The Prodigies War

“From the situation, he seems to have identified that student’s weaknesses?”

In the distance, the group of instructors was astonished as well.

“That seems to be the case.”

The other instructors were bewildered. It would be shocking if that were true.

It was hard to believe a single Little Five Elements Reverse Rune could be used to discern a student’s rune mastery, strengths, and weaknesses.

“Hmph, he’s just putting up an act. That student is only an initiate rune master and was probably intimidated earlier. How can he possibly tell if it’s real or not?”

Fang Zhongjian icily snorted.

Shen Tuo said, “Then let’s continue watching. We’ll be able to tell if it's real once all of the students have been evaluated.”

The other instructors nodded in agreement.

They had also become curious. Lin Xun’s novel evaluation method transcended everything they knew.

If his method worked, it would be the discovery of a new method to evaluate initiate rune masters.

……

“What’s your name?”

“Yang Jingyao.”

“Alright then, take your rune diagram and listen well. The strength used in the seventy-third stroke is not evenly distributed, the hundred and twenty-fourth stroke lacks balance in its bend…”

Lin Xun’s voice methodically sounded in the classroom.

Opposite him, the expression of the female student rapidly changed, evidently surprised that her rune diagram contained so many minute mistakes.

Toward the end, the young teenager’s eyes had begun to glisten, and her tiny face turned red with shame.

She pursed her lips into a little pout, making her look rather pitiful.

Numerous male students could not bear the sight and felt that Lin Xun was being too cruel with his remarks. How could he point out so many of her flaws in front of everyone? He was clearly incapable of empathizing with the fairer sex.

Lin Xun was also taken aback and wondered if he had gone too far. However, Yang Jingyao took a deep breath and earnestly said, “Instructor Lin, please continue.”

Her voice was clear and resolute.

She was evidently a strong-willed girl.

Lin Xun cast aside his hesitation and continued to dissect all of her mistakes, strengths, and weaknesses.

After listening to everything, Yang Jingyao stood there stunned for a brief moment before she respectfully bowed in gratitude and admiration, “Thank you, Instructor Lin. I went too far earlier and angered you. Please forgive me.”

She is truly a courteous and good kid!

Lin Xun inwardly praised her, forgetting that he and Yang Jingyao were actually of a similar age…

He seemed to have already changed his mindset to that of a teacher or elder and viewed the students as juniors. It was a smooth, almost natural transition without any hint of discomfort.

It did make sense. Lin Xun had not only experienced numerous dangers and hardships but was also the master of Mind Cleansing Peak who led numerous subordinates. His mindset and attitude had already been honed into a wise and stable leader, which naturally made it impossible for ordinary peers to compare.

After Yang Jingyao returned to her seat, the students finally realized that Instructor Lin Xun was indeed very capable. He was the real deal!

Such a person could not be judged based on age. The methods he casually used were different but able to achieve unimaginable results. It was a genuinely eye-opening experience for the students.

Their attitudes were already subconsciously changing.

As the lesson continued, the students approached the podium one by one to receive Lin Xun’s evaluation and guidance. Their reactions were almost identical to Fan Zhiqiu and Yang Jingyao.

It started with being embarrassed and ashamed, which then turned to happiness and excitement after obtaining Lin Xun’s guidance. Every student was thoroughly subdued by his capability.

All of this was observed by the group of instructors some distance away.

By this time, they no longer doubted Lin Xun’s teaching ability. The earlier scenes had already proved that he was more than qualified.

They could not help but inwardly sigh. As expected of the young rune grandmaster who had caused the nine draconic cries. A casual display of his abilities revealed such unique and astonishing insights that made it impossible not to feel impressed.

How had Lin Xun used the Little Five Elements Reverse Rune to do it?

Could there be some hidden secrets in the rune that had escaped their notice?

The instructors were all seasoned veterans in the domain of runes, and there was no lack of rune grandmasters like Shen Tuo among them. They were naturally deeply obsessed with runes and could not help but become curious about Lin Xun’s unique method, wishing they could study it to unravel its secrets.

Fang Zhongjian was the only person with a constipated expression, making it look as if his mother had just died. He was also clearly unwilling to accept this development.

“From what I know, there are a few students in class 9C who are not capable enough to write the Little Five Elements Reverse Rune. I wonder how Lin Xun will measure their ability.”

Fang Zhongjian said in a final attempt to bring Lin Xun down.

“Then let’s continue watching.”

Shen Tuo could no longer be bothered to argue. Fang Zhongjian clearly held a grudge against the youth and was unhappy about Lin Xun stealing his position. It was useless to say anything in these circumstances.

