Chapter 95: Teacher and Classmates

“Senior Brother, you sensed it too? The resentment in that area is truly overwhelming. We’re only standing at the school gate, yet we can feel it. It seems many perished within the Nine-Directional Ghost Soul Seizing Formation; otherwise, the hatred wouldn’t be so strong. I wonder what became of those Taoist disciples’ souls—whether they’ve dissipated or not. If not, perhaps they’ve merged with the formation itself.”

Jiuer pursed her lips, speaking with deep concern.

Zhang Shouzheng clearly understood the implication in Jiuer’s words. If the souls of these Taoist disciples had completely vanished after death, no resentment would have formed. However, if their souls lingered here, only one possibility remained: their souls might have been forged into ghost slaves, unable to leave this place, thus causing such intense hatred.

He tugged gently at Jiuer’s sleeve, then feigned interest in the surroundings, for he had a strong sense that someone nearby was watching this group of new students. Besides Zhang Shouzheng and Jiuer lingering here for a while, some new students kept staring and whispering excitedly at the spot of the Nine-Directional Ghost Soul Seizing Formation.

“Don’t look around too much. There are likely evil practitioners surveilling us. If we behave unlike normal students, we might attract their attention. By the way, the senior brother bought us cell phones—do you know how to use yours?”

Walking beside Jiuer, Zhang Shouzheng spoke quietly.

“Yes, I’ve learned how. If anything happens, we can contact each other by phone.”

Jiuer patted her pocket; she had spent hours yesterday mastering the phone’s functions.

“I’ve noticed a problem. In areas with strong magnetic interference, the phone signal drops completely, making calls impossible. Phones only work in normal areas. In special places, we’ll have to use communication talismans. Alright, let’s split up and find our classes.”

Zhang Shouzheng gave these instructions, then headed off in a chosen direction. However, after several loops and nearly the start of classes, he still hadn’t found his classroom.

“Student, class is about to start. What are you doing out here?”

Suddenly, a crisp female voice sounded from behind. Zhang Shouzheng turned to see a woman in professional attire, likely in her thirties, standing there. She wore glasses and held several textbooks, her expression stern as she stared at him.

“Teacher, I’m a new student in Class 1401 and can’t find my classroom…”

Zhang Shouzheng bowed his head slightly and said in a low voice.

“Oh? What’s your name? I’m Qian Hui, the homeroom teacher of Class 1401. What a coincidence. Follow me.”

Qian Hui smiled faintly and beckoned Zhang Shouzheng over.

“I’m Zhang Shouzheng, Teacher Qian.”

After giving his name, Zhang Shouzheng obediently followed her. The teacher seemed quite competent, but he felt an inexplicable aversion toward her, as if instinctive. It was their first meeting, yet the feeling was heavy on his mind. He shook his head and trailed behind her gloomily.

Qian Hui’s heels clicked sharply as she walked, quickly finding Class 1401’s location. Upon entering, Zhang Shouzheng spotted Zhong Zimo sitting in the front row, then moved to the last row inside. Initially, he wanted to sit at the very back to avoid attention, but the last seat was occupied by someone who was slumped over the desk, snoring loudly, ignoring everyone else. So Zhang settled for the second-to-last seat.

“Hello, students. Like you, I’m a newly transferred teacher this semester. My name is Qian Hui, and I teach Chinese. You can call me Teacher Qian. Welcome to Dragon Emperor High School.”

Pushing up her glasses, Qian Hui spoke kindly with a warm smile.

Only a few students, including Zhang Shouzheng, applauded timidly. Qian Hui seemed embarrassed but quickly regained composure and continued her lecture. However, most students were distracted, doing their own things. Several times she almost lost her temper, but remembering their statuses, one complaint could see her dismissed. So she grit her teeth and kept teaching.

Each desk was piled with new textbooks. Zhang Shouzheng flipped through his with curiosity, engrossed despite no formal class having begun.

The period passed swiftly. Qian Hui fled the classroom as if escaping, and the room immediately erupted into chaos again.

“Shut the hell up! Can anyone let me rest in peace?”

Suddenly, a loud, arrogant voice boomed from behind Zhang Shouzheng. The room fell silent. He turned to see the guy who had been sleeping, now furiously pounding the desk, hair disheveled in rage.

“Jiang Putai, watch it! This is Dragon Emperor High School, not the Jiang family estate!”

A clear, cold female voice shot from diagonally opposite. Zhang looked up and saw a short-haired girl sitting there. Her peach-shaped eyes, sharp nose, and thin lips emitted a chilling aura.

“Jiang Mingyue, mind your own business. I’ll do as I please. Can’t a man get some sleep? You know those old nags at home keep pushing us every day…”

Before the young man behind could finish, Jiang Mingyue casually tossed a book that struck Jiang Putai squarely in the mouth, causing him to stagger. He gritted his teeth but, seeing those around him, silently sat back down.

“So they’re disciples of the Jiang family. No wonder they’re so arrogant.”

A large, bald, portly student in the front row sneered, his eyes narrowed into slits as he chuckled oddly.

Jiang Putai didn’t respond further but eyed the large boy warily. He snorted coldly and boredly reached out to tap Zhang Shouzheng’s back, intending to speak, but his hand brushed the sword sheath. He instantly withdrew it. With a cold, expressionless face, Zhang turned to glare at Jiang Putai.

“Heh heh, so you’re of the same path. I didn’t mean to offend—well, maybe I did…”

Jiang Putai hastily apologized, his voice low. Zhang sensed several pairs of eyes on him, including Jiang Mingyue’s and the large boy’s. Except for Zhong Zimo, whose gaze was hostile, the rest looked curious.

“I know you didn’t mean offense, but if there are evil disciples in this class, your recklessness could get me implicated.”

Zhang Shouzheng calmly set down his materials, lowering his voice. Besides himself, this class included Zhong Zimo of the Heavenly Dao Sect’s Earth Element lineage, two siblings from the Jiang family, and a disciple from the Ban Shan Sect. Jiang Putai and Jiang Mingyue were obviously Jiang family members, while the large boy likely belonged to the Ban Shan Sect.

Jiang Putai stuck out his tongue at the reprimand. Jiang Mingyue and the large boy approached. The large boy chuckled and cupped his fists toward Zhang.

“Ban Shan Sect, Fan Xiaopang.”

“Ban Shan Sect? Such minor sect disciples dare come to Dragon Emperor High? Seeking death? The Jiang family isn’t bad—its ancestors include Jiang Ziya from the ancient mountain era—but now, it’s far from its former glory.”

Zhong Zimo squeezed closer, looking down on them with disdain.