The Reluctant Assistant and the Phoenix Flame Gold

“Indeed.” The Battle Arts Teacher affirmed, meeting Feiluo’s surprised gaze with a firm nod. “Didn’t you express a desire to practice at your leisure during future Battle Arts classes?”

“There will undoubtedly be ample free time during those lessons. Given that, why not consider taking on the role of a teaching assistant? Your only duty would be to offer guidance should you notice someone making an error during their practice.”

Having said this, the Battle Arts Teacher added, “Naturally, if you’re disinclined, there’s no need to worry. I won’t compel you.”

Feiluo cradled her chin with a small hand, falling into contemplation for a brief spell.

‘Me, a teaching assistant?’

To be frank, she wasn’t entirely certain what responsibilities a teaching assistant would typically shoulder. After all, she had never encountered teaching assistants in any of her other courses.

‘Yet, if I were to become one, might it not significantly boost my aura of authority?’

‘As the adage goes, ‘don’t dismiss shrimp as anything less than seafood.’ A teaching assistant, no matter how junior, is still a teacher. Should I assume this role, those senior and junior sisters who so casually ruffle my hair would surely come to respect my position, no longer daring to lay a hand upon my head.’

‘Hmm…’

‘Considering it from this angle, becoming a teaching assistant actually seems rather appealing.’

Just as Feiluo prepared to voice her assent to the Battle Arts Teacher’s proposition, a sudden thought struck her.

‘What if an overwhelming number of people sought my guidance?’

She certainly hadn’t forgotten her primary objective.

‘Which was to slack off!’

‘It would be rather unfortunate if responding to such inquiries were to infringe upon my precious slacking time.’

‘Perhaps it would be best to clarify the details beforehand.’

“Teacher, what exactly are the specific duties of a teaching assistant?” Feiluo inquired, her gaze fixed on the Battle Arts Teacher.

“You simply need to offer guidance whenever you observe someone practicing incorrectly,” the Battle Arts Teacher reiterated.

“And what if an excessive number of people come to me with questions, leaving me overwhelmed?” Feiluo pressed again.

The unspoken implication of her question was whether she would be permitted to decline assistance if the demand proved too great.

Upon hearing this, the Battle Arts Teacher cast a knowing glance at Feiluo, having, of course, discerned the unspoken sentiment behind her words. Yet, she harbored no surprise; having instructed Feiluo in Battle Arts dozens of times, she considered herself to possess a fair understanding of her student.

‘To be frank, she’s a notorious slacker!’

Possessing extraordinary talent, she nonetheless perpetually indulged in idleness. Whenever questioned about her penchant for slacking, she would eloquently assert, “You slack off, I slack off, everyone slacks off together! Let us collectively reject involution. This approach will diminish countless conflicts born from such intense competition. Is this not, in fact, the righteous path toward global peace?!”

In truth, had she not been fully aware that these were merely elaborate pretexts Feiluo conjured to justify her idleness, the Battle Arts Teacher might well have been swayed by her conviction. The reason was simple: Feiluo’s words carried such an infectious power. If Feiluo were not a cultivator but an ordinary mortal, the Battle Arts Teacher had no doubt that with such charisma, she could effortlessly rally an entire kingdom.

“You needn’t trouble yourself with such concerns,” the Battle Arts Teacher replied reassuringly. “As a teaching assistant, you will, of course, possess the right to decline. You won’t have to worry about your personal practice time being encroached upon.”

“In that case, Teacher, I am willing to serve as a teaching assistant.” Upon learning that refusal was an option, Feiluo’s hesitation vanished instantly.

‘This presents an excellent opportunity to significantly enhance my aura of authority!’

“Since you’ve agreed, then allow me to present you with a small token.” The Battle Arts Teacher produced her spatial artifact, reaching a hand deep within its confines.

“A small token?” Feiluo queried, tilting her head as she observed the Battle Arts Teacher’s movements.

“Indeed. After all, your taking on the role of teaching assistant was at my behest. It’s only right that I offer some form of recompense, wouldn’t you agree? Here.”

From within the spatial artifact, the Battle Arts Teacher extracted a gleaming golden metallic ore, roughly the size of an infant’s fist, and presented it to Feiluo.

“This is…” Feiluo murmured, scrutinizing the metallic ore. Unable to identify the metal, her curious gaze swiftly returned to the Battle Arts Teacher.

