Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 324: The Dumbfounded Students

Everyone knew that her cultivation speed was amazing, and that she was a genius.

However, none of them knew that it was because of her clan. Furthermore, due to the excessive number of pills she had consumed in the past few years, pill poison had accumulated in her body, making it extremely difficult for her to raise her cultivation.

Otherwise, she could have long applied for graduation upon reaching Pixue realm. She wouldn't have to remain in the academy all this while.

Not a single teacher had noticed her condition, not even the previous teacher who she was fond of. Yet, this person was able to point out her condition accurately despite having just met her. This was way too fearsome!

Could it be that... he wasn't an aggressive teacher, but someone who possessed true capability?

Mu Xueqing's body trembled.

If that wasn't the case, how was he able to tell that seven acupoints had been sealed with her turbid zhenqi and that it would be hard for her to reach Tongxuan realm with just a single gaze?

Meng Tao also didn't expect this teacher to know so much either. Even though he had been with Senior Mu daily for several years, he didn't know of this matter either. Frozen on the spot, he wanted to speak up for his senior, but couldn't find the words to say.

"In the previous academy tournament, Senior Mu was ranked number ten. She is one of the most talented geniuses in the academy, and everyone agrees on it. Why... are you saying that she isn't a genius?"

A female student couldn't accept Zhang Xuan's judgement.

"Being a genius isn't about how far one can progress in a limited period of time, but how far one is able to go! It is incredible that she has reached Pixue realm at her age, but due to pill poison accumulating in her body and the fact that she has cultivated a mindset of reliance on them, her future growth is limited!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Since he was taking over the class, he was given basic information on the students. Matching it with the students, he could tell that this lady with appearance that could match Wang Ying’s was the strongest student in the class, Mu Xueqing.

Knowing her name, it wasn't too difficult to look into her background.

Mu Xueqing's father was a famous 2-star apothecary. What others deemed as incomparably valuable pills wasn’t anything much to her.

While it provided her an edge over the other students, it also created a fatal flaw for her future cultivation.

Even though Zhang Xuan didn't use the Library of Heaven's Path, given his Soul Depth of 10.1 and his expertise as an apothecary, he was able to discern and deduce Mu Xueqing's condition with a glance.

After all, he used his own strength to take the 2-star master teacher examination. If he couldn't even see this much, it would have been impossible for him to pass the first four tests.

This Mu Xueqing's cultivation was not bad, but she was too reliant on pills. This was detrimental to her future growth.

All medicine possessed poison, and the same applied for pills as well. Of course, that was assuming that the pills didn't reach the level of an Inscribed Pill.

Be it Formation, Satiation, or Perfection... considerable amount of impurities still remained in those pills. Without pure zhenqi to wash away these impurities, it was very easy for the pill poison to accumulate and block one's acupoints, slowing down the progress of one's cultivation.

This was precisely the reason why many people choose not to consume pills unless they were unable to achieve a breakthrough with their own strength.

It was just like with an illness. If one could tide through it easily, very few people would choose to resort to medicine even if they knew that medicine would help them recover faster.

Her current cultivation speed was outstanding. Furthermore, with a 2-star apothecary of a father guiding her along, her foundation was strong as well. However, as time passed, she would slowly lose out to her peers.

In fact, it was a huge question whether she could even reach Tongxuan realm or not.

The pill poison was one problem, but the mindset she formed which made her reliant on pills was another one. As she achieved breakthroughs in her cultivation relying on medicine, she had already lost confidence in herself.

"She isn't a genius. In fact, you are in a much better position than her!"

Zhang Xuan turned to the female student who had just spoken up for Mu Xueqing and said, "Even though your cultivation is only at Pigu realm primary stage, you have trained your physical body well, and your State of Mind is steady as well. If I'm not wrong, there's a beast tamer in your family who used the blood essence of a savage beast to help you raise your cultivation."

"Such a method is similar to consuming medicine to raise one cultivation, but as the blood essence of savage beasts is more compatible with the human body, not only will it not hinder your cultivation, it will even make your muscles more compact, thus raising your strength!"

"If I'm not wrong, you should be capable of battling against Pigu realm intermediate stage opponents!"

"I..."

The female student nearly leaped in shock.

Her father was a 1-star beast tamer, and before she reached Pigu realm, she had consumed the blood essence of a savage beast. This made her physical body significantly stronger than an ordinary cultivator’s, thus granting her the strength to fight against those with cultivation exceeding hers.

She had only told this matter to a few good friends, so it was impossible for the academy to know of it. Yet, this teacher was able to point it out with a single glance...

This was way too scary!

"However... while the blood essence of a savage beast is not bad, there's a saying that 'the weak must be slowly nourished'. There won't be severe side effects if a male were to consume it, but for you... the body of a female is already weak, and while triggering your physical functions through the blood essence might grant you significant strength in the short run, as time goes by, all kinds of invisible side effects will start appearing."

"It is just as if a severely ill patient consumed a thousand-year-old ginseng, not only will his illness not be treated, it might even claim his life!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

The female student's skin was slightly red, and her blood was boiling forcefully. Her condition showed signs of the beast tamer secret arts. Even though it wasn't written in the information provided by the academy, it wasn't too difficult for Zhang Xuan to deduce this much.

"You as well!"

After speaking on the two ladies’ circumstances, Zhang Xuan's gaze landed on Meng Tao. "You have a reserved personality, and there is a shroud of scholarly aura around you. Also, I can see several calluses between your thumb and your middle finger, and I don't think that there's any battle technique that would result in that. Furthermore, there is a slight patch of darkness at the corner of your shirt. If I'm not wrong, you should be fond of painting, and you often imitate the drawings of experts!"

"However, it is a pity that you aren't looking deep enough, resulting in your failure to capture the essence and spirit of whatever you see. If you are to continue painting like that, it is unlikely that you will ever create a Spiritual Canvas or Infused Intentions level painting."

"As for you, you must be interested in tea ceremony! I can catch a slight aroma of tea from you and it smells refreshing as well. However, you have been spending more time on the Way of Tea than your cultivation, causing the latter to stagnate and become unstable... if I'm not wrong, you haven't achieved a breakthrough in a year's time. Furthermore, your will in cultivation is lacking. You often ignore your teacher's instructions and spend your time thinking about other matters. You are the typical example of a person who gets easily distracted by toys..."

With his hands behind his back, Zhang Xuan pointed out the conditions of four students straightforwardly, and there was no mistake in his words at all. Everyone was shocked and dumbfounded; the entire room fell silent.

What in the world was going on?

They had just decided to intentionally ask him questions on their other occupations so as to embarrass him, but... before they could say anything, he had deduced their occupations and spoke about them casually!

Could it be that this teacher... was skilled in all occupations?

If that wasn't the case, how could he deduce so easily based on an ink mark on the corner of his shirt and the scent on the other’s body that Meng Tao liked painting and the other male student was interested in tea ceremony?

This... was way too scary!

"Alright, show me your battle techniques!"

Seeing that he had managed to amaze everyone, Zhang Xuan turned to the remaining students and said.

The situation with the first four was more apparent, and he was well-versed in their occupations as well. Thus, he was able to speak of them easily.

On the other hand, he couldn't do the same for the remaining students.

Tianwu Academy was completely different from that countryside Hongtian Academy. Other than cultivating, most students would take on an occupation that they liked as well.

Even though most of them wouldn't even reach the level of an apprentice, it could serve as a hobby and a way to train their State of Mind.

It was just like Liu shi and the others learning the Way of Tea from Elder Tian.

Their understanding of tea ceremony hadn't reached the level of an apprentice, but this didn't hinder their interest in it at all.

These fellows were the same as well. Even though they had learned a little of their supporting occupation, they were still a considerable distance away from reaching the level of an apprentice.

"Yes!"

Amazed by the teacher before them, the others immediately executed their battle technique, not daring to hesitate at all.

In an instant, the howling of the wind roared in the entire classroom.

A moment later, Zhang Xuan nodded his head.

He had to say that the students in Tianwu Academy were at a much higher caliber than those in Hongtian Academy. Regardless of whether it was their battle techniques, cultivation techniques, or their understanding toward their supporting occupation, it wasn't something that Zhu Hong, Mo Xiao, and the others could compare to.

"The battle technique [White Canary in the Clear Skies] you practiced has swift and powerful movements, but you aren't able to catch up with their pace. Furthermore, your zhenqi is too lacking to train in this technique. If you were to meet with a slightly stronger opponent, without even moving, if he were to attack your armpit, you would immediately fall in defeat!"

"The reason why there is such a situation is because you aren't serious about your training. If I'm not wrong, your supporting occupation should be a blacksmith! A blacksmith needs to refine all kinds of ores and metals, and this requires great strength. Wielding the hammer for extended periods of time caused the strength of your right arm to far surpass your left, resulting in imbalance. A bird has a pair of wings, and if one wing is stronger than the other, it would be weird if a problem didn't occur!"

