Library of Heaven’s Path - Chapter 775

Chapter 775: Luo Qiqi Faints ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

After chatting casually for a moment, silence gradually returned to the room. As Zhang Xuan raised his wine cup, he activated his Eye of Insight and scanned the room discreetly.

A moment later, a slightly perplexed expression flickered momentarily across his face.

Other than the Spirit Gathering Formation, there was no other formation or mechanism that he could see through his Eye of Insight.

Didn’t Hu Yaoyao intend to deal with him?

Why hadn’t she prepared anything then?

Did she really think that she could subdue him without any preparation?

Just as Zhang Xuan was in deep thought, Luo Qiqi suddenly called out. “Teacher, look over there!”

Turning his sights to the direction her finger was pointing toward, Zhang Xuan saw a two-meter tall weapon rack with a slightly yellowish shield hanging on it. There were slight traces of patina 1 , which hinted at the long history behind it.

“It is probably just a decorative artifact,” Zhang Xuan replied

Judging from the design of the weapon, it was probably smithed as an ornament. It wasn’t uncommon for large clans to hang such items in their main hall in a display of power.

“I have read many books regarding Elder Wu Yangzi, and according to the records, he smithed a total of 124 weapons in his life, and 17 of them are shields. One of them, the ‘Blazing Moon Copper Shield’, has a bizarre fiery moon design, and it resembles that of this shield,” Luo Qiqi said with a frown.

“Blazing Moon Copper Shield?” Hearing those words, Zhang Xuan began examining the shield more carefully.

Even though it was quite a distance away from them, with their keen eyes, they could still easily see the fiery moon reminiscent of the sun inscribed onto it. Unlike ordinary shields, it also had an irregular hexagonal shape. On the whole, the shield seemed exceedingly queer.

Realizing the significance of Luo Qiqi’s words, Zhang Xuan asked agitatedly, “You mean that… this is a shield smithed by Elder Wu Yangzi?”

“Yes!” Luo Qiqi stood up and walked toward the corner of the main hall and began examining the shield carefully.

The more she studied the shield, the grimmer her expression became.

Still in his seat, Zhang Xuan turned his gaze to the shield as well. While the shield was ancient, it had an extremely complex workmanship that, based on Zhang Xuan’s comprehension of smithing, bore a striking resemblance to that of the Zither Forging Technique.

Eye of Insight!

Lines of insight rippled in Zhang Xuan’s eyes as the information regarding the shield appeared before him.

This was indeed left behind by Elder Wu Yangzi… Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

He’d thought that it was only an imitation, but the evidence was pointing to it being authentic.

“It is said that Elder Wu Yangzi smithed the Blazing Sun Copper Shield in remembrance of his late wife, so he never put this artifact up on sale before. Many thought that it had disappeared along with him, but to think that it would actually be here,” Luo Qiqi exclaimed in shock.

Clenching her fists tightly, she continued, “It seems Senior Yaoyao really does know where the old residence is. There is a high chance that she might have unearthed it from there!”

Zhang Xuan also shared the same thoughts as Luo Qiqi.

Since this shield had never been put on sale before, there was a high chance that it had been hidden in Wu Yangzi’s old residence, and Hu Yaoyao had managed to find it by some stroke of luck.

After examining the shield, Luo Qiqi was just about to return to her seat when she abruptly froze again.

“There’s also a sword here!”

On the wall not too far away from them hung a sword in its scabbard. A weapon rack had hindered her view of it from her seat, so Luo Qiqi hadn’t noticed it previously. It was only after walking up to the shield that she managed to get a clear view of the sword.

Just like the shield, the sword hilt and scabbard also carried traces of age on it. With just a single glance, one could tell that it was an ancient artifact. Walking up to the sword to assess it, Luo Qiqi’s frown deepened.

Eventually, she took it down from the wall.

Luo Qiqi wasn’t the type to take the possession of another easily. For her to take the initiative to step forward to take down the sword, it could only mean that she had noticed something peculiar about it. Knowing this, Zhang Xuan asked, “What? Was this sword smithed by Wu Yangzi as well?”

“Yes. If I’m not mistaken, this should be the ‘Blazing Moon Blade’ that Elder Wu Yangzi left for his daughter. This sword has also never been sold on the market before. If there is a fiery sun inscription on the blade, that would mean that my deduction is correct,” Luo Qiqi explained as she placed her hands on the scabbard and the hilt each and pulled.

Huala!

A chilling glint flashed from the body of the sword, sending a shiver down the spines of those in its vicinity.

“A good sword that is!” Zhang Xuan exclaimed.

Even though this sword wasn’t on par with his Glacier Rain Sword, it was still an incredible creation that had managed to reach Spirit pinnacle.

“There’s indeed a fiery sun!” With her eyes fixated on the sword, delight surfaced on Luo Qiqi’s face.

But before her delight could bloom into a smile, a light buzz sounded from the sword.

Weng!

The sword trembled violently, as if the spirit within it was protesting in fury.

“This is bad!” Hearing that sound, Zhang Xuan narrowed his eyes. He hurriedly stood up and rushed up to her, but despite his swift reaction, he was still a step too late.

As if sapped of her strength, Luo Qiqi’s figure abruptly staggered and fell weakly to the side.

Zhang Xuan immediately caught Luo Qiqi’s falling figure and placed his forefinger and middle finger on her wrist to feel her pulse. A moment later, he heaved a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness there isn’t anything wrong with her. It seems she has only lost her consciousness…

Fearing that Hu Yaoyao would suddenly spring something on them, Zhang Xuan had chosen to remain in his seat and wait patiently for whatever was to come and deal with them. He’d thought that the other party would resort to using formations and mechanisms against him, but who could have known that she would spike the sword instead?

Knowing that Luo Qiqi was fine, Zhang Xuan tapped on a few points of the sword first before grabbing the Blazing Moon Sword to examine it.

There is no poison on it. It seems Luo Qiqi was indeed attacked by the spirit within the sword instead. Still, to think that this sword would have the ability to jolt one’s soul!

Most formidable artifacts would possess some kind of unique ability. Take the Bronze Gong that Zhang Xuan had seen in the Spirit Emporium previously for example, it had the ability to destroy one’s soul.

With a strike of the gong, one’s physical body and soul would suffer immense damage.

From the looks of it, the Blazing Moon Blade did possess the ability to jolt one’s soul. It was out of a moment of carelessness while touching it that Luo Qiqi was attacked by the spirit within, resulting in her loss of consciousness.

Realizing what was going on, Zhang Xuan gently placed Luo Qiqi down on the table by the side before harrumphing coldly.

“Come out!”

While artifacts did possess offensive capability of their own, their fighting prowess was severely limited without someone driving them. It was just like how he’d managed tame almost all of the treasures of the Spirit Emporium, but he was still unable to rival Wei Changfeng.

Even though the Blazing Moon Blade had reached Spirit pinnacle, making it difficult for even a Transcendent Mortal 9-dan expert to tame the spirit within, it was still impossible for it to render Luo Qiqi unconscious so easily.

Without a doubt, Hu Yaoyao had tampered with the weapon.

The other party knew that they were anxious to seek out Wu Yangzi’s old residence, so she intentionally placed the shield there in order to draw their attention to it first. After confirming that the shield was safe, and due to the shock from the discovery of another product of Wu Yangzi’s hands, their guards would be down when they approached the sword, thus allowing it to successfully knock them out.

Hu Yaoyao’s intended target was probably Zhang Xuan, but Luo Qiqi had ended up falling for it instead.

Given that such a trap had been prepared for them, the other party must have been hiding in the surroundings, observing them quietly from the shadows.

There was a brief moment of silence before a soft chuckle echoed in the room.

“No wonder you were able to deal a heavy blow to nearly all of the student factions, you are indeed a smart person!”

The door opened, and Hu Yaoyao’s slender figure stepped into the room. She was dressed in a burgundy dress which emphasized her curvaceous figure beautifully.

It seemed she had devoted more effort to dressing up for this occasion. She looked much more charming and seductive than the previous day.

“For a Grade-5 student to pick on a freshman, don’t you think that this will reflect badly on your reputation?” Zhang Xuan glanced at her figure impassively.

“My reputation? I invited you to my night banquet out of goodwill, but in my moment of absence, you took my sword without permission. Don’t you think that the one whose reputation will be reflected badly is you?” Hu Yaoyao stepped forward leisurely and chuckled.

A slight and refreshing fragrance drifted from her body, tingling one’s senses.

It was no wonder her faction was known as the Bewitching Devil Faction. As if a mischievous fox spirit, her gestures and movements carried a kind of seductive charm and pulled at one’s heartstrings.

It wasn’t too difficult to imagine that there would be an army of master teachers in the academy who would be willing to throw themselves into flames without batting an eyelid for her.

But while this kind of deadly charm might be effective on others, Zhang Xuan remained completely unfazed by it. Shaking his head, he gazed at Hu Yaoyao nonchalantly, as if merely looking at yet another human being.

“It is out of curiosity that we stepped forward to admire the artifacts you have put on public display; why should that reflect badly on us? On the other hand, despite inviting us over, you chose to hide and observe us from the shadows. I don’t think that it can be any more apparent who is the one who is up to no good.

“But since we won’t be able to come to a consensus on the matter, let’s not waste our breath and get straight to the business at hand. Where is Elder Wu Yangzi’s old residence?”

“Hmm?” Hu Yaoyao was slightly taken aback.

On top of being a 6-star terpsichore, Hu Yaoyao was a 6-star demonic tunist as well. At her current level of expertise, she was already capable of utilizing her voice as a medium to unleash her prowess as a demonic tunist.

Right from the start, she had been using a terpsichorean art and a demonic tunist art simultaneously to bewitch Zhang Xuan. Under such an assault, even a Transcendent Mortal 9-dan expert would find it difficult to retain their rationality!

Given that the other party was only a Cosmos Bridge realm cultivator, even if he wasn’t bewitched by her, his soul should have at least been rendered feeble by the attack. How could he possibly remain completely unfazed and even rationally question her back?

“Regarding the matter of the old residence, I will speak as long as you agree to my conditions!” Despite Hu Yaoyao’s doubt, she didn’t allow it to appear on her face.

With a seductive smile that scratched at one’s soul, she said, “Join my Bewitching Devil Faction and obey my commands obediently, and not only will I tell you the location of Elder Wu Yangzi’s old residence, I will even lead you there myself!”

“Obey your commands obediently?” Zhang Xuan glanced at her somewhat mockingly. “Aren’t you already trying?”

“To be able to tame several hundred spirit beasts in a breath and win School Head Mo and School Head Zhao’s favor, there is no doubt that Zhang shi possesses an exceptionally powerful soul. Even if I were to use all of my means, it is questionable they will be effective on you… It won’t be feasible for me to make you submit through my terpsichorean arts, I admit at least this much.”

At this point, Hu Yaoyao’s crimson lips curled up playfully. “But… what about Luo Qiqi?”

“Qiqi? What do you mean?” Zhang Xuan frowned upon hearing those words.

“Luo Qiqi has been attacked by the spirit of the Blazing Moon Blade. If you don’t treat her soon, it’s very possible that the damage to her foundation might become permanent, making it nigh impossible for her to make any progress in the future,” Hu Yaoyao replied with a taunting smile.

Damage to her foundation? Permanent? Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

A jolt on one’s soul could only render one unconscious at most. Damaging one’s foundation and rendering it nigh impossible for one to make any progress… Where in the world did she find the confidence to spout such bullshit?

Zhang Xuan was perplexed for a moment before it suddenly dawned on him.

The other party must have thought that he was lacking in the study of souls, and on top of that, his worry for Luo Qiqi could have sent his mind into disarray, making it impossible for him to think rationally. She thought that, by exaggerating things, she could force Zhang Xuan to submit to her terms.

On the off chance that Zhang Xuan refused, she could have prepared a Record Crystal somewhere in advance to take down this scene. When Luo Qiqi finally roused from her sleep, she would show it to her and sow discord between them. With such a precedent between them, there would be a permanent rift between their relationship as a teacher and a student.

This was indeed checkmate. Zhang Xuan would have been trapped no matter what he chose.

To save Luo Qiqi, he would have to agree to her conditions. Disagree, and he would potentially lose Luo Qiqi’s trust forever.

Regardless of the choice, she would be the final victor!

As expected of the leader of the Bewitching Devil Faction, she was indeed a fearsome adversary!

Chapter 776: Bewitching Devil! ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

That’s a good plan, but it’s a pity that she found the wrong opponent! With such thoughts in mind, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

It must be said that Hu Yaoyao had indeed planned this well. Anyone who was ignorant of souls would be in a state of panic at this moment, forced to choose one of the two options. However… this problem was nothing for Zhang Xuan at all.

As a soul oracle, the true master in the study of souls, he could think of at least a dozen ways off the top of his head to wake Luo Qiqi from her sleep instantaneously.

The only reason he hadn’t done so yet was to see what Hu Yaoyao had prepared for him. It would be truly disappointing if this was all she’d got.

With this much, how could she possibly declare that she would take him down so confidently last night?

Zhang Xuan shook his head and said with a tinge of disappointment in his voice, “Save petty ploys like that for others. Are you actually so naive to think that you can ruin our teacher-student relationship through this?”

He and Luo Qiqi were comrades who had survived a life-and-death situation together. How could such a cheap ploy possibly foil their relationship?

“You are smarter than I thought. However…” Realizing that Zhang Xuan had seen through her thoughts, a hint of astonishment flashed across Hu Yaoyao’s eyes. However, the smile on her face only deepened.

In the next moment, she abruptly reached out her hand and flicked lightly.

Si la!

A surge of sword qi shot forth from her fingertips, and severed the cloth concealing the unconscious Luo Qiqi’s shoulder, revealing her smooth shoulder and neck bone.

“If Luo Qiqi were to wake up to this and realize that her teacher actually harbors some lustful thoughts toward her, do you think that she will still be able to remain as trusting of you as before?” Hu Yaoyao chuckled.

“Even if she doesn’t doubt your character, I can just take the recording of this scene and spread it amongst the students of the academy, saying that you intend to make sexual advances toward Luo Qiqi… I wonder if the students will be more inclined to believe my words or yours. Honestly speaking, I am curious to see how many fans of Luo Qiqi will stand up in her stead!”

Zhang Xuan frowned.

If Hu Yaoyao were to really take a snippet of the recording and frame it in a suggestive manner, considering the Bewitching Devil Faction’s influence in the academy, it wouldn’t be too difficult for her to turn the student populace against him.

