Chapter 1159: Zhang Xuan Visits the Brothel (Part 1)

Zhang Xuan slowly opened his eyes, unsure how much time had passed.

This time, the Heavenly Acknowledged Master process lasted longer than ever before. Under the refinement of the special aura, his spirit became more agile and his thoughts purer.

Although his cultivation level hadn't increased, his mind had become clearer and his reaction speed faster.

His Eye of Insight had also become purer. If he wished to conceal himself, even an 8-star master teacher wouldn't be able to discern his true nature from his outward appearance.

Furthermore, previously, he could only identify flaws in cultivation levels three or four minor ranks higher than his own. Now, he could see through cultivation levels comparable to his own combat strength.

This meant he could now discern the weaknesses and flaws in the cultivation of Spirit Soul realm pinnacle experts.

In the future, when encountering such experts, he could easily pinpoint their weaknesses using only his Eye of Insight, without needing the Library of Heaven's Path, and defeat them with ease.

"The changes to the Eye of Insight are minor. Most importantly, my Heart of Conferred Seal level... had increased by another 2.0!"

He was filled with excitement.

While the changes to his Eye of Insight were significant, what pleased him most was the dramatic increase in his Heart of Conferred Seal level.

After this Heavenly Acknowledged Master process, it had actually increased by another 2.0!

Having previously undergone the Saint Ascension Tribulation, his Heart of Conferred Seal level had reached 23.1, comparable to a high-grade 7-star master teacher. Now, with another jump of 2.0, it had reached 25.1, already comparable to a mid-grade 8-star master teacher!

With such a Heart of Conferred Seal, if he used his Heavenly Impartation of Master's Will, even a pinnacle 7-star master teacher could easily fall victim, being swayed into becoming his disciple.

"Knowing their cultivation methods... even low-grade 8-star master teachers might not be able to escape."

He clenched his fists.

For Heavenly Impartation of Master's Will to sway someone, the cultivation technique must be flawless and align with the Great Path. Master teachers who reach 8-star possess exceptional composure, so their foundational cultivation methods no longer have a significant impact. However, if one knows their specific cultivation techniques and can find the right approach to exploit them, swaying them should not be difficult.

"With my Heart of Conferred Seal at this level, it seems I should accelerate my cultivation and take the 7-star master teacher examination as soon as possible."

He let out a breath.

For master teachers, the most challenging aspect of cultivation is the Heart of Conferred Seal. Once it reaches a certain level, cultivation can be accelerated.

The matters at the Combat Master Hall were resolved, and everyone was interacting amicably and harmoniously, so there was no need for concern.

Since that was the case, it was time to attend to his own affairs: visit the Master Teacher Pavilion, see old friends, and, while he was at it, obtain his 7-star emblem.

When he took the 6-star examination, he chose the most difficult path: ascending a kingdom. Having completed that, he wouldn't need to re-examine for 7-star; he could directly be awarded the rank emblem.

Of course, the prerequisite was having enough supporting occupations and the required Heart of Conferred Seal.

His Heart of Conferred Seal was already sufficient for an 8-star master teacher examination, so the main concern was his supporting occupations.

Currently, only his Spirit Awakener, Demonic Tune Master, and Poison Master emblems were at 7-star; professions like alchemy and artifact forging were still at 6-star.

Among these, Spirit Awakener was not considered a special occupation, and Poison Master couldn't be openly used. Counting them all, he effectively had only one 7-star supporting occupation he could present.

"To pass the 7-star master teacher examination, I need seven 7-star supporting occupations. Currently, apart from Appraisal Master and Spirit Channeler, all my other professions have reached the pinnacle of 6-star!"

He currently possessed a total of twelve supporting occupations: 7-star Spirit Awakener, 7-star Demonic Tune Master, 7-star Poison Master, 6-star Alchemist, 6-star Physician, 6-star Calligraphy and Painting Master, 6-star Beast Tamer, 6-star Celestial Designer, 6-star Profound Artist, 6-star Formation Master, and 5-star Appraisal Master... as well as a Spirit Channeler!

Spirit Awakener, Poison Master, and Spirit Channeler couldn't be used, meaning he needed to choose seven out of the remaining nine professions and bring them up to 7-star.

"As for Formation Master, I've already reached 7-star, and President Han promised to help me apply for the rank. It should already be successful; I just need to go and collect it."

At Qiuwu Palace, he had mastered formations to the pinnacle of 7-star in one go. President Han, being the head of the Formation Master Guild in Qingyuan Empire, had long ago promised to help him apply for the rank, so he wouldn't need to go through the troublesome examination again.

All in all, he effectively had only two 7-star professions that he could count towards the requirement so far.

He still needed to examine five more professions.

"With my current status, I can go directly to the respective guilds and read their books. If I'm quick, I should be able to complete the examinations in a single day..."

He smiled faintly.

For others, examining supporting occupations meant learning a new field of knowledge, taking an unknown amount of time. For him, it was nothing.

If he was quick... he could finish in a day.

Even if he was slow, it wouldn't take more than two days.

"Guilds for alchemists, physicians, and beast tamers should all be here. I just don't know if there are guilds for Profound Artists, Celestial Designers, or Calligraphy and Painting Masters..."

He wasn't sure exactly which guilds were in Qingyuan City or where they were located. He needed to ask someone to make the examination process faster.

"Sun Qiang! Sun Qiang!"

He stepped out of his room and called out a few times in the courtyard.

Whenever they arrived at a new place, Sun Qiang would go out to gather information, so asking him would be the best option.

"Teacher, Butler Sun went out last night and hasn't returned yet..." Liu Yang approached.

