Chapter 1163: Sun Qiang's News

She had just declared that "directly bestowing a badge" was absurd when her own teacher presented one to her. If there were a crack in the ground, she would have instantly crawled into it.

The humiliation was immense.

Few men specialized in the Ethereal Master profession to begin with. Not only had this man studied it, but he had also been exceptionally bestowed a badge. Was this truly real?

"Teacher... I've never heard of the headquarters directly bestowing badges before," she asked, unable to hold back.

Wei Ranqin nodded. "The headquarters grants special consideration to those who make significant contributions to the Ethereal Master profession. They can usually provide rank badges without an assessment. Master Zhang modified the Iridescent Rippling Dance, enabling it to easily reach the Seven-Star level. With such a contribution, not to mention a Seven-Star badge, if he wished, becoming an elder of our branch would be no big deal!"

"He modified the Iridescent Rippling Dance? Was this dance technique truly his work?" Fairy Ziyan's delicate body trembled, her face filled with disbelief.

She had long known about the modification of the Iridescent Rippling Dance. After practicing it, she was utterly astounded by its perfection. The modified version not only vastly increased in power but also reduced soul force consumption by at least two-thirds. Crucially, it significantly minimized the practitioner's self-damage when attacking others. For this reason, almost everyone in their branch who had reached Six-Star level or above practiced this technique. She had assumed that such a perfect modification could only be achieved by at least an Eight-Star Ethereal Master, never dreaming it would be a young man in his twenties. And what was worse, she had just mocked him...

President Wei Ranqin continued, "Yes, Master Zhang not only modified the Iridescent Rippling Dance but, more importantly, also developed unique insights into the Ethereal Master profession. Your Uncle Ran Xue reported all of this in detail, which is why the headquarters directly bestowed the Seven-Star badge!" Although she had discussed this extensively with her junior sister, seeing Master Zhang's youth with her own eyes still felt incredible. At merely twenty years old, he not only possessed such profound knowledge of the Ethereal Master profession but also excelled remarkably in other fields. Even she couldn't help but deeply admire such talent.

"This..." Fairy Ziyan's face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She stepped forward and said, "Master Zhang, my words were rash just now. Please forgive me..."

"Fairy, you are too kind!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand with a faint smile. "Later, during the solo performance, just help my brother here resolve the injuries to his soul!" With his level of mental cultivation, others' opinions could no longer sway his mind. An apology, or lack thereof, meant little to him.

"Yes!" Seeing that he held no grudge, Fairy Ziyan nodded. Just as she was about to ask Young Master Chu Xiang about the nature of his injuries, she saw the young man staring at them with wide, disbelieving eyes, filled with dread.

"You... you know my soul was injured?" Even his father was unaware of his soul injury. He had always concealed it by feigning a dissolute lifestyle, never daring to reveal it to anyone. Yet, this person, after knowing him for less than half an hour, had instantly revealed it...

Zhang Xuan smiled faintly. "Your soul aura appears cohesive, yet it contains elements that are difficult to integrate. If I'm not mistaken, you were likely ambushed while attempting to break through to the Embryonic Soul Realm!" With the enhanced ability of his Eye of Insight, he could easily discern this even without resorting to martial techniques or the library. His soul had been injured by a sneak attack during his advancement. Fortunately, the injury wasn't too severe, and with continuous nourishment from Ethereal Dance, it had almost healed. If Fairy Ziyan could wholeheartedly assist him, he should be able to make a complete recovery after a few Ethereal Dances. Therefore, there was no need for him to intervene personally. Although Chu Xiang had befriended him by treating him as a "kindred spirit," Zhang Xuan wouldn't have been able to reach this place without his help, nor would he have met President Wei Ranqin so smoothly. Offering help was merely a word; it was a way of repaying the favor.

"I..." Chu Xiang's face flushed crimson; he was speechless. His injury was indeed sustained during a sneak attack while he was attempting to break through to the Embryonic Soul Realm. However, this was a highly sensitive secret that even he dared not reveal. This person, with just a single glance, knew the extent of the injury and its cause. Such insight was truly terrifying. He had initially thought the other party was merely a "womanizer," never imagining he was such a formidable expert.

"President Wei, I'd like to visit your library and browse the Seven-Star level books, if that's permissible?" Ignoring the two stunned individuals, Zhang Xuan cupped his fists in a salute.

"You are now a Seven-Star Ethereal Master, so of course you may browse freely. Please, this way!" President Wei nodded and led the way. Zhang Xuan followed behind.

It wasn't long before they arrived at a spacious room. President Wei pointed ahead. "All of our guild's books are inside. You can easily enter simply by holding your badge..."

"Yes, I might also trouble you, President, to look after my three friends. This Hu Yaoyao is precisely Dean Wei Ranxue's star student!"

"Ran Xue's student?" President Wei looked her way.

"Yaoyao greets Senior Aunt!" Hu Yaoyao quickly stepped forward.

"Hmm, excellent, excellent..." After a glance, President Wei couldn't help but nod repeatedly. An Ethereal Master requires not only cultivation talent but, more importantly, excellent innate conditions. The more beautiful a person is and the better their physique, the greater the power their dance techniques can unleash. This Hu Yaoyao, in both figure and appearance, was far superior to Fairy Ziyan. If properly nurtured, her future prospects were bound to be limitless.