“Instructor Lin, I…I didn’t finish…”

In the classroom, the fatty with a large head and big ears, Liu Hui, walked over with a nervous and scared expression.

Lin Xun casually said, “Show it to me.”

Liu Hui passed his paper to Lin Xun who did a quick scan before returning it.

While Liu Hui was waiting to be scolded and punished, Lin Xun said in a surprised voice, “I did not expect that your foundations would be so solid. There’s nothing to critique.”

Everyone was shocked.

Liu Hui’s performance could only be described as below average in the class. He was a playful boy who disliked learning. Hence, the majority of the students subconsciously believed that he was going to be in trouble this time.

Who could have imagined that Lin Xun would praise Liu Hui instead?

“Instructor Lin, I…I was the one who instigated everyone to challenge you earlier. I was wrong. Please…please don’t make fun of me.”

Liu Hui was on the verge of tears. He was under the impression that Lin Xun was being sarcastic to mock him.

Lin Xun was speechless for a moment. “I’m telling the truth. Although you have only completed half of the rune, every stroke is flawless.”

Liu Hui was taken aback.

Was the instructor actually not making fun of him?

Lin Xun continued, “Do you know what perfection is? It is to reach the correct standard without making any mistakes. That is perfection!”

Everyone was astonished. They had not expected Lin Xun to have such a high opinion of Liu Hui’s work.

Even Liu Hui himself was somewhat overwhelmed as he stood there with a silly grin.

Lin Xun said, “However, your weak point is also very clear. You are too slow, likely because you lack practice. Or perhaps you’ve had very little experience crafting runes in the past. In the future, I advise you to spend more time accumulating rune writing experience.”

Liu Hui's expression fluctuated as he stood there. After a long time, he displayed a look of admiration and loudly said, “Instructor Lin, you’ve won me over!”

The students’ gazes turned increasingly respectful as they looked toward Lin Xun. There was no longer any trace of their earlier disdain, ridicule, doubt, anger, and pride.

They had acknowledged Lin Xun as an instructor and could not help but be subdued by his capabilities.

Humans naturally worshiped the strong.

This was the same for rune masters.

The group of instructors in the distance could not help but sigh in admiration. There was no doubt that Lin Xun’s first lesson had been beautifully done!

He might be young and had no prior teaching experience, but his unique method that subdued the students was worthy of acknowledgment.

The rune grandmaster who had caused the nine draconic cries was indeed as extraordinary as he was made out to be!

Fang Zhongjian had a dim expression. There was nothing more he could say at this point. No matter how angry he was or how much he refused to accept this, he could only swallow it all in the face of reality.

“Old Fang, you should let it go. Although Lin Xun is young, not everyone should be judged based on their age. He is destined to shine brightly in the future. If you continue to pit yourself against him…sigh, please think about it.”

Shen Tuo patted Fang Zhongjian’s shoulder.

Fang Zhongjian remained silent.

Just as the instructors were planning to leave, Lin Xun stood up in class 9C and said, “During this first lesson, I’ve roughly memorized your names and mastery levels. In the future, I will give each of you different guidance, but everything will still depend on yourselves. As the saying goes, the master may show the student the path, but the student still has to walk on the path by themselves.”

He paused for a moment before he continued, “Now, I will explain the essence of the Little Five Elements Reverse Rune. After the class is over, everyone should do their best to comprehend the rune because it will be instrumental to you when you advance to intermediate rune masters in the future.”

Without skipping a beat or turning his head, Lin Xun began writing on the blackboard behind him.

Shashasha~~

His calligraphy flowed like fluid water as strokes seemed to emerge from rising smoke. The strokes were stable and focused like the slopes of a majestic mountain range or the galloping waves of the ocean. They gave off an indescribable sensation of beauty.

The students were initially unconcerned, but they soon discovered that they couldn’t take their eyes away as they had been completely drawn in by Lin Xun’s natural and practiced movements.

It felt like the fresh water from a spring or like a carving left by nature without any hint of artificialness that overflowed with elegance!

Unconcealable astonishment surged in every student’s heart.

Writing without looking? He can even do that?

Pa!

Lin Xun soon dropped the chalk. A complete Little Five Elements Reverse Rune diagram had appeared on the blackboard.

“Remember, before the next lesson, I need you guys to show your understanding of this rune. My assessment shall affect your points.”

Lin Xun casually said before he turned and walked out of the classroom.

The students were all frozen in place as if they had been hypnotized by the rune on the blackboard. There was only silence in the large classroom.