Chapter 1271: I am a member of the Zhang family?

Zhao Xingmo, feeling a burning frustration in his chest, spat out another mouthful of blood. As an usher, he wasn't particularly important in the Saint Child Hall, but in all his years of examinations, no genius at the same level had ever beaten him so thoroughly. The worst part was being beaten *and* scorned. The intense frustration made him feel like he was about to explode.

"Hold it in..."

He took several deep breaths, pushing down the frustration in his chest. Then, his body swayed, and he emerged from behind the wall, looking at the young man. "You are indeed powerful. At the same level, I'm no match for you," he admitted. "Zhang Xuan, Zhang Jiuxiao... are both of you from the Saint Clan Zhang?"

Having lost so badly, he knew that denying it would only be more embarrassing, so it was better to be direct, despite the humiliation. As he spoke their names, something occurred to him, and Zhao Xingmo asked. If they were indeed geniuses from the Zhang Clan, then losing to them at the same level was understandable. While the Saint Child Hall might not fear such a super Saint noble family, he, a mere teacher, certainly couldn't compare.

"Jiuxiao is from the Saint Clan Zhang, but I am not..."

Zhang Xuan shook his head, then suddenly froze. "This body of mine has no parents and was born in the unknown Tianxuan Kingdom. Logically, there's nothing strange about that, but... I'm afflicted with an innate fetal poison that only an eight-star or higher poison master could have administered..."

He had never thought about this before and hadn't felt anything unusual, but now that he realized it, he immediately sensed something was amiss. According to the Saint Clan Yuan, the Tianxuan Kingdom was an ancient land that could help descendants restore their bloodline. Many descendants of Saint noble families were exiled there, and once their bloodline reached a certain level, they would be brought back. Could it be... that just as the other party said, he, like Yuan Tao, might also be an exiled descendant of the Saint Clan Zhang? If that were true, it would explain why a small child from the Tianxuan Kingdom would be afflicted with such potent poison.

His current understanding of poisons was at the seven-star level, yet he still couldn't resolve the innate fetal poison. Not even an innate poisonous physique could deal with it. The potency of this poison, by current standards, was likely among the very top tier, even within ninth-grade poisons! This meant the poisoner was at least a nine-star poison master, and likely one of the most powerful among them! Such a powerful individual would never go to a small place like the Tianxuan Kingdom to deal with an obscure nobody. Could it be that the person whose body he possessed was truly, like Zhang Jiuxiao, from the Saint Clan Zhang?

"No wonder I feel like punching Zhang Jiuxiao every time I see him," he mused. "Could it be a bloodline connection?"

He stroked his chin, lost in thought. "I'll find an opportunity to examine his bloodline closely..." Knowing that Master Zhao was present and it wasn't the right time to investigate, he pushed the thought aside.

"I thought you were also from the Saint Clan Zhang..." Zhao Xingmo said, shaking his head. Since Zhang Xuan wasn't from the Saint Clan Zhang, pressing the issue would only make things more awkward. He quickly changed the subject. "Alright, both of you have now passed. Come with me to the Qianchong Empire! All the other candidates selected from various empires have already gathered there, awaiting the re-examination."

"To the Qianchong Empire?"

"Yes! We're leaving now. You each have one hour to pack. After an hour, we'll depart directly!" Zhao Xingmo stated. He had mentioned being in a hurry because the Saint Child Hall's opening date was approaching. As the Qingyuan Empire was the furthest titled empire, they had to move quickly. Otherwise, if they couldn't make it back before the opening ceremony, the newly admitted students would find it difficult to gain official student status.

"One hour?" Surprised by the short notice, Zhang Xuan hesitated, then looked over with a solemn expression. "Master Zhao, there's something very important I'd like to ask you about. I hope you can give me an accurate answer..."

"As long as I know and am permitted to speak, I will not conceal anything!" Zhao Xingmo nodded.

"I want to ask... is the young princess of the Saint Clan Luo also at the Saint Child Hall?" Zhang Xuan's fists clenched as he stared intently into Zhao Xingmo's eyes. If Luo Ruoxi wasn't at the Saint Child Hall, then going there would be meaningless. He might as well go to the Empire Alliance first and focus on improving his cultivation.

"The young princess of the Luo Clan?" Zhao Xingmo frowned. "Why do you ask about her?"

"It's very important to me. I hope to get an answer from Master Zhao!" Zhang Xuan clasped his fists respectfully.

"Very well!" Seeing the sincerity in his eyes and realizing he genuinely wanted to know, Zhao Xingmo shook his head. "She was indeed studying at the Saint Child Hall previously and had already entered the inner sanctum; her talent is exceptional. However... she left for unknown reasons some time ago, and her whereabouts were a mystery. When I came here this time, I heard that the Luo Clan had found her and intends to send her back! Whether she has actually returned or not, I don't know for certain!"

"She's really there?" Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Master Mu's guess was correct. Luo Ruoxi was indeed here. Whether she had returned or not, as long as she was a student of the Saint Child Hall, he could certainly get accurate information about her! Then, he would be able to meet her and discuss how to handle the marriage alliance with the Zhang Clan, which was scheduled for next March.

"You know this young princess?" Zhao Xingmo asked, surprised. "From what I know, she has a rather aloof temperament..."

"You could say we're acquainted," Zhang Xuan nodded. Stating that she was his girlfriend would probably scare Zhao Xingmo to death, so it was better to keep a low profile.