"You must be interested in appraising. However, it is a pity that appraising is a money-burning occupation. Judging from how tattered your uniform is, you must have worn it for more than half a year already. Which is to say... your family isn't too well off. Despite not possessing the money, why are you learning appraisal? Without coming into contact with true treasures, will you be able to identify a treasure if you see one?"

"As for you, you are dedicated to your cultivation training, and as such, you didn't pick any supporting occupation. This isn't anything much, but did you realize that even though you are diligent in your training, you didn't improve much? This isn't because you aren't working hard enough or are lacking in talent. It is because you are cultivating wrongly! It should have been a wide and open cultivation technique, but you cultivated it as though a close and confined technique..."

...

Walking among the students, every single seemingly casual word of Zhang Xuan would cause a student to pale and sweat profusely.

This Liu laoshi was able to tell the problems in their cultivation and supporting occupations through their battle technique, and his words were spot-on!

His discerning ability was truly at a frightening level.

It was almost... terrifying!

Their supporting occupations were at a very low mastery, barely coming into contact with the basics, but they spanned over seven to eight occupations. Furthermore, Zhang Xuan spoke the same words as those said by their supporting occupation teachers. This wasn't a feat that a normal cultivation teacher should be capable of. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

In fact... they felt that even a master teacher might not be as discerning as him!

"T-this..."

Mu Xueqing was completely dumbfounded.

It was just a moment ago that she confidently said that as long as they asked him some questions on their occupations, this new teacher would definitely back down. Yet...

Before they could say anything, the other party had already stripped them bare, pointing out to them all their flaws.

Aren't you a teacher who dealt with students through violence?

Aren't you just a normal teacher, one who hasn't even reached the level of a star teacher?

Why do you seem to know everything?

Why do you seem to be adept in everything?

This...

What kind of monster did the academy send them?!

Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 323: You're Expelled!

After Liu laoshi had settled the problems of the two students, Principal Xie no longer doubted his capability and passed the class token over.

Based on his teaching experience in Hongtian Academy, he knew that each of these tokens represented a student. Placing them in his storage ring, he started walking toward his classroom.

The school was vast, and he got lost several times. It was only after grabbing a passerby and verifying the directions several times that he finally reached his classroom.

Jiya!

Pushing the door open, he walked in.

The classroom was much wider than those in Hongtian Academy. It was around seven to eight hundred meters square big, and the ground was forged using smooth bluestone. On the two ends, there was a sculpted savage beast each, adding an aura of grandness to the classroom.

In the center of the room, there were slightly more than a dozen of students surrounding a beautiful lady. They were absorbed in a discussion, and as such, none of them seemed to sense his presence.

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

The sound of him pushing the open wasn't loud, but it wasn't soft enough for him to go unnoticed either. For all of them to be oblivious to his presence, they were truly lacking in alertness.

Walking forward, he was just about to address them when he heard the content of their conversation.

"Senior, did you really meet Master Teacher Zhang Xuan yesterday? And he said that he wanted to take you in as his student?"

"That is Master Teacher Zhang Xuan, the number one genius of Tianwu Kingdom! I really want to meet him too... Senior, if you were to become his student, you must bring me to meet him. I am his loyal fan!"

"Same here..."

The students surrounding that lady had faces flushed with excitement, as if they were fans talking about their idol.

"Met me? And I intended to take her in as my student?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned. He hurriedly took a closer look at that lady.

He was certain that he had never met that girl before, needless to say, accepting that lady as his student.

Besides, he spent the entire day at the Master Teacher Pavilion yesterday, and he came here for the public recruitment right after leaving the library. Thus, how could he have met a Tianwu Academy student?

After all, he was someone who didn't even know where the academy was at...

"Zhang shi is currently in the midst of conducting a mission for his 2-star master teacher examination, and by the time he's back, he will already be a 2-star master teacher. Even though it'll be difficult, I will plead with him to conduct a lecture for us..."

The lady in the middle grinned. However, halfway through her words, she suddenly noticed Zhang Xuan and she frowned, "Who are you? Why are you in our classroom?"

Huala!

The moment she said those words, the students surrounding her immediately turned around to stare at Zhang Xuan with a guarded expressions.

"I have come under the dispatchment of the academy to be your teacher for this term!" Facing their gazes, Zhang Xuan said.

"Our teacher?"

The students were taken aback.

As the recording in the Record Crystal was taken from quite a distance away, they weren't able to see Zhang Xuan's appearance clearly. However, after hearing that he had beaten a student up, they thought that he would be a bulky person. They didn't think that he would look so refined.

Liu Cheng, whom Zhang Xuan was impersonating, was a twenty-four-year-old young man with a slim build. Even though Zhang Xuan thought that the other party’s appearance was far from a match to his, at the very least, it was still pleasant to the eye.

"Paying respect to teacher!"

The lady in the center coughed, and only then did everyone recover from their daze. They hurriedly bowed and greeted Zhang Xuan.

"Un! My name is Liu Cheng, and you all can call me Liu laoshi. I will be guiding you all on your cultivation from now onward!"

After that, Zhang Xuan walked up to the lecture stand and sat down. Then, he turned to the lady in the center and asked, "You have met Master Teacher Zhang Xuan?"

"Reporting to Liu laoshi, it was just a stroke of good luck!"

Mu Xueqing hurriedly nodded her head.

"So you really met him? May I know how he looks like?" Zhang Xuan continued asking.

"This..."

Not expecting Liu laoshi to ask such a question, Mu Xueqing hesitated for a moment before answering, "He is slightly taller than Liu laoshi, and he has a muscular build. When I met him then, he was dressed in a green robe. His eyes are electrifying and his smile is charming. He gives a feeling of one who is unsullied by the world, as though a deity in the heavens..."

Even though she had heard numerous stories about Zhang shi, no one had ever described his appearance!

Even so, she had no choice but to answer Liu laoshi's question. If she didn't, it would definitely incur the other party's suspicion. Thus, she could only describe him based on her imagination.

A bizarre expression appeared on Zhang Xuan's face.

Zhang Xuan was at least aware of how high he stood. Since when did he possess such outstanding appearance?

"Based on my knowledge, if a 2-star master teacher intends to accept a student, countless people would definitely jump at that opportunity. Furthermore, Master Teacher Zhang Xuan is a genius among geniuses, so there must be many talented students interested in coming under his tutelage. So, why would he accept you as his student?"

He was already sure that the other party was lying, and based on the expressions of the crowd, he could roughly deduce what they were up to. Thus, Zhang Xuan continued questioning.

"I..."

Not expecting this aggressive teacher to ask such difficult questions, Mu Xueqing swayed from side to side. Suppressing the urge to spurt blood, she mustered her courage and continued on with the story, "I helped him on a minor affair yesterday, and upon realizing that my talent is still acceptable, Zhang shi decided to take me in. As for the details... I don't really know either!"

"I see... since Zhang shi is willing to take you in, as a normal teacher, I don't think that I'm qualified to vie with him over a student. You do have the right to choose your teacher as well. Here is your identity token, you should go to him!"

Flicking his wrist, Zhang Xuan took out a token and threw it over.

Zhang Xuan didn't know who the lady was, but her blood was infused into the token. By matching the aura of the two, Zhang Xuan was still able to find her token easily.

"What do you mean..."

Mu Xueqing subconsciously grabbed the token, but she was in a daze.

This wasn't how it should have gone.

It was impossible for one to only have a single teacher in his entire life. It should be an honor for a student to have a master teacher value his students.

Shouldn't Liu laoshi value her more after hearing that Zhang shi was interested in accepting her?

What did he mean by throwing the token over?

"I don't mean anything!" Zhang Xuan shrugged casually. Lifting his eyelid slightly, he said, "It just means that... you're expelled!"

"Expelled..."

Mu Xueqing's body shuddered, and she nearly spurted a mouthful of blood.

I am a genius! Regardless of where I go, I am someone who all teachers want under their tutelage. Yet, to expel me at first sight?

Are you sure you aren't joking?

"That's right. As a student, instead of studying, you choose to use your wits to fool your teacher... of what use are you to me? Don't worry, I'll report this matter to the academy and have them post an announcement to inform all students of the matter. You can feel free to go to Zhang shi!"

Zhang Xuan said calmly.

"I..."

Mu Xueqing's body trembled.

Due to her appearance and her talent, she was one of the most celebrated students in the academy. If the entire school were to know of her expulsion, how could she face others in the future?

She knew that this teacher was eccentric, but... this was way too much!

Based on her predictions, even if the other party didn't believe that she was acquainted with Zhang shi, he would at least be intimidated.

After all, what if, against all odds, she was really acquainted with Zhang shi? Even the principal would have to take her seriously if that was the case.

Yet, this fellow... he didn't even bother to weigh the consequences before expelling her from his class...

