The white haired lady snaps her fingers. Instantly, a notebook and what looks like writing utensils appear on every table.

  “This seat is Yǐnyuè (隱月|Hidden Moon), I hold the position of the Elder of this Education hall. Listen, and cultivate well and perhaps I may extend some private lessons.” She introduces herself somewhat lazily, clearly not enthused

  But the reactions she gets are overwhelmingly positive. Whispers from disciples sitting beside each other. Some boys have their faces red, clearly their heads are in some horny gutter somewhere. It's the sort of reaction every modern teacher will envy as not only it is a good first impression but also instilling some aspirations. After all, who doesn't want some private lesson by a beautiful teacher. As for me, the entire room is sickening. Pungent smell like the entire content of a perfume bottle splashed to a cloth which is then forced into my face. Some kind of charm spell? So that the students are attentive? Or to take in her every word at face value?

  My head turned into the wolf's head in a loud bone cracking noise. Yet no disciples divert their attention to me. I spread my divine sense to gather the very faint link between the elder and all the disciples, bundling it before biting it. Severing the spell and breaking the disciples from their stupor. The disciples felt mild confusion while the elder’s eye twitched. I reopened my senses to perceive her halo of emotions, some faint anger but quickly gone.

  “I will now impart to you the founding history of our sect and its achievements. As well as the sect rules.” She continues the lesson, but now gives more effort. No longer somewhat lazily. So maybe the charm is just so that she doesn’t need to put too much effort in appearance

  “More than two thousands years ago, Matriarch Língxiāo (凌霄|Towering Heavens) began not even as outer disciples but rogue cultivators. Without the resources and backing of a sect, she relied solely on her diligence and perseverance. Refining her foundation with any available manuals until she creates her own.” Elder Yinyue narrates and with another snap of her fingers, another book appears on every table. It is a familiar book. The Quintessential Harmony. The one I cannot even use.

  “The Quintessential Harmony does not require talent or even higher grade spiritual roots, only effort and perseverance. And while it lacks the amazing boost in power like higher grade manuals, it will provide a flawless foundation second to none in this realm. The Matriarch breaks not only the Golden Core but forces a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul which is suppressed by the Heavenly Dao of this world.” Elder Yinyue continues

  The disciples then take their manuals in awe and maybe reverence. Though none open it as the lecture continues.

  “After her breakthrough, she split the very earth we now thread. Creating a new spirit vein and rising the five peaks of our sect. Only then does she leave the matters of this world, leaving the sect to her direct disciples. Passing the Realm Gate to a higher ranked realm to continue her cultivation. Our sect maintain their strength, then raise to prominence in our contribution in the war of our realm, Xiàxuán Yù (夏玄域|Summer Mystic Domain), against Fánxuán Tiān (凡玄天|Mortal-Mystic Heaven or low-grade heaven) for the possession of the World Gate three hundred years ago.” She finishes her history lesson

  Only then do I realize that many of the disciples are taking notes. Immediately I can see the difference in upbringings. The ones from better households write and use their brush in a uniform way. Right hand level with their forearm, left hand pulling back the long sleeve of the right arm. While those from the common household write in a more sloppy manner. As for me, I appraise my own writing utensils like an alien. A brush then some form of black brick and some square box with its alien purpose. Head moving and tilting left and right, not knowing what to do. My attention is then pulled by a tap tap tapping sound to my right. The older girl with red hair picks the black brick then grinds it on the uneven slope within the box. Making an ink which then flows to the small section below the slope.

  I followed her movement. Picking my own brick then grinding it down. My jaw opened like a kid that found some toy. I keep grinding as I like the sound it makes and the feeling of grinding the brick on my fingers. So I made too much ink. Picking up the brush, which quickly found to be too small, barely longer than my index finger. Dropping it, I project a modern pen. Fit to my fingers, I can’t help but immediately compare the pen and the brush and the former is almost three times the size. I cringe, so this is how 40K primarch felt. I open the pen’s back, then funneling the ink to the ink chamber using my Qi. Opening the book, there’s vertical lines dividing the pages, not horizontal ones. I looked around and they did write vertically, the horror. Shifting the book to the side, I write some words left to right.

