Chapter 1364: Zhang Family Secrets (Part 2)

"I know!"Zhang Xuan nodded.Not only did he know, but he had also become the sole candidate.

"The Hall Master of the Saint Son Hall has a specific set of selection criteria. You can't inherit the position if you don't meet the qualifications. You must have heard of this, right?" Yuan Xiao asked.

Zhang Xuan affirmed.The Hall Master of the Saint Son Hall must possess the Eye of Insight, be an upright and humble Master Teacher with noble character, be handsome and talented, and be universally beloved... He met all these requirements, which was why Sage Kui bestowed upon him the Hall Master token, representing his status.Without these qualities, it would be impossible, no matter how strong or talented one was.

"It's the same for the family heads of the Saint Clans! One must have a certain level of bloodline purity to be qualified; it's not simply about being strong and seizing power! For instance, the current family head of the Zhang Clan, the Sword Saint Xingmeng we just mentioned, is actually just an acting family head. The true family head is that young prodigy; for thousands of years, only his bloodline purity has met the qualifications!"

Yuan Xiao continued, "The Luo Clan is no different. Although Brother Xuanqing has a pure bloodline, he's still not qualified to be the family head. The true family head is his younger sister! However, she is currently too young, so everything is managed by the elders on her behalf!"

Zhang Xuan understood.It was similar to his own situation.Although the Saint Son Hall had an acting hall master managing affairs, once he broke the seal, he would become the true hall master, and no one could seize his authority.This was a rule set by Sage Kui and a "rite" left by Confucius, which no one dared to violate.Otherwise, they would immediately become a public enemy and face condemnation.

"Therefore, what you suggested, that clan members would seize power through a sneak attack, is impossible! Moreover, this young prodigy has an extremely pure bloodline; once he grows up, the entire Zhang Clan will become even more powerful, and all clan members will gain honor. Who would be so foolish as to destroy their own future?"

Yuan Xiao explained."Uh..."Zhang Xuan felt awkward.He had only made a casual guess, not realizing the Saint Clans had so many rules.If what the other person said was accurate, the possibility of someone from the Zhang Clan attacking the young prodigy was indeed small.

"This secret, my teacher only told me once, so I can't confirm if it's true or not; besides, in a large clan like the Zhang Clan, there are at least several thousand, if not ten thousand, people born in the same year. It could also be... the child of Sword Saint Xingmeng's friend!"

Bi Hongyin shook her head.A clan like the Zhang Clan, which had been passed down for tens of thousands of years, was already like a colossal empire, with its core and branches intricately intertwined. Its population was immense, countless, and the number of descendants born in the same year was unknown. Since the other party hadn't specified, no one could confirm that it was indeed the young prodigy.

After all, a super prodigy seen only once in ten thousand years, critically injured soon after birth... anyone would find that hard to believe, like a fantasy."That's true..." Everyone nodded.

"Alright, let's not discuss the Zhang Clan anymore!"Knowing that further discussion would be a futile exercise without confirmation, Bi Hongyin looked up and asked, "Brother Luo, I heard that the young princess hasn't been in the Saint Son Hall lately. Has she returned recently?"

Hearing her question, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up, and he quickly looked over.He had initially felt some aversion towards Bi Hongyin, who had attacked him upon their first meeting, but now, her question filled him with gratitude.

"She returned a while ago!" Speaking of his sister, Luo Xuanqing smiled slightly and nodded.

"She's back? That's good. I wonder when I might have a chance to meet her? As fellow inner court students, I've never met this legendary genius..."

Bi Hongyin said.Although the young princess had been in the Saint Son Hall for two years and left countless records, very few people in the entire Saint Son Hall had actually seen her.It was only rumored that she was a beauty capable of overthrowing kingdoms, unparalleled in charm, and considered the most beautiful woman in the world, but her exact appearance could only be guessed.

"Since her return this time, I don't know who she got upset with. She's just been focused on intense cultivation, not even seeing me... let alone anyone else!"

Luo Xuanqing waved his hand."Intense cultivation? Her strength is already so formidable..." Zhang Xuan felt a pang in his heart.

Back in Qiuwu Palace, the girl had hesitated for a long time before agreeing to be his girlfriend. She likely knew about the engagement and couldn't resist, fearing she might harm him... Even so, she had agreed without hesitation.He suspected she had already made up her mind, intending to cultivate quickly and reach a point where she could control her own destiny, rather than being bound by her family.

"You seem very interested in my sister?"

Luo Xuanqing turned to look at him, his eyes narrowing.Zhang Xuan's emotions had fluctuated too much just now, and he hadn't controlled them, allowing the other party to notice.

"I..." Zhang Xuan was about to say that his sister had already agreed to be his girlfriend, but he stopped just before speaking.

Aside from whether the other party would believe him, even if they did, once the news spread, he would certainly become a public target!The fiancée of the Zhang Clan's young prodigy falling for a rogue cultivator from a small place...It would undoubtedly cause an uproar, bring a lot of trouble, and possibly even greater distress to Luo Ruoxi.

She was cultivating diligently now to be with him; he absolutely couldn't hold her back.

"Once I break the seal and become the true Hall Master of the Saint Son Hall... my status will be revered, and then what I say will carry weight..."

He took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart.For now, his top priority was to cultivate discreetly and strive to break the seal as soon as possible, rather than revealing their relationship and inviting trouble.He wasn't afraid of trouble, but if it caused distress to Luo Ruoxi, he would be greatly to blame.

"The young princess is renowned throughout the world. I had heard of her in Qingyuan Empire and always admired her... naturally, I'm a bit curious!"

Controlling his mental state, Zhang Xuan's eyes became calm as still water, and he smiled."Hmph! It better be that way. If I find out you have any intentions towards my sister, even though we know each other, I'll beat you until you don't know up from down!"

Luo Xuanqing scoffed, his tone laced with threat."Of course..." Zhang Xuan forced a bitter smile.

Threatened by his brother-in-law... what kind of situation was this!He was also secretly glad he hadn't admitted it earlier; otherwise, not only would their relationship have collapsed, but he might also have been severely beaten again.

"Alright, let's not discuss these matters anymore. By the way, Master Zhang, among the new students this year, Zhang Xu is quite a figure, and there's another one who, despite not being from a clan, possesses exceptionally strong talent. His name is... Feng Ziyi. You should know him, right?"

Yun Lianhai, who was on the side, chuckled, changing the topic."Feng Ziyi, I know him. He was the first in the Mountain Gate Selection this time!" Zhang Xuan nodded. "I heard he's a direct disciple of one of the Grand Elders at the Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters!"

"Yes, that's right. The three Grand Elders at the Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters are usually elusive, like dragons whose heads are seen but not their tails. For Feng Ziyi to be taken as a direct disciple by one of them, his luck is indeed excellent! What's more, the one who took him as a disciple is none other than... Master Yang, the head of the three Grand Elders!"

Yun Lianhai remarked with emotion."Master Yang?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Yes, Master Yang, Yang Xuan!" Yun Lianhai said."Yang... Xuan?"

Zhang Xuan's body trembled, and he became rigid.