Chapter 131: Students

The earth froze instantly.

In that moment, the ground seemed to gain sentience, pulsing with life energy. The raging plant emitted faint whimpers, but these were quickly drowned by waves of anger. The earth turned crimson as wrathful energy surged from all directions. The violent plant had no time to react before being crushed violently.

Wooden splinters exploded outward as the frenzied branches shattered.

The earth heaved upward, anger molding the ground into volcanic shapes. The plant was forced into the volcanic crater where earthen energy transformed into magma, incinerating it to ashes.

“It’s the dean!”

“So strong! He destroyed that monstrous plant so easily.”

“By ability user rankings, the dean’s already at taboo level – maybe even beyond. I’d say he’s reached Shadow Demon Chen Fei’s tier.”

Instructors and students battling the plant within the Magic Department gasped in awe, their eyes burning with worship as they stared at Zuo Meng.

“The dean’s unbelievable! How does he compare to Master Jie Ming?”

Among the crowd, little chubby Ding Le trembled at the spectacle. Witnessing this up close felt more visceral than watching Master Jie Ming exorcise demons that night. Wooden shards still clung to his face, their lingering energy testifying to the plant’s terrifying power.

As order returned, instructors began directing cleanup efforts.

Experimental mishaps weren’t rare in the Magic Department – outbreaks occurred every few days. But ordinary incidents were handled by professors. Today’s crisis required the dean’s personal intervention.

Soon, the Magic Department regained normalcy through collective effort.

In the laboratory, Zuo Meng resumed his scheduled lesson.

As he gathered materials to leave, Zhou Shang – Ding Le’s friend – rushed forward.

“Dean, may I study under you?”

The initially hesitant Ding Le brightened at his friend’s boldness. Young men often idolize multiple strong individuals despite having mentors, believing they can master everything. Only with maturity would they learn that focused dedication surpasses scattered dabbling.

“Both of you?”

Zuo Meng smiled, setting down documents to study Ding Le.

“My standards are harsh. Fail my assignments, and you’ll be expelled…”

“We’ll complete every task!”

Ding Le blurted eagerly, mind still replaying the dean’s earth-reshaping magic.

“You may audit classes first. No guarantees you’ll keep up.”

“Thank you, Dean!”

Both youths beamed at the approval.

“Meet at my laboratory every Wednesday. Senior Sister Wu Li knows the location. Consult her for guidance.”

“Senior Sister Wu Li?”

“Never be late. I detest tardy students.”

Other students tried approaching upon seeing their success, but Zuo Meng departed after collecting his materials.

Wednesday arrived swiftly.

Guided by Wu Li, Ding Le and Zhou Shang entered Zuo Meng’s laboratory alongside four top students, forming a seven-member class. Only Ding Le lacked academic distinction among them.

“Today’s session ends here. Ask final questions.”

Zuo Meng set aside experimental tools, granting question time.

“Professor,” a bespectacled girl raised her hand, “what’s the source of ability users’ power? Their abilities feel… unscientific compared to magic.”

Power sources?

Ding Le’s thoughts drifted to Master Jie Ming. Was his mentor an ability user? What fueled his strength?

“Superpowers dwell in bloodlines. Consider this: magic requires knowledge as leverage and talent as fulcrum.” Zuo Meng tapped the desk. “Talent” was his term for spellcasting aptitude.

“Ability users are human batteries. Their awakening dangers charge them up. Once charged, powers manifest.”

“But mages surpass them in growth potential. Ability users face innate limits – breaking their awakening barriers is why taboo-levels are rare. Great gifts bring great constraints.”

Though superpowers stemmed from rules, Zuo Meng avoided such complexities.

“What about unusual artifacts?” A lanky boy asked. “Last week I found a bell that puts everything within three kilometers to sleep when rung. It defies logic!”

“Unusual artifacts are natural phenomena like sunsets or mirages – parts of our world to study.”

None understood these better than Zuo Meng. He’d planted such concepts to divert divine attention. Major churches now chased artifact mysteries, while authorities focused on Shadow Demon Chen Fei and Beggar Bai Song.

These distractions let Zuo Meng and Jie Ming quietly reshape Ding Le’s worldview.

“Professor…” Wu Li looked dejected. “I failed another spell model.”

Having a guardian relative fueled her determination. Knowing their dangers through school records only heightened her urgency.

“Again?”

Zuo Meng scanned her notes, eyes glinting oddly.

Human creativity never ceased. He’d created magic, but mortals kept evolving it – much like primitive computers blossoming beyond their creators’ dreams through collective ingenuity.

“You implanted Hillchen grass seeds in your body?”