If scoring poorly in the Teacher Qualification Examination was the most shameful matter for a teacher, being expelled would be the equivalent for a student.

Even if her cultivation were to reach a high level, this blemish would continue to remain with her no matter where she goes.

"I am not fooling teacher..."

Gritting her teeth, Mu Xueqing hurriedly spoke up.

"You aren't fooling me?"

Zhang Xuan shook his head. Standing up, he placed his hands behind his back and walked slowly around the classroom. "Firstly, despite the sound I made coming in, you, as a Pixue realm cultivator, didn't notice me at all. Instead, you continued chatting with the others. Do you think that makes sense?"

"You chose to blatantly disregard the presence of a teacher, this is flouting Clause 17 of the student guidelines of Tianwu Academy—disrespecting one's teacher. In severe cases, one is even liable for expulsion!"

"Also, to intentionally say that you know Master Teacher Zhang Xuan before me... let's put aside the question of whether it is real or not. If it is real, it means that you are using Zhang shi's reputation to oppress me. Based on Clause 42 of the student guidelines, making use of your background to disrespect one's teacher or even threaten him is prohibited. In severe cases, one might even be expelled!"

"On the other hand, if it is false, that means that you are lying to your teacher. This is flouting Clause 45 of the student guidelines, spreading false rumors to mislead or deceive a teacher. This is also a clause going against whom calls for expulsion!"

"Regardless of which it is, if we were to operate strictly by the rules, you will be expelled. What else do you have to say for yourself?"

The student guidelines of Tianwu Academy were pasted all over the academy. On his way here, Zhang Xuan had passed by it numerous times, and he had long memorized them all.

This bunch of children wanted to climb over his head... since that was the case, he should first teach them that he wasn't one to be trifled with!

"I..."

Mu Xueqing's face became devoid of color. Staggering backward, she stared at Zhang Xuan as though he was a monster.

Didn't he just arrive at the academy?

Why is he so familiar with the student guidelines?

More importantly... I thought that he is a person who settles matters physically! Why are his verbal skills equally powerful?

"Pack up your things and leave! I welcome students with their own opinions and thoughts, but I don't welcome students who fan others to stand against me!"

Zhang Xuan gestured.

With just a single word, this lady was able to get the other students to greet him. It was clear that she wielded great prestige among the group.

If he didn't intimidate them on the first meeting, it would be impossible for Zhang Xuan to control them in the future.

Teaching wasn't confining one's students to follow strictly by one's instructions. However, if Zhang Xuan failed to establish his superior position on the first meeting, he wouldn't be able to control them once they rebelled. More importantly... the students wouldn't learn anything like that.

They would underestimate you, and naturally, they wouldn't learn properly from you as well.

"Teacher... Senior Mu is the most talented student in our class. Despite being only eighteen this year, she has already reached Pixue realm. She is our goal and direction, so we beseech teacher to rescind your order!"

Seeing that the new teacher was going to expel their leader as soon as he arrived, Meng Tao immediately stood forward.

"Most talented student? Goal and direction?"

"She started training when she was seven, and it has been eleven years since then. During that time, she consumed three Acupoint Soothing Pill and ten other pills, but even so, she only managed to open twelve acupoints, giving her a strength of 16 ding."

"Despite having learned the Floating Water Palm for three years, she has only reached Minor Accomplishment in it. Furthermore, she isn't adept in it yet, and in a battle, she is unable to bring out its full might!"

"On top of that, at least seven of her acupoints are completely sealed by her turbid zhenqi, making it difficult for her to advance in her cultivation. Even reaching Tongxuan realm will be a huge hurdle for her..."

At that point, Zhang Xuan turned to Meng Tao and spoke composedly, "This... can be called talented as well? You must be joking!"

"I..."

Mu Xueqing's face immediately turned as pale as a sheet of paper.

Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 322: Mu Xueqing's Countermeasure

Mu Xueqing was a talented student of Tianwu Academy.

Despite being only eighteen this year, she had already reached Pixue realm with over a dozen acupoints opened up.

Given her fame and the bright future laid before her, she should have been happy. Yet, she had been in low spirits recently.

This was because her teacher had left the academy.

Since the new teacher wasn't here yet, she was left to her own devices and was currently lazing around.

Stretching her back, a beautiful curvature which could easily send any man into frenzy appeared.

"Senior!"

At this moment, a youngster walked over.

"Meng Tao, what news have you uncovered? Is it reliable?"

Upon seeing the approaching person, Mu Xueqing immediately turned to face him with a serious expression etched on her face.

"I have looked into the matter, and... that Master Teacher Zhang Xuan is indeed an incredible figure! In fact, based on what I’ve just found out, he seems to be even more amazing than how you made him out to be! However, I heard that he is in the midst of his 2-star master teacher examination and has to leave the capital for a while."

The eyes of the youngster named Meng Tao gleamed in reverence.

"Tell me about it!" Mu Xueqing's blushed.

Last night, when the news of Genius Mo Hongyi’s records being broken reached her ears, the name of Master Teacher Zhang Xuan was also brought to her attention.

Despite being under twenty, he had achieved many outstanding feats, leaving others amazed and frenzied. In fact, he was even already in the midst of taking his 2-star master teacher examination... even though she heard it directly from an elder in her clan, she still found the matter hard to believe.

After confirming the matter several times, she decided that from then onwards, Zhang shi would be her number one idol!

Thus, when she arrived at the academy this morning, she immediately told her juniors of this matter, and the news left all of them gasping in amazement as well. The junior before her, Meng Tao, had refused to believe this matter, so she had him check for himself.

"I heard that when Zhang shi arrived at the capital, he went to the Painter Guild to take the painter examination. Over there, he was met with provocation by the Ji Clan's Ji Mo gongzi and eventually, he used a savage beast to create a fifth level painting, earning him the rank of a 3-star painter..." Meng Tao said.

Initially, he couldn't believe that someone could be more impressive than Mo Hongyi. After all, Mo Hongyi's reputation as the number one genius of Tianwu Kingdom was already deep-rooted in the capital.

However, after looking into the matter, he realized that not only was Zhang shi more capable than Mo Hongyi, the gap between them was huge as well. Even after verifying the news personally, he still found it hard to believe. He had to pinch himself to make sure that it wasn't just a dream.

"Using a savage beast to paint a fifth level painting?" Mu Xueqing clenched her fists tightly.

As a genius, she revered other geniuses as well.

Although the name of Zhang shi was only established the day before, the number of legendary feats he had achieved was overwhelming, leaving her with no other choice but to be awed.

"Say... now that our teacher has left, if the academy can get Zhang shi to be our replacement teacher, how wonderful will that be..."

Even though the news gathered by her junior was identical to what Mu Xueqing had heard last night, she couldn't help but feel another surge of admiration for the young master teacher.

"Bring him in? Senior, Zhang shi is a figure who is going to become a 2-star master teacher, how can the academy afford to hire him..."

Meng Tao was speechless.

There were only three 2-star master teachers in Tianwu Kingdom, and every time they held a lecture, all teachers, including the principal, would attend it. To invite the other party over as their teacher...

It was nothing more than a pipe dream.

"I know it as well, but I can't help but hold such expectations. I really wish that I can listen to his lecture once. Given how talented he is, his lessons must be deep and profound. Perhaps I might even achieve a breakthrough in my cultivation just by listening to one of his lessons!" Mu Xueqing said with a dreamy look.

"Right, isn't the academy recruiting teachers today? Are the results out yet?"

"There’s not much news circulating at the moment, but from what I gathered, there is only a handful of star teachers applying for the position. The rest of them are just some ordinary teachers. I doubt they will be able to teach us anything good..." Meng Tao shook his head. He didn't bear much expectations for the new teachers.

"That's true..."

Mu Xueqing nodded as well.

If they were good, they would have long been brought into Tianwu Academy. They wouldn't have the need to attend the public recruitment at such a timing.

"Bad news, bad news..."

Just when the two of them were discussing the matter of the new teacher, they heard an anxious voice. Then, a lady rushed in with a reddened face.

"Calm down, don't panic. What's wrong?" Mu Xueqing frowned. "Didn't I ask you to camp outside the Elder Hall to check out the accepted teachers? Why are you already back? Wait, could it be that the results are already out?"

"Yes!" Panting, the lady hurriedly nodded her head.

"So fast?" Mu Xueqing was taken aback.

According to the news, there were over a hundred teachers who attended the public recruitment today. By right, it should have taken a significant amount of time to sieve through them.

"I saw the principal pass the identity tokens of our class over to a young teacher..."

After taking a few deep breaths, the lady finally managed to catch her breath and she started recounting the situation.

"A young teacher?"

"Un. That teacher seems to be in his twenties. Since I was too far away, I didn't manage to hear anything. However, I saw..." even now, the lady still found it hard to believe what she saw to be true.

"You are murdering us with anxiety! What did you see?" Mu Xueqing glared at her and hurriedly urged her on.

