Library of Heaven’s Path - Chapter 625

Chapter 625: Zhang Xuan’s Indignation

“I…”

Hong shi’s face darkened.

He didn’t expect that the other party would be so vicious, intentionally bringing out all their treasures first before cornering him.

The other three had taken out gifts of extremely high quality, yet he hadn’t prepared anything at all. He couldn’t take out anything even if he wanted to!

While not giving a gift might not have a decisive impact on the slot allocation, granted that everyone had given a gift and he didn’t, this might incur Wu shi’s displeasure and thus the crown prince’s in turn!

Besides, the other party was already clearly mocking him. He couldn’t possibly just sit still and allow the other party to ridicule him, right?

“What’s wrong? It can’t be that you didn’t prepare anything at all?”

“Are you serious? I told you this afternoon that Wu shi and the others would be attending the banquet, and I thought the reason why you arrived late was so you could prepare something. Was I mistaken?”

“You knew that we’re meeting esteemed guests and yet you came empty-handed, where are your manners?”

Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu gloated upon seeing Hong shi’s face slowly darkening.

They had indeed told Hong shi about the four esteemed guests, but of course, they left out the part regarding the gifts.

“Hmm?”

As expected, upon hearing the words of the trio, Crown Prince Ye Qian frowned in displeasure.

While he didn’t think too much of the gifts, he did feel that it was improper for Hongfeng Empire to come empty-handed when the others had brought such valuable gifts.

“I’ve just arrived today, so the item is still…”

Feeling the gazes on him growing more and more intense, and the questioning tone becoming sharper and sharper, Hong shi’s face flushed, stifled. He was just about to say that the gift wasn’t ready yet when a nonchalant voice sounded beside him.

“Of course, our Hongfeng Empire has prepared our own gift as well…”

Hearing those words, Hong shi panicked and hurriedly turned to look at the origin of the voice. It came from the young man sitting beside him, Zhang Xuan.

“Zhang shi, I didn’t prepare anything at all…”

Hong shi’s face immediately twitched, and he hurriedly sent a telepathic message to stop Zhang Xuan.

It was one thing to be mocked for not having prepared anything, but to claim that they had prepared something and yet be unable to produce it, that would only be even more embarrassing!

One must know that the gifts of the previous three had already set the stage. If they were to take out something that paled in value right now, they would still only be embarrassing themselves.

“Oh? Since you’ve prepared something, why don’t you take it out so that we can take a look?”

Hearing the one with the lowest cultivation interjecting in their conversation, Luo Zhao harrumphed coldly.

“Take it out?” Zhang Xuan shook his head. “I’m afraid that it’ll be a little difficult now.”

Hearing that Hongfeng Empire couldn’t take out their gift at the moment, Luo Zhao sneered coldly, “Difficult? What do you mean by that? Are you trying to make a fool of His Highness and Wu shi?”

Hong shi’s body also swayed weakly, and he suddenly felt his head spinning.

To claim that they had prepared a gift and yet be unable to take it out. Big Brother, how do you intend to wrap this up?

If they were really unable to produce anything at this point, not only would Wu shi be offended, the crown prince would surely be displeased with them as well. With this, even a fool could tell how the slots for the Cleansing Lake would be distributed later on.

The crown prince and Wu shi glanced at one another with a deep frown etched on their foreheads.

Just the fact that a fellow in his early twenties could get into the top three placing had already left them slightly bewildered. Yet, at this very moment, the very same fellow claimed that they had something prepared but couldn’t take it out at the moment. This had left them dumbfounded. They had no idea what the other party was up to.

The same went for Bi Jianghai and Luo Xuan as well.

They had been with Hong shi the entire afternoon, and they knew better than anyone whether there was a gift prepared or not. If they couldn’t take anything out at this moment, wouldn’t that put them in a difficult position?

“I’m just a humble 4-star master teacher from Myriad Kingdom Alliance. Even if someone were to inflate my guts, I would dare not to make a fool of Your Highness and Wu shi!”

Ignoring the puzzled gazes from the crowd, Zhang Xuan chuckled lightly and turned to Luo Zhao. “Luo shi, you’ve already taken a good look at the gift which Hong shi prepared with great difficulty. Isn’t it about time for you to return it?”

“Ah?”

Stunned, Luo Zhao’s complexion immediately darkened. “What did you say? What do you mean by taken a good look? When did I take Hong shi’s gift?”

“I knew that you wouldn’t admit to it…”

Sighing deeply, Zhang Xuan shook his head. He stood up and clasped his fist toward the crown prince and Wu shi. “I hope that Your Highness and Wu shi can redress Hong shi’s grievance!”

“Redress Hong shi’s grievance? As long as you can prove your case, we’ll be more than willing to bring justice to Hong shi!”

Instead of the crown prince, Wu shi was the one who chuckled and replied to Zhang Xuan’s words.

“You have my deepest gratitude…”

Nodding his head, Zhang Xuan turned his attention back to Luo Zhao once more. “Since Wu shi has already agreed to redress our grievance… Luo shi, do you dare to match statements with me?”

“Match statements? Why would I dare not to?”

Seeing how confident the young man before him was, Luo Zhao was stupefied.

While he was acquainted with Hong shi, the both of them governed different territories and rarely came into contact. So, how could he have taken the other party’s item?

Yet, this fellow confidently ran up to the crown prince and Wu shi for them to judge this case. What was he up to?

Honestly speaking, even Hong shi himself was feeling a little frenzied at the moment.

When did Luo Zhao take my stuff? Why am I not aware of it?

“Good!”

Lifting his gaze, Zhang Xuan smiled. “May I confirm if Hong shi went over to your living quarters to look for you earlier today?”

“That’s right!”

Luo Zhao nodded.

Hong shi had walked into his living quarters openly, so it wouldn’t be too hard to check on this matter. He wouldn’t be able to hide it even if he wanted to. Besides, the other party had only come to look for him. This couldn’t serve as any conclusive evidence that he had taken the other party’s gift!

“Did you challenge Hong shi to a Master Teacher Confrontation?”

Just as Luo Zhao was perplexed as to where this was going, the other party’s voice sounded once more.

“This… That’s right!”

After a moment of hesitation, Luo Zhao nodded.

After seeing Hong shi pummeling Feng shi, he felt angry and indignant for Feng shi, so he challenged Hong shi to a Master Teacher Confrontation.

Given that a Master Teacher Confrontation required one to activate their emblem through their blood and send a request to the headquarters beforehand, it wouldn’t be too difficult to look into the matter. Thus, there was no need to hide it.

“It’s good that you’ve admitted to it. I don’t have to elaborate any further then!”

Nodding his head, Zhang Xuan turned to the crown prince and Wu Zhen, and clasped his fist. “Luo shi has already admitted to the matter, so I believe I need not continue on!”

“What are you talking about? You’d better clarify things right now…”

Luo Zhao clutched his hair in frenzy.

What the heck is this fellow up to? Halfway through the questioning, he simply stops and says that I’ve already admitted to the crime, so he needs not speak any further?

What in the world have I admitted to…

Hong shi was even more lost. Zhang shi’s jump in logic was simply too big that even he couldn’t comprehend what was going on.

“I think it’ll be best that you clarify your words!”

Ye Qian and Wu Zhen glanced at one another and coughed.

“Alright. Since I’ve been asked to clarify my words, I hope that I won’t be punished on the accounts of from insubordination for speaking up against a higher rank master teacher!”

At this point, Zhang Xuan’s eyes suddenly brimmed with indignation and wrath, as though he had suffered an indescribable grievance. “Actually, Hong shi told me not to speak of it, but I simply can’t watch quietly as he is getting wronged…”

“Ah?” Hong shi widened his eyes in shock.

I told you not to speak of it?

Speak of what?

“Hong shi is a kind and honest person who is weak with words. For the sake of Huanyu Empire’s reputation, he intended to keep the matter a secret. However, as his junior, I can’t watch quietly as he gets wronged like this…” Zhang Xuan continued.

Hearing those words, Wu Zhen’s face twitched.

Kind and honest, I can’t really say anything about that… but weak with words? You are clearly lying through your teeth! It’s not like I didn’t see how Luo Zhao and the others nearly fainted from anger just now.

On the other hand, Luo Zhao was trembling in fury. The more he listened the young man’s words, the more furious he became. Eventually, his rage hit the point of eruption.

“Stop pulling out all of this nonsense and get straight to the point!”

“Fine, if you say so…”

As if mustering his determination and courage, Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth in indignation and said, “Earlier this afternoon, Hong shi went over to discuss some things with the other three pavilion masters. However, not only did the three of them collaborate with one another to beat Hong shi up… they even stole the gift he prepared beforehand!”

“Th-the heck! What did you say? We beat Hong shi up?”

Luo Zhao staggered and nearly spewed blood.

Beat your head! Hong shi rejected my Master Teacher Confrontation, remember? Besides, when did we collaborate to beat him up? Not to mention, steal his gift? Steal your head!

Even if you want to lie, at least choose something more believable than this!

Three master teachers beating up another in the courtyard… Do you think that we are some kind of ruffians?

Not giving Luo Zhao a chance to explain himself, Zhang Xuan pushed on.

“Since you won’t admit to it, let me ask you. Earlier this afternoon, not only did you challenge Hong shi to a Master Teacher Confrontation, Feng shi also did the same as well, am I right?”

“This…” Luo Zhao was taken aback. “The both of them did fight one another in a Master Teacher Confrontation, but…”

Feng shi did fight one another in a Master Teacher Confrontation… but it was a one-sided pummeling from Hong shi’s side, alright?

“But what? Just the fact that the battle happened proves everything!”

Zhang Xuan uttered furiously, “Hong shi and Feng shi are both 5-star low-tier master teachers, Transcendent Mortal 6-dan primary stage cultivators… I believe no one here has any qualms in agreeing that they’re equally matched, right?”

The crowd nodded.

As fellow master teachers of the same cultivation realm, there was indeed not much of a disparity in their fighting prowess.

“Given that they are of equal cultivation and had undergone a Master Teacher Confrontation, and looking at how badly Feng shi was beaten up, how well do you think Hong shi would fare?”

Zhang Xuan questioned on.

The crown prince and Wu Zhen suddenly froze.

“Luo shi, let me ask you again. After Hong shi and Feng shi fought with one another, did you immediately apply for a Master Teacher Confrontation? And did Hong shi say that he had suffered grievous wounds, and he won’t be capable of fighting for the next ten years or words similar to that?”

Zhang Xuan pressured on.

“He did say such words but…”

Luo Zhao froze once more. He tried to explain himself, but he found himself interrupted by the young man once again. “How gravely injured must a 5-star master teacher, a Transcendent Mortal 6-dan cultivator, be to be unable to fight with anyone for the next ten years?”

The more Zhang Xuan spoke, the more agitated he became. “But even so, Luo shi still insisted on challenging Hong shi to a Master Teacher Confrontation… How could Hong shi possibly be a match for him under such a state? Naturally, the gift that he prepared in his storage ring ended up being taken away as well…”

At this point, Zhang Xuan looked so angry that if he were to continue speaking, indignant tears might just start flowing from his eyes.

“Screw you… When did I beat him up and take his gift? You better stop lying…”

Luo Zhao’s body swayed weakly, and he nearly burst into tears.

It was obvious that Hong shi was the one who went over to beat Feng shi up! How did it suddenly turn into Feng shi and Hong shi being equally injured in a duel, and I became a despicable person who struck in his time of weakness?

