Translator: Lordbluefire
“It’s Xiao Ri`nan!”
Before Sun Mo could greet him, Xianyu Wei already cried out in surprise.
“You know him?”
Sun Mo glanced at the fat girl. (You looked a little like a love-struck fool.)
“In the entire Dragon Subduing Academy, everyone knows him.”
Xianyu Wei’s round face, which was now skinnier by a size, was filled with worship. “He is once the idol of ordinary folks like us, the target all of us chased after. But a few months ago, he was defeated by the little prince.”
“Wanyan Zhenghe’s potential is very high, equal to Xiao Ri`nan’s.”
Sun Mo still had something he didn’t say. It wasn’t injustice for Xiao Ri`nan to be defeated. When the talent and amount of hard work two people put in was the same, the amount of resources they enjoyed would determine the victor.
The alchemy pills that the little prince ate in a month probably exceeded what Xiao Ri`nan had eaten in ten years. If the little prince couldn’t win, it would then be injustice.
“The summoned beast of the little prince is impressive, otherwise he won’t be able to beat Xiao Ri`nan.”
Xianyu Wei’s lips twitched and her tone was filled with indignance.
“You like him?”
Sun Mo teased.
“Eh!”
Xianyu Wei was stunned. After that, her plump face turned completely red. “I…I…”
“Student Xiao.”
Sun Mo called out.
After hearing someone calling him, Xiao Ri`nan who was watching the fight of others against the draconic humans turned around. When he saw Sun Mo, he used his crutches and limped over.
“Good morning, Teacher Sun!”
If it was half a year ago, Xiao Ri`nan, who had outstanding aptitude, would definitely be arrogant and merely nodded in greeting. After all, he was a genius that many high-ranking great teachers were fighting over.
But after being defeated and his legs were broken, his temperament became steadier.
Naturally, he was so obedient because Sun Mo’s fame was too great.
Xiao Ri`nan was a youth after all. When he heard that an intern teacher with a near-ancestor level of expertise was in the school, he also went to the lecture as such a person was too rare.
He didn’t expect it to be that teacher who advised him to change his main focus to the art of spiritual control.
Xianyu Wei also wanted to greet, but her lips trembled a little and she didn’t manage to make a sound.
“Have you considered my previous suggestion?”
Sun Mo sincerely asked, “You truly have a remarkable talent in terms of the study of spiritual control.”
“Many thanks for Teacher Sun’s concern, but I don’t wish to give up on the study of beast taming. My ambition in this lifetime is to be able to tame a giant dragon, tyrannically soaring through the skies of the Nine Provinces.”
Xiao Ri`nan felt that a near-ancestor would have some capabilities in terms of judgment. But even if Sun Mo’s words were right, he completely had no interest in the art of spiritual control.
“Sometimes, dreams would come in conflict with reality.”
Sun Mo sighed.
Many students in the modern era had written long articles about what they wanted to do after they grew up. But what happened in the end?
There might not even be one in a thousand who could have their wish come true.
Even when attending universities, no one chose universities depending on their dreams. They chose based on the professions that could make a lot of money.
Humans…it was better to be more realistic and pragmatic.
“If a person doesn’t have dreams, what’s the difference between them and a salted fish?”
Xiao Ri`nan fervently stated his views. “Also, I believe that as long as I work hard enough, I will be able to accomplish anything.”
“Well said!”
Xianyu Wei had a look of mesmerization in her eyes.
At this moment, Xiao Ri`nan’s slightly pale face brimmed with incomparable determination and self-confidence as though he wouldn’t give a damn even if a mountain of blades or an ocean of fire blocked his path. He would move forward courageously.
Yet, Mei Ziyu shook her head and sighed softly.
Talent was the cornerstone of how likely a person could walk toward success.
Hard work?
That was just a term to swindle the young.
There were too many students in the Jixia Learning Palace who ended up being mediocre due to them choosing to focus on the wrong subjects.
“Well spoken!”
Applause rang out.
Sun Mo turned his head and saw that it was none other than Duanmu Li, the handsome middle-aged man he had met before.
“Teacher Sun, Teacher Mei.”
After Duanmu Li exchanged greetings, he looked at Xianyu Wei. “Your physique isn’t bad. You must have worked hard recently!”
“Teacher!”
Xianyu Wei felt a little overwhelmed with favor. She didn’t expect an insignificant and transparent person like her would be recognized by this high-ranking teacher.
Truthfully speaking, because of her ‘tyrannical’ figure, many teachers knew of Xianyu Wei. Naturally, the majority treated her as a joke.
“Student Xiao, I’ve always had high regards for you. How about it? Do you want to be my student?”
Duanmu Li invited her.
“Many thanks for Teacher Duanmu’s kind intention, but before I avenge my humiliation, I don’t wish to take on a teacher.”
Xiao Ri`nan rejected.
One couldn’t help but say that although Xiao Ri`nan was of a humble origin, his heart and mind were mature enough. He was just waiting for a good offer and wanted to be under the tutelage of a secondary saint.