"I saw... the teacher beating up a freshman to the point the other party was vomiting blood..." the lady said.

"He beat up a freshman to the point the other party was vomiting blood?"

Mu Xueqing and Meng Tao glanced at one another in horror.

A teacher beating up a student?

Such violence was unheard of in Tianwu Academy.

"It's true! I've seen it with my own eyes... this is what I’ve secretly recorded down previously, look!"

With a flick of her wrist, the lady produced a Record Crystal. Infusing zhenqi into it, two figures instantly appeared on it. Taking a closer look, a young man was beating up a student.

Peng!

The student spurted a mouthful of blood, and eventually, he kneeled before the young man.

As the scene was recorded from a distance, they were unable to hear the conversation taking place inside the Elder Hall. Even so, they could clearly see the tragic state of the pummeled student.

"You said that... the principal gave our identity tokens to this fellow?"

After seeing that sight, Mu Xueqing's face turned ashen.

What in the world was going on?

How could they hire such an aggressive person to be their teacher?

"Indeed, I witnessed it myself! Furthermore..." The lady uttered nervously before she pausing for a brief moment. "After grabbing the tokens, he immediately started walking toward our class. He should be arriving soon!"

"Arriving soon?"

Mu Xueqing clenched her fists tightly. "Doesn't the Teacher Guild prohibit teachers from getting physical with students? Why would the academy hire this kind of teacher?"

"This..." The lady shook her head. "I don't know either!"

"Senior, could it be that the academy knew that our class... is uncontrollable, so they intentionally found such a teacher to teach us a lesson and beat us into submission?" Meng Tao scratched his head.

"Beat us into submission? Hmph, let's see if he has the capability to do so!"

Mu Xueqing's face darkened.

"Meng Tao, get everyone to stop cultivating and gather here!"

"Alright!"

Meng Tao nodded and hurriedly left. Soon, slightly more than a dozen students gathered around Mu Xueqing.

"Senior!"

"Un! I believe that Meng Tao should have told you about what happened earlier. The academy has hired that vile fellow who gets physical with students on a whim to be our teacher. About this issue, what thoughts do you all have?"

After saying so, Mu Xueqing glanced at the crowd.

"If he were to become our teacher, our lives will become a living hell! I oppose to it!"

"However, what can we do about it? The academy has assigned him to us, and our identity tokens are already in his hands. Unless we head to the Administrative Office to request for a teacher switch, there's nothing we can do in this situation!"

"Since the academy has sent him to us, it definitely won't allow us to switch to the other classes. Since it came down to this, let's think of a way to chase him away so that we can get a better teacher here!"

"Even if we can't get a genius like Zhang shi, we have to at least have a star teacher. If we were to come under the tutelage of an aggressive fellow like him, our future will be ruined!"

...

The crowd harrumphed indignantly.

Meng Tao had already explained the situation, and he had shown them the recording in the Record Crystal as well. Every single one of them felt infuriated upon seeing the teacher laying his hands on a student, especially since it was to the point that the student was vomiting blood.

Given how brutal he was in treating his students, how could he be worthy of being a teacher?

They expected them to become the students of such a person?

Dream on!

"Alright, there's no use talking about it. Since the academy has passed our identity tokens to him, we are already his students. We have to find a way to chase him away!"

Mu Xueqing raised her hand to get the others to calm down.

"Why don't we intentionally go against him to trip him up!"

"Trip him up? How do you intend to do it?"

"For example... let's refuse to follow all of his instructions! As a teacher, realizing that he is powerless in the class, he would surely leave on his own accord soon."

"This might be useful against others, but that fellow is an aggressive person. If we were to really disobey his instructions and he were to get physical with us, who would be able to stand against him?"

"This..."

The group fell silent.

Regardless of what plans they had, the main problem was that this new teacher was an aggressive person. If he were to lay his hands on them, given the disparity in their strength, it would be impossible for them to stand up against him.

After all, even the strongest person among them, Mu Xueqing, was only at Pixue realm. Given their strength, it was impossible for them to stand against a Tongxuan realm cultivator.

"How about this? If he were to really lay his hands on us, let's record the scene down using a Record Crystal and find a way to send it to the Teacher Guild. I don't believe that the guild will ignore such a matter!"

"It is a good idea, but given how that teacher dared to beat up a student before the principal, elders, and so many teachers, he must have connections there. Or perhaps he might even be backed by the academy. If we were to screw this matter up, he might make things worse for us!" noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

"Indeed! If he were to know that we are plotting his downfall, won't he oppress us even further?"

...

The crowd proposed several more plans, but they were all vetoed.

Given how their new teacher was able to beat up a student before so many teachers, he must have had the backing of the principal. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to act so brazenly.

The idea of recording down the scene was not bad, but if it were to land in his hands before reaching the Teacher Guild, they would have a tough life ahead of them.

They had devise a plan properly so as to solve the problem once and for all. Otherwise, once they were to alarm him, their life would just get worse.

"What should we do? Senior, do you have any ideas?"

After racking their brains, they found that they were unable to think of a feasible plan. Eventually, everyone turned their sights to Mu Xueqing.

She was the de facto leader of the class, and everyone obeyed her words.

"I do have an idea!" Mu Xueqing's eyes suddenly lit up. Looking at the crowd, she said, "We are all students, and if we were to try to torment our teacher, once the Teacher Guild learns of it, we'll surely be punished. Or even worse, if the word of the matter were to spread, our reputation might fall to the gutters!"

The crowd nodded.

In this world, teachers were an esteemed existence and students were expected to obey their teacher's commands. If it was discovered that they tried to harm their own teacher, they would definitely suffer the condemnation of the public, and their families wouldn't let them off easily as well.

"Then what should we do?" Meng Tao asked anxiously.

"Since we can't do anything to our teacher, then... we should still be allowed to ask questions, right?"

A mischievous glint appeared in Mu Xueqing's eyes. "There are quite a few students in our class who like painting, tea ceremony, formations, equipment forging, pill forging... we can ask questions about these! If he is unable to answer those questions, let's see if he still has the cheek to remain here!"

"That's a good idea!"

"This way, not only will we not offend him, he will also be too embarrassed to remain here. Two birds with one stone!"

"That's a good plan..."

Hearing Mu Xueqing's idea, everyone's eyes lit up.

This was indeed a good plan.

Not only would they not offend the other party, they could also humiliate him at the same time.

"Wait... he is supposed to be a teacher guiding us on our cultivation. If we were to ask about these, he could just say that he isn't adept in those occupations. If so, our plan will be foiled!"

One of the female students spoke up.

Every teacher had their own expertise. Given Tianwu Academy's size, it was natural that they had teachers specializing in the various occupations as well. It was clear that they were up to something if they were to pose all of these questions to a single teacher.

Besides, as a teacher specializing in cultivation, it wasn't embarrassing for him to be unable to answer questions on other occupations!

After all, it wasn't possible for one to be adept in all occupations!

"I have already thought of that as well. We can just exert some pressure on him!" Mu Xueqing seemed to have already thought of a countermeasure, and a hint of a smile flashed across her beautiful eyes.

"Exert some pressure on him?"

"That's right! Later, when that teacher arrives, I will say that I have met with Master Teacher Zhang Xuan and he has expressed the intention to accept me as his student!" Mu Xueqing smiled.

"If that's the case, with Zhang shi as a backing, that teacher will surely be intimidated. He probably will be hesitant to go too far, and he will be too embarrassed to admit to knowing nothing at all as well... just that, if Zhang shi were to realize that we had made use of his name, won't we be in trouble?"

A student asked hesitantly.

"How is that possible? Zhang shi is an amazing genius, not to mention, he’s a 2-star master teacher as well. We probably won't even get a chance to meet him in our entire life! Who asked him to suddenly become so famous all of a sudden, so much that everyone in the streets is talking about him? Besides, it's just a name, he probably won't ever find out about it!"

Mu Xueqing flung her hair.

The world that Zhang shi lived in was vastly different from theirs, it was impossible for them to ever be associated with him. Since he had become a huge topic in the past two days, they could make use of his name to intimidate that aggressive teacher.

"Alright, let's do it this way then..."

After contemplating for a moment, the group felt that there wasn't too much of a problem with the plan and they nodded in agreement.

"Un, when that teacher arrives, make sure not to display your hostility. All of you must be respectful to him so as to not allow him to grab hold of any of your handles!"

Mu Xueqing instructed.

"Yes!" The group answered.

...

"Is this the class I will be taking?"

Just when the group was busy plotting against Zhang Xuan, Zhang Xuan himself was currently standing outside the classroom, looking around to verify that he had come to the right location.

Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 321: You Have Been Recruited

"Done!" Zhang Xuan clapped his hands with glee.

Seeing how casual the other party was, everyone suddenly felt dizzy and an urge to spew blood welled in them.

Wasn't he being too eccentric?