Not to mention, I even took his stuff on top of that…

Is your mouth capable of uttering even the slightest truth?

To be lying blatantly like that, are you certain you are a master teacher?

Where’s your pride?

Chapter 626: Luo Zhao on the Verge of Insanity

Chen Yue and Feng Yu’s lips were also twitching uncontrollably.

Only the four of them were present and knew what had happened. Even before the duel between Feng shi and Hong shi, Feng shi was already incapacitated to the point that he was on the verge of death. How could he possibly be capable of fighting?

How in the world did it turn into a match between equals?

As for Luo shi beating Hong shi up, after Hong shi said that he was grievously injured, Luo shi didn’t make a move at all…

On the other hand, seeing how indignant Zhang Xuan was as he depicted the situation back then, he suddenly fell into a daze… Was I really beaten up by Luo shi? Could I have suffered a concussion and forgotten about it?

“Stop spouting nonsense! The rest of us can testify that was not what happened then. Feng shi was already injured then…”

Unable hold himself back any longer, Chen Yue intervened.

As though knowing that the other party would retaliate through such words, Zhang Xuan flung his sleeves and refuted, “Feng shi was already injured then? Since you claim that to be the case, I would like to ask about how Feng shi was injured, who was the one who beat him up? After all, it’s a major affair for a 5-star master teacher to be so severely injured. Surely there must be a report on the matter?”

“This…” Cold sweat began dripping down Chen Yue’s head. “Perhaps I might have remembered wrongly…”

Feng shi’s action in stopping Hong shi’s passageway was contrary to the master teacher moral code in the first place, not to mention, he failed shamefully and crashed to the ground, nearly dying in the process… No matter what, this matter mustn’t be made known.

Otherwise, Feng shi would be a goner.

But if they didn’t reveal this matter, what else could they say?

After all, earlier this morning, when they met with the crown prince, Feng shi was still perfectly fine. Yet, a few hours later, he was turned into a mummy… There was no other explanation they could offer that would be more logical than Zhang Xuan’s!

“Are you trying to back on your words now that you can’t find any other excuse?”

Zhang Xuan ranted furiously, as though he would only be content if he burned the surroundings down. “Nevertheless, Wu shi can testify that the three of you banded together to work against Hong shi. As such, surely it won’t be too shocking for you to be speaking up for your ally now? This really brings the authenticity of your words into question!”

“This…”

Chen Yue’s cheeks trembled in anger.

Even though Wu shi was drinking then, there was no doubt that he had seen how the three of them banded against Hong shi earlier. It was too late for them to refute it now…

“Since that’s the case, I’ll have to ask Feng shi and Chen shi to remain silent on this matter!” Zhang Xuan waved his hands.

Furious, Chen Yue was just about to speak up to refute Zhang Xuan’s words when the crown prince suddenly interjected, “Enough, the two of you should back down for now. Allow this young man to finish his piece first!”

Even from the gift presentation just a moment ago, the trio was clearly working together to corner Hong shi. A person of the crown prince’s caliber couldn’t possibly have neglected this.

Since it was established that the three of them were working together, their words had lost credibility.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Zhang Xuan nodded. “Hong shi arrived in the banquet hall slightly later because he was in the midst of recuperating from his injuries from the previous fight. Yet, the other three pavilion masters ganged up against him and accused him for a breach of etiquette. Wu shi can testify to my words!”

“He isn’t lying!” Wu shi nodded.

“Wu shi, I thank you for speaking up for us.”

After which, Zhang Xuan turned his gaze back to the crown prince and clasped his fist. “After beating Hong shi up and stealing his gift, they intentionally caused a scene here so as to make Hongfeng Empire lose their slots. Now that the facts are in place, I ask of Your Highness to bring justice to the matter!”

The crown prince looked at Zhang Xuan and said, “Your argument is rational, and I am more than willing to redress your grievances… However, I’ll need to verify the matter first. For this, I would like to confirm what kind of gift you have brought.”

As the crown prince of an empire and a half 5-star master teacher, he was no fool. While there was no logical flaw in the argument of the young man before him, and Luo Zhao had admitted to many of the affairs personally, he still found it hard to believe that three 5-star master teachers would actually resort to stealing the gift of a peer of theirs.

“Indeed! You said that I took Hong Qian’s gift, but what exactly did I take? If you can’t say it, that would be equivalent to falsely accusing a higher ranked master teacher. If proven guilty, you would be stripped of your master teacher license or even sentenced to death…”

Hearing those words, Luo Zhao’s eyes immediately lit up.

As the saying goes, ‘catch an adultery in a pair, catch a thief by his loot’. Since you claimed that I took Hong shi’s item, why don’t you tell me what I took? Once your words are proven false… let’s see how you’ll deal with that!

Just the sentence of a 4-star master teacher slandering a 5-star master teacher is sufficient to seal your doom!

“I’ve seen plenty of shameless people before, but I’ve never seen one as shameless as you! It’s one thing for you to not admit to taking the item of another, but to spout such righteous words on top of that… Since that’s the case, I’ll make sure you concede willingly!”

Harrumphing coldly, Zhang Xuan turned to Hong shi and said, “Hong shi, I’ll have to trouble you on this matter!”

“Trouble me?”

Hong shi suddenly jolted upon hearing Zhang Xuan calling him. “Zhang shi, feel free to speak…”

At this moment, he was completely awed by the fellow before him.

The mouth of this fellow could probably turn even a corpse into a living being, a living being into a deity… They came late due to waiting for this fellow, but through the other party’s words, it somehow turned into him recuperating from his injuries…

The fellow even managed to incorporate it into the nonsense he rambled earlier on. What was even more amazing was that he even managed to form a complete story without the slightest disharmony!

Even he, the person in question, couldn’t help but admit that there were no flaws to the story.

To be able to craft such a thorough story, could this fellow have already thought so far when he advised him on the matter regarding how he should deal with Luo shi and the others?

If that was really the case… then the other party would be an extremely fearsome figure!

“What you have to do is simple, you just have to…”

This time, Zhang Xuan was speaking to Hong shi telepathically.

“You want me to…”

Hearing the other party’s words, Hong shi widened his eyes in shock.

“Un, go on. Whether we’ll be able to tear off their masks or not will depend on Hong shi!”

Zhang Xuan clenched his fists tightly.

“Go? Go your head…”

Recalling the words, the other party sent to him telepathically, Hong shi’s body staggered, and he nearly burst into tears.

Are you sure you aren’t trying to have me killed instead…

Seeing the dilemma on the other party’s face, Zhang Xuan consoled him.

“Don’t worry. Try recalling the duel between Ruohuan gongzi and Qin Lei, and you’ll understand what I’m up to!”

“Ruohuan gongzi and Qin Lei?”

Hong shi suddenly froze.

Under normal circumstances, it was impossible for Ruohuan gongzi to advance to the top eight. Given that his opponent was Qin Lei, even Hong shi thought that he had no chance at victory.

Yet… After Ruohuan gongzi threw a bowl of meat soup on Qin Lei, he suddenly made a complete turnaround…

He couldn’t help but be mystified whenever he recalled the matter. But from the looks of it, there was no doubt that this fellow was involved in it.

But nevertheless, what he was going to do now was indeed similar to what Ruohuan gongzi did back then.

“Alright!”

Knowing that this was for their group, after a moment of hesitation, Hong shi gritted his teeth, stood up, and started walking over to Luo shi.

“What are you up to now?”

Luo Zhao was perplexed. Instead of revealing what he took from Hong shi, why was he sending Hong shi up to him instead?

“There is something I need to trouble Luo shi on, so I seek for your cooperation!”

Hong shi clasped his fist earnestly and replied. On the other hand, Zhang Xuan lifted up a wine glass and sipped on it nonchalantly, paying no heed to the happenings around him.

“Cooperate? Why should I cooperate with you?” Luo Zhao gritted his teeth.

You accused me of doing something I haven’t done, and now you want me to cooperate with you? Why should I? Should I just allow you to hurl more mud at me?

“If you don’t cooperate, it can only mean that you have a guilty conscience. Rest assured, if you’re truly innocent, we can’t possibly frame you for something you haven’t done!” Hong shi replied.

Hearing the other party’s words, Luo shi knew that he would only look even more doubtful if he refused to cooperate. Thus, gritting his teeth, he conceded.

“Fine, I’ll cooperate then. What do you want me to do?”

You want me to cooperate? Fine! Let’s see what you can do then.

In any case, as long as you can’t reveal what item I’ve taken from you, you’re doomed. My victory is already assured.

“Stand up and place your hands behind your back!” Hong shi said.

“Humph!” Even though Luo Zhao was on the verge of exploding with anger, he still stood up and placed his hands behind his back.

“Right, this is the correct position. Maintain it and don’t move…”

Hong shi adjusted the other party’s position for a little bit before walking up to the other party’s face. Then, he suddenly raised his palm and slapped the other party.

Pah!

A crisp sound echoed loudly in across the banquet hall.

“What?”

The crown prince was stunned.

Wu shi was stupefied.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

This… is the cooperation you spoke of?

Maintaining his position just so you can slap his face?

“Screw you! Hong Qian, I’ll kill you…” Luo Zhao was stunned momentarily before immense rage gushed through his entire body.

This slap had left him light-headed and knocked out three of his teeth. He would really be a pushover if he didn’t retaliate now.

I was thinking why you wanted me to stand in position, but in the end, it turned out that it was just so that you could better slap me…

Hong Qian, I, Luo Zhao, swear that I’ll kill you…

Luo Zhao was completely clouded with rage. Ignoring the crown prince and Wu shi, he immediately raised his palm and struck it down toward Hong Qian.

Hu la!

Furious wind gushed into the surroundings, and the sheer force of the palm distorted even space itself.

As a Transcendent Mortal 6-dan master teacher, his eye of discernment and fighting prowess had already reached an astounding level. If he were to move with his full might, even a mountain could be crushed to smithereens easily, needless to say, a man.

Hu!

However, his attack landed on thin air. Looking around, he realized that unknowingly, Hong shi, who had just slapped him, had already returned to his seat and was currently holding onto a glass of wine with a leisurely expression, as if nothing had happened at all.

“You’re dead…” Luo Zhao bellowed with crimson eyes.

When had he suffered such immense humiliation ever since he became a master teacher? To actually be positioned well before being slapped…

Could there be anything more darned than this?

He was about to charge forward to destroy the man who had just insulted him when the young man from before suddenly roared righteously, “Enough, Luo shi! This is the palace of the crown prince, not your own home. What do you mean by displaying your aggression here?”

Luo Zhao nearly burst into tears.

You are only recalling that this is the crown prince’s palace now?

And yet you still allowed Hong Qian that rascal to knock out my teeth?

The one who had suffered injustice was me, what rights do you have to be uttering such self-righteous words… you aren’t the one who got hit…

In the midst of exploding with anger, Luo Zhao turned to Wu shi and the crown prince and bowed. “I cannot tolerate the insult from Hong Qian any longer. I beseech you to allow me to challenge him to a Life-and-Death Duel…”

But once again, before he could finish his words, he was interrupted.

“Your Highness and Wu shi, didn’t you ask me what item he had stolen from Hong shi? I’ll write it down now so that no one can accuse me of lying!”

Following which, Zhang Xuan immediately took out a brush, ink slab, and paper, and began writing on it.

Chapter 627: What Else Do You Have to Say?

“Write it down now?”

The crown prince nodded.

It was indeed best for it to be written on paper. This way, there would be concrete evidence regardless of the outcome.

