Chapter 817

Chapter 817: The Exodus ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

“He’s come to the Apothecary School?” School Head Lu was taken aback for a brief moment before narrowing his eyes. “He is no longer a student of the academy, why didn’t anyone stop him?”

Considering that Zhang Xuan was no longer a student of the academy, how could he be allowed to enter the premises of the academy as he pleased?

“He possesses the personal tokens of School Head Mo, School Head Zhao, and School Head Wei. On top of that, he’s also the teacher of three guest elders, so his seniority is higher than even teacher’s… We weren’t able to stop him!” The young man’s face turned crimson.

It was not as if the Master Teacher Academy was some forbidden land exclusive to only students and teachers. Furthermore, the other party had the personal tokens of three school heads, so how could they stop him?

“What is he doing at the Apothecary School?” Lu Feng asked with an awful complexion.

What the other party said was true. Putting aside the students, even he didn’t have the official authority to hinder Zhang Xuan from going to the Apothecary School.

“I’m not too sure either. As soon as he arrived in the Apothecary School, he headed straight for the library,” the young man said.

“The library?” Lu Feng frowned. “But he doesn’t have a student token on him, what is he doing there?”

To enter the library, there were two things that one needed—a student token and Academic Credits. After clearing the Wall of Dilemma, Zhang Xuan had no lack of Academic Credits. However, without a student token, he couldn’t be considered a student of the academy, so naturally, he wasn’t allowed to use their facilities!

“He stopped right before the entrance of the library and went into a… daze…” At this point, a bizarre expression surfaced on the young man’s face.

“Went into a daze?” Lu Feng and the other vice school heads were dumbstruck by what they heard.

He specially made the trip into the Apothecary School just to stand in a daze before their library?

“That’s right. He stood there completely motionless, speaking not a single word, his eyes fixated on the library,” the young man replied.

School Head Lu and the four vice school heads blinked blankly.

They were wondering what the fellow could be up to, coming to the Apothecary School, but to think that he would go into a daze… What the heck?

“Is he still there?” Lu Feng asked.

“He was still there when I left. It has been around an hour since then!” the young man replied.

Upon hearing that Zhang Xuan was there, Lu Feng was stunned for a moment. No matter how he thought about it, it felt that there was something wrong with the matter, so he stood up.

“That fellow caused the collapse of the Passageway of Records in the Blacksmith School and the Tower of Physicians in the Physician School… I think that he’s up to no good here too. Follow me to take a look!”

Even though he had only met Zhang Xuan once, he still remembered how tenacious Zhang Xuan had been when he cornered him on the stage.

Furthermore, Zhang Xuan had also threatened to challenge the Apothecary School back then as well. For some reason, he felt extremely unnerved, and his heart simply wouldn’t calm down. The only way he could ease his mind was to take a look personally.

“Yes!”

Recalling the various deeds that Zhang shi had done in the past, the mouths of the four vice school heads also twitched as well, and they hurriedly got to their feet.

In truth, when they heard about how Zhang Xuan wreaked havoc in other schools previously, they had even gloated over it. But now that it was happening to their own school, they couldn’t help but feel as if peril was right behind them, and it left them fidgety.

They immediately rushed off to the library at top speed, and it took them less than ten minutes to arrive at their destination.

The library looked no different from before, towering and majestic. It didn’t seem as if it was damaged in the least, and Zhang Xuan was nowhere to be seen either. Perplexed, Lu Feng turned to the student and asked, “Where is he?”

“I have no idea… He was definitely here just now!” the young man said in confusion as he raised his finger and pointed to a specific spot.

That fellow had been standing in a daze in front of the library for some time before he felt that something was amiss and went to look for the school head. Why did he suddenly disappear from there?

But one thing noteworthy about the surroundings was that, perhaps drawn here by Zhang Xuan’s reputation, quite a crowd had gathered.

“Wait a moment, I will find someone to ask!” After scanning the surroundings and seeing that Zhang Xuan was nowhere in sight, the young man walked toward the small shack beside the library entrance.

That was where the few Grade-3 students in charge of looking after the library stayed.

But before the young man even reached the shack, ‘jiya!’, the shack doors opened, and two young men walked out.

Recognizing one of the duo, the young man called out.

“Hu Xu…”

“Senior Lu Hui!” Hu Xu clasped his fist and returned the greeting.

Seeing that the duo was carrying their luggage with them, Lu Hui asked bewilderedly, “Where are you two going?”

Students working as the library guards were expected to stay in the shack for the entire semester in order to take care of it around the clock. It was just a few days since the start of the semester, but why were they both carrying their luggage out of the shack?

“Reporting to senior, we have just listened to Zhang shi’s lecture, and his words have enlightened us. We feel that we aren’t suited to studying pill forging, so… we have decided to leave the Apothecary School and study another occupation instead!” Hu Xu reported.

“Lecture?” Lu Hui widened his eyes upon hearing those words.

Lu Feng and the others couldn’t help but turn their gazes over as well.

That fellow… was lecturing here?

With a bitter smile, Hu Xu said with a depressed look, “Yes. After standing in a daze for a moment, Zhang shi began to lecture us. I was one of the fortunate few who happened to hear it, and it was only then that I realized that even though apothecary is ranked at the top of the Upper Nine Paths, an extremely prestigious occupation, I am simply not suited for it. All those years I have spent studying the art of pill forging, they were all in vain…”

Zhang shi’s lecture was comprehensive and profound, and all who had listened to it had benefitted greatly from it.

Although Hu Xu had studied pill forging for some time, the lecture had made him realize that he was simply not suited to be an apothecary.

Even if he were to attempt to force his way through, the mismatch in his aptitude would make it an uphill battle, and eventually, he would only reach a bottleneck.

Rather than suffer on but achieve nothing in the end, it would be much better for him to let go.

In any case, there were nine supporting occupations in the Master Teacher Academy. Even if he didn’t study pill forging, there were still others he could explore. Surely, there would be one that would be aligned with his aptitude.

Hearing Hu Xu’s words, Lu Hui couldn’t help but ask the other Grade-3 student standing beside him, “You also don’t think that you are suited for pill forging?”

“That’s right, I also don’t think that I am suited either. Farewell, senior!”

Leaving those words behind, they turned around and left.

“This…”

With their departure, there would be no one to guard the library anymore. The school head and the four vice school heads glanced at one another with a slightly troubled look, seemingly at a loss about what to do.

However, the worst had yet to come.

The next moment, a few more students walked over, and just like Hu Xu and the student beside him just now, they were carrying baggage with them as well.

Taking a closer look at their faces, one of the vice school heads exclaimed in surprise, “Vice School Head Wei, aren’t those… your students?”

Occasionally, the school heads and vice school heads of the Master Teacher Academy would take in some students under their tutelage as well, just like how Wei Ranxue took in Hu Yaoyao.

Recognizing them, Vice School Head Wei replied, “Yes, they are indeed my students, Shu Yongning and the others!”

“But they are carrying their luggage… Could it be that they don’t think that they are suited for pill forging, too?” The mouth of the other vice school head twitched.

“How is that possible?!” Vice School Head Wei exclaimed. “Shu Yongning might not be the most talented apothecary among the students under me, but he definitely ranks among the top few. His aptitude for pill forging is extremely high, and it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a 6-star apothecary. How can he possibly be unsuited for pill forging?”

Shu Yongning was one of his most outstanding students. If even he was unsuited for pill forging, who else would be?

“Then, he…” the other vice school head asked doubtfully.

For him to be carrying his luggage, it seemed he had the same intention as Hu Xu as well. If he wasn’t intending to leave the Apothecary School, what else could he be up to then?

“I’ll go ask him!” With a livid expression, Vice School Head Wei harrumphed and stepped forward.

However, at that moment, Shu Yongning seemed to have noticed him and rushed forward to greet him.

“Teacher!” Shu Yongning clasped his fist.

“What happened?” Vice School Head Wei asked with narrowed eyes.

“Reporting to teacher, I… am here to bid you farewell!” Shu Yongning suddenly got to his knees and lowered his head in shame.

“Bid me farewell? Could it be that you found that you are unsuited to be an apothecary, too?” Hearing those words, Vice School Head Wei felt so furious that he could burst into flames on the spot.

“Of course not! It’s just that… I don’t think that I am suited for teacher’s lessons, and it will be difficult for me to make substantial improvement under your tutelage. Thus, I don’t wish for you to waste your precious time on me, so I’ve decided to bid you farewell…” Shu Yongning spoke hesitantly. Flicking his wrist, he took out the other party’s tutelage token and handed it back.

Just as teachers could choose their students, students could choose their teachers. This was a two-way relationship.

“My lessons… are not suited for you?” Vice School Head Wei was stunned.

He was the vice head of the Apothecary School, a 6-star pinnacle apothecary, and his knowledge of pill forging was only beneath School Head Lu Feng by a notch.

Yet, this fellow actually wanted to withdraw from his tutelage…

“Yes. After hearing Zhang shi’s lecture, I finally understand what pill forging truly means. Even though teacher’s lessons are impressive as well… I find Zhang shi’s teachings are far more impactful and profound. Thus, I intend to join the Xuanxuan Faction to pursue Zhang shi… I am truly sorry, and I beg for teacher’s understanding!”

After placing the tutelage token back into the shocked Vice School Head Wei’s hands, Shu Yongning stood up, turned around, and left.

“…”

Vice School Head Wei was completely stunned. His face was twitching non-stop, and he felt as if he was going to lose his sanity soon.

To think that someone would actually withdraw from the lesson of a 6-star pinnacle apothecary like him… Not to mention, the reason was that his lessons were inferior a freshman’s…

The hell!

This was a severe slap right to his face!

“Teacher, we are also here to withdraw from your tutelage. Please forgive us!”

“Zhang shi’s lecture was a true eye-opener. It was only a short lecture, but it made me realize that only through pursuing him will I be able to make greater progress as an apothecary…”

…

Before Vice School Head Wei could recover from the primary shock, the other students who were with Shu Yongning hurriedly rushed forward and passed their tutelage tokens back as well.

Previously, every single one of them had worked extremely hard to get into his lessons, and they had celebrated for three days and three nights when they succeeded. They had viewed it as a great honor, and they’d gone around the Apothecary School bragging about it before others. Yet, at this very moment, they were withdrawing from his tutelage, and judging from their expressions, it seemed like they were even fearful that he would deny them of their freedom!

Vice School Head Wei couldn’t help but feel extremely stifled within.

“Something is wrong here!”

Watching how the students left with a delighted look on their faces after withdrawing from their tutelage, School Head Lu’s mouth twitched. He walked up to Vice School Head Wei and asked, “For so many students to withdraw from the lesson at once, could it be that there is something wrong with your lesson and Zhang Xuan managed to grab onto that and exploit it?”

There was only one reason for such an exodus of students—something was wrong with the teacher’s lessons!

If that was the case, not only would the teacher’s reputation be soiled, the prestige of the entire school would plummet as well!

The main reason the Apothecary School was able to become the number one school of the Master Teacher Academy was due to the overwhelming number of students under them, numbering over sixty thousand… But if a huge number of students were to withdraw from their lessons at once, their position as the number one school would be threatened.

Seeing that School Head Lu was doubting his teaching capability, a bitter smile appeared on Vice School Head Lu’s expression. “I… don’t think that there’s any problem with my lessons…”

He always designed his lessons in a way such that it abided by the conventions of the Apothecary Guild. While they weren’t outstanding, there was no particularly glaring mistake with them either. Just what kind of problem could have happened for so many students to withdraw from his tutelage after listening to a lecture from Zhang Xuan?

“Then what other reason could there be?” Lu Feng frowned.

Just as he was about to continue on, another group of students suddenly appeared and rushed up to them.

“School Head, they seem to be your students,” Vice School Head Wei remarked.

School Head Lu nodded in response.

Just like Lu Hui, these students were under his tutelage, and he had already taught them for several years.

“Don’t worry, I have confidence in my lessons. My students can’t possibly withdraw from my tutelage like yours! Most probably, they are just here to report to me with news on Zhang Xuan,” School Head Lu said assuredly.

But just as he was about to ask the group what they were there for, they abruptly kneeled onto the floor simultaneously.

“Teacher, we are thankful for your guidance over the years. However, we would like to… withdraw from your tutelage!”

Chapter 818: Even “They” Have Fled

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

In that instant, Lu Feng’s body swayed weakly from side to side.

It was just a moment ago that he had declared his confidence in his lessons, but then these fellows said that they would like to withdraw from his tutelage.

Must you really slap my face like that?

Suppressing his overwhelming rage, School Head Lu asked hoarsely, “Why?”

One of the students hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Reporting to teacher, after listening to Zhang shi’s lecture, we feel like we have squandered the past few years of our lives learning pill forging. Thus, we hope that you can let us go! Even though we are withdrawing from your tutelage, you will forever be our teacher in our hearts. We will never show the slightest disrespect to you!”

If there’s no comparison, there’s no damage.

It was only after hearing Zhang shi’s lecture that they finally understood what pill forging truly was and how many detours they had taken under School Head Lu’s tutelage!

If they had learned from Zhang shi from the very start, they would have definitely already become a 6-star apothecary or even higher by now!

They knew full well that withdrawing from their teacher’s tutelage would sully his reputation, but for their own futures, they had no other choice.

Just like how teachers could choose their students, students could choose their own teachers as well. Even if they had already acknowledged Lu Feng as their teacher, they still had the freedom to withdraw from his tutelage. After all, they were just ordinary students, not direct disciples.

Squandered the past few years of your lives… School Head Lu staggered, and he felt a crushing pressure on his chest. For a moment, he found himself unable to catch his breath.

To think that he, the head of the Apothecary School, as well as the most formidable master apothecary in Hongyuan Empire, would have his lessons described to be… squandering one’s life away!

Argh, my heart and my lungs…

Just what did that fellow say for all of you to be so mesmerized and impressed by him?