The Teacher Guild had explicitly stated that one was not to punish a student physically, yet you had to the cheek to beat the other party up so severely. If the Teacher Guild were to pursue the matter, no one would be able to shoulder the responsibility.

"Liu laoshi, you..." Mo Hongyi was speechless. He nearly fainted from anger, "Teachers aren't allowed to beat students up!"

Is this fellow for real! It is one thing for you not to know the rules of the master teacher examination, but you would have at least taken a class before, you would have at least taught some students before... As a 2-star master teacher examinee, how could you not know these fundamental rules?

A teacher was supposed to win over his students by virtue. If the Teacher Guild were to realize that one had punished a student physically, it is very likely that one's teaching license would be revoked.

"Beat students up? Who said that I had beaten a student?" Zhang Xuan glared at the male student. "Did I beat you up?"

"No! I am indebted to teacher. You did it to save me, you did not beat me up!" The male student quickly kowtowed as he explained through his now-incomplete set of teeth.

"..."

The crowd was thrown into a frenzy.

Brother, can you be any more arrogant?

Do you think that we are all blind?

All of us personally saw you beat the other party up. It is one thing for you not to admit it, but you even threatened the student! This is truly atrocious and deplorable!

They had seen ridiculous people, but they had never seen someone who left them so speechless.

"Hmph!"

Flinging his hands, Principal Xie's face steeled.

As the principal and a 1-star master teacher, a teacher had beaten up and threatened a student before him. He couldn't simply remain motionless to this matter.

"Liu laoshi, punishing a student physically is already a violation of the responsibilities of a teacher. I will report this matter to the Teacher Guild, so you should prepare yourself for the sanction from the guild! Also, our Tianwu Academy is unwilling to recruit a deplorable and irresponsible teacher like you, so please leave immediately!"

After which, he pointed to the doors.

"Sanction? Irresponsible?"

Zhang Xuan was taken aback. He turned to Principal Xie and asked, "Is this your judgment on the matter?"

"That's right!" Principal Xie harrumphed.

"Fine!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Given your eye of discernment, you still call yourself a 1-star master teacher? Honestly speaking, I would really like to ask... Are you blind?"

Pu!

"Did this fellow just insult Principal Xie?"

"The heck! He physically punished a student and insulted a 1-star master teacher. Is this fellow insane?"

...

...

The other teachers' eyeballs were about to pop out from their sockets.

This is the principal of Tianwu Academy, a Zongshi realm pinnacle expert. In terms of strength, he is ranked in the top ten of the academy. Not to mention, he is a 1-star master teacher as well. To say that he is blind...

The heck!

They had only thought that he was arrogant a moment ago, but now, they realized that he was insane!

Otherwise, how could a teacher who came for a public recruitment beat up a student in public and insult a 1-star master teacher?

Master teachers were not to be sullied. Just this crime was sufficient to have him killed!

The corners of Mo Hongyi's mouth twitched as well.

However, he knew that even though Zhang Xuan had an eccentric personality and a vile mouth, he had the capability to back it up. Based on his understanding of the latter, it was impossible for him to be insulting Principal Xie for no good reason.

Reexamining the male student's condition, he suddenly froze. "This..."

Meanwhile, Principal Xie was already spurting blood.

He was so furious that all of his hairs stood at its end and it felt as though he would erupt at any moment.

"Liu laoshi, do you know that you are insulting a master teacher!" Suppressing his rage, Principal Xie spat through gritted teeth.

If not for his identity, he would have charged up and taught this arrogant fellow a lesson.

"Insulting a master teacher? Me?" Zhang Xuan looked at him with a look of pity. "Someone is insulting the identity of a master teacher, but it isn't me. It is you!"

"You..." Infuriated, Principal Xie was just about to step forward to teach this conceited brat a lesson when the other party walked up to the male student with his hands behind his back and explained calmly.

"Blood Calamity Spider. It is a unique type of savage beast around the size of a human's thumb. It feeds on the blood of living beings and favors dark and cold habitats. It often moves around in the dark and most importantly, it carries a lethal poison on it."

Everyone thought that this fellow was going to say something important, but he talked about an unrelated savage beast instead. Everyone was baffled.

Principal Xie came to a halt and his eyebrows furrowed together. He wanted to see what this fellow had up his sleeves."

"If a cultivator were to fall prey under this spider's poison, he won't die immediately. However, the venom will numb his nerves and cause a change in his personality. He will become violent and an urge to battle with others would overwhelm him... This is because only battle could alleviate the boiling poison in his body and bring him peace!"

Zhang Xuan continued.

"There is actually such a savage beast?"

"Is there really such a peculiar poison in the world?"

Upon hearing the effects of the poison of the Blood Calamity Spider, a conjecture appeared in everyone's mind. However, they didn't dare to confirm it. Rather, their gaze remained fixated on the young man before them.

"That's right, this male student had fallen prey to this poison and it was already at an extremely severe stage! Thus, he couldn't help but fight with others to alleviate his raging emotions. Did you all realize that even though the movements of his battle techniques were sharp and lethal, there was a trace of redness in his eyes? No matter how many battles a cultivator undergoes, it isn’t possible for their fights to affect their mental state and change the color of their eyes."

Zhang Xuan surveyed the surroundings.

"Trace of redness... I noticed it too, but I thought that it was because of his agitation!"

"That's right, I saw it too. I thought that it was because of his unique battle technique... Could it really be because of a lethal poison?"

"How is that possible? If he was poisoned, why couldn’t any of us detect it?"

...

...

Recalling the sight they saw when the male student was displaying his battle technique, everyone froze.

There was something bizarre about that male student's gaze, but there were some battle techniques which could change one's gaze as well. Thus, they didn't consider such a possibility.

Besides, who would have known that there was a poison in the world which could affect a person's mental state and make them aggressive?

"I wasn't beating him up just now. I was using a unique method to force the poison out of his body. If you don't believe me, you can look at the blood on the floor!"

Zhang Xuan casually pointed.

Following his finger, the crowd saw the blood that flowed out from the apertures of the male student when Liu laoshi beat him up just a moment ago.

To their horror, the blood was thick and black in color. The blood had curdled on the spot and the stones in contact with it corroded, causing a dent to appear. It was an extremely eerie sight.

"There was really lethal poison..."

Principal Xie's face turned pale.

It was impossible for normal blood to curdle so quickly, even less so, corrode stone.

Such a situation would only occur if the blood was harnessing a lethal poison.

Which meant to say...

There was lethal poison within the male student! And Liu laoshi wasn't beating him up just now, he was... expelling his poison!

"Usually, one would die within three months of falling prey to the Blood Calamity Spider's poison. Judging from his current state, he should only be a month in, so he isn't in any danger. That's also the reason why he was still able to suppress the poison with his cultivation, making it impossible for anyone to notice it."

Zhang Xuan turned to Principal Xie and said, "Even so, despite being the top academy in Tianwu Kingdom, how could you all not know that one of your students had fallen prey to lethal poison! It is out of kindness that I saved him, yet you framed me of beating him up and even threatened to report this to the Teacher Guild... You're the principal of the academy as well as a 1-star master teacher. How could you fail to see through this much? May I ask... If you aren't blind, what else could it be?"

"I..."

Principal Xie's face paled.

The black poisoned blood was an extremely clear sign that the male student had been poisoned. However, overwhelmed by rage, Principal Xie actually overlooked the matter. He even bellowed at the other party for beating the male student up. Embarrassed, his face flushed. He wanted to explain but words evaded him.

"Liu laoshi, please calm down. Poison master is an uncommon occupation and very few people have knowledge of it. It's normal for one not to know of it!"

Sensing the awkwardness of the situation, Mo Hongyi interjected.

He was right. Most of the information regarding poison had been sealed by the Poison Hall so most people were uninformed about the matter.

Furthermore, teachers prided themselves on being righteous. As such, they rarely came into contact with something as vile as poison, so naturally, they would have very limited knowledge on them.

Knowing that it was impossible for Zhang Xuan to insult the other party for no good reason, he had reexamined the condition of the male student. When he saw the poison in the blood he spat, he was also thrown into a state of shock.

To be able to tell that the other party had been poisoned just through his battle technique, and even solve it... This meant that Zhang Xuan's mastery of poison had most probably reached the level of a grandmaster.

3-star painter, 2-star beast tamer, and pill forging skills exceeding that of a 4-star apothecary... How many hidden capabilities was this fellow hiding up his sleeves?

Initially, he had thought that even though the other party was superior in terms of pill forging and teaching, it would just be limited to those. However, after this incident, he realized that... the other party was skilled in many other occupations as well, just that he hadn't displayed it before him.

"Even if you didn't know that it was lethal poison, that student had already said that I am saving him. Yet, you still chose to doubt me. Is this the discerning ability that a 1-star master teacher should have?"

Oblivious to Mo Hongyi's attempt to alleviate the atmosphere, Zhang Xuan continued.

"..."

"..."

Upon hearing those words, everyone went speechless.

