Cohabitation with Sword Spirit

Chapter 544 - 45: Gathering of Talented Scholars

May 22, 2018

Objectively speaking, Zhang Tie’s Intelligence Index is relatively high in most environments.

Before he entered the Cyan Lotus Academy, he was always the pride of the Zhang Family at Feiyan Mountain’s Wind Drum Tower. Born into a low-level Cultivation Clan that only produced two or three Cultivators every few generations, he possessed comprehension on par with descendants of great families. At the age of ten, he independently broke through the Wind Barrier and stepped onto the Immortal Dao, according to the Barrier-Breaking remnants passed down through his family, causing a sensation in both his family and Wind Drum Tower.

Subsequently, with a spirit of diligent research and a love for the Immortal Dao, he single-handedly carved out his own space in the narrow confines of Wind Drum Tower, despite a lack of resources and connections.

With his excellent arithmetic skills, he restored and completed the Immortal Dao inheritance texts that his family lost over a hundred years. Through letters, he made friends with many cultivators in Celestial Craft City and Shen City, broadening his horizons through their exchanges and realizing that his talents should not be confined to the small Wind Drum Tower. Thus, with a backpack on his back, he bid farewell to his family and embarked alone on a journey to make his mark in the big city.

However, he encountered a string of setbacks, possessing superior intellect and a respectable True Essence Realm, but in actual combat he could never prevail against those Immortal Dao brutes he despised. The disparities in family heritage, innate potential, magical treasures, and even temperament left him lacking in real-world skills. In small places, he could thrive on his Realm and insight, but in the big city, his advantages vanished, and his life quickly plummeted into an abyss.

Fortunately, the Cyan Lotus Academy offered him redemption. He stood out in a public test open to people worldwide, earning admission and becoming a member of the prestigious Three Academies, no longer needing to concern himself with those brutes...

However, at Cyan Lotus Academy, he experienced a more profound pain.

The intelligence advantage he prided himself on was completely gone in a place teeming with geniuses. Among the more than 400 cultivators in the Academy, his aptitude was at best below average. There were many who could easily surpass him intellectually, and others had their own unique skills. In the Academy, someone like him from a small place, relying on a flexible and varied approach to cultivation, was insignificant.

This environment often left Zhang Tie feeling oppressed, especially after he gained the position of deputy leader by aligning with Dean Sang, only to be repeatedly questioned on his abilities, and when the new dean took over, his dismissal seemed to confirm previous doubts.

But now, Zhang Tie felt a sense of relief, even a vindictive pleasure.

Those who mocked him, belittled him, harmed him, now they would all pay the price!

——

With the new mission given to him by the new dean, Zhang Tie temporarily took leave from the head of the All Things Group, then headed straight for the Sword Group laboratory.

Before reaching the door, Zhang Tie encountered an old friend from the Sword Group.

As soon as the other person saw Zhang Tie, they excitedly greeted him, "Isn’t this the genius Zhang Tie, who was dismissed by the new dean? How do you have the face to come back?"

Hearing such a "friendly" greeting, Zhang Tie unhesitatingly made a note in his little notebook: Teammate Number One, Ji Changle.

"Congratulations on joining my team. From now on, let’s enjoy researching together in the All Things Group."

Ji Changle’s face was originally full of smiles, prepared to boast about yesterday’s Sword Dao experience to this expelled loser, but upon hearing these words, turned as if plunging into an ice cave.

"What do you mean by that? What are you noting down in that little book? Do you think you can transfer me out of the Sword Group? Impossible, you worthless..."

Zhang Tie did not engage in verbal sparring with him—after all, in the Sword Group, he never won an argument—and patted his shoulder, "Cherish your last half day in the Sword Group, report to the dorm in the All Things Group tonight."

"Absolutely impossible! Don’t be delusional! Forcing me to leave the Sword Group would mean killing me!"

Zhang Tie chuckled, scoffing at such a desperate declaration.

This is the Cyan Lotus Academy, not Southeast Shen City, there are not many who would fight to the death, using death as a threat is like boasting something even a fool wouldn’t believe, it’s really insincere. At Cyan Lotus Academy, to force someone to transfer from a position doesn’t require a knife to the neck, all you have to do is take out the forbidden books hidden under their bed and place them under a torch, and these scholars will naturally comply.

After all, two days ago when he tried to resist, it was Feng Xiaolu who pushed him to comply... and he knows exactly where Ji Changle hides his forbidden books.

Truth be told, the hiding places for books by the Sword Group members are not all that different.

After that, Zhang Tie took a turn around the research area, unsurprisingly receiving several greetings from old friends.

"Oh, Zhang Tie? How come you’re back, could it be that the All Things Group wouldn’t take you either? Haha, if it doesn’t work out, just retire early."

