Chapter 94 Summoning Sun Qiang
"Lu Mingrong..."
Clutching his chest and feeling the boiling organs inside, Liu Tianzheng felt like he was about to explode with anger.
Am I not the one who got hurt?
"If you want to challenge someone, I, Mr. Lu, am willing to accompany you, but what skill is there in troubling Teacher Zhang? He has only just started practising, and is merely at the Mid Accumulative Realm, how could he be your match?"
Standing in front of Zhang Xuan, Lu Mingrong's face was overcast.
He had arrived late and only saw Liu Tianzheng preparing to make a move. He hadn't seen the earlier beating that left someone like a dead dog, and thought there was trouble afoot.
"Mid Accumulative Realm? For an ordinary teacher, the esteemed head of Baiyan Academy actually spins a huge lie. Is this the integrity and clarity you pursue as a model for others?"
He was already angry, but hearing those words, Liu Tianzheng grew even angrier.
Who has ever seen someone who's at the Mid Accumulative Realm and gets knocked down to the ground in two moves? Are you trying to fool a ghost?
No wonder I saw him sneaking around with Yu Longqing before. After all the commotion, it turns out that this was the cause.
"What do you mean by that?"
Lu Mingrong narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing,"
Liu Tianzheng stepped forward, his power bursting forth again: "I just want to test if Mr. Lu's 'Flowing Cloud Hand' is still as invincible among equals as before!"
Since this Zhang Xuan was somewhat strange, then he might as well vent his anger on Lu Mingrong! As the head of the academy, not only didn't he take good care of his own daughter, but he also allowed her to be mentored by him. He was already at fault; a good lesson would also let him know that the Liu Clan should not be offended lightly!
Of course, the most important factor was that they had crossed hands several times before. Even though the other's cultivation was slightly weaker, if he paid a bit more attention, it was still uncertain who would win or lose.
Lu Mingrong frowned: "You want to move against me?"
"If that's how you see it, then yes!"
His feet stomped violently on the ground, and Liu Tianzheng had already shot out, coiling his body like a bow, his fist ready like an arrow, shooting straight forward.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
His strength at the Late Stage of the Jade Bone Realm erupted in an instant, piercing through the air, producing wailing sounds. Before the sound arrived, the fist was already at its target.
Martial skill, 'Imperial Arrow Fist'!
This move was perfected by observing arrows over the years, using the body as an arrow. It was all about speed. If one wasn't prepared in advance, it could be said to be unstoppable at the same level.
Knowing the other party's strength, he exerted his full power as soon as he made a move.
In the past, even if Lu Mingrong was a minor level higher than him, facing a sudden attack would have made him flustered. But now, with a mere thought, his Divine Soul spread out, seeing every action of his opponent clearly and without any secrets to hide.
With a slight shift of his feet, the punch passed by, grazing his cheek. Then he, too, kicked out.
Bang!
Once again, Liu Tianzheng was kicked in the abdomen, exactly like when he sparred with Zhang Xuan, and for the second time, he knelt on the ground, his kneecaps nearly shattered...
The Jade Bone Realm is strong, but compared to the head of an academy like that of the Divine Soul Realm, it's more than just a notch below...
"You, you've already broken through?"
Coming to his senses, Liu Tianzheng's face was filled with disbelief.
The humiliation was secondary; the shock was real.
The man before him had already broken through the Jade Bone Realm, a barrier that had troubled him for decades, and, like City Lord Yu, reached the Spirit Soul Realm, Eightfold Realm of Source Pool!
At this level, not to mention Baiyan City, even among over a dozen nearby cities, he could be considered a true master.
He, he was supposed to have an Inner Demon and couldn't break through, so how did he succeed so quickly?
"Could it be..."
Gulp! His gaze shifted back to the young man nearby.
Yesterday, the young man discussed whether a Destiny Plate could be given if he were able to help Lu Mingrong breakthrough. At that time, both he and Yu Longqing thought it was a joke, impossible to achieve. Yet in just one night, the breakthrough was made... Could it be that he received guidance from this young man?
After attending just two of his classes, Mingyue was so captivated that she defied my orders and recklessly absorbed all the Heavenly Mandate Vitality from a whole Destiny Plate, her cultivation now not a whit weaker than mine...
