Chapter 96: I Will Give It a Try
Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Frappe
"It's Dragon Scale Grass. We have made a mistake!"
After a long moment, Ouyang Cheng said with a bitter smile on his face.
As a famous apothecary in Tianxuan Kingdom, he had been the one to teach others all along. He didn't expect to be the one taught today!
"Since it is Dragon Scale Grass, you are the only one who passed the second round, Medicinal Herb Discernment Time Trial. As long as your cultivation realm is Zhenqi realm pinnacle and above, you are officially an apprentice apothecary!"
Upon hearing these words, Sun Tao was on the verge of bursting into tears.
He was probably one of the most tragic candidates ever. His qualification as an apprentice apothecary was canceled in less than ten minutes after its announcement, and it was passed on to someone else...
[Does reality have to be so damned? Does reality have to slap on my face so forcefully?]
However, even though he still felt discontented with the final verdict, having witnessed Zhang Xuan's fearsome memorization ability, he could only swallow his tears back in.
To take the examination with this kind of freak, he had to concede to him even if he didn't want to!
"Later, when the examination ends, I will look for a secluded location and find an opportunity to beat him up. After all, I am nearing thirty, ten years older than the other party. My cultivation realm should be higher than his. Fighter 4-dan Pigu realm pinnacle, it should be more than enough to teach him a lesson!"
As such a vile thought appeared in his mind, he immediately heard the voice of the other party.
"My current cultivation realm is Fighter 5-dan Dingli realm pinnacle!" After which, Zhang Xuan revealed his level of cultivation.
Guang dang!
Sun Tao fell to the floor.
[Do you need to be so terrifying? Not only is your memory so frightening, your fighting prowess just has to be the same as well. To think that I wanted to teach you a lesson, it is lucky that you revealed your cultivation realm now. Otherwise, I would surely be reduced to the state of a snake melon…]
"Alright, alright! Congratulations on joining the ranks of apprentice apothecaries!"
Seeing that his cultivation realm fitted the regulations as well, Ouyang Cheng went straight to the point and drew out an emblem from his embrace. "This is the emblem of an apprentice apothecary. With this, you can enter the guild's basic tier book collection vault freely. You will also enjoy special privileges and priority when purchasing pills from the guild!"
The Apothecary Guild usually sold pills to the outsiders at an exorbitant price. On the other hand, those among their ranks would receive a huge discount when purchasing pills.
Even though he was just an apprentice apothecary, he could be considered as a member of the guild.
"Yes!"
Zhang Xuan grabbed the emblem from Ouyang Cheng's hands joyfully.
The reason why he exerted so much effort to gain the identity of an apprentice was so that he could enter the book collection vault. Finally, he had achieved his aim.
"Also, upon becoming an apprentice, you can choose to follow an apothecary so as to better come into contact with pills and study them. Given your talent, I believe that you will be able to become a true Apothecary in a few years time!"
Ouyang Cheng stared expectantly at Zhang Xuan as he said these words.
It was very clear that he hoped to admit Zhang Xuan as his apprentice.
This young man had astounding memorization ability, not to mention his incredible talents. As long as he was guided carefully, he should be able to achieve high heights soon. Having such an apprentice would help boost his fame.
Du Man, who was standing by the side, had the same intentions as well and he stared at him with glowing eyes.
Looking at the gazes of the two, Zhang Xuan shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry, but I do not have any intention of becoming the apprentice of any apothecary for the time being!"
No matter what, he was a teacher of Hongtian Academy, as well as a transcender. How could he become an errand runner and apprentice of someone else?
It would be a joke if he were to!
After becoming an apprentice, one had the choice to choose whether he wanted to come under an apothecary or not.
"Looks like I was too anxious. You have just become an apprentice, so there's no need to think too much into it. You can make a choice after contemplating over the matter properly!"
Upon Zhang Xuan's rejection, Ouyang Cheng realized that he was a little too hasty and he flashed an embarrassed smile.
"Indeed, you should consider it carefully. It is easier to learn under an apothecary, and you would be able to become a true apothecary faster through so!" Du Man nodded his head in agreement.
"Un!"
Knowing the intentions of the other party, Zhang Xuan nodded his head in response. Suddenly, he recalled something and asked, "Is there any pills in our Apothecary Guild that can awaken special constitutions?"
He had asked a receptionist previously and she didn't seem to know. However, these two over here were true apothecaries of the guild, people of respectable standing. They should at least know a little more than her.
"Pills that awaken unique constitutions?"
Ouyang Cheng and Du Man stared at one another for a moment before the former replied, "There is, but different constitutions require different pills to awaken. If one were to erroneously consume a wrong pill, not only will be constitution not be awakened, it might even result be severe side effects!"
Having browsed through related books, Zhang Xuan understood this fact and continued, "Then... Are there any books relating to unique constitutions and the pills required to awaken them? Can you allow me to take a look at them?"
Yuan Tao possessed the Emperor Bloodline, and before his unique constitution awakened, it was safer for him for fewer people to know of it.
These two apothecaries seemed kind on the surface, but a human's heart was unfathomable. It was hard to say whether revealing the fact to them would bring about a series of trouble.
Thus, it was best for fewer people to know of his Emperor Bloodline. Therefore, he phrased it as a unique constitution and did not reveal any other details about the matter. At most, they would only surmise that he was the one consuming the pill.
"There are quite a books on them, but they are all in the advanced tier book collection vault. According to the rules, only certified apothecaries are allowed to enter and look through them. Not even I have the qualifications to loan them to you!"
Ouyang Cheng shook his head.
"What he said is true. Pills and unique constitutions are something that only qualified apothecaries will research. As such, it is placed in the advanced tier book collection vault. If you really want to take a look at it, you should choose to become the apprentice of one of us. With your talent, you should be able to attempt the examination for a 1-star apothecary within a year's time. Once you succeed, is there still anything that isn't for your browsing?"
Apothecary Du Man made use of this opportunity to help him analyze the situation. "Furthermore, a true apothecary is granted with generous privileges in all Apothecary Guild. Regardless of whether it is the purchasing of pills or scavenging for herbs, your needs will be prioritized over outsiders... You should consider it carefully. It will be slower if you try to fumble your way through to become an apothecary. Even with your superior talent, it is hard for you to succeed even in a few years time!"
"They cannot be loaned?"
Bitterness cloaked Zhang Xuan's face.
Didn't this mean that his hard work has been in vain?
He had wasted quite a bit of time and effort to pass the examination to become an apprentice apothecary.
If Sun Tao, Wen Xue, Uncle Li and the rest were to know his thoughts, blood would definitely spurt forth from their mouth.
[We spend a minimum of six to seven years memorizing the content in those books, and we haven't even passed the examinations yet. All in all, you have only spent four hours... Do you know that four hours ago, you don't even know what an apprentice apothecary is...
You call this hard work?
You dare to call this hard work? Then what is ours called?]
"Indeed. If you wish to look at the books of the advanced tier book collection vault, you have to become an apothecary. This is a rule by the headquarters. If you truly wish to find out how you can utilize pills to awaken unique constitutions, you should first think of a way how you can become an official apothecary!"
Ouyang Cheng said.
In his opinion, the only way one could become an apothecary quickly was to learn behind a true apothecary. He was the best apothecary in the entire Tianxuan Kingdom, who else could Zhang Xuan choose if not him?
Just when he was about to offer an apprenticeship to Zhang Xuan, he heard the other party speaking up.
"Since... only an apothecary can read books from the advanced tier book collection vault, then... how does the examination an apothecary work?" Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment. "Let me give it a try!"
"Un, that decision is a wise one. As long as you follow me, I will expend all my effort in grooming you... What?"
Halfway through his words, Ouyang Cheng realized what Zhang Xuan had just said. His voice choked in his throat and his eyes, which were fixated on the young man before him, widened as though they were about to pop out from their sockets. "What... What did you just say?"
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Chapter 97: Pill Debate
Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Frappe
"Give it a try?"
Not only Ouyang Cheng felt as though the world was going mad, Du Man and the rest also felt faint-headed.
[Brother, do you take apothecaries to be like the cabbages and cucumbers sold in the market, so easily obtainable?
Give it a try? Are you playing with me?
As one of the highest-standing Upper Nine Path occupations, who didn't study for numerous years and put in effort multiple folds of that imaginable to an ordinary person to join their ranks?
Yet, you said to give it a try...
Your head!
Do you know the content of the examination? Do you know how can one become a true apothecary?]
"Cough cough cough!" Ouyang Cheng's body staggered and he suppressed his urge to vomit blood. He looked at Zhang Xuan seriously and replied to him, "To become an apothecary, one must be more than capable of knowing and discerning medicinal herbs. One must also learn to formulate medicine, extract and refine the essence of which, condensate and forge it into a pill and many more. Just pill forging itself contains several thousands of methods to do so... It isn't that easy to pass the examination!"
"Indeed. Furthermore, one must possess sharp control over the flame in pill forging. If an error were to occur in any of the sequences, it would end in failure. Only by learning seriously and practicing continuously will one succeed. It is impossible for one to become an apothecary with a moment's effort!"
Du Man added.
"So complicated?"
Zhang Xuan felt helpless, "So it's impossible for me to achieve it in half a month's time?"
The Freshmen Tournament would be held in half a month. His purpose here was simple, that was to find a pill that could awaken Yuan Tao and Zhao Ya's unique constitution so that their cultivation would soar by leaps and bounds and they would be able to achieve victory then.
Thus, he had to settle this matter in half a month's time. If he wasn't able to, what's the use of him becoming an apothecary?
After his conversation with Huang Yu, he had already decided on a goal. That was to become a master teacher! This time, Lu Xun laoshi's challenge was an opportunity as much as a threat. If he was able to emerge victorious, it would prove his capabilities and it was likely that he would catch the eye of a master teacher!
Similar to an apothecary, if one wanted to become a master teacher, they must become an assistant master teacher first. This was a process that they must go by.
