Celestial Human Diagram-Chapter 110 - 98: Expulsion

"He Xiaoxing?" Tan Wang walked forward, tapping his temple with a finger. "I think I’ve heard of you. You’re a teacher at Wuyi?"

He Xiaoxing grunted. "You could say that. If Wuyi hasn’t removed me from the faculty roster."

Tan Wang said, "Then let’s just say you are. What are you doing here? You should know this isn’t a place for a Wuyi teacher like you."

He slowly stretched his arms and wrists, then cracked his neck. "Lake Heart Villa isn’t part of Yangzhi City. It belongs to Central City. Without the owner’s permission, the owner can expel trespassers or use more... drastic measures."

As he spoke, he walked until he was standing before He Xiaoxing, stopping about seven or eight meters away. Although Tan Wang was tall himself, he looked overly slender and frail compared to the lion-like man opposite him—like a poisonous snake facing a great lion.

He Xiaoxing said nonchalantly, "None of that matters. I just came today to see how strong a teacher from Central City really is."

"If that’s what you want, I’m more than happy to oblige." Tan Wang flexed his fingers, his knuckles cracking. Then, with a casual lift of his foot, he leaned forward. The moment his foot landed, he had already crossed the seven or eight meters between them. The tips of his four fingers, held together like a spear, jabbed at He Xiaoxing’s heart!

However, the hand that should have pierced through his chest was met with incredibly tough resistance. The muscle his fingertips touched merely indented slightly, refusing to yield any further.

He Xiaoxing seemed somewhat disappointed, his gaze lowering. "Is that all?"

Tan Wang gave a strange smile. Veins bulged on his arm, then shot out from under his skin like living things, transforming into tendrils like poisonous snakes.

They spread across He Xiaoxing’s chest, binding him tightly. Then, like snakes, they raised their heads. At their tips were sharp, biting fangs, all aimed at his vital points. One of them even slithered near his cheek, its tip pressing against his throat.

He Xiaoxing said, "Oh? From the Secret Snake Sect? I seem to recall that back in the old days, your path was to cultivate and refine mutated abominations. Are you using these implants as a substitute now?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

He stood perfectly still, his voice calm and unwavering, as if he weren’t the one being restrained.

Tan Wang’s narrow eyes narrowed further. He didn’t answer. The tendrils suddenly tightened, and their fanged tips, like vipers striking, plunged toward various parts of He Xiaoxing’s body.

But as the fangs touched his skin, they seemed to hit an invisible barrier, halting their advance. To his astonishment, Tan Wang saw a cyan, face-like pattern emerge on He Xiaoxing’s chest and spread across his entire body.

He was slightly stunned. "Profound Image Force..."

Just then, He Xiaoxing slowly raised his fist. The tendrils binding him twanged and snapped, one after another. Fine dust motes in the air seemed to float up with his inhalation. When his arm reached its apex, he brought it smashing down!

Inside Lakefront Villa, Qiao Linhu was instructing a student on their Pile Skill training. He was very pleased with this student. The boy was talented and exceptionally serious. He followed every instruction meticulously, performing each movement with precision and without the slightest deviation. Although he lacked a bit of youthful energy, Qiao Linhu actually preferred this disposition.

’At this rate, he should be able to master my secret Pile Force within a year. Then, with continued guidance, he can carry on my lineage.’

Just then, he heard a loud boom from the direction of the lake’s center. A little surprised, he told the student to continue practicing, then walked out along the corridor to the lakeshore.

At that moment, all the Wuyi teachers who lived at Lakefront Villa and were home came out to look toward the island in the center of the lake. They could see a cloud of dust rising. As it settled, a large hole was revealed in the wall of the white training hall.

Outside the breach, Tan Wang was leaning against the trunk of a tree near the training hall, a circle of dead leaves scattered on the ground around him. Then, a formidable figure emerged from the opening.

Qiao Linhu was surprised, his salt-and-pepper eyebrows shooting up. "He Xiaoxing? When did he get back?"

He Xiaoxing casually flicked away the half-broken tendril coiled around his arm and walked over to Tan Wang. He looked down at him. "You know, I really hate people like you who stuff all sorts of junk into their bodies."

Tan Wang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared at him. "You’re... from the Pure Sect?"

He Xiaoxing didn’t answer his question. He walked right past him and straight toward the lake ahead. He strode directly into the water, letting it swallow him whole.