Through this, he would be able to confirm whether the three 5-star master teachers really did steal Hong shi’s item or not.

“Alright, I’d like to see what you’ll write. Once it’s proven that you’re nothing more than a liar, not only will I have a Life-and-Death Duel with Hong Qian, I’ll also kill you afterward…” Luo Zhao bellowed furiously.

At this point, there was no longer any aspect of him that resembled a master teacher.

Luo Xuan and Bi Jianghai glanced at one another with twitching lips.

Honestly speaking, if they were in Luo Zhao’s shoes, their string of rationality would have long snapped. To be toyed by another like this, they would already be impressed with themselves if they could curb their urge to murder the other party.

“Kill me?”

Ignoring the other party’s bellows, Zhang Xuan continued writing on the paper. A moment later, he kept his writing tools and passed the paper over to the crown prince and Wu shi.

The duo took a look at it and froze for a moment. After which, the crown prince put away the paper before turning to Luo Zhao. “Luo shi, can we take a look at your storage ring?”

“Of course, I’ve nothing to hide!”

Luo Zhao had no idea what was written on the paper, but since he didn’t take anything, he had absolute confidence in this matter. Thus, he didn’t fear others checking his storage ring.

He took off his storage ring, dispelled the ownership status on the ring, and passed it over.

Grabbing the ring, the crown prince scanned the contents, and not too long later, he flicked his wrist and took out a gourd.

“Luo shi, what is this?”

Looking at the item the other party took out, Luo Zhao clasped his fist and said, “Your Highness, I’m very fond of wine, and this is a bottle of top-notch wine that I’ve collected!”

“Wine?”

The crown prince looked at him questioningly. “Are you certain?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, it’s indeed wine! I’m certain.” Luo Zhao nodded.

“Alright!” The crown prince pried open the lid, and a dense aroma of wine immediately wafted in the room.

“What a strong wine aroma!”

“It’s indeed wine… Could it be that Luo shi took a bottle of wine?”

“But is there any point to it? Even if the wine possesses exceptional taste, it’s still just a mere beverage. How much could it possibly cost?”

“You’re right. Let’s just watch on for now!”

…

Smelling the deep wine aroma in the air, everyone was perplexed.

It couldn’t be that they had gone through so much trouble tonight just because Luo shi took a bottle of wine from Hong shi?

What a cultivator valued primarily were naturally their cultivation, and to that end, pills, mystical artifacts, spirit stones, and the sort… On the contrary, their appetite for fine food gradually dampened over time. A refined wine it may be, but it wouldn’t be worthy of a 5-star master teacher going so far for it.

“Is this it?”

The crown prince turned to the young man standing not too far away.

“Yes!”

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Hearing the latter confirm the matter, both the crown prince and Wu shi glanced at one another in confusion.

“But this is merely wine, right?”

When they opened the bottle, they took a look and confirmed that it was wine. This was something very much different from what the young man wrote.

“There’s no need to panic. It’ll be easy to confirm whether it’s what I’ve written or not!”

Standing up, Zhang Xuan scanned the surroundings and eventually, his gaze fell on Feng Yu. “Feng shi, may I trouble you for something?”

“No…”

Alarmed, Feng Yu quickly shook his head and cowered backward.

Trouble me? You must be kidding!

You still aren’t content with causing me such grievous injury?

The first time I met you, I fell from the skies. Afterward, I was beaten up by Hong shi…

Even if I were to put all that aside, just a moment ago Hong shi approached Luo shi for help and slapped him…

If I were to fall for your ploy after all of these, I must really be dumb!

“Don’t worry, this will be something beneficial to you…”

Seeing how Feng shi was on the verge of fainting after hearing that he needed his help, Zhang Xuan was speechless.

I am really doing this out of goodwill, is there a need for you to be so scared…

I’m a master teacher, not a demon!

Why do you make my request seem as though making a contract with the devil?

“It matters not whether it is beneficial or not!” Feng shi shook his head profusely.

“Alright, fine then…” Seeing how the other party refused to accept his goodwill out of suspicion, Zhang Xuan scanned the surroundings once more and eventually, his gaze fell on Bi Jianghai. “Bi shi, come over…”

“I…” Bi Jianghai’s mouth twitched, and he nearly burst into tears.

How in the world have I offended you?

All I did was boast a little before you during the finals, right? Surely you need not hold a grudge for so long!

Seeing the other party’s expression, Zhang Xuan shook his head and sighed.

“Don’t worry, I just want you to prove that this isn’t just wine!”

“Fine!” Clenching his jaws, Bi Jianghai stepped forward.

Seeing that the other party was in position, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction. Following which, he flicked his wrist and whipped out a dagger. “Come, stretch out your arm!”

Bi Jianghai swallowed a mouthful of saliva before slowly raising his arm up.

“Good!”

With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan flicked his wrist, and the dagger stabbed right into Bi Jianghai’s arm.

“AHHH!”

A scream of agony echoed through the hall, and Bi Jianghai’s body began to tremble. He nearly went insane on the spot.

He knew that it couldn’t be anything good, but he never expected to have a dagger stabbed into him…

Watching as crimson blood flowed freely out of his arm, tears streamed down his face. He was already regretting dearly for listening to the words of the God of Destruction.

If he had known earlier, he would have surely played dead.

“I knew that it would be something bad…”

Seeing this sight, Feng Yu heaved a sigh of relief.

His history with this young man had deeply ingrained in him the idea that nothing good would come out from the association with the latter. Watching as blood flowed profusely out of the stabbed arm, he suddenly felt this was the wisest decision he had made in his life.

“Don’t panic!”

Seeing Bi Jianghai twitching uncontrollably due to anxiety, Zhang Xuan quickly calmed him down before turning to the crown prince. “I’ll be troubling Your Highness and Wu shi!”

“Un!”

The crown prince nodded his head and passed the wine gourd over.

Grabbing the gourd, Zhang Xuan swirled it slightly as he turned to Luo Zhao and asked, “Luo shi, I’ll ask you one last time. Are you certain that what is inside here is wine?”

“Yes, it’s definitely wine!” Luo Zhao nodded confidently.

“Alright then!”

Not bothering to explain, with his left hand holding the wine gourd and right hand on the dagger stabbed into Bi Jianghai’s arm, Zhang Xuan slowly pulled the dagger out.

Tzzzzzz!

As the dagger was drawn out, blood immediately spurted wildly from the wound, reminiscent of a fountain.

Bi Jianghai’s face immediately paled, and he could feel the sight before him blurring.

Even though he was only stabbed in the arm, the intense pain was still difficult for him to bear.

“Hold on!”

Seeing the other party’s pained expression, Zhang Xuan quickly poured the content of the gourd onto the wound.

Tzzzzzzz!

As soon as the wine came into contact with the wound, an intense reaction immediately occurred. The muscle that was torn by the dagger healed at a pace visible to the eye, and in just a short moment, the wound had disappeared altogether, as though the injury had never happened.

“This…”

“Could this not be wine but a Saint recovery medicine?”

“Indeed! Only a Saint medicine could possibly heal a wound so quickly…”

Everyone widened their eyes in astonishment, but soon, it was replaced with envy.

There was no cultivator who would never be injured, and thus, recovery medicine was an essential that everyone had to carry along with them.

However, despite how expensive the typical recovery medicine was, it would still require days for a wound to heal back to its original condition. Otherwise, Feng shi wouldn’t have come to the banquet with a swollen face.

On the other hand, this recovery medicine actually immediately healed such a glaring wound upon contact. Furthermore, not even the slightest scar was left behind… This was way too fearsome!

Probably only the legendary ‘Saint medicine’ could harness such effectiveness!

“My wound…”

Bi Jianghai thought that the gaping injury would take at least half a month of recuperation to recover from. He had never thought that just a few drops of the wine would bring his arm back to its original condition. Thus, the scene before him had left his eyes widened in disbelief.

Wasn’t this a little bit too formidable?

While Bi Jianghai was stunned in shock, the previously gleeful Feng shi clutched his chest as he found himself unable to catch his breath. He felt so regretful that even his intestines were turning green.

It turned out that the fellow was inviting him up to test this Saint medicine. If only he had known, he would have surely rushed up in an instant, and the injuries he had sustained would have disappeared in an instant…

“Alright, I’m done proving my point. I’ll leave it to Your Highness and Wu shi to judge the matter!”

Ignoring everyone’s shock, Zhang Xuan placed the gourd back on the table and clasped his fists toward the crown prince and Wu shi before walking back to the Hongfeng Empire party.

“Luo shi, the wine that you spoke of turned out to be a Saint recovery medicine instead… Why don’t you explain yourself?”

The crown prince turned to look at Luo Zhao impassively.

“I…”

Luo Zhao staggered, and his mouth twitched uncontrollably. “If I say that… that gourd is really filled with wine, will you believe me?”

He was really on the verge of going insane already.

He loved wine nearly as much as his own life, many people knew of this. As such, he filled this wine gourd with the wine he loved the most and carried it around with him… When in the world did it become a Saint recovery medicine?

“You still want to deny it at this point?”

The crown prince smacked the table in rage.

Everyone had seen the effects of the wine for themselves, and you still wish to deny the matter?

Do you take me for a fool?

“Chen shi, I’ll trouble you to read what is on this paper!”

Turning his gaze away from Luo shi, he threw the paper that Zhang Xuan had just written on to Chen Yue.

“Yes!”

Taking the paper, Chen Yue unfolded it and began reading aloud. “Luo shi took the recovery medicinal wine that Hong shi went to great lengths to obtain. This medicinal wine is particularly effective on physical wounds. With just a few drops, ordinary wounds are healed instantly…”

The further Chen Yue read, the paler his face became.

The crown prince turned his gaze back to Luo Zhao and questioned, “What words do you have to say?”

“I…”

Luo Zhao vision turned dark.

It was already a checkmate, what else could he say?

“If you didn’t steal it, how could Zhang shi know that it’s a medicinal wine and even know of its properties?” The crown prince pushed on.

Luo Zhao felt frenzied.

He had no idea what was going on anymore.

A thought suddenly flashed across Luo Zhao’s mind, and he glared at Zhang Xuan in savagery.

“It’s all your doing!”

It must be this fellow’s doing that his wine turned into a Saint recovery medicine… There was no one else but him!

Toward the other party’s furious howl, Zhang Xuan replied with composure, “This gourd of medicinal wine is the gift that Hong shi prepared for Wu shi and the others, but you ended up stealing it instead… It’s fortunate that Hong shi left a portion of it with me in case of emergency. That was why he was able to recover so quickly and arrive at the banquet hall unscathed…”

“I see!”

Only then did everyone come to a realization.

They had been wondering how Hong shi could be completely fine after the Master Teacher Confrontation when Feng shi was so heavily injured.

It turned out that the other party had prepared a spare portion in case of emergency.

With this, all of the puzzle’s pieces fitted snugly together.

“Luo Zhao, what else do you have to say?”

The crown prince looked at Luo Zhao with deep disappointment reflected in his eyes.

Chapter 628: Rules for the Distribution of Slots

“I… have nothing to say about this matter!”

After a long moment of thought, all of Luo Zhao’s words were eventually reduced to a long sigh.

He really couldn’t make sense of what had happened.

Stored within the gourd was the ‘Thousand Cups Drunk’ he had his apprentice buy from the Fragrant Sedge Brewery. Who could have known that it would suddenly turn into a Saint recovery medicine!

There was nothing he could say that could salvage the situation anymore.