The male student did say that you were saving him, but you had just finished beating him up then, not to mention, your ferocious glare. No matter who saw this, they would have thought that you were threatening him. Intimidated, he would have no choice but to answer that way.

Who would have known that... he truly meant it.

"It's due to my lack of observation. I am truly unworthy of the title of 1-star master teacher..."

Under Zhang Xuan's intense interrogation, Principal Xie's face paled and he looked as though he had aged a decade.

He was supposed to be the one conducting the test for the public recruitment, but little did he know that he himself had failed to notice so many crucial details.

"Alright, there's no need to be depressed. Just continue learning earnestly and don't come to a conclusion recklessly before clarifying the situation!" Zhang Xuan shook his hands casually.

Everyone staggered.

This was the principal of Tianwu Academy! Yet, he was being lectured as though he was a student by a mere ordinary teacher...

Everyone was completely speechless, but at the same time, they were also astonished by this Liu shi's means..

Not only did he manage to locate the root of the problems of the two students, something that even Principal Xie overlooked, he was even able to treat the two of them easily. Be it his eye of discernment or his means, it was at an astounding level. If not for them witnessing this sight personally, they would have never believed it to be possible.

In an instant, they were all filled with amazement and respect for this young teacher.

Just when everyone's gazes were gathered on him, wanting to know how he managed to notice the lethal poison in the male student's body, Liu shi's majestic aura suddenly dissipated. Like an expectant student waiting for his examination results, he scratched his head awkwardly and asked, "This... So, will I be accepted into the academy?"

"Of course, of course, you're accepted into the academy!" Hearing Zhang Xuan's question, Principal Xie's vision suddenly turned dark, but he hurriedly nodded his head anyway.

If you’re not accepted into this academy even with such high-level capabilities, then I would really be unworthy to be the principal of the academy…

True Martial World - Chapter 957: Gui Huazi

Sou!

Streams of light quickly vanished outside the cruiser's window, revealing a nebulous mist.

"This is the final spatial transference. The Oracle Fey Kingdom is in that nebulous region." Elder Duanmu said as he looked out of the window.

Yi Yun nodded. He knew that the Oracle Fey Kingdom was located in an ancient self-standing space. And that space was in this region.

They had rushed from the Primordial Empyrean Heaven, spending a great deal of time travelling.

Before they left the Primordial Empyrean Heaven, they were informed about the event being held at the Oracle Fey Kingdom.

Luo Huo'er did not wish to compete for a spot as an in-name disciple of a Divine Lord, but there were a few warriors from the Luo clan that headed to the Oracle Fey Kingdom.

"We managed to get here in time… " Elder Shi said. He was a reticent person and he did not speak much on the journey from the Primordial Empyrean Heaven.

Now, as he looked at the nebulous region outside, he reflected and said, "The last time I came to the Oracle Fey Kingdom was a few hundred thousand years ago. I wonder if there will be a chance for me to step foot on this land the next time… "

A chance?

Yi Yun was somewhat confused. Elder Duanmu said, "After he returns to the Primordial Empyrean Heaven this time, Elder Shi will be in reclusion to break through to become a Supremacy. Accompanying you out here is a way to tie things up. He is trying to adjust his mind."

Yi Yun understood everything from hearing this. Elder Shi was entering reclusion till his death.

Elder Shi had been in reclusion in the Primordial Empyrean Heaven for hundreds of thousands of years in preparation for his breakthrough. Unfortunately, Elder Shi had failed to succeed.

"Senior Shi... is planning on entering reclusion to his death?"

Yi Yun was somewhat puzzled. He was about to break through to the Dao Manifestation realm soon, and after the Dao Manifestation realm, it was the Dao Palace realm. Above the Dao Palace realm was the realm of Supremacies.

Elder Duanmu and Elder Shi were both in the Dao Palace realm.

It sounded like they were only two realms away from Yi Yun, but the Dao Palace realm itself was highly disparate. Warriors at the same Dao Palace realm could not be compared with each other at all.

Warriors at the Dao Palace realm were not demarcated with a beginning, middle or late stage. Instead, they would establish a Dao palace in their bodies, with floors as their goals. The highest floor that a Dao palace could reach was nine floors.

If one had a nine-floor Dao palace, it was almost certain that they would become a Supremacy.

Warriors with eight-floor Dao palaces had lifespans that reached eight million years. According to such a lifespan, Elder Shi was not considered to be too old. Yi Yun felt that Elder Shi did not need to be in such a hurry to enter reclusion to his death.

At that moment, Elder Duanmu said, "Everyone's limit is different. Some people might only be able to construct a single-floor Dao palace, but there are others who can construct a nine-floor Dao palace. I have yet to reach my peak, but Elder Shi has already reached it. He has stopped at an eight-floor Dao palace and he has not improved for hundreds of thousands of years. If it goes on, his strength will not only fail to improve, it would slowly go into a downtrend as a result of his age. And to break through to the realm of Supremacies, everything has to reach the peak and proceed with the available momentum. It is extremely difficult to break through to the realm of Supremacies with an eight-floor Dao palace. It is a struggle with one's life. Upon failure, one would be reduced to dust. Therefore, there are some Dao Palace-realm warriors who know that by doing so means abandoning the path to go further, they would not dare to make the breakthrough." Elder Duanmu explained.

On one side was a lifespan with eight to nine million years, while the other side was death upon failure.

If a man in the morning hears the right way, he may die in the evening without regret. It was too difficult to become a Supremacy. Yi Yun reflected upon this.

At the same time, Yi Yun looked at Elder Shi and he felt like sighing. This elder, who looked high and mighty to the younger generation of Luo clan disciples, was facing the hard choice of life and death.

On the path in pursuit of the peak of martial arts, he was equally tiny.

And this time, Supremacy Gulan was accompanying them as well. Although he had become a Supremacy, there was a large rift that separated him from a Divine Lord.

The entire Luo clan had not produced a Divine Lord in hundreds of millions of years. It was obvious how hard it was to become a Divine Lord.

As Yi Yun thought about this, a sense of grave danger suddenly enveloped him. It was like a dark shadow had been cast on his mind. Sweat inexplicably oozed out of Yi Yun's back.

What happened!?

Yi Yun spread his perception out and he noticed that silently in the nebulous mist around his surroundings, a black hand had stretched out, grabbing at the spirit cruiser.

This large hand shuttled through the stars and it was even able to mask the luster of the starlight on the spirit cruiser.

Such terrifying power could instantly crush the spirit cruiser into pieces with a grab!

Yi Yun, who was inside the spirit cruiser, had already seen the large hand. The large hand gave him an overwhelming feeling that he could not resist.

Who!?

A black hand had sealed the space around them, isolating them from the world around them. The isolated space seemed to be shattering. This grab would not only shatter the spirit cruiser, it would even cause the space to explode as well!

Not only Yi Yun himself, even Elder Duanmu and Elder Shi, who were beside Yi Yun, had a drastic change in expression. Even they could not withstand this strike!

At that moment, Yi Yun felt a strong sense of fatal danger!

At this point, the bow of the spirit cruiser was covered in a brilliance of light. Simultaneously, a figure flew out of the bow. He was dressed in azure-colored clothes and he held a broadsword. He slashed down at the large hand!

Bam!

The hand quaked as it disintegrated partially in the void. But very soon, it returned to its normal state. Its fingers moved lightly, drawing out a symbol of a phantasm, sealing the space firmly!

"Gui Huazi!"

The azure-clothed figure stood with the sword in his hand as his body exuded a terrifying aura. His brow wrinkled.

From the nebula came a sinister-sounding voice. "Gulan, it's been a while."

The sword-wielding figure was naturally Supremacy Gulan. To traverse the Primordial Empyrean Heaven, a Supremacy was needed to power the spirit cruiser. And since Yi Yun was coming to the Oracle Fey Kingdom, Supremacy Gulan had accompanied Yi Yun. After all, there was a fear of accidents for such a long journey. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

And now, an accident had really happened. Gui Huazi was a Supremacy from the Fey Phantasm Sect!

Supremacy Gulan said with a cold voice, "Gui Huazi, as a Supremacy, you actually want to assassinate a junior? Are you only worth that much?"

Gui Huazi did not respond to Supremacy Gulan's ridicule. The nebulous gasses stirred as the large black hand vanished. A gray and thin figure slowly emerged. He had six arms that hung softly from his body. His body was bent and he looked extremely weird.

His pupils were green as his eyes penetrated the spirit cruiser and his gaze landed directly on Yi Yun.

Yi Yun immediately felt like he had fallen into an ice cavern. The gaze was like a dark hole that would devour him.

"Not bad. Much better than those disciples from the Cloud Trail Empire. Eh, his mind is pretty strong as well? Very good. His soul shall be devoured by me. It would definitely be a delicious tonic!"

When Yi Yun heard Gui Huazi's voice, it was echoing in his mind like a demon's whisper.