If one wasn't valued by a master teacher, how could one become an assistant master teacher?
"Half a month..."
Hearing his words, the crowd went speechless once more.
[Which apothecary wasn't an apprentice apothecary for many years before daring to take the examination?
Yet, right after becoming an apprentice, you wish to take the examination for an apothecary... Half a month some more, you must be joking!]
Especially for Sun Tao and Zhu Hua Hua, they were just barely suppressing the urge to throw their shoes at him.
[Brother, is it really alright for you to be putting on an act like this?
It is even more difficult to become an apothecary than an apprentice. You should have already seen the others struggling so furiously just to become an apprentice.
Becoming an apothecary in half a month?
I think you should just keep it to your thoughts…]
"Zhang Xuan, don't be too ambitious and complacent. You are barely twenty, and becoming an apothecary at thirty is already something unprecedented in Tianxuan Kingdom. Fifteen days is an impossible goal! I advise you to study normally, proceed on step-by-step and don't think too much into the future..."
Ouyang Cheng offered his earnest advice to Zhang Xuan.
[This fellow is talented, but he is way too impatient. To want to become an apothecary in half a month... You must be daydreaming!]
"Alright, since it is so troublesome, then I will not take the examinations. I will look for another way then!"
Upon listening to the words of the other party, Zhang Xuan shook his head.
He didn't have much interest in becoming an apothecary. Possessing the Heaven's Path Divine Art, breaking through was like eating and drinking to him. Pills were completely unneeded to him. If so, what was the use of becoming an apothecary?
If not for Yuan Tao, he wouldn't come here at all.
Thinking that Zhang Xuan had given up because he had found it bothersome, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man quickly tried to persuade him otherwise, "There are many occupations in the world, and apothecary is considered as one of the noblest. You possess such incredible talent and you have also specially taken the trouble to study the medicinal herbs. Wouldn't you have wasted years of your efforts if you were to not become an apothecary at this point?"
"Years of my effort?" Zhang Xuan blinked.
[It was just four hours, where did the years you speak of come from?]
"I still have other matters to attend to. Since becoming an apothecary is such a complicated process, requiring one to learn how to formulate pills, it is unlikely that I am able to grasp the technique of such within a short moment. I will just give up on it!"
Without much hesitation, Zhang Xuan shook his head.
"Calm down, there is more than one way for one to become an apothecary. Actually, there is another way other than Pill Forging!" Ouyang Cheng suddenly recalled something and spoke. "Given your formidable memory, this method might be more suited for you!"
"It can't be that you are referring to..." Astonishment appeared on Du Man's face.
"Indeed!" Ouyang Cheng nodded his head.
"But... You should consider the consequences. If he fails, the penalty will be harsh. He might even lose the opportunity to ever take the examination to become an apothecary..."
Du Man was filled with anxiety.
"I know, but this is the only way one can become an apothecary quickly. Otherwise, one would have to walk the conventional path of practicing routinely. Given the countless medicinal herbs and each of their unique properties, it is nigh impossible for one to succeed in a short period of time!"
Ouyang Cheng said.
"But..."
"There are no buts. We are only responsible for informing him of the possibility. The choice is up to him!" Ouyang Cheng shakes his head.
"What is this method you speak of?"
Upon seeing the commotion between the two, Zhang Xuan's couldn't help but ask.
"There are actually two methods for one to become an apothecary. The first method is the usual one, Pill Forging. As long as one is able to forge a grade-1 pill, he will be able to become a 1-star apothecary. This is the standard and traditional method!"
Without hesitation, Ouyang Cheng started to explain.
"The second method is not Pill Forging but Pill Debate!"
"Pill Debate?"
Zhang Xuan was bewildered.
Not just him, even Zhu Hua Hua, Sun Tao and the others seemed to have never heard of it and a perplexed expression appeared on their faces.
"Indeed. You all should have heard of the noblest occupation of the Upper Nine Paths, master teacher!"
Ouyang Cheng said.
"Un!"
The crowd nodded their heads.
Those who knew of the Lower, Middle and Upper Nine Paths naturally knew of master teachers.
This was the highest ranking occupation of the Upper Nine Paths and their social position was superior to that of the apothecaries by numerous folds.
"The more formidable master teachers can offer pointers beyond that of cultivation, pill forging, smithing, formation creation and such are all possible for them!" Ouyang Cheng explained. "However, one has to expend quite a lot of time just to become a master teacher, so how can they have the effort to spend on learning pill forging and smithing to become an apothecary and blacksmith?
"At the same time, if they do not join their ranks, how can they be qualified to teach them?
"To deal with such a situation, a unique examination method was created, Pill Debate!
"It is clear to see from us apothecaries that one requires a lot of practice, forging pills ceaselessly, to become a true apothecary. However, master teachers do not have the time to waste on doing so. In fact, all he needs is to comprehend and integrate the knowledge of pill forging!
"That is to say, he doesn't really need to learn how to forge pills. As long as he has complete knowledge of the theory, he is able to successfully become an apothecary!
"Of course, the examination isn't easy. It requires one to debate with ten true apothecaries about the various aspects of pill forging and one could be disqualified with just a single mistake. Furthermore, a huge penalty will be enforced on one if that happens!"
Ouyang Cheng slowly explained the other method of becoming an apothecary, Pill Debate, to the others.
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Chapter 98: I Want to Debate Pills
Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Frappe
"Oh? There is such a way too?"
Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.
Without years of practice, he knew that it was impossible for him to successfully forge a grade-1 pill. However, Pill Debate was different. With the Library of Heaven's Path, as long as there were sufficient books and knowledge, learning was an easy task for him!
"This method may seem simple, but even master teachers would rather learn to forge pills than to resort to this method!" Noticing the excitement in the other party, Ouyang Cheng interjected and shook his head.
"Why?"
Zhang Xuan was confused.
If one was able to pass the examination based on theories itself to become an apothecary, there should be no need for them to waste their time to learn to forge pills.
"To tell the truth, it is impossible for one to possess an in-depth understanding into an occupation without trying it hands-on. No matter how much theory one learns, if one doesn't verify them practically, no one can guarantee whether they are right or not! For one who isn't even an apothecary yet to debate with a true apothecary based on knowledge one learnt off the books? Who do you think will win?"
Ouyang Cheng said.
"This..."
Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
What one could learn from the books was shallow, to understand the essence of which, one needs to experience it first-hand! This was a famous maxim expressing the utmost truth.
How could one ascertain whether something was right or wrong just by theories itself without trying it out? With just a single error, the entire pill forging would end in failure!
One erroneous move would make a great difference!
"Ever since Pill Debate was created, more than thousands of master teachers had undergone it and they were all incredible geniuses. Their knowledge of pill forging exceeds that of any apothecary. However, it is a pity that... most of them ended up in failure. Of the thousands of master teachers, the ones to succeed might not even exceed the number of fingers on a single hand!"
Ouyang Cheng sighed.
"Not exceeding the number of fingers in a single hand?"
Zhang Xuan was taken aback
[Out of a thousand people, not even five of them succeeded? This success rate is way too low!]
"Indeed, there is a huge difference between theories and practical. This is precisely the reason why even though Pill Debate remained a possible way for one to become an apothecary, not many people used it and it was gradually forgotten!"
Ouyang Cheng shook his head.
Pill Debate might seem easier than Pill Forging, but in reality, the difficulty of which was much greater.
Without practical experience, how could one succeed in it with just theories?
If one didn't have a single mistake in his theory, that meant that his practical should be excellent as well.
If so, rather than engaging in a Pill Debate, he might as well just go for the Pill Forging method. It would be much easier that way.
"Others may be unable to... But I can!"
Ignoring the lamentations of the other party, Zhang Xuan's motivation surged and his eyes glowed.
Pill Debate might be much more difficult for others, but for him, it was nothing short of easy!
With the Library of Heaven's Path, he was able to identify errors and flaws directly. Just basing on theories itself, others were unable to tell whether something was true or not. On the other hand, with a single look via the Library of Heaven's Path, everything was clear to him!
Conducting a Pill Debate with this, it was impossible for him to make an error. He could definitely pass the test easily!
"Since there's such a method, I have decided to try becoming an apothecary through Pill Debate!" Thinking such, Zhang Xuan declared without much hesitation.
"Ah?" Initially, he thought that he would be able to persuade the other party to give up after saying so much. He didn't expect his words to cause him to become even more resolute. Ouyang Cheng was speechless. "Do you know the consequences of failing a Pill Debate?"
"Consequences?"
"Yes. Pill Debate requires the presence of a minimum of ten apothecaries to conduct a debate. All these apothecaries are people of high standing, and if there isn't any price to pay for failure and everyone were to go on and try it, wouldn't they tire themselves to death?" Ouyang Cheng said. "Thus, the guild had set a rule regarding such. If an apprentice who applied for Pill Debate were to pass the test, nothing would occur. On the other hand, if they were to fail, they will have to pay every single apothecary hundred thousand gold coins! On top of that, they will have to suffer a hundred God Slaying Flogs as punishment. Also, they will be banned from taking the examinations to become an apothecary for a decade!"
Zhang Xuan was speechless.
This punishment was truly severe.
Given that a Pill Debate required at least ten apothecaries, if he had to pay each of them hundred thousand gold coins, that meant he would have to fork out a million gold coins in total.
To an apprentice apothecary, such money was an impossibility among impossibilities. Perhaps, they might not even be able to earn that much money in their entire life!
God Slaying Flog was a type of punishment. Depending on the cultivation realm of the person, it would exert a different force. A hundred God Slaying Flogs, even with his current strength, after he was done with the punishment, he would probably be unable to climb out of bed for a month or two.
As for the third penalty, a human's lifespan was only around several decades. To be banned from the examinations for a decade, it was equivalent to keeping one away from medicinal herbs and pills for ten whole years. Basically, this would create an upper limit on a person's future achievements as an apothecary, even if they decided to continue treading on the path.
