128: Mentor

While thinking, Shen Xi arrived at the familiar academy entrance.

“Shen Xi? Didn’t you already…”

Just then, a familiar voice rang out.

Accompanying the voice, a middle-aged man with a somewhat weathered appearance and graying hair came before Shen Xi.

“Teacher Chen…”

Shen Xi respectfully called out to his teacher.

The middle-aged man’s name was Chen Ye, and he was Shen Xi’s homeroom teacher.

During Shen Xi’s time studying, Chen Ye had always shown him great care.

It should be known that students of the Twenty-Eight Academy were divided into two types: one type, like Shen Xi, were students with potential and talent found by the academy in the Twenty-eighth City and then admitted into the academy; these were collectively referred to as commoner students.

The other type, however, were noble students like Zhao Minsheng.

Due to the difference in status, the teachers of the Twenty-Eight Academy treated students with vastly different attitudes.

It was common for them to favor noble students and look down on commoner students.

But Chen Ye had never been like that.

For him, whether noble students or commoner students, they were all his students, and he always treated them equally.

And because Shen Xi was diligent and cultivated the fastest among his peers, he was suppressed everywhere by noble students, and Chen Ye repeatedly stood up for him.

This made Shen Xi respect this teacher from the bottom of his heart.

A teacher, one who imparts the Dao, teaches knowledge, and resolves doubts; Chen Ye’s actions truly earned him the title of ‘Teacher’.

“Good kid, I always thought you… It’s good that you’re fine, it’s good that you’re fine.”

Chen Ye gave Shen Xi a bear hug.

News about Shen Xi and Zhao Minsheng encountering trouble in the Outer City had already spread throughout the academy, and Zhao Delong had even come to the academy to cause a scene.

This was naturally immense pressure for Chen Ye.

As the homeroom teacher of these students, if something happened to a student, he could not shirk responsibility.

And as a teacher who cared about his students, if something happened to a student, he would suffer even more.

In just a few short months, Chen Ye’s hair had turned white; he was only middle-aged but looked like an old man.

Now that Shen Xi had returned safe and sound, Chen Ye immediately felt much relieved.

“I made you worry.”

Shen Xi said, moved.

Besides his own parents and Pang Zi’s family, Chen Ye was the best person to him in this world.

“Oh, right!” Chen Ye’s expression changed as if he remembered something, saying, “You need to leave the Twenty-eighth City quickly. Zhao Minsheng is dead, and his father Zhao Delong will absolutely not let this go. Even if it has nothing to do with you, he will still cause you trouble.”

Chen Ye was just a teacher and naturally didn’t know what had happened recently. He also didn’t know that Shen Xi had already met Zhao Delong.

“Teacher, you don’t need to worry. I’ve already resolved all these matters.”

Shen Xi quickly explained.

Seeing that Chen Ye didn’t believe him, he even guaranteed it repeatedly.

Only then did Chen Ye say, half-believing, “So, you’re fine now? Then I’m relieved. Are you returning this time to continue your studies?”

Shen Xi shook his head: “No, I’m here to complete my graduation procedures.”

“What?!”

Chen Ye looked shocked, then even more worried.

Didn’t he say he was fine now?

Then why wouldn’t Shen Xi continue his studies?

This was a promising talent; if he studied for two more years, he might be able to Breakthrough to the Yuanqi Realm. At that time, if he used some connections to let Shen Xi stay at the school as a teacher, he wouldn’t necessarily become rich and noble in the future, but at least he wouldn’t have to worry about food and drink.

Chen Ye was well aware of Shen Xi’s family background, and being a teacher was a good choice.

“Shen Xi, you must think carefully. If you Breakthrough to Blood Refining and Energy Transformation, I can apply to the principal to let you be an assistant teacher first. You can earn a salary while continuing to Cultivate, and if you Breakthrough to Initial Stage of Yuanqi, you can become a formal teacher.”

Chen Ye quickly tried to persuade him.

The profession of a teacher was scorned by those noble students, but for Shen Xi’s family background, it was definitely the best choice.

This was an opportunity to move his entire family out of the slums.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xi’s eyes reddened slightly.

He hadn’t expected that Chen Ye had already planned out his future path for him.

To do this much, Chen Ye truly regarded Shen Xi as his Junior and cared for him.

Of course, if it were in the past, this would indeed have been Shen Xi’s best choice, but now, Shen Xi’s path was different.

“Teacher Chen, thank you for your kind intentions, but I have a reason for choosing to graduate early.”

“What reason?”

Shen Xi didn’t explain much but instead slightly released a wisp of his aura.

The pressure of the Houtian Chucheng Realm instantly permeated the air.

“You’ve Breakthrough?”

Chen Ye was utterly shocked. This aura, even he, being in the Great Accomplishment of Yuanqi Realm, felt extremely oppressive.

How was this possible?

Just a few months ago, Shen Xi was still only in the Blood Refining Realm!

“Yes, this student now has a bit of self-preservation ability and plans to climb higher peaks as a Martial Artist.”

Shen Xi did not deliberately emphasize his current cultivation.

There was no need to do so in front of his esteemed teacher.

“Since that’s the case, I respect your decision. The child has grown up and should indeed go out to explore and see the world, but remember, if you get tired, come back. The academy’s doors will always be open to you.”

Chen Ye no longer tried to keep Shen Xi.

His previous disagreement was out of fear that Shen Xi would squander his future.

But now, Shen Xi’s future was clearly even brighter than he had anticipated, and as a teacher, he naturally wouldn’t stop him.

“Thank you, Teacher.”

Shen Xi sincerely thanked him again.

Then, he took out a small pouch from his Pregnant: “Teacher, this is a small token of my appreciation.”

Seeing this, Chen Ye’s face instantly darkened: “What are you doing?!”

Shen Xi quickly explained: “When I was studying before, Teacher was afraid that students would work too hard to Body Refining and not get enough nutrition, so he would bring students home for extra meals every day. Such profound kindness cannot be repaid. Now that this student has some ability, I hope to repay Teacher.”

Chen Ye was stunned. He had never thought that his students would repay him; everything he did was simply to follow his conscience and live up to his identity as a teacher.

But he hadn’t expected that Shen Xi remembered everything he had done.

“Alas!” With a sigh, Chen Ye continued: “Good child, you have a kind heart, but Teacher cannot take your money. If you want to become a strong person, resources are indispensable. Keep this money to buy more Materials that increase cultivation speed and Comprehension Ability!”

“Furthermore, don’t forget, I am a teacher, and the Twenty-Eight Academy’s compensation for teachers is quite good. I don’t need you to give me money.”

Saying this, Chen Ye didn’t give Shen Xi a chance to refuse and forcefully put the pouch back.

Having the thought was enough; he couldn’t possibly accept it.

Moreover, Shen Xi had only just begun to grow; how much money could he have earned?

He definitely needed money more than himself now, so he was even less likely to accept it.