He was someone from the Fey Phantasm Sect, here to assassinate him!

Previously, they had killed all the Cloud Trail Empire geniuses who were undertaking the trials. Now, he was being targeted!

A Supremacy of a faction would consider their reputation, and they would not attack juniors. However, Supremacies of the Fey Phantasm Sect would not consider this at all!

Gui Huazi may not be able to kill Supremacy Gulan, but if he wanted to kill Yi Yun, it would be much simpler. After all, it was much easier to kill than to protect!

True Martial World - Chapter 956: The Competition for Disciplehood

In the vast cosmos, a spirit cruiser was mid flight.

The spirit cruiser had reached a nebulous zone before it was devoured by the sudden appearance of a black entrance.

The ancient self-standing space inside the black entrance was where the core of the Oracle Fey Kingdom in the Ten Thousand Fey Empyrean Heaven was. Legends said that at the formation of the Ten Thousand Fey Empyrean Heaven, an Ancient Fey had died, leaving behind the world that was in its body. After a long period of time, the world had transformed into a space.

In the ancient space, there was a large floating island, with several small islands surrounding it. These islands were where people of high status lived in the Oracle Fey Kingdom. There were restrictive rings around the area, preventing people from approaching them.

And on the large floating island, there was the vast and bustling Fey empire. In the middle of the Fey empire stood more than ten large towers, with surging martial intent exuding from them.

Chi Zhuiyun lived in one of the towers. Ever since he had lost to Yi Yun in the Luo clan, he had entered reclusion inside the tower.

People would come to visit him, either to comfort him or to gloat, but Chi Zhuiyun did not meet them.

Yu Tianfeng came to the tower's entrance and he transmitted his voice to the tightly-closed door, "Do you still plan on attaining a higher level of martial arts, or do you plan on always losing to Yi Yun?"

Just as Yu Tianfeng said this, the door opened.

Chi Zhuiyun stood at the door and while looking at Yu Tianfeng, he said, "Yi Yun is no longer my goal. My goal is my own martial path."

He had thought through it. There were heavens beyond heavens, and people beyond people. Even if he did not lose to Yi Yun, he would have lost to someone else.

Yu Tianfeng was surprised before he shook his head. "I came to tell you that all hope isn't lost for you to become Felicitous Rain Lord's disciple."

Chi Zhuiyun's expression changed.

He no longer treated Yi Yun as his opponent, but he obviously still wanted to become a Divine Lord's disciple. That was his greatest regret.

"Felicitous Rain Lord is about to leave the Oracle Fey Kingdom. He has failed to recruit a personal disciple, but he has agreed to the Oracle Imperial Patriarch to expand his recruitment by taking in a few in-name disciples," said Yu Tianfeng.

In-name disciples?

Chi Zhuiyun's eyebrows pricked up. A Divine Lord might only have a few personal disciples, but in-name disciples could number in the hundreds or thousands. Divine Lords that lived especially long might even have in-name disciples who die of age, resulting in them having tens of thousands of in-name disciples in total.

A person like Felicitous Rain Lord had only become a Divine Lord for tens of thousands of years, but the number of in-name disciples that he had was already in the dozens.

"Don't underestimate in-name disciples. A Divine Lord's in-name disciple is comparable to the top geniuses of a large faction. Furthermore, by working for a Divine Lord, their status would not be low. Most importantly, there is a chance of becoming a personal disciple by becoming an in-name disciple!" Yu Tianfeng said as he could tell what was on Chi Zhuiyun's mind.

A Divine Lord's personal disciple could sometimes be chosen from his in-name disciples.

"In the disciple recruitment this time, in-name disciples of Felicitous Rain Lord will be coming, so they can compete for a spot as a personal disciple," said Yu Tianfeng.

Felicitous Rain Lord's choosing of personal disciples was done through a selection throughout the Ten Thousand Fey Empyrean Heaven. Therefore, his in-name disciples were naturally eligible to compete for it.

"A chance to become a personal disciple!"

Chi Zhuiyun's eyes lit up.

"It's not possible for the Imperial Patriarch to block the spread of the news, and now, there should be geniuses from various large factions coming here. However, with your strength, in addition to you having gained Felicitous Rain Lord's approval, it should not be a problem for you to become an in-name disciple."

Yu Tianfeng still had a grudge with Yi Yun. Chi Zhuiyun had gained Felicitous Rain Lord's approval, and if not for Yi Yun's putting his foot out, causing Chi Zhuiyun to miss the chance of becoming a personal disciple, Chi Zhuiyun would not have to compete to become an in-name disciple.

Now, with the one year finishing, the surprisingly difficult requirement was not something that Yi Yun could accomplish, even if he had three heads and six arms. It was not so simple to become a personal disciple of a Divine Lord.

...

The news of Felicitous Rain Lord's recruiting in-name disciples quickly proliferated throughout the alliance!

In the coming days, there were spirit cruisers that constantly arrived at the ancient self-standing space.

The capital of the Oracle Fey Kingdom was immediately where many geniuses gathered.

There were geniuses from large factions who were gathered in the restaurants and tea shops every day. Yi Yun's name would be mentioned from time to time.

"Perhaps, Yi Yun from the Luo clan might come as well." A warrior said.

"To compete for a spot as an in-name disciple? That's very possible!" Another warrior said. They had heard that Fairy Ningshuang had listed the requirements on Felicitous Rain Lord's behalf. The requirements were prohibitively difficult. Even a genius like Yi Yun could not meet the requirements.

"He has no chance of becoming a personal disciple, but the chance of becoming an in-name disciple obviously cannot be missed. If he comes, wouldn't our chances of becoming in-name disciples become slimmer?" Another warrior shook his head with a wry smile.

After coming, they realized that the spots as in-name disciples of a Divine Lord were also extremely sought after. Top geniuses had come, and even Chi Zhuiyun was participating in it.

However, they did not leave either. Since they had already come, they might as well take the opportunity to watch the recruitment. It was possible for them to gain insights from the performance of top geniuses.

"The requirements that Fairy Ningshuang mentioned to become a personal disciple are impossible to complete."

"That's right. Even Yi Yun could, it's really too demanding."

While these warriors were conversing, they suddenly heard a cold snort. "A few frogs in a well. How can Martial Aunt Ningshuang be maligned by people like you?"

This voice made the geniuses who were drinking wine frown. They were geniuses from various countries as well. So how could they be ridiculed? They immediately took an angry glance.

The snort came from one of two black-robed warriors who wore jade bands on their heads. One of them had long hair, with two white horns on his head. He was sneering as he looked at the warriors.

The warriors looked at them with frowns on their faces. It was unknown what faction those two people came from. The clothing that they wore was something the warriors failed to recognize. They could only see the profound patterns on the jade bands.

"Only shallow people will think that others can't accomplish what they can't do." The warrior with the horns on his head said with a tone of arrogance.

"Such impressive blowing of one's own trumpet, aren't you afraid that the wind will get too strong and cut your tongue? Try accomplishing it for me to see!" Anger flashed on warrior's face as he retorted. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

"My Senior Brothers, Song Wuchen and Tian Xun, would be able to accomplish it." The warrior said lightly.

Song Wuchen? Tian Xun?

The warriors present looked at each other. They had never heard any of those names before.

"Junior Brother Zhang, why do you bother to talk to them?" said the warrior beside the horned warrior. "At the recruitment meeting, they will naturally know that Senior Brother Song Wuchen would definitely be able to be promoted to a personal disciple! These people actually believe that Martial Aunt's requirements were given to Yi Yun, but Yi Yun is just the number one genius of a tiny country, so how can he be worthy to be given the requirement by her? Martial Aunt Ningshuang's requirements were originally given to Senior Brothers Song Wuchen and Tian Xun."

The two warriors continued to speak, completely ignoring the dirty looks from the other people in the restaurant.

"Let's go. It's just a bunch of people dreaming to ascend to the heavens in a single step. In my point of view, Yi Yun and Chi Zhuiyun can only barely become in-name disciple. They can forget about becoming a personal disciple!"

The youth who spoke left behind a relic and left.

"Promoted to a personal disciple? They called Fairy Ningshuang Martial Aunt? Could... they be Felicitous Rain Lord's in-name disciples!?" A warrior suddenly said in shock.

After Felicitous Rain Lord came to the Oracle Fey Kingdom, he lived on one of the independent floating islands. There were heavy restrictions placed around it. But now, the recruitment meet was chosen to be held at the Oracle Fey Kingdom's capital to prevent the gathered geniuses from disturbing Felicitous Rain Lord. The disciples that lived on the independent islands with Felicitous Rain Lord naturally came to the royal capital as well.

With that said, the two people were most likely Felicitous Rain Lord's in-name disciples. The Song Wuchen they mentioned was likely one of Felicitous Rain Lord's in-name disciples as well.