When Xiao Ri`nan first joined the school, he did his utmost and performed brilliantly, relying on his outstanding talent. He went everywhere and sought guidance.
Those great teachers all taught him everything they could because they cherished talent and because they wanted to accept him as a personal student. Hence, Xiao Ri`nan managed to learn many things.
“I wish you success then!”
Sun Mo no longer persuaded him. For a youth with his own ideas, if Sun Mo continued talking, he might cause Xiao Ri`nan to loathe him instead.
“Teacher Sun, are you intending to challenge the draconic humans today?”
Duanmu Li respectfully spoke, “If you are, I will have to properly observe it.”
After passing through the Dragon Roar Great Hall, they entered the Draconic Human Great Hall. As the name implied, this great hall would continuously spawn draconic humans.
Cultivators could spar against them to improve themselves.
“I heard that one has to finish 36 of the draconic humans in one go before they can enter the giant dragon great hall behind this place.”
Sun Mo was curious.
“That’s right!”
Duanmu Li smiled. “This is definitely no problem for Teacher Sun. Maybe you can clear all the trials in the Dragon Subduing Palace in a single shot.”
“Teacher Duanmu praises me too much.”
Sun Mo hurriedly spoke modestly.
Xiao Ri`nan hesitated a while but still chose to follow them.
Sun Mo’s suggestion might be rubbish, but his combat strength was still very strong. He had defeated Xiao Di and a few others and beat them so badly until they were convinced.
If Xiao Ri`nan could observe someone with such a high combat strength, it would definitely be of aid to him.
(This fat girl was his student?)
(Ze!)
(His judgment cannot make it!)
…
It was more accurate to term the Draconic Human Great Hall as an underground palace. There was a large field in the shape of a recessed square with 12 meters depth, and there were two cross-shaped walls that divided the place into four areas.
Above the wall, at the point of intersection and below the ceiling, there was a seven-colored crystal ball floating there.
It would shoot up a beam of light and a draconic human would spawn in the area.
Sun Mo observed this place for a while and discovered that although there were only four areas, not all places were fully occupied. Also, the occupied ones were teachers fighting the draconic humans while most of the students chose to watch instead.
“The draconic humans are quite powerful and if the challenger is careless, they might be injured. Also, most of the students here have fought the draconic humans before. They are observing the battles because they want to accumulate more experience and get to know more battle strategies and cultivation arts.”
Duanmu Li explained.
Not a lot of students wanted to become great teachers. The vast majority of them dreamed of becoming experts. Hence, other than learning subjects that were useful to them, they spent most of their time training in the Draconic Human Great Hall.
“Xianyu, warm up first and prepare yourself to fight!” Sun Mo instructed.
“Ziyu, do you want to give it a try?”
“Nope.”
Mei Ziyu never had any interest in fighting or killing.
“Teacher…”
Xianyu Wei felt some panic. “T…this is my first time…”
“Everyone would have a first time.” Sun Mo’s expression was calm. “Just get used to it.”
“I…”
Xianyu Wei wanted to say she didn’t mean this. She was scared. As a student from the Dragon Subduing Academy, how would she not know about this place?
When she had come here for the first time, she had seen a student, who was termed a genius by the headmaster, getting diced into a pile of meat by the draconic humans.
However, she was afraid her teacher might hit her if she said this.
“Teacher Sun, why don’t you fight first and let her observe?”
Duanmu Li tactfully suggested.
Xiao Ri`nan saw Xianyu Wei’s cowardly expression, but he didn’t view her with disdain. On the contrary, he felt that Sun Mo was too brash. What if this caused her to have a shadow in her heart for her entire life?
Maybe this fellow didn’t know how to teach students?
“No need for that.”
Sun Mo looked at the fat girl and spoke in a solemn tone, “In our lives, how many new enemies do we have to face? Will you only hope that your enemy will only kill you the next time they see you?”
The fat girl shrank her neck back. “Teacher, I was wrong!”
Mei Ziyu sighed. (As long as you use the cultivation art Sun Mo taught you, even if you don’t win, you won’t die. Besides, if you are in danger, do you think Sun Mo wouldn’t save you?)
It was just that Mei Ziyu didn’t say these words. This logic had to be comprehended by Xianyu Wei or spoken by her teacher.
Actually, this was a hidden rule in the great teacher world. When great teachers were teaching their personal students, outsiders better not interrupt.
“Go!”
Sun Mo urged.
The surroundings of the Draconic Human Great Hall was a circular platform with stairs leading below. However, Xianyu Wei directly leaped down.
Bang!
Clouds of dust flew up.
“Someone entered the area.”
“Oh wow, it’s a girl!”
“She’s so fat!”
Those students who were resting at the side immediately gathered over. It was a sort of entertainment for them whether they saw a newbie losing miserably or having a stunning performance.
“Xianyu, who told you to jump down?”
Sun Mo berated.
“Eh…?”
Xianyu Wei started. Was this wrong?