While Zhang Xuan had no qualms about being misunderstood, such rumors could ruin Luo Qiqi’s reputation as well.

Naturally, this was a situation Zhang Xuan wanted to avoid.

“I intended to give you a chance, but you just had to keep pushing your luck…” Zhang Xuan shook his head and sigh.

The next moment, he raised his hand, lifting it to his forehead.

It was a simple action, reminiscent of the gesture one would make when adjusting one’s fringe. But for some reason, the movement felt extremely natural and graceful, as if a dance performance.

Hu Yaoyao thought that the young man before her would start to panic helplessly before her, but upon seeing this gesture, she froze.

Hong long!

The next moment, an overwhelming pressure gathered and rushed for her soul, inducing tremendous dizziness in her head.

Damn it, this is a terpsichorean art! How can he possibly know any terpsichorean arts? Hu Yaoyao’s face paled under the pressure, and she nearly lost consciousness.

As one of the top students of the Terpsichore School, she had intended to make use of her terpsichorean art to pressure the other party into submitting to her. However, before she could succeed, she was already struck squarely by the other party using the same method she was going to use against him! The immense frustration she felt from being outdone in her field of specialty left her on the verge of spewing blood.

However, considering the limitations of the other party’s cultivation, no matter how strong his soul might be, it would be impossible for him to leave her dizzy for too long. As soon as she recovered, she would make him regret his actions!

Vowing angrily, Hu Yaoyao was just about to focus her soul energy to dispel the dizziness in her mind when she suddenly felt a searing energy gushing right for her.

“To dare assault me, you are courting death!”

Realizing that the other party was attempting to launch an attack on her in her weakened state, Hu Yaoyao strenuously lifted her palm to retaliate.

Based on the intelligence she had received, Zhang Xuan was only a Cosmos Bridge realm pinnacle cultivator. Even in her moment of weakness, it was impossible for him to subdue a Chrysalis realm pinnacle expert like her!

At Chrysalis realm, one’s power would have crystallized into the form of a golden core, granting them strength almost reaching up to that of a Saint. How could she possibly be defeated by a Cosmos Bridge realm cultivator in a fight?

Hu la!

Just as her palm was about to clash with Zhang Xuan’s attack, she suddenly felt the assault before her vanish with a slight gust of wind. The next moment, she suddenly felt yet another immense might gathering behind her.

How did he withdraw his attack so quickly? Narrowing her eyes, Hu Yaoyao’s heart leaped in shock.

In her moment of weakness, it had already taken all she had to focus all of her might to protect her front.

She could clearly feel a violent strength reminiscent of the raging torrents of a river rushing for her, but with her reaction dulled by vertigo, it was impossible for her to retaliate on time.

Peng!

Struck squarely on her back, Hu Yaoyao’s face paled as her entire figure catapulted forward before crashing heavily onto the ground.

Pu!

Blood spewed from her mouth. In this short encounter, she had already sustained grievous wounds.

Feeling her internal organs being jolted from their original position, Hu Yaoyao was overwhelmed with shock. “The strength he commands is on par with a Chrysalis realm primary stage cultivator? How is that possible?!”

There was no doubt that the other party’s palm carried a might exceeding 25,000,000 ding. Otherwise, given the resilience of her body as a Chrysalis realm expert, even if she was caught off guard, it was impossible for her to be wounded so heavily.

Wasn’t the other party a Cosmos Bridge realm pinnacle cultivator?

Yet, not only did he manage to successfully assail her soul, he was even able to command a might of 25,000,000 ding… Just how in the world did he do it?

Another mouthful of fresh blood spurted by Hu Yaoyao’s mouth. The next moment, she felt someone lifting her body up, and her body immediately tensed in alarm.

Soon, as the dizziness she felt began to dispel, she got a clear sight of the situation before her.

At this moment, she was being held up by Zhang Xuan, who was looking at her with a frustrated expression.

His expression seemed to be saying that he didn’t intend to make a move at all, and she was the one who forced him into resorting to physical violence.

Seeing this, Hu Yaoyao’s slender figure trembled once more, and yet another mouthful of fresh blood spewed from her mouth.

She was a Grade-5 student, a Chrysalis realm expert… She should have been the one teaching the other party a lesson…

Yet, at this very moment, it seemed as if she was a mischievous student who was taught a lesson after being caught pranking someone instead…

Can anyone tell me how in the world everything suddenly came down to this?

To think that she, one of the top Grade-5 students in the academy, would end up being utterly subdued by a freshman in the academy. The immense frustration she was feeling at this moment from the stark contrast between expectations and reality left her on the verge of going insane.

“Spew out the location of Elder Wu Yangzi’s old residence, and I can drop everything that has happened today!” Zhang Xuan said impassively.

With Zhang Xuan’s mastery of terpsichorean arts, which was on par or even higher than most 6-star pinnacle terpsichores, and his extraordinarily powerful soul, it wasn’t impossible for him to assail Hu Yaoyao’s soul while she was unguarded.

After which, by exerting the incredible might of 26,000,000 ding he commanded from his body, soul, and zhenqi, it wasn’t too difficult for him to overpower the weakened Grade-5 genius.

If Zhang Xuan wanted to, he could even have killed the other party easily!

“Humph!” Hearing the threat in the young man’s words, Hu Yaoyao sneered coldly.

At this point, she had already recovered from her shock, and she taunted with a provocative smile, “So what if I don’t spew out the location of Elder Wu Yangzi’s old residence? What can you do about it? Are you going to kill me for it?”

Hearing those words, Zhang Xuan frowned.

Despite all that Hu Yaoyao had done, her actions didn’t warrant death.

On top of that, putting aside the fact that she was a master teacher and that they were in the Master Teacher Academy which prohibited killing amongst fellow students, just the fact that it might be possible that what Hu Yaoyao had claimed was true—that she was the only one who knew where Wu Yangzi’s old residence was—made it an unwise decision to kill her.

If they were to really kill her, it was possible that they might never be able to find Wu Yangzi’s treasure anymore.

“Of course, I won’t kill you for something as trivial as this. However… I can seal your acupoints and hang you on a flagpole so that everyone passing by can admire the embarrassing state of the leader of the Bewitching Devil Faction!”

Throwing Hu Yaoyao on the ground, Zhang Xuan placed his hands behind his back and glanced down at her coldly.

Are you trying to compete with me who can be more shameless?

Hah, you must be joking with me!

When I was at the peak of my shamelessness, you were still playing in the mud!

“You dare…” As expected, upon hearing those words, Hu Yaoyao’s smile vanished, and her face turned livid.

To be honest, she’d thought that she was already quite a brazen person herself, but to think that this fellow would be even more brazen than her!

One must know that she was one of the top beauties in the academy, and a slight smile or a small gesture could send butterflies fluttering in the stomach of another.

There were many men who would be more than willing to do anything to please her, but not only did this fellow beat her up mercilessly, he even wanted to hang her on a flagpole…

Screw you!

“You can try me if you want to,” Zhang Xuan replied coldly.

“You…” Hu Yaoyao glared at Zhang Xuan furiously with gritted teeth.

Considering how the fellow before her had caused such a huge uproar in the academy as soon as he had arrived—destroying the Passageway of Records in the Blacksmith Guild and provoking the four biggest school factions in the academy…

She might still harbor some doubts if it was anyone else, but this fellow… she could totally see him doing it!

Putting everything else aside, she could still feel a stabbing pain in her organs from the heavy blow on her back.

Considering how he was able to strike her so heavily without any hesitation, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he would hang her on a flagpole.

But to submit to a freshman… Impossible!

Ever since entering the academy, she, Hu Yaoyao, had always been the one to get the better of others. When had she been bullied like that before?

If she were to give in, what pride would she have to remain in the academy?

Not to mention, what would the members of her Bewitching Devil Faction think of her as well?

But if she adamantly refused to submit… what if that lunatic were to really do it?

Frustrated, Hu Yaoyao clenched her teeth so tightly together that it felt as if they would chip soon. In that moment of dilemma, her gaze suddenly fell on Luo Qiqi, and a thought flashed through her mind.

Si la!

She extended her right hand to her left shoulder and tore off the cloth of her dress, revealing her smooth shoulder.

“If you wish to hang me on a flagpole, so be it! However… be prepared to face the consequences then. If I were to say that you tried to take advantage of me, I wonder what will happen to you. For a master teacher to engage in such despicable acts… will you even be able to retain your master teacher license?” Hu Yaoyao chuckled cunningly.

Challenge me?

Try again a century later!

“…” Zhang Xuan was rendered speechless by the other party’s antics.

He finally understood why the other party was called the Bewitching Devil.

If it had been Luo Qiqi who’d met with such a situation, she would have been overwhelmed with embarrassment and humiliation. Yet, Hu Yaoyao actually went to the extent of ripping her clothes apart!

If she were to run out in such a state and scream that Zhang Xuan had taken advantage of her, there would really be quite a few people who would believe her.

Ultimately, ladies were often viewed as the weaker gender, making it easier for them to win the sympathy of others, especially for those as beautiful as Hu Yaoyao.

Even though Zhang Xuan had nothing to fear as he hadn’t done anything at all—the Master Teacher Pavilion wouldn’t act without concrete evidence on hand, and it was illogical to think that a Transcendent Mortal 6-dan cultivator could actually take advantage of a Transcendent Mortal 9-dan cultivator—but considering the large fan-base that Hu Yaoyao had, he would definitely face a fair bit of trouble following such rumors.

That would truly be annoying for him.

All Zhang Xuan wanted to do was to spend his time in the Master Teacher Pavilion peacefully, reading his books and making some breakthroughs in his cultivation before leaving quietly. Why was this simple wish of his so difficult to achieve?

Seeing the young man before her fall speechless, Hu Yaoyao’s eyes curled into crescents, and she chuckled softly. Enduring the severe pain her body was suffering from, she stood up and walked up to Zhang Xuan. Standing half a chi 1 away from him, she taunted, “What? Are you scared now?”

With their bodies nearly pressed against one another, Zhang Xuan could clearly smell the unique fragrance that she exuded. Troubled by her actions, however, Zhang Xuan frowned and subconsciously took a step backward.

Just as he was considering whether he should send another fist at the other party to make her behave, an astonished voice abruptly sounded.

“Teacher… and Senior Yaoyao… What are you two doing?”

Unknowingly, Luo Qiqi had woken up amidst their confrontation, and looking at the two who were just slightly more than a chi away from one another, exclaimed in alarm.

Chapter 777: She Was the One Taking Advantage of Me! ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

The Blazing Moon Blade had only jolted Luo Qiqi’s soul. While she had fainted from the impact, there was actually no significant damage done, and she would awake once her soul calmed down.

The moment she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was her teacher and Hu Yaoyao’s bodies pressed closely together, as if lovers rendezvousing in the night.

This was especially so with the clothes of the latter ripped by the shoulder, revealing her silky skin. If one were to look from the side, one could even see hints of her voluptuous figure… Bewildered by the scene before her, she couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.

“Wuuuu! Qiqi, you are finally awake…”

Hearing that voice, Hu Yaoyao anxiously covered her body as she backed away from Zhang Xuan with fear and anguish reflected in her eyes. Pointing at Zhang Xuan, she cried, “It is out of goodwill that I invited the both of you for dinner, but… your teacher actually tried to take advantage of me! With this, how can I possibly have the face to meet others in the future?”

The more she spoke, the more miserable Hu Yaoyao seemed. Accompanied with the paleness of her face as a result of her injury, she looked like a weak damsel who had been bullied by a hoodlum and had no way to redress her grievances.

“Stop fooling around!” Unexpectedly, Luo Qiqi shook her head in response to Hu Yaoyao’s words. “Teacher tried to take advantage of you? Senior, you must be sorely mistaken somewhere!”

“…”

Hearing those words, Hu Yaoyao’s body staggered weakly, and she nearly fainted on the spot.

Big sister, can’t you take a look at the situation before you?

Look at the wretched state I am in, as well as the fear in my eyes. Surely any rational person could tell that I have been taken advantage of?

Fool around? Which eye of yours saw that I am fooling around? I have been taken advantage of, alright!

“Putting aside the fact that teacher isn’t your opponent, even if he was, there’s no way he would be interested in you. So, you can rest assured that he won’t lay a single hand on you!” Luo Qiqi replied earnestly.

Back then, after surviving the ordeal in the underground chamber in which Wu Yangzi had been imprisoned, she, Yu Fei-er, and Zhang Xuan had been together for more than half a month. Both she and Yu Fei-er possessed beauty on par with Hu Yaoyao, but Zhang Xuan didn’t even spare them an additional glance throughout their journey. As such, why would he take advantage of Hu Yaoyao, whom he had only met twice?

Even if you wish to put on an act, at least show some professionalism in crafting your story!

Pu!

With Luo Qiqi’s merciless words adding salt to her injury, the severe wound she had incurred before aggravated, and fresh blood spewed from her mouth once more.

What the heck is this!

Who am I?

A famed beauty of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, an existence whom no man can remain unmoved before, Hu Yaoyao! Yet, when I said that I have been taken advantage of, not only did you toss aside my words as if they were nothing, you even said that… he was completely uninterested in me!

“What right does he have to be uninterested in me? Why won’t he lay a hand on me?” Hu Yaoyao spat through gritted teeth.

The more she thought about the matter, the angrier she felt. At this moment, she could almost explode from sheer fury.

“Calm down. My teacher is an unparalleled talent, so his standards are extremely high. It’s only natural that he’s not interested in you!” Luo Qiqi consoled.

“…” Hu Yaoyao’s body trembled in frenzy, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Are you sure you are consoling me?

Why does it feel like you are pricking my heart with a needle instead?

I am Hu Yaoyao!

To think that a day would come where I would actually be snubbed by a man…

The conclusion to this matter had Hu Yaoyao nearly going insane from the sheer ridiculousness of the situation.

However, she didn’t remain frenzied for too long. No matter what, she was still a Grade-5 student, the leader of one of the largest student factions in the academy. Despite her raging fury, she still managed to forcefully calm herself down. Harrumphing coldly, she said, “Fine! Even if he is uninterested in me, it’s a fact that he bears lustful intentions toward you! If you don’t believe me, look at your clothes!”

Luo Qiqi might be able to remain confident of her teacher’s morals when looking at the matter as a third party, but when she was involved in it as well, surely her confidence would waver!

“Me?” It was only then that Luo Qiqi realized that her clothes had been ripped apart by a surge of sword qi as well, baring her smooth shoulder.