If he were to claim that he didn’t take the other party’s item, he couldn’t explain how the other party’s medicinal wine was in his storage ring.

But if he were to admit to it… the deep indignation he felt simply wouldn’t allow it.

One must know that master teachers do care about their reputation. While he did attempt to corner Hong shi verbally, he had never gotten physical with the latter… so how could he have ever taken the latter’s item?

Not to mention, such a valuable medicinal wine!

Knowing what the other party was thinking about, Zhang Xuan spoke casually.

“You need not feel wronged. If you think that we’re framing you, we still have a spare cup of medicinal wine left after treating Hong shi’s wounds. I can show it to you once more!”

With a flick of his wrist, he took out a wine cup. The deep aroma of the wine cup gradually wafted across the banquet hall.

“Is there anyone who is willing to try the effects of this cup of wine?”

Zhang Xuan scanned the surroundings.

“Allow me…” Feng Yu stood up excitedly.

Zhang Xuan turned to the young man beside him and said, “Ah, Bi shi, I think it’ll be best for you to go again!”

“…” Feng Yu.

“Cough cough!”

Bi Jianghai, who was in the midst of drinking his wine, nearly choked to death. With a helpless expression, he stood up and said, “I’ll do it myself!”

After which, using his finger as a sword, he hurled a surge of zhenqi at his arm, producing a deep cut. Blood immediately started flowing down the wound.

With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan poured the wine in the cup onto the wound.

Tzzzzz!

A few breaths later, the wound healed, leaving no scars behind. The effects were exactly the same as before.

“Your Highness and Wu shi, this can prove our case, right?” After all was done, Zhang Xuan turned to the duo and clasped his fist.

“Of course!”

Ye Qian nodded.

Considering how the young man was able to identify the item within the other party’s storage ring and take out another with the exact same effects, the evidence was conclusive.

“Despite being a 5-star master teacher, you actually snatched the possession of another. This is unpardonable!”

Ye Qian flung his sleeves and stared at Luo Zhao in anger and disgust.

He had always felt deep respect for the pavilion masters from the Vassal States, but who could have known that they would actually do this kind of underhanded stuff? He felt repulsed.

“Hong shi and Zhang shi, I apologize for the behavior of a master teacher under us. May I know… how do you intend to deal with this?”

He had heard Hong shi addressing the young man earlier as Zhang shi.

Hong shi clasped his fist and said, “Today is a joyous occasion, and I don’t wish to cause any trouble or disharmony. As long as he hands over the gourd of medicinal wine, I hope to let the matter rest just like that!”

“I share the same thoughts as Hong shi!” Zhang Xuan nodded in agreement.

“Let the matter rest?”

Everyone was stunned.

Given how Luo Zhao tried to corner them verbally earlier, they thought that the Hongfeng party would surely make things difficult for him through the hands of the crown prince. If this case were to be reported to the Master Teacher Pavilion, there was a good chance that Luo Zhao could even lose his master teacher license. Who knew that they would actually be willing to let the matter rest with just Luo Zhao handing over the medicinal wine…

What kind of magnanimity was this?

You’re both 5-star master teachers, and yet you keep trying to put down the other party at every opportunity. On the other hand, the other party is on the moral high ground and yet he remains humble and magnanimous!

Even the crown prince and Wu shi couldn’t help but be impressed by Hong shi and Zhang Xuan’s attitude.

“Luo shi, did you hear that? Are you going to return the medicinal wine, or are you going to continue keeping it for yourself?”

The crown prince glanced at Luo Zhao.

“I-I’ll return it!” Luo Zhao was slightly stunned.

He thought that given how the other party successfully framed him, they would make use of this opportunity to corner him and have him fall from grace. Who could have known that he would suddenly be let off the hook?

“Alright. Wu shi, this will be Hongfeng Empire’s gift to you!”

Hong shi clasped his fist and presented the medicinal wine to Wu Zhen.

“This…”

Agitation rippled within Wu Zhen’s eyes as he nodded his head. “I’ll thank Hong shi in Sixth Princess’s stead!”

This was a Saint recovery medicine! Regardless of the size of the wound, with just a few drops, one would be as good as new. This could potentially save their lives one day!

“It’s just a humble gesture on our part!”

Hong Qian clasped his fist and returned to his seat. He turned his gaze to the young man beside him, and the intrigue in his eyes deepened.

Under Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu’s cornering, he was already prepared to make a fool out of himself. Who could have known that Zhang shi would suddenly appear and turn the tables around?

Not only so, Luo Zhao even nearly broke down in the process.

He knew better than anyone whether Luo Zhao had taken his item or not… but somehow, everything just somehow fell into place, and Luo Zhao ended up being deemed guilty.

“Zhang shi, the matter just now…”

Unable to hold back his curiosity any longer, he sent a telepathic message to the latter.

“Oh, it’s just a little trick. Teacher taught me, it’s nothing much!” Zhang Xuan nodded.

The previous matter was clearly a ploy that Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu prepared to trap and embarrass Hong shi. If they were to succeed, the chances were that they would have lost the slots for the Cleansing Lake.

Thus, Zhang Xuan had no choice but to step forward.

As for the medicinal wine, he had Hong shi provoke Luo Zhao into making a move, and the Library of Heaven’s Path reflected that the latter was a habitual drinker. Through this, it wasn’t too hard to deduce that the latter had wine in his storage ring.

Actually, what was in the gourd was indeed ordinary wine. The only reason why it could heal wounds was due to him infusing a few surges of zhenqi into the wine while swirling it.

The Heaven’s Path zhenqi had no color or odor. Even a 6-star master teacher would hardly notice it amidst the overpowering alcoholic aroma, needless to say, the crowd here.

Naturally, Hong shi sparing the other party was also his intention as well.

Expelling a 5-star master teacher was a major affair. The headquarters would surely send someone down to look into the matter. Zhang Xuan might be able to fool the crowd here, but if a thorough investigation was conducted, there was a good chance that something might go awry.

This was especially so if the origin of the medicinal wine were to be questioned. He couldn’t possibly make ‘Yang shi’ appear for every single matter, right?

Besides, Luo Zhao’s actions didn’t warrant for such extreme punishment as well. Since that was the case, he might as well drop the matter and win a good impression from the crown prince and the others instead.

Since he had already achieved his goal, there was no need to drive a cornered man up the wall.

Knowing that Yang shi was behind the matter, Hong shi scratched his head and dropped the matter.

Given that an advanced master teacher like Yang shi was involved in the matter, it was unadvisable for him to pry any deeper. Since that was the case, he might as well drop the matter.

…

“I thank everyone for their gifts. Other than to welcome Wu shi and the others to Huanyu Empire, there’s also another matter we need to settle at the banquet tonight. I believe I need not point out what it is.”

Knowing that he would only sully the name of Huanyu Empire if he were to continue pursuing this matter, Crown Prince Ye Qian decided to change the topic.

“Yes!”

Hearing that the main show was coming up next, everyone straightened their figure, and a graveness surfaced on their face.

There were two purposes to the banquet tonight. One was to allow the freshmen of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy to become acquainted with their seniors while the second was to determine the distribution of slots.

For the welcoming… in the end, only Wu shi was present, and after such a matter had happened, it would be awkward to have them interact now. Since that was the case, the crown prince decided to move on the matter regarding the distribution of slots. Perhaps, he could reverse the negative image that Wu shi had of Huanyu Empire through this.

“The Cleansing Lake is the foundation of our Huanyu Empire, and it possesses exceptional effects on Consonant Spirit realm experts. The reason why everyone here went through so many tests and traveled all the way here is naturally to enter the Cleansing Lake to cultivate!”

Ye Qian smiled. “However, due to some compelling circumstances, Huanyu Empire will have to take three slots from the rest of you!”

“I know that these slots are extremely important, so I invited you over to discuss this matter. I hope that you can come to an agreement on a feasible method to distribute the slots without sullying the harmony among us before the Cleansing Lake opens.”

“We’ll follow Your Highness’s judgment!” The crowd clasped their fists.

“Since this matter concerns the slots for the Cleansing Lake, I dare not make a decision for you all on my own. Thus, I suggest we discuss this matter together!” Ye Qian said.

After a moment of silence, Chen Yue stood up and spoke.

“Your Highness, if the contribution of three slots were to be divided among the four Vassal States, three of the Vassal States would have to lose a slot. I fear that this might lead to discontent and disagreement amongst us. Thus, I have a suggestion to propose, but I’m not too sure whether it’ll be appropriate!”

“Feel free to speak!” Ye Qian gestured.

“Since each Vassal State happens to have three slots as well, why don’t we arrange it such that the representatives of each empire form a team each, and the team in the last place for the competition we’ll be having… will lose all of its slots!”

Chen Yue spoke his thoughts. “As for the format of the competition, I propose that since the top three rankers of the respective Master Teacher Tournaments held in each of the Vassal States are here, why don’t we have them fight against one another? Naturally, the victor will be determined by two out of three wins! In other words, each Vassal State will send out one representative to fight at a time, and the side to win two matches will be the victor… whereas the losing side will be eliminated!”

“I agree with Chen shi’s proposal! Since the slots are closely linked to their own benefits, they would have to do their best in the duels. If they were to lose, they only have themselves to blame for their lack of proficiency.”

Feng Yu spoke up.

“I agree with it as well!”

Luo Zhao nodded in agreement.

“To fight for one’s own rights, this is aligned with the master teacher’s value of tenacity!” Wu Zhen nodded.

After a moment of thought, Ye Qian also nodded in approval.

“Good!”

Honestly speaking, Chen Yue’s suggestion was not bad.

With each empire forming a team together, they could spark the camaraderie among fellow cultivators and forge the spirit of working alongside one another against enemies.

“But if a competition is to be held, what will be the content?” Ye Qian asked.

“I have also given this matter some thought as well!”

Chen Yue smiled as he continued. “Since it’ll be a battle among master teachers, taking on a format similar to that of the Master Teacher Tournament would be appropriate. However, that would be too complex and troublesome to arrange. Since that’s the case, why don’t we limit it to just cultivation duels? Since the Cleansing Lake is beneficial to one’s cultivation, one should prove that one is worthy of it through one’s own strength. I believe that this is the most efficient and direct way to determine the distribution of the slots!”

“Indeed, a duel would be the best!”

“This saves a lot of trouble as well.”

Feng Yu and Luo Zhao chirped in agreement.

“Humph!”

Hearing those words, Hong shi and Zhang Xuan glanced at one another. They would be a fool if they still couldn’t understand the intentions of the trio at this point.

The top three rankers of the other three Vassal States had already consumed a Consonant Spirit Pill each, inducing a huge rise in their cultivation. Even the weakest of them was a small cultivation realm stronger than Luo Xuan. How could their team possibly be a match for them in a cultivation duel?

Even if the monster, Zhang Xuan, could face them, everyone could only fight in a match each. Considering how the victor was determined by the best out of three duels… if Bi Jianghai and Luo Xuan lost, they would still lose their slots.

It seemed like the other party had a backup plan in case their interception failed.

Shameless!

Chapter 629: One-Sided Pummeling

“The Cleansing Lake nourishes one’s soul, thus making it highly beneficial toward one’s cultivation. It’s indeed apt to determine the slots based on a cultivation duel!”

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Qian nodded and said, “Alright, cultivation duel it’ll be then. Each Vassal State will form a team each, and the victor will be decided based on the best out of three! However, this will be a friendly duel, so show some restraint. If one side admits defeat, the fight is to be stopped immediately. There’s no need to go so far for a simple duel…”

“Your Highness, I disagree with this proposal!”

