I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 1: Madam, You Don’t Want Your Son Expelled from the Academy, Do You?
Chapter 1: Madam, You Don't Want Your Son Expelled from the Academy, Do You?
"Madam, you wouldn't want to see your son kicked out of the academy, would you?"
In the middle of the Wendao Academy plaza, a tall and remarkably handsome young man, adorned with a scholar's cap and holding a feathered fan, spoke with a cheerful grin.
This young man was named Chu Feng. He stood before a woman of grace and dignity, dressed in elegant palace robes.
Her dark hair gleamed with a healthy luster, though a trace of grief lingered in her enchanting eyes.
Her mature, beautiful face was clouded with worry, giving her an air of fragile helplessness.
Any man who laid eyes on her would feel a powerful impulse to shield her from the world.
However, Chu Feng had no wicked intentions at the moment. His sole focus was to take her son as his disciple.
As the Head of the Miscellaneous Arts Branch at Wendao Academy, Chu Feng was in a bind. That morning, the dean had issued a final ultimatum: if he failed to recruit a single disciple within the month, his branch would be shut down.
Furthermore, he would be stripped of his position and cast out of Wendao Academy. Following this news, Chu Feng immediately began searching for a potential student.
Although he was a transmigrator, Chu Feng had already spent two and a half years in this world.
He hadn't mastered any cultivation techniques because he lacked the ability to cultivate entirely.
If not for his past life as a master of time management—highly skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—he would have been in trouble.
By leveraging that vast expertise, he had managed to secure a spot at Wendao Academy, eventually becoming the lone member of the Miscellaneous Arts Branch.
Otherwise, he would have likely starved to death, becoming the most pathetic transmigrator in history.
Six months ago, the previous branch head passed away. No replacement was sent by the academy, and thanks to a strong endorsement from the late dean—
Chu Feng was promoted to the new Head of the Miscellaneous Arts Branch. While it sounded like a grand title, he was effectively a general without an army. This was the only reason he was scouring the plaza for disciples.
He had recently learned that the Sword Arts Branch's genius, Xiao Chen, had been crippled by severe wounds while searching for treasures in the Misty Marsh for his fiancée.
Knowing the Sword Arts Branch had already signed the papers for Xiao Chen’s expulsion, Chu Feng tracked down the boy’s mother to recruit him before he was forced to leave.
The name Xiao and the status of a fallen genius—this was the perfect template for a protagonist.
Chu Feng was determined to bring the youth under his tutelage.
Once Xiao Chen returned to his former glory and reached the heavens, wouldn't he, as the boy's master, share in the prestige?
Madam Xiao looked at the young man with deep suspicion, her expression guarded. "Sir, can you truly ensure that my son remains a student at Wendao Academy?"
Wendao Academy stood as one of the four great neutral powers of the continent, a holy ground for countless aspiring cultivators.
The students here were either legendary prodigies or the children of influential clans.
Since her son was now a cripple, even the Head of the Sword Arts Branch refused to protect him.
The claim that this young man could succeed where others failed made her doubt his honesty.
"Of course. After all, I am one of the ten heads of Wendao Academy. The dean has granted me the authority to recruit any student I wish. Xiao Chen is still officially enrolled, isn't he?"
Chu Feng’s expression was the picture of self-assurance.
"You are actually one of the ten branch heads of Wendao Academy?"
Madam Xiao’s voice trembled with shock, her eyes widening in surprise.
The heads of the academy branches were considered among the most elite figures on the entire continent.
She had never heard of one being so remarkably young.
Chu Feng gave a nod. "Indeed. I lead the Miscellaneous Arts Branch. I was appointed to the position six months ago."
"The Miscellaneous Arts Branch?"
The moment those words were spoken, the spark of hope in Madam Xiao’s heart withered away.
Of the ten branches within Wendao Academy, the Miscellaneous Arts Branch was widely considered the lowest. The reason was obvious: it taught no cultivation techniques, nor did it offer instruction in talismans, alchemy, forging, or formations.
It focused solely on pursuits like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and tea ceremonies.
To the rest of the world, such things were considered useless hobbies.
Chu Feng read the disappointment on Madam Xiao’s face clearly. He knew that if he couldn't convince her now, finding a disciple would be an impossible task.
"Madam, staying at the academy means there is still hope, does it not?
If your son is expelled, he will lose any chance of returning to the path of cultivation forever.
At the very least, I can guarantee his safety here. Once he steps outside these gates, his very survival becomes uncertain."
Madam Xiao’s brow furrowed as she considered his words. She knew he spoke the truth.
Without the protection of Wendao Academy, her son wouldn't be safe for long, even if they returned home.
It was better to take the risk!
She bowed slightly toward Chu Feng. "I am grateful, sir, for your willingness to accept my son as your student. I will fetch Xiao Chen immediately so he can pay his respects to his new master!"
"Very well."
To prevent any last-minute changes of heart, Chu Feng added, "It would be best if I accompanied you to see Xiao Chen, Madam. It will make things much simpler."
"Thank you, sir."
A small light of hope returned to Madam Xiao’s eyes. "Please, follow me."
As Chu Feng walked behind her, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind.
[ Ding! The Host has been in this world for two and a half years and has finally begun the process of accepting disciples. The System is now officially activated! ]
Chu Feng cried out in his mind: "It's finally here!"
As a transmigrator, Chu Feng had spent the last two years trying every possible method to trigger a system.
Despite all his attempts, there had never been a response—until now.
Who would have guessed that the secret to activation was merely taking on a disciple?
In this world, tradition dictated that one must respect heaven, earth, the ruler, parents, and teachers. Children rarely went against their parents' wishes.
Since Madam Xiao had given her consent, Xiao Chen was essentially his disciple already; there was no turning back.
"System, what are your functions?"
Chu Feng pushed down his excitement and questioned the voice internally.
[ This is the Disciple-Accepting System. Rewards will be granted to the host for every disciple accepted. The host must explore the specific features personally. ]
As the voice quieted—
A translucent status window appeared before Chu Feng's eyes:
────────────────────────────
[ Name ]: Chu Feng
[ Cultivation ]: None
[ Techniques ]: None
[ Lifespan ]: 22 / 79
[ Talents ]:
• Music
• Chess
• Calligraphy
• Painting
• Tea Ceremony
(All at Grandmaster Level: Perfection)
[ Evaluation ]: Pathetically weak. The System declines to comment further.
────────────────────────────
"I can't believe even a system is looking down on me..."
Chu Feng grumbled to himself.
Nevertheless, with a system finally in his possession, the path to greatness was wide open. He could see it now: rising to the top, marrying into wealth and beauty—the mere thought made his pulse quicken.
A faint, satisfied smile began to play on his lips.
At that moment, Madam Xiao stopped and looked back at him.
Noticing his expression, she asked, "Sir, may I ask what has brought such a smile to your face?"
Chu Feng replied softly, "I simply thought of something that pleased me."
Madam Xiao didn't linger on the subject. "Sir, my son's quarters are just ahead. I will go and bring him out to meet you."
Chu Feng looked up and realized they had reached the outer disciple housing for the Sword Arts Branch. He nodded and said, "Very well, Madam. I shall wait for you here."