“Really?” Luo Qiqi’s eyes lit up as she hurriedly turned her gaze to her teacher, only to meet with his clear and pure eyes. Thus, she could only shake her head with a bitter smile and say, “Teacher isn’t interested in me either…”

“…” Hu Yaoyao’s body trembled uncontrollably yet again.

What in the world was this!

She had made meticulous preparations to drag Zhang Xuan’s reputation into the gutter, leaving him incapable of raising his head before others. But who could have known that… Luo Qiqi would actually be so trusting of him!

If he is uninterested in both you and me, who in the freaking world can catch his eye then?

Hu Yaoyao had always used her appearance and figure to deal with men, and never once had she failed before. Yet, on this day, she’d suffered a crushing setback.

Not only so, even at this point, she could still feel her organs churning within, leaving her face paler and paler.

When had she, Hu Yaoyao, suffered such a crushing blow before?

If others were to learn of this, how could she continue to keep her head high before them?

It was just the previous day that she’d declared confidently to Dong Xin, Xue Zhenyang, and the others that she would definitely subdue Zhang Xuan, and she had even invited them over to watch the show she had prepared…

But if there was still any show to be seen at this point, it would only be her humiliating herself!

As fury swiftly grew and clouded her mind, she furiously roared, “I will kill you…”

She could no longer care less about anything else at this moment. Gathering immense might in her hand, she thrust her palm forward to strike Zhang Xuan.

Dong dong dong!

But before her palm could reach Zhang Xuan, a series of knocking suddenly sounded from the door. Following which, the calm voice of a lady called out, “Yaoyao, are you in there?”

“Teacher…” Hearing the voice, Hu Yaoyao immediately leaped in shock.

“Teacher? Could that person be… School Head Wei?” Luo Qiqi exclaimed in astonishment.

It was common knowledge in the academy that Hu Yaoyao’s teacher was the head of the Terpsichore School. Since Hu Yaoyao was addressing the person at the door as her teacher, it could only mean the latter was School Head Wei.

“School Head Wei? Teacher?” Zhang Xuan was taken aback for an instant as well.

However, in the next moment, his eyes lit up. He hurriedly rushed up to Hu Yaoyao, grabbed her hands, and placed it on his chest.

“What are you doing?” Not expecting Zhang Xuan to suddenly rush forward to grab her hands, Hu Yaoyao was flabbergasted for a moment before hurriedly retracting her hands.

Si la!

But unbeknownst to her, her finger had been hooked onto Zhang Xuan’s clothes. As a result, when she retracted her hands, she ended up tearing a portion of his clothes as well. In the next moment, the zhenqi of the young man before her abruptly flew into disarray, and his face reddened. With a spurt of fresh blood, he suddenly flew backward.

Peng!

His back crashed into the doors of the main hall, and even though he managed to land on his feet eventually, his ghastly pale face and trembling limbs seemed to indicate that he could collapse at any moment.

“What are you doing?” Seeing the other party grab her hands at one moment and spurting blood and flying backward in the next, Hu Yaoyao was completely bewildered. She couldn’t understand what he was up to, but an ominous premonition grasped her heart, telling her that she was going to be in for a round of misfortune.

“Yaoyao?”

However, the situation left her no time to think the matter through.

After hearing the commotion in the room, School Head Wei immediately rushed forward to strike open the door with her palm.

Pah!

In the next moment, a lady who seemed to be in her thirties flitted into the room with a gust of wind.

“Teacher!”

“School Head Wei!” Upon seeing the figure who entered, Hu Yaoyao and Luo Qiqi immediately bowed deeply without any hesitation.

The lady was none other than the head of the Terpsichore School, one of the Ten Great Master Teachers!

“What happened?” School Head Wei asked with a frown.

She had barged in after hearing the fighting sounds in the room. After entering, she saw Hu Yaoyao standing unharmed at the center of the room. On the other hand, however, a severely injured young man was lying feebly against the wall not too far away.

“Zhang shi?” Taking a closer look at the severely injured young man, School Head Wei couldn’t help but exclaim in astonishment.

On the other hand, Zhang Xuan was also stunned by what he saw.

The lady was none other than the Saint realm expert whom he had met earlier this afternoon, Wei Ranxue!

When did she become the head of the Terpsichore School? Wasn’t she just an elder?

But considering that the Ten Great Master Teachers were also known as the Ten Great Elders, it wasn’t really a mistake to say that she was an elder of the academy either…

Seeing Zhang shi, who was half a teacher to her, lying by the side of the room severely injured, Wei Ranxue immediately asked anxiously, “Zhang shi, what’s wrong?”

With a pale face, Zhang Xuan said weakly, “You came at a timely moment. Otherwise, Hu Yaoyao might have really violated me!”

Violate you? Upon hearing those words, Hu Yaoyao nearly fainted from anger.

Brother, that’s my line!

You are the one who is going to be cursed at by others for years to come for attempting to take advantage of me…

How did I become the one who attempted to violate you?

If things had gone according to her plan, she would have made everyone think that he had malicious intentions at heart, and through exerting pressure on him via the student populace afterward, she would force him into submission!

But how did the tables end up turning on her?

At this moment, she finally understood why the other party had grabbed her hands previously. After all that had happened just now, Zhang Xuan’s clothes were ripped, and his body was severely wounded. No matter which angle one looked at him from, he seemed like a pitiful person who had been humiliated and was powerless to retaliate.

“Teacher…” On the other hand, Luo Qiqi clutched her forehead with her hand.

She knew that her teacher wasn’t a person who would allow himself to be bullied, and as she had expected, the tides ended up turning on Hu Yaoyao instead.

Trying to frame my teacher? You’d better prepare to have the favor returned to you!

“Violate you?” Wei Ranxue was taken aback as well.

With grave indignation on his face, Zhang Xuan spoke through gritted teeth. “That’s right. She invited me over, hoping to learn terpsichorean arts from me, but I rejected her. Who could have known that sword over there would assault Luo Qiqi and me? If not for the fact that I haven’t recovered from my internal injuries yet, how could I possibly be humiliated like that?”

“Y-you! How dare you slander me!” Hu Yaoyao was on the verge of going insane.

Learning terpsichorean arts from you? I did invite you over, but how in the world was I to know that you are capable of terpsichorean arts as well!

Furthermore, internal injuries? What internal injuries do you have? I am the one who has internal injuries, not you!

Hu Yaoyao had thought that she was already scheming enough, but who could have known that she would actually be outwitted by an even more shameless fellow!

“I slandered you? Since you are still denying it, do you dare to swear that you didn’t attempt to assault Luo Qiqi using that sword?” Zhang Xuan said aggrievedly as he stared at Hu Yaoyao in indignation.

“I…” Hu Yaoyao wanted to refute Zhang Xuan’s claim, but she had no idea how she could explain the situation.

She did prepare something in the sword which ended up knocking Luo Qiqi out.

“Can’t do it, right? Since, that’s the case, do you dare vow that you didn’t declare that you were going to kill me and attempt an attack on me?” Zhang Xuan pressed on.

“That’s because you… Shameless!” Agitated, Hu Yaoyao’s breathing hastened, and her chest leaped up and down along with her breathing. At this point, she was on the verge of exploding from rage.

She did declare that she was going to kill Zhang Xuan, but that was just a figure of speech in a moment of anger after being provoked by him…

Interjecting the other party’s words, Zhang Xuan declared in a feeble voice, “I am only a weak Cosmos Bridge realm pinnacle cultivator whereas you are a Chrysalis Bridge realm pinnacle expert. With three whole cultivation realms between us, I am powerless before you. But even if I were to be killed, I won’t allow myself to be humiliated!”

Hearing Zhang Xuan’s words, Hu Yaoyao seemed to have suffered yet another heavy blow, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

You call that powerless? Doesn’t that mean that if you were to possess power, I would die with even just at a glance from you?

You were the one who nearly killed me, and yet you still dare to say such words… How can your skin be so thick?

However, the urgent matter at hand was to placate her teacher first. Hu Yaoyao immediately turned to her teacher in order to explain the matter, only to see that the extreme lividness on the other party’s face.

“Hu Yaoyao, how dare you!”

“Teacher…” Hu Yaoyao had never seen her teacher flying into such a rage before, and her face immediately paled in fright.

“Don’t you even think that I am oblivious to the trouble you usually cause! I only choose to turn a blind eye to it all as long as it doesn’t affect your studies. Yet, you took my kindness for granted and attempted to make a move on Zhang shi. Tell me, who gave you the guts to do something like that?” Wei Ranxue roared furiously.

Zhang shi was half a teacher to her; she was indebted to him for his guidance. It was one thing for Hu Yaoyao to trouble others, but to dare lay her hands on her benefactor… This was going over the top!

“I…” Hu Yaoyao’s body froze.

“Kneel down!” Wei Ranxue ordered sternly with a tight frown on her forehead.

Chapter 778: Apprentice Hu Yaoyao ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: StarveCleric

“Teacher…” Hu Yaoyao’s eyes reddened in indignance as she bit on her scarlet lips. After a moment of hesitation, her knees fell to the ground.

She was filled with hatred for Zhang Xuan, but she dared not to defy her teacher’s orders.

“Little Wei, it’s fine… I believe that she only did it out of a moment of folly.” At this point, Zhang Xuan suddenly spoke up.

“Little Wei?” Hu Yaoyao almost failed to resist the urge to claw at her hair.

Her teacher, Wei Ranxue, was one of the Ten Great Master Teachers, a 6-star pinnacle master teacher, as well as the head of the Terpsichore Schoo. Yet, a twenty-year-old freshman actually dared to address her as Little Wei…

“This student of mine has always been mischievous. I usually left her to do as she pleases as long as she doesn’t go overboard, but I didn’t expect her to go for you as well. If I don’t punish her strictly today, she will never learn her lesson!” Wei Ranxue replied.

With her eye of discernment, she could tell that something was amiss with the situation. It was unlikely that things were as what Zhang shi had put it out to be. However, considering Hu Yaoyao’s character and her past deeds, she could roughly fathom the happenings.

Her student had always been mischievous, but too busy with her work as a school head, she never really had a chance to discipline her student over such matters. Thus, she decided to make full use of this opportunity to teach her student a harsh lesson so that she wouldn’t cause an even greater trouble in the future.

Putting everything aside, given the deep understanding of terpsichorean arts that Zhang shi possessed, she had been thinking about how she could convince the latter to conduct a lecture in the Terpsichore School for the students, but by the time she knew it, Hu Yaoyao had already provoked him.

Are you intentionally working against me? How do you expect me to convince him to conduct a lecture in our school after such a matter?

“Teacher…” Not expecting her teacher to trust Zhang Xuan’s words over hers, Hu Yaoyao panicked.

“Enough! I am speaking to Zhang shi, there’s no place for a junior like you to butt in. Reflect on your actions silently!” Wei Ranxue flung her sleeves and harrumphed.

“Junior…” Hu Yaoyao’s body trembled.

Those words… Did that mean that the other party was her senior too? But wasn’t he a freshman in the academy?

“Zhang shi, allow me to apologize to you in the stead of my troublemaking disciple. Here is a Miniature Restorative Pill, it should be of some help in the recovery of your wounds!” Flicking her wrist, Wei Ranxue took out a jade bottle and passed it over.

“Miniature Restorative Pill? The grade-6 pill?” Zhang Xuan was astonished.

Miniature Restorative Pill was a well-known grade-6 pill that was effective even on injured Saint realm experts. Just a single one of them was easily worth several high-tier spirit stones in the market!

To give it away so casually… The other party was so generous that he was already starting to feel a little embarrassed.

“How do you want me to deal with this troublemaking disciple of mine? Zhang shi, feel free to speak your mind, I’ll surely do as you have requested!” Seeing Zhang Xuan take the pill, Wei Ranxue heaved a sigh of relief before continuing.

Since the other party had taken her Miniature Restorative Pill, it was unlikely that he would ask for something extreme in exchange.

“How to deal with her?” Zhang Xuan fell into a moment of contemplation.

In truth, had Hu Yaoyao not tried to sow discord between the relationship between him and Luo Qiqi, he wouldn’t have flown into a rage either.

It was due to her lack of respect for the sacred relationship between a teacher and a student that he was determined to teach her a stern lesson so as to let her know that there were some boundaries that one simply shouldn’t exceed. Step beyond the boundary, and an action would be nothing but despicable.

“I am lacking an apprentice recently, so why don’t you have her follow me for three months, and we will call this matter off?” Afer a moment of contemplation, Zhang Xuan proposed.

Hu Yaoyao had yet to reveal the location of Wu Yangzi’s old residence, so it was best to keep her around for the time being so that he would have plenty of opportunities to try to get it out of her.

“Apprentice?” Hearing the request, Hu Yaoyao nearly fainted on the spot.

She, a 6-star terpsichore, was going to serve as an apprentice to this fellow?

What kind of joke is this?

There is no way my teacher will agree to this!

Otherwise, what will become of my teacher’s dignity?

Just as Hu Yaoyao was certain that School Head Wei would reject the other party’s request, she saw the latter’s eyes lit up in agitation, “That will be for the best! Allow me to thank you in place of Yaoyao then!”

Zhang shi’s comprehension of terpsichorean arts had reached an astounding level. If Hu Yaoyao could become his apprentice and learn from him, she would definitely progress leaps and bounds as a terpsichore!

Honestly speaking, even Wei Ranxue was feeling a little envious of the opportunity presented to Hu Yaoyao, so how could she possibly turn it down?

“Teacher!” Hearing those words, Hu Yaoyao exclaimed in a panic.

“Enough! It’s only due to the good karma you have accrued over the past few lifetimes that you are given the opportunity to become Zhang shi’s apprentice. From today on, you shall leave this residence and follow Zhang shi. Study well and return accomplished!” Interrupting the other party’s words, Wei Ranxue said.

As the other party’s teacher, she did have the right to make such a decision in the stead of her student.

“Apprentice…” Hu Yaoyao muttered sorrowfully through gritted teeth. At this point, she felt as if tears would spill from her eyes at any moment now.

Her teacher actually agreed to that fellow’s request? Why?

She had invited that fellow over to teach him a lesson and take him in as her subordinate. Yet… in a bizarre twist of events, she became the other party’s apprentice instead!

What the heck was this!

“Thank you, Little Wei!” Seeing the other party agreeing to it, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.