Hong shi stood up.

The other three were clearly trying to take advantage of Hongfeng Empire. If they were to accept to those terms, wouldn’t their loss be certain?

Despite all that had happened, in the face of significant material benefits, the trio still continued to maintain their alliance. After all, if they were to lose the slots, they would have to bear the blame from their own countrymen.

Besides, Luo Zhao was no fool. He knew he was framed, and even though Hong shi and Zhang Xuan had spared him, he would surely try to find ways to get even… and this was clearly a good opportunity to do so.

As for Feng Yu… To be pummeled to the point that he couldn’t even recognize himself when looking into the mirror, how could he possibly be content without exacting vengeance on Hong shi?

Chen Yue also had his own benefits at stake in the matter. As the only one who was still fine from the previous confrontations, he became the spokesperson of their alliance.

“Hmm?” Ye Qian turned to look at Hong shi.

“As Your Highness can see, the members of the other teams have already consumed a Consonant Spirit Pill each and enjoyed a significant rise in their cultivation. On the other hand, we have only just arrived at the capital and haven’t gotten a chance to purchase it yet. Naturally, our cultivation is far lower than theirs, and we stand little chance at victory!”

Hong shi spoke directly.

There was nothing embarrassing about his team being weaker. After all, they were indeed at a disadvantageous position given that they hadn’t consumed Consonant Spirit Pills yet.

Chen Yue harrumphed.

“While cultivation might not be everything to a master teacher, it is still an important aspect. Without sufficient strength, everything else is just illusory. You can’t possibly blame us just because you arrived late and couldn’t find any Consonant Spirit Pill!”

“Possessing lower cultivation isn’t an excuse!” Feng Yu interjected.

Luo Zhao glared at Hong shi coldly.

“Hong shi, the both of us know what happened this afternoon. I won’t talk about it now, but I’ll surely get even with you in the future. However… a cultivation duel is clearly the fairest and most apt way to determine the distribution of the slots. If you aren’t confident of winning, why don’t you just admit defeat now?”

The three of them banded together, forcing Hong shi into a corner instantly.

“Admit defeat?”

Just as Hong shi was stumped, Zhang Xuan suddenly spoke up once more. “Impossible. Even if one of us were to admit defeat, it should be you!”

“Indeed!”

Knowing that this young man possessed superior wits and was skilled at dealing with such situation, Hong shi gave him his backing.

“We admit defeat? Why should we? We have already stated the rules, and you’re the only one backing away from the challenge. What else do you want?” Chen Yue sneered coldly.

“What rights do you have to dictate the rules?” Zhang Xuan refuted calmly.

“Indeed! Why should you be the one to decide the rules?” Only then did Hong shi come to a realization, and he quickly chirped in as well.

“Indeed, we can’t dictate the rules. If you find it unsuitable, you can propose an alternative… but naturally, you have to win the majority vote first!”

Chen Yue’s lips crept up.

His intentions were clear. The three of us are an alliance, and no matter how fair your rules may be, as long as we aren’t agreeable to it, what can you do?

Frowning, Hong shi turned to the young man beside him to see how he would reply to this.

“Oh? I’m glad to hear that this matter is open to discussion. I happen to have an alternative proposal in mind which I would like to raise!” Zhang Xuan chuckled.

“Feel free to speak!” Chen Yue said. “However, do note that your proposal will have to undergo our approval first…”

“I believe that you’ll approve of it!”

At which, Zhang Xuan turned to look at the crowd and said, “Since it’s a team fight between the various Vassal States, why must the ones involved in the fighting be the top three rankers? If they were to be wounded in their duel, how would they enter the Cleansing Lake tomorrow?”

“You’re right!” Hong shi eyes lit up.

“Then what do you propose then?” Chen Yue frowned.

“Hehe!” Zhang Xuan chuckled. “My proposal is simple… I think that the 5-star master teachers leading the teams should fight instead!”

“That’s right, the 5-star master teachers… huh?”

Halfway through Hong shi’s words, he suddenly realized what was being said and his remaining words jammed in his mouth. He turned to look at Zhang Xuan with widened eyes and asked, “We… will fight?”

“Indeed. Not only so, Hong shi will be facing the three of you at once!” Zhang Xuan added.

“I’ll face the three of them…”

Hong shi staggered, and he nearly fainted on the spot.

Big Brother, I thought that you had a good idea in mind? After so much trouble, this is all that you have?

Are you so intent on sending me on my way?

Putting everything aside, just Luo Zhao himself is a difficult enemy for me already. To fight the three of them at once…

“You want him to face the three of us?”

Not only was Hong shi light-headed, Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu were stunned as well. They turned to look at Zhang Xuan as though he was a fool.

Are you serious?

That is the fellow that we have been dying to pummel, and you just had to send him to us… Can such a good deal really exist in the world?

“Why? You dare not accept my deal?” Zhang Xuan taunted with a smirk.

“You are asking us if we dare to accept your challenge or not?” Luo Zhao turned to Hong shi and asked, “Are you certain about this?”

With a constipated expression on his face, Hong shi nodded with tears streaming from his eyes.

He didn’t know what Zhang shi was up to, but given his previous experience, he knew that the latter wouldn’t do anything he was uncertain of. Since he said such words, he must have an idea in mind.

“If you are scared, just say so. Let’s not waste our time on useless chatter.”

Zhang Xuan waved his hands in disdain.

“Scared? I only fear that he will end up kneeling, begging for his life in a moment!”

Confirming that the other party was serious on this matter, Chen Yue, Luo Zhao, and Feng Yu burst into laughter.

Fearing that Hong shi might take back his words, Chen Yue quickly turned to the crown prince and said, “Your Highness, you’ve seen what happened. It’s not that we want to take advantage of Hong shi, he’s is the one who challenged the three of us voluntarily to determine the distribution of the slots. Since Hongfeng Empire insists on the matter, I hope that Your Highness can approve of this matter!”

“This…”

Not expecting the situation to turn into this, Ye Qian turned to look at Hong shi with a frown and asked, “You are all 5-star low-tier master teachers, Transcendent 6-dan primary stage cultivators. Your fighting prowess is approximately equal to one another, are you certain you want to face the three of them at once?”

Given that their fighting prowess were approximate to one another, Hong shi facing the three of them simultaneously was as good as an act of suicide. Of this, the crown prince had no doubt.

“I’m certain!”

Before Hong shi could respond, Zhang Xuan had already replied in his stead.

“Alright then…”

Since the parties involved had come to an agreement, Ye Qian decided not to say anything about it. “Alright then, I’ll be announcing the rules of the duel now. Hong shi will be facing Feng shi, Luo shi, and Chen shi, and the distribution of the slots will be decided through the battle.”

After which, he waved his hands. A group of guards outside the door immediately came in to clear up the hall to create sufficient space for a duel.

“Make sure to not to go too far so not harm the camaraderie among fellow states!” Ye Qian instructed as the four stepped onto the dueling ring.

“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to ‘hold ourselves back’…” Feng shi sneered coldly. He especially emphasized on the words ‘hold ourselves back’.

“Indeed, we’ve been buddies for many years, so how could we possibly do anything overboard?” Luo Zhao smiled.

The both of them had suffered greatly under Hong shi’s hands. Given that the other party was seeking death, they found no reason to let him off.

“Zhang shi, is there even a possibility that Hong shi can defeat the three of them…”

Seeing that the fight was about to start, Luo Xuan and Bi Jianghai wiped the sweat off their foreheads nervously.

Zhang shi usually looked rather smart, so why would he suddenly make such a foolish decision?

One against three…

Wasn’t this courting death?

“If Hong shi doesn’t go up, do you think that you can win against them?” Zhang Xuan gestured to their counterparts from the other Vassal States.

“This…”

The duo’s mouths twitched, and they hurriedly shook their heads.

While they might have emerged victorious among the other talented master teachers in Hongfeng Empire, the same could be said about the rest of them as well. If they were to face them in a duel, given that the other party’s cultivation was higher than theirs, their chances at victory was nearly null!

In other words, had they proceeded on with the original duel proposal, their defeat would have been certain.

“But Hong shi…”

While they knew that they were unable to win, the same went go Hong shi as well.

“Just watch on!” Instead of answering the other party’s query, Zhang Xuan simply smiled.

“Alright then…”

The duo had no idea where Zhang Xuan’s confidence came from, but it was already too late for them to do anything as well. Thus, they could only turn their worried gazes onto the dueling ring.

Standing at the very end of the hall, the crown prince watched the dueling ring with a deep frown on his forehead. He had no idea why Hong shi would propose such a ‘suicidal’ duel.

Unable to hold back his intrigue, he turned to Wu Zhen beside him and asked, “Senior, who do you think will win?”

Wu Zhen was a 5-star master teacher, and his eye of discernment and experience in such matters were far above his. Perhaps, he might have noticed something that he didn’t.

“Under normal circumstances, it should be impossible for Hong shi to win. However, the very fact that he proposed such a duel means that he must have some kind of trump card…”

But the truth was that even Wu Zhen couldn’t make sense of this matter.

With his eye of discernment, he could accurately gauge the respective strength of the four.

Hong shi couldn’t be considered to be exceptional among the four, even facing one of them would be difficult for him. Yet, to face three of them singlehandedly, that was a recipe for disaster… To insist on fighting such a duel, just what could be going through his head?

“Let’s just watch on. Perhaps… there might be a turnaround!”

Wu Zhen racked his brain but couldn’t find an answer. Shaking his head, he decided to simply watch on with an open mind.

“Un!”

The crown prince nodded. Turning his gaze to the dueling ring, he said, “Hong shi has always been a dependable person. Perhaps he might really have a good idea in mind… Look, it’s starting!”

While the duo was speaking, the duel started.

Hu hu hu!

The three Transcendent Mortal 6-dan experts, Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu, moved simultaneously and sealed space with the overwhelming pressure from their cultivation.

Fearing that Hong shi might have a trump card up his sleeves, the trio didn’t use their full might instantly. Instead, they surrounded him and traded some blows with him to test him out first.

But after trading a few blows, a bizarre expression slowly crept onto their faces. At this moment, Feng Yu suddenly launched a fist.

Peng!

It struck Hong shi’s face squarely, and blood immediately flowed out from his nose.

“Ah?”

Not expecting his sneak attack to succeed, Feng Yu’s eyes widened, and his body trembled in agitation.

Due to his overexcitement, he accidentally tore open one of his wound, and a wave of intense pain immediately struck him.

“Dependable? Must have some kind of trump card?”

Seeing that even Feng Yu, a fellow so severely injured that it looked like he might just fall dead at any moment, actually managed to strike Hong shi’s face so easily, Wu shi was dumbfounded.

“Why… does it seem like a one-sided pummeling instead?”

Chapter 630: Guiding Hong shi

“Indeed!” Crown Prince Ye Qian also widened his eyes in astonishment.

Given how you arrogantly declared that you were going to challenge the three of them at once, I thought that you must have some kind of trump card that would allow you to defeat them. Or at the very least, you should have been able to fight on par with them. And yet… in just a moment, you were already bleeding from your nose. What are you up to?

How was this a duel? This was clearly a one-sided pummeling!

“Perhaps he hasn’t caught the flow of the battle yet and accidentally got careless…”

Ye Qian tried to rationalize the situation before him, but before he could finish his words, Luo Zhao’s fist struck Hong shi’s nose as well. Blood immediately spurted out from the latter’s nose.

