Chapter 1562: Unreliable Master Kong

"It doesn't absorb blood, and my spiritual sense can't penetrate it, so why is it suddenly heating up?" Zhang Xuan frowned, a hint of confusion on his face. He had tried to refine it earlier for a long time without any success, so why was it now reacting on its own after being placed in his storage ring? This item was snatched by Lu Chong to prevent Ren Qingyuan from using it against him; it was a supreme treasure of the Master Teacher Pavilion. No matter how today's events concluded, this item would likely need to be returned. If it were to be damaged while in his possession, the conflict would become truly irreconcilable. Although many disciples had appeared and the Master Teacher Pavilion seemed suppressed, in terms of its foundation, this colossal entity, which had stood on the continent for countless years, was still not something a few geniuses could contend with.

"This item had been completely still since it entered the ring. It only started to heat up when I was reflecting on my students' growth..." He recalled carefully, then a thought struck him: "Could it be that this Pavilion Master Token isn't refined with blood, but rather is connected to 'teacher's virtue and conduct'? If that's the case... would it be easier to refine it using the special aura of a Celestial Master Teacher?" A Celestial Master Teacher is recognized by heaven and earth, and the aura they possess is so profound that even Master Yang dared not disrespect it. If this token truly had a connection to such principles, then this aura would undoubtedly be the best medium for its refinement.

"I'll try it!" Without hesitation, he channeled the aura of a Celestial Master Teacher within his body, slowly infusing it into the token. With his greatly enhanced mental fortitude, his control had increased by an immeasurable degree. Previously, circulating this aura would easily draw attention, but now, it flowed only within him, making it virtually undetectable even if Master Yang were present.

*Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!* The moment the aura touched the token, the latter became even hotter. Then, Zhang Xuan felt the token in his palm vanish in a whoosh! He quickly lowered his gaze, only to find no trace of the token where it had been, as if it had never existed.

His scalp tingled, and Zhang Xuan felt his vision go black, though he didn't faint on the spot. He quickly extended his spiritual sense, only to find nothing around him; the token was completely gone. "It's over..." He wanted to cry but had no tears.

Wasn't this a supreme ancient saint treasure forged by Master Kong himself, something even Master Yang couldn't damage? How could it just disappear like an ice cube melting in his hand? As the Pavilion Master Token of the Master Teacher Pavilion, its immense significance was self-evident. Although Lu Chong had taken it, Ren Qingyuan hadn't panicked, knowing that as long as he trapped Zhang Xuan and his group, the item couldn't escape. But now that it had suddenly vanished, how could he possibly return it? The commotion he had caused among the three major powers, while significant, could ultimately be resolved. But if he truly made this item disappear, they would surely tear him apart! What a mess!

"Come out, stop messing around..." He whispered, searching carefully, and then his gaze fell on his palm, making him suddenly freeze. There, on his palm, were three dazzling, crimson, water-drop-shaped marks, pulsating with a unique power, which hadn't been there before.

"What is this?" His finger instinctively tapped them. A clear hum resonated in his ears, and he immediately froze, as if instantly transported into a void.

There was no time or space here, just a vast expanse of white, and an old man smiling kindly at him. "Master Kong?" Zhang Xuan's body trembled.

The old man before him, with a long, flowing beard, was none other than Master Kong, the founder of the Master Teacher Pavilion, the Grand Tutor of Myriad Generations, whose image was carved in every Master Teacher Pavilion! At this moment, Master Kong's eyes held a gentle kindness, radiating a warm benevolence. "After all these years, I've finally waited! Hello, new Celestial Master Teacher!"

"This junior, Zhang Xuan, greets Master Kong..." Zhang Xuan hastily bowed.

"The Master Teacher Pavilion Master Token was forged by me using three drops of my vital blood after I founded the Master Teacher Pavilion. Only a true Celestial Master Teacher can refine it. Your ability to activate it and allow my will to appear indicates that you meet the requirements..." Master Kong stroked his beard, his face full of satisfaction.