“Zhang shi, here is your terpsichore emblem. Also, do take my personal token with you as well. There are many rules in the academy, so you might find yourself inconvenienced on many aspects. However, with this in hand, you should be spared lots of trouble!”

Wei Ranxue had made the application with the Terpsichore Guild headquarter right after she returned earlier in the afternoon, and it didn’t take too long for her to receive the approval from them. After obtaining the 6-star emblem for Zhang Xuan, she immediately went to look for Hu Yaoyao to have her pass it on to the latter, but who knew that she would see such a sight as soon as she arrived?

“Thank you!” Zhang Xuan said as he took the emblem and token from Wei Ranxue’s hands.

Honestly speaking, he hadn’t expected the other party to be so efficient.

“I won’t impose on you any longer then, farewell!” After chatting for a moment longer and deciding that Hu Yaoyao would report to his residence tomorrow, Zhang Xuan left the Cloud Sparrow Lodge with Luo Qiqi.

After the duo left, Hu Yaoyao turned to her teacher and asked anxiously, “Teacher… why?”

She couldn’t understand why her teacher, one of the Ten Great Master Teachers, would actually make her serve as an apprentice to that fellow.

“Zhang Xuan’s understanding of terpsichorean arts has reached an extremely profound level such that he could even be my teacher! The Dance of the Rippling Cloud Robe which you have danced for your 6-star terpsichorean examination previously, he has identified seventeen flaws in them and corrected them impeccably! Here is the manual which I have edited based on his guidance. Just take a look at it, and you will know how incredible a figure he is!” Flicking her wrist, Wei Ranxue whipped out a book.

After hearing Zhang shi’s explanation regarding the flaws and the solutions to them, she immediately returned back to her residence to compile them into a book, and in the midst of doing so, she had gained a deeper insight of terpsichorean arts as well.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but be awed time and time again by the ingenious modifications the other party made to the Dance of the Fleeting Cloud Robe. If Hu Yaoyao had danced the version modified by Zhang Xuan in her 6-star terpsichorean examination, perhaps what she would have attracted wouldn’t just be a few Cloud Sparrows but a mighty dragon of the heavens.

Realizing this, she immediately rushed to the Cloud Sparrow Lodge to instruct Hu Yaoyao deliver Zhang Xuan’s emblem in her stead. The purpose of this was to allow the duo to interact with one another and foster a close relationship, as well as to teach her student to remain humble as there was always a mountain taller than the other.

But who could have known that she would end up seeing the both of them crossing blows instead as soon as she arrived at the Cloud Sparrow Lodge? Since it was impossible to reverse what that had happened, she decided to just go along with Zhang Xuan’s wish and send Hu Yaoyao over to serve as his apprentice.

While Hu Yaoyao might suffer a little under the other party, as long as she were to work hard and learn well from him, she could possibly surpass her very soon and become a 7-star terpsichore, or perhaps even go beyond that.

“He corrected the Dance of the Rippling Cloud Robe? There is a flaw in it?” Hu Yaoyao replied subconsciously in disbelief.

This dance had been passed down for innumerable years, and despite having cultivated it for a very long time, she had never found anything amiss with it. Yet, her teacher said that that fellow had identified seventeen flaws in it?

Perplexed, Hu Yaoyao flipped open the book and began browsing through it. In just a short instant, she was already drawn in by the content of the book.

Her leisurely gaze slowly turned grim, and her face turned a shade paler with each page she flipped.

As a talented 6-star terpsichore, even though her understanding of terpsichorean art still wasn’t able to match School Head Wei Ranxue’s, it was still something she could take pride in.

In the book, her teacher had marked the flaws out clearly along with their implications, and the modification to resolve the respective issues were written beneath them. As a veteran practitioner of the Dance of the Rippling Cloud Robe, she could swiftly tell that there wasn’t a mistake with the analysis.

“Teacher… Are these modifications really made by him?” After a long moment of silence, Hu Yaoyao gulped down a mouthful of saliva before slowly turning her gaze to her teacher.

“Un.” Wei Ranxue nodded affirmatively.

If she hadn’t witnessed it personally, she would have also found this hard to believe.

It was only due to the exchange she had with Zhang Xuan that had her convinced of the latter’s deep understanding of terpsichorean arts.

“This…” Hearing the confirmation by her teacher, Hu Yaoyao suddenly recalled how her soul was assaulted by Zhang Xuan previously, leaving her in a state of dizziness.

Back then, the other party didn’t even dance at all… In other words, he had turned a casual gesture into a terpsichorean art!

Even her teacher was incapable of such a feat!

“Alright, study hard and serve Zhang shi well. This is a precious opportunity, don’t waste it!” Knowing that it would take some time for her student to accept this, Wei Ranxue left her with a piece of advice before leaving the residence to give her some space to think things through.

Hu Yaoyao was a rare genius with an astounding talent for terpsichorean arts, but it was exactly due to that which gave rise to her excessive pride. Perhaps this setback might help her to mature both as a terpsichore and a master teacher!

After her teacher left, Hu Yaoyao turned her gaze to the modified manual once more, and a short moment later, she started to dance.

She wanted to try for herself to see if the modified manual was feasible in practice or not.

As her beautiful figure moved gracefully around the room, it was as if flowers had instantaneously bloomed in the area. A bewitching scent gradually drifted from the main hall.

As the koi fishes in the courtyard caught the scent, they fell into a trance and, ‘putong! putong!’, they sunk to the bottom of the pond. The flowers in the residence, captivated by the scent, began swaying along in harmony, and their petals fluttered in a calm breeze.

If there had been a human in the residence, he would have been fallen into a stupor as well. Not even a Half-Saint expert would have been able to remain unfazed before it.

A moment later, the dance finally stopped.

As Hu Yaoyao’s body came to a halt, everything settled down and returned back to normal. However, she continued standing in a daze, as if she had been overwhelmed by her own dance as well. At this moment, a single thought dominated her mind—this was what a true terpsichorean art should be!

Everything she had learned before couldn’t even come close to this!

Hu!

Unknowingly, tears began streaming down her cheeks in her moment of agitation.

“I am… crying?” Hu Yaoyao muttered blankly as she placed her hands on her cheeks and felt the moisture on it.

Even though she was able to draw out significant prowess from her Dance of the Rippling Cloud Robe in the past as well, she had been missing the very quintessence of the terpsichorean art, leaving her far from truly mastering it.

However, at this very moment, she felt as if the terpsichorean art had fused with her soul, becoming a part of her.

What she had done before could only be considered as an emulation of the terpsichorean art’s form, missing out on its intentions entirely.

It was only in this instant that she was finally able to grasp the true essence of the dance!

“Just… how deep of an understanding does he have of terpsichorean arts to refine the Dance of the Rippling Cloud Robe to this extent?” Exhaling deeply, Hu Yaoyao couldn’t help but mutter beneath her breath.

It was only after trying it for herself that Hu Yaoyao could confirm that there was no problem with the content of the modified manual at all.

“Faction leader, Dong Xin, Xue Zhenyang, and Long Cangyue seeks an audience!”

Just as Hu Yaoyao was immersed in her thoughts, Xinru suddenly walked into the room and reported.

“Bring them in!” Hu Yaoyao said.

She thought that she would definitely be able to take down Zhang Xuan tonight, so she had gone ahead to invite the others over to show off her work.

Who could have thought that someone was indeed taken down… but the person ended up being her instead.

“How did it go? Where is Zhang Xuan? How did you deal with him?” As soon as the group walked into the main hall, Xue Zhenyang immediately asked.

“Indeed, tell us how you taught him a lesson! Did you force him to listen to you through brute force, or did you convince him by bewitching him?” Long Cangyue added.

In their perspective, since Hu Yaoyao had declared that she would be able to do it, she would surely succeed. After all, her ability in this field was truly no joke.

To be honest, even they would be a little apprehensive at the notion of going up against her, especially after hearing about the vicious methods she had used to deal with her opponents.

“How I taught him a lesson?”

Hu Yaoyao turned around and bowed slightly towards the group, “Zhang Xuan’s private apprentice, Hu Yaoyao, greets you all!”

Chapter 779: Establishing a Faction ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

“A-a-apprentice?”

“Zhang Xuan’s apprentice?’

For a short moment, Xue Zhenyang and the others were stupefied by what they had heard.

What is going on?

Didn’t you say that you would teach Zhang Xuan a lesson? How did you end up becoming his apprentice instead?

There were two types of apprentices. One type was those who were new to the occupation, having yet to receive even their 1-star emblem. They would follow an official member of the occupation and learn under them.

The other would be a lower ranked member of the occupation serving as a private apprentice to a higher ranked member.

To distinguish between the two types of apprenticeships, the latter was often known as a private apprentice.

While the goal for a private apprentice was to learn from their master, the truth was that their standing was beneath that of even a student, and they were expected to deal with all sorts of miscellaneous issues for their master.

As the top students of the academy, each of the four of them had private apprentices under them, such as Xinru to Hu Yaoyao.

But weren’t you going to make Zhang shi submit to you?

Why did you become his private apprentice instead?

“I failed. I wasn’t Zhang shi’s match… You all can leave now.” After reintroducing herself, Hu Yaoyao waved her hand to gesture for the rest of them to leave, unwilling to speak any more.

“This…”

They had come to celebrate the victory, but after hearing those words, Dong Xin, Xue Zhenyang, and Long Cangyue could only leave with bewildered looks.

“What is going on?”

After leaving the residence, the trio stared at one another in confusion.

“From the looks of it… it seems her plan has failed, and she even ended up being taught a lesson by Zhang Xuan instead!” Dong Xin said.

Based on her understanding of Hu Yaoyao, this was the only possibility she could think of.

“That seems to be the case…” Xue Zhenyang scratched his head. “But that’s Hu Yaoyao! I have exchanged blows with her several times, and I have suffered quite a bit due to her unconventional means. To think that she would actually suffer such a crushing defeat to a freshman…”

“There seems to be something uncanny about that freshman… but the more uncanny he is, the more interested I become in him!” Long Cangyue said as a sharp glint flashed through his eyes.

They were all the top geniuses of the Master Teacher Academy, so when had they feared a challenge from another before?

For a freshman to foil their businesses so brazenly as soon as he arrived, they had to retaliate in order to uphold their authority.

“Honestly, I am also rather interested in him as a person as well.” Dong Xin chuckled.

At this point, she remembered something and turned to Xue Zhenyang. “Didn’t you dispatch some men to deal with those freshmen who assisted him?”

“I thought that Hu Yaoyao would be able to succeed, so I dispatched my men to put those troublemaking freshmen in order before coming here… Judging by the time, it should already be done by now!” Xue Zhenyang replied.

Dong Xin pondered for a moment before shaking her head. “Given your strength of your subordinates, they shouldn’t face any problems dealing with those freshmen. However… those freshmen have Zhang Xuan backing them, and we have yet to take the latter down. You were too rash; you should have waited for news of Hu Yaoyao’s success first. As the saying goes, a cornered dog bites. If we push him too far, we might end up getting burnt ourselves too.”

“So what? From the moment he foiled our business, we were already destined to be enemies. Even if you are willing to be compassionate to your enemy, do you think that your enemy will do the same for you? You must be joking! Besides, my men challenged them in a manner which is in accordance to the school rules. Even if Zhang Xuan wishes to get even with me over that, what can he do? As long as my men didn’t breach the rules, not even School Head Mo or School Head Zhao will be able to say a thing about the matter!” Xue Zhenyang spoke confidently with a light chuckle.

“Unless… he is able to surpass my subordinates in terms of battle techniques, he will just have to accept it as it is!”

“Your men challenged him in the field of battle techniques?” Long Cangyue burst into laughter. “Indeed, you are the big senior of the Martial Arts School, the pride of the school head. Your understanding of the spear has already reached an unfathomable level. Having received your impartations, your subordinates’ comprehension of martial arts should also be top-notch. Battle techniques require years of training in order to refine one’s form and intention to perfection and achieve a harmony between them. No matter how talented Zhang shi, he’s still far too inexperienced. It is unlikely for him to have achieved great accomplishment in the field of martial arts as well.”

Unlike most supporting occupations where it was possible for one to make swift progress, one could only take a step at a time for battle techniques. Only through persistent effort over a long period of time could one accomplish anything.

Xue Zhenyang had a fiery and reckless personality, but his understanding of battle techniques, especially in the field of spearmanship, was unmatched amongst the students of the Master Teacher Academy.

Rumor had it that he had already comprehended the Heart of Weapons, achieving perfect harmony with his spear.

“Indeed. Even though we are master teachers, we are cultivators as well. If we don’t show them what we seniors are capable of, they might just think that we have spent our years in the Master Teacher Academy achieving nothing!” With his back as straight as a spear, Xue Zhenyang spoke with absolute confidence.

He was no match for Hu Yaoyao in terms of scheming—in fact, he had been outwitted each and every time—but in terms of fighting prowess, the latter wasn’t a match for him.

His spear possessed might reminiscent of a mighty dragon. Even amongst all of the Grade-5 students in the academy, there was only a handful who could match him in a battle.

“You’re right. Supporting occupations are important, but the most important aspect of a cultivator is ultimately still strength. Let’s head over and see your subordinates teach those freshmen a lesson!” Long Cangyue chuckled softly.

“Alright!” Xue Zhenyang nodded.

With this, the trio began walking toward the freshmen living quarters.

…

Shortly after leaving Hu Yaoyao’s old residence with Luo Qiqi, just as Zhang Xuan had just returned to his residence in the Elite Sector, he saw Ruohuan gongzi standing anxiously outside his door.

“Zhang shi, Senior Qiqi!” Upon seeing the both of them, Ruohuan gongzi’s eyes immediately lit up, and he rushed up to them.

“I was just about to find you!” Zhang Xuan harrumphed coldly.

“Find me?” Ruohuan gongzi was taken aback.

“You were the one who distributed the Teacher Information Document to the other freshmen for free, right?” Zhang Xuan questioned coldly.

That fellow had distributed the book that he had compiled for them to the other freshmen without his knowledge, and he had even used his name in doing so. Due to that incident, he had become an eyesore for all of the student factions.

He had done nothing at all, but this grudge just suddenly fell on him, bringing him so much trouble… He hadn’t even confronted Ruohuan gongzi to settle this score with him, but the latter had already come knocking on his door.

He sure was brazen!

“That was the least I could do; Zhang shi need not thank me for it!” Upon hearing those words, Ruohuan gongzi waved his hands magnanimously, as if saying that he only did what he had to.

The least that you could do?

No need to thank me for it?

Zhang Xuan nearly choked on his saliva.