"Not only are the consequences severe, it is also a daunting task to pass a Pill Debate. This is the reason why no one dares to even try it. Based on what I know, there hadn't been a Pill Debate in Tianxuan Kingdom and the dozen or so kingdoms around it for the past few centuries!"
The dissuasion in Ouyang Cheng's tone was clear. "Given your talents, I think you should just go the conventional route and learn pill forging instead. Pill Debate isn't a suitable option!"
"I have already decided to go ahead with Pill Debate, I hope that Master Ouyang can help me make the necessary arrangements!" Zhang Xuan shook his head in response to his dissuasion.
[What a joke! If Pill Debate can make me an apothecary, I have to go along with it.]
Otherwise, it would take an inestimable amount of time for him to learn pill forging or that sort.
Not to mention how he didn't have sufficient time on his hand, he didn't have the effort to waste on it either!
"Make the necessary arrangements? It can't be that... you wish to carry it out now?"
Master Ouyang staggered.
[You just became an apprentice apothecary. You don't even know what pill forging is yet, and you want to undergo a Pill Debate? Are you for real?
Are you sure you aren't jesting with me?]
"Yes!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
"You... Do you know the contents of a Pill Debate? Do you know what the apothecaries will ask you about? You have just barely become an apprentice and you have yet to go through the systematic education, to undergo a Pill Debate now..."
Du Man, who was standing by the side, was also at a loss for words.
"I can go to the basic tier book collection vault now, right? I can study those that I do not know now!" Seeing the anxiety on the other party's faces, Zhang Xuan quickly explained.
"Study?"
Du Man, Ouyang Cheng, and the others were on a verge of tears.
[Brother, to think that you will remember to study!
You have just become an apprentice apothecary. Despite not having visited the book collection vault before, you wish to undergo a Pill Debate. Are you very certain that you aren't pulling my leg?
...
There are hundreds of thousand of books in the book collection vault, and it is impossible to finish looking through them without three to five years of intense effort. Without even paying it a visit, you wish to undergo a Pill Debate...
Are your guts too inflated or is there a problem with your head?]
"Un, I will head to the book collection vault to study later on. Don't worry, it won't take too much time. As for the Pill Debate, I will be troubling the two of you!" Zhang Xuan said.
"Study later on..."
Everyone felt faint-headed.
[Do you intend to study last minute?
Undergoing a Pill Debate without studying?
To be able to do something so brainless, how did this fellow manage to become an apprentice apothecary?]
"Rest assured, I know the severity of it. I won't do anything I am unconfident of. Just go ahead and make arrangements, I have to start reading now as well!" Seeing the crowd rooted to the spot, Zhang Xuan continued.
"Know the severity?"
"Won't do anything you are unconfident of?"
[Your head!
Do you know what a cauldron looks like? Do you know whether a pill is round of square? Do you know how do apothecaries extract the essence from medicinal herbs?
You don't know a single thing at all, yet you want to take the examination for an apothecary, not to mention, a Pill Debate... Are you sure that you are confident?]
"Alright!" Upon his insistence, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man knew that they were unable to convince him otherwise at this point. Trading glances, they shook their heads. "I will make arrangements now, but it will take some time to gather so many apothecaries. So, I will set the Pill Debate to be at tomorrow afternoon! During this period of time, you better carefully contemplate over the matter. Otherwise, once the Pill Debate starts, you won't be able to back out!"
"Un!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head. Then, he flung his sleeves with a confident expression and took two steps toward the entrance before abruptly turning around. "Ah, I forgot. Where is the basic tier book collection vault?"
"..." Ouyang Cheng.
"..." Du Man.
"..." Sun Tao and Zhu Hua Hua.
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Chapter 99: A Completely Stunned Ouyang Cheng
Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Frappe
Ouyang Cheng and the others felt their insides crumbling apart.
To not even know where the basic tier book collection vault was and to choose to undergo the difficult Pill Debate, they were starting to suspect whether this fellow's head was once crushed by a slammed door.
However, since the other party's determination was resolute, there was no point trying to persuade him otherwise at this point.
After revealing the location to Zhang Xuan and watching as he left, Du Man looked toward Ouyang Cheng and asked, "Isn't he... being too reckless?"
"He is being reckless, but didn't you see that he is full of confidence as well!" Ouyang Cheng said incredulously. "It is truly a wonder where all that confidence came from!"
"Could it be that he doesn't understand the fearsomeness of Pill Debate?" Speaking of such an examination method, Du Man shuddered. "Even though I am a 1-star apothecary, it is definitely impossible for me to pass the Pill Debate!"
Pill Debate was something extremely terrifying. It was equivalent to challenging the ten apothecaries with the knowledge of one. No matter how deep and vast one's knowledge was, how could they compete with that of ten people?
[Furthermore, the main problem is that... You have never forged a pill before!
This is equivalent to the difference between a biologist and a butcher when trying to explain how to slaughter a pig. No matter how excellent your theories are, without trying it out hands-on, it is difficult to succeed!]
"We have already put it out so clearly, it is impossible for him to not to understand!" Ouyang Cheng shook his head. "This person is truly an enigma!"
"Indeed. In the first round, he achieved a perfect score. In the second, not only was his paper flawless, he even turned around to correct our mistakes... Furthermore, he is still so young. It is truly a wonder where his memorization and reasoning abilities came from!"
Recalling what that had happened a moment ago filled Du Man with shock.
The performance of the fellow previously was simply too outstanding! In terms of the ability to discern medicinal herbs, he was probably an entire level higher than them!
An apprentice apothecary that was more knowledgeable than an apothecary himself... Without witnessing it firsthand, it was something no one would believe.
"Actually, it is not that difficult to know where his self-confidence came from. Didn't he go to the book collection vault to study? We can send someone over to follow him. It will just be a matter of time before he gives his secret in!" Ouyang Cheng said.
Since he dared to undergo the Pill Debate, he definitely possessed vast and deep knowledge of pill forging. As long as they sent someone to follow behind him, it should be possible for them to unravel his secret.
"You're right!" Du Man nodded his head. Gesturing with his hands, he commanded his apprentice, "Hua Hua, go and see what he is doing in the basic tier book collection vault. Try to keep your movements silent and inconspicuous so as to not be noticed by him!"
"Yes!" Zhu Hua Hua headed to the basic tier book collection vault.
Not long later, the apprentice apothecary returned with a peculiar expression on his face.
"Why? What is he doing? Is he reading some remote pill forging method?" Ouyang Cheng stared at him.
Apothecaries that participated in the Pill Debate would definitely come up with extremely difficult and remote questions, making it hard for others to answer. If one wanted to pass the examination, not only must they possess vast knowledge, they must also have a deep understanding of these remote pill forging methods as well.
"He isn't!" Zhu Hua Hua's eyes swam around, as though still in a state of disbelief over what he just witnessed. "He is... flipping books!"
"Flipping books? Perhaps he is looking for a specific book. Say, what is he flipping through?" Ouyang Cheng continued his interrogation.
"When I was there, he was flipping through basic pill forging books on the shelves. I secretly took a look, they were "Basic Pill Forging Methods", "How to Extract the Essence of Medicinal Herbs","Preserving Medicinal Properties","Guide to Moving Cauldrons" and books of that such. I was afraid of getting discovered, so I dared not get near to him!" Zhu Hua Hua pondered for a moment before replying.
"Basic Pill Forging Methods? How to Extract the Essence of Medicinal Herbs?"
"Preserving Medicinal Properties? Guide to Moving Cauldrons? This..."
Du Man and Ouyang Cheng stared at one another, dumbfounded.
[Those are the most basic books for apprentice apothecaries, alright... They are knowledge that all apprentice apothecaries need to wield, just like how a human can walk and eat. This fellow is going to undergo Pill Debate tomorrow, and yet he is flipping through such books only now?
Are you sure you aren't mistaken?
This is as though after challenging the top swordsman under the heavens to a duel, you suddenly recall that you had to buy a sword and learn how to use it...
Are you for real?]
"Are you certain that he is reading these books?"
Unable to believe it, Ouyang Cheng asked once again.
"I am not certain. He doesn't seem to be reading but flipping... He flips all the book that he passes by, I have no idea what he is doing!" Zhu Hua Hua was on the verge of tears.
He truly had no idea what the other party was doing. It was as though he was a lunatic, flipping all the books from the first row of books all the way over. He didn't seem to be reading through them or searching for a specific book, so what in the world could he be doing?
"Flipping books? All of the book that he passes by?"
Ouyang Cheng and Du Man blinked their eyes.
Why did it sound like nonsense to them?
"How is he flipping through them? Show us!" Du Man said.
"Alright!"
It happened that there were quite a few books in the room as well. Zhu Hua Hua walked in front, grabbed a dozen of books and flipped through them. The sound of the flipping pages echoed in the room.
"You're done?"
Seeing that there were no actions after he was done flipping through those books, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man's eyes enlarged into perfect circles, unable to comprehend the situation.
"Yes!" Zhu Hua Hua nodded his head. "Just like that, after he's done, he moves on to the next shelf..."
"..."
Ouyang Cheng and Du Man stared at one another and saw the frenzy in the other's eyes.
They thought that this fellow went to the basic tier book collection vault to study, but in the end, he was there just to flip through books... [Furthermore, no matter how fast others flip their books, they would at least try to see what was in it. Yet he... What in the world can one see flipping through the book at such speed!
Putting aside the contents in the book, he probably doesn't even know what the book is about…]
"It can't be that... He wishes to see what material the books are made of so that he can burn them down?"
After a long while, Du Man squeezed out a few words.
Other than to burn these books, he truly had no idea what the use of flipping through all those books like that was.
"Impossible. Even though there aren't any secrets of the Apothecary Guild in the basic tier book collection vault, it isn't something that one can burn down casually. As an apprentice apothecary, he shouldn't be that rash!" Ouyang Cheng shook his head.
