Yama Rising

Chapter 157: Virgin Teaching Experience (2)

He wasn’t too well-versed in the matters within the academia.

He adjusted his posture and continued unhurriedly, “The SRC had previously attempted to cordon off an area, and watch and see how it would develop, much like what they did with the ‘Lost Tracks’ hunting zone back in Mount Tai City. But it’s far too inefficient that way, and it takes far too long to get the desired results. There was also a reasonably high risk that the research at several of these cordoned zones would have to be abandoned in order to preserve the natural ecology and habitat there. When that happens, it would become practically impossible to learn of the progress of the Yin spirit within these zones. You can take a closer study into the ‘Lost Tracks’ dossier if you wish.”

“What I’m trying to say, is that this research topic is far too great for a single instructor.” Xu Anguo gave the lowdown, “A single instructor has picked out the very same topic as a research fellow of the SRC. It might be an eye-opener for now, but is his knowledge extensive enough to support a series of lectures throughout the entire semester?”

Xu Anguo clearly didn’t think much of Qin Ye’s opening lecture.

Xu Anguo was preparing him for what was to come.

“Types of Yin Spirits.”

They knew full well that these words might seem simple, but the content underlying the message was anything but!

Qin Ye was already in the zone by now. He leaned his hands gently on the lectern and explained, “There isn’t a clear system of classification for Yin spirits right now. Therefore, I’ve used my own method of distinguishing them based on two sets of metrics for now. Number one: classification based on the level of their abilities. Number two: classification based on their type.”

The colleague beside him couldn’t be bothered to entertain him, and he whispered back somewhat dismissively, “Let’s hear it first. This topic… is truly monumental.”

It’s not that I want to be judgmental, but everyone here is…

“Ahh--...” This time, the man in a black suit who couldn’t be bothered to entertain his colleague earlier leaned over and whispered back, “He’s even come up with a proper name for it. He makes it sound so legitimate. Does he really think he’s a guru of parapsychology? Something stronger than a Judge-class entity? He’s seen something like that?”

He suddenly paused.

“Old Man Yu?” He called out with a low voice as he hurriedly extended his hand to him, “Haven’t you already left? Why did you come back?”

How’s that possible?

Not a chance!

“Alright.” Old Man Yu received a cup of tea from the assistant standing behind him and smiled radiantly, “This kid has a unique perspective of things. I’m somewhat interested. He’d mentioned that his lecture will be an eye-opener to me. I’m looking forward to it.”

Everyone took their seats again, leaving only the two who had just been softly discussing among themselves completely dumbfounded.

Are you shitting me?!

In other words, he was suggesting that Qin Ye was overestimating himself and flaunting his abilities in front of a true expert.

Old Man Yu chuckled softly, and then in the very next moment his voice turned cold and frigid, “There’s always something you can learn from others. Where has your sense of humility gone?”

“We won’t know whether he’s any good until we hear what he has to say. It’s not even ten minutes into the lecture, and the leaders of the First Academy of Cultivators haven’t made any comments about him, and yet you’re already flapping your lips over here?”

“How could that be the case?” Old Man Yu smiled genially.

Old Man Yu nodded at Qin Ye, and Qin Ye nodded back meaningfully as well. Just as he was about to continue, he suddenly paused.

Just like now.

His lesson plan could be described as a long scroll, slowly unfurling and unraveling the mysteries of its contents. But right now, he was suddenly filled with the urge to probe further at the mortal realm’s understanding of things.

He therefore recalled to mind everything he had planned to say this lecture, cast them all aside, and cut straight to the chase.

Old Man Yu’s eyes gleamed brightly. Incarnate revenant… it’s that foreign word again. He had just arrived, and yet his curiosity was already piqued.

“‘Incarnate revenant’ is named after the concept of metaplasia, which refers to the transformation of a differentiated cell into another differentiated cell. In other words, it is an evolution or an incarnation of sorts. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed this before, but it’s practically impossible to find an evil ghost that possesses abilities beyond that of an Infernal Judge!”

Yellow, orange and red coloured circles of various sizes appeared over each province. He pointed to one randomly, “Yin spirits invariably start out as wandering spirits. Those who possess great grievances at the point of their death are most likely to become vengeful apparitions. Given the right circumstances, the wandering spirits with great grievances would quickly devour their own kind and transform into a vengeful apparition…”

He felt a shiver run down his spine before he could even finish speaking. The SRC observers had still been chatting and chuckling among themselves just a little while ago, and yet, upon hearing Qin Ye’s claims, they abruptly looked up in unison and stared intently at Qin Ye.

“Hang on!” Just then, a voice suddenly called out from the SRC observers. All of the students looked back in astonishment.

“By devouring.” Qin Ye responded boldly and fearlessly. He had reviewed every single statement in his lesson plan with Arthis countless times. He could even cite a plethora of examples off the top of his head right now.

Damn. It slipped my mind…

How could he speak up when Old Man Yu hadn’t even said a single thing?

Don’t Yin spirits feed on the negative emotions of human beings, including fright, fear, and so on? Or perhaps they’re born with great resentment in their hearts, and they feed off the bright moonlight to advance to the next level of Yin spirits?

As with any other academic, he was used to refuting imprecise formulations of hypotheses. After all, even the slightest bit of ambiguity in academia could invite great discussion. The man had earlier stood up due to a conditioned reflex.

He gulped nervously, fervently suppressing the discomfort in his heart. He glanced at his colleagues, only to discover…

Not even you, boss of the SRC? How could you be giving me the look of encouragement right now?

Bloody hell… I can’t just stop halfway… The man in the white lab coat didn’t dare to make eye contact with any of the other leaders of the academy. He gritted his teeth and steeled his heart, “If Instructor Qin hasn’t conducted any experiments, or has no empirical evidence, this would be no different from misleading the young!”

No… Arthis declared that all of you are nothing but trash. I, on the other hand, still bore some hope. Can’t you guys just buck up a little… don’t dash my dreams and hopes like that…

However--

Even Xu Anguo, Zhou Xianlong and the other Hellguard-class experts gazed back with a bright glint in their eyes with eager anticipation.

Eh? That’s not a very friendly gaze. Are you querying why we’re not asking the question in our hearts?

Goddammit!

Qin Ye swore a thousand times in his heart.

Why do I get the feeling that a newbie in Hell could already become a professor in the mortal realm?