The other party had screwed him over so badly, but why did he act as if he had done an anonymous good deed instead?

As frustrated as Zhang Xuan was feeling at this very instant, seeing the grim expression on Ruohuan gongzi’s face, it seemed that the latter had something urgent that required his help. Thus, he decided to put the matter aside for the moment and asked, “Did something happen?”

“Due to the matter with the Teacher Information Documentation, there were quite a few seniors who have come to challenged us over the past few days. Today, three experts arrived at the freshmen living quarters, and the words they spoke were truly infuriating. Out of fury, we accepted their challenge to a duel, but in the end… we were defeated tragically, and quite a few of us were severely injured,” Ruohuan gongzi said.

Most of the freshmen were at Transcendent Mortal 4-dan pinnacle, and only a small handful had reached Transcendent Mortal 5-dan and 6-dan. On the other hand, even the weakest of the seniors were at the Cosmos Bridge realm. How could they possibly be a match for them?

Seemingly noticing the doubts running through Zhang Xuan’s mind, Ruohuan gongzi replied, “They suppressed their cultivation realm to our level and challenged us to a battle of pure martial arts…”

“Martial arts?” Zhang Xuan was stunned for an instant before nodding in realization.

If the seniors had suppressed their cultivation realm to be of the same level as the freshmen, the battle would be decided mainly by the expertise and skillful utilization of their martial arts. In that case, it would at least be a fairer match between the two.

“Indeed. They have been standing outside the living quarters, saying that they will only back down if someone is able to defeat them. Otherwise, they will make sure to beat us until we dare not take a single step out of our rooms!”

After saying those words, Ruohuan gongzi lifted his gaze, and with a conflicted expression, he continued, “On top of that… they said that if no one is able to defeat them by today, they want Zhang shi to make a public apology to them, and all of the freshmen will have to purchase a copy of the Teacher Information Documentation!”

“Public apology? Me? What does this matter have to do with me?” Zhang Xuan was speechless.

So what if the seniors challenged the freshmen? What did this have to do with him?

For him to make a public apology… just how in the world did he cross them this time?

“This…” Ruohuan gongzi scratched his head in embarrassment as he said, “You also know that joining the factions established by the seniors will require quite a substantial membership fee each year. However, as freshmen, how could we possibly have the money to pay for the membership fee? Thus… all of us decided to join the student faction you established…”

“The student faction I established? When did I establish a student faction?” The more Zhang Xuan listened to the other party’s words, the more bewildered he became.

Was it really still him they were talking about? Just when in the world did he establish a student faction?

“Well… I thought that Zhang shi’s act of giving away your points in the entrance examination for free to the other students was an attempt to rally them together under you, so I assumed that you were going to establish a faction yourself. On top of that, the only person who all of us freshmen are awed by is you, and all of us are willing to listen to your commands as well. Thus, after some discussion, we decided to start a student faction with you as the leader,” Ruohuan gongzi said.

“I am the leader?” Zhang Xuan felt as if the world had gone mad.

Unknowingly, he actually became the leader of a faction… It was as if they were pushing him into a sea of flames!

“Indeed. Zhang shi, we hope that you won’t turn this position down. Without an affiliation to any student faction, it is too difficult for a freshman to thrive in the academy. In fact, one might even be hindered at every step taken. Of the thirty thousand freshmen, you are the only one who commands the respect and admiration of everyone. If you don’t step up to the position as the leader, who else can?” Ruohuan gongzi said anxiously.

“Besides, the seniors have been doing whatever pleases them, oppressing the freshmen as and when they like just because they have been in the academy for a longer period of time than we have. If we don’t unite together to fight back against them, we will never be able to stop their tyranny.”

“This…” Hearing those words, Zhang Xuan hesitated.

He was displeased at being pushed to the forefront of the conflict despite having done nothing at all, but Ruohuan gongzi’s words did carry some truth in them.

Without being affiliated with any student faction, it would be hard for a freshman to survive in the academy.

Due to the matter with the free Teacher Information Documentation, there were already a fair number of seniors who carried hostility toward the current batch of freshmen. If they didn’t unite together to fight back, their life could be made extremely difficult.

“Didn’t you guess that such a situation would happen when you gave the Teacher Information Documentation out for free?” Zhang Xuan glanced at Ruohuan gongzi coldly.

As knowledgeable master teachers, how could Song Chao, Luo Xuan, and the others be unaware that their actions would offend the seniors?

“Back then, we only did that out of indignation. The seniors had intentionally raised the price of the Teacher Information Documentation, knowing that we would have no choice but to purchase it. On top of that, they conducted forceful deals, pummeling the students who refused to purchase it to serve as a warning to the others against rejecting them…

“Furthermore, even if we were to buy from one of the student factions, we might end up offending another student faction instead, thus resulting in us getting bullied regardless of the choices we make…

“Therefore, after some discussion with the others, we agreed that instead of living pathetically under their oppression, we might as well stand up and return the favor. As a result, we decided to distribute the book which you’d given us to the other freshmen.”

Ruohuan gongzi’s face reddened as he added, “For this matter, I ask of Zhang shi’s forgiveness. We only did it because we were forced into a corner as well!”

“Jeez…” Zhang Xuan sighed.

Having attended the public lecture event, he had a rough idea of the situation there as well.

He had stopped by a member of the True Helios Faction, and the latter took a particularly arrogant attitude with them, threatening that ‘If you don’t buy my Teacher Information Documentation, you will be making an enemy out of the entire True Helios Faction’.

Considering that the freshmen who had just enrolled into the academy were the weakest amongst the student populace and that they had no connections to tap into either, they couldn’t afford to offend any of the student factions.

Zhang Xuan was fortunate in the sense that he had won Elder Mo’s favor during the entrance examination. As a result, most seniors wouldn’t dare to provoke Zhang Xuan in fear of bringing Elder Mo’s ire upon themselves.

Realizing this, Zhang Xuan sighed in resignation and asked, “Fine. Since you have initiated a student faction in my stead, what is it called? I should at least know this much, right?”

Seeing that Zhang Xuan had accepted the matter, Ruohuan gongzi heaved a sigh of relief and replied, “The student factions are often named after their leader. For example, the True Helios Faction’s name is derived from Xue Zhenyang 1 , and the Ashen Moon Faction’s name is derived from Long Cangyue 2 … Thus, we also took your name into consideration in naming our faction so as to make it apparent who our leader is!”

“My name? So, our faction is called the Zhang Xuan Faction?” Zhang Xuan asked.

“No, it’s called…”

At this point, a look of excitement appeared on Ruohuan gongzi’s face as he said, “Xuanxuan Faction!”

Chapter 780: Why Don’t You Stay as Our Gatekeeper? ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

“Xuanxuan Faction…” Upon hearing the name, Zhang Xuan nearly spurted a mouthful of blood.

I understand the names of most student factions have two syllables, so you wanted to do the same as well. I know that unlike Xue Zhenyang and Long Cangyue, my name only has one syllable, but surely you can just add my surname in as well! Xuanxuan Faction… Xuan your head!

Look at the names of the other student factions! True Helios Faction, Ashen Moon Faction… Each of them sounds majestic and impressive, but as for mine… Don’t you think it sounds a little too cute for the name of a faction?

“Yes. Our initial intention was to go with Xuan Faction, but there were quite a few people who opposed to it, saying that it is an inauspicious name, as if casting doubt on the future of our faction. They proposed for it to be named Xuanxuan Faction instead. This way, it gives an unfathomable and profound feeling to those hearing its name!” Ruohuan gongzi explained 1 .

“…” Zhang Xuan’s body swayed weakly.

To think that even his name would be scorned…

“Those seniors have come to challenge our faction, and as you are the leader of our faction… it’s only natural that they’ve demand an apology from you. However, none of us are a match for them, so I can only ask for Zhang shi’s help with this issue…” After explaining the matter, Ruohuan gongzi revealed the purpose behind his visit.

His initial thought was to first build up Xuanxuan Faction and only bring Zhang Xuan in once everything was in place. But who could have known that the other party would go to the extent of blockading their entrance? Left with no choice, he could only head here to ask Zhang Xuan for help.

“Alright, since it’s my student faction, it won’t do for me to just watch by the side while someone is hindering and beating up my members. Let’s head over to take a look,” Zhang Xuan said as he rubbed his glabella in frustration.

At this moment, Zhang Xuan felt like he was Zhao Kuangyin 2 , being forced to don the yellow robe 3 after the coup at Chen Bridge.

Even when idle, disaster would still somehow find its way to him as if he was a magnet attracting trouble. Without any prior warning, he suddenly found himself as the leader of a faction.

Just what in the world was this?!

It would be too late even if he were to turn down the position now. The seniors and the other student factions had already decided that he was the ringleader behind the mess, and they would do everything they could to bring him down. Rather than standing against them alone, he might stand up as the leader of the Xuanxuan Faction and organize its members to stand against the seniors together.

Honestly, his only goal here was to read books and live his life in peace, but somehow… he found himself becoming the nemesis of the seniors and the messiah of the freshmen…

Just the thought of it left him feeling a little stifled.

Unlike Zhang Xuan, who had been given the highest of privileges right after his enrollment in the academy, freshmen usually lived in shared dormitories in a corner of the academy.

With Ruohuan gongzi leading the way, it didn’t take long for the trio to arrive at the dormitories.

The area was filled with many high-rise buildings, and a vast square stood at the very center of the buildings.

There were several dueling platforms on the square with chairs and tables scattered around them. Looking at the sides of the square, there were quite a few cleaning tools lying in the corner. It seemed like this was the area where duels were often conducted, and it was frequently cleaned the maintain the area.

At this moment, the square was packed with countless freshmen.

Even though it was already in the middle of the night, there were several torches lit around the square, and quite a number of Night Illumination Pearls were floating above as well, bringing light to the area.

On the dueling platform at the very center of the square, three men stood proudly as they gazed down at the crowd beneath them with an air of superiority.

“Those three are the seniors who came to challenge us,” Ruohuan gongzi said.

Zhang Xuan turned his gaze to the trio.

Instead of the usual master teacher robe that students wear, they were dressed in tight training clothes.

The first one seemed to be in his late twenties, and he was slightly taller in stature than the other two. There was a well-groomed beard on his face, and what was particularly striking about him was the aggressive glint in his black eyes.

Held in his hand was a majestic Nine-ringed Saber which was nearly half of his height in length. Bulky and heavy, it was a weapon that demanded immense strength from its wielder.

The second one had long arms and legs, but his figure was slightly slimmer than the others’. He held no weapon in his hands, but his figure was reminiscent of an agile ape.

The third wielded a long spear that extended over two meters long. His very presence felt sharp like a sword, as if he would slice apart even the air itself.

“Not bad!” Zhang Xuan offered a rare compliment to the trio.

As expected of veteran martial artists, he could already feel the aura they were exuding even from a distance away. It was no wonder they dared to challenge all of the freshmen; they did possess the strength to act so arrogantly.

Recognizing the trio, Luo Qiqi sent him a telepathic message. “They are from the True Helios Faction!”

“True Helios Faction?”

“Yes. I recognize the three of them, they are Grade-4 students. Their cultivation levels have already reached Transcendent Mortal 8-dan Ethereal Treading realm pinnacle.

“The one who is wielding the Nine-ringed Saber is called Bai Shuang 4 . Due to the stark contrast with his dark complexion, he was mockingly addressed as White Face in the beginning. However, as he comprehended the Saber Heart and began making his name as a skilled saber user, others began calling him the White-faced Frenzied Saber. As time went by, this name stuck with him, so he decisively chose to change his name to Bai Mian 5 . Even within the Martial Arts School, he can be considered as a famed genius!” Luo Qiqi explained.

“The second is known as Yuan Gang. Due to his long arms and his exceptional proficiency in close-quarters combat, he was given the nickname Supreme Ape. After hearing that name, instead of flying into a rage, he even took delight in it, thinking that it was particularly suited to him. As a result, others also began addressing him as such.

“As for the last one, he is called Ying Qin, and he is the strongest of the group. He learned his spearmanship straight from Xue Zhenyang, and he once severed a river several dozen meters wide. This feat bore testimony to his immense strength and aptitude with the spear, so came his reputation as the ‘River Severing Steel Spear’!

“The three of them are experts of the Martial Arts School, possessing exceptional talent for battle techniques. Considering that they are the ones challenging the freshmen… it will indeed be difficult for the freshmen to defeat them!” Luo Qiqi shook her head.

Of the entire Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, the students of the Martial Arts School possessed the greatest fighting prowess. Skilled in battle techniques, they were capable of utilizing profound maneuvers in battle to turn the tables on their opponents.

Even among the powerful students of the Martial Arts School, these three men stood amidst the top. For a bunch of freshmen who had never undergone the advanced training of the academy, it was nigh impossible for them to defeat such opponents.

Even with their cultivation suppressed, their sharp insight into the flow of battle and reaction speed weren’t things that Clarifying Turbidity realm or Consonant Spirit realm cultivators could match.

“They are from the Martial Arts School? I see!” Zhang Xuan nodded.

Back then, when he was traveling to Hongyuan City, Luo Qiqi had touched on the Martial Arts School while introducing the basic system of the Master Teacher Academy to him.

Unlike the other schools, the Martial Arts School wasn’t affiliated with any supporting occupation. It was constructed for the sole purpose of raising the fighting prowess of the master teachers.

Most of the students of this school had achieved a profound understanding in the study of martial arts, making them unmatched in a duel against their peers.

Taking the trio on the dueling platform for example, even amongst Ethereal Treading realm pinnacle experts, they could be considered as the cream of the crop. Considering the skills that they possessed, it was no wonder they dared to provoke all of the freshmen at once. They indeed had nothing to fear.

“Is there anyone else?”

While they were speaking, another freshman was defeated by Supreme Ape Yuan Gang. The latter sneered coldly as his gaze swept across the crowd. “Is this all this batch’s freshmen has? I thought that you were still alright, but it seems like I overestimated all of you. With capability like yours, you all still dared to create a faction? How laughable!”

“You… I’ll fight you!” Hearing the other party mocking them, a freshman couldn’t suppress his rage and stepped forward.

This freshman was at Consonant Spirit realm intermediate stage, so Yuan Gang suppressed his cultivation to equal his. As soon as the battle started, Yuan Gang’s figure immediately disappeared. Before the freshman could even process what was happening, he was already struck in his chest, and the impact sent him flying from the dueling platform.

“They aren’t a match for them at all…” Zhang Xuan shook his head.

