Chapter 1502: First, let's stay here for now

In the main hall, Master Zhan paced around the room with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed in a knot.

"Elder Ge, what do you think about this matter?"

In the hall's room, an elder sat still, holding a communication jade token, his expression also shifting unpredictably. This was Elder Ge from the Messaging Hall.

"Zhang Wuhen has been in charge of the Zhang Clan for many years and always acts with discretion. Since he issued a Grand Elder's order, I'm afraid this Zhang Xuan truly did something unforgivable!" Elder Ge said after finishing the message.

They had dealt with the Zhang Clan's Grand Elder for many years and knew him to be consistently steady. This time, he was so enraged that he sent a message overnight, stating that Zhang Xuan had escaped and pleading for help in his capture. It seemed likely that this talented student from the Saint Son Hall had caused quite a stir in the Zhang Clan.

"Indeed, but he is Master Yang's student..." Master Zhan's eyebrows furrowed.

"What if he is Master Yang's student? A prince who breaks the law is judged the same as a commoner! In the past, even a direct disciple of Master Kong was publicly reprimanded for a mistake... While this Zhang Xuan is talented, he has always been lawless. My opinion is that since Elder Wuhen has made this request, we might as well apprehend him. This would not only garner favor with the Zhang Clan but also demonstrate that our Saint Son Hall acts impartially, without bias towards our own students!" Elder Ge stated.

"That's true! Although we don't know what he did at the Zhang Clan, we cannot refuse Elder Wuhen's request. In that case, immediately dispatch someone to investigate whether he truly mastered some teleportation method and secretly returned! Once found, there's no need for further discussion; apprehend him directly and await the arrival of the Zhang Clan members..."

After a moment of thought, Master Zhan flicked his sleeve. Previously, he had considered Zhang Xuan a potential candidate for Hall Master. But since it was now known that Feng Ziyi was the candidate, it certainly wasn't him. Therefore, anyone who deserved to be caught naturally should be, with no reason for protection. Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain to the Zhang Clan.

"Alright, I'll go arrange it!"

Elder Ge nodded and stood up, just as he was about to leave, he heard a knock at the door from outside.

"Is Master Zhan present? Zhang Xuan requests an audience!"

"Zhang Xuan? How dare he come to see me?" The two elders exchanged glances, both momentarily stunned.

He was audacious indeed! They were just discussing how to apprehend him, and here he was, directly showing up.

"To escape from Zhang Wuhen, he must possess some skill. So, in a moment, I'll question him to see if it's truly as Elder Wuhen described. If it is, you must control the surrounding formations and under no circumstances allow him to leave!" Master Zhan paused, then conveyed his instructions telepathically.

Elder Ge nodded.

"Please come in!" Master Zhan's voice echoed out after their discussion.

Creak! The door opened, and Zhang Xuan walked in.

"Master Zhan, Elder Ge..." Seeing Elder Ge from the Messaging Hall also present, Zhang Xuan was slightly perplexed but immediately clasped his fists in greeting.

"Visiting so late at night, Master Zhang, what brings you here?" After exchanging pleasantries, Master Zhan looked at him.

"I am currently studying Level 9 formations and am struggling to find formation flags. I heard Master Zhan is skilled in formations and wished to borrow some. If Master Zhan is willing to part with them, I am prepared to pay for them as well!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Level 9 formation flags, I do possess some... If Master Zhang genuinely desires them, I wouldn't mind giving you a few. However..." Master Zhan looked at him with confusion, somewhat puzzled: "Level 9 formations involve spatial laws and are extremely complex to set up. Master Zhang, your cultivation hasn't reached that level yet, has it?"

Level 9 formations already involved the mysteries of space; once deployed, they could create their own pocket dimensions. To learn them, one would need to reach at least Saint 9-dan. Even he, after centuries of research, found it difficult to set up even the introductory Level 9 formations. This person, however, had just completed his 8-star master teacher assessment, and even if his cultivation had advanced rapidly, he would only be at the Ethereal Realm. With such strength, studying Level 9 formations... wasn't that a bit too far-fetched?

"I'm just curious; I don't expect to succeed on the first try!" Zhang Xuan smiled slightly.

Although he had learned the Heaven's Path Teleportation Formation, his cultivation was insufficient, and he had never set one up before. He hadn't expected to succeed on the first attempt; if not, two tries would be acceptable, and three would also be fine.

"Everything is learned step by step; it's impossible to achieve it all at once!" Misunderstanding his meaning and thinking he, like himself, genuinely wanted to study and research, Master Zhan nodded, picked up his teacup, and took a sip: "There are over a hundred introductory Level 9 formations. Master Zhang, which kind are you looking to learn? Different types require different properties for the formation flags. If you make a mistake, not only will the formation fail, but it could also backfire and harm you!"

Involving space, it was by no means something that could be set up casually. Power, formation flags, and understanding of the formation were all indispensable.

"Well... I want to set up a teleportation formation..." Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Teleportation..." Master Zhan froze, nearly spitting out the tea he had just sipped, looking at Zhang Xuan as if he were a monster: "Teleportation formations are among the most advanced of Level 9 formations. And you, an 8-star formation master, want to start by learning *that* kind of formation?"

Teleportation formations were categorized into various types: transmitting messages, images, objects, and living beings. Those that could transmit messages were quite simple, settable by some 3-star or 4-star formation masters. Images required 6-star or 7-star masters. Objects could be handled by 8-star formation masters. As for living beings, that involved too much; even 9-star formation masters found it difficult to succeed. And here he was, an 8-star formation master whose cultivation was merely at the Ethereal Realm, who had never studied Level 9 formations, directly attempting to research this... It was like someone who couldn't even hold a brush wanting to write the Orchid Pavilion Preface right away.

"Yes, I have an innate sensitivity to space. I just specifically learned how to set up teleportation formations and want to give it a try!" Finding it difficult to explain the matter of Heaven's Path formations, Zhang Xuan spoke vaguely.

"An innate sensitivity to space?" Master Zhan and Elder Ge exchanged glances, nodding subtly. If they had previously doubted the Grand Elder's message, thinking it unlikely, the fact that this fellow claimed an innate sensitivity to space and immediately stated his desire to learn teleportation formations upon arrival suggested that what the Grand Elder said might be true. He truly must have caused something irreparable at the Zhang Clan and fled back to the Saint Son Hall.

Pausing, Master Zhan then asked, "By the way, during this trip to the Zhang Clan, why didn't Jian Qinsheng return with you?"

"I had an urgent matter, so I returned first. Senior Jian Qinsheng should be back soon!" Zhang Xuan replied.

"Urgent matter? Does that mean there was some unpleasantness with the Zhang Clan?" Master Zhan frowned.

"Yes, there was some unpleasantness, but I will resolve it..." Knowing that this matter couldn't be hidden forever, Zhang Xuan admitted.

"If you wish to resolve it, that would be for the best..." Confirming his suspicions, Master Zhan wasted no more words: "Master Zhang, I apologize, but please remain here for now!"

With that, he grasped at the air, and the surrounding space was immediately sealed. Zhang Xuan's body instantly became locked, unable to move.