Even though Du Man's words seemed a little absurd, he was truly at a loss for a better explanation. His frown caused his forehead to wrinkle into large lumps.
"Then, what do you think is going on? What is he trying to do?"
Du Man couldn't help but ask his colleague.
"I…" Ouyang Cheng's face reflected nothing but confusion as well. He had never heard of such a freak in his entire life, needless to say, see one.
"Could it be... Is he trying to look for a specific book? Furthermore, the book is made of a special material such that one can only identify it through touch?" After a long moment of silence, he came up with a new theory.
"That's possible..."
The two of them sat before the desk, frowning at one moment and showing a bitter expression at the other. No matter how hard they tried, they were unable to figure out the secrets of Zhang Xuan.
In a few short moments, they had come up with all kinds of reasons, generating excuses sufficient to last them for an entire lifetime. Even so... they were still oblivious to what the other party was trying to do.
In between, Zhu Hua Hua paid the book collection vault several visits and reported on the other party's situation upon returning.
Upon hearing that his movements had never stopped, and he was still flipping through the books, not even sparing books like "What are Pills", "The Types of Medicinal Herbs and Their Classification","Do You Need Cauldrons to Forge a Pill"... Several emotions flashed across their faces: bewilderment, dilemma, contemplation, confusion...
At this moment, they realized that there was still capacity in their minds to generate more peculiar excuses...
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Chapter 100: Yao Han's Doubts
Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Frappe
When Zhang Xuan was still at the Apothecary Guild, Zhao Ya returned to her living quarters.
"Finally, I am able to solve this problem of mine!"
Holding the medicinal herb that Zhang laoshi gave her in her hands, her excitement was apparent on her clean jade-white face.
Discomfort had been torturing her since childhood, and she was already finding herself unable to endure it any further. Upon hearing that there was a solution to her problem, she could no longer sit still.
"I have to grind this medicinal herb into powder before swallowing it with water..."
Just as she was about to find something to grind the medicinal herb, she heard footsteps and Butler Yao Han walked over sneakily.
"Xiaojie, I'll... be leaving. No one has brought you any trouble, right!"
Xiaojie -> Young mistress
After offending the grandson of Elder Shang Chen and fighting with several teachers in the academy, he decided to leave the academy to avoid unnecessary trouble. Upon seeing that it was about time for Zhao Ya's classes to end, he came back to find her.
"Brought me trouble? Who would bring me trouble?" Zhao Ya stared at Yao Han, "I say, Uncle Yao, you should stop being so sensitive. Zhang laoshi truly treats me well, and he is actually a capable teacher at that. Please stop troubling him!"
She knew her father's butler didn't trust Zhang laoshi, thus she tried to persuade him otherwise.
"Treat you well? Hmph, xiaojie, you have been living in the city since young, so you have never seen how vile a human's heart can be..." Yao Han harrumphed. Before he could finish his words, his eyes happened upon the medicinal herb in Zhao Ya's hands. His entire body froze before he started trembling uncontrollably.
"Xiaojie... That medicinal herb in your hands... Where did you get it from?"
"This?"
Lowering her head to ascertain what Yao Han was looking at, Zhao Ya lifted the medicinal herb up and said, "Zhang laoshi gave me this. I have been feeling unwell recently, so he passed me this to have me grind it and consume it!"
"Zhang laoshi gave you this? How is this possible? How can a poor teacher like him..." Yao Han was unable to believe the situation unfolding before him.
"What's wrong, Uncle Yao. Is there something wrong with this medicinal herb?" Zhao Ya knew the other party was of reliable character and there had to be a reason for that expression of his.
"No, it's not that there's something wrong with the herb but that it is... too valuable! If I'm not wrong, this is... Frigid Sun Mother Grass!" Yao Han exclaimed.
"Frigid Sun Mother Grass?" Zhao Ya was lost.
"It's the mother grass of Frigid Sun Grass. Its effects are ten times greater than that of Frigid Sun Grasses! Frigid Sun Grasses aren't valuable, but this thing is extremely expensive! Back then when I was traveling around the kingdom alongside the city lord, I once had seen one and a single stalk was priced above hundred thousand gold coins!"
Upon hearing how valuable the herb was, Zhao Ya was taken aback. "Uncle Yao, are you not... mistaken?"
"I am not mistaken, this is definitely Frigid Sun Mother Grass! It is the most valuable medicinal herb that I have ever seen, so I have a deep impression of it! How can I possibly be wrong about it!" Yao Han took another glance at it to confirm his conjecture.
"Frigid Sun Mother Grass? Hundred thousand gold coins?"
Zhao Ya's slim body trembled.
"You said... that Zhang Xuan... Zhang laoshi gave it to you?"
Yao Han dared not to believe it at all. As he spoke, he even changed his method of addressing the other party from Zhang Xuan to Zhang laoshi.
[Isn't he the worst teacher in the academy? Isn't his wages the lowest among the teachers?
To gift such a valuable medicinal herb so simply…]
"Indeed!" Zhao Ya nodded her head.
Back then when Zhang laoshi passed her the herb, he threw it casually to her as though it wasn't anything valuable at all. In fact, it wasn't even packaged, so all along, she thought of it as such... [Hundred thousand gold coins! That is sufficient to buy a residence in the capital.
Furthermore, a huge one.]
When others presented a gift, they would make a big fuss over it so as to make the whole world know how valuable their gift was. Yet, this Zhang laoshi created a cultivation technique just for her and gifted her such an expensive gift without demanding credit for it. He was completely nonchalant about it and if it wasn't for Uncle Yao recognizing the herb, she would've just treated the herb as something invaluable and consumed it just like that...
Zhao Ya felt moved and her eyes reddened slightly.
"I can't accept this. It's too valuable!"
Zhao Ya's slim body straightened and resolution appeared in her eyes.
She hoped to solve the problem plaguing her, but as a student, she couldn't bear to receive continuously from her teacher without repaying him!
Usually, it was the students who gave their teachers gifts to please them. Yet, Zhang laoshi had given so much to them. It was one thing if she didn't know about it, but now that she realized it, she wouldn't be a human if she accepted his gifts nonchalantly!
"Uncle Yao, how much money do you have on you?" Zhao Ya turned around and asked.
"Only twenty thousand!" Yao Han flipped through his pockets and retrieved several notes.
He might be the butler of Baiyu City, but his mission this time was only to escort xiaojie to the academy, so he didn't bring much money.
"Give it to me!" Grabbing it over, Zhao Ya didn't hesitate and dashed out.
Feeling fretful, Yao Han hurriedly followed behind her.
Soon, they arrived at the classroom, but no one was in sight.
There was also no one at Zhang Xuan's dormitory.
Upon seeing xiaojie so panicked, Yao Han utilized some of his connections and swiftly, he was informed that Zhang laoshi was at the Apothecary Guild.
Before leaving, Zhang Xuan didn't try to conceal his destination. As the butler of the City Lord Residence, it was normal for him to possess such connections to gather information.
"Apothecary Guild? Could it be that... Zhang laoshi bought this medicinal herb there?"
Zhao Ya clenched her fist. After a moment of hesitation, she gritted her jade teeth and said, "Uncle Yao, let's go and find Zhang laoshi!"
If she didn't pass this money to the other party, she would feel too embarrassed to accept this herb.
If someone treated her so selflessly, she would do the same to him!
How could she, Zhao Ya, consume such an expensive medicinal herb nonchalantly now that she knew of its value?
Soon, she arrived at the Apothecary Guild.
Now that they were here, it was easy to find news on him. It didn't take long for the duo to find Wen Xue, who still had an awful look on her face.
"You mean... Zhang laoshi is currently taking the apprentice apothecary examinations?"
"Zhang laoshi? You're saying that playboy... Zhang Xuan is a teacher?" Wen Xue was bewildered. After a moment, she recovered and nodded her head. "Un, he is currently taking the apprentice apothecary examination!"
"Apprentice apothecary?"
Zhao Ya and Yao Han exchanged gazes.
Disbelief was especially apparent on Yao Han's face.
"An apprentice apothecary has to memorize the properties of medicinal herbs, and there is at least a hundred thousand medicinal herb they have to remember for the examination. Without several years of studying, it is impossible for one to pass the examination..."
Zhao Ya might not know too much about apothecaries, but as the butler of Baiyu City Lord Residence, Yao Han was well aware of it. Naturally, he understood the difficulty in becoming an apprentice apothecary.
A young and incapable teacher went to take the apprentice apothecary examination?
"He probably failed right... I know that this examination is difficult..." Yao Han couldn't help but ask her.
"Fail? Initially, I shared your thoughts!" Upon recalling the earlier occurrence, Wen Xue still felt incredulous. She bit her lips and harrumphed, "There are three rounds to the apprentice apothecary examinations. The first round is Written Paper, and not only did he pass, he even achieved a perfect score. Currently, he is undergoing the second round!"
"Perfect score?" Yao Han's body swayed.
The first examination assessed a candidate's understanding of the traits and properties of medicinal herbs. Many people found themselves halted by this barrier. Yet, this teacher whom he had always thought of as a trash successfully passed the examination, achieving a perfect score even...
[To casually gift someone a medicinal herb worth a hundred thousand gold coins, to induce xiaojie to become his student so willingly and to achieve a perfect score in the first round of the apprentice apothecary examination...
Is he really the trash of the legends?]
For the first time, Yao Han doubted the rumors circulating around outside.
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Chapter 101: Zhao Ya Is Moved
Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Frappe
As xiaojie was adamant to acknowledge Zhang Xuan as her teacher, Yao Han had been looking into Zhang Xuan's background these few days.
This Zhang laoshi was once known as a genius, reaching Fighter 3-dan Zhenqi realm by sixteen years old. However, his legacy stopped there. He had been stuck at that cultivation realm ever since and as time passed, the genius became trash.
At eighteen years old, he took the teacher examination and passed in one go, thus becoming Hongtian Academy's youngest teacher. Back then, his name rang brightly, incurring the envy of numerous teachers.
