Volume One: Entering the Path, Chapter 129: Meeting Li Xi Again

The figure outside the classroom door stood still until the bell rang, signaling the start of class, before walking slowly into the room.

Upon approaching the front, he greeted the class: "Good morning, students."

In unison, the students replied, "Good morning, Teacher Li."

The man was none other than Li Xi, whom everyone had already come to know quite well. This was precisely why Ye Junze and his companions had shown such surprise upon seeing him at the door earlier; they gave Lu Renjia a thumbs-up, signaling their admiration for his "special ability."

Yun Tianhan whispered, "I never would have guessed, Lu Renjia. You were actually telling the truth. Why don't you try helping me pick some lottery numbers for tomorrow?"

Lu Renjia gave an awkward smile, shook his head, and replied, "I'm afraid I can't help you with that. It's not like no one has ever asked me that before, but every time I've tried, it's been a failure, so you'd better give up on that idea."

Hearing this, Yun Tianhan let out an indifferent scoff. "Tch, then isn't this ability just a bit useless?"

Seeing this, Fan Yan waved her hand and said, "Alright, alright, stop giving Lu Renjia a hard time."

Yun Tianhan nodded immediately. "Yes, yes, whatever Big Sister Fan says."

Li Ling smiled, trying to smooth things over. "Let's all just settle down. The teacher is here, so let's be quiet."

The group nodded, stopped talking, and turned their attention to Li Xi at the podium, ready to listen attentively.

Seeing their attention, Li Xi smiled and said, "Long time no see, everyone. After all these days, I can see that your strength has improved quite a bit. I am very pleased."

The students smiled, looking slightly embarrassed.

Li Xi waved his hand. "Alright, everyone, sit down. There's no point in standing the whole time."

The students nodded and took their seats on the floor cushions. Once everyone was settled, Li Xi nodded and continued, "I trust you all know that today's lesson is on the 'Preliminary Interpretation of the Dao Canon'."

The students nodded in agreement.

Li Xi smiled. "So, does everyone know what this 'Preliminary Interpretation of the Dao Canon' actually is?"

The students looked at him with confusion, as if to say they didn't know and hoped he would enlighten them. However, Li Xi didn't offer an explanation immediately. Instead, he looked at them with a mysterious expression, refusing to say anything further.

Seeing this, the students felt a surge of helplessness. It seemed that even after all this time, Teacher Li was just as fond of keeping them in suspense as ever. Knowing his temperament well, they no longer expected him to explain anything right away.

Watching their expressions, a smile bloomed on Li Xi's face. "What's with all of you? You look like you've just swallowed something bitter."

At his teasing, the students rolled their eyes. *Do you really not know why we have these expressions?* they all thought in perfect synchronicity.

Li Xi seemed to read their minds. "I'm just trying to boost classroom engagement. You all should believe in your teacher's good intentions. I'm definitely not doing this on purpose—absolutely not! Don't wrong me."

Despite his words, his expression betrayed him completely.

Some students rolled their eyes again, thinking to themselves, *Look at that smug look on your face. You say it isn't on purpose? Who would believe that? I ask you, who would believe that?!*

Li Xi continued with a straight face, "Very good. Seeing all of your faces, I can see you all believe me deeply. I am deeply touched."

This time, the students didn't even bother giving him a reaction; they just stared at him blankly, as if nothing he said could provoke an emotional response anymore.

"Alright, enough joking around." Li Xi waved his hand, his expression turning serious. "Is there any student willing to share their understanding? In your view, what is the 'Preliminary Interpretation of the Dao Canon'?"

Seeing his serious tone, the students bowed their heads in thought. Li Xi didn't rush them, waiting patiently on the podium to give them time to reflect.

After a while, Li Xi smiled again. "I assume you've all had enough time to think. Has anyone decided to share? Don't worry, just speak your mind."

As soon as he finished, a male voice spoke up: "Teacher, may I share my thoughts?"

Ye Junze and the others turned to see Li Ling standing up. Li Ling noticed their gaze, turned, and offered them a smile.

Li Xi saw the student standing up and chuckled. "Of course. What is your name?"

