Chapter 31: Well Taught

“Second Young Master Fang?”

The surrounding cultivators immediately perked up with interest, turning their heads left and right to look. No matter how you looked at it, Fang Cun was famous in the Academy. He was Fang Chi’s younger brother, but also a notorious good-for-nothing. Then just as everyone in Willow Lake City was waiting to see the Fang Family collapse after Fang Chi’s death, he suddenly revealed his talent, passed the Academy’s Back Mountain test, and became an Academy disciple. His powerful aptitude had already spread throughout Willow Lake City, with everyone praising his extraordinary talent. It even felt rightfully earned—after all, he shared the same blood as Immortal Master Fang Chi.

Hearing Old Scholar Zhong Yue mention him, the crowd naturally grew quite interested.

“Looking for me?”

Fang Cun had been leaning against a tree at the back, watching the commotion. Hearing Elder Zhong Yue call him, he muttered inwardly. His eyes flicked toward Meng Zhixue, catching her looking back at him, and he instantly understood—it was probably this woman causing trouble. Though reluctant, he still made his way through the crowd and bowed to Zhong Yue. “Student Fang Cun greets Elder Mentor…”

The old scholar appraised Fang Cun with a glance and chuckled. “You entered the Academy about a month ago, didn’t you? Well, your elder brother, Fang Chi, was the most naturally gifted individual this old man has ever seen, and remains the finest practitioner of the Art of Object Manipulation the Academy has known. Since you managed to pass the Rear Mountain test, your talent must be considerable. Would you care to try moving this green boulder now?”

The onlookers exchanged surprised glances. Some thought to themselves: No matter how talented he is, he’s only been here a month! He probably hasn’t even cultivated Internal Breath yet! Others considered: He is the Immortal Master’s brother. Surely, he started cultivating before entering the Academy. It’s just unclear how deep his cultivation runs.

Hearing the old gentleman’s question, Fang Cun quickly assessed. His gaze landed on Instructor Yuanzhi nearby, staring coldly, then he considered the impression he wanted to maintain within the Academy. He swiftly made a decision. Clasping his hands again, he bowed to Elder Zhong Yue. “Since Elder Mentor commands it, this disciple shall give it a try!”

Hearing this, everyone’s spirits lifted, eagerly clearing a larger space for him. If he dared try, it meant he had some confidence…

Fang Cun positioned himself ten paces away, fixed his eyes on the green boulder, and focused inward, circulating his Internal Breath. It was an unusual sensation. Beyond the circulation of breath itself, he felt it surging outwards rapidly, yet not merely flowing out; it resonated with the ambient energy of the world around him. A faint, invisible force gathered and swirled around his body.

This was the fundamental first step of the Art of Object Manipulation.

Though Fang Cun had only studied the Art for two or three days and faced numerous obstacles, he could awaken this manipulating force. Sensing the force, he guided it with his will, pushing it forward. His control was clumsy and uncoordinated, like a drunk trying to walk a straight line. He struggled, needing several attempts before the intangible energy finally grasped the huge green rock. Gritting his teeth, he slowly focused his strength, mobilizing every ounce of the manipulating power…

Instantly, he felt his Internal Breath draining away like floodwater through a breached dam. Yet, simultaneously, his manipulating force grew steadily stronger, solidifying into an invisible, titanic hand that clutched the boulder and heaved upward. Countless eyes widened as the massive green rock visibly trembled then, miraculously, began to lift off the ground! Inch by inch, it rose, breaking contact with the earth until it hovered three feet in the air, held there for a fleeting moment.

“Bang!”

At the same moment, Fang Cun’s Internal Breath completely exhausted, his strength failed. The boulder crashed down, shattering into two pieces.

“Hah…”

Fang Cun gasped for air, addressing Elder Zhong Yue. “This disciple’s grasp remains very rudimentary. I have embarrassed myself before you!”

Shock rippled through the surrounding crowd. Eyes widened further in disbelief. The students from Yuanzhi Pavilion, in particular, watched him wide-eyed. They had mentally dismissed Fang Cun as a newcomer, two years behind them, who hadn’t even received proper instruction. Yet his skill in Object Manipulation surpassed theirs? But then they recalled him teaching Shen Shiming a lesson, and suddenly it seemed… predictable. If his cultivation wasn’t deeper than Shen Shiming’s, how else could he have thrashed him so thoroughly?

A wave of buzzing discussion swept through the gathered cultivators, expressions ranging from awe to skepticism.

Someone marveled, “Second Young Master Fang only entered the Academy a month ago! And already he can do this? Truly astonishing. Talent was something you could truly see and measure! Great Xia Immortal Master possessed world-shaking talent, and his brother, sharing the same parents… even if slightly less gifted, he could absolutely never be ordinary! He’s simply heaven’s favored!”

Others thought, Even with high talent, it couldn’t be that high. He must have started cultivating long before joining the Academy!

…

“Such talent is truly rare to witness!”

Elder Zhong Yue gazed at Fang Cun, as if seeing another person’s shadow within him. He sighed softly. “After you passed the Rear Mountain, many praised your talent, saying it might not be inferior to your brother’s. Now, having seen you reach the mid-stage of Refining Breath in just one month, your foundation so solid… truly commendable. You did not disgrace your brother Fang Chi’s name…”

To his practiced eyes, it was clear: Fang Cun lifted the boulder through sheer purity of cultivation power / Magical Power, not refined technique. Yet, in some ways, this purity was far more valuable!

Receiving praise, Fang Cun feigned modesty. “It was all due to your excellent teaching, Elder Mentor!”

He meant it sincerely. Without gaining insights from that day’s lecture, which clarified many questions, he truly doubted he could have succeeded. Hearing the lecture today would provide him ample material to ponder, absorb, and digest thoroughly afterwards.

“Haha, well spoken!”

Elder Zhong Yue seemed to take it differently, laughing heartily. “Even natural talent requires dedicated teaching to truly flourish…” He turned to someone nearby. “Yuanzhi, your instruction has been commendable! This is the standard all our Academy’s Mentors should uphold. Only then can we meet His Immortal Palace Majesty’s desire for us to nurture Immortal Seedlings…”

“Uh…”

Fang Cun’s expression immediately became subtly complex.

Nearby, Instructor Yuanzhi, publicly singled out for praise, stood frozen stiff. His face flushed crimson, then paled. His body seemed tensed between the need to bow respectfully and the overwhelming urge to simply storm off in fury.

“Ha ha ha ha…”

Others ignored his obvious discomfort. First came suppressed snickers, then, as people lost control, loud laughter erupted freely. Bathed in this mocking laughter, Instructor Yuanzhi’s face reddened further, burning with utter humiliation. He glared furiously, his hateful gaze sweeping over every single laughing face.