With a livid expression, Lu Feng dripped a drop of blood on their tutelage tokens as he said, “Fine, I will allow you to withdraw from my tutelage as long as you tell me where Zhang Xuan is!”

His students had already spoken such words. It would only further his humiliation if he were to attempt to retain his students after all of that!

The student pondered for a moment before replying. “After Zhang shi finished his lecture, he headed to the Apothecary Pavilion… It seems he intends to take the 6-star apothecary examination!”

“Apothecary Pavilion?” Ignoring those fellows who had just withdrawn from his tutelage, School Head Lu turned around and beckoned the others. “Let’s go and take a look!”

Similar to the Tower of Physicians, the Apothecary Pavilion was a place where apothecaries could interact with one another and take their examinations. There were also all kinds of tests that one could take there.

Leaving Lu Hui behind to guard the library temporarily, Lu Feng and the other vice school heads hurriedly proceeded forward.

Just like the Tower of Physicians, the Apothecary Pavilion was also an extremely tall building, as well as the landmark of the Apothecary School.

Seeing that the Apothecary Pavilion was still standing tall and grand, the group heaved a sigh of relief.

Judging from Zhang Xuan’s past history of bringing forth destruction, even Lu Feng couldn’t help but feel a little fearful.

Entering the Apothecary Pavilion, there was a huge crowd selling and purchasing pills and looking for pill forging services, as per usual. There didn’t seem to be anything out of ordinary.

“Did he not come here?” The school head and vice school heads glanced at one another in confusion.

They had long heard of what had happened to the Tower of Physicians. Wherever Zhang Xuan appeared, destruction and catastrophe followed. If he was truly here, how could everything still be intact?

This didn’t make sense!

“Let me ask around!”

After a moment of hesitation, Vice School Head Wei stepped forward and stopped a student. “Student, was there anything… weird that happened here?”

“Vice School Head Wei!”

Recognizing the other party, the student leaped in shock. She pondered for a moment before hurriedly replying, “No, nothing happened at all!”

“Nothing happened at all?”

Vice School Head Wei gazed at the student’s face intently for a moment before waving his hands. “I see. You may go!”

“Yes!” The student hurriedly left.

After which, Vice School Head Wei proceeded to ask a few more students, but they gave the same response as well. Having confirmed that nothing had happened, he returned back to a group with a relieved smile on his face.

“It seems like our worry is unfounded. No matter how formidable he is, that Zhang Xuan is still only a twenty-year-old lad. Since he already possesses a profound understanding in the Way of Medicine and smithing, it would be asking too much for him to be skilled in pill forging as well. Perhaps it might be something else that led to the students before withdrawing from the school…”

“Let’s hope that’s the case!” School Head Lu nodded with an uneasy smile.

Even though nothing had happened, he still had an ominous premonition.

If it was so easy to deal with that fellow, he wouldn’t have been so troubled over this matter.

“Let’s head to the 6-star apothecary examination Apothecary Forge to take a look,” School Head Lu said.

The group headed to the upper levels of the Apothecary Pavilion, where the Apothecary Forges for the apothecary examinations were located. However, the examination area was extremely peaceful. It didn’t seem like anything had happened here at all.

Thus, they called the teacher in charge of managing the Apothecary Forges over.

“Did anyone come over to take the apothecary examination earlier?” Lu Feng asked.

“No one at all! I have been here since morning, and I haven’t seen anyone here!” The teacher shook his head doubtfully, not sure why School Head Lu would ask such a question.

“No one at all?” Lu Feng was still slightly doubtful.

His students had clearly told him that Zhang Xuan had headed here to take the 6-star examination, but why wasn’t he in the Apothecary Forges then?

“No one at all. If school head still doesn’t believe me, I have the records here…” Noticing the slightly peculiar state the school head was in, the teacher hurriedly handed over a book recording the students taking the apothecary examination.

School Head Lu took the book and confirmed that no one had been there since the morning. He traded glances with the other vice school heads, and they heaved a sigh of relief together.

It seemed like Vice School Head Wei was right. As talented as that fellow was, he couldn’t possibly be that skilled in pill forging as well.

After all, each human had their own strengths and weaknesses. If a human were to be that talented in all aspects, he wouldn’t be a human but god!

“It seems I really worried over nothing this time around… Alright, there’s nothing else; you can return to your station now. However, if a twenty-year-old young man comes here, make sure to report the matter to me immediately!” School Head Lu instructed.

“Yes!” the teacher replied. At that moment, another thought suddenly struck him, and he asked, “School head, I suddenly remembered something. Other than taking the examination here, it’s also possible to take the 6-star apothecary examination at the Ancestral Hall as well!”

“Ancestral Hall? Impossible! The Ancestral Hall is prepared solely for students who intend to challenge the Pill Debate, but it’s not like you are unaware of how difficult it is. Even I can’t say with absolute confidence that I would be able to pass a 6-star Pill Debate! Why would anyone go through that additional effort for it when there is an easier way?” Lu Feng shook his head.

There were two formats for apothecary examinations.

One of them was to forge a pill with a grade corresponding to the rank which the apothecary was intending to advance to. For example, to clear a 6-star apothecary examination, one had to successfully forge a grade-6 pill.

As for the other format, it was the Pill Debate.

The Pill Debate was conducted in the Ancestral Hall. The Ancestral Hall had a Communication Wall linked to the Apothecary Guild headquarters, and the headquarters would dispatch 6-star pinnacle apothecaries to conduct the examination. These apothecaries would raise questions in order to verify the examinee’s comprehension of pill forging, and the examinee had to answer every single question without making the slightest mistake.

However, the 6-star pinnacle apothecaries in the headquarters possessed a far deeper understanding of pills than those in the branches due to their association with higher ranked apothecaries. To answer their questions without making the slightest mistake… nigh impossible!

Putting aside the fact that Zhang Xuan was only a twenty-year-old lad, even a veteran with eight hundred years of experience like him couldn’t hope to succeed in a Pill Debate!

As a result, almost all apothecaries would opt for the easier pill forging examination rather than the nearly impossible Pill Debate.

“That’s true…” Understanding the logic behind it, the teacher nodded in agreement.

“But regardless of the case, I think that we should still head to the Ancestral Hall to take a look…” Vice School Head Wei interjected.

“Un!”

Since they were already there, they might as well check on the Ancestral Hall as well to bring them peace of mind. Lu Feng emphasized for the teacher to keep a tight watch over the Apothecary Forges once again before heading to the Ancestral Hall with the group.

The Ancestral Hall was located in the vicinity of the Apothecary Forges, so it didn’t take too long for them to arrive there.

Just like the Apothecary Forges, the Ancestral Hall was extremely quiet as well. As there were nearly no students who would attempt the Pill Debate, the Apothecary School also didn’t bother dispatching anyone to look after the premises.

The group entered the grounds, but the area looked exactly how they remembered it to be. It didn’t seem like anything had happened there.

“It doesn’t seem like anyone has been here…” Vice School Head Wei heaved a sigh of relief.

As long as the Ancestral Hall was still standing, it should mean that that fellow hadn’t been there, and there was no problem whatsoever, so they need not worry about the matter.

However, the next moment, Vice School Head Zhou suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed, “No, something is wrong!”

“What is wrong? The Communication Walls and the other items are completely undamaged…” Vice School Head Wei asked doubtfully.

There were ten massive Communication Walls erected in the Ancestral Hall, and all of them were undamaged. It didn’t seem like Zhang Xuan had come here at all.

“The Communication Walls might be fine, but look at the Communication Jade Screen in front!” Vice School Head Zhou pointed.

Everyone hurriedly turned their gazes over as well.

As well as the Communication Walls, there was also a Communication Jade Screen in the Ancestral Hall. The former was to relay messages to 6-star apothecaries in the headquarters while the latter could establish communication with 7-star apothecaries in the headquarters.

At the moment, there was still a slight glow on the Communication Jade Token, and it was a little warm to the touch as well. It seemed like someone had just used it.

“Someone used the Communication Jade Screen? Could it be that… Zhang Xuan didn’t establish communication with the 6-star apothecaries but the 7-star apothecaries instead?”

“Impossible! Is he intending to take the 7-star apothecary Pill Debate examination?”

“It’s questionable whether he can pass the 6-star apothecary Pill Debate examination or not! To take the 7-star apothecary Pill Debate examination…”

Lu Feng, Vice School Head Wei, and the others shook their heads in disagreement.

How could it be possible for a twenty-year-old freshman of the Master Teacher Academy to take the 7-star apothecary examination?

After a moment of silence, a vice school head suddenly spoke up. “He’s probably here to request a grade-7 pill formula!”

There could only be two possibilities where one would need to activate the Communication Jade Screen. One, to take the 7-star apothecary examination. Two, to request a grade-7 pill formula from the headquarters.

“But regardless of what it is, one has to use ten different grade-6 pills as a deposit in order to activate the Communication Jade Token. Where did the fellow find so many grade-6 pills?” one of the vice school heads asked.

7-star apothecaries were extremely busy. They weren’t figures whom one could meet just because they wanted to.

As such, one had to compensate the 7-star apothecaries duly for their time, and that was through grade-6 pills.

Only if one could take out ten different grade-6 pills could one activate the Communication Jade Screen. It was due to this rule that there had rarely been anyone who had established communication with a 7-star apothecary ever since the Ancestral Hall was built.

It wasn’t that no one dared to reach out to them, but… the price was simply far too heavy!

No matter how talented Zhang Xuan might be, he was only a twenty-year-old young man. It was already extremely difficult for him to even buy a residence; how could he possibly be able to take out ten different grade-6 pills at once?

“But… it is clear that the Communication Jade Screen was activated just a moment ago. This shows that someone did communicate with a 7-star apothecary,” Vice School Head Zhou said.

Even though it was hard to believe, it was a fact that the Communication Jade Screen had been activated just a moment ago. There was no doubt about this.

“Could it be…”

At that a moment, Lu Feng suddenly thought of something and his eyes narrowed. Just as he was about to speak, a figure abruptly rushed into the room.

“School Head Lu! School Head Lu! Bad news!”

The person who arrived was a familiar middle-aged man in his forties. It was the teacher who was in charge of the Pill Chamber.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Feng’s eyebrows shot up upon seeing the other party’s anxious state.

“The grade-6 pills forged by School Head Lu, the vice school heads, and the teachers of the Apothecary School that are stored in the Pill Chamber have… have…” The middle-aged man looked as if he had seen a ghost, and his lips couldn’t stop quivering.

“What’s wrong with the pills?” Vice School Head Wei asked anxiously as the other party stuttered at the crucial point.

With a tearful face, the middle-aged man exclaimed, “The pills have escaped!”

Chapter 819: Lu Feng’s Frenzy ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

“The pills have escaped? What do you mean by they have escaped?”

Lu Feng and the four vice school heads were stunned.

Other than a few pills that they would use themselves, most of the 6-star apothecaries in the Apothecary School would store the pills they had forged in the Pill Chamber, where they would be labelled with a price and sold when the opportunity presented itself.

The middle-aged man happened to be in charge of this matter.

It could be said that most of the wealth of the 6-star apothecaries in the Apothecary School was within the Pill Chamber, and yet, you are telling me that those pills have escaped?

Are you kidding me?

“It’s true! They have escaped on their own…” the middle-aged man said in a panic, but he had no idea how he could explain the situation.

Just like the other teachers in the Apothecary School, he was a 6-star master teacher as well. Yet, for a person of his capability to be rendered incapable of explaining himself, the situation he had encountered must have been truly shocking.

“What in the world happened?”

With a livid face, Lu Feng demanded furiously, “Explain yourself clearly!”

“It’s like this. I was in one of the Pill Chambers checking on the pills when all of a sudden… the pills began flying by themselves. They rushed out of the chamber and disappeared into the sky…” the middle-aged man said.

“You are telling me that… the pills flew away by themselves?” The lower jaws of the group of five fell to the ground.

Just like Spirit artifacts, while grade-6 pills did possess a spirit, it was impossible for them to move unless they had acknowledged a master.

But making a pill acknowledge one as its master was far more difficult than making an artifact acknowledge one! It would be difficult for even an apothecary to do so, needless to say, others!

More importantly… it was clearly impossible to make so many pills acknowledge someone as their master at the same time!

Suddenly, Lu Feng recalled something, and he hurriedly asked, “Before the pills started flying, did anyone enter the Pill Chamber?”

“A young man in his twenties came by, saying that he wanted to take a look around. He went around touching each and every pill, but eventually, he left without buying a single one,” the middle-aged man said after some contemplation.

There weren’t many people who could afford grade-6 pills, so there were rarely any customers at the Pill Chamber. That young man was the only guest he had seen the entire day, so he remembered him clearly.

“A young man in his twenties? Does he look like that?” Lu Feng swiftly drew a picture of a young man in the air using his zhenqi. Naturally, the young man he drew was Zhang Xuan.

Upon reaching Saint realm, one would be able to do accomplish many unimaginable feats with zhenqi, and drawing a picture in midair was only one of the many abilities.

The middle-aged man quickly nodded. “Yes, that’s him!”

“As I expected…” In that instant, Lu Feng’s body shook uncontrollably, and he nearly went insane.

He had been worrying that Zhang Xuan would reduce the Apothecary School to ruins, just like the Physician School, so he had been keeping his guard up against the latter. But who knew that… instead of destroying their school, he would end up taking their wealth instead!

In order to forge those grade-6 pills, the 6-star apothecaries of the Apothecary School had devoted incalculable time, effort, and most importantly of all, money, to the point that even School Head Lu and the four vice school heads themselves were heavily in debt, waiting for the pills to be sold to earn back their money to clear their debt…

But… just by touching each one, that fellow had all of those pills acknowledge him as their master and took them away…

If the Apothecary Pavilion had collapsed, they could just rebuild it with the profit earned from selling those pills. On top of that, the Master Teacher Academy and the Apothecary Guild would also help to cover some of the cost of reparation as well. However, those pills were their personal property, so it was impossible to obtain any reparation from the Master Teacher Academy or the Apothecary Guild.