"The Luo Clan and the Zhang Clan have a marriage alliance. Since you're not from the Zhang Clan, it would be best not to disturb this young princess. Otherwise... I'm afraid it could lead to significant trouble!" Seeing the emotion in Zhang Xuan's eyes, Zhao Xingmo paused, then advised him against it. "This young princess of the Luo Clan is not only highly cultivated, but her beauty is also unparalleled; she is truly the most beautiful woman in the entire Saint Child Hall! Many young talents admire her, but... because of her marriage alliance with the Zhang Clan, almost anyone who dared to act presumptuously towards her has been severely dealt with..."

Although vaguely worded, Zhang Xuan understood perfectly. He had seen Luo Ruoxi's true appearance with his Eye of Insight, and the beauty of Yu Fei'er, Luo Qiqi, Hu Yaoyao, and others paled significantly in comparison. It was only natural for people to admire her. It seemed the Zhang Clan was quite overbearing, punishing anyone who harbored other intentions.

"Thank you for the warning!" Knowing that Luo Ruoxi was at the Saint Child Hall, Zhang Xuan felt greatly relieved and didn't care about Zhao Xingmo's warning in the slightest. He would find an opportunity to examine Zhang Jiuxiao's bloodline. If it resonated with his own, it would mean he was also from the Zhang Clan... In that case, he could completely bond with Zhang Jiuxiao and then find that peerless genius involved in the marriage alliance and give them a good beating! If not... then he cared even less. He was going to "snatch" his bride anyway. Once at the Saint Child Hall, anyone who dared to stop him from finding Luo Ruoxi would simply be crippled first! Of course, the prerequisite was having sufficient strength.

"We'll depart together from here in an hour!" Having said what needed to be said, Zhao Xingmo waved his hand. Zhang Xuan and Zhang Jiuxiao turned and took their leave.

Back at the Combat Master Hall, he picked up Sun Qiang, then bade farewell to Hall Master Xing and the members of the Xuanxuan Association. Before coming to Qingyuan City, Wang Ying and Liu Yang had also been with him. Now, only he and Sun Qiang remained. With his direct disciples leaving one by one, he felt an indescribable sense of loss.

"Young Master," Sun Qiang said, remembering something as he walked behind him, "Hu Yaoyao sent a message. She said her talent was good and she's been recommended to the Headquarters of the Startling Aura Masters. She left Qingyuan City half a month ago..."

"Oh!" Zhang Xuan nodded. Hu Yaoyao, known as the "Seductress," had an exquisite figure, comparable to Luo Ruoxi's. Such individuals were naturally endowed with a captivating allure, making them suitable for the Startling Aura Master profession. Her being taken by the headquarters was well within expectations.

"Also, while you were at the Master Teacher Hall earlier, Young Master Chu Xiang came by. He wanted to thank you in person... He is now the Crown Prince of the Qingyuan Empire and will ascend to the throne on an auspicious day. With the support of both the Master Teacher Hall and the Combat Master Hall, there should be no issues!" Sun Qiang continued. With just one word from his young master, Chu Xiang's status was confirmed. With the support of Hall Master Wu and Hall Master Xing, two Nascent Divinity realm experts who had survived lightning tribulations, no one would dare to object.

"As for the members of the Xuanxuan Association, they plan to cultivate diligently at the Combat Master Hall to raise their cultivation as quickly as possible, so they won't be accompanying you, Young Master..." The members of the Xuanxuan Association had low cultivation levels. Going to a higher-level kingdom would only make them a burden. It was better for them to stay here and cultivate properly rather than cause trouble. Understanding this, Zhang Xuan said no more. He gestured with his hand. "Let's go!"

Upon returning to the Master Teacher Hall, he saw that Zhao Xingmo, Zhang Jiuxiao, and the others were already prepared. Master Zhao and his companions were riding a Saint Beast at the peak of the Saint Realm 6-dan. The dwelling on its back was very spacious, large enough to accommodate a few extra people without issue. Bidding farewell to Hall Master Wu and the others, they mounted the beast's back. Its enormous wings flapped, and it flew directly towards the Qianchong Empire.

"The Qianchong Empire is the strongest among the eight titled empires," Zhang Jiuxiao explained from inside the dwelling on the beast's back. "Its Master Teacher Hall Master has already reached the Half-Step Domain realm! He's a genuine quasi-8-star Master Teacher, incomparably more powerful than Master Song!"

"Half-Step Domain realm?" Zhang Xuan murmured in acknowledgment. Master Song was only at the peak of the Nascent Divinity realm, still a considerable distance from the Half-Step Domain realm.

"Once we reach the Qianchong Empire, there will definitely be a re-examination. These next few days, I'll guide you. Cultivate diligently and strive to significantly raise your cultivation again. Otherwise... I fear it will be very difficult to pass!" Zhang Xuan instructed. Traveling from the Qingyuan Empire to the Qianchong Empire would take at least six or seven days, even for a Domain realm flying Saint Beast. This long journey would provide ample time to guide Zhang Jiuxiao and help him improve quickly. Otherwise, the spot he had fought so hard to secure would truly go to waste.

"Understood. Thank you, Master Zhang!" Zhang Jiuxiao quickly nodded. With Master Zhang's insight and capabilities, his personal guidance would undoubtedly lead to a significant increase in Zhang Jiuxiao's cultivation within a short period.

"No problem," Zhang Xuan waved his hand. Then, remembering something, he looked over. "Oh, right, Jiuxiao, give me a drop of your essence blood. I want to study it and see if there's a way to improve your bloodline..."

"Essence blood? Alright!" Without any hesitation, Zhang Jiuxiao lightly tapped his finger, and a drop of blood flew straight into Zhang Xuan's palm.