A moment later, however, his figure emerged on the opposite shore. He walked away, step by step. As he moved, beads of water rolled off his body until not a single trace of moisture remained. Ignoring the gazes of the other teachers, he followed the road and left.

After returning to his dorm, Chen Chuan first tried calling Cheng Zitong to tell him about Tan Wang, but no one answered. He was probably not in his office.

He didn’t dwell on it and decided to call again later. Although Tan Wang had told him to consider the offer, there was nothing to think about. He would never make such a choice.

As for the consequences?

He really wasn’t afraid. Sure, Tan Wang was from Central City, but he didn’t represent Central City. The academy would naturally shield him once they found out.

Even if the academy couldn’t protect him, he already had his Weapon Permit. The world was a big place; he could go anywhere.

Of course, things were far from reaching that point. The cost of pressuring the academy was simply too high. Unless it was a matter of deep-seated hatred, almost no one would undertake such a thankless task. If Tan Wang truly had that kind of power, he’d be living it up in Central City, not running out here to teach students.

Back in his room, he resumed his training for the day. Time flowed by, and after dinner, he continued with his Breathing Technique practice.

He could now maintain the Basic Breathing Technique uninterrupted for over two hours, approaching three, and the duration was still increasing with his progress.

At this rate, barring any bottlenecks, it would only take him a year or two to reach twenty-four hours.

However, this was just the Basic Breathing Technique. He would definitely have to learn more advanced Breathing Techniques later on. Adding those to his training might mean it would take even longer. Of course, it was also possible they would complement each other and shorten the time required—and this seemed more likely.

While he was maintaining his breathing, he heard a knock on the door. From the rhythm and force, he could tell it was Cheng Zitong. He glanced at his watch; it was just past eight in the evening. Cheng Zitong rarely came to see him at this hour. ’It must be related to what happened earlier today,’ he thought.

He relaxed his breathing, went to the door, and opened it. Sure enough, Cheng Zitong was standing there. Chen Chuan greeted him and welcomed him inside.

Cheng Zitong sat down on the sofa and said, "I found out this afternoon that Tan Wang came to see you. But don’t worry, someone has already taken care of it for you."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment and asked, "From what you’re saying, Teacher, it sounds like this person isn’t from our academy?"

Cheng Zitong said, "His file is still with the academy, but he hasn’t been back in two years."

Hearing the two-year timeframe, Chen Chuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Cheng Zitong took a breath and exhaled. "Actually, the academy originally wanted him to be your teacher. But he never came back, so they had me fill in.

"As for me, I’ve always felt I’m not quite up to the task and was afraid I wouldn’t be able to teach you well. But thankfully, you’re a great student and haven’t given me too much to worry about."

Chen Chuan looked at him. "I feel that it was my good fortune that the academy arranged for you to be my teacher."

Cheng Zitong laughed. "I’m happy to hear you say that. However, just because you’re my student doesn’t mean you can’t learn from other teachers. I’m not that close-minded.

"I came over tonight to talk to you about this. I’m planning to take you to meet this Teacher He. He’s leaving the academy tomorrow and probably won’t be coming back ever again."

Chen Chuan looked up and asked, "Is it because of this?"

Cheng Zitong nodded. "Do you know how he solved the problem? He went and gave Tan Wang a beating, and right in front of all those old veterans. After losing so much face, Tan Wang couldn’t possibly stay at the academy. He either had to move into that Recommended Student’s home or flee back to Central City overnight. Just before I came here, I got word that he’s already left by car."

He shook his head again. "But Old He can’t stay either. He’d already been away from the academy for two years, and after doing this, there’s no way he can remain. Before he leaves, he wants to see you."

Chen Chuan said, "Since Teacher He is leaving because he resolved my problem, it is only right that I go see him and thank him in person."

Cheng Zitong grunted in agreement and stood up. "Come with me." Chen Chuan said, "Alright," and followed him.

The teacher and student left the room, exited the dormitory building, and got into a car. Cheng Zitong drove eastward.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at South Hill, where the Inquiry Hall was located. They drove up the winding mountain road and stopped at the summit.

Chen Chuan could now see a formidable figure standing at the edge of the mountain with his back to them. He faced the starry sky, and the cold night wind periodically rustled the long hair draped over his shoulders.

He and Cheng Zitong got out of the car, and the two of them walked toward the man.

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