In other words, with the disappearance of those pills, nearly all of the apothecaries in the Apothecary School were currently bankrupt!

Lu Feng clutched his chest tightly.

My heart, my lungs, my kidneys…

“Let’s go over and take a look!”

The group hurriedly rushed to the Pill Chamber, only to see that the vast room was completely empty.

As the pills had escaped on their own accord, they had no concrete evidence to prove that this was Zhang Xuan’s doing. Thus, if the latter were to deny it vehemently, there would be nothing they could do either!

Lu Feng turned to the middle-aged man and asked anxiously, “Do you know where the young man who touched the pills earlier went to?”

As important as this matter was, it was of greater importance for them to track down Zhang Xuan and stop him from doing any more harm.

After a moment of thought, the middle-aged man replied, “I’m not too sure… Judging from the direction he left in, I think he might have gone to the Apothecary Auditorium!”

“Apothecary Auditorium?” Lu Feng’s body shook. “This is bad!”

Without any hesitation, he ran out of the Pill Chamber and rushed in the direction of the Apothecary Auditorium. With grim expressions as well, the four vice school heads hurriedly followed him.

The Apothecary Auditorium was where most apothecaries listened to public lectures. It was where most of the students of the Apothecary School usually spent their time.

If that fellow were to go there and lecture like he did outside the library… there might very well be no one left in the entire Apothecary School! Screw that!

While that fellow had destroyed the buildings in the Blacksmith School and Physician School, the damage that he had caused could easily be resolved with ample money. On top of that, his deeds had also boosted the reputation of those schools, and there had been a rise in the number of students who applied for those two schools.

But what he was doing in the Apothecary School was completely different! If he were to conduct another lecture as he had done outside the library and all of the students withdrew from the Apothecary School… A school with only teachers and no students at all would be as good as dead!

In a school, the priority was always the student. Could a teacher without any students still be called a teacher?

Screw that!

It was already bad enough that he had taken all of the grade-6 pills in the Pill Chamber, but now, he was plotting to create an exodus in the Apothecary School as well…

That was as good as snapping the very roots that made the Apothecary School itself!

Lu Feng clutched his chest once more.

My heart, my lungs, my kidney, my bladder…

Moving as fast as they could, it took only ten breaths for School Head Lu and the vice school heads to arrive at the Apothecary Auditorium. What they saw before them left them on the brink of mental breakdown.

The auditorium could hold more than several dozen thousand people simultaneously but was still usually densely packed with people. However, there was nary a human in sight at this very moment. Other than a cat or two here and there, there was not a single soul to be seen.

Somehow, the emptiness seemed to reek of desolation, as if declaring that the era of glory that the Apothecary School had once enjoyed was over.

After searching around, School Head Lu finally found the teacher in charge of managing the Apothecary Auditorium, and he rushed up to question him.

“Wu laoshi, where are the students? Where are the students?!”

Wu Tian was a 6-star apothecary, one of the elders of the Apothecary School.

But instead of responding to School Head Lu’s question, Wu laoshi continued packing his luggage and said, “School head, you came a timely moment. I was intending to head to your office to bid you farewell…”

“Bid me farewell?” Lu Feng’s figure froze, and anxiety swiftly covered his entire face. “Could it be due to that Zhang Xuan again?”

“That’s right.”

Wu Tian nodded with a light chuckle. “Zhang shi’s lecture has truly opened my eyes, so I acknowledged him as my teacher. From this day forth, I shall no longer be an elder of the Apothecary School but an ordinary member of the Xuanxuan Faction! I shall study hard there and aim to achieve a breakthrough as soon as I can!”

“You have… acknowledged him as your teacher?” The edge of Lu Feng’s lips twitched, and he nearly spurted a mouthful of blood.

The fact that Wu Tian was a lecturer for several dozen thousand students reflected the extent of his capability and his standing in the Apothecary School. Yet, a figure like him… had actually acknowledged Zhang Xuan as his teacher?

You must be freaking kidding me!

Not only so, he was even willing to lower himself to become an ordinary member of the Xuanxuan Faction… Tell me, just which screw in your head is loose?

The Xuanxuan Faction is only an ordinary student faction, what is an elder like you getting involved in it for?

“Alright, I will be taking my leave now…”

After Wu Tian finally finished packing up his items, he turned around and left decisively, devoid of any hesitation or wistfulness for the Apothecary School.

“Wu laoshi, wait a moment… If you have acknowledged Zhang Xuan as your teacher, what about the other teachers? We should have around forty teachers in the Apothecary Auditorium, where did they go?” School Head Lu shouted after him.

You might be an elder, an important existence to the Apothecary School, but as long as the other teachers are around, we can surely survive even without you. But… why is the entire area completely empty? Even if the students aren’t around, surely the teachers should be?

“The others were far more decisive than I was. At this moment, they have probably already reported to the Xuanxuan Faction. Alright, I really have to get going now. Otherwise, if I miss a lecture, I will lag behind the others…” Wu Tian waved his hands before turning around and walking into the distance.

“All of them have r-r-reported to the Xuanxuan Faction?” Weakness suddenly assaulted Lu Feng, and he fell onto the floor on his bottom. At this instant, he didn’t seem like a man who wielded immense power but a defeated old man.

The hell!

It is one thing for the students of the Apothecary School to leave, but for you to actually take the teachers as your students as well…

If that is going to be the case, you might as well demolish my entire Apothecary School! Now that I am without students and teachers, what is the point of all of these facilities…

Lu Feng and the four vice school heads glanced at one another in frenzy. No words could explain what they were feeling at this moment.

“School head, if you hadn’t interfered in You Xu’s matter, I think the most that would have happened to our Apothecary School is only a few collapsed buildings. But this… what should we do now?” Vice School Head Zhou sighed deeply.

“I don’t know either…” Lu Feng muttered with a blank look on his face.

It was just a moment ago that he was doing all he could to prevent Zhang Xuan from destroying the facilities of the Apothecary School. However, at this instant, he found himself wishing for that to happen instead…

The Apothecary School was known as the number one in the Master Teacher Academy due to its overwhelming number of students and excellent teaching staff. It was on this basis that he had become the de facto leader of the Ten Great Master Teachers, the stand-in principal of the academy…

But now that the only ones remaining in the academy were him and the vice school heads, his basis of power had vanished. Perhaps, the influence he had might even be beneath that of the Terpsichore School at this very instant!

How did this befall him?

My heart, my lungs, my kidneys, my bladder… now even the opening to my bladder is hurting…

Reluctant to give up just like that, Lu Feng gritted his teeth in determination and stood up. “Let’s head over to the Xuanxuan Faction. I don’t believe that a freshman like him can really win the loyalty of the three hundred teachers and sixty thousand students of our Apothecary School!”

No matter what, he was a 6-star pinnacle master teacher, a figure who could possibly become a 7-star master teacher in the near future. Would he really lose to a mere freshman?

“Alright!” The other vice school heads nodded.

The group followed Wu laoshi’s figure, and after around twenty minutes later, they finally arrived at the dormitories of the freshmen, which also served as the headquarters of the Xuanxuan Faction.

Even from afar, one could see an enormous crowd gathered in the area.

Standing guard at the main entrance were three mighty-looking Grade-4 students, one wielding a spear, one wielding a saber, and the last one bare-handed.

They were the trio who had lost in the bet against Zhang Xun back then, Ying Qin, Bai Mian, and Yuan Gang.

Seated on a stool right behind the entrance gate was a fatty. He held onto a basket in his hands as he shook his plump thighs casually in a crude manner. Upon seeing the group of five, he immediately stood up and welcomed them. “Oh, isn’t this our great School Head Lu? Are you intending to enter to listen to the lecture? That will be one high-tier spirit stone each! We don’t discriminate over here, so we charge everyone the same price!”

“What did you say?” Lu Feng’s cheeks twitched violently, and he nearly erupted on the spot.

Upon hearing the argument, Zheng Yang stepped out and clasped his fist.

“School Head Lu, since we are fellow elders of the Master Teacher Academy, I will dispense with the ceremonies and just address you as senior. Senior Lu, my teacher is currently imparting profound knowledge of pill forging, so anyone who wishes to listen to the lecture must pay the entrance fee. This is the rule, as well as a sign of respect for the teaching occupation as well. Uncle Sun is only abiding by the rules, so as juniors, I hope that you won’t make things difficult for my uncle!”

“Senior? Uncle Qiang? Me, a junior?” Lu Feng felt as if his entire world had turned dark.

The hell! When in the world did my standing become even beneath that of a fatty who only knows how to collect money from others?

Chapter 820: The Downfall of the Apothecary School [2in1] ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

Knowing that the other party would only use a ton of twisted logic against him even if he were to argue over the matter of seniority, Lu Feng flung his sleeves furiously and changed the topic. “We are not here to listen to the lecture. Zhang Xuan has hoodwinked the students and staff of our Apothecary School, so we are here to see what kind of underhanded means he used to lure them here…”

“If you are here for the lecture, just say so! Stop coming up with such pathetic excuses. But no matter what you say today, you will have to pay the entrance fee to enter! Otherwise, with a shout, I believe that there are many students here who will be more than willing to see the valiant figure of the stand-in principal refusing to pay the entrance fee to a lecture!” Sun Qiang said as he stretched his back lazily.

“You…” Lu Feng’s nails sank deep into his flesh.

If the fellow really started shouting then, the reputation which he had built up painstakingly over the years would really dissipate into nothing.

Just the shame of it could easily kill him.

“School Head, let’s just get in first…” Knowing that the school head had already lost his cool, Vice School Head Zhou stepped forward and passed five high-tier spirit stones over. “Here!”

“That’s more like it!” Sun Qiang’s eyes lit up.

The members of the Xuanxuan Faction weren’t charged for the lectures, and there weren’t too many outsiders attending the lecture eithers—the several dozen thousand students and teachers from the Apothecary School had all chosen to join the Xuanxuan Faction.

It wasn’t easy for him to find someone to profit from, so naturally, he wanted to take a bit more from them.

In any case, the Apothecary School had already fallen out with the young master, so there was no longer any need to keep up a front before them.

Besides, the esteemed head of the Apothecary School probably couldn’t abandon his dignity and squabble with the ‘uncle’ of the guest elders of the academy.

Well, even if he did, that would be great too. He could make full use of this opportunity to return the favor in the young master’s stead.

After all, he had seen for himself how arrogant the other party was earlier in the morning.

“Humph!”

Seeing Vice School Head Zhou pay the spirit stones, Lu Feng harrumphed coldly and walked in, paying no heed to the excited Sun Qiang.

The living quarters of the freshmen was considerably large. Even though it was housing tens of thousands of people, it wasn’t cramped at all.

Lu Feng had barely taken a few steps through the entrance when he suddenly caught sight of a figure who made him stop in his tracks, and his eyes narrowed in astonishment.

“Apothecary Lu, why are you here?”

At the back of the crowd, an old man was currently looking ahead of him with eyes gleaming in excitement. Upon hearing someone call him, the old man turned around. He was no other than one of the most esteemed elders in the Apothecary School, Apothecary Lu Yi!

Apothecary Lu Yi was barely younger than You Xu, aged in his nine hundreds. He was one of the oldest elder in the Apothecary School, and over the years, he had contributed greatly to it in all aspects.

Stuck at a bottleneck, he had been spending the last thirty years of his life secluded in his residence to study. He had rarely appeared in public, such that even many of the seniors were unaware of his existence. Even in the annual grand Apothecary Impartation Symposium, which he had initiated, one the most prestigious events in the Apothecary School, he had been absent… Why was he suddenly here?

“Shhh, don’t speak. Just listen… Marvelous, this is indeed marvelous! To think that even such simple logic can be incorporated into pill forging as well, unbelievable…”

Waving his hands impatiently, Apothecary Lu Yi ignored School Head Lu and turned his attention back to the stage.

“Apothecary Lu…”

Dark lines streaked across the furious Lu Feng’s face. He stepped forward to call out to Lu Yi once more, but at that instant, Vice School Head Wei suddenly tugged at his robe and said, “School head, look at Apothecary Lu’s clothes…”

“His clothes?” Lu Feng hurriedly turned his glance over, and what he saw left his mouth twitching endlessly.

As an elder of the Apothecary School, naturally, he was still dressed in the master teacher robe. However, two huge words were weaved on his chest—Xuanxuan Faction! Clearly, even he had joined the student faction as well!

“It’s not only Apothecary Lu… School head, take a look around us,” Vice School Head Wei said as he gestured to the surroundings.

Lu Feng hurriedly looked around, and he immediately saw a few familiar figures amid the crowd.

“Apothecary Bai? Wasn’t he exploring the world? The last time I invited him to conduct a lecture, his face grew so dark that it seemed as if I was forcing him to commit suicide. Why would he… be wearing the robe of the Xuanxuan Faction?”

“Apothecary Ren… his Clearflame Pill Forging Technique is currently the most popular class in the Apothecary School, and he is one of the teachers who has contributed immensely to the growth of the school as well. He’s even on the list of the most respected teachers in the academy… He joined the Xuanxuan Faction as well?”

“That is Apothecary Qiu! I even studied from him at one point…”

…

With every figure he saw, School Head Lu’s face turned a shade darker. By the time he was done, he felt as if the string of sanity in his head was going to snap.

There were a few esteemed retired old teachers in the Apothecary School whom even he didn’t have the authority to mobilize, and yet, here they were, having joined the Xuanxuan Faction voluntarily…

To think the influence of a mere student faction would be greater than a stand-in principal like him…

More importantly, every single of them was completely enraptured by the lecture, pricking up their ears for fear that they might miss a single word…

What was this insanity before him? Had the world gone mad?

Just as Lu Feng thought that he might really go mad at that very instant, Vice School Head Wei suddenly nudged him and pointed forward. “School Head, isn’t that… Lu Hui?”