“Cough cough… Fine, I was mistaken. He isn’t a match for the three of them at all…”

Ye Qian nearly choked on his saliva, and eventually, he shook his head in disappointment.

Hong shi wasn’t weak at all, but fighting against three people with similar fighting prowess simultaneously was no easy feat. As the saying goes, ‘hardly can two fists rival four hands’. But at this moment, Hong shi was facing six!

In the blink of an eye, he was already struck several times, and his face started swelling up.

Watching the sight from the banquet table, Luo Xuan and Bi Jianghai were on the verge of going insane.

They thought that, given how confident Zhang Xuan was, Hong shi would wipe the floor with the three of them and successfully win the slots for them. Who knew that he would be beaten up right from the start…

“Zhang shi, what’s going on…”

They quickly turned their sights to Zhang Xuan, only to see the fellow with his eyes closed as if dozing off…

The duo immediately staggered on the spot.

It was just a moment that you convinced Hong shi to go up confidently, but now that the battle had begun, you actually started sleeping… What are you up to?

Even if you want to play a prank, you do know that now isn’t the time, right?

If not for the fact that they had come together from Myriad Kingdom Alliance, they would have really thought that the other party was a spy…

“Zhang shi, what do I do?”

Under the furious assault of the three 5-star master teachers, Hong shi was about to come to the limit of his endurance. He quickly sent a telepathic message to Zhang shi.

Before the battle, Zhang shi told him that he would offer him some pointers to win after analyzing the movements of the other three. At this moment, his face had already swell to the size of a pig’s head already, but the other party hadn’t said a word at all. Panicking, he quickly turned his gaze over, but with a single look, tears immediately flowed down his eyes.

Aren’t you going to look at their movements and analyze their flaws so as to offer me pointers?

Can you even see their movements with your eyes closed?

“I’m done for…”

In an instant, desolation struck Hong shi.

If he had known earlier, he would have never believed the nonsense of this fellow. Not only were they going to lose the three slots, he was even going to get beaten up badly at that… What the heck was this…

Just as Hong shi was giving all hope, he suddenly heard a faint voice by his ear.

“Advance half a chi forward and inch slightly to the left. Use the Seventh Form of Origin Palm. Afterward, bend forward and use the Third Stroke of Dragon Capturing Palm…”

“Zhang shi…”

Hearing the voice, Hong shi suddenly jolted. He glanced to the side and saw that, at some point, the young man had already opened his eyes, and a bright gleam glowed in them.

“Alright!”

Seeing the composed and confident posture of the other party, Hong shi couldn’t help but feel inclined to trust him. Gritting his teeth, he immediately moved as the other party said.

…

“I thought that you might have grown formidable given how you dared to challenge the three of us at once. To think that you would be such a disappointment…”

After striking Hong shi’s face squarely twice, confidence glowed brightly from Feng shi’s face. At this moment, his wounds didn’t seem to hurt as much anymore.

“Stop spouting nonsense. Beat him into surrendering first!”

Luo Zhao was also equally excited.

He was still burning with rage from being slapped in public. With such an ideal opportunity for vengeance lying right before him, how could he possibly allow it to slip by? Roaring furiously, his hands thrusted forward so quickly that it looked as though he had eight hands.

Spirit intermediate-tier battle technique, Hexad Arm Divine Fist!

“Indeed. Since he’s courting death, let’s grant his wish!”

Bellowing loudly, Chen Yue sent a kick over.

Even though his kick wasn’t a battle technique, it was well-positioned to strike at Hong shi’s blind spot.

Feng shi assaulting from behind, Luo Zhao from above, and Chen Yue from below. In an instant, the trio had sealed all routes of escape, putting Hong shi in a desperate position.

Just when it was almost certain that Hong shi would surely be severely wounded in this encounter, as though having predicted his opponents’ attacks, he suddenly moved forward and stepped into a spot out of range for all three attacks.

While he had already stepped out of range, the attacks from the trio didn’t stop—or rather, they couldn’t stop.

Feng Yu was punched in the head by Luo Zhao, Luo Zhao was kicked in the crotch by Chen Yue, and Chen Yue was struck in the chest by Feng Yu.

Peng! Crack! Huala!

Three loud sounds echoed simultaneously in the air. The trio found their vision darkening, and they nearly fainted on the spot.

In order to teach Hong shi a lesson he would never forget, they had harnessed their full strength behind the previous attack. How could they have known that they would hurt their own teammate instead?

“Damn it…”

With a roar, Feng Yu got back up and thrusted his fist at Hong shi furiously. But before his palm could reach, he saw a leg enlarging swiftly in his sight.

Peng!

His vision momentarily turned dark, and in the next instant, he was already flying in the air. His head crashed through one of the table of the banquet hall, leaving the lower half of his body twitching violently.

“You’re seeking death…”

The overwhelming embarrassment that Luo Zhao felt from having struck one another earlier on sent blood gushing to his head. Furious, he charged forward and sent a fist straight toward Luo Zhao.

But Hong shi seemed to have predicted his move as well. The other party adeptly positioned himself at the blind spot of the fist and sent a kick over.

Peng!

He was struck in the crotch yet again.

“Wuuuuuuu…”

A cry of agony, reminiscent of a rooster’s call, reverberated loudly in the hall. Luo Zhao immediately fell to the ground, curled up in a fashion similar to a prawn.

Even a Transcendent Mortal 6-dan expert like him couldn’t possibly tolerate being struck twice consecutively in his weakest region. His heart jolted wildly as he suddenly realized that… he couldn’t feel anything below…

“It’s your turn!”

Seeing that he had successfully sent two experts of the same tier flying, Hong shi’s confidence burst through the roof. He took two steps forward before suddenly turning around swiftly with an outstretched palm.

Pah!

The sound of a palm striking a cheek echoed. Chen Yue staggered backward weakly, and a mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth. If one were to take a closer look, one could see three to four teeth amidst the bloodied mess.

Previously, when he struck Luo Zhao, he had held back. But now that they were in a battle, there was no longer any reason to do so. If not for the other party’s enhanced physical resilience, the full might slap of a Transcendent Mortal 6-dan might very well have knocked his head off his neck.

Seeing this sight, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone’s eyes were popping from their sockets, and they found themselves pushed to the brink of insanity.

Wasn’t Hong shi still getting beaten up just a moment ago?

Everyone thought that he was moments away from an utter defeat, and yet… in the blink of an eye, he actually made such an astounding comeback!

To think that even the combined might of three Transcendent Mortal 6-dan experts couldn’t even stop him. But if he was this formidable… how did he get beaten up in the first place?

“He saw through the enemy’s movements and took countermeasures in advance. That is why Feng shi and the others are completely helpless before him!”

The hand that Wu Zhen was using to hold the wine glass turned visibly paler, and a grim expression appeared on his face.

Honestly, he didn’t have much interest in the duels in such a remote place. Who could have thought that Hong shi would be such a fearsome person?

In just a few moments, he had already finished analyzing the other party’s movements and made countermeasures for it.

This was no longer about cultivation but eye of discernment!

But how formidable must one’s eye of discernment and deduction ability be to make these kind of judgements ten breaths into a battle?

Even Wu Zhen knew that he was incapable of such a feat!

“Probably only those monsters in the academy can achieve such a feat…”

A few figures surfaced in Wu Zhen’s mind.

He was a formidable genius as well, and in a remote place like Huanyu Empire, his talent and cultivation were indeed envied by many. However, in Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, where all of the talented master teachers gathered, his skills could only be said to be average.

In fact, one of his companions in this trip, Luo Qiqi, possessed such astounding talent in fighting that he couldn’t even start to compare with her.

Considering how Hong shi only managed to reach 5-star at such an advanced age, he honestly didn’t think too highly of the other party. Thus, he never expected to see a battle adaptability that was on par with Luo Qiqi and the other monsters of the academy in him!

Are you for real?

“No, something is wrong. If Hong shi really possesses such capability, his name would surely be known throughout the entire Huanyu Empire. It also doesn’t make sense how Luo Zhao and the others managed to strike him earlier on either if that was the case.”

Wu Zhen frowned.

Earlier, when Hong shi was attacked by the three simultaneously, he panicked, causing his movements to be riddled with flaws and poor judgement. If he had such talent in battle, he should have shown it right from the start. It didn’t make sense for him to suddenly be ‘boosted’ in the midst of the battle.

“Could it be…”

A slight frown appeared on Wu Zhen’s forehead, and he quickly turned his gaze over to the young man who took the initiative to volunteer Hong shi for the battle.

The young man’s lips were quivering slightly. Clearly, he was sending instructions telepathically to Hong shi.

“Telepathic communication? As I expected!”

It was obvious that Hong shi was reluctant to face the three in battle, and he had only agreed to it under the insistence of this fellow. Since this fellow had put Hong shi up to it, he must be confident of victory. Thus, Wu Zhen turned his suspicions to this person, and it seemed like his doubts were proven right.

“But still, a 4-star master teacher actually managed to influence the outcome of a battle among 5-star master teachers through his pointers? How can that be?”

The more Wu Zhen thought about it, the more shocked he felt.

There were two realms between Transcendent Mortal 4-dan and Transcendent Mortal 6-dan, but more importantly, there was a fundamental difference in their fighting style as well due to the utilization of soul.

Rationally speaking, it should have been impossible for the other party to understand the fighting patterns of Feng shi and others given his current cultivation realm… But reality had proved that not only did he understand their fighting patterns, he was even able to decipher them, granting Hong shi an opportunity to make a complete comeback. This eye of discernment… was so impressive that it was fearsome.

“I can verify my hypothesis just by trying it out!”

After a moment of shock, Wu Zhen suddenly thought of something and his lips crept up.

“Zhang shi!”

With a loud shout, Wu Zhen’s voice reverberated throughout the entire hall.

“Hmm?”

Stunned, Zhang Xuan turned his head over.

He didn’t expect Senior Wu, whom even the crown prince had to treat with utmost respect, would suddenly call for him.

Peng peng!

“AHH!”

In Zhang Xuan’s momentary lapse of concentration, the sound of fists and legs sinking into flesh sounded, and a cry of agony accompanied it.

With the abrupt termination of Zhang Xuan’s guidance, Hong shi fell into a disadvantageous position and was currently in the midst of being lynched once again.

“An inch diagonally to your forward right. Then, turn around and execute the Eighth Stroke of Dragon Capturing Palm…”

Zhang Xuan began sending instructions telepathically once more.

Hu hu hu!

Under his instructions, Hong shi regained the upper hand once more, suppressing the trio to the point that they could hardly catch their breath.

“Zhang shi!”

But at that moment, Wu shi’s shout boomed across the room once more.

“Yes?”

Zhang Xuan turned around.

Peng peng!

“AHH!”

Hong shi screamed in agony once more.

“The hell!”

Seeing how Hong shi was struck the instant his instructions stopped, Zhang Xuan hurriedly turned his attention back and instructed, “Leap up slightly and once you land on the ground, retreat seven steps immediately…”

“Zhang shi!”

But before Zhang Xuan could finish his words, Wu Zhen’s voice boomed across the room once more.

“What do you want?”

Zhang Xuan was on the verge of breakdown.

“I… am just shouting casually, you don’t need to bother about me!”

Wu Zhen waved his hands casually.

“…” Zhang Xuan.

The hell, was this fellow really a talented student from Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy?

Why was he so childish?