"Master Kong, please wait before you say more, I have something to ask you..." Seeing that Master Kong was about to launch into a lengthy speech, Zhang Xuan couldn't hold back and quickly interrupted, his voice rapid and urgent. He had witnessed this unreliable Master Kong several times before; each time, he would disappear before finishing his explanation. This time, Zhang Xuan absolutely could not let him speak first, or he wouldn't get a chance to ask his questions.

"Oh?" Seeing his haste, Master Kong looked over. "Please speak!"

"It's like this, I have innate fetal poison in my body. I heard you once experienced something similar... Do you know how to resolve it?" Zhang Xuan asked urgently.

"Innate fetal poison?" Master Kong looked at him with a puzzled expression, then his gaze swept over Zhang Xuan before he nodded. "Indeed, it is innate fetal poison. This poison is easily resolved, however..."

"However, what?"

"The thing hidden within the poison is not so easy to dispel..." Master Kong's face turned solemn.

"What is it?" Zhang Xuan was utterly confused. He had long discovered the innate fetal poison, which was currently suppressed by the Heaven's Path True Qi in a corner of his body, unable to move. But, judging by Master Kong's tone, it wasn't just poison; there was something else inside him?

"What it is, you will naturally know once you resolve the fetal poison. I cannot elaborate, or it will be harmful to both you and me! How about this, I will tell you the method to resolve the fetal poison..." Master Kong said.

"I'd be honored to hear the details!" Zhang Xuan quickly bowed.

This substance had been in his body for an unknown period. Resolving it quickly would allow his body to return to normal and free him from the constant threat of death.

"Innate fetal poison is something instilled into the mother during pregnancy to strip away bloodlines or poison the fetus. Because it forms congenitally, it has already integrated into every part of the body, making ordinary antidotes ineffective. There is only one way to completely resolve it: after becoming a 9-star Master Teacher, you will undergo the Tribulation of Heavenly Fire. If you can draw this fire into your body to incinerate the poison, it can be easily neutralized... Of course, Heavenly Fire is dangerous; the slightest mistake could lead to your complete destruction. Back then, I paid an immense price to resolve this myself." Master Kong shook his head.

"The Tribulation of Heavenly Fire... Thank you, Master Kong!" Zhang Xuan hastily bowed.

Since Master Kong had personally confirmed it, the so-called Tribulation of Heavenly Fire was indeed effective. Knowing the solution meant he no longer needed to worry. His current strength was still some distance from a 9-star Master Teacher, but not too far; achieving it before thirty would be effortless.

"However, the sooner you resolve this, the better. You should be just over twenty now. If you can resolve it before you turn twenty-five, both your strength and potential will be significantly greater than if you resolve it later!" Master Kong instructed with a solemn expression.

"Understood!" Zhang Xuan nodded. He was determined to resolve this quickly. Once the current matters were concluded, he would focus on rapidly increasing his strength, aiming to break through to 9-star Master Teacher within two months! As long as he succeeded in doing so and drew the Heavenly Fire, everything else would fall into place naturally.

"Alright, now that we've discussed the fetal poison, let's talk about the Pavilion Master Token. This item was forged from three drops of my vital blood. Once refined, it forms a water-drop shape in your palm, and once touched, it will..." Master Kong's figure flickered.

"It will what?" Zhang Xuan quickly looked over.

"It will..." *Whoosh!* Master Kong's figure could no longer be controlled and vanished instantly.

*Boom!* His mind reeled, and Zhang Xuan's body swayed. He then realized he was still sitting before Zhao Ya, and above, Wei Ruyan and You Ruoxin were still battling, as if no time had passed at all.

The entire experience felt as though it had transpired within a suspended moment in time.

"That guy didn't finish again. Everyone says Master Kong is the Grand Tutor of Myriad Generations, so how can he be so unreliable...?" He looked utterly frustrated.

This had happened several times now; the man would always disappear halfway through his explanations. The venerable founding ancestor of the Master Teacher Pavilion, a figure revered and feared by all, turned out to be so undependable!

"Forget it..." Zhang Xuan couldn't help but look at the water-drop marks on his palm, filled with curiosity. "He said not to touch them, but if I really do... what will happen?"