Once again, Lu Feng felt as if his sanity was pushed a step closer to the edge of a cliff.

Amidst the crowd, he saw a young man looking at the stage excitedly, as if he was going to meet his idol.

Who else could it be other than his direct disciple who had reported Zhang Xuan’s presence in the Apothecary School earlier to him, Lu Hui?

When they left for the Apothecary Pavilion, they had left Lu Hui to take care of the library. When did the other party sneak here… and what was with the Xuanxuan Faction uniform he was wearing?

They had only parted a few moments ago!

Did he really betray them in such a short period of time?

“Lu Hui!” Lu Feng bellowed furiously.

Hearing that voice, Lu Hui noticed that his teacher was there too. He hurriedly squeezed through the crowd to head toward his teacher and bowed deeply. “Teacher, I… I saw that there were many students of our school heading here to listen to the lecture, so I couldn’t help but tag along as well. Listening to Zhang shi’s lecture, I thought that it was amazing, so I joined the Xuanxuan Faction as well…”

Fearing that his teacher would blame him, he hurriedly tried to explain himself.

“Wonderful… Wonderful!”

Lu Feng’s face grew so red that it seemed as if blood was going to ooze from his skin. “Are you going to withdraw from my tutelage too?”

“This… I will be truly grateful if teacher can grant me that!” Lu Hui bowed deeply.

“Grant your head!” Clenching his jaws tightly, Lu Feng really felt like strangling the young man before him at that very instant.

It was just a moment ago that the other party had been reporting Zhang Xuan’s activities to him, but ten minutes later, the other party suddenly turned on him…

Are you really my direct disciple?

Unable to take it any longer, Lu Feng turned his gaze to the young man on the stage. “Humph, let me see what kind of sorcery that fellow used to make all of you so utterly enamored by him…”

At this moment, the young man on the stage had already completed his lecture, and he was in the midst of answering questions.

“Zhang shi, when I forge the Refining Yang Pill, the pill often turns yellow upon formation. May I know if there is any solution to that?” asked one of the apothecaries amid the crowd.

“In order to bring out the true essence of the Refining Yang Pill, the apothecary forging the pill must be rich in yang energy as well. Even though there’s no problem in your cultivation, a trauma that you suffered when you were younger has resulted in a lingering surge of cold energy within your body, leading to physical frailty. As such, you lack the vitality to forge such a pill. Even if you are able to form the pill, it is unlikely for the pill to harness much medicinal energy.”

At this point, the young man on the stage glanced at the apothecary in the crowd and asked, “If I’m not mistaken, the Refining Yang Pills you forge aren’t very effective, are they?”

The apothecary hurriedly nodded. “That’s right!”

The other party’s analysis was spot-on.

“Since you have joined the Xuanxuan Faction, you are one of us, and I can’t possibly give up on our own members. Alright, I will give you this grade-6 Searing Yang Pill then. With this, you should be able to expel the cold energy in your body easily. Once you do so, you won’t face any problems forging the Refining Yang Pill anymore. On top of that, you should be able to make the breakthrough to Chrysalis realm as well!”

Zhang Xuan flicked his finger, and a pill flew toward the apothecary.

Seeing that pill, Vice School Head Wei’s lips twitched. “That pill is mine…”

He recognized the pill. It was the one he had forged and stored at the Pill Chamber to be sold…

“Yes!”

However, no one paid any heed to Vice School Head Wei’s exclamation. The apothecary caught the pill and consumed it immediately.

Gugugugu!

Not too long later, spiritual energy gushed into him, and with a deafening roar, his aura suddenly surged furiously, soaring into the clouds.

Chrysalis realm, reached!

“Thank you, Zhang shi!”

Not expecting that he would be able to achieve a breakthrough on top of resolving an existing trauma he was suffering from, the apothecary immediately kneeled onto the floor and kowtowed out of gratitude.

“Zhang shi, I…”

The next moment, a few more people raised their hands and asked their questions.

It was as if the young man had a pair of eyes that could peer through the essence of the world. He could easily tell what kind of constitution everyone had, and he could analyze the root of their problems and answer their questions easily. When he encountered those who seemed to be on the brink of a breakthrough, he would also bestow them with a grade-6 pill without any hesitation.

The sound of breakthroughs sounded endlessly beneath the stage.

Looking at that sight, Lu Feng and the vice school heads couldn’t help but feel their hearts ache.

Those grade-6 pills that the young man was giving out freely had been forged painstakingly by them. They had invested a huge amount of time, effort, and money for them, and each of them was worth a fortune. Yet, this fellow was giving them out so casually like that…

The more Lu Feng thought about it, the more furious he felt. But he knew that if he were to rush forward to demand those pills be returned to him, he would surely be kicked out by the students and teachers in the crowd, and his reputation would be shattered as well.

“Let’s return!” Gritting his teeth, School Head Lu turned around and left.

Not only did the other party steal away his students and teachers, the other party even made use of his pills to win their hearts and loyalty… How could he possibly keep his calm before this?

If he were to watch on, he might just die of anger!

But if he were to report this to the Master Teacher Pavilion, it would just make him appear petty in comparison.

After all, the main purpose of pills wasn’t to serve as decoration within a chamber but to benefit humanity.

Not to mention, he was the head of the Apothecary School, and the pills were being distributed to benefit the students of the Apothecary School.

The other party might be making use of his pills to win the hearts of the populace, but even he had to admit that the other party had distributed them in an ideal manner. Each of those pills were given to the person who needed it the most, thus maximizing their worth.

“Return?” the vice school heads asked blankly.

Aren’t we going to cause some trouble and coax the students to come back with us?

We are going to leave like that, without doing anything?

“What else do you think we can do? Do you really think it’s possible for us to coax the students back with us given the current state of affairs?” School Head Lu spat through gritted teeth.

“This…” The vice school heads took a look at the crowd around them and subconsciously shook their heads.

Judging from the delighted faces among the crowd, they wouldn’t even be able to coax the teachers to leave with them, let alone the students.

“What do we do now?”

Considering that the teachers and students were all there, the Apothecary School was nothing more than an empty shell at this point…

“What do we do? We shall hold an Elder Conference!” Lu Feng said resolutely.

The other party had already captured the hearts of several ten thousand students. Even he didn’t dare to provoke him at the moment, so the only thing they could do at the moment was to hold an Elder Conference when they returned to decide on a countermeasure.

Otherwise, if both teachers and students began acting out of their places, what would become of the Master Teacher Academy?

“Yes!” Vice School Head Wei nodded.

If this problem wasn’t resolved, the Master Teacher Academy could be in for great trouble…

What was this? To think that the Master Teacher Academy would face such a serious problem over a single You Xu. If he could, he would really have wanted to chop that fellow into pieces.

“Let’s return!”

Having come to a decision, the five of them turned around and left.

After leaving the Xuanxuan Faction, they returned back to the Apothecary School. However, watching the previously bustling school become devoid of any life, they couldn’t help but feel like crying.

When had the Apothecary School been in such a pathetic state before?

After a moment of silence, Vice School Head Zhou asked, “School Head, why don’t you… apologize to Zhang shi? Otherwise, this might really just be the end of our Apothecary School!”

“Apologize to him? Dream on!”

Lu Feng clenched his teeth furiously. “Wait here for a moment, I’ll gather the Ten Great Master Teachers right now for an urgent meeting… No, I should call Mu shi over too. If I don’t make that lawbreaking fellow pay for this, I will abandon my surname Lu!”

…

In the tallest tower in the Master Teacher Academy, there was an exquisite room.

In that room was a long oval table with thirteen seats, and at this very moment, ten of them were filled up.

“School Head Lu, why did you gather us so urgently?” School Head Mo asked.

“Could it be that… you’ve found clues about Senior Byzantium Helios’s whereabouts?”

“That is great news! I have been combing every possible location, but I couldn’t find any leads at all…”

The other school heads chirped in.

It had only been five to six hours since Zhang Xuan had stepped into the Apothecary School and all of the students and teachers had joined the Xuanxuan Faction. As it had happened too fast, the other school heads hadn’t heard of the news yet.

“It’s not regarding Senior Byzantium Helios but the survival of our Master Teacher Academy. Please wait for a moment, I will speak after Mu shi arrives!” Lu Feng waved his hands.

“The survival of our Master Teacher Academy?”

“Could it be that you have found the Otherworldly Demons who captured Senior Byzantium Helios?”

“If that’s the case, a huge battle will be inevitable…”

…

Seeing the grim expression on Lu Feng’s face and hearing how he had even invited Mu shi to the meeting, the school heads glanced at one another with grave expressions.

On top of enlightening the masses, the Master Teacher Pavilion also shouldered the responsibility of protecting humanity as well.

Since the Otherworldly Demons had gone to the extent of kidnapping Senior Byzantium Helios several days ago, there was no doubt that they were up to something. The moment that they appeared, the Master Teacher Academy would have to devote every single one of its members to stopping them.

Jiya!

In that moment, the door suddenly opened and Mu shi walked in.

“Paying respects to Mu shi!”

Those in the room hurriedly stood up and clasped their fists.

Mu shi was a 7-star master teacher from the headquarters, and he was tasked with the responsibility of electing the next principal of the Master Teacher Academy and facilitating the handover of power. Thus, he could be considered the superior of the school heads, and none of them dared show him any disrespect.

After gesturing for the group to settle down, Mu Yuan asked with a frown, “Lu Feng, why did you summon me so urgently? Did something happen?”

“Since everyone is gathered here, I shall begin!”

Lu Feng nodded. “In the current batch of freshman, there is a student named Zhang Xuan. I believe that everyone here should have heard of him!”

“Naturally!”

With the exception of Mu Yuan, who frowned upon hearing the name, the other school heads nodded.

Ever since arriving in the academy, the only time that he had headed out was when he sensed Byzantium Helios Beast’s aura. Other than that, he spent nearly all of his time cultivating in his residence. As a result, he hadn’t heard of the affairs regarding Zhang Xuan before.

“Mu shi, this Zhang Xuan is…” School Head Mo swiftly explained the matter to the other party.

Mu shi’s eyes lit up upon hearing the introduction. “A master teacher who has comprehended the Eye of Insight? Such a genius has appeared in the Master Teacher Academy?”

Clearing the records of the Blacksmith School and Physician School and defeating You Xu in a Life-and-Death Physician Duel meant nothing to him. After all, those were merely supporting occupations.

To Mu shi, what he thought that was the most important was one’s aptitude as a master teacher itself.

A master teacher who had comprehended the Eye of Insight would eventually become an incredible force in the Master Teacher Continent as long as they didn’t fall.

Not even a single talent of such caliber would appear in the Sage Clans once in a millennium.

Seeing the excited gleam in Mu shi’s eyes, Lu Feng hurriedly interjected. “Mu shi, please allow me to continue first before you make your judgement… I acknowledge the fact that Zhang Xuan is indeed an incredible talent, and his appearance would be a blessing to the Master Teacher Academy if he were to use his power for good. However, if he were to use his power for evil instead, he could easily destroy the Master Teacher Academy and the millenniums of history behind it!”

“Use his power for evil?” Mu shi frowned for a moment before nodding.

The Eye of Insight allowed one to see past falsehood and peer into the essence of things. If he were to use it as a tool to guide others down the right path, he would definitely become a valuable aid to humanity… but if he were to use it for evil, that could potentially end in a catastrophe.

Even though such matters weren’t recorded in the annals, there had indeed been cases where talented master teachers had betrayed humanity.

Seven thousand years ago, a genius of humble background had succeeded in clearing the 7-star master teacher examination before thirty, causing a huge uproar at that moment. Just when everyone had thought that he would become a pillar of humanity… the Master Teacher Pavilion made a misjudgment on a matter and wronged him. Out of rage, that genius hunted down the 37 master teachers who were involved in the matter and slaughtered them.

The shock wave of that battle reduced an entire capital extending over a radius of three thousand li into dust, and over a hundred million people had lost their lives. The resulting destruction was not beneath that of an invasion from an army of ten thousand Otherworldly Demons.

Due to the severe aftermath, the Master Teacher Pavilion couldn’t cover for him either. Thus, they issued a ‘Master Teacher Pursuit Decree’, dispatching high-ranked master teachers to hunt him down.

Knowing that a pursuit decree had been released, that genius had fled to the borders and lured over nine thousand 6-star master teachers and above into a trap laid by the Otherworldly Demons at Fubo Ridge.

That was truly a gruesome battle. Even though they had succeeded in killing that genius eventually, the Master Teacher Pavilion had also suffered heavy damage in return. Three 8-star master teachers, 134 7-star master teachers, and 7612 6-star master teachers died in the clash.

Eventually, the others named it the ‘Calamity of Fubo’!

That could be said to be one of the greatest blows the Master Teacher Pavilion had suffered ever since Kong shi unified the Master Teacher Continent.

It had taken a long time for the Master Teacher Pavilion to recover from the aftermath of the matter.

Due to that matter, the Master Teacher Pavilion had also altered their recruitment rules as well. On top of considering talent, character and morals were also important aspects to be assessed as well.

If one had a poor character and was immoral, the more resources the Master Teacher Pavilion devoted into grooming one, the greater the danger humanity would be in.

The number of master teachers who had possessed the Eye of Insight was few, even considering the long history of the Master Teacher Pavilion. Each of them were top-notch talents, figures who had rattled the Master Teacher Continent in their era. If they were to use their power for justice, humanity could be brought to greater heights. However, if they were to turn to evil, the destruction they could potentially cause was far greater than the Calamity of Fubo.

“Could it be that the Zhang Xuan you all spoke of has poor character and is immoral?” Mu shi asked doubtfully.

If that was the case, they would really have to tread carefully. Otherwise, they would be bringing a great calamity upon the Master Teacher Continent.

“How is that possible!”

