Chapter 1228: Go to the Jibei Swamp

As a 7-star master teacher, Zhang Xuan naturally understood the feelings of Luo Qiqi and Yu Feier. However, having found love, he had no desire to get entangled in other romantic relationships. Although it might cause them short-term sadness, it was far better than allowing them to be sad indefinitely.

Better a short pain than a long one; there should be no hesitation or indecision in matters of the heart, or it will harm both oneself and others.

After watching Yu Feier depart, Zhang Xuan calmed the turmoil in his heart before seeking out Hall Master Xing.

The most crucial task now was to resolve the issue of the 'Ruthless One' in Jibei Marsh. If this individual were allowed to continue wreaking havoc, not only would the master teachers of the Master Teacher Pavilion be unsafe, but Zhang Xuan himself would also be in jeopardy.

After all, a Heaven-Acknowledged Master Teacher held an immense appeal for the Otherworldly Demons. Even if the 'Ruthless One' was trapped and unable to act personally, merely spreading the news would make Zhang Xuan's future difficult, inevitably leading to endless pursuits.

"If the Master Teacher Pavilion is in danger, we, as its members, will certainly not stand idly by! Master Zhang, please allow me to accompany you!"

Upon hearing this, Hall Master Xing's gaze became resolute.

The Combat Master Hall was a part of the Master Teacher Pavilion. For an Otherworldly Demon to dare attack it, as the Hall Master, he was bound by duty.

"Alright, you can select two individuals to accompany me. We don't need too many; otherwise, we'll easily attract attention. If the opponent prepares in advance, it will be much harder to eliminate them!"

Zhang Xuan paused before speaking.

The 'Ruthless One' was an exceptionally powerful being who once contended with Master Kong. If news leaked and the opponent was prepared, not only would killing him be impossible, but they might even perish themselves.

"Understood!"

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Hall Master Xing nodded and swiftly departed.

Not long after, Hall Master Liao of the Soul Hall and Hall Master Wei of the Inner Breath Hall arrived, following close behind.

"They were the first to cultivate the Glazed Heart Refining Art, and their mental fortitude is the most stable. If the opponent is truly a Witch Soul Master skilled in soul attacks, these two are the most suitable!" Hall Master Xing explained.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Witch Soul Masters excel at soul attacks and creating various illusions. With strong mental fortitude, one would be significantly safer.

Hall Master Liao, as the head of the Heart Hall, was undoubtedly a good choice. Hall Master Wei was the earliest to encounter the Glazed Heart Refining Art and had made considerable progress after cultivating it for some time. Moreover, their strength was second only to Hall Master Xing's, making them indeed the most suitable candidates.

"This journey is extremely perilous, with little chance of survival; you might not return. Think carefully before you commit!"

Zhang Xuan looked at them with a solemn expression.

"We understand!"

"The Combat Master Hall was established to resolve hidden dangers and lead charges. To die for humanity is an honor, even in death!"

Hall Master Wei and Hall Master Liao showed no hesitation whatsoever.

"Very well, let's head to the Master Teacher Pavilion now and rendezvous with Master Wu and the others!"

Witnessing their resolute attitude, and knowing that this was the spirit the Combat Master Hall had cultivated over many years, Zhang Xuan said no more and immediately flew towards the Master Teacher Pavilion.

Meanwhile, Master Wu had also gathered his team: three loyal peak 7-star elders, and surprisingly, an old acquaintance... Zhang Jiuxiao.

"Jiuxiao has been to Jibei Marsh and personally entered the Ghost Cave. I believe it's highly probable that Teacher Qing Tianhuang's hiding place is connected to this area, so having him lead the way would be most appropriate!" Master Wu explained.

"Oh..."

Zhang Xuan paused, then nodded.

Qing Tianhuang's memories contained scant and incomplete information about the 'Ruthless One.' This wasn't due to a lack of ability in soul-searching on Zhang Xuan's part, but because the 'Ruthless One,' being proficient in Witch Soul arts, naturally knew how to erase memories to prevent any risks.

Thus, the memories in Qing Tianhuang's mind were actually incomplete!

Since Zhang Jiuxiao had visited the Ghost Cave, having him lead the way would undoubtedly save them a great deal of trouble.

"Master Zhang, although we've had our disagreements and I've held some reservations about you... when it concerns humanity, I will not back down, because... I am a master teacher!" Zhang Jiuxiao looked over, his expression firm.

"Indeed, we are all master teachers..."

Zhang Xuan was somewhat surprised that he held such a belief.

Previously, due to the matter with Luo Ruoxi, Zhang Xuan had viewed the Zhang Clan as a family that disregarded others' feelings, wielding power tyrannically and unreasonably. Now, seeing Zhang Jiuxiao's attitude, his opinion couldn't help but shift.

As he was musing, the young man before him raised his eyebrows, a resolute expression on his face: "Furthermore, I will surpass you... to show you that I, Zhang Jiuxiao, am the true genius!"

"Surpass me?"

Zhang Xuan hadn't expected him to harbor such a thought. Shaking his head, he replied, both amused and exasperated, "Whatever makes you happy..."

Surpass him?

Perhaps there existed a genius in this world stronger than him, but... it was certainly not the person standing before him.

Whether it was his mental state, strength, or auxiliary cultivation... never mind, Zhang Xuan decided not to dwell on it. Just thinking about it revealed too many shortcomings. This 'good thing' of wanting to surpass him... was merely wishful thinking. The other party might end up being increasingly discouraged and eventually lose confidence.

"Since everyone is assembled, let's depart!"