"Well said, Lu Hao, report to the All Things Group tonight, I’m looking forward to working with you."

...

"Ah Tie? You’re back? How’s it going in the All Things Group recently, have you adjusted? If you’re unhappy, come back, I will help you find a way."

"It’s going quite well, and are you doing fine here? By the way, have Qin Wu and the others been troubling you lately?"

"Uh, it’s alright, they just deliberately use the experimental Magical Treasures I want, and openly mock my papers, the usual stuff."

"Alright, help me notify Qin Wu later. We’ll gather at the All Things Group tonight."

——

Within half a day, Zhang Tie had already filled up the list authorized by Wang Jiu with numerous names.

Wang Jiu, upon receiving the list, was somewhat surprised: "You have so many friends in the Sword Group? I thought, given your upbringing, you’d have typical human issues like being reclusive, insecure, or socially awkward, and wouldn’t be able to make many friends."

Zhang Tie instinctively wanted to write Wang Jiu’s name on the list too, but since he was in a generally good mood at the moment, he said, "You flatter me, Dean. It’s true that my social skills are lacking, but I do have a few kindred spirits among my friends. However, these people might have different opinions about the position transfers..."

"So what?" Wang Jiu asked as he wrote the transfer orders signed by the dean.

Observing Wang Jiu’s brisk and decisive approach, Zhang Tie naturally left his statement unfinished. Given the Cyan Lotus Scholars’ steadfast resolve, it seemed threats weren’t necessary, and everyone would likely meet at the All Things Group tonight.

——

That evening, at the entrance of Senluo to the All Things Group, all 7 original Sword Group researchers named by Zhang Tie were present.

Although each of these 7 individuals wore complex expressions such as impatience, anger, and humiliation on their faces, clearly showing their reluctance to be there, they also each brought neatly packed bags containing their preferred pillows and bedding, cuddly toys, toothbrushes, towels, and personal collections of books. They looked ready to move in, further illustrating the practical nature of intellectuals.

Seeing each other at the entrance to Senluo, these 7 people’s expressions grew even more complex.

On one hand, driven by intellectual pride, they strived to maintain the basic emotions of impatience, anger, and humiliation at being in a foreign place. On the other hand, they attempted to communicate mutual understanding with their colleagues from the Sword Group to prevent anyone from breaking the silence and causing collective awkwardness. Moreover, these 7 weren’t the most harmonious partners in the Sword Group, bearing quite a bit of resentment toward each other, so forming small alliances in this new environment required conveying messages through expressions, putting significant strain on their facial muscles.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the instigator appeared.

"Good, you’re all punctual," Zhang Tie said, a victorious smile on his face, as he stepped out of Senluo.

The 7 outside instantly stopped their facial gymnastics, fixing their gaze on Zhang Tie and beginning to cultivate emotions like anger and hostility.

"Alright, since we’re all from the same group, let’s not play these efficiency-wasting games," Zhang Tie waved, interrupting his colleagues’ theatrical acts, making many look disappointed.

"No need for many words. We’re about to embark on new research at the All Things Group, and our work reports directly to the dean. So if any of you have issues with your work, I’ll report them directly to the dean. Given the new dean’s decisive manner, I’m sure you’re all aware of the consequences."

Someone protested immediately: "Are you threatening us!?"

Zhang Tie smirked, "We’re all cultivators from Cyan Lotus Academy; let’s not ask such low-level questions. Of course, I’m threatening you! If you dare slack off at work, you’ll be out of the academy within three days, guaranteed! Anyone else got a problem!?"

"No!" came the unanimous, forceful reply.

——

"Dean, I’ve gathered the personnel and arranged for them to move into the All Things Group, ready to start work anytime."

In the dean’s office, Zhang Tie reported his recruitment progress respectfully to Wang Jiu.

Wang Jiu said, "Good, then let’s start now."

Zhang Tie was taken aback—so soon!? They’d just gotten settled in...

"Didn’t you say you were ready to start anytime?"

It was just a figure of speech! Zhang Tie felt like crying, but he couldn’t swallow his words now, so he nodded bravely, "Then, I’ll bring them over..."

"No need, I’ll go over myself."

With that, Wang Jiu pressed a mechanism on the desk, opening a passageway to the All Things Group directly from the office, and stepped through it.

The next moment, he arrived at the All Things Group’s researcher dormitory.

The 7, who had just been settled in, stood there in their pajamas and nightcaps, holding toothbrushes and mugs, looking at the new dean with bewilderment and innocence, thinking perhaps there was a welcome banquet, but we’ve already brushed our teeth...

Wang Jiu glanced around, "Since everyone’s here, let’s not waste time. Start working immediately."