Chapter 1167: Great Disturbance at the Prince's Mansion

Spending three months in the grotto, even if it didn't directly affect his master teacher standing, was by no means a light punishment. The grotto was where the Master Teacher Continent and the Outer Realm battlefield intersected. Permeated with a dense aura of slaughter, foreign races would appear there from time to time. The danger was immense; falling into it was akin to a near-certain death!

Typically, only master teachers who had committed grave errors and believed their sins were beyond redemption would voluntarily request to enter it, striving to dedicate the remainder of their lives to humanity as a final contribution. Just like Dean Lu Feng back then.

Leaving aside the fact that Sun Qiang wasn't a poison master, even if he were, without committing any heinous acts, he couldn't be considered a heinous criminal. Even a Master Teacher had no right to execute him, and as his master, I certainly shouldn't be implicated! For a dignified Vice Hall Master of the Master Teacher Pavilion, who oversaw a branch, to issue such a verdict... it was simply an outrageous absurdity!

“Vice Hall Master Tian, I've extended such lenient treatment to you out of goodwill. It's one thing not to be grateful, but you actually want to refuse?”

With an arched eyebrow, King Zhongqing roared.

“Keep that lenient treatment for yourself!” Too lazy to bother with the other party, Zhang Xuan took a few steps and arrived before Sun Qiang.

Clang!

Seeing him approach, the two guards escorting Sun Qiang simultaneously drew their weapons, their faces full of vigilance. However, just as the longswords in their hands were unsheathed, without any further movement, there was a crisp snap, and they broke into two pieces. The sword tips flew off to who knew where. Immediately afterward, without Zhang Xuan making any discernible movement, the two guards groaned, flew backward, and heavily struck the pillars outside the hall, their vision going black as they fainted.

“You’ve been wronged...”

With a sigh, the Golden Soul Lock on Sun Qiang's body immediately flew off, landing on the ground. Zhang Xuan flicked his finger.

Whirring!

The severe injuries the latter had sustained visibly healed. Sun Qiang's strength was far too inferior to his, so restoring injuries with Heavenly Dao True Qi was effortless.

“Impudent! Zhang Xuan, this is Qingyuan City, not your Hongyuan Empire! Disregarding the Master Teacher Pavilion's precepts, acting on your own, showing no respect for proper conduct, and behaving so recklessly! What immense audacity! Guards, seize him!”

King Zhongqing roared.

Clatter!

Following his words, a throng of people immediately rushed in from outside the door.

“Young Master...”

Seeing his Young Master, for his sake, confront the First Prince of the Qingyuan Conferred Empire, Sun Qiang's face turned pale, and a warm current flowed through his heart. Falling out with a Vice Hall Master of the Master Teacher Pavilion could very likely ruin his future. Yet, the Young Master didn't hesitate, solely to save him, a mere servant... This kindness was deeper than heaven and earth.

Luo Qiqi and Yu Feier also stood on either side, their faces vigilant.

“Seize me? King Zhongqing, are you truly not afraid of death, or do you think I wouldn't dare to kill you?”

Ignoring the charging guards, Zhang Xuan turned to face King Zhongqing, who stood in the center of the room.

“Kill me? Haha, a six-star master teacher from a first-tier empire, who has gained some strength by chance, boasts so shamelessly! Your refusal to obey Hall Master Tian's words is equivalent to violating the Master Teacher Pavilion's regulations... I will now purge the Master Teacher Pavilion on its behalf!”

With a cold sneer, King Zhongqing's aura surged, reaching its peak in the blink of an eye. The surrounding air distorted, as if being folded under the control of his primordial spirit. Sage Realm Fourth Layer, Primordial Spirit realm pinnacle! His power was not much different from that of Master Wu when he first entered Qiu Wu Palace, and his combat strength even surpassed President Han of the Formation Master Guild.

“King Zhongqing, no matter what, Master Zhang is a Master Teacher. Even if he has committed a fault, he must be brought back to the Master Teacher Pavilion for interrogation. Just seize him, do not kill him...” Seeing his aura surge, Vice Hall Master Tian Qing instructed.

“Don't worry, Vice Hall Master, I know my limits...”

With a cold laugh, King Zhongqing suddenly clenched his hand. The entire hall immediately seemed to be enveloped by dark clouds, as wave-like power surged down. It was unknown what cultivation art this First Prince practiced. Not only was his power immense and his true qi surged, but it also gave one the feeling of being plunged into a battlefield, as if surrounded by blood, with a crimson vision, making it difficult to extricate oneself.

“This is... the Great Blood Robe Secret Art!”

Seeing this move, Luo Qiqi's beautiful eyes immediately furrowed with a sharp intensity.

“The Great Blood Robe Secret Art?”

“It's a cultivation technique from the Qingyuan Empire with the densest killing aura. To cultivate it, one needs the nourishment of blood to progress. Once cast, it only recedes upon seeing blood... It's extremely sinister! Even the Sea-Overwhelming Art of the same rank would find it difficult to overcome!”

Luo Qiqi hastily said, “This move, however, goes against heavenly harmony. No Master Teacher or Combat Master would learn it... I can't believe a dignified prince actually learned it... Teacher, be careful!”

“A mere clown!”

Seeing the girl's face full of worry, Zhang Xuan showed no trace of tension on his face, but instead smiled faintly and flicked his finger. The Golden Soul Lock on the ground immediately shot out, moving as fast as lightning, and was before King Zhongqing in the blink of an eye. The mighty palm strike, pitted against the rapidly approaching Golden Soul Lock, failed to block it in the slightest. In the blink of an eye, it pierced through the palm strike, appearing before the First Prince.