The freshmen consisted of the top geniuses from the various areas, but there was simply too huge a gap between them and the top students of the Martial Arts School. It was no wonder Ruohuan gongzi had rushed to his residence to bring him over. It was indeed impossible for the freshmen to defeat them on their own.

They were simply on two completely different levels.

With several millenniums of history behind it, the Martial Art Schools possessed the most valuable of insights from countless preceding master teachers. On top of that, there were formidable master teachers who were experts in combat themselves guiding the students personally. Perhaps if the freshmen were given a few more years to refine their skills in the academy, they might still be a match for the trio. But at this very moment… it was impossible for them to stand against the trio.

“Let’s head over!” Knowing that none of the freshmen would be a match for the trio, Zhang Xuan sighed deeply before making his way forward.

“Zhang shi is here!”

“Our faction leader has come!”

“This is great, we are saved…”

“Faction leader, these old students are too much. You must teach them a lesson in our stead!”

“Indeed! We can’t simply let them step over us like that…”

Before Zhang Xuan could reach the dueling platform, there were already several freshmen who had recognized him, and they shouted in agitation. Following which, the other freshmen in the surroundings immediately turned their gazes over, their eyes glowing with relief and hope.

This young man before their eyes had done a lot for them. He had given out his points in the entrance examination, allowing more than twenty thousand students to successfully enroll into the academy as well. After which, he had given out the Teacher Information Documentation for free, sparing them from the extortion ploy of the seniors.

Furthermore, at this very moment, he was the head of Xuanxuan Faction, their leader. His arrival was like an injection of confidence to them, as if they had finally found their pillar of support.

The crowd swiftly opened up a pathway for them, allowing Zhang Xuan, Luo Qiqi, and Ruohuan gongzi to walk right up to the dueling platform.

Beneath the dueling platform lay several dozen injured students. Even though their injuries weren’t too severe, they were left in quite an unsightly manner.

“Zhang shi…”

Upon seeing Zhang Xuan, Song Chao, Luo Xuan, and the others rushed up to him agitatedly.

Ever since they had known Zhang Xuan, there had not been a single occasion they could recall in which the latter had been incapable of something. The trio on the dueling platform might be impressive, but they had absolute confidence in Zhang Xuan. In their view, it was already a certain victory for them from the moment Zhang Xuan arrived on the scene.

While a wave of excitement washed across the crowd beneath, the trio on the dueling platform also glanced down to look at Zhang Xuan.

“So, he is the legendary Zhang Xuan? He looks so-so!” the dark-faced Bai Mian sneered.

“Regardless of whether he is so-so or not, we must make him learn the price of offending our True Helios Faction!” Supreme Ape Yuan Gang harrumphed.

“Be careful when you strike later on. Our faction leader has already warned us about his incredible background. It’ll suffice for him learn of our prowess; there’s no need to go too far. It won’t be in our favor if this matter reaches the elders,” Ying Qin instructed.

“Don’t worry. We know what to do. He’s just a freshman; I’ll leave him on his knees begging in mercy within three blows!” Bai Mian declared confidently with a sneer.

With a flick of his wrist, his immense saber flew in an arc, creating a deep resounding whir in the air. Stabbing his saber into the platform, he glanced at Zhang Xuan coldly and asked, “You are Zhang Xuan?”

His voice was overflowing with aggression toward Zhang Xuan.

Looking at the hostility the other party was exuding, as if he had wronged the other party grievously somehow, Zhang Xuan could only nod helplessly. “Others do address me as such.”

“Good. Do you dare duel against me?” With a provocative smile on his lips, Bai Mian issued his challenge. “Don’t worry, I’ll suppress my cultivation to your level. I won’t take advantage of you.”

“A duel?”

Seeing the other party challenging him to a duel right away, Zhang Xuan sighed deeply before replying, “That’s fine by me, but if I am not mistaken, you seem to have said that you want me to apologize to the True Helios Faction and have all of the freshmen purchase the Teacher Information Documentation if the freshmen lose this confrontation. Is there such a matter?”

“That’s indeed the case!” Bai Mian nodded smugly.

“Since you have imposed a bet on the duel, what do you have to offer if you lose then?” Zhang Xuan questioned.

“Us?” Bai Mian was slightly thrown off his momentum by the question. However, he recovered swiftly and answered, “There’s no way we will lose!”

A higher-grade student challenging a lower-grade student—while it was a challenge in name, it couldn’t be clearer to everyone that this was just a means to teach the other party a lesson and impose hierarchical order upon them! Given such, how could they possibly lose?

Zhang Xuan shook his head. “There’s no way you will lose? Don’t be so certain about it. There’s no such thing as a sure victory in a duel.

“If you aren’t willing to put anything on the line, why should I waste my time fighting with you?”

You wish to bet with me without putting anything at stake? You must be joking with me!

If there’s nothing to earn, why should I tire myself out?

“This…” Not expecting the other party to raise the issue about the stakes as soon as he arrived, Bai Mian turned to the other two to seek their opinions.

Ying Qin had a frown on his face as well. After a moment of contemplation, he stepped forward and said, “Zhang shi is right. Since we have imposed conditions on you, it’s only right for us to put something on the line as well. How about this? If we lose, I’ll take back everything I have said and apologize to all of you.”

“Apologize?”

Zhang Xuan shook his head. “How about this instead? It hasn’t been long since our Xuanxuan Faction was established, and it just so happens that we are lacking some servants to guard our doors. If you lose, you shall back out of the True Helios Faction to watch our doors. What do you think of that?”

Translator’s Thoughts

StarveCleric StarveCleric

9/20 If we get first this week, there will be three additional chapters next week!

Chapter 781: Imparting a Saber Art Maneuver ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

“Watch your gates?” Ying Qin, Bai Mian, and Yuan Gang clenched their fists tightly after hearing those words, nearly exploding on the spot.

They were Grade-4 students, Ethereal Treading realm pinnacle experts. Yet, a freshman actually wanted them to watch their gates?

Was this even a bet anymore?

This was clearly an attempt to humiliate them!

“Weren’t you confident that you wouldn’t lose just a moment ago? If you won’t lose, surely the content of the bet won’t matter to you, right? What, has your confidence wavered?” Zhang Xuan gazed at the trio with a slight smile on his lips.

“Change the conditions!” With a livid expression, Ying Qin flung his sleeves and harrumphed.

Even though they wouldn’t lose, they couldn’t bring themselves to accept such a bet. The other party was clearly belittling them!

“It seems you aren’t as confident as you seem. Well, there’s no need to be embarrassed about losing. Everyone loses sometimes; there’s no shame in it,” Zhang Xuan consoled.

“You!”

Hearing those words, Ying Qin, Bai Mian, and Yuan Gang nearly spewed blood.

What do you mean by embarrassed? What do you mean by saying everyone loses sometime and there’s no shame in it?

We aren’t afraid of losing; we just find your conditions humiliating!

Just as they were about to refute the other party’s words, the other party suddenly lowered his head, seemingly falling into contemplation. “If you are really that afraid of losing, why don’t I offer some guidance to some of the freshmen and send them up to fight against you? If that’s still too much for you to accept… how about those you have just defeated? Surely you should be a little more confident with that? I don’t think I can go any lower than this…”

“You…”

Seeing how the other party was going further and further, Ying Qin’s fury peaked. “Fine! We will accept your conditions! You’d better pray that you are as capable as your mouth, or else just wait and see!”

Upon receiving the other party’s agreement, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction before issuing a set of instructions. “Good! Ruohuan and Song Chao, send a few men to construct a gate at the entrance. Otherwise, there will be nothing for them to watch later on.”

The living quarters of the freshmen were enclosed, and there was an entrance for students to enter and leave the premises. However, there was no gate at the entrance. It would be awkward if those fellows had nothing to watch over when they lost.

“Alright!” Ruohuan gongzi and Song Chao nodded before leaving to settle the matter.

“You are courting death!”

Seeing how the other party was acting as if victory was assured for him, Bai Mian finally reached the limit of his tolerance. His dark face warped in savagery, and the enormous saber in his hands also buzzed in resonance to his emotions. Turning to Ying Qin, he said, “Allow me to teach this fellow a lesson!”

After saying those words, he immediately walked to the center of the dueling platform, and with eyes as sharp as lightning, he bellowed, “Zhang Xuan, I shall be your opponent for the first match. Come!”

Zhang Xuan shook his head. “Calm down, there’s no hurry. Youngsters nowadays sure don’t know the virtue of patience.”

“You…” Suffering yet another blow, Bai Mian’s face turned even darker than before.

We might look young, but we are all in our fifties, you know? You are only a brat in your early twenties, and yet you dare to call us youngsters? How shameless can you get?

“Is your mouth the only thing you have? If you are a man, you’d better come up here this instant!” Knowing that it was impossible for him to win a verbal war with the other party, Bai Mian gritted his teeth in anger.

“I won’t take advantage of you; you will surely lose if I head up there. Like I said before, I will find a few freshmen to fight against you. Since I have already given my word, I’ll honor it!” Zhang Xuan waved his hands casually.

Ignoring the frenzied Bai Mian above, he turned to the freshmen and asked, “Is there anyone here who was defeated by this fellow and wields a saber?”

Upon hearing the question, the crowd stared at one another bewilderedly.

They’d thought that Zhang shi had only said those words to provoke the seniors into agreeing to his conditions, was he really serious about it?

But they had already lost, and it had been a crushing defeat at that! Even if the wounds they had suffered weren’t substantial, there was no way they could defeat them!

“I… lost just now!”

After a short moment of silence, a freshman suddenly waved his hand and walked out from the crowd.

It was a young man in his mid-twenties with a cultivation of Consonant Spirit realm primary stage. There was a glaring and hideous saber cut on his body, which even though it wasn’t a serious wound, it seemed as though he would have been sliced into two if his opponent had put slightly more strength into the attack. It was only due to his opponent’s mercy that he was still living at this very moment.

“Not bad!” Zhang Xuan assessed him carefully from head to toe before nodding in approval. “You shall go up to the dueling platform and defeat that fellow later on!”

“I…” The young man leaped in shock. With a conflicted expression, he said, “I am not a match for him. I wasn’t even able to withstand a single blow of his previously!”

When he faced Bai Mian just a few moments ago, as soon as the duel started, before he could even raise his saber, he was sliced through by the other party’s weapon. Given the huge disparity in strength, he would lose no matter how many times he challenged Bai Mian!

“It’s fine. I’ll impart a saber art maneuver to you right now, and if you execute it well on the stage later on, you should be able to defeat him within a single blow,” Zhang Xuan said.

“A saber art maneuver?” the young man repeated in disbelief.

What use was a single maneuver?

Given the other party’s deep comprehension of saber arts, even if he were to learn a hundred saber art maneuvers, there was still no way he could match up to the other party!

“That’s right. Pass me your saber!” Paying no heed to the other party’s shock, Zhang Xuan nodded nonchalantly.

“Alright…” Even though the freshman had no idea what his faction leader was up to, he still passed his saber over obediently.

“Damn it!” Seeing that Zhang Xuan was really going to impart a saber art to an opponent he had defeated and make him go up against him once more, Bai Mian nearly exploded from fury.

It was already challenging the limits of his tolerance for the other party to act as if victory was already in his grasp… But the other party then went on to choose an opponent he had utterly defeated just a moment ago to teach him a saber art, hoping that he could defeat him…

What kind of game are you playing over here?

I wouldn’t be a genius of the Martial Arts School if I could be defeated that easily!

You are too smug!

Arrogant and conceited!

Even the head of the Martial Arts School wouldn’t dare to make such claims!

“Bai Mian, since Zhang shi is going impart a freshman a saber art to challenge you, we shouldn’t take advantage of them either. Inhibit your senses to avoid learning anything about the saber art ahead of the battle!”

Ying Qin’s complexion looked awful as well. However, as a master teacher, he still had a reputation to uphold.

Given their deep comprehension in battle techniques as geniuses of the Martial Arts School, if Zhang Xuan were to teach the freshman before them, it was likely that they might have already mastered the technique before the freshman could even make sense of it. If that happened, would there even be a need to carry on with the duel? The outcome would have already been decided!

Even if they were to win, it would reflect poorly on them.

At the very least, if they were to inhibit their senses to avoid learning anything about the saber art ahead of the battle, there would be nothing the other party could say upon the conclusion.

“Alright!” Bai Mian nodded.

However, just as he was about to inhibit his senses, Zhang Xuan turned his gaze to them and said, “There’s no need to go through so much trouble. Since you are students of the Martial Arts School, I believe you should have a deep understanding of battle techniques. Since that’s the case, I ask of you to take a look at it during my impartation and correct any mistakes in it!”

Bai Mian and Ying Qin stared at one another blankly with blinking eyes.

That fellow… Was his head stuck in between a gate or did a donkey kick him foolish? You want your faction member to challenge me in the field of saber arts, and yet you still want me to take a look at it in advance?

What kind of logic is that?

Just as Bai Mian was at a loss about what he should do, he suddenly received a telepathic message from Ying Qin. “Since he wants us to take a look, let’s just do as he says. He is the one telling us to take a look anyway, so surely he can’t complain about it when he loses!”

Ying Qin was the leader of the group, so Bai Mian could only agree to it. Thus, he focused his gaze on the young man imparting a saber art below.

“It will only be a single move, so watch closely!”

Ignoring the dumbfounded crowd, Zhang Xuan chuckled, and with a slight flick of his wrist, he performed a diagonal slash.

The saber moved at an extremely slow speed, as if the slow stroke of a brush on paper.

You call this a saber art? Bai Mian was completely flabbergasted.

Even when he had only just started learning saber arts when he was five, he had never executed such an ugly move before. In no way was this a saber art! Even the technique used to split lumber in two was much more elegant than this!

He was still wondering what kind of formidable saber art the other party was going to teach the freshman that was capable of defeating him in a single move, but who would have thought that the other party would execute such crap instead?

Are you fooling around with me?

At this moment, Bai Mian wasn’t the only one whose mind was in turmoil. The young man whom Zhang Xuan was imparting the saber art to was also nearly on the verge of tears.

He’d thought that, given how confident the faction leader was, he must have had some powerful move to teach him. Never had he thought that it would be something like that…

Given his eye of discernment, he could tell that there was absolutely no skill or anything deeper lying beneath that slash. Such a haphazard, slow, and powerless attack wouldn’t even kill an ant, could he really defeat a Grade-4 senior whom he wasn’t even able to withstand a single blow from previously with something like this?