Hearing those words, School Head Mo exclaimed with indignation. “In order to allow more students to enroll at the Master Teacher Academy and bolster the forces of humanity, Zhang shi gave away the forty thousand points he had accumulated to others without asking for anything in return. How could a person with such magnanimity possibly turn to evil?”

“School Head Mo, I have to ask of you not to be fooled by appearances. His doings are a clear attempt to rally the freshmen to his side so that he could establish his Xuanxuan Faction!” Lu Feng waved his hands.

“Xuanxuan Faction?” Mu shi asked doubtfully.

“The Xuanxuan Faction is the student faction established by Zhang Xuan. Student factions serve as a tool of cohesion to promote camaraderie among master teachers, allowing them to work together toward improving themselves. As such, the academy has imposed no restrictions toward them. However… it hasn’t been long since that fellow enrolled in the academy, but he is already going around trying to win the hearts of the students to gather accomplices for his misdeeds in the academy. It is clear that he has malicious intentions at heart!” Lu Feng said.

“School Head Lu, as a master teacher, you should watch your words!” School Head Mo’s face darkened.

What do you mean gather accomplices for his misdeeds?

Just because a group of students have gathered together means that they are up to no good?

“Based on my sources, it appears that Zhang shi was unaware of the formation of the Xuanxuan Faction. It was under the oppression of the seniors that led to the freshmen banding together, and as the most outstanding student among the freshmen, they nominated Zhang shi to be their leader…” Wei Ranxue’s complexion looked awful as well.

Given the influence that master teachers wielded, it was imperative that they had to be particularly careful with what they spoke, especially when there was no concrete evidence. Otherwise, an innocent man could possibly be convicted as a result of that.

“Watch my words? I am already watching my words very carefully! Since it has come to this, I shall not hide it anymore then. I will tell you all what happened today, and you can evaluate it for yourselves and see whether I have framed him or not!” Harrumphing coldly, Lu Feng swiftly told the group what he had gone through that day.

“You are saying that… all of the teachers and students of the Apothecary School have joined the Xuanxuan Faction, and even the old elders are no exception to that?”

“So… the Apothecary School is currently nothing more than an empty shell?”

The room abruptly turned silent. The ten school heads along with Mu shi were dumbfounded.

Why did it feel as if they were listening to an unbelievable story instead?

“Indeed! What is most important to a master teacher is their lineage. To make so many people withdraw from the tutelage simultaneously just to join a student faction, there is no doubt that fellow resorted to some underhanded means!”

Lu Feng’s face warped in savagery. “If we don’t deal with him soon, he could do the same to the other schools as well. Before long, all of the teachers and students in the Master Teacher Academy might soon be his students. If that were to happen, the academy would become nothing more than his plaything!”

Everyone fell silent.

Even School Head Mo, School Head Zhao, and the others were shocked beyond words.

Honestly, they thought that what Zhang shi had done so far, breaking the records of their schools and destroying their buildings, were already extremely fearsome. Who could have thought that… he could even abduct all of the teachers and students from the Apothecary School with just a lecture?

That was way too terrifying!

Wouldn’t everyone in the school become his student or grandstudent if he were to conduct a few more lectures?

After a moment of silence, Mu shi asked grimly, “Have you heard his lecture?”

“Zhang Xuan allows the members of his Xuanxuan Faction to listen to his lecture for free, but for outsiders, they would have to pay an extremely steep entrance fee to enter. I, Zhou Qing, and the other vice school heads of the Apothecary School had to pay a high-tier spirit stone each just to enter!”

Lu Feng harrumphed coldly. “Naturally, we heard his lecture as well, but his standards can only be said to be subpar. Putting aside the fact that it’s complete nonsense, most of what he said was just propaganda to beguile the others into following him!”

“Subpar?” Mu shi frowned.

“That’s right. Also, didn’t I mention that he resorted to despicable means to steal the grade-6 pills from our Pill Chamber? In order to win their support, he gave away the pills to students who were on the verge of a breakthrough just to create a false impression of magnanimity before his followers.”

Lu Feng recounted his version of events of what he had seen in the Xuanxuan Faction.

“Giving away those pills to those who require them can be considered a merit, but… if he intended to use it to win the support of others, that would paint a completely different picture of the matter!” Mu shi nodded gravely.

The Master Teacher Academy was a ground to groom students to become pillars of support for humanity, so it was surely a joyful event to see the students growing swiftly. However, if Zhang Xuan had intended to use those stolen pills as a means to rally others to support him, that could only mean that he lacked righteousness.

“He must be up to no good!” Lu Feng added. “Otherwise, how can a man make so many students and teachers be so loyal to him over the course of just a few hours?”

Mu shi shook his head. “Every cultivator is unique. They have their own expertise and understanding of the world, so the lessons they need are different as well. This is the reason Kong shi proposed the concept of teaching to the individual. To win the acknowledgement of all of the teachers and students through a single lecture and convince them to join the Xuanxuan Faction is indeed not quite possible.”

No matter how formidable a master teacher may be, it was impossible for him to win over everyone.

After all, humans were unlike money, they were incapable of making everyone love them.

Yet… that Zhang shi actually managed to do it. It couldn’t help but introduce doubts that he might have resorted to some other underhanded means instead.

“Since this matter has happened in your Apothecary School, how do you intend to deal with it?” Mu shi turned to Lu Feng and asked.

“My intentions are simple. I wish for the ten schools to come to a consensus to evict Zhang Xuan out of the Master Teacher Academy, prohibiting him from taking even a single step into its premises!”

Lu Feng coldly sneered, “After which, he shall be stripped of his master teacher license, banned from taking any master teacher examinations for life!”

Translator’s Thoughts

StarveCleric StarveCleric

Lord Buckethead thanks you all for your likes and support! Hope you enjoyed the double chapter 😀

Chapter 821: Quasi 6-star Apothecary ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

“Evict him from the Master Teacher Academy?”

“Strip him of his master teacher license, banning him from taking the master teacher examination for life?”

Everyone was stunned.

“No, that is definitely out of question!” School Head Mo bellowed furiously.

If that were to happen, putting aside the fact that the Master Teacher Pavilion would lose a precious talent, just the thought of how Zhang shi’s mysterious teacher would respond to it was enough to send shivers down his spine. Perhaps, the Master Teacher Academy might be completely obliterated with a wave of his hand!

The higher ranked a master teacher was, the more esteemed they became. Even though the Master Teacher Pavilion sought to uphold justice and fairness, it still had practical concerns to consider… Take for example, a hundred thousand 6-star master teacher might be a valuable asset to the Master Teacher Pavilion, but their value was still far beneath that of a 9-star master teacher.

Or taking Kong shi as example, he was a genius that only appeared once in several dozen thousand years. Putting aside a 9-star master teacher, not even a hundred 9-star master teachers could possibly achieve what he had contributed to humanity in his time.

If Mo Gaoyuan was right and Zhang shi’s teacher was an 8-star master teacher or above, if the latter were to obliterate the Master Teacher Academy with a slap of his hand, it was likely that the Master Teacher Pavilion wouldn’t utter a word of complaint.

It was unfair, but this was the kind of privilege that top-tier master teachers possessed. After all, there were still many threats that humanity faced where their strength was required.

“Stripping a master teacher’s license concerns his entire future. This is not something we can take lightly!”

Zhao Bingxu spoke up as well. “This is especially so when the person in question is a talented individual. If we handle this inappropriately, I fear that what we will lose is not just a genius. We might risk bringing upon ourselves another Calamity of Fubo!”

“This…” Hearing those words, everyone fell silent.

In truth, the Calamity of Fubo could have been avoided.

It was due to that genius offending the offspring of a Sage Clan and having no backers to support him that he was eventually forced into a corner, resulting in the eventual tragedy.

Considering that Zhang Xuan had already awakened his Eye of Insight before he had even reached 6-star was testimony to his immense talent.

If they were to push him too far and breed malice toward humanity within him, Zhang Xuan could possibly choose to side with the Otherworldly Demons out of fury. With his prowess, that could spell calamity for humanity.

Putting everything aside, with his Eye of Insight, he could possibly become another Kong shi, but for the Otherworldly Demons this time around.

If so, humanity would be in deep trouble.

“School Head Zhao is right!” Mu shi nodded.

“Fine, we can put aside the matter of taking away his master teacher license… However, we have to evict from the Master Teacher Academy and Hongyuan City! Since he singlehandedly brought about the downfall of my Apothecary School today, he could easily do the same to the other schools tomorrow! By then, what will become of our Master Teacher Academy?” Lu Feng said with gritted teeth.

There was no one who had a response to Lu Feng’s words.

Even School Head Mo, Wei Ranxue, and the others who favored Zhang Xuan couldn’t find any words to respond to that.

Honestly speaking, given Zhang Xuan’s nature, it was very possible that he might wreak havoc in the other schools after he was done with the Apothecary School.

It was as if he was an ox pulling a plow behind him. It seemed as if he just wouldn’t be content until he overturned everything in his path. Furthermore, after what he had done to the Apothecary School… there was no one in the academy who could confidently say that they could stop him!

After a moment of silence, an old man spoke up.

“I concur with School Head Lu’s judgement. This kind of trouble should be chased away as soon as possible! Putting aside Hongyuan City, we shouldn’t even allow him to remain within Hongyuan Empire!”

The head of the Formation Master School, Chen Chengxun!

School Head Chen had always maintained close ties with School Head Lu, and they often stood on the same ground for most affairs.

Another school head nodded in agreement. “I concur as well!”

The head of the Painter School, Song Danqing!

“I disagree. The purpose of those tests in the Master Teacher Academy is for them to be challenged, and there are no rules banning students conducting lectures either. Zhang shi’s doings might be exaggerated, but he hasn’t done anything that infringed on the rules. What right do we have to evict him?” School Head Mo argued.

“Indeed. His deeds in the Apothecary School might seem ridiculous, but as you have said, even a veteran elder like Apothecary Lu chose to join the Xuanxuan Faction to listen to his lectures. This shows that, unlike what you have claimed, there is an extremely high value to his lectures!”

“As master teachers, we should be magnanimous! For someone of Zhang shi’s capability, I think that not only should we not chase him away, we should even keep him in the academy as one of our teachers. Just imagine the heights he could bring our Master Teacher Academy to!”

Zhao Bingxu and Wei Ranxue also spoke up.

After which, School Head Zhong of the Physician School expressed his disapproval of the motion whereas School Head Feng of the Celestial Designer School expressed his approval.

After hearing their words, Mu shi turned to the remaining two in the room.

“So far, it’s four for and four against. What about you two?”

Currently, Lu Feng of the Apothecary School, Chen Chengxun of the Formation Master School, Song Danqing of the Painter School, and School Head Feng of the Celestial School were in support of evicting Zhang Xuan from the Master Teacher Academy whereas School Head Mo, School Head Zhao, School Head Wei, and School Head Zhong were against it.

Only two more men hadn’t expressed their views yet—the head of the Martial Arts School, Xu Changqing, and the head of the Demonic Tunist School, Jiang Qingqin.

“Zhang shi’s students are currently the guest elders of our Martial Arts School. Since even his students have such a deep insight into battle techniques, nothing needs to be said about him. My view is that we should have Zhang shi remain!” Xu Changqing said.

“What about you?” Mu shi asked.

Everyone turned their sights to Jiang Qingqin.

It was five against four. If the other party were to vote in favor of Lu Feng, it would lead to a five against five, a draw, and there might be another round of voting in the near future. Otherwise, the motion would be scrapped entirely.

“I haven’t met Zhang Xuan for myself, so I don’t think I am in a good position to pass judgement on him. Thus, I will refrain from voting,” Jiang Qingqin said. “Besides, the most important matter we have at hand isn’t to deal with a single student of the academy but to find Senior Byzantium Helios!”

“Refrain from voting?”

“That’s quite a wise decision. It’s still too early to see who is right and who is wrong, so it might be better to back out for the moment.”

“School Head Jiang has never been concerned about worldly affairs, so it’s not too surprising that he wants to stay out of this matter!”

The others nodded in response.

The head of the Demonist Tunist School, Jiang Qingqin, had always been nonchalant about the world around him, choosing to stay out of troublesome affairs whenever possible. It was within the expectations of the other school heads that he would stay out of the voting.

“Since the current vote is five is to four, this motion will be scrapped. For the time being, everyone should focus their efforts on finding Byzantium Helios Beast!”

Announcing the verdict, Mu shi waved his hands. “Just as I have said before, the person who finds Byzantium Helios Beast will be the next principal. As for the matter regarding Zhang Xuan, I shall leave it to the next principal to decide how to deal with him!”

Even though Mu shi was a 7-star master teacher from the headquarters, he was ultimately still an outsider in this matter. It would still be for the best to allow the Master Teacher Academy to resolve the matter among themselves.

Otherwise, he could possibly be cast under suspicion of exploiting his authority.

Upon hearing the conclusion of the matter, Lu Feng panicked, and he hurriedly turned to Mu shi with an indignant look on his face. “Mu shi…”

“Alright, this matter is already settled. Dismissed!” Unwilling to speak any further, Mu shi waved his hands and walked out of the room.

“Farewell!”

Following which, School Head Mo, School Head Zhao, and the others left as well.

Soon, Lu Feng was the only one remaining in the room. Amid the deafening silence, his face warped savagely, and he clenched his fists tightly.

“Damn it…”

Furious, he slammed his fist on the table.

“Fine, I will let you get away for now. However, you’d better pray that you don’t slip up. Otherwise… I will make your life a living hell!” Lu Feng roared furiously.

…

While Lu Feng was reporting the matter to the Ten Great Master Teachers, Zhang Xuan finally finished with his lecture as well.

Back then, when he had been standing before the library of the Apothecary School, he hadn’t been standing in a daze. Rather, he had been using his soul to gather all of the books within into his Library of Heaven’s Path.

As a 4-star apothecary, he had been able to skip right to the 4-star and 5-star books. As such, it had only taken him an hour to successfully compile the 5-star and 6-star Heaven’s Path manual.