  Xiaxuan Yu, that’s where I am now and the name of this world. There’s another world we are at war with named Fanxuan Tian. But how does the war happen though? Do they use spaceships? Or using these gates? Apparently the war is for the possession of the Realm Gate or something. Then I noticed a divine sense peeking at my side. Looking intently at my cursive English script. Tracing it, it belongs to the elder. Its attention to my pen and how I write left to right. Feeling playful I spin the pen between my fingers, then I grin as her divine sense of attention is back at me. Which is just me opening my jaw as I lack facial features and my head is just a skull. Immediately she retracted her divine sense. From here, her face remains unchanged but her halo is spiking a bit, making some slight orange. Hoho, someone embarrassed getting caught.

  “Continuing on, I will now relay the rules of this sect. One; no fighting among disciples without permission. Two; no stealing resources. Three; if you desire the treasure of another disciple, either trade or win it through a challenge. Starting today, challenges between disciples are allowed. To bet on resources, for sparring, and for the ranking. The rankings of outer and inner disciples will be present on the twin monument stone just outside the arena. To raise the ranks, you need to challenge those of higher rank and win to take their place. You are allowed to refuse three times if challenged by those of the same cultivation level. However, you cannot refuse if challenged by those with lower cultivation level. The higher the rank, the more spirit stones will be given each month and every five years, outer disciples holding the first to fifth rank will be promoted into inner disciples regardless if they have achieved Foundation Establishment or not.”

  “Are these challenges… necessary?” I dare to ask because what the hell man.

  It's like they are raising gladiators or something. I sure hope I won’t be challenged for this sort of thing. The entire class’ attention is now on me. Some in shock, some in rage, etc. To my surprise, the elder shows no change in emotions, already expecting this sort of question.

  “Of course. The Path of Immortality is not only long and bitter but also dangerous. These challenges are established not only to prepare the disciples to practice defending themselves in battle in a more controlled environment. If you cannot defend yourself, it is natural for others to trample over you. Besides, the fighting for resources will be a constant in any cultivator’s journey. Is the answer acceptable to you?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Yes.” I answered after some thought. I don’t know how dangerous this world is as even the old man prioritizes this over me in this class first. Hmmm, let’s assume this world works in the same principles of the wild west.

  “I wonder why an inner disciple is in this class, turns out, he’s an idiot.” One of the rich boys said, an unfurled fan covering half of his face

  Only those close to him chuckle along. While the rest of the class is in awkward silence. Why the fan? He gay or something? I look back towards elder Yinyue. Waiting for the lecture to continue. She raised one eyebrow, her halo spiking blue in confusion for one beat as. Expecting me to do something else?

  “Any other questions?” She finally asks

  “Ah yes. What are these cultivation levels?” Since the old man won’t teach me himself I will just ask. To this, most disciples went wide eyed

  “Qi refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Formation, Void Amalgamation, Body Integration, Mahayana, and Finally Tribulation Transcendence. Nine stages each with nine levels create the 81 steps towards Immortality.”

  “How do these steps come to be?”

  “It has been established from almost the beginning of existence. However, the 81 steps in the grand scale of things are rumored to be only recently established. For example, I have read that Qi Refining once goes to 12 levers or more, Foundation Establishment and Golden Core having different progression according to the cultivation method of each cultivator. Then even more so in later stages. However, the story has it that a one in ten millenium buddhist cultivator genius rose to prominence. Following the Arhat path, he climbs all the 81 steps by enlightenment alone, attaining immortality and moving to the higher realm. Thus forever altering the Dao of the Universe.”

  “What is enlightenment?” The question finally break the elder’s air of full confidence

  “This is… there is no singular answer to this. Comprehending the Dao, grasping the fundamental law of the universe, overcoming heart demons, or executing a technique perfectly. It all depends on your own comprehension.” Noting her answers as this is what is required for me

  Tapping my chin with my pen, I think through her answer. Seems like she doesn’t have a clear answer for this. Which is quite annoying. All this… depends on personal comprehension basically means that every cultivator just goes yolo and shoots their effort in the dark. Which bugging me as this made for the possibility of another thing.

  “Can enlightenment be false?” I ask the thing that is bugging me

  The class gasped at my question. As if it is something of an impossibility. Even the elderly are at a loss for words, not expecting this kind of question. She closes her eyes, thinking about this matter seriously.

  “Stop it with your inane question!” Another leader of the rich boy stands and shouts, his posse follows along.

  “You got a problem?” looking around, there’s plenty of familiar anger and resentment towards me

  Mostly from the group of rich kids. Looks like they have been taught on this matter previously. Taking it at face value. The sort of reaction where they have been indoctrinated at home and then seeing that someone said otherwise. Part of the reason my work as a teacher is hell. Ain’t no way I am dealing with this with so little paycheck.

