Chapter 1537: Yang Xuan Sees Zhang Xuan

“Substitute for meridians?”

The Guild Master paused. “Meridians allow the flow of true qi, and they can expand as one’s cultivation increases, ensuring a smooth flow of power. Although our guild has many artifacts, none can achieve that!”

Meridians are living things that change with a cultivator’s strength: they widen with greater power and narrow when one is weak. They are an inseparable part of the body. While the artifacts crafted by the Blacksmith Guild are remarkable, there is no substitute for meridians.

“Can’t be done?”

Zhang Xuan frowned. “Some powerful weapons, I recall, can extend and contract, becoming larger or smaller. I wonder if they could be used to replace meridians?”

Indeed, powerful weapons can change size at will, much like the Holy Son Hall Master Token in his hand, which is normally palm-sized but can transform into a massive shield.

“Weapons can change as one wishes, but they cannot contain true qi. Moreover, the changes in meridians involve spatial elements, not just the thickening of outer walls. If a weapon were to suddenly change inside the body, I fear it wouldn’t aid cultivation but rather cause injury...”

The Guild Master gave a wry smile.

“Sigh...”

Zhang Xuan’s face turned ashen.

Although he knew this, he had held onto a sliver of hope that someone might offer a different perspective. Now, it seemed almost impossible to use artifact-forging methods to help create meridians.

“Actually, there’s no need to be disheartened. While crafted artifacts can’t solve this, I’ve heard legends about people who were able to replace meridians!”

Seeing his expression, the Guild Master remembered something and said.

“Who?”

Zhang Xuan’s eyes lit up.

If someone else could do it, he surely could too! Even if he couldn’t, he would find that person to help Zhao Ya reconnect her meridians so she could cultivate again.

“What I heard was merely a legend, and I haven’t verified if it’s true. It wasn’t long ago, perhaps twenty years, that a powerful expert from the Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters searched far and wide for a method to replace meridians, and it’s said he eventually succeeded!”

After a moment’s thought, the Guild Master said.

“Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters? Who?”

Zhang Xuan quickly looked over.

Zhao Ya’s recovery depended on this, so he couldn’t afford to be careless.

“Grand Elder Yang Xuan!”

The Guild Master nodded.

“Yang Xuan?”

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

He had impersonated this Grand Elder, claiming to be his student, and after all this circling, he hadn’t expected that Yang Xuan had actually done this... Was he going to have to seek him out himself?

“Yes, Master Yang’s talent is extraordinary, and he’s not just powerful; most importantly, he has profound attainments in various professions. Because of the meridian replacement issue, he once approached the Blacksmith Guild and studied with the headquarters’ Guild Master for many years. It’s said he succeeded... Of course, I’ve only heard this, and the exact details might require you to speak with him directly to find out.”

The Guild Master said.

“Oh...”

Zhang Xuan rubbed his temples. “It seems I’ll have to find Master Yang.”

Master Yang should still be with the Zhang Clan, so he would likely need to visit them.

However, having impersonated Yang Xuan’s student and then Yang Xuan himself, causing quite a stir, would he be suppressed on the spot if he sought him out?

He might have been able to escape from Grand Elder Zhang Wuhen, but if Master Yang were to make a move, all his tricks would likely be useless.

“Master Yang, Yang Xuan?”

Zhao Ya, standing to the side, felt dizzy listening.

Having personally seen Master Yang transform into her teacher, she already knew that this patriarch was a fake, an impersonation by her teacher. Now another Master Yang had appeared... What exactly was going on?

“Master Yang is elusive, rarely returning to the Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters, so he might be difficult to find. If your student’s condition is urgent, Physician Huang of the Physician Guild, a good friend of mine, could perhaps help with the diagnosis...”

Seeing the young man deep in thought, the Guild Master, thinking he was worried about his student’s illness, couldn’t help but offer.

“Thank you for your kindness, Guild Master, but for now, it’s not necessary...”

Zhang Xuan clasped his fists, about to speak further, when a blacksmith hurried in. “Guild Master, a Master Teacher outside says he wishes to see you?”

“A Master Teacher? How many stars? Who is it?”

The Guild Master turned his head.

“He isn’t wearing a rank insignia, so I don’t know his level, but... his surname seems to be Yang!” The blacksmith hesitated before replying.

“Surname Yang?”

Stunned for a moment, the Guild Master pondered for a long time but couldn’t recall any powerful Master Teacher named Yang in the Empire Alliance. Nevertheless, he nodded. “Please, invite him in!”

“Yes!”

The blacksmith turned and left.

“Since you have a guest, I’ll take my leave now...”

Knowing that Master Yang might be able to reattach meridians, Zhang Xuan realized there was no point in staying. He clasped his fists, bid farewell, and turned to leave with Zhao Ya. Just as he turned, he heard footsteps behind him. Immediately, the same blacksmith entered, accompanied by an elder.

“Young friend, why are you leaving just as you’ve arrived?”

The elder looked over, smiling faintly.

“Me?”

Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

This person came to see the Guild Master; why was he speaking to him?

“Indeed! Rather than visiting the Guild Master, it would be more accurate to say I came for you!”

The elder stroked his beard, a faint smile on his face.

“For me?”

Zhang Xuan frowned, a strange expression on his face.

The elder before him appeared quite ordinary. Although he wore a Master Teacher robe, he had no rank insignia, so his level was unknown. He wore a gentle smile and seemed very kind.

However, Zhang Xuan was certain he had never seen him before.

“Do we know each other?”

Unable to hold back, he looked over.

“Heh heh!”

The elder didn’t answer. He simply chuckled softly, then looked up at the Blacksmith Guild Master and Master Blacksmith Chen Mo. “Two Masters, I have something I’d like to discuss privately with this young man. Would you mind giving us some privacy?”

With a flick of his finger, an insignia appeared before them, nine stars gleaming dazzlingly on it.

“A 9-star Blacksmith?”

Upon seeing the insignia, both the Guild Master and Chen Mo were startled, quickly clasping their fists and replying, “Yes!”

They had assumed the visitor was a Master Teacher and might present a Master Teacher insignia. They never expected him to be a 9-star blacksmith. This alone made it impossible for them to refuse.

*Whoosh!*

The two withdrew, and soon only Zhang Xuan, Zhao Ya, and the mysterious elder remained in the room.

“Wu Zhangxuan, I am Zhang Xuan. The alias you chose shows no sincerity at all...”

Seeing the room empty, the elder chuckled softly and looked over. “Isn’t that right, Master Zhang? Or perhaps, should I call you... Hall Master Zhang?”

“You...”

Zhang Xuan was startled that the other party had immediately revealed his identity. His pupils contracted, and realizing something, his scalp tingled. He mentally connected with his clone, ready to flee at any moment. “You’re a Master Teacher, surname Yang... Could it be...”

“Heh heh, I am...”

Stroking his beard again, the elder looked over with a smile, “Precisely the one you impersonated... Yang Xuan!”