Just how many secrets and cards does this guy have up his sleeve?
And why does he keep them hidden deliberately?
Could he be... the Mandate Chaos Master that Lord Xu Xin is looking for?
Liu Tianzheng's expression darkened, and he gripped his fist tightly.
If that was indeed the case, there was no need to resist; as long as he reported the truth, someone would take action.
"Since you've already seen through it, I have no need to hide any longer. Indeed, I've broken through to the Divine Soul Realm..."
Lu Mingrong nodded: "Although I'm not sure what dispute you have with Teacher Zhang, my breakthrough is all thanks to his guidance. So, if you dare to make a move on him, you'll have to get past me first!"
"We have no dispute. I only wish for Teacher Zhang to let go of my daughter and allow her to leave..."
Hearing the other party's words and knowing that the young man could no longer take action, Liu Tianzheng said.
If he truly was the Mandate Chaos Master, his daughter must not have any further association with him, or else not only would she be in danger, but the entire Liu Clan could be destroyed because of it.
"Let go of your daughter?"
Lu Mingrong was somewhat confused, only then did he notice Liu Mingyue kneeling not too far away, "What on earth is going on here?"
"Reporting to the head of the academy, this is what happened..." Yu Xiaoyu explained the course of events in detail.
Getting the picture, Lu Mingrong also showed a displeased expression, "Who to apprentice to and who one apprentices to, is Liu Mingyue's own affair, Liu Clan Head, even if you want to do what's best for your daughter, you shouldn't be so overly controlling, right? Moreover, to be able to apprentice under Teacher Zhang is an immense fortune."
"Fortunate? I don't think so,"
Liu Tianzheng looked towards his daughter not far away: "Liu Mingyue, I'm giving you one last chance. Come with me now, and I can overlook everything that's happened before. Otherwise, don't bother coming back to the Liu Clan!"
Liu Mingyue shook her head: "Father, I won't go back with you..."
"You'd rather give up the Liu Clan than take him as your master?" Liu Tianzheng was genuinely stunned.
"If I'm unhappy all the time, I might as well leave..." Liu Mingyue said.
Liu Tianzheng, "You're young now, not knowing what's good or bad. You will understand one day, and I hope you won't regret it then!"
"I won't regret it!" Liu Mingyue's eyes were firm.
"Very well, very well!"
Knowing she wouldn't change her mind and that taking her away was almost impossible, Liu Tianzheng gave Lu Mingrong a fist and palm salute, "School Head Lu, I take my leave!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
He had originally wanted to keep this a secret for her, but since even his own daughter was being misled, he wouldn't be courteous anymore!
He would report to Lord Xu Xin as soon as he got back!
Seeing the Liu Clan head leave, Zhang Xuan turned to the girl still kneeling on the ground, also somewhat surprised, "Are you sure you want to give up the Liu Clan to take me as your teacher? This is no small matter. I hope you think it over carefully before making your choice."
"Teacher Zhang, I have made up my mind!"
Liu Mingyue kowtowed again, her eyes filled with hope, "Before I was ignorant and contradicted you in many ways, but you graciously let bygones be bygones... Now that I've made my decision, I hope teacher will accept!"
Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment and then said, "All right, I'll take you as an auditing student. You can attend classes and practice normally. If you perform well, you'll naturally become an official disciple just like the others. If you perform poorly in the future, you will be expelled immediately, without a second chance."
He was genuinely reluctant to accept her before, but now, seeing her determination and willpower, he was moved again. Having the resolve to give up everything for the sake of taking a teacher is an indicator of a great future.
Of course, she is only an auditing student for now, far from becoming his true disciple.
"Thank you, teacher!"
Liu Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up, her eyes full of excitement, while she clenched her fists quietly.
Although she was just an auditing student, it brought them closer. It was not impossible to become an official disciple later on!
"Here is the cultivation technique prepared for you. Practice diligently according to this, and strive to catch up with Xiaoyu and the others..."
Zhang Xuan handed over a book he had written.
Knowing she had been kneeling all this time, he had it prepared. This was a cultivation technique extrapolated from the Heavens' Order according to her unique constitution, which could quickly enhance her cultivation level.