While Zhang Xuan was sighing helplessly, in the dueling ring, Hong shi was crying. “Zhang shi, can you keep your attention here… You can’t toy with me like that. If this goes on, I really might just die…”

Chapter 631: Lake Eye

Seeing that Hong shi was on the verge of a breakdown, Zhang Xuan couldn’t be bothered with Wu Zhen anymore. He focused all of his attention into instructing Hong shi to victory.

On the other hand, Wu Zhen, having affirmed his hypothesis, no longer called Zhang Xuan anymore as well.

A few minutes later, Feng Yu, Luo Zhao, and Chen Yue were lying on the floor, their bodies filled with wounds. They had surrendered.

They had no choice but to do so. No matter what they did, Hong shi seemed to always be a step ahead of them, leaving them completely helpless. If it had gone on like that, they might even have died. Since that was the case, they admitted defeat.

The trio suffered such grievous injuries that even their own parents would probably find it hard to recognize them. If there was any consolation to them, it was that Hong shi wasn’t in a good shape either. His cheeks and eyes were swollen red; his entire body was shaking unsteadily; there was blood all over him… If not for some kind of tenacity driving him, he would have also collapsed to the ground as well.

“Alright. Since Feng shi, Luo shi, and Chen shi have admitted defeat, the three slots shall be contributed by their teams!”

Ye Qian was also surprised to see Hong shi emerge victorious in the battle.

He didn’t possess Wu Zhen’s sharp intuition, so he failed to see through the little trick involved here. As such, he thought that Hong shi had defeated the trio with his own strength, and this had left him impressed.

Seeing the severe injuries Hong shi had sustained, Zhang Xuan felt a little guilt-ridden. Thus, he stood up and walked over to Wu shi.

“Wu shi, may I request for a cup of medicinal wine for Hong shi’s injuries?”

If not for this damned fellow calling him time and time again, even though Hong shi would still have suffered injuries, they wouldn’t be as severe as they were now.

“Un!”

Wu shi did also feel a little embarrassed by his previous actions, so he took out the medicinal wine and poured out a cup.

Zhang Xuan infused a surge of zhenqi into the medicinal wine before passing it over to Hong shi for him to drink it.

It was only in the body that zhenqi could be stored for extended periods of time. In other words, while the gourd of medicinal wine in Wu shi’s possession might still be effective now, it would slowly turn back into ordinary wine.

As the Heaven’s Path zhenqi contained in the wine flowed through Hong shi’s bloodstream, his injuries began to heal.

“Thank you, Wu shi and Zhang shi!”

With his injuries recovered, Hong shi felt refreshed. He quickly clasped his fist in gratitude.

He really thought that he would die just now. Honestly speaking, he didn’t expect Zhang shi to be so formidable as to be able to issue instructions that would lead him to an easy victory.

After all, those were master teachers of the same rank as him… Even in a one-to-one, he dared not say he would win. While he had suffered grievous injuries in this battle, he felt that it was worth it given that he was able to defeat the three of them.

With this, he had brought glory to Hongfeng Empire!

“There’s no need to stand on ceremony…”

Wu shi waved his hands. After which, he turned his gaze to Zhang Xuan in interest.

However, knowing that this wasn’t the occasion to be asking anything, he eventually turned away without asking anything.

As soon as Zhang Xuan and Hong shi returned to their seats, Feng shi, Luo shi, and Chen shi walked up to Wu shi and asked, “Wu shi, can we get a cup of medicinal wine as well?”

They had seen Hong shi making a complete recovery after drinking the medicinal wine, and this had left them green in envy. Feeling the aches throughout their bodies, they toughened up their courage and walked over to ask.

“Fine!”

Wu shi eyelids twitched. He was unwilling to offer the medicinal wine to them, but eventually, he still took it out and poured a cup for each of them.

“Our gratitude to Wu shi!”

They quickly drank it down, and a spicy taste rushed up their throat.

After waiting for a moment, they realized that their injuries were still as severe as before. Perplexed, they asked, “Wu shi, could you have taken the wrong gourd…”

“Impossible, this is surely the one that I received earlier…”

Wu shi frowned. “It might not be working as well due to your severe injuries. Why don’t you try applying it externally?”

Saying so, he poured another cup for them.

“You’re right!”

Previously, Zhang Xuan also poured the wine on Bi shi’s arm to heal it. Perhaps due to their injuries being much more severe, its effectiveness might be limited through consumption.

With such thoughts in mind, they poured the wine carefully on their injuries.

Tzzzzz!

The burning sensation of the alcohol left them gritting their teeth in pain. They waited for a long moment, but there was no sign of their injuries recovering. On the contrary, there were signs that pus was forming instead. Feng Yu, Luo Zhao, and Chen Yue were stumped.

Isn’t this a Saint recovery medicine that will fully heal our injuries just by applying it?

Then why are our wounds not healing that? On top of that, what is with that sharp pain accompanied with a slight itch on them?

Hong shi obviously recovered after drinking the wine given though! Could Wu shi have offered them a smaller portion out of his bias?

“Wu shi, I think we might need more medicine. Can you give us a few more cups?” Luo Zhao asked timidly.

“Scram!” Wu shi howled.

You must be joking! There is only a gourd of the recovery wine Hong shi gave, and yet you ask for a cup after another. That’s enough of you!

But still, he did feel a little perplexed over the matter. Was the effectiveness weakened due to their serious injuries?

That must be the case!

After all, the few of them did look slightly better than they did before.

In truth, while most of the zhenqi that Zhang Xuan had infused into the wine had dissipated, some of it still lingered.

Thus, even though Luo Zhao and the others didn’t make a full recovery like Hong shi, they still recovered significantly. Their wounds had stopped bleeding, and walking wasn’t a problem for them anymore.

“…” Seeing Wu shi flying into a rage, Luo Zhao and the others didn’t dare to push their case any further. Thus, they hurriedly returned.

…

“Since the slots have been decided, let’s allocate the zones now!”

Since the distribution of the slots had been confirmed, Ye Qian turned to look at the crowd and said, “The Cleansing Lake is infused with the spiritual energy from the Verdant Mountain and Dragon-scaled River, granting it the ability to nourish one’s soul. As such, this spirit lake is known as the divine land of Huanyu Empire. Even members of the royal family are not allowed to enter the premises as they please—they have to obey the rules of entering only every decade, at the time of the opening of the Cleansing Lake.

“Since you all should know this, I won’t elaborate on it!”

Hong shi and the others nodded.

This was common knowledge for them.

“As a blessed land for cultivators, the Cleansing Lake possesses mystical effects to the soul. However, one thing you might be unaware of is that it’s also an extremely dangerous place. The slightest carelessness could possibly result in death!”

Ye Qian spoke grimly.

“An extremely dangerous place? Death?”

“Isn’t it a spirit lake rich in spiritual energy?”

“Indeed, why would it be dangerous?”

…

Everyone was taken aback.

Even Luo Zhao, Feng Yu, and the others also frowned questioningly.

They had heard of the Cleansing Lake’s unique property in nourishing one’s soul and advancing one’s cultivation, but they had never known it to be fraught with danger.

What kind of danger could a lake rich in spiritual energy possibly have?

“It’s no lie that the Cleansing Lake is a spirit lake. However, the current flowing within the lake is extremely violent, and even a Transcendent Mortal 9-dan cultivator could be killed easily in it! Back then, when our founding ancestor found this blessed land, he sent in his men to investigate the region, only to have none of them return,” Ye Qian explained gravely.

“Even Transcendent Mortal 9-dan cultivators could be killed easily?”

Everyone was stunned. “Then…”

If even a Transcendent Mortal 9-dan cultivator couldn’t survive the currents of the lake, weren’t they seeking death by entering it?

What kind of blessed land for cultivation was this?

“There’s no need to panic, allow me to finish my words first!”

Seeing the shocked expression on everyone’s faces, Ye Qian chuckled. “The dangers regarding the Cleansing Lake are very real; I’m not exaggerating them in any way. However, there’s a solution to the matter. After many years of scouting and innumerable lives paving the way forward, we finally uncovered some of the secrets of the lake. There’s a safe zone in the Cleansing Lake where cultivators can enjoy the benefits of the lake without being crushed to a pulp!

“We call this location the ‘Lake Eye’. The Lake Eye is where the spiritual energy from the various sources intersect and form a fragile balance, thus creating a safe zone. However, the Lake Eye only appear once every ten years.”

“Lake Eye?”

“Once every ten years? Is this the reason why the Cleansing Lake only opens once every ten years?”

“That must be the case…”

Upon hearing the explanation, everyone suddenly came to a realization.

They had always been puzzled as to why the Cleansing Lake only opened once every ten years. Initially, they thought that the royal family was just maintaining a monopoly over the lake, but from the looks of it now, they were sorely mistaken. The true reason was to protect them from danger.

“Lake Eyes aren’t too big—each of them only has a radius of around two meters. Furthermore, the amount of spiritual energy harnessed in each of them is limited as well. Once all of the energy inside is fully absorbed, the Lake Eye will collapse inward! In other words, the person cultivating inside a Lake Eye must escape immediately upon realizing the spiritual energy inside is dying out. Otherwise, one might just lose his life in the lake,” said Ye Qian.

“Radius of two meters? The amount of spiritual energy harnessed is limited? Then…”

Everyone was perplexed.

Considering that fifteen people were entering the Cleansing Lake, how could a Lake Eye with a radius of two meters possibly be enough?

If they were to take turns, considering how the spiritual energy in the Lake Eye was limited, they would have to decide on the order of entry as well!

“As everyone should know, when a soul is trapped within a body, it is equivalent to having a cage around it. Under such circumstances, its growth will be severely limited!”

Zhang Xuan nodded in agreement.

The body of an ordinary cultivator was no different from a shackle to a soul, locking it tightly in place.

Even if one were to obtain manuals to cultivate one’s soul, one’s soul would still be limited to the boundaries of one’s body.

To make an analogy, it was just like a potted plant. No matter how far the roots of a plant could reach, it would be confined to the limits of the pot.

“After making many calculations, we have found that the time limit for both Consonant Spirit realm and Cosmos Bridge realm cultivators is three days. Any longer than that and the Cleansing Lake will be rendered ineffective. Besides, three days is also the duration that a Lake Eye can maintain itself for. As such, the empire has determined a time limit of three days for this.”

Continuing, Ye Qian said, “The champions for the Master Teacher Tournament will be given three days, first runner-up two days, and second runner-up one day!”

The crowd nodded.

This was also the prize promised in the Master Teacher Tournament.

The first place will be given three days to cultivate at Cleansing Lake, the second place two days, and the third place one day.

“Everyone must be perplexed as to how a Lake Eye with a radius of two meters can have fifteen people cultivating in it at the same time… In truth, ten Lake Eyes will appear each time the Cleansing Lake opens!”

“Ten?”

“That’s right, ten! Based on previous rules, the five champions of the Master Teacher Tournament will be granted a Lake Eye of their own to cultivate for three days whereas the second and third place will share a Lake Eye, and they will cultivate for two days and one day respectively.”

The five champions would take up five Lake Eyes on their own, whereas the ten second places and third places, due to their differing cultivation duration as per their prize, would share the other five. In this way, the ten Lake Eyes were fairly distributed.

“However… this year is an exception!”

At which, Ye Qian paused for a moment before continuing. “Sixth Princess, Senior Wu, and the others would require a Lake Eye each, and I also need an individual one as well. Thus… you will have to share the remaining five amongst yourselves!”

Chapter 632: I’ll Challenge All of You

“We have to share the remaining five?”

Everyone frowned.

This was especially so for the champions in Feng shi, Luo shi, and Chen shi’s groups.

