke into a smile. "Of course, if you're willing to join Spirit Hall, you'll receive even better treatment. You'd become one of its pillars someday, too."

Ever since Qin Yuan had entered Spirit Hall Academy, recruitment attempts had come from every direction.

But he remained unmoved.

He neither refused nor agreed.

He had no wish to offend anyone for no reason, so he gave a noncommittal answer. "My business is in Heaven Dou City. I'll see how things go. If I can move it to Spirit City, I'll give it serious thought."

The main purpose of this visit to Spirit Hall Academy was to familiarize himself with the campus and learn what his teaching duties would be.

Bibi Dong was shrewd. She would never pay dearly to keep a mere "ornament" around.

Besides teaching Hu Liena and the other two their assigned courses, Qin Yuan would also become the homeroom teacher of an elite class and teach combat classes once he officially joined the academy.

After that, he feared he would have time for little besides work and cultivation.

Qin Yuan had never been one to sit idle. He didn't want to spend every day at the academy eating his fill and waiting to die.

Besides, the more he did, the more chances he would have to encounter Commissioned Tasks, and the richer his rewards would be.

Three days passed in a blink, and the matches soon arrived.

Before the matches, the lead teachers of the six Battle Teams stepped onto the stage to draw lots.

Qin Yuan's position had officially been transferred to Spirit Hall Academy.

He had told Lei Zhen about it.

Before setting off for Spirit City, Qin Yuan had already informed the Imperial Family that he would remain there for a while.

Besides, his position at Heaven Dou Royal Academy had only ever been a commission. He had received no payment beyond the commission's reward, so the Imperial Family had no say in whether he stayed or left.

During the draw, the lead teacher of the Spirit Hall Academy Team was particularly warm toward him, even letting Qin Yuan draw first.

A free advantage was there for the taking. Qin Yuan drew the first lot.

He drew number three. That meant the Imperial Fighting Battle Team would compete in the third match of the six-to-three round against whichever Battle Team also drew number three.

For the Imperial Fighting Team, a top-three finish was all but assured so long as they avoided the Spirit Hall Team.

That would count as completing Qin Yuan's task.

He couldn't help feeling tense when the Spirit Hall Team's lead teacher drew a lot.

When the teacher showed the number, Qin Yuan relaxed a little. At least they would not face the Spirit Hall Academy Battle Team this round. He wondered which Battle Team would be unlucky enough to draw them.

The results were soon announced: the first match would pit the Spirit Hall Battle Team against the Thunder Academy Battle Team.

Next came the Star Luo Royal Academy Team against the Austrian Academy Team; the final match would be the Imperial Fighting Team against the Divine Wind Team.

The latter two matches were clashes between Battle Teams from the two empires. This schedule at least guaranteed that each empire would send one Battle Team into the finals.

In the Imperial Fighting Team's rest area, Qin Yuan immediately took out the Godwind Academy Team's information.

Their match was third, giving them plenty of time to refine the tactics they had already planned.

"Godwind Academy is strong. It's a long-established academy that reached the final six in the last tournament. Its lineup is even stronger this year, and it will be a tough opponent." Qin Yuan gave them a brief rundown.

Then he offered his assessment. "As I see it, we and the Divine Wind Team are evenly matched. Victory will come down to how well each side performs."

The previous matches had filled the Imperial Fighting Team with confidence.

Lei Meng thumped his chest lightly and laughed. "Don't worry, Teacher Qin. We'll win this one."

His superb blade technique was enough to keep him undefeated in battles against Soul Ancestors.

But Godwind Academy was different this year.

It had not only Zhao Xiao, a level forty-six Soul Ancestor, but also Feng Xiaotian, a genius born with Innate Full Soul Power.

In the original timeline, it had never been made clear when Feng Xiaotian mastered his Self-Created Soul Skill. Even if he could not yet manage thirty-six consecutive strikes, the force of each stacked blow would be enough to let him challenge any Soul Ancestor above his level.

Lei Meng's blade technique was impressive, but he was the only one on the team who could hold the front line. His teammates' performances were rather ordinary.

As for Feng Xiaotian, countless people held him up as a cautionary tale.

Despite being born with Innate Full Soul Power, he had spent the golden years of his cultivation chasing an elusive Self-Created Soul Skill instead of raising his strength quickly. His cultivation had fallen badly behind as a result.

Lei Meng didn't understand. "Teacher, what's so special about Feng Xiaotian? Isn't he just a good-for-nothing who neglected his studies?"

"High Innate Soul Power doesn't mean he's strong."