Initially, they thought that this young teacher would be able to produce good results and soar to great heights. Yet, the reality was cruel. After news of the cultivation of his student going berserk spread out, all of the students he admitted withdrew from his lessons and he was left alone. Eventually, he even scored a zero for his Teacher Qualification Examination, causing his reputation to sour further.
Thus, Hongtian Academy's youngest teacher became a joke and the greatest trash.
These rumors were everywhere! So he thought that it was just a moment of folly on xiaojie's part, but as long as he properly enlightened her, she would realize her mistake and see through the true nature of this trash of a teacher!
At this moment, upon hearing that he scored perfectly for the first round of the Apothecary Examinations, his deep-rooted thoughts started to waver.
Apothecaries had to have an in-depth knowledge of medicinal herbs and also a deep understanding of the human body. Otherwise, it would've been impossible for them to concoct pills suited for cultivators.
So, how could someone who passed the first round of the apprentice apothecary examination possibly cause a student's cultivation to go berserk?
"No matter how good he is in theories, it is useless if he is unable to utilize them practically. The second round of the examination is Medicinal Herb Discernment Time Trial. Of the ten medicinal herbs, if he were to get a single one of them wrong, he will fail the examination..."
Wen Xue harrumphed furiously.
She still felt resentment toward Zhang Xuan. Initially, she thought that he was a playboy intentionally acting to attract her attention. In the end, he turned out to be someone capable, causing her face to burn in embarrassment and become unable to face the other party.
At this point, they saw two people walking over.
They were the two out of the three who passed the first round of examinations, Sun Tao and Qian Wen Man.
"How is it, did you two pass the examination?"
Wen Xue hurried forward and asked them.
As frequent candidates for the apprentice apothecary examinations, they were well-acquainted with one another.
"No!" The both of them shook their heads in disappointment.
They felt discontent, but this loss was something they could concede.
After all, they had to concede even if they didn't want to. The other person scored full marks in the first round, and in the second, he was even able to point out the mistakes of true apothecaries... His abilities were way beyond their imaginations.
"Then... What about Zhang Xuan?"
Upon hearing that they didn't pass the second round, Wen Xue couldn't help but ask once more.
"He... passed. He is an apprentice apothecary now!" Sun Tao said.
"Apprentice apothecary?" Wen Xue's small stature staggered.
Previously, when she was conversing with the other party, it had been clear to her that that fellow had zero understanding of medicinal herbs and such. In fact, he wasn't even clear on what an apothecary was... Initially, she thought that it was a joke for him to register for the examinations, so she was filled with disdain toward him. Yet... Not only did he pass the round of examinations, he even went on to bash through the remaining two to successfully become an apprentice apothecary!
This slap caused a fiery and stinging sensation on her face.
She had toiled for so many years, only to be remain blocked out in the very first round...
Yet, the other party became an apprentice apothecary so easily...
She even mocked the other party for his thick skin...
Where did her confidence originate from?
"That... When will Zhang laoshi come out?" Zhao Ya looked around but didn't see Zhang Xuan anywhere. Thus, she asked the two.
She wasn't as surprised as Wen Xue was. That's because the image of Zhang laoshi in her heart was omnipotent, and becoming a mere apprentice apothecary should mean nothing at all to him.
"He went to the book collection vault. He intends to return tomorrow afternoon to undergo Pill Debate to become a certified apothecary!" Sun Tao still found the situation unbelievable even as he said these words himself.
How much guts did it take for him to choose to undergo Pill Debate right after becoming an apprentice apothecary?
"Undergo Pill Debate to become a certified apothecary?" Wen Xue staggered and her eyes were about to pop out from their sockets. Giddiness filled her head.
"Tomorrow afternoon?"
[Are you for real!
Why does it sound like a joke to me?
Also... What in the world is a Pill Debate?]
"Pill Debate is another method for one to become an apothecary. One has to debate with ten official apothecaries and emerge victorious over them!" Seeing the perplexed looks of the crowd, Sun Tao explained. "This examination is even more difficult than Pill Forging and the penalties upon failure are much greater!"
At this point, he shook his head subconsciously.
"I have once read of Pill Debate in the books. The difficulty of it is much greater than the Pill Forging examination. One needs to triumph over ten official apothecaries in terms of knowledge on practical aspects of pill forging! It is an exceptionally difficult test!" Uncle Li suppressed the shock he was experiencing and nodded his head to affirm what Sun Tao said. At the same time, he couldn't help but be baffled, "He is able to become an apprentice apothecary at such a young age, so he shouldn't lack time. Why is he so anxious such that he had to choose to undergo Pill Debate. He could just tread upon the normal route to learn Pill Forging. After all, the consequences of failing a Pill Debate is difficult to bear!"
His accomplishment of becoming an apprentice apothecary under twenty years old was an incredible feat even when taking the previous thousand years of history of Tianxuan Kingdom's Apothecary Guild into account. He wouldn't lose out much to slow down and learn Pill Forging properly. There was no need for him to put himself at risk by undergoing Pill Debate.
One must know that the difficulty of Pill Debate was several times that of Pill Forging and successes were rare.
"I'm not sure too. He seems to be looking for books regarding unique constitutions! However, these books are only available to certified apothecaries," Sun Tao mused for a moment and recalled the conversation between Zhang Xuan and Ouyang Cheng, "oh, he also mentioned something about half a month. It seems that there is something urgent that requires him to become an apothecary within half a month to find those books!"
"Half a month? Unique constitution?"
While Wen Xue and the others simply found the situation baffling, Zhao Ya paled and trembled uncontrollably.
She had a unique constitution, Pure Yin Body.
This was something that Zhang laoshi told her.
Half a month, wasn't that the day of the Freshmen Tournament? To be rushing to accomplish it within half a month... Could it be that Zhang laoshi intends to awaken her unique constitution to raise her strength?
After all, a unique constitution held no might if it wasn't awakened!
It must be it!
Clenching her fists tightly, Zhao Ya suppressed the emotions in her heart. She looked at Uncle Li and asked, "Senior, you said that the penalties upon failure are great, may I ask what the penalties are?"
"This... I'm not too sure either!" Uncle Li shook his head.
He had only read of Pill Debate in the books, so he wasn't really aware of the penalties.
"Oh, I know. Master Ouyang had spoken of it previously!" Sun Tao contemplated for a moment and said, "There is a total of three penalties. Firstly, one has to pay each apothecary with a hundred thousand gold coins, so that's a total of a million gold coins for the ten of them! Secondly, he has to suffer a hundred God Slaying Flogs! Thirdly, he is banned from the apothecary examination for ten years!"
"A million gold coins? A hundred God Slaying Flogs? Banned from the apothecary examination for ten years?"
Zhao Ya's body trembled even more intensely.
This punishment was way too severe!
In order to help her awaken her constitution, Zhang laoshi was willing to go through so much peril...
[Teacher... Thank you!
Even if I, Zhao Ya, were to be smashed to smithereens, it would be difficult for me to repay this gratitude!]
Unable to hold back her billowing emotions any longer, tears streamed down from Zhao Ya's clean jade-like face.
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Chapter 102: To the Top of the World
Translator: StarveCleric Editor: Frappe
"Hu! It's finally done!"
Zhang Xuan had been flipping through the books since afternoon, and it was already around ten at night. Finally done with his work, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.
There were all kinds of books on in the basic tier book collection vault, and they were all regarding pill forging. Even though his cultivation realm had risen by leaps and bounds recently, flipping through that huge collection of books still caused him fatigue.
After flipping through all of the books, he confirmed that there were no books regarding unique constitutions in this book collection vault.
Naturally, he was unable to find an answer to his question.
That was to say, he had to become an apothecary to look through the advanced tier book collection vault to achieve his goals.
"This knowledge should be enough for the apothecary examination!"
Even though the Apothecary Guild in Tianxuan Kingdom was only a small branch, it had the powerful headquarters backing it. As such, even if the country were to fall, the guild would not. After a duration of several centuries, perhaps even a millennium, even a basic tier book collection vault would contain a vast amount of knowledge in it.
Even a true apothecary couldn't possibly finish all of the books and assimilate all knowledge in them for his own.
However, Zhang Xuan was able to do so.
With this much knowledge, if he were to claim to be the second most knowledgeable person in pill forging in Tianxuan Kingdom, no one would dare to claim themselves to be the first.
Of course, this was all just theory. If he were to really try it, putting aside pill forging, he might even have difficulty starting the fire.
"I should go and grab a bite!"
Fondling his protesting stomach, Zhang Xuan stretched his back and walked out of the book collection vault with widened strides.
Right after eating breakfast, he went to lessons, underwent the Enlightenment Will Trial and took the apprentice apothecary examination... After busying himself for an entire day, his stomach had already started growling furiously long ago. If not for the rise in his cultivation realm and enhanced physical body, he might've found himself unable to persist on for that long.
The basic tier book collection vault was inside the examination hall for apprentice apothecaries. Walking out, he saw Ouyang Cheng and Du Man sitting inside. They were holding brushes in their hands, seemingly scribbling something on a piece of paper, and bewilderment, dilemma, contemplation, and confusion could be seen on their faces...
"What are you all doing?"
Seeing the two apothecaries in such a state, Zhang Xuan walked over curiously.
"Ah..."
The both of them were trying to figure out what Zhang Xuan was doing. Upon seeing him walk over, the both of them were taken aback. They hurriedly used their hands to cover the contents of the paper on the table.
Zhang Xuan lowered his head to take a look.
A few words come into his sight.
"Speculation on his motive for flipping through books in the book collection vault. Number 1: Act cool (30 votes); Number 2: Boredom (1 vote); Number 3: Investigating the material of the books (1 vote)..."
After reading the first few lines, black lines streaked across Zhang Xuan's face.
[Is this about me?]
He was the only one flipping through books in the book collection vault previously.