In an instant, all of the confidence he had before escaped from his mind.

Just as the young man was overwhelmed by helplessness, not knowing what Zhang shi was up to, he suddenly heard a faint voice sounding by his ear. Following which, a thought suddenly emerged within his mind, and his body jolted in response. “The crux of my saber art lies not in the form but the intent. This is the essence of my saber art, comprehend it well!”

“This is… Soul Impartation?” Sensing the new battle technique in his mind, the young man’s eyes widened in shock.

Soul Impartation was said to be an ability that only 7-star master teachers were capable of utilizing. Why was their faction leader able to use it as well?

Seeing the young man fall into a daze, Zhang Xuan sent a telepathic message over to chide him. “Don’t let your thoughts wander, make good use of the time you have to comprehend the cultivation technique. Take note of the Saber Intent which I have imparted you as well. Use it along with the saber art later in the duel as well!”

“Yes!” Recovering from his astonishment, the young man quickly turned his focus to the saber art in his mind. In there, he felt a concentration of Saber Intent which carried an aura so sharp that it left one feeling powerless before it.

“This…” The young man narrowed his eyes.

He might not be as experienced and knowledgeable as Bai Mian in the field of saber arts, but as a practitioner of the saber as well, he was still able to tell at a single glance how powerful the concentration of Saber Intent was.

As long as he imitated it, his comprehension of the saber would definitely advance by leaps and bounds, reaching a level beyond imagination.

He drove his zhenqi through his body according to the imparted saber art while tapping into the concentration of Saber Intent, and for an instant, it was as if sharp blades had flickered across his eyes. After grasping the rough flow of the technique, the young man took a deep breath and bowed all the way down to his waist level. “Thank you, faction leader!”

Zhang Xuan waved his hands casually. “It’s alright. Now, go and defeat that fellow!”

Not only did Bai Mian possess an exceptional aptitude for saber arts, he had also immersed himself in its training for several decades now. Even if Zhang Xuan were to impart the simplified Heaven’s Path Saber Art to the young man, it would still be difficult for him to defeat Bai Mian right now. Thus, Zhang Xuan could only impart a portion of his Saber Intent as well.

Weapon Intent was something fleeting and intangible. Just like a sensation or a certain state of mind, it was impossible to describe it entirely through words. Even if one had comprehended it, it was nigh impossible to transfer Saber Intent to another party.

However, Zhang Xuan cultivated the Heaven’s Path Saber Art, which was the most direct interpretation of the quintessence of the world, making his Saber Intent wholesome and flawless. By tapping into his capabilities as a soul oracle as well, it was still possible for him to transfer a portion of his Saber Intent over without it dissipating for the other party to use.

“Yes!” Taking a deep breath, the young man nodded.

With a leap, he stepped onto the dueling platform.

If he had still been a bit apprehensive at the thought of facing Senior Bai Mian earlier, thinking that there was no chance he could defeat the other party, at this very moment, having learned a move from the simplified version of the Heaven’s Path Saber Art and harnessing Zhang Xuan’s Saber Intent within him, all fear had vanished from his mind.

“You really think you can win against me like that?” Seeing the fellow really leaping up to the dueling platform to challenge him after learning a completely useless saber art which couldn’t even be used to chop lumber, Bai Mian felt as if he was about to explode with anger.

“Pardon me!” The young man nodded before raising his saber. In an instant, an aura that felt as if it could split the heavens burst into the air, and in the next moment, the saber was already falling on Bai Mian.

Huala!

Despite the young man’s Consonant Spirit realm primary stage cultivation, the cold glint of his saber extended across several zhang instantaneously as if a streak of lightning, tearing through space to crush Bai Mian.

“Lightning Flash of Saber… T-this is an ability that only those who have comprehended Saber Heart can use! How is it possible that you…”

Bai Mian’s body trembled in shock. His eyes were bulging as if they would drop off at any moment. He could hear a deafening rumble swiftly crescendoing next to him, as if it was going to cast him into oblivion.

Chapter 782: Wretched Competition ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

Just like any other weapon, if one’s saber art was aligned with nature, one would be able to comprehend Saber Intent, and only after that would it be possible for one to comprehend Saber Heart.

This was similar to how, in swordsmanship, one had to first comprehend Sword Intent before they could comprehend Lower Sword Heart, Middle Sword Heart, and Higher Sword Heart.

Even as a genius of the Martial Arts School, specializing in the study of saber art, Bai Mian was only at Saber Intent pinnacle, a considerable distance away from comprehending Saber Heart.

Yet, the incredibly sharp aura his opponent exuded along with the Lightning Flash of Saber… The other party was actually utilizing a technique that only one who had comprehended Saber Intent could use!

How was that possible?

When he fought with the freshman earlier, he could clearly sense that the latter had only comprehended the bare basics of Saber Intent, a long distance away from matching him. Yet, with just that single saber art maneuver Zhang shi had imparted to him, his comprehension of the saber had actually advanced by so much?

Damn it… Bai Mian’s body trembled in shock.

In the midst of a battle, however, he swiftly responded to the freshman’s attack, raising his saber to defend against the move.

While he was shocked by the freshman’s feat of comprehending Saber Heart in just a short moment, he still didn’t think that he would lose.

After all, he had seen the technique Zhang shi had imparted to the freshman, and it was littered with hundreds of flaws. On top of that, it was incredibly slow. As long as he moved swiftly and curbed the other party with speed, he would still be able to overwhelm him and achieve an easy victory.

Hu!

In that split moment when Bai Mian’s enormous Nine-ringed Saber was about to meet the freshman’s saber, the freshman’s saber abruptly twisted in an elegant arc, bypassing Bai Mian’s weapon to cut down on him.

It was as if Bai Mian’s defense meant nothing to him at all.

This is… Distillation of the Profound, Surpassing Technique Through Ability? Bai Mian’s body stiffened.

While he was studying the saber, a master teacher whom he deeply respected had once told him that upon reaching a certain level of mastery in the saber, one could reduce complex saber arts into simpler and more concise techniques.

But this simplification of the saber art didn’t mean that it had become weaker. On the contrary, the lack of extraneous movements meant that there were fewer flaws that one could exploit against the technique, making it even more difficult to oppose.

Bai Mian had thought that such a realm existed in a world far beyond his, and he could possibly never encounter it in his entire life. But… he was seeing it from the freshman at this very moment!

The saber art which the freshmen was executing was not complex at all. It was just a simple slash without anything fancy to it, but it carried a might capable of slicing through anything.

Bai Mian felt as if his entirety had been overwhelmed by the might of the slash. Regardless of what technique he utilized, there was no way he could stand against the slash.

Flee! In that instant, fear took over Bai Mian’s instincts. Not daring to take the slash face-on, he immediately retreated hurriedly.

Retracting one’s saber art abruptly in the midst of its execution would lead to a backlash in one’s zhenqi, but given that Bai Mian was an Ethereal Treading realm pinnacle expert utilizing the might of a Consonant Spirit realm primary stage expert at the moment, he could easily suppress it. Thus, despite the seeming distressed state he was in, he hadn’t suffered much damage from this move.

Huala!

Taking two steps back, Bai Mian was just about to raise his saber art to counterattack when the freshmen before him swung his saber furiously once more at him.

This time, the attack felt even sharper and more powerful than before.

The slash had harnessed the remaining force from the previous slash to amplify its might more than twofold. At that moment, it seemed as if a tempest had struck the dueling platform.

This is… Accretion of Saber Might? Bai Mian was on the verge of spurting blood.

He had thought that after the freshman had put his might into the first blow, his strength would surely decline considerably. Who knew that not only would that not be the case, he would even amplify his second slash significantly through accruing the might from the first!

Even the first slash was already beyond his capability, so how could he possibly withstand the might of two slashes at once?

Thus, he retreated once again.

Hu hu!

Seeing Bai Mian retreating once again, the freshman felt a burst of confidence, and he launched his third slash decisively.

As if tributaries gathering into an ocean, the might of the three slashes converged with one another to produce an unopposable force.

The young man was only at Consonant Spirit realm primary stage, but through harnessing the capability of Saber Heart to converge the might of three slashes together, he could easily overwhelm a Consonant Spirit realm intermediate stage or even an advanced stage cultivator!

No, this won’t do… If I allow him to continue building up strength, I’ll surely lose without doubt! Realizing the crux of the problem, Bai Mian’s face turned grim.

His initial thought had been to dodge the attack, and at the moment the other party’s strength died down, he would be able to do as he pleased. But who could have known that the other party’s saber art would only grow stronger with time, its might amplifying with each slash?

From the very first dodge he had made, he had already lost the initiative. If he were to continue avoiding the attacks, the odds would only continue stacking against him, and eventually, he would be overwhelmed.

It’s do or die… Gritting his teeth, Bai Mian’s strength surged frenziedly from his arm as he swung his saber to face the freshman’s slash.

Spirit high-tier battle technique, River Severing Furious Saber!

This technique was said to have been created by a Saint realm expert. Out of vengeance for the grievances his lover had suffered, he drew his saber and slashed down furiously, dividing a river several ten thousand meters long in two permanently.

This was the strongest saber art he had after cultivating for so many years.

Even though he was lacking zhenqi to execute it perfectly after suppressing his cultivation to Consonant Spirit realm primary stage, through his deep understanding of saber arts, he still managed to pull it off.

Saber qi immediately gushed forth from his saber to collide with the freshman’s ferocious slash.

Hong long!

With a deafening reverberation, the two sabers collided with one another. In an instant, Bai Mian’s face reddened as the might from his River Severing Frenzied Saber was overwhelmed instantaneously. Following which, the amplified slash continued falling furiously toward him, seemingly about to rip his meridians apart.

This is bad… Bai Mian’s face turned livid.

While the thought of being unable to withstand the slash had crossed his mind, he didn’t think that it would be to such an extent. Despite his retaliation, the slash still continued flying toward him with unabated might.

In that desperate moment, Bai Mian roared furiously, and his cultivation, which he had suppressed initially, began rising rapidly.

Consonant Spirit realm intermediate stage!

Consonant Spirit realm advanced stage!

Consonant Spirit realm pinnacle!

Cosmos Bridge realm primary stage!

His cultivation had to rise by an entire realm before he was able to dispel the overwhelming saber qi before him.

Peng!

Due to Bai Mian’s forceful counterattack, the freshman was knocked back, and a mouthful of fresh blood spewed from his mouth.

Even though he had sustained some damage from the last attack, his eyes were glowing with excitement.

“You have lost!”

The other party had been forced to unseal his cultivation in order to withstand his blow, which meant that he had broken the rules, and thus, he had lost!

Upon hearing those words, Bai Mian’s face turned as pale as a sheet of paper, and he muttered feebly, “I… I have lost…”

There was no other choice for him but to admit it. So many eyes had seen him being forced into a corner, unable to retaliate at all. This was his utter defeat!

It was just a moment ago that this freshman had been defeated by him in a single blow, but in the next moment, he was defeated by the latter instead… Despite being the person in question here, the situation before him felt so mystical that he could hardly believe what had just happened.

That Zhang shi had only imparted a single move to the freshman… and the latter had gained sufficient strength to defeat him? Just how in the world was that possible?

Bai Mian wasn’t the only one who couldn’t get to grips with the situation. All of the freshmen beneath also felt as if their eyeballs were going to pop out of their sockets.

They had witnessed the prowess of the freshman before and after he had learned Zhang shi’s saber art… To allow the freshman to gain the power to defeat a genius of the Martial Arts School just by imparting a single move to him, this was just way too exaggerated!

Was their faction leader in truth a deity in disguise?

“Faction leader, I-I succeeded! I managed to defeat a Grade-4 student! I…”

Upon hearing Bai Mian’s confirmation, the young man immediately leaped down from the dueling platform excitedly and rushed up to Zhang Xuan with clenched fists.

Having executed the saber art, he understood just how powerful the move which the faction leader had imparted to him was. As long as he studied it thoroughly and practiced diligently, his understanding of the saber would surely soar, allowing him to become a saber master!

As such, it was inevitable that he would be so excited.

Pah!

However, before he could finish his words, Zhang shi abruptly slapped him on his head with a livid expression, as if a senior chastising a disappointing junior.

“Faction leader…”

The freshman was stunned, not knowing what was going on.

Why was the faction leader angry? He had defeated his opponent!

“After that disappointing performance of yours, you are still in the mood to celebrate? Honestly, can you even call what you have just did saber art? In the very first move, if only you had utilized the full extent of your strength, your opponent couldn’t have dodged at all. It was a duel you could have won in a single move, and yet you dragged it on for three moves. Don’t you feel ashamed of yourself?”

The more Zhang Xuan spoke, the angrier and more disappointed he felt. If he could, he would truly have wanted to knock some sense into the fellow.

No matter what, the other party was a half 5-star master teacher. How could he be so slow on the uptake?

He had personally imparted a simplified version of the Heaven’s Path Saber Art to the other party and even transferred a portion of his Saber Intent to him. And yet, that fellow still required three blows to defeat his opponent. That was a disgrace!

Win in a single move… Bai Mian nearly spurted blood upon hearing those words.

I am a Grade-4 student, a genius of the Martial Arts School… It’s already incredible that you were able to grant a freshman the strength to defeat me within three blows just by imparting a saber art to him, and yet you are still disappointed by it…

“Yes…” Hearing the chastising from the faction leader, the young man could only hang his head in shame.

The faction leader was right. If he put his full strength into the very first blow, Bai Mian would have surrendered immediately. Things wouldn’t have dragged on to the third blow, Bai Mian wouldn’t have resorted to a desperate struggle, and he wouldn’t have been injured either.

“Alright, at least you are repenting. However, take note of this in the future. No matter who your opponent is, you have to strike decisively. The slightest bit of hesitation could cost your life!” Seeing the other party’s regretful expression, Zhang Xuan’s rage finally alleviated slightly.

Sighing deeply, he waved his hands and turned to the dueling platform once more. “Which one of you is next?”

“I shall be your opponent!” Yuan Gang stepped forward.

Bai Mian’s defeat had shocked him deeply as well. At this point, he knew better than to underestimate the young man standing before him.

“Alright.” Zhang Xuan nodded. “Who was defeated by him earlier?”

“Me!”

“Faction leader, I lost as well!”

“You didn’t lose as badly as I did. Allow me to do it!”

“The hell you lost badly, you only fell from the stage! Look at me, I was even slapped by him. I am in the most wretched state of all. Let me challenge him!”

