He had spent several days in the schoolroom compiling the current Cultivate status of the students in the academy and formulating the next Cultivate plan:
[Ning Rongrong, Nine Treasure Golden Glazed Body Pagoda, spirit power level 62, spirit ring configuration yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, possessing Forbidden Magic Domain, "Iron Body: Seventh: Armament Haki: Hardening", Rokushiki Level 2 mastery, Indestructible Vajra Divine Art Minor Achievement…]
[Bell, Spirit Storm Fiend Garfield, spirit power level 57, spirit ring configuration yellow, purple, purple, black, black, Subduing Cat Fist Major Achievement, Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms Minor Achievement, Overbearing Skill…]
[Meng Yiran, Spirit Undead Snake Staff, spirit power level 56, spirit ring configuration yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, Undead Sky Summon opened five gates, Hidden Weapons principle knowledge assessment excellent, movement skill reached subtle level…]
[Dugu Yan, Spirit Jade Phosphor Serpent Queen, spirit power level 59, spirit ring configuration yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, Dragon Snake Dual Form Major Achievement, Spirit Snake Thousand Illusions Hand Minor Achievement, Calamity Poison Art Seven Splendors Six Colors…]
[Xiao Wu, Spirit Two Forms Soft Bones Rabbit, spirit power level 62, spirit ring configuration yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, Tai Chi Fist Major Achievement, Pure Moon Jade Body · Bright Moon, Marquis Wu's Mysterious Gate Minor Achievement…]
[Ye Lingling, Spirit Twin Lotos of Life and Death, spirit power level 62, spirit ring configuration yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black…]
[Shui Bing'er, Spirit Ice Phoenix, spirit power level 57, spirit ring configuration yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, Heavenly Frost Ice Phoenix Minor Achievement, Frozen Ice Cotton Palm mastery…]
The Cultivate achievements of more than ten or twenty students were all clear in Xin's mind.
Each entry was recorded with precise clarity, as though etched directly into his awareness rather than merely written down. Their progress, strengths, and subtle weaknesses were already being mentally cross-referenced, forming a layered blueprint of future training directions. For him, this was not paperwork—it was a living map of potential.
The moment he stepped out of the schoolroom, the entire cherry forest seemed to resonate with the young man, becoming the most eye-catching presence. cherry blossoms fell, red maples swayed, and a mysterious reddish hue emerged in the air.
There was a subtle shift in the atmosphere, as though the environment itself adjusted to his arrival. The drifting petals no longer felt random; they seemed to circle faintly around him before settling. Even the light filtering through the branches appeared warmer, softer, as if acknowledging his presence.
Teacher Xin, humble and amiable, spoke faintly:
"I've kept you waiting. I also just returned to the academy not long ago, so I've had many matters to deal with these past few days. I hope you understand."
His tone remained calm and unhurried, carrying neither arrogance nor urgency. It was the voice of someone used to being listened to without needing to raise it.
"We just arrived too, not long ago. Teacher, you must be tired. Xue'er will give you a shoulder rub."
The moment the young man's figure appeared, the faces of the several women present flushed, no less impactful than the time Teacher Xin descended from the sky.
Every meeting was filled with a sweet surge, difficult to suppress.
The reactions were immediate and subtle—gaze shifts, slightly quickened breathing, small changes in posture that betrayed emotions not easily controlled. Even the normally composed figures present found their attention narrowing toward him without conscious effort.
Qian Renxue lightly squeezed her buttocks, moved to Xin's front, and said while holding Teacher's hand.
Her movement was natural yet decisive, as if she had already claimed the position beside him without needing permission. The warmth in her expression contrasted with her earlier cold composure, revealing a side of her that appeared only in his presence.
Xin smiled faintly:
"That's not necessary. Teacher isn't that old yet."
His reply was gentle, carrying a faint hint of humor. He did not resist her closeness, but neither did he indulge it beyond moderation.
"I've waited for you for two or three years. I thought you wouldn't come."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue quickly explained, "How could that be! How could I not come? Even if the sky collapses and the earth shatters, even if mountains and rivers break, Xue'er will fulfill all her promises with Teacher!"
Her words came out almost too quickly, as if afraid even a moment's hesitation might be misunderstood. The conviction in her tone was absolute, though beneath it lay a trace of emotional urgency she rarely revealed.
"It's not that serious. It's good that you came. But if you hadn't come, I'm afraid my other students would have almost caught up to your strength," Xin joked.
The remark was light, but it carried an unmistakable truth about the pace of cultivation within the academy. Progress here was not static; it was continuous, and sometimes unexpectedly rapid.
Then, Xin looked at Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, and Demon Subduing Douluo:
"And you? Are you accompanying Xue'er, or do you have other business?"
His gaze was calm as it passed over each of them, not lingering on status or identity, but treating all present with the same quiet attentiveness.
"Accompany her?"
"Teacher Xin, I brought Nana here to become a disciple as well."
Bibi Dong glanced at Qian Renxue, and her competitive Spirit immediately surged.
There was a brief shift in her expression—subtle, but unmistakable. The atmosphere between the two women tightened again, though neither acted immediately on it.
"Nana, aren't you going to become a disciple? Kneel."
Bibi Dong said calmly.
Hu Liena pursed her lips and knelt among the cherry blossoms:
"Student Hu Liena, I have come to Heart of Fire Academy to seek knowledge. Please accept me as your disciple!"