“You haven’t yet forged a spirit weapon of your own, have you?” The Battle Arts Teacher smiled, gesturing towards the ore. “This particular ore is Phoenix Flame Gold, exceptionally well-suited for cultivators with a fire-aligned affinity like yourself to craft their spirit tools.”

“Phoenix Flame Gold?!” Feiluo gasped, astonishment coloring her tone.

She had heard whispers that this particular metal was exclusively unearthed within the Southern Heavenly Demon Dynasty, with no other known sources. Furthermore, even within the Heavenly Demon Dynasty, Phoenix Flame Gold was considered an exceptionally precious metal, never offered for sale. Consequently, it remained a commodity that was priceless yet utterly unobtainable.

Truly, this Phoenix Flame Gold was an item of profound rarity and immense value!

“Teacher, this is far too valuable; I cannot possibly accept it…”

Just as Feiluo prepared to decline this ‘small token,’ the Battle Arts Teacher waved a dismissive hand, cutting her off. “Please don’t refuse. I am a water-element cultivator; this Phoenix Flame Gold is entirely unsuitable for my needs. Rather than letting it languish and gather dust in my possession, it would be far better for it to serve you in forging a potent spirit weapon.”

“But…” Feiluo began, yet before she could elaborate, the Battle Arts Teacher spoke again, “Consider this a gift from me, celebrating your future ascension as Saintess. Surely, under those circumstances, you wouldn’t feel the need to refuse?”

“I am confident that with your formidable abilities, securing the position of Saintess is an absolute certainty.”

“Eh? Saintess?” Upon hearing the phrase ‘become Saintess,’ Feiluo froze, utterly bewildered.

‘Become Saintess? Who?’

‘Me?’

‘When did I ever declare my intention to become a Saintess?’

‘How has it come to this—an early celebration for my supposed ascension to Saintess?!’

‘I hadn’t even intended to participate in the Saintess Grand Selection!’

Just as Feiluo was about to offer an explanation, she realized the Battle Arts Teacher had already departed the dueling platform, leaving her standing there alone.

“…Alas.” Feiluo could only tuck away the Phoenix Flame Gold, resolving then and there to approach her new role as teaching assistant with utmost diligence.

‘Right, from now on, I’ll guide an extra five people during Battle Arts classes!’

‘Five is already quite a substantial number!’

‘It will likely consume a good portion of the lesson just to offer guidance!’

Feiluo descended from the dueling platform. Moments after her feet touched the ground, the platform rumbled, swiftly reverting to its original appearance as a mere section of the floor.

The instant she reached the ground, Feiluo found herself encircled by a throng of senior and junior sisters.

“Senior Sister Fei, Senior Sister Fei, might we trouble you to explain how you became so incredibly formidable?”

“Junior Sister Fei, that move you executed earlier was simply magnificent! Would you be willing to teach me? As for the time and place, how about tonight, in my bed?”

“Hehe~ Junior Sister Fei, so fragrant, so soft, hehe…”

Some inquired about the source of Feiluo’s enhanced power, others brazenly suggested she teach them in their beds that very night, while a few simply devolved into incoherent ramblings.

Initially, Feiluo managed to offer a few polite responses, but before long, some individuals began to behave rather immodestly. A hand, its origin unknown, reached out, intending to caress her head. However, her formidable spiritual awareness detected the movement, allowing her to deftly evade it.

Feiluo glared indignantly at the senior sister who had stealthily reached out. She had anticipated that her fierce gaze would cause the woman to retreat, yet to her surprise, the senior sister merely grew more excited, her face flushing a vivid crimson.

A shiver of unease, like a wave of goosebumps, instantly swept over Feiluo.

‘A pervert!’

‘It appears I can no longer remain here!’

‘I must make a swift escape!’

Yet, observing the dense crowd that had enveloped her, Feiluo found herself in a genuine quandary.

‘Encircled by people, utterly bewildered.’

Just as Feiluo contemplated using her spiritual power to push back the encroaching crowd, a slender hand reached out, firmly grasping her arm. Simultaneously, a divine message resonated within her mind.

[Come with me, Junior Sister Fei.]

‘This is…’

‘Senior Sister Yiwu.’

Having recognized the divine message as originating from Yiwu, Feiluo ceased her attempts to pull her arm free, instead allowing Yiwu to guide her onward.