Chapter 168: This Treacherous Beast

"What, don't you want it anymore?" Zhang Xuan looked over, seeing the silence around him.

"No..." Huang Yu quickly waved her hand.

"Good, I'll draw it now." Zhang Xuan wasted no more words. He took out a blank sheet of paper, held the brush with both hands, and began to paint. Before long, another image appeared.

This time, it wasn't a courtyard, but a grassy field where a wary deer grazed, surrounded by wildflowers. As soon as the painting was complete, countless bees buzzed around it. Then, as if alive, the deer leaped out of the painting and gradually faded into the air.

"Another Fifth Realm painting!""This..."Master Yu and the others were utterly dumbfounded.

When others, even grandmasters, painted a Fifth Realm work, they struggled immensely, pouring their heart and soul into it, as if losing half their life. This guy, however, painted one as if it were nothing, and then immediately started another...

Did he have to be so monstrous? So brazen? Had the world changed, or was he simply too powerful, making Fifth Realm paintings as easy as eating and drinking?

"Do you two want one? Two million each..." While they were still dazed, they saw Grandmaster Zhang looking at them expectantly, his eyes gleaming.

For him, Fifth Realm and Fourth Realm paintings just took a bit more effort. He happened to be short on money, and painting could earn him cash. It was much easier than showing off.

If you showed off poorly, you could get beaten to death...

"Can we... have one too?" Master Yu and Lu Chen swallowed hard.

"As long as you pay, it's fine..." Zhang Xuan said.

The two staggered. These were Fifth Realm artworks, impossible to find even in the royal city, yet he was drawing and selling them casually just for money...

Who said calligraphy and painting grandmasters were all noble-minded, untainted by worldly desires, and regarded money as dirt? Come out, let's see if I don't beat you to death!

Before long, Zhang Xuan drew two more paintings, all Fifth Realm works. The two masters were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes.

Such precious artworks were actually available for purchase, and each of them got one... In the past, this would have been unimaginable even in their wildest dreams.

Since Huang Yu and the other person no longer wanted the Ink Pavilion painting, the assessment became meaningless. Besides, Zhang Xuan had caused such a stir that the two masters lost interest in continuing the assessment.

"Grandmaster Zhang, two million gold coins. I'll prepare it as soon as possible and send it to you!""I'll deliver it to the academy tomorrow!"

Master Yu and Lu Chen, being wealthy, easily paid the two million. Huang Yu and Bai Xun didn't have that much cash, but with their status, two million was not enough for them to default on.

Looking at the four million gold notes he had received, Zhang Xuan's face bloomed into a smile.

He had initially thought that coming here today was to repay a favor. He never dreamed he would still make a fortune.

If Huang Yu and Bai Xun's payments were included, this trip would have earned him a grand total of eight million gold coins!

Curing Ling Tianyu's wife earned him one million. Du Miaoxuan, Wang Chong, Alchemist Chen Xiao, Luo Chong... on average, each paid around three million. In total, his current wealth had already reached over twenty million.

He was now not far from the twenty-three million he needed to gather.

"Excellent!" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming.

He had thought it would take at least ten or eight years to earn over twenty million. Now it seemed it wasn't that difficult...

If anyone else heard these words, they would surely be so infuriated they'd spit blood. Damn it, how can you be so boastful? Why don't you just die?

"Little friend Zhang Xuan, if you'll allow me, I'll call you 'little brother'," Lu Chen said. "His Majesty Shen Zhui will return tonight. I've already sent someone to inform him, so if all goes well, I can take you to the Kingdom's Imperial Library tomorrow!"

Carefully putting away the paintings, Lu Chen said.

"Tomorrow? Great!" Zhang Xuan quickly nodded.

His primary reason for coming to the Lu Residence was to find books to read. If he could access the Kingdom's Imperial Library, he would definitely be able to complete the Sixth Stage of Heaven's Path Divine Art, and perhaps even the Seventh!

In the Seventh Stage of Martial Arts, Tongxuan Realm, acupuncture points are connected, true qi flows throughout the body, and one's aura becomes profound, increasing combat power many times over. With such strength, even if he left the academy, he would be like a dragon entering the sea or a hawk soaring in the sky, free to roam.

Since Huang Yu and Bai Xun were no longer undergoing the assessment, and Master Yu and Lu Chen had each received a Fifth Realm painting, becoming uncontrollably excited, there was no longer a need for Zhang Xuan to stay. He waved goodbye to everyone.

By the time he left the Lu Residence, it was already dark.

He had arrived at noon, so it had taken him a full half-day. However, it was worth it. Forming the Heaven's Path Calligraphy and Painting Art allowed him, who had previously known nothing about the subject, to become a calligraphy and painting grandmaster on par with Lu Chen. Although this profession was considered only mid-ranked among the nine streams and not particularly prestigious, it still conferred a high status.

Especially in a place like Tianxuan Kingdom, which valued scholarly pursuits, being able to create impressive paintings easily earned respect.

Of course, for Zhang Xuan, earning money was the most important thing. He had originally been waiting in the courtyard, with no one coming to visit, so making eight million on this single outing was a huge gain.