After Sun Qiang parted ways with him last night, he had left, and there was no sign of him even by this morning.

Zhang Xuan frowned, "Do you know where he went?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I've already asked some friends from the Combat Master Hall to inquire about it..." Liu Yang replied hurriedly.

"Alright," Zhang Xuan nodded, instructing, "When he returns, tell him to come find me!"

Sun Qiang had stayed out overnight before, so there was no need to worry. Having people from the Combat Master Hall search would cover a wider area than if he did it himself.

"Understood!" Liu Yang nodded.

Without further delay, Zhang Xuan walked towards Hall Master Xing's residence.

Since Sun Qiang wasn't there, he had no choice but to ask Hall Master Xing.

"Master Teacher Zhang wants to examine his supporting occupations and pursue 7-star master teacher status?" Hall Master Xing chuckled upon hearing his intention.

"That's right!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Elder Qi is the former president of the Physician Guild. Given your profound medical skills, it shouldn't be difficult for him to help you apply for a 7-star emblem... you won't need to examine for Physician!" Hall Master Xing said with a smile. "And Alchemist Wu Huayu, the president of the Alchemist Guild, heard you were at our Combat Master Hall and intends to visit. Based on my conversation with him, he should have already applied for your 7-star Alchemist emblem and plans to deliver it personally!"

"Wu Huayu?" Zhang Xuan was surprised.

This was the man who had debated alchemy with him via a communication stele at the Master Teacher Academy's Pill Debate Hall, and Zhang Xuan had given him many pointers. Zhang Xuan had also asked him to help apply for the Bone Strengthening Grass...

He had thought Wu Huayu was an ignorant junior, a nobody, and never expected him to be the president of the Qingyuan Alchemist Guild.

Later, when delivering the Bone Strengthening Grass, Wu Huayu had even visited the Hongyuan Empire, but unfortunately, Zhang Xuan happened to be away, so they hadn't met.

"If I don't need to examine for Alchemist and Physician, that means I now have four 7-star professions. I only need to examine for three more!" Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, feeling relieved.

While taking the examinations wouldn't have taken much effort anyway, saving trouble was always preferable.

"The Beast Tamer Guild isn't within the city; it's located in the mountains about a hundred kilometers from here. However, the Profound Artist, Appraisal Master, and Calligraphy and Painting Master Guilds are all within the city. As for the Celestial Designer Guild, Qingyuan City doesn't have one!" Hall Master Xing explained.

"Alright, I'll go to the Profound Artist Guild for my examination first!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Beast Tamer Guilds were usually not within cities. Since that was the case, he might as well complete the examinations for the professions available in the city first.

"Very well, I'll take you there now..." Hall Master Xing nodded.

"There's no need to trouble you, Hall Master. Just tell me the exact location, and I'll go by myself!" Zhang Xuan chuckled.

It was just a supporting occupation examination; there was no need for the Hall Master of the Combat Master Hall to accompany him. If he did, it would be too astonishing and make it impossible for him to keep a low profile.

"Alright, then. However, the branch of the Profound Artist Guild in Qingyuan Empire... you might find its location a bit awkward," Hall Master Xing said with a wry smile.

"Awkward?"

"Yes. Master Teacher Zhang, having studied the Profound Artist profession, should know that it uses dance as its medium... And the easiest place to practice dancing is... Springview Pavilion!"

"Springview Pavilion?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled. "Is that the name of the Profound Artist branch?"

"It's... a brothel!" Hall Master Xing replied, looking utterly embarrassed.

"A brothel?" Zhang Xuan's mouth twitched.

"Yes, but... it's not the kind you're imagining. They are entertainers who sell their art, not their bodies, specializing only in Profound Art dances! Even so, it attracts countless dignitaries daily and is extremely popular!"

Those capable of cultivating Profound Art dances were undoubtedly beauties among beauties, with excellent figures. Even if they didn't sell their bodies, a single performance would certainly captivate countless people.

It was just... for a dignified special occupation to operate a brothel... he found it somewhat unbelievable.

"The founding patriarch of the Profound Art dance, Senior Gongsun, had her entire family annihilated when she was young. To seek revenge, she became a dancing girl... Later, after achieving her vengeance, she established this profession under the guidance of Master Teacher Kong. However, the identity of the dancing girl was passed down, and many Profound Artist Guild branches are, in fact, brothels..."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

He knew that Senior Gongsun had created the Profound Art dance.

However, the books he had read were filtered by the academy, and to preserve the honor of master teachers, they had likely deliberately abridged the description of dancing girls.

Otherwise, he shouldn't have been ignorant of this fact.

"When Master Teacher Kong learned of this, he didn't disparage it. Instead, he said that there are no lowly professions in the world, only lowly lives. Even a dancing girl, as long as she strictly adheres to her principles, deserves respect! It was precisely because of this that this profession became a special occupation and was not eliminated."

"Indeed!" Zhang Xuan acknowledged.

Master Teacher Kong was right.

Every profession is noble; even the most ordinary ones deserve respect and should not be looked down upon.

As expected of Master Teacher Kong, his insights were truly extraordinary.

"Where is this Springview Pavilion you mentioned?"

Casting aside his preconceptions, Zhang Xuan asked.

"It's not too far from the Combat Master Hall. After you leave, turn left, and you'll see it after about five or six kilometers..."

"Alright, I'll go take a look!"

After inquiring about the exact locations of the remaining two guilds, Zhang Xuan clasped his fists and took his leave.

Leaving Hall Master Xing's residence, he hadn't even exited the Combat Master Hall when he saw a girl rushing after him.

"Master Teacher Zhang, are you going out? Can I come with you?"