“Look, I even spewed blood! Let me do it…”

…

Upon Zhang Xuan’s call, a huge commotion broke out beneath the stage. All of those who had been injured previously immediately rushed up indignantly, howling in agitation.

They had witnessed how the freshman who had been defeated in a single blow earlier turning the tables on Bai Mian after Zhang shi’s guidance. If they could learn a thing or two from Zhang shi as well, their fighting prowess might be able to soar like his.

With such a good opportunity lying before them, only a fool would give it up!

“To think a day would come that I would see such a sight before me…”

On the stage, Yuan Gang and Ying Qin’s mouths twitched.

The heck!

The freshmen had always gone out of their way to avoid any confrontations with their seniors—after all, the disparity in strength was as clear as day. Never had they seen any freshman volunteering to challenge the seniors so energetically before.

Moreover, it was one thing for them to fight over the opportunity, but screw their competition over who was in a more wretched state!

The more wretched one’s state was, the weaker they were in the previous confrontation.

To still be vying for the opportunity after being defeated so tragically, what do you take us seniors for?

Aren’t you all being too arrogant!

Watching as the crowd below argued over who was in a worse state, Ying Qin’s face turned more and more livid. There were even a few of the freshmen who had regretful expressions on their faces, as if lamenting how they hadn’t allowed Yuan Gang to get a few more punches on them.

Eventually, Ying Qin came to the limit of his tolerance, and he sent a telepathic message to Yuan Gang. “Make sure to subdue them decisively. You mustn’t show them any mercy at all! It’ll be a grave humiliation on us and the True Helios Faction if we lose again!”

In truth, Bai Mian’s loss had already introduced some doubts into their minds. They realized that they had grossly underestimated Zhang shi’s capability. However, the arrow was already nocked, and it was too late for them to back down.

No matter what, they had to win the next round. Otherwise, they just might end up becoming the gatekeepers of the Xuanxuan Faction.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give it my all!” Yuan Gang nodded grimly.

While the duo was speaking, Zhang Xuan was done picking out his next competitor as well. It was a young fellow whose face was bruised to the point that there was not the slightest uninjured area to be seen. His nose and teeth were slightly crooked, and a stream of blood flowed uncontrollably from the edge of his mouth.

I remember that fellow! But… I don’t recall beating him up so heavily? Could it be that, just so he would appear more wretched than the others, he chose to beat himself up?

Upon seeing the appearance of the other party, Yuan Gang’s eyelids began twitching uncontrollably, and he nearly keeled over.

Translator’s Thoughts

StarveCleric StarveCleric

11/20 If we get first this week, there will be three additional chapters next week!

Chapter 783: Challenging Zhang shi ##

 

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Millman97

As a 5-star high-tier master teacher, he had an eidetic memory. When he was fighting with the other party, he had only used the Light Breezy Hands to knock him off the dueling platform.

Yet, at this very moment, the other party’s facial features were warped hideously, and blood was dripping down from his mouth… Just how freaking severe was his injuries?

If he had suffered such severe injuries earlier in the battle with him, he couldn’t possibly still be standing here. Someone would have already sent him to a physician!

Most likely, he had beaten himself up intentionally just so he could receive Zhang shi’s guidance… Or else, the situation simply didn’t make sense!

Just as Yuan Gang was feeling extremely frustrated within, Zhang Xuan begun imparting a battle technique to the other party.

In his view, it was highly likely that Bai Mian had only been defeated by the freshman due to his carelessness. Thus, this time, he widened his eyes to pay attention to every single detail regarding the fist art which Zhang shi was imparting to the severely injured young man.

However, just like the previous saber art, no matter how he looked at it, he just couldn’t see any deeper technique or intention behind it.

After a while, he was completely bewildered.

He could easily execute a fist art like that back when he was only three… Did Zhang shi really think that he could be defeated with that?

Nevertheless, there is something peculiar about Zhang shi. I should remain on my guard. Later, I shall attack my opponent as soon as we get on the stage!

Unable to comprehend the essence hidden within Zhang Xuan’s fist art, Yuan Gang decided to just achieve a swift victory.

Given his deeper insight into battle techniques and the control of his strength, as long as he could gain the initiative, it shouldn’t be too difficult for him to defeat a freshman swiftly.

Right after he had decided his plan for the battle, the bruised young man finally stepped onto the dueling platform.

“Senior!” the young man greeted.

“Let’s hurry up and get it over with,” Yuan Gang said.

Crrk crrk crrk!

With a series of creaking sounds, Yuan Gang’s slender body abruptly grew taller, and his limbs grew longer as well.

Spirit high-tier battle technique, Supreme Ape Transformation!

Having spent more than a decade cultivating this battle technique, he had already fully grasped the essence of it, allowing him to bring out the full might of the technique.

“Here I come!”

Without giving the other party an opportunity to even respond, Yuan Gang immediately charged forward as soon as the duel began.

His movement was as swift as the silhouette of an eagle swooping down for its prey. In the blink of an eye, his figure was already standing right before the bruised young man, and with his fingers bent into hooks, he clawed ferociously at him.

The crux of the Supreme Art Transformation lay in its speed, and the attacks were mainly hacking, clawing, and grabbing.

This was a technique that an elder of the academy had come up with after studying the fighting technique of apes.

Sharp glints reminiscent of daggers flashed from the edges of Yuan Gang’s fingers as they headed right for the bruised young man’s body.

Not bad!

Looking at how Yuan Gang went for his opponent decisively without holding back, Yin Qing heaved a sigh of relief.

They had already lost a match. If they were to lose another, they would have lost the bet.

It was fortunate that Yuan Gang wasn’t an inflexible person who allowed his pride to get over his head. Knowing that there was something peculiar about his opponent, he opted to go with his strongest move right from the start.

“Yuan Gang’s claw harnesses great power. If I were his opponent, I would first take a step back and wait for the momentum of his attack to die down before retaliating,” Ying Qin muttered contemplatively.

As peers from the same student faction, Ying Qin often sparred with Yuan Gang, so he had a clear idea of how fearsome the Supreme Ape Transformation was. Due to the formidable speed of the technique, it was nearly impossible to dodge at close quarters.

Curious to see how Yuan Gang’s opponent would respond to his attack, Ying Qin turned his gaze back to the stage, only to see the other party standing still on the spot, retaliating to Yuan Gang’s attack with a punch of his own.

“This…” Ying Qin blinked in shock.

Was the opponent intending to trade blow for blow?

But Yuan Gang’s claw was far swifter than his fist! If he were to remain in the same position, he would surely be struck by Yuan Gang’s claw first!

Hu la!

Before the doubt in Ying Qin’s mind could vanish, he suddenly saw the speed of the opponent’s fist abruptly accelerate. At the current speed, it was likely that both of their attacks would land on each other at the same time.

In other words… the opponent was aiming for a mutually assured destruction!

Peng!

As Ying Qin had predicted, the duo struck one another squarely.

Deng deng deng! Deng deng deng!

Yuan Gang was knocked eight steps backward from the impact of his opponent’s fist while his opponent was left with deep claw marks on his chest.

“Good!”

Despite being injured in the first encounter, the bruised young man didn’t seem to have lost his courage in the least. On the contrary, he grew more and more excited. Without any hesitation, he charged right toward Yuan Gang once again.

Regardless of how profound Yuan Gang’s move was and how much damage he would sustain from them, his focus was only on one thing—landing his punch on Yuan Gang.

Peng!

They traded another blow. Even though the bruised young man was injured, Yuan Gang didn’t fare any better either. Suffering two consecutive heavy blows, his face paled, and with a sweet sensation at the back of his throat, he spurted a mouthful of blood.

I finally understand… Ying Qin narrowed his eyes as he tightened his fists in agitation. It is indeed a good plan. Zhang shi sure is a formidable opponent…

At this moment, he finally understood the reasoning behind the bruised young man’s fighting style.

Ultimately, one couldn’t become a master at close quarter combat just by learning a single move. It required the accumulation of experience and refinement through practice over countless years. Understanding this, Zhang shi decisively imparted a fist art with overwhelming offensive ability.

Since it is impossible for us to win in a battle of skill, we might as well abandon the very notion of it. We shall go head to head with you instead! Even if we suffer grievous wounds in the midst of doing so, we won’t let you get off the hook easily either!

If you land a blow on me, I will make sure to return the favor twofold to you! As long as I possess sufficient strength and speed in my attacks, the one who will fall ultimately will be you!

How vicious!

It seems like Zhang shi didn’t select his candidates randomly. This fellow was willing to even punch himself in order to earn the opportunity, and that reflects how tenacious he is… Ying Qin thought with a livid expression.

Honestly speaking, he did wonder why Zhang Xuan had chosen the person who had beaten himself up. Given the latter’s sharp eye of discernment, surely he should have been able to tell that those wounds were self-inflicted?

But at this moment, he realized that it was an intentional action on the other party’s part.

If a person was willing to hurt himself for an opportunity, how could he possibly back down in a crucial moment?

A person with such a personality was the most suited for a battle of trading blows!

It seems like… Yuan Gang is going to lose! Ying Qin shook his head.

They were all currently of the same cultivation realm, but considering the incredible might behind the bruised young man’s fist art, as well as his determination to win the duel, it was just a matter of time before Yuan Gang fell in defeat.

It was not that Yuan Gang was weak, but such a battle simply wasn’t his forte. The Supreme Ape Transformation which he cultivated was built on the natural instincts of apes, and this included their natural aversion toward danger as well. As such, Yuan Gang’s instinctual response toward harm was not to fight but to flee.

Naturally, Yuan Gang also understood the bruised young man’s intentions, and he knew that if he wanted to win, he had to attack decisively and persevere to the very end. However, the contradiction between his instincts and actions resulted in an inevitable hesitation in his movements, which hindered him from fighting decisively.

Peng peng peng!

As expected, after trading five blows, Yuan Gang finally reached the limit of his perseverance, and after a stagger, his body collapsed to the ground weakly. He had been defeated by a freshman.

That ape guy is not bad! Zhang Xuan nodded in commendation.

The Heaven’s Path Fist Art harnessed immense strength behind each of its blows. Even though Zhang Xuan had only imparted a move from its simplified version to the bruised young man, it was still an incredible feat for Yuan Gang to endure five punches before collapsing.

“Faction leader, I won…” The bruised young man leaped down the dueling platform excitedly and bowed deeply to his faction leader with respect gleaming in his eyes.

Previously, when he fought against Yuan Gang, he was unable to even take a single blow from him. Yet, after receiving his faction leader’s guidance, he was able to overwhelm Yuan Gang and defeat him. Regardless of whether it was his faction leader’s grasp over battle strategy or his comprehension of battle techniques, they had reached a level beyond his imagination.

“Good, you have done well. Drink this!” Zhang Xuan flicked his wrist and passed a gourd over.

“Yes!” Taking the gourd, the bruised young man gulped down the fine wine within, leaving not a single drop behind. The next moment, he suddenly felt a tingling feeling throughout his body, and the injuries he had sustained swiftly healed.

“That is Saint recovery medicine…” The bruised young man widened his eyes in shock.

In order to treat his injuries, his faction leader was willing to even take out a gourd of Saint recovery medicine for his consumption. To go this far for him…

Faction leader, from this day onward, I shall remain a member of your faction until the moment of my death!

There’s nothing in this world that can change my decision…

…

“Zhang shi’s means are indeed incredible!” Seeing the freshman who was pummeled recovering entirely from his wounds in the blink of an eye while Yuan Gang was still convulsing on the ground, on the brink of death, Ying Qin shook his head and sighed deeply before turning to look at Zhang Xuan with a profound gaze.

Regardless of whether it was his ability to impart techniques, his grasp over battle techniques, or his charisma around his subordinates, he was indeed worthy of respect.

Taking a deep breath, Ying Qin grasped his spear tightly and said, “Having lost two consecutive rounds, we have already lost the bet. However… I find it hard to come to terms with my defeat without witnessing Zhang shi’s prowess with my own eyes. Thus, I hope that Zhang shi will agree to a fight against me!”

As Zhang Xuan’s side had already achieved two out of three wins, the trio had already lost the bet. However, having yet to force Zhang Xuan into action, he couldn’t help but feel a little indignant inside. Thus, he wanted to challenge him so as to see how powerful the young man, who could give the other freshmen the strength to defeat his peers through just a moment of guidance, was.

If he lost, so be it. He would have no regrets whatsoever at the very least.

“You wish to challenge me?” Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment before nodding. “Alright then.”

This fellow with the spear was likely to be the strongest of the three. He should be a fine opponent for him to test out his newfound strength with the advancement in his cultivation he had made recently.

Thus, Zhang Xuan leaped up to the dueling platform as well.

While being able to guide others to victory was indeed a testimony to his prowess, it wasn’t as impactful as witnessing it in a battle. Only in a real battle could the full extent of one’s skills be seen.

“Since Zhang shi possesses the cultivation of Cosmos Bridge realm pinnacle, I shall suppress my cultivation to that of your level too…” Seeing the other party agree to it, Ying Qin nodded before forcefully suppressing his cultivation of Ethereal Treading realm pinnacle down two realms.

“Suppress your cultivation?” Seeing Ying Qin’s action, Zhang Xuan shook his head. “You will die like that…”

He had cultivated his soul, physical body, and zhenqi, along with his Eye of Insight and Library of Heaven’s Path, that fellow wouldn’t even be much of a match even if he were to fight him at Ethereal Treading realm pinnacle.

Yet, he was still thinking of suppressing his cultivation. How bold!

“Zhang shi, don’t worry. Even though you have a deep understanding of battle techniques, I am not that bad either, especially in the field of spearmanship. I can proudly say that there are none at my level who can rival me!” Ying Qin replied confidently.

He had seen what Zhang shi had done, and that was indeed impressive. However, he had confidence in his ability as well.

This was the trust he had in himself after countless years of sweat, tears, and blood honing his spearmanship.

As long as he had a spear in hand, he would be able to face any enemy.

“Alright then…” Seeing how confident the other party was, there was nothing else Zhang Xuan could say.

Seeing Zhang Xuan standing barehanded on the dueling platform, Ying Qin asked doubtfully, “Zhang shi, where’s your weapon?”

“My weapon? You have already suppressed your cultivation; if I were to use a weapon on top of that, I would truly be bullying you… How about this then?”

Zhang Xuan turned to Ruohuan gongzi and said, “Ruohuan, I recall that there is a feather duster beneath the stool over there. Bring it over to me!”