After studying the manuals, he’d suddenly felt a surge of inspiration, so he’d begun lecturing right outside the library.

The content he had spoken of was profound yet easy to understand, interpreting the essence of pill forging directly. The crowd in the surroundings couldn’t help but be drawn in by his words.

This was also the reason behind the first exodus of the Apothecary School to the Xuanxuan Faction.

After he was done, Zhang Xuan had first gone to the Pill Chamber, hoping that there might be a Grand Intermittence Pill there. However, to his disappointment, there was nothing of the sort there. Nevertheless, not wanting to make a trip for nothing, he’d decided to take the grade-6 pills with him so as to return the favor to Lu Feng.

Following which, he had headed straight for the Ancestral Hall, where the Pill Debate examination was conducted.

Just as Vice School Head Wei and the others had seen, he had activated the Communication Jade Screen, not only to clear the Pill Debate but also to request the pill formula of the Grand Intermittence Pill as well.

Without any experience in pill forging, it would have been impossible for Zhang Xuan to pass the practical examination. However, if it was just a Pill Debate, given his thorough understanding and deep insight into pill forging, not even a 7-star apothecary would be a match for him.

In the Pill Debate, he had utterly crushed the 7-star apothecaries on the other end of the screen and received his quasi 6-star apothecary emblem, as well as the pill formula of the Grand Intermittence Pill.

Having achieved what he had gone for, Zhang Xuan had initially intended to leave. However, recalling how he had taken so many grade-6 pills for nothing, he’d still felt a little guilty. After all, his grudge was with Lu Feng, not with the Apothecary School. However, the matter was already done… Thus, he had gone to the Apothecary Symposium to conduct a lecture as a form of compensation to the Apothecary School.

Who knew that his lecture would end up aweing both students and teachers alike?

As a result, the grand sight of countless elders, teachers, and students abandoning the Apothecary School for the Xuanxuan Faction had come to be.

As for the matters regarding the uniform and the entrance fee, those were Ruohuan gongzi and Sun Qiang’s doing.

“So, this is the key to forging the Delight Harnessing Pill. I finally get it!”

“I feel that with my current comprehension of pill forging, as long as my cultivation reaches the required level, I will surely be able to forge a grade-6 pill!”

“This lecture has truly benefited me greatly. It’s as good as three years’ hard work on my part!”

…

While Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief and departed from the stage, the apothecaries beneath the stage had intoxicated expressions on their faces, still immersed in the lecture they had just heard.

Zhang shi’s lecture had been random and abrupt, raising points on the unexpected aspects of pill forging. However, his words eventually tied together perfectly like puzzle pieces to form a profound picture of pill forging, giving the listeners a striking and deep insight into the essence of pill forging. As long as they were to ruminate over his words carefully and decipher them, their proficiency in pill forging would surely rise immensely in the short run!

It was just a single lecture, but it was equivalent to several years of their hard work.

…

“Genius! He’s truly a genius! To think that pill forging can be interpreted from such an angle as well…”

Apothecary Lu stood beside some of the other old elders of the Apothecary School as they discussed Zhang shi’s lecture, and the more they spoke, the more astonished they became.

At their age, it was already far too difficult for them to make a breakthrough. If only they had listened to such a lecture ten years earlier, every single one of them would have been 7-star apothecaries by now!

“From now on, I am a member of the Xuanxuan Faction. I will never ever return to the Apothecary School!”

“Me too! I would rather remain here to listen to Zhang shi’s amazing lectures than rot away in the Apothecary School. Perhaps, if we listen to a few more, we might just be able to pass our 7-star apothecary examinations!”

Just when the few elders were overwhelmed with excitement, they suddenly saw the young man who had just lectured them abruptly walking toward them.

“Zhang shi!”

The elders clasped their fists and bowed politely.

“There’s no need to stand on ceremony. I am here to request something of you all,” Zhang Xuan said.

“Feel free to speak, Zhang shi! As long as it’s within the means of old bones like us, we will surely give it our best!”

Even though they weren’t students of the academy, they had become completely impressed by the young man before them after hearing the lecture as well.

“Thank you, but it’s actually not that much. I just need you all to collaborate together and forge a pill for me!” Zhang Xuan revealed his motive.

“Collaborate together?” The group was stunned.

Despite the profound understanding of pill forging that the young man before him had, he still needed their help?

“That’s right. I wish to forge the Grand Intermittence Pill!” Zhang Xuan said.

“Grand Intermittence Pill… A grade-7 pill?” Apothecary Lu exclaimed in shock.

Chapter 822: Phoenix Timber Core ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

Grand Intermittence Pill was extremely well-known for its miraculous ability in allowing one to regrow even severed limbs. But naturally, it was an extremely difficult pill to forge as well.

Even among grade-7 pills, it could be considered one of the more advanced ones. It would be difficult for even an average 7-star apothecary to forge it, so how could they possibly succeed?

For all Upper Nine Paths occupations, the difference between each rank became exponentially larger the higher one climbed.

Even though it was only a single rank of difference between 6-star and 7-star, it was like the difference between a Saint and a Transcendent Mortal. There was an unbreachable gap between the two.

In fact, even within the rank itself, there was a vast difference in the capability between low-tier and pinnacle.

In other words… even though they were all 6-star pinnacle apothecaries, just a toe away from achieving a breakthrough to 7-star, it was still utterly impossible for them to forge the Grand Intermittence Pill, which only 7-star pinnacle apothecaries were capable of forging.

With a bitter smile, Apothecary Lu shook his head. “I’m afraid that we might not be of much help here…”

“I know that it’s difficult, that’s why I need you to work together with one another,” Zhang Xuan replied.

“Work together? But we have never worked together before, it won’t be easy to do so…” The group shook their heads.

Pill forging wasn’t like fighting a battle, where each cultivator just had to cover for one another… Every single apothecary had their own unique pill forging technique and style. It was more likely than not that if two apothecaries tried to work on the same cauldron, a major error would occur somewhere. This could easily lead to all of the medicinal herbs being ruined, or in the worst-case scenario, a cauldron explosion even!

That was not to say that it was completely impossible for apothecaries to work together on the same cauldron. There were such cases in the world, but most of them were students who had been training to work with each other from the very start, and after several dozen years of collaboration, they gained the ability to understand one another by the slightest gesture or gaze, allowing them to synergize with each other perfectly.

But on the other hand, Apothecary Lu and the others had already tread on their own path for several centuries now, and they had their own unique forging style tailored to their own needs. If they were to forcefully work with one another, it was one thing for them to fail in forming the pill, but in the worst-case scenario… they might even end up blowing away the entire Master Teacher Academy!

As one of the more advanced grade-7 pills, the medicinal energy contained within a Grand Intermittence Pill was comparable to the might of a Saint 4-dan expert. If a mistake were to occur, with their cultivation of Saint 1-dan, it would be impossible for them to suppress the explosion.

“There’s no need to worry about that. I have a few pill forging techniques here that are suited for just that, so I hope that you can familiarize yourselves with them quickly. As for the collaboration, as long as you listen to my instructions strictly, there won’t be any problem with it!” Zhang Xuan said as he whipped out a few books and passed them over.

These were the pill forging techniques he had deduced that he would require for the forging of the Grand Intermittence Pill.

“Pill forging techniques?” Apothecary Lu and the others grabbed the books given to them and began browsing through them.

Each of them took a different book each, and the content of each book was different as well.

“Misty Rain Pill Forging Art…”

It didn’t take too long for Apothecary Lu to finish browsing through his book, and by the time he was done, his hands were trembling intensely.

The Misty Rain Pill Forging Art was centered around stability, taming whatever destructive force it encountered while silently nourishing the pill. The technique was extremely profound and intricate; despite Apothecary Lu’s many years of experience, he had never seen anything like it before. Without a doubt, if he were to successfully master this technique, his proficiency of pill forging would soar once again.

By then, as long as his cultivation hit the requirement, he was confident that he would clear the 7-star apothecary examination easily!

But what had truly left him astounded was that… the Misty Rain Pill Forging Art complemented his cultivation technique perfectly! If he were to master this technique, even his fighting prowess would be enhanced as well!

“This is truly a good pill forging technique. It complements my Spirit Turtle zhenqi splendidly…”

“The pill forging technique in the book supplements my cultivation technique impeccably too…”

After reading their own books, the eyes of the others were also glowing, and they couldn’t help but exclaim in excitement.

Hearing those words, Apothecary Lu took the books of his other friends and browsed through them swiftly as well, and his eyes couldn’t help but widen.

He realized that the pill forging techniques listed in the books were a perfect fit for their individual cultivation techniques and constitutions, such that he couldn’t pick a single flaw from it.

In other words… Zhang shi had designed these pill forging techniques specifically for them! Otherwise, considering how each cultivator had his own unique cultivation technique and constitution, how could there be such a coincidence that all of them would have a pill forging technique that was a perfect fit for them?

But to tailor a pill forging technique to the needs of another… Just how deep of an understanding must one have of pill forging to be able to do so?

Even the most capable 7-star pinnacle apothecaries were incapable of such!

“T-this…”

Naturally, since Apothecary Lu had noticed this much, the others couldn’t possibly remain oblivious to it. With eyes widened with respect and awe, they gazed deeply at the young man before them.

They had thought that the other party was amazing when they were listening to his lecture, but at this moment, what they had was deep reverence for him.

After recovering from the shock, Apothecary Lu asked, “Has Zhang shi prepared the required medicinal herbs yet? According to what I know, the main medicinal herb of the Grand Intermittence Pill, the Grand Intermittence Grass, is a rare saint herb!”

As the saying goes, ‘even the most capable of cook can’t cook without ingredients.’

The medicinal ingredients of grade-7 pills might not be too difficult to find within a Conferred Empire, but in Hongyuan City, that would be no easy feat.

This was especially so for the Grand Intermittence Grass. Putting aside how it was rare and impossible to be cultivated, its natural habitat also tended to be regions plagued with poisonous worms. Even Saint 4-dan experts would be troubled to procure it.

“I have already applied for the required medicinal herbs from the headquarters,” Zhang Xuan replied.

After obtaining the pill formula of the Grand Intermittence Pill, he swiftly looked through the herbs required and noted that the main ingredient, Grand Intermittence Grass, was hard to obtain in Hongyuan City. Thus, he applied for it from the headquarters.

“You applied for the medicinal herb from the headquarters?”

Apothecary Lu and the other apothecaries glanced at one another, astounded. “But given the steep price of the Grand Intermittence Grass, will the headquarters really be willing to give it to you?”

Applying and purchasing from the headquarters were two separate matters.

Applying was equivalent to asking for a subsidy from the headquarters. Should the headquarters accept the application, they would give the medicinal herb to the applicant without charging anything.

On the other hand, purchasing would require the purchaser to pay a certain price in exchange for the medicinal herb.

But the Grand Intermittence Grass was a rare and valuable saint herb. Even if one were to purchase it from the headquarters, it would cost at least several hundred or even a thousand high-tier spirit stones. To apply for it… how could the headquarters possibly accept the application?

If it was that simple, the Apothecary Guild headquarters would have already closed down from the sheer expenses incurred from apothecaries applying for medicinal herbs.

Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment before replying. “I happened to solve the problems of one of their apothecaries, and the other party promised to help me settle this matter… so I don’t think there will be any trouble!”

The Communication Wall could only transfer written information whereas the Jade Communication Screen allowed one to transmit and view visual information as well.

Back then, when Zhang Xuan had been taking his 6-star apothecary examination, one of the apothecaries on the other end had sent a video of someone forging pills, and Zhang Xuan had helped the other party analyze and resolve a few problems in his forging method, thus winning the other party’s respect. In light of that, the other party had offered to help him apply for the Grand Intermittence Grass.

But back then, the other party had spoken of it lightly as if it was nothing… Could the other party have been lying to him?

Apothecary Lu frowned slightly upon hearing Zhang Xuan’s story, and he said, “Even for the apothecaries of the headquarters, it would still be difficult for them to apply for medicinal herbs without some connections. Do you know of the name of the apothecary you spoke to?”

“If I recall correctly, I think his name is… Wu Huayu! Back then, of the ten apothecaries projected in the Jade Communication Wall, he was the one who was the rowdiest…” Zhang Xuan replied.

However, before Zhang Xuan could finish his words, the lower jaws of the elders before him abruptly fell to the ground, and they began shaking in fear.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing the bizarre state of the elders before him, Zhang Xuan frowned.

“Zhang shi… do you have any idea who Wu Huayu is?” Apothecary Lu asked with quivering lips.

“How could I possibly know? But considering how dim-witted he was and the ton of nonsense that flew out of his mouth, he is probably no one important. Why, do you know each other?” Zhang Xuan asked.

“Dim-witted?”

“Cough cough…”

Apothecary Lu nearly choked. Seeing that the man before him was truly ignorant of it, he could only shake his head with a bitter smile. “Wu Huayu is the head of the Qingyuan Conferred Empire Apothecary Guild… a 7-star pinnacle apothecary!”

The others also hurriedly nodded, as if fearing that Zhang Xuan wouldn’t believe it.

It was one thing for you not to recognize Guild Leader Wu, but to say that he is dim-witted…

That is the number of apothecary of Qingyuan Empire, and yet you speak as if he is nothing at all!

More importantly, you even helped to solve his problems?

Just what kind of monster is standing before me?

“Guild leader? You are saying that person is the leader of the Apothecary Guild? I see…”

Zhang Xuan was stunned for an instant before he slowly nodded. “Since he’s the guild leader, there shouldn’t be any problem with obtaining the Grand Intermittence Pill. As for the other ingredients, it shouldn’t be any trouble obtaining them in Hongyuan City. Here is the list of ingredients that I will need…” Zhang Xuan said as he passed a piece of paper over.