[It is definitely about me, but... What the heck do the votes mean?
Furthermore, why is 'act cool' in the first place, and the number of votes on it…]
"Cough cough, we were just curious of your actions of flipping through the books in the book collection vault. Thus, we couldn't help but discuss it..."
Exposed, Ouyang Cheng suppressed his embarrassment and revealed the truth.
Ouyang Cheng has a reputation for being a strict and stern apothecary. To think that he would be hiding in the room with another apothecary to discuss the motive behind an apprentice apothecary's action of flipping through books, even getting others to vote on it... No one would believe it even if word was to spread out.
"I wanted to look for a book... I wasn't able to find it, so I continued flipping through all of the books in the vault!"
Zhang Xuan casually answered.
He mustn't reveal the truth about the Library of Heaven's Path, but his action of flipping through the books was indeed a little bizarre, so it couldn't be helped that others would hold suspicion toward his actions. Looks like he had to be more careful in the future.
Even so, he was just flipping through books. Others might hold doubt toward the intention behind his actions, but at most, they would just be unable to make heads or tails out of his actions. It was impossible for them to suspect the possibility of an existence of a massive library in his head.
"Such a simple answer..."
Upon hearing the answer, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man looked constipated.
They had been discussing the matter for an entire afternoon, even skipping their meals to do so. They thought that there was some special significance behind his actions. Never would they dream that the answer was so simple.
"What else would it be if not for that?" Zhang Xuan asked.
It would do as long as it didn't involve the revelation of the existence of the Library of Heaven's Path. He could tell a lie without feeling embarrassed over it anyway.
"Err... Alright then!"
Ouyang Cheng shook his head helplessly. After investigating and analyzing the issue for an entire afternoon, he didn't expect the other party's answer to be so simple. Thus, to alleviate the awkwardness of the situation, he could only change the topic. "I have already informed the ten apothecaries about the Pill Debate. They will be here tomorrow, so make preparations for it. It will be conducted here tomorrow afternoon!"
"Great!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head. After asking a few more questions about how the Pill Debate would be conducted, he turned around and took his leave.
After walking out of the room, he heard Du Man's voice ringing behind him.
"You lost, pay up..."
"I lost, but you didn't win either. You wagered most of your money on him acting cool..." Ouyang Cheng said with a displeased tone.
Zhang Xuan staggered.
[You all are respectable apothecaries, alright! To gamble over me...
Furthermore, acting cool? Your head that I am acting cool!]
With a stifled sensation at his chest, Zhang Xuan walked to the entrance of the Apothecary Guild and caught sight of Zhao Ya and the others.
"Why are you here?"
Bewilderment flashed across his eyes.
[This is the Apothecary Guild, not the academy. Why would Zhao Ya be here?]
"Zhang laoshi, thank you!"
Upon seeing him, Zhao Ya could no longer suppress the emotions in her and kneels to the floor. Gratitude reflected in her eyes.
"Stand up, stand up. What are you thanking me for?" Zhang Xuan frowned.
[What happened to this lass?
Kneeling down upon seeing me. Could it be that... her 'illness' is cured?]
At this point, he asked, "Have you eaten the Frigid Sun Mother Grass yet? How are its effects?"
Upon hearing 'Frigid Sun Mother Grass', Yao Han, who considered the possibility of whether Zhang Xuan was ignorant of the value of the herb before gifting it to Zhao Ya, trembled.
[It looks like he knows the herb! If so, he should know the value of it as well!
To give such a valuable herb to his student so casually, and to put himself in peril by taking the apothecary examination for the sake of awakening his student's unique constitution…]
Regardless of how Zhang Xuan's lessons were, just this responsibility of his was sufficient to leave him in awe.
"Zhang laoshi, I apologize for my previous insolent attitude and doubting your kindness. Please forgive me!"
Yao Han stepped forward and bowed in apology.
His previous actions were truly laughable.
[How can such a responsible teacher be inadequate in his teachings? Seems like the rumors outside are untrue after all.]
"This..."
Upon seeing the both of them behaving like that, Zhang Xuan blinked his eyes.
[Can anyone tell me what is going on?
I had only taken an apprentice apothecary examination, why are they suddenly behaving so bizarrely?]
Soon, he made sense out of the situation.
Actually, his reason for coming here wasn't just to awaken Zhao Ya's unique constitution, it was more for Yuan Tao instead. He didn't expect such a simple action to induce such feelings of gratitude in her.
However, he came to a realization after contemplating over the situation slightly. In the perspective of others, Pill Debate was something that was likely to end in failure. It was a huge risk to take, and yet he chose to proceed ahead even so. In their eyes, he had become a teacher who could give up his all and bash through all obstacles just for his students!
Just this sentiment itself was priceless!
Upon understanding this all, Zhang Xuan was at a loss for words.
His actions had moved Zhao Ya. But similarly, the other party's actions had also moved him.
In the past, he had only treated these students as anchors to prevent him from getting expelled. However, at this moment, he realized the simple fact that all humans have emotions. They would treat you like how you treat them.
The children's desire for knowledge and the gratitude they felt toward him made him understand the responsibilities of a teacher and the heavy burden they shouldered.
"Don't worry. As my students, I will bring you all to greater heights, all the way to the top of the world!"
Clenching his fists tightly together, Zhang Xuan made a solemn vow.
At this moment, he had finally made his metamorphosis from a transcender to a teacher.
Boom!
The moment such a thought appeared, at the apex of the of the Library of Heaven's Path, an intense peal sounded and a golden book formed. However, Zhang Xuan didn't notice it.
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03 Fighter 6-dan Pixue Realm First Half
Name:Library of Heaven's Path Author:Heng Sao Tian Ya
+ - Turn off Reset
"Zhang laoshi, I don't have sufficient money to pay for the Frigid Sun Mother Grass now, so I will pay you a portion first. Treat it as our Baiyu City buying it from you. After all, we can't expect you to go bankrupt while teaching xiaojie…"
Xiaojie -> Young mistress
Oblivious to the changes that had occurred in Zhang Xuan, Yao Han stepped forward to pass over banknotes worth twenty thousand in total.
"There's no need for it. It's just a medicinal herb, it's just a small affair!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.
The responsibility of a teacher had just dawned on him, so how could he accept money from a student at this moment?
Furthermore, it was just a stalk of Frigid Sun Mother Grass. Frigid Sun Grass was only worth hundred gold coins per stalk, so a Frigid Sun Mother Grass shouldn't be worth much either. His fortune counted in the millions, so why would he bother about that petty sum?
Furthermore, he obtained this stalk by acting cool, not even spending the least bit of money on it. His heart didn't ache giving it away like this.
"This..." Upon seeing his resolute determination, Yao Han could only keep his money. Feeling impressed, he commented, "Zhang laoshi, I'm really impressed by your generosity. To give a herb worth a hundred thousand gold coins just like that, it's laughable that I've thought that you were trying to scam our xiaojie..."
"What? Worth a hundred thousand gold coins?" Zhang Xuan's lips quivered.
[This Frigid Sun Mother Grass is worth a hundred thousand gold coins?
Are you for real?
If I knew that it was worth a hundred thousand gold coin, I should have accepted your money!]
Other people gave presents to their teachers in a show of filial piety, so why was it that when it came to him, he was paying them instead...
"Yes!" Yao Han looked over with a peculiar expression, "Could it be that Zhang laoshi doesn't know of its price?"
"I..." Even though his heart was bleeding, he knew that he couldn't retract his words at this point. As such, he assumed a stern face once more. With an arrogant aura that treated all worldly objects contemptuously, he said, "Of course not, money means nothing to me at all. Zhao Ya is my student, and a herb worth a hundred thousand gold coins is but a small matter. If it's beneficial to her, there's no need to hesitate over mere money!"
Since what's done is done, he could only go ahead and sell her the favor.
"Xiaojie has truly found a good teacher!"
Seeing his attitude, Yao Han was truly in awe of him.
[No wonder xiaojie kept praising him. Just his morals itself is sufficient to send others in awe like me.]
Standing by the side, Wen Xue looked on the situation in embarrassment. If only there was a burrow here, she would've dived in immediately.
The other party was such an upstanding and noble teacher, yet she mistook him as a pursuer of hers, treating him disdainfully... Her actions were truly laughable!
Thankfully, he had a generous heart and was indifferent to her rudeness. Otherwise, his identity as an apprentice apothecary was more than sufficient to have her permanently expelled!
"Let's return. I have to prepare for the Pill Debate tomorrow as well!"
A single act had cost him a hundred thousand gold coins... Besides, the money wasn't anything much. After all, Baiyu City was paying for it, not Zhao Ya...
Suppressing the urge to cry, Zhang Xuan walked out to the streets.
By the time he returned to the academy after having dinner, it was already nearing midnight.
"Since I'm not tired yet, I should look into how I can break into Pixue realm!"
In his previous life, he was a nocturnal owl. Furthermore, given his level of cultivation, his physical condition was much better than how it was back then. Even though it was already late at night, he wasn't tired in the least.
After exposing the might of a Pixue realm expert in the Enlightenment Will Tower today, the academy should be making a move soon to confer him the title of an elder.
Upon becoming an elder, he would be granted entry into the elders' Compendium Pavilion.
By then, he would be able to obtain sufficient Fighter 6-dan secret manuals to perfect his Heaven's Path Divine Art.
Of course, before then, studying it was okay as well.
After all, he had duplicated quite a few secret manuals from Master Lu Chen's residence. Even though only a partial of the words were true and as such, unable to be linked together to form a complete version, it was still worth studying.
With a jolt of his mind, a dozen books or so which he saw in Master Lu Chen's residence appeared in his consciousness.
"Actually, Pixue realm cultivation isn't very difficult. The only difficulty one will face is the sequence of breaking through the acupoints!"
After scanning through the numerous manuals, Zhang Xuan came to a realization.