  “Of course there’s a problem. There is an idiot in the room.” Said the gay rich boy, still covering his mouth with his fan

  Wow, never expect these sort of reactions. So the chance of me being lynched if it is known I cannot cultivate has become higher. Even the rich girl who was clearly interested in me is now distancing herself. This one is a better outcome. I don’t know the age of adulthood is in this world but I don’t want the equivalent of the Inquisition, if they exist in this world, to be knocking on my door. But then I saw the red haired older girl beside me also flared in anger. Not towards me but to the others. Her red halo peaking, as if she is close to her threshold.

  ‘You don’t need to do that.’ I speak to her through telepathy, stopping her before she burst in anger

  ‘But why don’t you do anything!? You are an inner disciple, they shouldn’t disrespect you like this! You can just beat them for this!’ She shouted through the link

  ‘I can do that? Good to know. But that means I don’t exactly need to do anything.’

  ‘What?’

  “Be quiet!” Elder Yinyue’s word is not loud, but echoing loudly in everyone’s mind

  The boisterous rich boy and his posse are immediately slammed to the ground while the rest are busy covering their ears. As for me, my A.T. field flared, extending to the red haired girl so both of us are fine and dandy.

  ‘See? There’s someone with a higher position than me they offend’ I offer her my usual grin

  Pam pam param pam pam param pam

  Seeing these little shits suffering made me enjoy it so much that I project some music. (pina colada in youtube audio library). Ah, if only I had this sort of power back when I was teaching.

  “And you, shut that music down.” Yinyue immediately glared at me as soon as the pressure on the other disciples stopped

  “Of course. Ehem.” The music immediately turned off

  “I have thought about it and no. There is no false enlightenment as this is what you personally grasp of the Dao and the laws of the universe.” She delivers her answer

  “I see. So this enlightenment works not in the way of exact knowledge but more like an artist with their art.” I quickly made my own conclusion

  “Hmmm, you put it in a much better way than I did.” Elder Yinyue compliments

  “Oh, and I’m sorry if my question maybe offend anyone.”

  “No need. You are asking a question no other dare to ask. That alone is praiseworthy,” Elder Yinyue gave a small chuckle, “Just don’t ask these sorts of questions to or near narrow minded people. Any other questions?”

  “Just this one thing, you mention Realm Gate. What is it exactly?”

  “There is a World Gate and a Realm Gate. World Gate connects worlds in the same realm, the war between Xiaxuan and Fanxuan uses this World Gate. As for Realm Gate, it connects the realm to other realms. There is only one Realm Gate in one realm, hence the war for the possession of it. There are Mortal, Earth, and Heaven grade realms. Xiaxuan and Fanxuan are Mortal grade realms. As for the difference between realms, Mortal grade realms only allows the cultivation to Golden Core at most, it is possible to try to push towards Nascent Soul but the resulting heavenly tribulation will be much more powerful. Earth grade realms allow the cultivation to Void Amalgamation at most, different from mortal grade realms, it is impossible to try to break through one stage further as the Heavenly Dao is more powerful. Finally the Heaven grade realm allows the last three stages of cultivation before finally ascending to true immortality in the upper realm. This division is made so that the old doesn’t compete with the young.”

  I see. So basically, the realm is the solar system. There can be more than one inhabited world in one system. The World Gate connects the worlds but only the Realm Gate allows the travel between solar systems. This somewhat explains the lack of spaceships if better travel alternatives are already present. So the civilization where I am from now is somewhere between Kardashev scale 1 and 2 overall, though the scale between each world and each realm will differ. Neat! Though I don’t buy the explanation that the division is so that the old don't compete with the young. Sounds bogus and too good. More plausible is the division is for control. But who controls this kind of thing though?

  “All of this is common knowledge for cultivators. How did you even not know this?” The gay boy asks

  “Let’s just say the circumstances of my cultivation are quite abrupt. I am not of this world and don’t know anything about cultivation. One month ago I didn't even know any of this.”

  “I see. So that’s how it is,” The leader of the boisterous rich boy stands and points of me, “I, Yè Gūxuán (葉孤懸|Lone Hanging Leaf), challenge you for your place as an inner disciple!”

  “HMmmm!?” The challenge caught me in surprise

  Wait-wait, with the rules, I cannot refuse this right? My eye met with Elder Yinyue

  ‘Try not to kill him’ Is all she said through telepathy