As an auditing student under his tutelage, she can't be too weak.
"For me?"
Startled, Liu Mingyue flipped through the technique and couldn't help but her eyes redden.
"Teacher... how did you know that I had been injured on the left side of my abdomen, that the meridians there are fragile and need to be tempered more, and how did you know that my right leg had been bitten by a venomous snake..."
The technique was too detailed, not only flagging potential issues she might encounter during her practice in advance but even optimizing based on past injuries.
This was like going from one-size-fits-all clothing to tailor-made.
Previously, she practiced whatever technique was available, forcing herself to adapt even if it didn't feel right. But now... every time the strength circulated in this book, it was designed to fit her perfectly... once it started circulating, she knew without thinking that it would be incredibly smooth and comfortable.
Was this... a technique created specifically for me?
Ever since she could remember, she had gone against her wishes to be the dutiful girl others spoke of. For the first time, someone considered her needs, thought of her... In an instant, her heart felt as if it had been soaked in honey, brimming with a sense of happiness.
Lucky that she came to her senses after being driven out and sincerely sought a teacher, otherwise, she would have definitely missed this opportunity. Then, she could only watch Yu Xiaoyu, whom she once envied, stride further ahead, unreachable.
"We also received cultivation techniques suited to us, or else we could not have made such a breakthrough in just two hours..."
Noticing her surprise, Yu Xiaoyu explained with a smile.
She had been amazed before, but now she understood: for these techniques, the teacher must have put in countless efforts. Just this kindness alone was something she could hardly repay in this lifetime.
Realizing this as well, Liu Mingyue clenched her fists tightly.
Three disciples, each given a suitable cultivation technique. The level of meticulous care far exceeded many other teachers. School Head Lu, who she had longed for, probably couldn't have done this.
While she was filled with excitement and shock, not far off, Lu Mingrong approached Zhang Xuan with slight worry, "Teacher Zhang, the Liu Clan head isn't the magnanimous kind. Having offended him today, I fear he may cause you trouble in the future. Should you feel anything amiss, let me know immediately, and don't try to handle it alone..."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
As someone who almost became his brother-in-law, he was very aware that Liu Tianzheng was headstrong and self-centered. Defying him openly with his daughter was a complete breach, leaving no room for reconciliation.
"Okay!"
Appreciating the concern, Zhang Xuan nodded.
School Head Lu continued, "What should be done with Chen Hao, who has been kneeling for an entire day and night?"
Zhang Xuan waved casually, "Let Patriarch Chen take him back for a good education!"
If the guy hadn't been such a nuisance, he wouldn't bother with him. Besides, Patriarch Chen had already spent so much Origin Currency on him, it wouldn't feel right to pursue the matter further.
After all, he was still the honorary elder of the Chen Clan. It wasn't quite right to keep making their young master kneel.
"Okay!" School Head Lu nodded.
"Ah, this..."
Seeing the exchange between the two, Yu Xiaoyu, Liu Mingyue, and the third disciple were all stupefied.
Why did it feel like... School Head Lu was just a regular teacher, and Teacher Zhang was actually the head of the academy?
Unaware of the students' thoughts, Zhang Xuan exchanged a few more pleasantries with School Head Lu before cupping his fists, "School Head Lu, I have matters to attend to, so I'll be going back..."
"Busy yourself, Teacher Zhang!" School Head Lu turned and left.
After he left, Zhang Xuan strode towards his residence, returned to his room, checked for the absence of anyone around, and with a focus of his mind, entered the new world.
In this new world, which was continuously devouring Origin qi even after his entry into the Source World, the entire world had expanded, becoming more vast. Even with his current vision, he couldn't see the end.
Compared to the Master Teacher Continent, it was but a speck in the ocean, negligible in size.
As for the "Suspended Realm" at the very top, created to help him practice, which was about the size of the Master Teacher Continent, it was now filled with refined Origin qi, powerful and astonishing.
"Let's summon them over first!"
Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.
Having just tested himself without burning the continents inside the new world, he was capable of matching the Liu Clan head in battle. Such cultivation was enough to establish himself in Baiyan City, and it seemed about time to consider bringing over Sun Qiang and the rest.