“As apothecaries, you have more connections in Hongyuan City than I do. Thus, I will have to trouble you to help me source them. If you see any of these herbs, do help me purchase them, I will repay you later. If I don’t have enough money, I will trade grade-6 pills for them…”

Since Zhang Xuan was troubling them to find the medicinal herbs for him, he couldn’t possibly have them pay out of their pocket for it too.

It just so happened that he had quite a few grade-6 pills remaining in his hands, so he could use them to trade for the medicinal herbs.

“The medicinal herbs on this list are quite affordable…”

Apothecary Lu took the paper, browsed through the list of ingredients, and remarked, “I think we might be able to gather all of these medicinal herbs through our own private stashes, so there’s no need for Zhang shi to pay. You may consider this our way of repaying you for your impartation of knowledge and the pill forging techniques!”

As old elders of the Apothecary School, they had their own stashes of medicinal herbs that they could use whenever they needed. While they might not have extremely valuable saint herbs like the Grand Intermittence Grass in their possession, the collections they had accumulated over the years were still rather impressive.

Besides, as 6-star pinnacle apothecaries and elders of the Master Teacher Academy, it would be embarrassing if they were to only receive from the other party and not give back to him.

It was just a bunch of medicinal herbs, they each had plenty of those in their stash. It was nothing much for them to just give them away.

Zhang Xuan’s eyes lit up, and he clasped his fist and thanked them. “I will be thanking you in advance then!”

“Zhang shi, allow me to finish first…” Apothecary Lu waved his hands. “We are able to gather most of the medicinal herbs required, but there is one which you might have to source for yourself.”

“Which one?” Zhang Xuan asked.

“It’s the last medicinal herb on the list, the ‘Phoenix Timber Core’!” Apothecary Lu replied.

“Phoenix Timber Core?” Zhang Xuan frowned. “You aren’t able to find this?”

The Phoenix Timber Marrow was not a saint herb, spirit herb, or even a medicinal herb.

Zhang Xuan had thought that it would be the easiest one to find on the list, which was also the reason he had listed it at the very bottom, but who would have thought that the old elders would tell him that they were unable to obtain it?

“The Phoenix Timber Core is the very foundation of the Phoenix Timber Tree. It has the medical properties of facilitating hemostasis and the recovery of wounds. Compared to the other medicinal herbs, it is indeed not very valuable. However, the problem lies in its rarity… None of us have it in our stash, and it is unlikely that we will be able to find it in the Apothecary School and Physician School either!” Apothecary Lu said.

“If even the Apothecary School and Physician School don’t have them… then where am I to look for it?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

The Apothecary School and Physician School could be said to have the largest collection of medicinal herbs in Hongyuan City. If the Phoenix Timber Core couldn’t even be found in those two places, it was highly likely that it would be impossible to find it anywhere else in Hongyuan City.

“Zhang shi, calm down. While we don’t have the means to procure the Phoenix Timber Core, we do know where you can find it. If Zhang shi is able to convince that fellow, you might just be able to obtain it!” Apothecary Lu said.

“Oh?” Zhang Xuan’s eyebrows shot up. “Please enlighten me…”

“The main use of the Phoenix Timber Core is not to serve as a medicine but to craft zithers. If my memory fails me not, I believe there is a Phoenix Timber Tree in the Demonist Tunist School. If you can get to School Head Jiang Qingqin, you might just be able to obtain it!” Apothecary Lu said.

Chapter 823: Attainment of Six Cranes ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

“Demonic Tunist School?” Zhang Xuan asked doubtfully.

“That’s right. Once the Phoenix Timber Tree matures, one can procure its wood and soak it in a flowing river for 49 days. The resulting wood is an ideal material for crafting the Seven String Zither. This instrument has an extremely beautiful sound that reverberates deep within one’s soul, making it a treasure which all demonic tunists hope to obtain!” Apothecary Lu explained.

“The current Phoenix Timber Tree in the Demonic Tunist School was planted personally by School Head Jiang Qingqin five hundred years ago. Over the many years, it has been nourished by the rich spiritual energy in the academy, thus making it exceptional material. If we can acquire its core to use in forging the Grand Intermittence Pill, it will definitely augment the medical properties of the formed pill!”

Hearing those words, Zhang Xuan nodded.

He didn’t have much knowledge of the demonic tunist occupation, so he didn’t know there was such a use to the Phoenix Timber Core too.

“Alright. I will find a way to purchase the Phoenix Timber Core from the Demonic Tunist School!” Knowing that he could acquire the material inside the Master Teacher Academy, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.

“Purchase?” Apothecary School Lu shook his head. “School Head Jiang has always viewed worldly possessions with nonchalance, so I fear that… it won’t be that easy!”

“View worldly possessions with nonchalance?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“In any case, we don’t have any ties with School Head Jiang, and our words also don’t have enough weight to sway him, so I’m afraid that we won’t be able to help you on this matter. Zhang shi, you will have to convince him yourself. For the time being, I think that you should send him a visiting scroll to indicate that you will be visiting. This will make you seem sincerer, and it might boost your chances of success…”

(Visiting scroll: It is similar to a letter which you send in advance to your visit or right before your visit to indicate your identity so as to give the other party a heads up. It is considered to be polite and respectful.

At which point, Apothecary Lu suddenly laughed dryly and said, “If Zhang shi were to do what you did to the Apothecary School, I fear that it might have the opposite effect…”

School Head Jiang Qingqin was a reticent person, and he usually avoided interacting with others wherever possible. Even though they were the old elders of the Apothecary School, they hadn’t really had much contact with him.

But nevertheless, based on the rumors, they could still fathom a guess on the other party’s temperament, and it didn’t seem like he was an easy person to get along with.

If they were to regard the other party respectfully, they might still stand a chance. But if Zhang shi were to act as he usually did, destroying everything in his path…

“Don’t worry, I am not a reckless person!” Zhang Xuan reassured them.

“…”

However, Apothecary Lu and the others fell speechless after hearing those words instead.

If it wasn’t out of recklessness that you practically crippled the Physician School and Apothecary School, wouldn’t the Master Teacher Academy collapse if you were to get reckless?

Seeing that there was still some time before the agreed time with Luo Ruoxin, Zhang Xuan instructed, “Sun Qiang, make some preparations. We will be heading to the Demonic Tunist School now!”

“Yes!” Sun Qiang hurriedly rushed off to prepare.

Soon, after confirming the direction, the master and butler headed for the Demonic Tunist School.

…

In the Demonic Tunist School, beneath a lush Phoenix Timber Tree, an elder was stroking his zither calmly.

The melodious sound of the zither drifted lightly in the air, and six divine cranes began dancing upon hearing the music. They flew around the courtyard joyously, calling out in excitement.

A long time later, the zither music finally came to an end.

The elder shook his head and sighed. “I’m still a bit off…”

Another elder not too far away stroked his beard and said, “School Head, that’s because your expectations are too high. Choir of Six Cranes, that is already a level that countless dream of. In order to reach seven cranes, that requires one to possess skills on par with a 7-star demonic tunist!”

The old man who had been playing just a moment ago was School Head Jiang Qingqin, and the other person with him was Vice School Head Ning Hai.

“These days, I can feel that a breakthrough is imminent, but I just can’t find the impetus to do so!” Jiang Qingqin shook his head.

Not too far away, the flying cranes landed back on the ground, returning back to their flock of around a dozen cranes.

Demonic tunist, just like the other occupations, could be divided into differing levels of capability. In this case, the more cranes that one was able to allure into dancing merrily in the sky, the greater one’s capability as a demonic tunist was.

Jiang Qingqin’s feat of inducing six cranes to dance harmoniously to his zither could already be considered an incredible achievement.

“The music of the zither originates from the heart. There’s no point getting anxious over it. Perhaps, if you could empty your mind, you might achieve a breakthrough instead!” Vice School Head Ning chuckled.

“That’s true… but with so many things going on the academy recently, it’s not easy for me to empty my mind.” Jiang Qingqin sighed.

He would have also loved to stay out of worldly affairs and achieve a transcendent state of mind, but as the head of the Demonic Tunist School, he had many affairs that he had to tend to each day. It was easier said than done.

Furthermore, many troubles seemed to have cropped up within the Master Teacher Academy one after another in recent days. Bearing heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, he couldn’t just turn his head away at such a time.

“Indeed!” Vice School Head Ning sighed as he placed his fingers on the zither before him. “Being a school head sure is tough. Even if you offered to hand it over to me for free, I still wouldn’t take it! What I want is to roam the world, living joyously and carefree with a zither in hand, unburdened by worldly affairs!”

“You…” Seeing his old friend’s state, Jiang Qingqin chuckled and shook his head.

In truth, Vice School Head Ning was nowhere beneath him in terms of his capability, and if he wished to, he was more than qualified to become the school head. However, it was just that he was unwilling to take on the responsibility.

At that moment, a student suddenly rushed into the courtyard.

“Teacher, Zhang Xuan seeks an audience!”

As the student spoke, he passed a visiting scroll over.

“Zhang Xuan?” Jiang Qingqin was taken aback for an instant before the corners of his mouth twitched. “What is he doing here? I don’t think… I have any conflict with him!”

“What’s wrong? Is there something special about that Zhang Xuan?” Seeing Jiang Qingqin’s state, Vice School Head Ning couldn’t help but be puzzled.

Even though Ning Hai was the vice head of the Demonic Tunist School, it was more or less only in name. He rarely interfered in the affairs of the school, spending his days playing his zither, immersed in music. Thus, he was unaware of the various affairs surrounding Zhang Xuan.

“Special is an understatement, he is like the God of Destruction. Wherever he goes, unrest follows…” Jiang Qingqin swiftly brought his old friend up to speed on the matter.

“To think that there would be such a formidable genius in our Master Teacher Academy!” Vice School Head Ning exclaimed in astonishment.

He had heard of master teachers who possessed a particular talent for a single occupation or two, but never had he seen a twenty-year-old freshman overpowering multiple schools in the academy singlehandedly. This was unimaginable!

“But our Demonic Tunist School has no grudge with him, what is he doing here?” Jiang Qingqin’s questioned with an awful complexion.

He was usually extremely easy-going, rarely allowing anything to get to him. But… Lu Feng had described the other party as if he was a monster with six arms, so Jiang Qingqin couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive at the other party’s arrival.

To visit the Demonic Tunist School for no apparent reason… it couldn’t be that he intended to tear down the Demonic Tunist School?

“Based on what you said… we can’t discount that possibility!” Vice School Head Ning frowned as well.

“Since that’s the case, tell him that I am currently in seclusion, so I can’t meet him,” Jiang Qingqin instructed the student.

“That won’t work! If that fellow resorts to forceful measures after being turned down by you, the Demonic Tunist School might just end up like the other schools…” Vice School Head Ning hurriedly interjected.

“What should we do then?” Jiang Qingqin frowned.

Honestly speaking, that Zhang Xuan was truly a star of calamity. Misfortune fell on whoever was around him. If he had a choice, he would definitely stay as far out of that fellow’s path as he could…

“Why don’t we invite him in for the time being? Since he has delivered his visiting scroll instead of barging in, I think that there are still grounds for negotiation,” Vice School Head Ning said. “Furthermore, if he is as formidable as you have said, and he has a deep understanding of demonic tunes as well, we could have him offer some pointers to our students, and perhaps, that might lead to a significant rise in the strength of our Demonic Tunist School!”

“This…” Hearing those words, Jiang Qingqin’s eyes lit up as well. “Indeed! This encounter can be considered an opportunity for our Demonic Tunist School too!”

Thus, Jiang Qingqin turned to the student and instructed, “Alright, invite him in!”

Even though Zhang Xuan had a fearsome record of destruction behind him, considering the nature of the demonic tunist examination, it was unlikely that he could do anything to the school. Besides, if the other party possessed true capability, he could even apply for the 6-star demonic tunist emblem for the other party directly.

“Yes!”

The student nodded before leaving quickly. Not too long later, he returned with Zhang Xuan and a plump man.

Zhang Xuan stepped forward and clasped his fist. “Zhang Xuan pays respect to School Head Jiang and Vice School Head Ning!”

On the way here, he had already asked the student about the identities of the duo standing beneath the Phoenix Timber Tree.

“There’s no need to stand on ceremony with us, Zhang shi. I have heard much about your affairs. May I ask the reason behind your visit? Our small Demonic Tunist School is unable to take any setbacks, so I have to ask of you to have mercy on us,” Jiang Qingqin said.

“Urk… School Head Jiang, what are you talking about…”

Not expecting the other party to actually take precautions against him right from the start, Zhang Xuan was stunned for a moment. He quickly clasped his fist and replied, “Actually, the reason I am here today is because I have something to request of you!”

“Oh?”

Jiang Qingqin and Ning Hai exchanged doubtful glances, and after brief moment of silence, Jiang Qingqin turned to Zhang Xuan and said grimly, “As long as you don’t destroy the Demonic Tunist School, challenge the trials here, and have my students join your Xuanxuan Faction… I will definitely do whatever I can for you!”

“Cough cough!” Zhang Xuan choked on his saliva.

What the heck is this!

It was not like I intended to cause all that damage. All I did was challenge those trials fair and square, and yet, everyone treats me as if I am bent on destroying everything I lay my eyes on…

I am not such a person!

But as frustrated as Zhang Xuan was, he didn’t forget the aim of his visit. “The reason I am here is to ask School Head Jiang to spare me some Phoenix Timber Core…”

“Phoenix Timber Core? Impossible! I can’t give you that!” Hearing those words, School Head Jiang immediately waved his hands and rejected him decisively.

When he’d seen how amicable the other party’s attitude was, he had thought that the other party might not be as bad as the rumors had made him out to be. But who knew that the other party would ask for his Phoenix Timber Core… There was no one in the Master Teacher Academy who didn’t know that the Phoenix Timber Tree was his most prized possession!

To actually ask me to give it to you… That’s as good as taking my life!

Why don’t you just kill me instead?