These warriors quickly looked in the direction that the two had left in, but the two had taken two steps into the crowd before vanishing, with no traces of them being left behind.

True Martial World - Chapter 955: Before one's heart reduced to mediocrity, Great Dao lies within one's heart!

In the nebulous Primordial Empyrean Heaven, the Luo clan's special spirit cruiser underwent a series of spatial traversals. With space suddenly fluctuating, it appeared above the Luo Divine Hall.

When the doors opened, Yi Yun walked out of the spirit cruiser. The last time he had done this, he had imitated the Shadow Twins's footwork, allowing him to find his footing in the space with chaotic laws. But this time, he simply stepped forward, and every step he made would produce a ripple.

A bearded old man with a stoic face had already been waiting for him.

"Elder Duanmu." Yi Yun said with a bow.

"I have already been informed." Elder Duanmu sized Yi Yun up for a moment before saying, "You have improved once again since the trials. Not bad."

Elder Duanmu knew that Yi Yun's talent was outstanding, but he never expected that Yi Yun would be able to attain such achievements. Yi Yun was really a person who constantly created pleasant surprises.

It was indeed difficult to become Felicitous Rain Lord's personal disciple, and even the present Yi Yun had minute hopes of being one.

"The Primordial Space has already been prepared for you. You have a year's time. Let's go." Elder Duanmu led the way by flying towards the Luo Divine Hall.

When no one came to participate in the trials, the Luo Divine Hall would be like an ancient monument lying dormant in a forgotten world, it exuded an ancient and bleak aura.

The Elders of the Luo Divine Hall were in reclusion for tens of thousands of years. In order to pursue even great heights in martial arts, they had to endure a lot.

Yi Yun reflected over it as he arrived at the Primordial Space with Elder Duanmu.

"Go ahead and start your reclusion."

"Does he want to condense his Dao Domain in a year's time?" It was unknown when Elder Shi appeared beside Elder Duanmu, as he asked while looking at the gigantic doors that sealed Yi Yun within the Primordial Space.

"That's right. Senior Brother, what do you think of it?"

"That child is very ambitious. If he wants to condense an ordinary Dao Domain, it obviously wouldn't be difficult, but how can the Dao Domain that he wants to condense be anything ordinary? A year's time is too short. Furthermore, he now has a year's time breathing down on his neck, so the tension makes it even harder."

"I have seen too many geniuses throughout my life. They set high ambitions for themselves, but they end up failing to achieve them. They only want to gain insights into the Great Dao, and show disdain to the lesser Dao, but... during their meditations, they end up being led astray! To a warrior that gains insight into the worldly Dao, it is very common to deviate in the meditation process. Some people might even realize that their insights were wrong after many years, and that price paid for that would be terrible!"

Gaining insights into the laws and going astray wasn't that terrifying. The most terrifying thing was not knowing that one had gone astray! That would be dangerous!

For a young genius like Yi Yun, there was no time for delays!

"Senior Brother, do you mean that Yi Yun might go astray?"

"There is a possibility... I'm just afraid of it happening." Elder Shi shook his head. "With his talent, it is very out of the ordinary for him to not have gained insights into his Dao Domain after so much time. Even a pure Yang Dao Domain should have been condensed by now."

Geniuses were prideful people. A top genius like Yi Yun would only have higher ambitions, but at times, that was not necessarily the best thing. What Dao Domain did he want to condense? A Pure Yang Dao Domain? A Dao Domain of the Sword?

Mastering one Dao Domain would also result in enormous combat strength. For example, Chi Zhuiyun's Shura Dao Domain was the condensation of his killing intent and will.

"It's pointless for us to fret here. Let's wait and see what happens in a year’s time." Elder Duanmu said.

A year's time was like a snap of the fingers to them.

In the Primordial Space, Yi Yun arrived in front of the Purple Crystal Fey God Stone once again.

This time, there was an even more obvious resonance between him and the Purple Crystal Fey God Stone. It had a feeling like their lifeblood was connected.

Yi Yun faced the Purple Crystal Fey God Stone and he reached out his hand to touch it.

Boom!

Like he had instantly opened a door, Yi Yun's eyes glazed over as he arrived in a mental world.

This time, the man or the red lotus woman were not seen in the mental world.

There were only countless nomological fragments constantly shuttling through it.

In the space, there were only nomological fragments, and the rest was all Chaos.

Yi Yun reached his hand out and gestured with it, causing a small nomological fragment to fly towards him. Following that, more nomological fragments flew towards Yi Yun like a flurry of snow.

The first Dao pattern was completed, and immediately, the space had its first law.

As he continued to construct them, the nomological fragments were constantly being condensed into Dao patterns.

Yi Yun was immersed in his actions, while his mental energy was constantly being drained.

Soon, the entire 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence was condensed by Yi Yun.

The long-haired man in the Purple Crystal had formed a world with his spear, before shattering the world. Following that, he had merged the entire world's laws into the 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence.

This was the Dao of Destruction, and it was even more powerful than Minor Destruction.

In the trial before, Yi Yun had attempted to copy the long-haired man's methods and he had used the 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence to help condense his own Dao Domain, but he had failed.

In the process of condensing his Dao Domain, Yi Yun felt something unharmonious. This snag was something that he never managed to resolve.

And in the battle with Chi Zhuiyun, Yi Yun had gained new insights as to where the feeling came from.

Looking at the 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence, Yi Yun quietly stared at it. Suddenly, his eyes flashed with a beam of light.

He pulled out his broken sword and slashed at the 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence!

"Ka-cha!"

The 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence had shattered, and it was reduced to countless nomological fragments!

This was not the Dao that he was pursuing!

The 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence was the long-haired man's life-long martial technique, and there was no doubt with its profoundness!

However, that was the long-haired man's Dao. Although Yi Yun had learned the 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence, he had learned it through mimicking it. It was not his own understanding.

By copying the 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence exactly, he had learned a martial technique. But regardless of how profound it was, it was only that and nothing more.

Once he was restricted by this, how could he form his own Dao?

Yi Yun brandished the broken sword and he shattered the flying Dao patterns. He tore them apart and reconstituted them from destruction!

The 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence had been completely shattered into tiny nomological fragments!

Ka-cha!

In Yi Yun's mind, it was like there was a membrane that obstructed him, but it was shattered by the pure Yang broken sword.

There was still a year's time for him to go over the eighteen years of insights!

A light flashed in Yi Yun's eyes as he faced the countless random nomological fragments that appeared once again. Yi Yun thrust his sword out.

The sword had destroyed, and what he wanted to condense was Destruction.

This was Yi Yun's Sword of the Will, which represented Yi Yun's martial heart and his obsession!

He wanted to pursue the pinnacle of martial arts and go even further!

Before one's heart reduced to mediocrity, Great Dao lies within one's heart!

Coming from the Cloud Wilderness and traversing through space, he had arrived in the wider 12 Empyrean Heavens.

From an ordinary mortal to a Heaven Ascension realm warrior, I can go even further.

Lin Xintong, I will find you.

Azure Yang Lord, I will avenge you.

Sword beam after sword beam, they appeared like snowflakes, lighting up the entire space!

Nomological fragments began to condense amidst the sword beams, condensing in a completely different way from the 10000 Demon Wheel of Existence.

Yi Yun did not even think about how he was going to condense them. He slashed out freely as his heart willed, a heart of the sword.

In the sword beams, Yi Yun emptied his body and soul, as he felt free.

He felt like he was in a vast world, enjoying the process while engaging in swordplay!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The swishing of the sword produced sounds that resembled war gongs or thunder.

He had brandished his sword countless times, not knowing how much time had passed.

He was repeatedly drained of all his energy, but every time that happened, the Purple Crystal would palpitate along with his heart, absorbing the energy in the world, nourishing Yi Yun's limbs and body along with his blood vessels.

The sounds intensified as they increased in both amplitude and frequency!

Yi Yun's body was drenched with sweat as he was on the verge of his limit.

Boom!

All of the sounds suddenly stopped.

Yi Yun's sword came to a stop as he looked straight. At the tip of his sword, there was an esoteric circular pattern that was gradually revolving.

Sou!

With the sword tip stabbing at it, the circular pattern exploded. Beneath Yi Yun's feet, countless Dao patterns appeared as golden light circulated around him!

Within the golden flames, Yi Yun felt like he was undergoing rebirth from the flames. A long screech came from behind him as the Golden Crow totem appeared, spreading its enormous golden wings apart!

In the flames, Yi Yun's eyes seemed to have an additional hint of gold in them.

The entire mental world apparently could not withstand his aura as it began to tremble.

With a cracking sound, space was shattered as Yi Yun was sucked into the turbulence of time and space as he flowed along with it…

...

Time passed as cultivation knew nothing of time. In the Primordial Space, Elder Duanmu and Elder Shi had once again appeared in front of the hall's door.

A year's time was extremely short in the quiet and dead world. It was like a snap of the fingers.