Level 30 Breakthrough, Fifty-Year-Old Clown!

"I don't know you. We first-years only know Teacher Zhao. Where did you crawl out from?"

Qin Qi looked at Yu Xiaogang and continued.

If you had spoken properly, we could have chatted, but you come up here with your nose in the air to interrogate me—who do you think you are!

"You are incredibly rude, completely lacking in upbringing!"

Yu Xiaogang trembled with rage. Spirit Hall looked down on him, his family looked down on him, and the academy teachers looked down on him.

He could tolerate all that, but for a mere first-year student to look down on him too? That was unbearable!

"WHAM!"

Suddenly, Xiao Wu slammed her hand hard onto the table, the thunderous sound instantly echoing throughout the cafeteria.

The gazes of all the students on the first floor were drawn to the noise.

"That's enough! 'Grandmaster' this, 'Teacher' that—do you think just because we're students, we're easy to fool?"

"We've known for a long time that you're just a good-for-nothing freeloader in this academy!"

"A loser who hasn't even broken through to level thirty at fifty years old!"

"We didn't bother you about how you tricked Little San earlier, yet you actually have the nerve to come and cause trouble for us!"

Xiao Wu's face was full of anger. She stood directly on top of the table, looking down at Yu Xiaogang from her superior position.

"Let me tell you, don't think that just because we're Work-Study Students we're easy to bully. If you bother us again, we'll beat you up!"

"Don't be afraid of him, Qin Qi. Big Sister Xiao Wu and I will beat him up with you!"

Although Xiao Wu was very willful, if you called her Big Sister Xiao Wu, she would truly stand up for you when trouble arose.

"You, you, you dare speak to me like that! I'll have the principal expel you, believe it or not!"

Yu Xiaogang looked at Xiao Wu, startled by her imposing manner, and retreated a few steps in fear.

But then, a fierce fire of rage ignited in his heart; those repeated shouts of "loser" had deeply stung his soul.

"WHAM!"

"Do you really think we Work-Study Students are easy to bully!"

Qin Qi slammed the table and stood up abruptly, and Wang Sheng and the others from Dorm Seven immediately rose to their feet as well.

They walked over with expressionless faces, surrounding the Grandmaster.

Play is play, and joking is joking, but don't use expulsion as a threat—they had worked too hard to get into this school.

If you want to expel us just because you say so, fine. If you cut off my path to a future, then I'll drag you down with me even if it kills me!

Work-Study Students are poor, but they have backbone!

"What is going on here? Grandmaster, why are you arguing with children? You are an adult."

"Whatever the issue is, you shouldn't be bickering with these kids."

Teacher Zhao walked over at this moment. Her words sounded like she was mediating, but the implication was clearly blaming the Grandmaster for stirring up trouble for no reason.

"Also, talk of expulsion shouldn't be thrown around lightly. Even the principal cannot expel students without a valid reason."

Teacher Zhao added this immediately. She spoke politely, but to Qin Qi, the message was direct.

You, Yu Xiaogang, what are you? What right do you have to expel these students!

"I am not arguing with them; I am simply teaching them what manners are and what it means to respect one's teachers."

The Grandmaster's face turned gloomy. He heard the sarcasm in Teacher Zhao's words, but he dared not get angry.

If a fight broke out, he might not be able to beat the teacher before him, and if it went to the principal, the principal might not punish a genius like Qin Qi just for the sake of their past friendship.

"Respecting teachers? This child is quite respectful, and my students do not require your concern."

"If there is a need, I will teach them myself."

Teacher Zhao completely blocked the Grandmaster's path; my students don't need you pointing fingers at them.

Meanwhile, the teachers on the second floor had walked to the stairs and found a student to ask about the situation.

"That 'Grandmaster' is at it again."

"It was the same a few years ago. Whenever he sees someone with talent, he wants to take them as a disciple."

"He really doesn't know his own worth."

"Don't say that. He is, after all, the Grandmaster—the Grandmaster with invincible theories."

"Stop it. What invincible theories? Aren't those Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls just a joke?"

"It's not even enough to fool a child."

"Oh, but he is a world-renowned Grandmaster."

"Grandmaster? I think he's a world-renowned clown. We might be wrong, but Spirit Hall couldn't possibly be wrong, right?"

"Surely the entire Spirit Master theoretical community couldn't all be wrong."

The teachers mocked Grandmaster relentlessly; Yu Xiaogang was nothing more than a joke in the Spirit Master theoretical world.

Every teacher with even a shred of insight knew this.

But the most laughable part was that he lacked ability yet failed to recognize his own standing, acting arrogant every single day as if he were some misunderstood talent.

He was always high and mighty when speaking to them, and these teachers had long since grown tired of Yu Xiaogang.

"Alright, enough, say what you will, but he is still the Headmaster's friend."

"If the Headmaster hears you say that, watch out for your salary."

"Indeed, you have to consider the master before beating the dog."

Not a single teacher stood up for Yu Xiaogang, which spoke volumes about how poor Grandmaster's character truly was.

"Hmph! I can't be bothered to waste any more breath on you lot!"

Hearing the mockery ringing in his ears, Grandmaster stormed off in a rage.

"A bunch of bumpkins, destined to rot in this small city for the rest of your lives!"

"Useless trash who have never seen what the vast sky looks like!"

"Laugh all you want, laugh away! Sooner or later, I will cultivate an unparalleled genius to make you all shut your mouths!"

Grandmaster spat these words in his heart with bitter resentment.

Returning to the cafeteria.

"Alright, alright, everyone sit down and eat; there's no need to worry about being expelled."

"You are all good children; you won't be expelled."

Teacher Zhao comforted the students, then leaned over to ruffle Qin Qi's hair.

"Your path ahead is still long, so you were right not to associate with Grandmaster."

"That man is arrogant, unsociable, and selfish. If you were to take him as your master, your life would be ruined."

"It isn't easy for a Work-Study Student to become a genius, so you must be very cautious when making choices."

Teacher Zhao spoke in a gentle tone, seemingly worried that Qin Qi had been frightened by Grandmaster.

"Teacher Zhao, you're taking advantage of me again!"

Qin Qi put on a sullen expression and spoke up.

"You brat, you called me beautiful earlier, and now you say I'm taking advantage of you? You really are a little ingrate."

Teacher Zhao pouted and poked Qin Qi's forehead with her finger.

"It's true that you're beautiful, but I'm even more handsome and younger. If you aren't taking advantage of me, then surely I must be the one taking advantage of you."

Qin Qi said with a look of feigned innocence.

"You narcissist. Alright, you all continue eating; I'm going to prepare my lessons."

Seeing that Qin Qi was his usual self, Teacher Zhao breathed a sigh of relief before taking her leave.

Qin Qi chatted with Xiao Wu and the others for a while longer before heading off to work at the butcher's.

Tang San also left in silence. This time, he did not defend Grandmaster; his heart was filled with doubt.

Did I... make a mistake by taking him as my master?

Tang San wondered to himself.

Everyone may have different opinions on Yu Xiaogang.

But I feel that for someone who constantly says there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Spirit Masters, why don't you go cultivate an ordinary person then?

A genius remains a genius even without your guidance!