With the team confirmed, Master Wu wasted no time. He summoned the Master Teacher Pavilion's highest-grade flying sacred beast. Everyone boarded, and they swiftly flew towards Jibei Marsh.

Jibei Marsh was located north of Jibei City, a million kilometers from the Qingyuan Imperial Capital. Although the Master Teacher Pavilion's flying sacred beast had reached the peak of the Primordial Spirit realm, it would still require at least five or six days to reach their destination.

"I have some pills here that I specifically refined before we left. Once we arrive, everyone should take them. They can neutralize all poisons and also prevent Witch Soul Masters from possessing you..."

Standing inside the wooden hut on the sacred beast's back, Zhang Xuan took out several pills and distributed them.

Including Zhang Xuan, there were nine people heading to Jibei Marsh this time. Although each of them was among the most powerful individuals in Qingyuan City, confronting an old monster like the 'Ruthless One,' who had lived for an unknown period, still required thorough prior preparation.

"Understood!"

The group received the pills and carefully stored them.

"The Combat Master Hall's combined attack formation is decent; it can be flexibly combined regardless of the number of participants. However, it still has many flaws. I've just improved it and recorded the coordination methods on this book. Please pass it around and study it now..."

Zhang Xuan took out another book and handed it over.

Both the Combat Master Hall and the Master Teacher Pavilion possessed combined attack formations. While others considered these formations exceptionally powerful, to Zhang Xuan, they were riddled with flaws, almost unbearable to witness. He had taken the opportunity during their flight to improve them.

"You improved the Combat Master Hall's formation?"

Hall Master Xing, Hall Master Liao, and the others looked over. Soon, their faces flushed, and their breathing quickened.

They had believed that their Combat Master Hall's formation, honed over many years, had reached a point where it could no longer be modified. They never dreamed that, when compared to Master Zhang's revised formation, it was immeasurably inferior.

They quickly circulated the formation for everyone to read.

After reviewing the modified formation, Zhang Jiuxiao's face flushed and paled. After a considerable pause, he shook his head.

In the realm of formations, he certainly couldn't compare to the individual before him... He could only hope to surpass him in other areas.

"Even the most formidable genius has flaws... He must have them too. Given enough time together, I'm bound to find them..."

Suppressing the frustration in his heart, Zhang Jiuxiao let out a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to begin studying the formation, he noticed Zhang Xuan looking at him: "Brother Zhang, you are from the Zhang Clan. I was hoping to ask you something..."

"Master Zhang, please go ahead!"

"Well, I heard that your Zhang Clan has an unparalleled genius with an exceptionally pure bloodline... I wonder if that's true?" Zhang Xuan paused, unable to resist asking.

Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles out of a hundred.

Since this individual was from the Zhang Clan, Zhang Xuan figured he might as well inquire about this Zhang Clan genius first, as it would allow him to prepare in advance.

"Within the Zhang Clan, I belong to a collateral branch; at most, I am qualified to be listed in the branch family's genealogy. I have no right to enter the core residence. You're likely referring to the Young Master, aren't you? I've heard of him; he's twenty this year... his talent is unparalleled. Even if he wasn't the absolute best at the time, he wasn't far off..."

Zhang Jiuxiao hesitated for a moment, then added, "However, I've never actually met him."

The birth of the Zhang Clan's Young Master had caused a great stir and was no secret, so speaking of it was no issue.

"You haven't even met him?"

"That's right, core members are rarely seen by collateral branches like ours..." Zhang Jiuxiao nodded.

"I heard... that your Young Master and the Luo Clan's young princess are engaged. Is that true?" Zhang Xuan continued to ask.

"That... I wouldn't know! It's a core secret; the clan forbids us from asking or discussing it loosely!" Seemingly apprehensive, Zhang Jiuxiao clearly didn't wish to dwell on the topic.

"Alright, then, among the core members you have met, how does their talent compare to yours?" Zhang Xuan pressed on.

"Me? The difference between us is like that between an ant and a divine dragon; there's simply no comparison!"

With a bitter smile, Zhang Jiuxiao looked at him: "Leaving aside everything else, Master Zhang, your talent is exceptionally high. Throughout the history of the Qingyuan Empire, there might not even be anyone who could surpass you... But compared to those core members, there's still a vast disparity!"

"I'm still that far off?" Zhang Xuan frowned, finding it hard to believe.

He cultivated the Heaven's Path cultivation technique; while his progress wasn't exceptionally fast, it certainly wasn't slow. Could there genuinely be someone more talented than him?

"Yes, Master Zhang, there's no need to disbelieve it! Powerful core members, simply by activating their bloodline, can easily reach the Primordial Spirit realm—even if they haven't cultivated before—and directly achieve the Out-of-Body state, or even higher! This is beyond anything someone of our strength can imagine!"

Zhang Jiuxiao wore a bitter smile.

Talent is something that simply cannot be compared.

It's like the Otherworldly Demons, who are born with the strength of the Mortal Transcending realm. Many core members, simply by activating their bloodline, can directly reach extremely high cultivation realms, which ordinary people simply cannot compare to.

"Activate bloodline? So, for descendants of Saint Clans, the purer their bloodline, the greater their progress upon activation?"

"Exactly. It's somewhat similar to spirit beasts: the closer their bloodline is to ancient beasts, the greater their strength improvement! This is also the primary reason why Saint Clans have stood strong and unrivaled for tens of thousands of years!" Zhang Jiuxiao nodded.

"So, your bloodline isn't pure?"

"I'm merely a collateral branch of a collateral branch. My bloodline's purity naturally falls far short..." Zhang Jiuxiao replied, clearly embarrassed.

"Since bloodline is so crucial... is there a way to purify it, or perhaps... to increase its grade?"