“This… I am willing to pay a premium price on it!” Zhang Xuan offered without any hesitation, knowing the rarity of the Phoenix Timber Core.

“I won’t sell it to you even if you are willing to pay a premium on it…” School Head Jiang shook his head.

“Alright then.”

Seeing how determined the other party was, Zhang Xuan could only sigh helplessly. “Then, may I know where the library of the Demonic Tunist School is and where I can take the demonic tunist examination? I would like to take the demonic tunist examination while I am here…”

“You want to take the demonic tunist examination?”

Recalling the huge calamity that had resulted from the young man before him taking the examinations of the other occupations, School Head Jiang’s lips twitched, and he hurriedly waved his hands. “No way!”

“No way? Is School Head Jiang prohibiting me from taking the demonic tunist examination?” Zhang Xuan asked doubtfully.

“That’s not it…” Jiang Qingqin’s complexion looks extremely awful, but he had no idea how he could speak about the matter.

In truth, he had no right to stop the other party if the other party wanted to take the examination.

After all, the students had their own freedom to take the examinations as they liked. It was utterly ridiculous for him to prevent a genius from taking the demonic tunist examination just because of his fear.

If so, he would be unqualified to be a master teacher as well.

Seeing that Jiang Qingqin was in a dilemma, Ning Hai discreetly sent a telepathic message to him. “School Head, aren’t you trying to achieve a breakthrough beyond the Attainment of Six Cranes? Considering the incredible reputation of that fellow, why don’t you have him offer you some pointers on your demonic tunes? If he is able to help you reach Attainment of Seven Cranes, there is no harm giving him some Phoenix Timber Core. But if he fails… you will have a reason to turn him down and ask him to leave!”

“This…”

Hearing those words, Jiang Qingqin’s eyes suddenly lit up in enlightenment.

Indeed!

Since the other party was able to make all of the teachers and students of the Apothecary School willingly acknowledge him as his teacher, and even Wei Ranxue was completely awed by his teaching, perhaps he might be able to do the same in demonic tunes as well!

Chapter 824: Fly, Divine Cranes ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

“As long as you can do something for me, it’s not impossible for me to give you some Phoenix Timber Core.”

With such thoughts in mind, Jiang Qingqin regained his confidence.

“Oh?” Curious to know why the other party had suddenly changed his mind, Zhang Xuan turned to look at him.

“Currently, my zither playing can only draw in six cranes. If you can help me reach the Attainment of Seven Cranes within the next two hours, I can give the Phoenix Timber Core to you for free!” Jiang Qingqin revealed his motive.

“Six cranes? Attainment of Seven Cranes? What are those?” Zhang Xuan was bewildered by those foreign terms.

He had never come into contact with any demonic tunist books before, and the other party used professional jargon specific to the occupation, so he couldn’t understand it at all.

“You… don’t know?”

As the other party had said that he would challenge the demonic tunist exam, School Head Jiang had assumed that the other party possessed capability as a demonic tunist on par with him. Yet, to hear him ask such basic questions at this moment… Jiang Qingqin felt his vision turning dark, and he nearly spurted blood.

The hell! These are terms one learns as an apprentice, and yet you don’t know them… Could it be that you don’t know a single thing about demonic tunists?

An amateur like you dared to arrogantly declare that you would take the demonic tunist examination?

“Un.” Zhang Xuan nodded.

“Alright then… Of all demonic tunes, those involving zithers tend to possess the greatest offensive power, so most demonic tunists choose to immerse themselves in the study of the zither. It also became the basis to judge one’s level of attainment as a demonic tunist. The deeper one’s understanding of the zither, the more aligned one’s zither playing will be with nature, drawing in more divine cranes to dance to one’s melody. Under normal circumstances, a 1-star demonic tunist will be able to draw in one crane, and a 2-star will be able to draw in two cranes… so on and so forth. This is also the standard for determining a demonic tunist’s capability.”

Suppressing his frustration, Jiang Qingqin explained the basic knowledge, which even an apprentice would know. “I am currently a 6-star pinnacle demonic tunist, and I am only capable of charming six divine cranes to dance at once. Seven is still beyond my reach. If you can allow my zither playing to charm seven divine cranes to dance simultaneously… I will give my Phoenix Timber Core to you.”

“Seven divine cranes dancing simultaneously?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“That’s right!” Jiang Qingqin nodded. “What I am lacking now is just an impetus for a breakthrough. If you can help me accomplish it, I will agree to your request. Otherwise… I will have to ask of you to leave and never come back!”

“This…”

Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment before turning his gaze to Jiang Qingqin. “In other words, as long as seven divine cranes dance simultaneously while you are playing, you will accede to my request… Can I interpret it as so?”

“That’s right!” Jiang Qingqin nodded.

“That’s simple! I won’t even need two hours… Just five minutes will do!” Zhang Xuan smiled confidently.

He was still thinking what kind of arduous mission he would be tasked with, but to think that this would be it.

Count on me, I will solve it for you within moments!

The two elders were stunned. “Just five minutes will do?”

Are you for real?

Jiang Qingqin had cultivated diligently for five hundred years only to yet to make the breakthrough to Attainment of Seven Cranes, and yet, within five minutes, you are going to make him make breakthrough?

I thought you didn’t even know about the six cranes and seven cranes, are you sure you possess the ability to do so?

If you succeed, putting aside the Phoenix Timber Core, I will even allow you to take the entire Phoenix Timber Tree away with you!

“Of course!” Zhang Xuan reassured with a nod.

“That’s good to hear. So, where did I go wrong? Why am I still unable to make a breakthrough after so many years?” Jiang Qingqin was a little hesitant, but as he recalled the unbelievable records the young man before him had achieved, he decided to put his trust in the other party.

Even Vice School Head Ning couldn’t help but be curious about what Zhang Xuan was going to do.

To make such big claims, he must have some unbelievable means up his sleeves.

Was this the prowess of a master teacher who had comprehended the Eye of Insight?

“Play the zither!” Zhang Xuan instructed.

“Alright!”

Knowing that he had to first display his capability before the other party could offer him any pointers, Jiang Qingqin’s fingers slid across the zither, and a note resonated in the air.

It was like a melody had descended from the heavens, resounding in the courtyard.

The melody mesmerized the listeners in an instant. It was a tune permeated with grandness, as if one had ascended to godhood and was laughing heartily at the world beneath his feet.

Demonic tunist was an occupation specializing in soul attacks. Upon reaching a high level of attainment, one could create an entire army or a destructive tempest with just a slight flick on the zither, making it difficult for even Saint realm experts to withstand their might.

Legend has it that demonic tunists were once known as divine tunists. But twenty thousand years ago, a 9-star divine tunist found himself deeply encircled by his enemies. With his zither in hand, he drew out demons with his playing to slaughter the million-strong army around him.

That battle had forged the reputation of demonic tunist in the Master Teacher Continent. It was then that everyone learned that the seemingly unimpressive occupation could wield such fearsome power as well, and it was in deference to them that the world had conferred on them the word ‘demon’.

‘Impressive…’

Zhang Xuan had to drive his Heaven’s Path zhenqi before the pressure on his body finally disappeared. He couldn’t help but be astonished.

If he hadn’t been prepared, he might have been left in a trance from the zither music.

It seemed that even the occupations of the Lower Nine Paths held immense potential in them. Otherwise, they couldn’t possibly have been passed down over several dozen millennia without going into decline.

“Hmm?” Jiang Qingqin frowned.

He had been intending to teach the young man a lesson, so he had intentionally added an offensive edge to his playing.

He had thought that the other party would have been mesmerized by his playing, especially given the other party’s low cultivation, but who knew that in a blink of an eye, the other party’s eyes would immediately become clear? He couldn’t help but be impressed.

It was no wonder the other party could induce such widespread fear around the academy, leaving even School Head Lu in a frenzy. As young as the other party might be, he did seem to possess unparalleled talent and capability.

Hu hu hu!

Impressed, Jiang Qingqin decided to stop with his little tricks, and the zither music abruptly became gentle. Upon hearing the music, some of the divine cranes suddenly began to call excitedly, and they rose into the sky to dance.

One crane, two cranes, three cranes…

Not long later, six cranes were dancing along to the zither music.

Seeing that the zither music could indeed charm the divine cranes into dancing, Zhang Xuan nodded in awe.

As a soul oracle, Zhang Xuan had a deep understanding of soul. This granted him the ability to induce effects reminiscent of demonic tunes with his words, such as inducing dizziness in another’s soul. However, it was still beyond him to charm so many divine cranes into dancing along to a melody.

“Zhang shi, as you can see, I have achieved the Attainment of Six Cranes. However, I am still unable to charm the seventh crane. How should I play in order to make the breakthrough?” Jiang Qingqin’s voice echoed resoundingly amid the zither melody.

Despite his advanced age, his voice had a melodious edge to it, reminiscent of singing. It felt extreme comfortable, and it complemented beautifully with the zither melody.

“Leave it to me!”

Hearing the other party’s words, Zhang Xuan chuckled. He stepped forward, heading to where the divine cranes were loitering around.

Even after six of the cranes had left, there were still ten left in the group. Jiang Qingqin had been taking care of these cranes since they were young, so they were extremely obedient to him. At this moment, they were standing silently on the spot, seemingly enjoying the music.

“Let’s begin!”

When Zhang Xuan was around ten meters away from a crane, he stretched his back and took in a deep breath.

Heaven’s Path Movement Art! Heaven’s Path Fist Art!

With a forceful step, his figure abruptly turned into an afterimage.

Peng peng peng peng!

Ten consecutive punches struck the ten remaining cranes standing peacefully on the spot. In an instant, they were sent flying, and their bodies crashed into the wall of the backyard, leaving a huge dent behind them.

“…” Jiang Qingqin staggered.

He was still wondering what pointers Zhang shi was going to offer him when the latter abruptly laid his hands on his crane, smashing them into the wall. In that instant, he nearly fainted from fury.

Ding!

In that moment of panic, Jiang Qingqin abruptly exerted too much force, and a string on the zither snapped, created an abrupt disharmonious note. Glaring at Zhang Xuan with eyes that could kill, he roared, “Zhang shi, what are you doing?”

It was no wonder he was angry. He had taken care of those cranes from young, and he had long developed a sense of fondness for them. Even though he could tell that the other party had held back his punches, leaving a breath in his cranes… still, to pummel his cranes without any hesitation, unforgivable!

“School Head Jiang, please calm down. Continue playing your melody… I will have seven cranes dancing before you very soon!” Zhang Xuan instructed.

“Very soon?” Jiang Qingqin was slightly hesitant.

You are supposed to offer me pointers so that I can make a breakthrough in my demonic tune arts, but instead of focusing your attention on me, you turned to my cranes instead… Can I really make a breakthrough like this?

“Trust me, you will see soon enough!” Zhang Xuan nodded in reassurance.

“Humph! That had better be the case. Otherwise, you’d better have an explanation for harming my cranes…” With a livid expression, Jiang Qingqin fixed the snapped string with his zhenqi and began playing once again.

The fellow before him had created simply far too many miracles, and he had been stuck at the Attainment of Six Cranes for far too long. His eagerness to achieve a breakthrough and the other party’s confidence in his words convinced him to give it another try.

Triinngg ting tang ting!

A melody that created the vivid imagery of a flowing river deep in the mountains drifted in the air, creating a soothing atmosphere.

Upon hearing the music, the six divine cranes which had been spared from the previous injury began dancing in the air once again.

Seeing how School Head Jiang could quickly keep his emotions in check and play an impeccable tune rich with emotions, Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but nod in commendation. Chuckling softly, he waved his hands and said, “Fly freely, divine cranes!”

Along with his words, one of the cranes which he had pummeled just a moment ago struggled to its feet, and with a loud call, it leaped into the sky to join the dancing six.

“You… succeeded?”

Vice School Head Ning couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock.

Wasn’t Zhang Xuan going to offer some pointers to his old friend to help him achieve a breakthrough?

Yet, with a ‘fly freely, divine cranes’, his old friend reached the Attainment of Seven Cranes just like that?

But judging from the melody, it didn’t seem like there was any improvement or change in his old friend’s playing whatsoever.

Before Vice School Head Ning could make sense of what was happening, yet another crane struggled to its feet. After shaking its head to recover from its dizziness, it abruptly flapped its wings, and with a loud call, it joined the dancing group.

“Eight cranes…” Vice School Head Ning’s lips twitched.

Wasn’t his old friend still struggling to charm seven cranes a moment ago? How did it suddenly turn into eight cranes?

Eight cranes… Did this mean that his old friend was on par with an 8-star demonic tunist…

But his old friend’s music hadn’t changed whatsoever, and Zhang shi hadn’t offered any guidance either. How did the level of his playing abruptly rise like that?

Just as Vice School Head Ning was still perplexed by the sight before him, the rest of the cranes, which had been struck into the wall, struggled to their feet, and shaking their heads, they flapped their wings and soared into the sky as well.

“Nine cranes, ten cranes, eleven cranes…” Vice School Head Ning was frenzied by the sight before him.

For a moment, he was so agitated that he could hardly catch his breath.

The highest level a demonic tunist could achieve was the Attainment of Nine Cranes, and yet, at this very moment, there were eleven cranes flying in the air. Not only so, the remaining cranes were showing signs of joining the dance as well…

Just what was going on?

Could Zhang shi really possess such mystical abilities? Even without giving any pointers, he could induce substantial improvement in another with just a momentary glance?

Astonished, Vice School Head Ning hurriedly turned his attention back to his old friend’s playing in an attempt to feel if it had reached a profound level when one of the zither strings suddenly snapped.

Seemingly having realized something, his old friend’s face turned as dark as the stormy clouds, and his hands had trembled to a stop as well.

The usually composed Jiang Qingqin could no longer hold back his rage anymore, and a furious bellow reminiscent of the howling of a wolf echoed resoundingly in the courtyard.

“Zhang Xuan! Screw you!”