"Do you know him?"
Westley Xicheng looked at the Dongli siblings with a puzzled expression.
"We met him when we first arrived in Giant Jupi City. Who would've thought he'd turn out to be a teacher at Heavenly Tome Academy!" Hayden Dongli quickly replied, not wanting Westley to know that Ian Song and his sister were old acquaintances.
Although they were also children of Wilderness-grade city lords, their status in the Dongli clan was not as high as Westley's.
That's why Hayden Dongli had always hoped to pair his sister with Westley.
As long as his sister could marry Westley, both siblings' standing in the Dongli clan would rise dramatically.
"Since you sort of know each other, I won't bother holding it against him!"
Westley declared proudly.
After about half an hour.
It was finally Westley's turn.
Bone-age test: fifteen years old, cultivation: mid Deity Transformation.
"Passed!"
Ian Song announced.
Next up was Hayden Dongli, who didn't dare look Ian in the eye, worried he'd be singled out.
Bone-age: twenty, cultivation: mid Deity Transformation.
"Passed!"
Ian announced again. Hearing this, Hayden finally relaxed and felt a surge of gratitude toward him.
Next was Hannah Dongli.
Bone-age: sixteen, cultivation: early Deity Transformation.
"Passed!"
Hannah Dongli shot Ian Song a glare before leaving, but Ian pretended not to notice at all.
The day passed quietly.
Ian called over a teaching assistant and asked, "How many people are left?"
"There are still more than eight hundred! We should be able to finish the tests tomorrow!" the assistant replied.
"Go ahead and let everyone know—the remaining applicants should come back tomorrow!"
"Teacher Song, Vice Dean Han sent word earlier, asking me to guide you to collect your identity token and choose your residence!" Daisy Ding said.
Another half hour passed as Ian collected his identity token and picked out a residence before strolling out of the academy.
That night.
He told the three sisters about his new teaching position at Heavenly Tome Academy.
The next day.
The exams continued.
After the tests were finished, Ian was summoned by Vice Dean Han again.
"Teacher Song, which department do you plan to join?"
Vice Dean Han asked.
Ian could handle both the Combat and Formations Departments, but after thinking it over, he decided on Combat.
When Vice Dean Han learned Ian was joining the Combat Department, he immediately said, "Excellent! From now on, you'll be the chief teacher of Lower-Division Class Five!"
Each class has about a hundred students, with one chief teacher, one deputy teacher, and three ordinary teachers.
The chief teacher oversees everything—basically acting as the homeroom teacher.
The deputy teacher assists the chief, while the ordinary teachers handle individual subjects.
And the chief teacher's pay and status are far above those of the deputy and ordinary teachers.
Vice Dean Han added, "The exams will continue for another week. Spend these days getting familiar with the academy—formal classes start in ten days!"
"Alright, thank you for your guidance, Vice Dean!"
Ian expressed his thanks.
Vice Dean Han said, "No problem. With your strength, teaching junior students is honestly beneath you. Once you've proven yourself, I'll transfer you to teach advanced students!"
News that Ian had been appointed chief teacher of Lower-Division Class Five quickly spread.
Xu Zhifeng was not happy about it.
After all, he was also a teacher in Class Five, but only an ordinary one.
"Why does a newcomer get to be chief teacher? I've taught at Heavenly Tome Academy for over twenty years and I'm still just an ordinary teacher!"
The deputy teacher for Class Five was Duanmu North. He'd originally had a shot at the chief position, but now a newcomer had taken it, so he was just as unhappy.
He and Xu Zhifeng soon teamed up, spreading rumors that Ian had gotten into the academy through connections and wasn't truly qualified.
The rumor spread wider and wider, until nearly every junior teacher and assistant had heard about it.
Ironically, Ian himself—the person at the center of it all—had no idea.
He'd spent the past few days holed up in the academy's Scripture Hall.
It had to be said, Heavenly Tome Academy truly lived up to its name—the Scripture Hall's collection was incredibly rich, and Ian found plenty of books that interested him.
One day.
Just as Ian stepped out of the Scripture Hall, he spotted Daisy Ding standing not far away.
"Assistant Ding, what are you doing here?"
Ian walked over to ask.
"Teacher Song, have you heard the rumors going around lately?" Daisy asked.
"What rumors?" Ian asked, looking confused.
Daisy bit her lip and sent a secret voice transmission: "These past few days, rumors have spread through the junior division, saying you got into the academy through connections and don't deserve to be chief teacher!"
"Really?" Ian smiled, not taking it to heart.
Seeing Ian so unconcerned, Daisy grew anxious. "Teacher Song, aren't you angry or worried at all?"
"Why should I be angry or worried?"
Ian asked with a smile.
Seeing Ian still so unconcerned, Daisy felt like she was banging her head against a wall. "Teacher Song, if you let the rumors keep spreading, your reputation and authority will take a big hit. It might even catch the attention of the higher-ups and cost you your chief teacher position!"
Seeing this, Ian figured he should explain to his concerned assistant. "I was brought in by Vice Dean Han, and my chief teacher appointment was his decision. If I lost the position, what do you think Vice Dean Han would do?"
"Of course he'd defend your chief teacher spot! Otherwise it would prove the rumors true!" Daisy blurted out instinctively.
"Exactly. With Vice Dean Han backing me, the rumors will naturally die out. By the way, who's the deputy teacher and who are the ordinary teachers in Class Five?" Ian asked.
"The deputy is Duanmu North, a veteran instructor. One of the ordinary teachers is Xu Zhifeng," Daisy replied.
"Heh, someone's about to get unlucky!"
Ian smiled. "By the way, which teacher are you currently assisting?"
"I don't have one yet," Daisy said, sounding a bit down.
"In that case, you can be my assistant for now. I'll let Vice Dean Han know!"
"Ah!" Daisy was overjoyed and immediately thanked him. "Thank you, Teacher Song! You're amazing!"
"No problem, it's just a small favor!" Ian waved it off. "I'm heading out!"
Just as Ian expected, the very next day the academy handed down punishments: Duanmu North was transferred to Class Fifteen as an ordinary teacher, and Xu Zhifeng lost his teaching qualifications and was reassigned to guard the pill storeroom.
Seeing Duanmu North and Xu Zhifeng punished, the other teachers who'd been spreading rumors all went silent. The two had become cautionary examples, and anyone who kept it up would likely be transferred as well.
One ordinary teacher from Class Five, who hadn't joined Duanmu North and Xu Zhifeng's scheme, was promoted to deputy teacher instead. He even sought out Ian to thank him personally.
Ten days passed in a flash.
Today was the official start of classes at the academy. Ian first went to Class Five's office to meet the other teachers, then headed off to Class Five with them.