The Golden Soul Lock struck his chest. His face turned red, and King Zhongqing spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Stumbling! He retreated seven or eight steps consecutively, his back hitting the chair behind him. The precious chair carved from fine wood, unable to withstand the impact, instantly shattered into pieces. His true qi boiled within him, emitting a roaring sound like a tide. Only then did King Zhongqing steady himself. He felt his qi and blood churning, his face pale, and he looked at the young man not far away, unable to believe his eyes.

He was a powerhouse at the pinnacle of Sage Realm Fourth Layer, Primordial Spirit realm. The other party, however, was merely at the pinnacle of Sage Realm Second Layer, Spirit Insight realm... There was a full two major realms difference. By all logic, it should have been impossible to bridge such a gap. Yet, the other party... with a casual strike, broke his palm power, and not only that, but effortlessly repelled him... This was simply too terrifying!

It wasn't just him; even Vice Hall Master Tian Qing on the side couldn't help but be stunned. Evidently, Zhang Xuan's combat strength had exceeded all expectations; even he hadn't anticipated it.

“No wonder you dare to be so arrogant. So you have something to rely on. However... if this is all your strength, then stay here!”

Signaling Vice Hall Master Tian not to interfere, King Zhongqing let out a long cry. He flicked his five fingers repeatedly, and simultaneously flipped his palm, as if turning a lotus leaf upside down.

“Three Autumns Palm!”

Zhang Xuan recognized it. He had read all the books on combat techniques in the Combat Master Hall's Martial Skills Division and integrated them. This move before him was already ingrained in his mind, more familiar than familiar itself. Three Autumns Osmanthus, Ten Miles of Lotus! The power of this move was in no way inferior to the Great Star-Net Finger Art. It had some renown in the Combat Master Hall, and many combat masters spent decades to achieve something with it. He hadn't expected King Zhongqing to have already mastered it to the Great Accomplishment level.

Such a powerful combat technique, combined with the Great Blood Robe Secret Art, made the entire hall seem to instantly plunge into a muddy pond, where blood-red lotus flowers bloomed one after another, as if ready to harvest souls and lives at any moment.

“This move would indeed be difficult to deal with if encountered by other combat masters. Even Hall Master Liao and the others might have to temporarily avoid its sharp edge... Unfortunately, you’ve used it on the wrong person!”

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan didn't retreat but advanced instead. He took a step forward, his foot landing on a blood-red lotus flower, then raised his finger and pointed. Starlight twinkled at his fingertip, eclipsing the light from the luminous pearls on the ceiling. A sword glow shot out from his fingertip, tearing apart the Three Autumns Palm in the blink of an eye. Immediately afterward, King Zhongqing was seen spewing out blood, retreating a few more steps, his back hitting the wall.

Crash!

Dust billowed above his head, and shattered stones flew everywhere.

“You knew... the flaw in Three Autumns Palm?”

King Zhongqing couldn't believe it. Under normal circumstances, the Great Star-Net Finger Art and the Three Autumns Palm were of the same level and similar power. Even if they clashed, he shouldn't have been defeated so easily. But... Zhang Xuan somehow knew the flaw in his move. By pointing at that exact spot, he caused his true qi to falter, and he couldn't even withstand a single move before suffering severe injuries.

Too lazy to answer the other party's question, with his hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Xuan looked as if he hadn't just been in a fight, and casually looked at Sun Qiang, who was not far away.

“He caused you so much suffering. How should he be dealt with?”

“He pierced my pipa bone. If given the chance, I want to pierce his as well... Let him endure this pain!” Sun Qiang gnashed his teeth.

“Easy!”

With a light smile, Zhang Xuan gestured again with his palm.

Whoosh!

The Golden Soul Lock on the ground immediately flew up, like a long snake, bearing a ferocious look. He couldn't believe that this person before him was actually consulting a mere servant on how to deal with him. King Zhongqing's face flushed with anger, and he roared, “Why aren't you attacking yet!”

Clatter!

Following his command, the numerous guards who had rushed in earlier immediately charged forward, roaring.

“Hmph!”

Too lazy to turn around, Zhang Xuan stamped his foot on the ground.

Whoosh!

A ripple of light shimmered forth from under his foot. In the blink of an eye, the formation within the hall seemed to activate, blocking the many guards outside; no matter how they charged, they couldn't reach him.

“You are nothing in my eyes. Do you really think some random nobodies can stop me?”

Looking at King Zhongqing before him, Zhang Xuan raised an eyelid. Having studied all the halls of the Combat Master Pavilion, his strength had already reached an invincible level within the Primordial Spirit realm. Even if the opponent wasn't weak, compared to him, he was nothing.

Whoosh!

As his words ended, the Golden Soul Lock shot straight up again, like a great dragon, ready to devour anyone at any moment.

“Vice Hall Master, save me...”

Knowing he was no match, and that this young man, despite his age, possessed unimaginable strength, Tian Qing no longer cared about his dignity and roared.

“Stop now, or I'll issue a Master Teacher arrest warrant and bring you to justice...”

Tian Qing also saw that King Zhongqing was no match. He shook his head, took a step forward, and raised his palm, just about to interrupt Zhang Xuan's attack, when he heard a “Whoosh!” A giant cauldron flew over from who knew where.

Thud!

It directly smashed onto his head. With just one hit, he lay on the ground, sprawled out like the character '大'.

“Master, where is the guy you want me to beat up? Watch me turn him into cinders!”

“...” Zhang Xuan.

“...” Vice Hall Master Tian Qing.