[It is said that there are 108 acupoints on a human body. However, only 72 of which can be opened. Furthermore, there is a specific sequence to opening these acupoints. Everyone's physical body is different and as such, there is a different sequence for everyone to follow to achieve optimal results. If one didn't find the correct route, it's likely that they might only be able to open thirty to forty acupoints and be stuck there for the rest of their lives.
It's just like cleansing the silt and mud off a river. Only by cleansing from the upper stream can the river be cleansed entirely. If one were to start from the center, not only will the river not be cleaned thoroughly, it may even cause a blockade!
This is precisely the reason why the first acupoint to open is important. If one were to get it wrong, it will have disastrous repercussions.]
"This book "Golden Flame Technique" says that the first acupoint to open should be the Shenli acupoint, only with strength can one break through the other more important acupoints. On the other hand, this "Art of Sun Adaptation" says that one should start from the Zhongshu acupoint because it is in the direct center of the human body..."
The acupoint one should start with was different in every single book and each of their reasoning seemed logical.
Others might end up becoming confused upon reading through all these, but Zhang Xuan possessed the Library of Heaven's Path. With but a single glance, he knew that all of it... were false!
"Being unable to find the correct acupoint is equivalent to being unable to find the source of a river. If an error was to occur from the very start, it would be difficult to push on afterward. Forget it!"
After studying for a moment longer, Zhang Xuan realized that none of the manuals held the correct answer to the first acupoint he should break through. Just when he was about to give up, an idea popped up in his mind.
"If what is recorded in all these books are false and given that a human only has 108 acupoints in total, if I were to try them one by one, wouldn't I be able to figure out the sequence of which I should open up my acupoints?"
The method to break through acupoints was simple, one just had to use their zhenqi to surge through it. The main problem was the sequence to doing so. Since these were all wrong, of the 108 acupoints in his body, there had to be a correct one!
Other people might be unable to try them one by one, but such a problem didn't exist for him!
As he possessed the Library of Heaven's Path, after eliminating all mistakes, what was left should be naturally correct!
"Give it a try!"
At this point, Zhang Xuan didn't hesitate any further. Picking up a brush and paper, he wrote out the 108 acupoints on a human body out and canceled away the incorrect first acupoints from the various secret manuals from it, followed by the other acupoints that were proven to be in the correct positions for him in the sequence listed in the books.
After which, only twenty acupoints were left of the 108.
However, there was no need to worry. Zhang Xuan hand copied a manual and alternated the twenty acupoints in the first acupoint within the sequence one by one.
Weng!
A new secret manual appeared in the Library of Heaven's Path, displaying the errors and flaws of it.
At his thirteenth try, his mind jolted and the secret manual reflected the first acupoint that had no flaws.
"Haha, I've succeeded! To think that it would be the Xinqiao acupoint. Since the Library of Heaven's Path has not pointed out any errors in it, it means that this is the first acupoint I should break through to enter Pixue realm!
"Xinqiao acupoint is a hidden acupoint in a human body. Without pure zhenqi, it's impossible for a Fighter 5-dan pinnacle to open it. No wonder it isn't written in any of these manuals..."
After verifying the first acupoint he had to open, Zhang Xuan was filled with excitement.
Xinqiao acupoint was located in the depths of one's heart. It was reputed as one of the 36 Locked Acupoints. Without sufficiently pure zhenqi, not only would one be unable to open it, one's cultivation might even go berserk while attempting to open it.
If not for the verification by the Library of Heaven's Path, he would've never believed that this would be the first acupoint he needed to open.
It was no wonder that he was unable to find the correct sequence in the manuals he duplicated. To think that the correct acupoint for him to start with was one of the Locked Acupoints.
From the looks of it now, even though it was termed as 'Locked Acupoint', but with the correct sequence, one would be able to break it open!
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Chapter 103: Fighter 6-dan Pixue Realm (First Half)
Translator: Editor:
"Zhang laoshi, I don't have sufficient money to pay for the Frigid Sun Mother Grass now, so I will pay you a portion first. Treat it as our Baiyu City buying it from you. After all, we can't expect you to go bankrupt while teaching xiaojie…"
Xiaojie -> Young mistress
Oblivious to the changes that had occurred in Zhang Xuan, Yao Han stepped forward to pass over banknotes worth twenty thousand in total.
"There's no need for it. It's just a medicinal herb, it's just a small affair!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.
The responsibility of a teacher had just dawned on him, so how could he accept money from a student at this moment?
Furthermore, it was just a stalk of Frigid Sun Mother Grass. Frigid Sun Grass was only worth hundred gold coins per stalk, so a Frigid Sun Mother Grass shouldn't be worth much either. His fortune counted in the millions, so why would he bother about that petty sum?
Furthermore, he obtained this stalk by acting cool, not even spending the least bit of money on it. His heart didn't ache giving it away like this.
"This…" Upon seeing his resolute determination, Yao Han could only keep his money. Feeling impressed, he commented, "Zhang laoshi, I'm really impressed by your generosity. To give a herb worth a hundred thousand gold coins just like that, it's laughable that I've thought that you were trying to scam our xiaojie…"
"What? Worth a hundred thousand gold coins?" Zhang Xuan's lips quivered.
[This Frigid Sun Mother Grass is worth a hundred thousand gold coins?
Are you for real?
If I knew that it was worth a hundred thousand gold coin, I should have accepted your money!]
Other people gave presents to their teachers in a show of filial piety, so why was it that when it came to him, he was paying them instead…
"Yes!" Yao Han looked over with a peculiar expression, "Could it be that Zhang laoshi doesn't know of its price?"
"I…" Even though his heart was bleeding, he knew that he couldn't retract his words at this point. As such, he assumed a stern face once more. With an arrogant aura that treated all worldly objects contemptuously, he said, "Of course not, money means nothing to me at all. Zhao Ya is my student, and a herb worth a hundred thousand gold coins is but a small matter. If it's beneficial to her, there's no need to hesitate over mere money!"
Since what's done is done, he could only go ahead and sell her the favor.
"Xiaojie has truly found a good teacher!"
Seeing his attitude, Yao Han was truly in awe of him.
[No wonder xiaojie kept praising him. Just his morals itself is sufficient to send others in awe like me.]
Standing by the side, Wen Xue looked on the situation in embarrassment. If only there was a burrow here, she would've dived in immediately.
The other party was such an upstanding and noble teacher, yet she mistook him as a pursuer of hers, treating him disdainfully… Her actions were truly laughable!
Thankfully, he had a generous heart and was indifferent to her rudeness. Otherwise, his identity as an apprentice apothecary was more than sufficient to have her permanently expelled!
"Let's return. I have to prepare for the Pill Debate tomorrow as well!"
A single act had cost him a hundred thousand gold coins… Besides, the money wasn't anything much. After all, Baiyu City was paying for it, not Zhao Ya…
Suppressing the urge to cry, Zhang Xuan walked out to the streets.
By the time he returned to the academy after having dinner, it was already nearing midnight.
"Since I'm not tired yet, I should look into how I can break into Pixue realm!"
In his previous life, he was a nocturnal owl. Furthermore, given his level of cultivation, his physical condition was much better than how it was back then. Even though it was already late at night, he wasn't tired in the least.
After exposing the might of a Pixue realm expert in the Enlightenment Will Tower today, the academy should be making a move soon to confer him the title of an elder.
Upon becoming an elder, he would be granted entry into the elders' Compendium Pavilion.
By then, he would be able to obtain sufficient Fighter 6-dan secret manuals to perfect his Heaven's Path Divine Art.
Of course, before then, studying it was okay as well.
After all, he had duplicated quite a few secret manuals from Master Lu Chen's residence. Even though only a partial of the words were true and as such, unable to be linked together to form a complete version, it was still worth studying.
With a jolt of his mind, a dozen books or so which he saw in Master Lu Chen's residence appeared in his consciousness.
"Actually, Pixue realm cultivation isn't very difficult. The only difficulty one will face is the sequence of breaking through the acupoints!"
After scanning through the numerous manuals, Zhang Xuan came to a realization.
[It is said that there are 108 acupoints on a human body. However, only 72 of which can be opened. Furthermore, there is a specific sequence to opening these acupoints. Everyone's physical body is different and as such, there is a different sequence for everyone to follow to achieve optimal results. If one didn't find the correct route, it's likely that they might only be able to open thirty to forty acupoints and be stuck there for the rest of their lives.
It's just like cleansing the silt and mud off a river. Only by cleansing from the upper stream can the river be cleansed entirely. If one were to start from the center, not only will the river not be cleaned thoroughly, it may even cause a blockade!
This is precisely the reason why the first acupoint to open is important. If one were to get it wrong, it will have disastrous repercussions.]
"This book "Golden Flame Technique" says that the first acupoint to open should be the Shenli acupoint, only with strength can one break through the other more important acupoints. On the other hand, this "Art of Sun Adaptation" says that one should start from the Zhongshu acupoint because it is in the direct center of the human body…"
The acupoint one should start with was different in every single book and each of their reasoning seemed logical.
Others might end up becoming confused upon reading through all these, but Zhang Xuan possessed the Library of Heaven's Path. With but a single glance, he knew that all of it… were false!
"Being unable to find the correct acupoint is equivalent to being unable to find the source of a river. If an error was to occur from the very start, it would be difficult to push on afterward. Forget it!"
After studying for a moment longer, Zhang Xuan realized that none of the manuals held the correct answer to the first acupoint he should break through. Just when he was about to give up, an idea popped up in his mind.
"If what is recorded in all these books are false and given that a human only has 108 acupoints in total, if I were to try them one by one, wouldn't I be able to figure out the sequence of which I should open up my acupoints?"
The method to break through acupoints was simple, one just had to use their zhenqi to surge through it. The main problem was the sequence to doing so. Since these were all wrong, of the 108 acupoints in his body, there had to be a correct one!
Other people might be unable to try them one by one, but such a problem didn't exist for him!
As he possessed the Library of Heaven's Path, after eliminating all mistakes, what was left should be naturally correct!