Under normal circumstances, they would be entitled to an entire Lake Eye themselves. However, now that they had to share their resources, there would surely be insufficient spiritual energy in the lake for them to cultivate for three days.

But while they felt indignant, there was nothing they could do. The Sixth Princess, Wu Zhen, and the others were Grade 2 students from the Master Teacher Academy, as well as their future seniors. It would be improper to have them share the Lake Eye while they each took one up for themselves.

Putting everything aside, even if the Sixth Princess volunteered to share her Lake Eye… who would dare to take up the offer?

To dishonor the princess of Hongyuan Empire, a 5-star master teacher… only if one was tired of living.

“Un. I feel apologetic toward you regarding this matter as well. I’ll leave the distribution of the Lake Eyes to you all!”

Ye Qian said apologetically. “I’m fine with any allocation you all decide upon!”

“We get to choose? Alright then!” Luo Zhao hesitated for a moment before nodding. “I have a proposal. Other than the crown prince, there’s still another master teacher from Huanyu Empire. He, along with Hongfeng Empire, will share two Lake Eye, whereas Hongfeng, Qianfeng, and Zhuyue will take the remaining three!”

“Indeed, we’ll concede since Hongfeng Empire won the duel. I’m willing to give them the two Lake Eyes!” Chen Yue and Feng Yu’s eyes lit up.

If they could take down one Lake Eye each, they could have their top three cultivate a day each in the Lake Eye. This would be the best deal they could take.

“No way!”

Hong shi frowned.

In the previous duel, the other party had already lost three slots, and they only had six people who could enter the Cleansing Lake. Six people sharing three Lake Eye against four people sharing two Lake Eye, wouldn’t their position be equal then?

What would be the point of the previous duel then?

You must be joking!

“Then what do you want?”

Luo Zhao frowned.

“We want the two Lake Eyes independently! The remaining three shall be shared among you and the master teacher from Huanyu Empire!” Hong shi said.

“You want to take two Lake Eyes independently? You’re dreaming!” Feng Yu and Chen Yue harrumphed.

Even taking into account the three slots they had just lost, if they were to allow Hongfeng Empire to take two Lake Eyes independently, that would be equivalent to seven people sharing three Lake Eyes. That would be a huge disadvantage to them, how could they agree to it?

“I disagree to it as well!” Luo Zhao shook his head.

“You disagree to the matter? Then why don’t we fight once more to decide this? Since we have all taken the medicinal wine and our injuries are mostly healed!”

Hong shi flung his sleeves and stood up.

After winning a match against the three of them, he was overflowing with confidence.

“Fight?”

The mouths of Luo Zhao and the others twitched.

Fight your head! Besides, which of your eyes saw that our injuries are mostly recovered?

You’re able to walk perfectly fine, but everyone can clearly see that we’re limping around. We weren’t able to defeat you earlier on when we were in a better condition, how could we possibly defeat you now?

“Why? You dare not accept my challenge? Stop finding excuses! Each of you had two cups of medicinal wine earlier whereas I only took one. Even though I look fine on the surface, my injuries are as severe as yours!”

Hong shi raised his eyebrows.

“The heck with your ‘as severe as yours’!”

Luo Zhao and the others were rendered speechless.

You are able to walk around perfectly normally whereas we can’t even sit steadily, and you say that your injuries are as severe as ours? You sure are thick-skinned, you know…

“Fine, let’s fight then. However, it won’t be us since we just had a match, and there would be little point in repeating the same thing. Why don’t we have the other members of our group clash it out!”

Gritting his teeth, Chen Yue gestured to the members of his group behind him.

“Indeed, instead of fighting once more, why don’t we leave it to them to determine the distribution of the Lake Eye? In any case, they are the ones who will be impacted by the ultimate outcome!”

Luo Zhao’s eyes shone with excitement as he quickly nodded in agreement. “The winning team will get to choose which of the two proposals we’ll go by!”

“No! Like I said just now, the members of your teams have consumed Consonant Spirit Pills, and this is unfair to my team!”

Seeing the other party insist on dueling with Zhang shi and the others, Hong shi hurriedly rejected the idea.

Even the member with the weakest cultivation amongst them was a small realm higher than the member with the highest cultivation in his group. How could his group possibly win the duel?

If he were to agree to the duel, there would be no doubt that they would lose.

“The Consonant Spirit Pill can only be found in the capital, and in this sense, we’re all on equal standing. You only have yourself to blame for a lack of preparation for the matter!”

Feng Yu harrumphed. “So, do you dare or not? Let me just remind you that we have the majority here. If you insist on having it your way, we can just bypass your objection when it comes down to it!”

“Indeed. We need not waste our time arguing with you. If you refuse to agree to the duel, I suggest you just admit defeat!” Luo Zhao added.

The three of them had already made up their minds to never fight with Hong shi ever again, so it was impossible for them to accept the latter’s challenge.

On the other hand, the men that they brought here had already consumed a Consonant Spirit Pill each. With their superior cultivation, wouldn’t it be a walk in the park for them to suppress those from Hongfeng Empire?

“You…”

Seeing the three of them gang up against him, Hong shi’s breathing hastened in anger. He was just about to say something when Zhang Xuan suddenly interjected.

“Alright then, we can accept your challenge… however, don’t you think a three versus three is a too troublesome?”

“Troublesome?”

Seeing the same fellow from before speaking up again, Feng Yu and Luo Zhao narrowed their eyes. “Then what do you suggest?”

“Simple, I’ll face all nine of your men alone. I don’t mind whether you come one by one or all at the same time. As long as you defeat me, our Hongfeng Empire will give all of our Lake Eyes to you… but if you lose, you will give all of your Lake Eyes to us. What do you think of it?”

Zhang Xuan glanced at them with a faint smile.

“You want to fight nine people singlehandedly?”

“This fellow must be joking!”

“Indeed! A mere Transcendent Mortal 4-dan cultivator actually thinks he can defeat nine Consonant Spirit realm cultivators in a duel? He must be dreaming!”

…

In an instant, an uproar broke out in the room.

Having emerged triumphant from the Master Teacher Tournaments in their respective regions, they were all proud geniuses. How could they possibly allow a fellow who was far weaker than them to mock them? This was intolerable!

“Luo shi, allow us to teach that arrogant brat a lesson! He has been grating on my nerves right from the start!”

A young man standing behind Luo Zhao stood up, and his aura suddenly burst forth—Consonant Spirit realm advanced stage!

He possessed the strongest fighting prowess even among the other eight who had consumed Consonant Spirit Pills as well.

“Feng shi, I’ll go. That fellow caused you so much pain. If I don’t get him apologizing on his knees, I will be unworthy to be called a master teacher of Fengyuan Empire!”

A young man behind Feng shi also stood up.

Following the duo, the other seven people behind Feng shi, Luo shi, and Chen shi also couldn’t remain seated any longer, and they glared at Zhang Xuan furiously. If looks could kill, he would have been torn to shreds then.

Seeing the agitation and anger in everyone’s eyes, Luo shi asked once more, “Are you certain you want to duel with him?”

“That’s right!”

“That fellow has no respect for his elders at all; he deserves to be taught a lesson!”

The group of nine hollered angrily.

Very few people knew that Feng shi had plummeted from the sky due to this fellow, but they had seen how he made things difficult for Luo shi earlier.

In fact, the duel between Hong shi and the three pavilion masters was his idea as well. Not to mention, he was uttering such arrogant words at the moment. Unforgivable!

“This…”

Luo shi turned to Feng shi and Chen shi.

This matter was important; he dared not represent the entire group.

After all, no one thought that Hong shi would be able to defeat the three of them earlier as well… but reality shoved the contrary to their faces.

This fellow may seem to be the weakest of the group, but what if he had some trump cards up his sleeves?

“To think that you would hesitate so long at my challenge! If you dare not accept it, we can drop the idea… I knew that you were all spineless cowards! Master teachers? Geniuses? Pui!”

Before Feng shi and Chen shi could make their stand, the young man before them shook his head in disappointment.

“You…”

Luo shi and the others exploded into rage.

This fellow was really too much!

This was especially with the expression on his face at this moment, he was clearly making a mockery out of them!

Gritting his teeth savagely, Luo Zhao said, “Fine, we’ll accept the challenge! However, I want to confirm if you can represent your entire team.”

“If I lose, all of Hongfeng’s Lake Eyes will be given to you. If you lose, all of your Lake Eyes will be given to us. Rest assured, my words can represent my team!” Zhang Xuan said nonchalantly.

“Alright then!”

Luo Zhao gestured to the person behind him. “Li Xiulian!”

“Luo shi!”

The Consonant Spirit realm advanced stage expert who was the first to confront Zhang Xuan earlier stepped forward.

He was the champion of Qianfeng Empire’s Master Teacher Tournament, Xiulian gongzi.

Clenching his fists tightly, Luo Zhao angrily instructed, “Go up and teach him a lesson. Make him know that there’s always a higher mountain!”

In a normal duel between master teachers, no matter how angry either side was at the other, they would be instructed to stop once the victor was clear. Yet, Luo shi was now telling Xiulian gongzi to beat Zhang Xuan up thoroughly. This reflected how angry he was at this moment.

“Don’t worry, Luo shi! I’ll have him know the difference between Clarifying Turbidity realm and Consonant Spirit realm!”

Harrumphing coldly, Xiulian gongzi stepped forward and gestured to Zhang Xuan. “Aren’t you arrogant? Come, let me see if your skills are as formidable as your mouth!”

“Zhang shi… be careful!” Hong shi said worriedly.

He had great confidence in Zhang shi’s skill… but the opponent he was facing was a Consonant Spirit realm advanced stage cultivator. There was simply too huge a gap between the both of them!

If he were to lose, Hongfeng Empire would lose all of their Lake Eyes, and everything they had done before would be in vain.

Behind him, Luo Xuan and Bi Jianghai were frowning deeply.

Zhang shi had indeed performed spectacularly back in Myriad Kingdom Alliance, but still, they found it hard to believe that he could match a Consonant Spirit realm advanced stage cultivator.

“Don’t worry!”

Noticing the worry in everyone’s eyes, Zhang Xuan chuckled lightly. He walked to the center of the room and glanced at the young man before saying, “I don’t think you’ll suffice. You should have the eight of them come up as well. Otherwise, I would feel like I’m bullying you all!”

“You…”

Seeing how the other party was still spouting such arrogant words now, Xiulian gongzi clenched his fists tightly. “There’s no need for it! I’m more than enough to handle you!”

Hu!

Roaring angrily, he charged forward and smashed a fist at Zhang Xuan’s face.

At Consonant Spirit realm advanced stage, one’s soul was one with one’s body. Amidst the furious gust of wind, there was a soul pressure that rendered one incapable of sprouting any thoughts of retaliation.

If it was any other Clarifying Turbidity realm pinnacle cultivator, he would have lost instantly to this blow without making a single move at all.

But Zhang Xuan was no ordinary Clarifying Turbidity realm pinnacle cultivator. Upon seeing the fist, he simply chuckled lightly. Bending his middle finger and thumb together… he flicked lightly.

Peng!

The tip of Zhang Xuan’s finger collided with Xiulian gongzi’s fist. Before the latter could even process what was going on, he was flying in the air. After a flight of roughly a dozen meters, he crashed into one of the vats of wine placed in the distance, soaking his entire body in wine.

Placing his hands behind his back, Zhang Xuan stared down on Xiulian gongzi, who was lying weakly on the floor, and chuckled “It seems like…

“… you aren’t enough at all!”