Li Ling nodded. "My name is Li Ling."

"Oh, we are of the same Li surname, and both our given names are single characters. No wonder I find you so agreeable," Li Xi joked.

Li Ling scratched his head, feeling a bit bashful. "Maybe Teacher Li and I were family five hundred years ago."

Li Xi laughed and waved his hand. "Haha, alright, let's discuss the family connection later. For now, tell us your understanding."

"Yes," Li Ling agreed with a nod, then began to speak fluently.

"As I see it, the 'Dao Canon' in this lesson refers to the cultivation technique we are currently practicing, the 'Mystical Heavenly Dao Canon'."

Li Xi nodded in approval.

Seeing he was on the right track, Li Ling continued, "If that's the case, then the 'Preliminary Interpretation' isn't hard to grasp. I believe the goal of today's lesson is for the teacher to explain the problems we've encountered while practicing the Mystical Heavenly Dao Canon, or to point out details we might have missed. In short, it's to help us better understand the technique and make our cultivation process smoother."

Li Xi nodded, smiling. "Not bad. That is indeed what today's lesson is about. Your understanding is quite correct."

"Do you have anything else to add, Li Ling?" Li Xi asked.

Li Ling shook his head. "That's all I have for now."

Li Xi nodded, signaling he understood. "Alright, please take your seat. Let's give Li Ling a round of applause to encourage him and thank him for sharing his thoughts."

The students broke into applause, and Li Ling slowly sat back down amidst the sound of clapping.

Li Xi pressed his hands down to signal for silence. The students stopped and looked at him, waiting to see what he would say next.

Li Xi smiled. "I believe many of you here share the same thoughts as Li Ling, so we won't dwell on that. For those who had other ideas, surely Li Ling's explanation has given you new perspectives. Regardless, all your ideas have merit."

"Today's lesson will be more theoretical, so I hope none of you find it boring."

The students smiled and shook their heads quickly, indicating they would not.

A bolder student spoke up: "Don't worry, Teacher Li. Even if it were truly boring, we wouldn't show it. We will actively cooperate with your teaching, and we'll be sure to save you plenty of face."

As the student spoke, he offered a mischievous smile, feeling a sense of satisfaction—a small revenge for Li Xi's habit of keeping them in suspense.

Li Xi didn't mind; he just laughed. "Well, I truly appreciate your kindness. Don't worry, I will certainly remember this, and I will be sure to 'repay' you well later."

Li Xi emphasized the word "repay" heavily.

Even though he said this with a warm smile, the students couldn't help but shiver, goosebumps rising across their skin. They had a vague, ominous feeling that Li Xi might become even more terrifying than before. The entire class shot a glare at the student who had spoken.

Their expressions clearly said, *Why did you have to open your mouth? Look, you've upset the teacher now.*

Immediately, the students averted their eyes and looked at Li Xi with pleading expressions, as if to say, *Teacher, those words came entirely from him! It has nothing to do with us! If you want to cause trouble, go after him, don't drag us down! We don't even know who he is! That's right, we've never met him!*

Li Xi looked at their faces and laughed. "What are you all doing? Don't look at me like that—you're scaring me. It's broad daylight, and you're making my skin crawl."

The students rolled their eyes. *You're asking the obvious, aren't you?*

Seeing Li Xi's brazen attitude, as if nothing they said would work, the students gave up. They lowered their heads in resignation, thinking, *Forget it. Whatever happens, happens. If it's a blessing, it won't be a disaster; if it's a disaster, there's no escaping it anyway.*

Watching them give up, Li Xi chuckled as if amused. "Alright, alright. I'm not a petty person; I won't take it to heart. Relax. After all, I am the first teacher you've met since arriving at this school."

A flicker of surprise and joy appeared in the students' eyes, and they began to smile. Seeing their silly grins, it was clear they had taken Li Xi at his word.

As for whether Li Xi would keep his promise, only he knew.

Li Xi swept his hand through the air, his expression turning serious. "Enough chatter. The 'Preliminary Interpretation of the Dao Canon' lesson begins now!"