Seeing President Wei's satisfaction, Zhang Xuan said nothing further. He took out his badge, pushed open the door, and entered the library.

The library was very spacious, with countless books arranged in row after row. Disregarding the one-star to six-star sections, Zhang Xuan used his badge to access the Seven-Star books and scanned them with his gaze.

*Whoosh!*

Innumerable books flowed into his Sea of Knowledge. After his fourth Heaven's Acknowledged Master recognition, though his library hadn't changed, his cognitive abilities had become significantly swifter. Consequently, the speed at which he could collect books also increased. In less than half an hour, all books concerning the Seven-Star level were fully absorbed into his mind.

"Correct!"

With a mental command, the books converged, forming a Heaven's Path secret manual. Half an hour later, Zhang Xuan exhaled, his eyes gleaming with vitality. After this study, his understanding of the Ethereal Master profession had already reached the peak of the Seven-Star level. Thanks to the Heaven's Path cultivation technique, his comprehension was on par with some early-stage Eight-Star masters. Of course, this was merely in terms of insight and knowledge. If he were to genuinely encounter a powerhouse of that caliber, he would still flee as far as possible. Even if his understanding was profound, without the corresponding strength, he couldn't unleash its full power.

"Alright, I've gained another profession," he murmured. "Two more, and I can apply for the Seven-Star Master Teacher rank..." Standing up, Zhang Xuan let out a sigh of relief. Of the seven auxiliary professions, five were already completed; only two remained. "I'll go check out appraisal and painting/calligraphy," he thought. "Those two assessments are relatively simpler..." The Beast Tamer Guild was quite distant, and as a profession of the 'Upper Nine Streams,' its assessment would undoubtedly be more challenging. It would be better to visit the Appraiser and Calligraphy/Painting Guilds first.

Upon exiting the library, he saw President Wei and the others still standing exactly where they had been, not having left. Approaching them, Zhang Xuan said, "I've troubled President Wei enough this time. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

Seeing that he was about to leave, Luo Qiqi and Yu Feier simultaneously cupped their fists. "President, we'll also be leaving now..."

"Hmm!" President Wei nodded. "Yaoyao, please stay here for now; I have some questions I'd like to ask you." Zhang Xuan glanced at Hu Yaoyao. Seeing her nod, he replied, "Very well!"

Outside the Ethereal Master Guild, Yu Feier looked over. "Master Zhang, are we returning to the Combat Master Hall now?"

"I'm heading to the Appraiser Guild. If you wish to return, you may do so directly..."

"No, I want to go with you..." Yu Feier said.

"Me too..." Luo Qiqi nodded.

Seeing that the two weren't returning, Zhang Xuan said nothing further. He pinpointed the direction and was about to follow Hall Master Xing's instructions to find the Appraiser Guild when a young man in black approached him.

"May I ask if you are Master Zhang Xuan?" the young man cupped his fists.

"I am." Zhang Xuan paused, then frowned. He didn't know many people in the Qingyuan Empire. Why would someone be looking for him?

"My master wishes to see you..." the young man said.

"Your master wishes to see me?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled, "Who is your master?"

"Master Zhang will know once you meet him," the young man replied.

"I'm sorry, I don't have time," Zhang Xuan refused. Since the man wouldn't even state a name, Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered to meet him. He was very busy; he had no time to waste on someone who wouldn't even disclose their name.

"Heh heh, my master said that Master Zhang would definitely come to see him!" With a faint smile, the young man seemed to have anticipated his refusal and appeared utterly fearless.

"Oh? You're certain I'll go? Isn't that a bit too confident?" Zhang Xuan was displeased. It was one thing for the other party to summon him without stating a name, but to act so mysterious clearly suggested they weren't an upright individual.

"Master Zhang, please don't be hasty. You might want to look at this..." The young man flipped his wrist and handed something to him.

Zhang Xuan looked at it, puzzled. It was a corner of a piece of clothing, somewhat worn and tattered. With just a glance, his eyes immediately narrowed. "You kidnapped Sun Qiang?"

This piece of cloth was indeed from Sun Qiang's attire. His butler hadn't returned all night. He had assumed Sun Qiang was simply out enjoying himself, experiencing life, perhaps "saving fallen women"... He never imagined he had been kidnapped! Most critically, the other party clearly knew who he was, yet had the audacity to extend such an invitation, obviously acting with impunity.

"Steward Sun Qiang is currently a guest at our estate," the young man began. "My master specifically invites Master Zhang to visit, otherwise, I fear what will be sent won't be a mere scrap of cloth, but..."

Seeing that Zhang Xuan recognized it, the young man smiled faintly. Before he could even finish his sentence, he suddenly felt an intense pain in his lower abdomen, and his face instantly contorted in agony. Zhang Xuan had kicked him in the stomach. Under that single blow, his internal organs felt as though they would burst on the spot.

*Thud!*

He crashed onto the main road dozens of meters away, his body convulsing like a shrimp.