"Give it a try!"
At this point, Zhang Xuan didn't hesitate any further. Picking up a brush and paper, he wrote out the 108 acupoints on a human body out and canceled away the incorrect first acupoints from the various secret manuals from it, followed by the other acupoints that were proven to be in the correct positions for him in the sequence listed in the books.
After which, only twenty acupoints were left of the 108.
However, there was no need to worry. Zhang Xuan hand copied a manual and alternated the twenty acupoints in the first acupoint within the sequence one by one.
Weng!
A new secret manual appeared in the Library of Heaven's Path, displaying the errors and flaws of it.
At his thirteenth try, his mind jolted and the secret manual reflected the first acupoint that had no flaws.
"Haha, I've succeeded! To think that it would be the Xinqiao acupoint. Since the Library of Heaven's Path has not pointed out any errors in it, it means that this is the first acupoint I should break through to enter Pixue realm!
"Xinqiao acupoint is a hidden acupoint in a human body. Without pure zhenqi, it's impossible for a Fighter 5-dan pinnacle to open it. No wonder it isn't written in any of these manuals…"
After verifying the first acupoint he had to open, Zhang Xuan was filled with excitement.
Xinqiao acupoint was located in the depths of one's heart. It was reputed as one of the 36 Locked Acupoints. Without sufficiently pure zhenqi, not only would one be unable to open it, one's cultivation might even go berserk while attempting to open it.
If not for the verification by the Library of Heaven's Path, he would've never believed that this would be the first acupoint he needed to open.
It was no wonder that he was unable to find the correct sequence in the manuals he duplicated. To think that the correct acupoint for him to start with was one of the Locked Acupoints.
From the looks of it now, even though it was termed as 'Locked Acupoint', but with the correct sequence, one would be able to break it open!
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104 Fighter 6-dan Pixue Realm Second Half
Name:Library of Heaven's Path Author:Heng Sao Tian Ya
"Let's begin!"
Everything else went easy after discovering the correct acupoint. The method to breaking them open was about the same. Without much hesitation, Zhang Xuan directed the zhenqi in his body towards the Xinqiao acupoint.
Boom!
Not long after, there was a loud explosion and Zhang Xuan's body swayed uncontrollably.
Instantaneously, Zhang Xuan felt a qualitative improvement in his mental state.
Regardless of whether it was his vitality or his reaction speed, they improved by leaps and bounds.
He had successfully broken through Fighter 6-dan Pixue realm!
If he closed his eyes at this instant, he could sense radiance emitting from an acupoint within his body, like a star in the middle of a dark night.
Goo goo goo!
With the acupoint opened, spiritual energy immediately gushed in, inducing a rise in his strength by a single ding.
"Great!"
Sensing the changes in his body, Zhang Xuan knew that he had successfully accomplished a breakthrough to the next realm.
"Even without cultivation technique manuals, I can always try to fumble around for the correct part by experimenting with every single possibility. Even if there are ten thousand possible routes in my cultivation, as long as I toss out all of the erroneous ones, I will eventually find the correct one..."
His eyes twinkled with excitement.
It was just a conjecture he came up with abruptly, so he didn't really expect to succeed.
Of course, such a method was only possible for Pixue realm. There was a total of 108 acupoints in the human body and they were all fixed in place. Thus, it was possible for him to try them one by one. However, if he really tried to create a cultivation technique of his own out of nowhere, even with the Library of Heaven's Path, he would surely tire himself to death.
Actually, Zhang Xuan didn't know that the reputation for the 36 Locked Acupoints didn't come from nowhere. Without the purest zhenqi, it was impossible for one to break open the acupoints.
Using a simple analogy, if the other acupoints are paths, the 36 Locked Acupoints are pinhole-sized paths. Impure zhenqi is like muddy water. Even though it can flow through the other paths with ease, it is an impossible task for it to pass through the pinhole-sized paths! Just the silt in the muddy water itself is sufficient to plug up the path. If one tries to break through it forcefully, they might end up crushing their acupoint instead, causing an imbalance in their body, and ultimately, death.
Zhang Xuan cultivated the flawless Heaven's Path Divine Art and his zhenqi had no impurities in it whatsoever, like completely pure water. Even when facing pinhole-sized paths, it could easily pass through to break open the acupoint successfully!
"I should continue with the second acupoint!"
With a single successful experience, Zhang Xuan continued to look for the second acupoint. After awhile, the second acupoint was successfully opened as well.
The hardest part of the Pixue realm was in finding the correct sequence to open the acupoints. As long as one found it, breaking through the Pixue realm was an extremely easy task.
............
Zhao Ya's residence. Yao Han was sitting at a distance not too far away from Zhao Ya.
"Xiaojie, tell me about this Zhang laoshi and your physical condition. Why do you need to consume the medicinal herb?"
Initially, he was prejudiced against Zhang Xuan, but after seeing him put himself in peril for his students and gifting a medicinal herb worth a hundred thousand gold coins so casually, he couldn't help but doubt the notions he had of him.
His actions might be a façade, but that tranquil and nonchalant aura of his and that disposition of an enlightened expert couldn't be feigned.
How could one who possessed such aura, disposition, and morals possibly be a villain who fooled women?
Looked like he had been mistaken from the very start!
Furthermore, xiaojie had been healthy all along. Why did she need to consume this medicinal herb? Not to mention, such an expensive and valuable one?
Filled with doubt, he couldn't help but bring them up upon reaching her residence.
"Zhang laoshi... Initially, I was prejudiced against him as well until I saw his capabilities personally and listened to his lectures…." Zhao Ya started to recount everything that happened ever since she met Zhang Xuan.
Upon speaking about her physical "illness", her face flushed red.
In the past, she would definitely be too embarrassed to speak of it. She would wonder if she had problems with her innate nature and her body. However, upon getting the truth of the matter from Zhang laoshi, she managed to get past that barrier of hers.
For a person possessing Pure Yin Body to cultivate a pure yin cultivation technique, it resulted in yin energy accumulating in her body and if not for her outstanding mental resilience, she would have given in long ago.
"Pure Yin Body? Xiaojie has Pure Yin Body? To think that we were unaware of that! We even made you cultivate the White Jade Pure Maiden Skill...."
Upon hearing the symptoms and pain the girl had undergone throughout the years, Yao Han's face paled.
He was of the same generation as Zhao Ya's father and he had long seen Zhao Ya as his own daughter. If not for Zhang laoshi seeing through to the crux of the problem, xiaojie might still be trapped in the quagmire of pain, unable to pull herself out of it. Unable to see through this all despite being a senior who had been beside her all this time, he felt intense self-reproach and remorse.
Back at the Apothecary Guild, he had heard her say that she had a unique constitution. Back then, it wasn't convenient for him to ask about it. Never in his dreams would he imagine that it was of this kind, and that such aftereffects would occur upon cultivation a pure yin cultivation technique.
"Since this Zhang laoshi is so capable, why would his reputation be so..."
After listening to the words of the young girl, this Zhang laoshi seemed to be an incredible figure of great capabilities. However, if he were that incredible, his reputation should have long ago rung far and wide. Why would the results of his investigation be that he had failed the Teacher Qualification Examination and even caused a student's cultivation to go berserk?
"Today, due to Liu Yang's affair, the Education Bureau conducted an Enlightenment Will Trial..."
Zhao Ya went on to talk about the incident that occurred at the Enlightenment Will Tower.
"What? You mean... it was due to Elder Shang Chen's intentional oppression that his reputation is so poor? Zhang laoshi, in consideration for the image of the academy, didn't expose him? His strength is already that of Pixue realm pinnacle?"
Yao Han shuddered.
If he didn't hear this news firsthand, he would have never believed it.
For the head of the Education Bureau of an established academy to be so shameless!
On the other hand, for Zhang laoshi... to be such a noble person!
Looked like he was indeed mistaken!
Not just him, everyone was mistaken about him!
"I have never seen Elder Shang Chen, but Shang Bin laoshi, who is his grandson, is interest-motivated and vicious. Naturally, his grandfather can't be any better..."
If anyone else heard such rumors about the head of the Education Bureau, they would definitely doubt the reliability of the news. However, Yao Han didn't have the slightest hesitation in believing Zhao Ya's words.
He had never met Shang Chen, but he had met Shang Bin.
The wounds on his face were the doing of the other party!
Since the grandson was of such character, how noble can the grandfather be?
Birds of the same feathers flock together!
"Uncle Yao, now that you know about Zhang laoshi's affairs, I hope that you can be more respectful to him from now on!" After concluding her explanation, Zhao Ya looked at Yao Han with a grim expression.
"Rest assured! Your uncle isn't a foolish person. I know what to do from now on!" Yao Han nodded his head. The next instant, his expression darkened. The authoritativeness and self-confidence of the butler of a powerful family exuded from him as he continued, "However, this Shang Chen and Shang Bin had caused me to bear misunderstandings about Zhang laoshi, not to mention how they soiled his reputation. I must converse with the city lord and have them punished!"
"Yeah! Such vile people deserve to be punished!" Zhao Ya nodded her head.
She was unlike Wang Ying.
Wang Ying had a docile and honest nature while she, as the daughter of a city lord, possessed a valiant disposition. Otherwise, she wouldn't have barged into Zhang Xuan's classroom angrily upon hearing others praise him.
This was precisely the reason why, upon hearing Yao Han say that he would teach the duo a lesson, she didn't hesitate and immediately nodded her head in agreement.
If not for this head of the Education Bureau,Zhang laoshi wouldn't suffer such injustice and be viewed mockingly and contemptuously by the rest of the world.
Otherwise, given his capabilities, how could he possibly be unable to recruit any students?
They must be taught a lesson, and a severe one at that, one that will send their reputation down the drain!
"Uncle Yao, I will be troubling you to spread this information. The more people know of it, the better!" At this, Zhao Ya issued a command.
"Yes!" Yao Han nodded his head.
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