“You should take the time when you walk down the stairs to deduce their combat process and consider all problems that might occur.”
Sun Mo guided, “Also, you could calm your mind down and sharpen your focus, adjusting your mental state to the most optimal level.”
The noise in the surroundings suddenly vanished. The students looked at Sun Mo with astonished looks.
“Who is this? His words are so logical.”
“Damn, you don’t even know who Great Teacher Sun is? Are you still a student of the Dragon Subduing Academy?”
“I didn’t expect Great Teacher Sun to have such insights in combat?”
The students mumbled.
Were the things Sun Mo had said important?
No, it was just some details that would be easily neglected. But if one used these details well, they would be able to increase their combat efficiency.
“Combat doesn’t start when you begin the fight or when you see your enemy. Rather, at the instant you realize you have to fight, it has already begun.
“You don’t know who your enemy is? You can gauge them according to the draconic humans in the other areas. Even if you cannot think of this point, you can at least observe the terrain and think of ways to make it into your territory.
“Scared? That is very normal. There’s no need for you to despise yourself for being cowardly or suppress your fear because that is human nature. Everyone will feel the same. You just have to think about how you can win against your enemy and you will naturally forget about your fear.”
Sun Mo lifted his head and cast Lingering Sound on himself before he began to teach Xianyu Wei some techniques.
“Just remember a sentence – details can determine victory!”
Bzz!
Priceless Advice was activated.
Golden light illuminated the surroundings and caused the dim Draconic Human Great Hall to suddenly light up. After that, the atmosphere here returned to calmness again.
This time around, several people gazed over.
“Details can determine victory?”
Xianyu Wei was an obedient student. She did her best to remember Sun Mo’s words and hence, forgot her cowardice and nervousness.
Other than her, quite a few students also took down notes.
“We’ve profited today!”
All students who didn’t have personal teachers were extremely excited and felt that they had benefited. They decided to order one more egg for their lunch later.
Xiao Ri`nan shrugged. He had summed up all these things Sun Mo said. There was nothing rare. One would understand them once they fought a few more times against the draconic humans.
Bzz~
The crystal ball suddenly shone with light. With a woosh, a ball of light shot out.
When the ball of light landed on the ground, it expanded rapidly and three seconds later, a two-meter-tall draconic human spawned. Its body was covered in scales, it had sharp teeth, and its one-meter-plus tail was moving around.
“…”
Sun Mo looked at it. The draconic human didn’t have the imposingness and tyranny of the creature he imagined. Rather, he felt that it looked disgusting and terrifying, akin to some bizarre aberrations in sci-fi movies.
Roar!
The draconic human gave a low-sounding roar, and thick drool could be seen dripping from its mouth.
Pata! Pata!
Its saliva causes white smoke to appear when the droplets dripped onto the ground.
“Their saliva has corrosive properties?”
This was the first time Sun Mo encountered draconic humans. He was very curious about them.
After seeing such a fearsome opponent, Xianyu Wei’s mental preparations collapsed in an instant. Her stomach and legs were shivering, and she wanted to flee.
“Xianyu Wei, you can choose to give up the fight, but I’m warning you. If you take a step back today, it would be equivalent to taking a large step back in your life.”
Sun Mo’s voice was gentle, but when they landed in Xianyu Wei’s ears, they were as loud as a bolt of thunder.
“Think about the sweat you exuded during this period of hard work. Are you willing to retreat just like that?”
“Think about those people who rolled their eyes at you because of your fatness and incompetence. Look at the people here in the surroundings, they are all mocking you in their hearts. A fatty like you wants to fight with a draconic human? Isn’t this a foolish fantasy?”
“Xianyu Wei, take a step forward and become a Battle God. Take a step back and become an ordinary woman, content with marrying someone and giving birth. Make your own decision!”
After Sun Mo said this, he no longer spoke.
The potential of this fat girl was extremely high, but Sun Mo wouldn’t accept her as a disciple just because of her stats. He had to look at her temperament too.
Without a temperament that would allow her to face her rivals, even a giant dragon would be weaker than a worm.
After hearing Sun Mo’s voice, the scenes of her life during these ten years played out like a rotating lantern.
The disappointment of her parents, the ridicule of her peers, the tears she shed when she woke up at night and lastly, that afternoon when she was abandoned by her personal teacher.
She respected Song En`min so much, but he still chose to give up on her.
Wasn’t it simply because she was trash?
Ah!
Xianyu Wei suddenly howled and charged toward the draconic human.
(Go to hell! I will prove I’m not trash. I will become the most resplendent pearl of the grassy plains!)
When the draconic human got close, Xianyu Wei attacked.
Regretless Buddha Fist!
Sun Mo smiled gratifyingly. Actually, he didn’t require Xianyu Wei to defeat the draconic human. He just wanted Xianyu Wei to be able to take this step forward.
In Sun Mo’s point of view, will was more important than combat strength.
This was then the true content of this lesson.
But at the next instant, his expression drastically changed.