Back at his residence, Sun Qiang came to greet him.

"Did anyone come today?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"Reporting, Master, no one came to visit after you left!"

"Mm!" Zhang Xuan nodded. It seemed the three million visitation fee had deterred many people. That was good; it saved him a lot of trouble. Anyway, he had almost gathered enough money, so he wasn't as anxious as before.

Back in his room, Zhang Xuan didn't continue cultivating. Although he had the Heaven's Path Calligraphy and Painting Art as a foundation, continuously painting four Fifth Realm works still left him utterly exhausted. He fell asleep soon after lying down.

At the Lu Residence. After Zhang Xuan had left, Master Yu, Huang Yu, and the others were still there; they hadn't departed.

"It's definitely too late to visit Master Teacher Yang Xuan today..." Lu Chen said, looking at the sky outside.

Visiting when it was already dark would seem disrespectful. It might have been acceptable for others, but the other party was a Master Teacher. Even with their own high status, they wouldn't dare to be presumptuous.

"It's not too late to go tomorrow!" Master Yu nodded.

Lu Chen responded, looking at the paintings Zhang Xuan had left nearby, still somewhat disbelieving: "I had originally thought that little brother Zhang was just a young man who liked calligraphy and painting, and had some talent. I even thought about testing him and taking him as a disciple. I never dreamed he was a calligraphy and painting grandmaster..."

Saying this, he shook his head with a bitter smile.

The idea of taking a calligraphy and painting grandmaster as a disciple—if that news got out, people would surely laugh their heads off.

"Such a young painting grandmaster, what exactly is the background of this little brother Zhang?" Master Yu couldn't help but ask.

Calligraphy and painting were even harder to progress in than cultivation. If Zhang Xuan were seventy or eighty and could produce a Fifth Realm work, he would be surprised but not entirely unexpected. But for someone not even twenty to be able to do it, that was truly thought-provoking.

There were only two possibilities for such a situation: First, his talent was truly exceptional, to a degree that inspired awe; Second, he had the guidance of a Master Teacher.

Between these two possibilities, Master Yu leaned more towards the second.

"I don't know the specifics either," Lu Chen said, looking at Huang Yu and Bai Xun. "You two have been to Hongtian Academy, do you perhaps know more about this little brother Zhang? Why don't you tell us?"

"I do know some things..." Huang Yu said, looking embarrassed. "But I'm afraid you won't believe it when I say it, and... you might even get angry..."

"Angry? What do I have to be angry about? Just tell us!" Master Lu Chen said, full of curiosity.

Even if Zhang Xuan was a teacher at Hongtian Academy, there was nothing unbelievable or anger-inducing about that. A young genius, so proficient in calligraphy and painting, would surely be popular and highly sought after.

"Then I'll say it. This Teacher Zhang Xuan... is a famous 'waste' teacher at Hongtian Academy, often insulted by others..." Huang Yu then recounted Zhang Xuan's past circumstances.

"Scored zero on the teacher qualification exam? Taught students who suffered qi deviation? How... how is that possible?" Master Yu and Lu Chen's eyes widened, looking utterly stunned and disbelieving.

Are you joking? A calligraphy and painting grandmaster who can produce Fifth Realm works... is a waste? How does that sound so fantastical?

"It's probably because the Dean's Office deliberately targeted him..." Huang Yu then recounted what she had witnessed during the Heart of Learning interrogation.

"Despicable! I once met Shang Chen and thought he was an impartial person. I never expected him to be so vile." "Xiao Yu, aren't you a Master Teacher apprentice? And your father is the Guild Leader of the Teacher's Guild. You must properly teach such a black sheep a lesson."

Hearing about Elder Shang Chen's "unfair" treatment and "actions," Masters Yu and Lu Chen nearly exploded with rage.

As for Zhang Xuan, they had personally witnessed his "ability." How could such a capable person be a waste? Judging by this, Elder Shang Chen and the others must have deliberately caused trouble.

How could Hongtian Academy have such teachers?

"This matter truly infuriates me..." Master Lu Chen waved his hand and huffed. "It seems I'll have to speak with Dean Hong when I have time and tell him to properly manage the academy's conduct."

"Uh... actually... when I said you'd get angry, I wasn't referring to this matter," Huang Yu said, scratching her head.

"Not this matter?" Lu Chen looked over again. "Did little brother Zhang receive some other unfair punishment?"

Although he lived deep within his residence and generally didn't concern himself with outside affairs, with his status as an Imperial Tutor and reputation as a calligraphy and painting grandmaster, if he truly wanted to teach someone a lesson, even the Dean of Hongtian Academy wouldn't dare to stop him.

"Not exactly that..." Huang Yu hesitated before speaking. "It's more that someone in the academy is challenging him for a teacher assessment in the next few days..."

"Challenge? Teacher assessment?" Lu Chen was taken aback.

"I know about teacher assessments," Master Yu chuckled. "Although they involve student duels, they concern a teacher's status and dignity. Who is this challenger? If he knew little brother Zhang's true capabilities, he probably wouldn't do this!"

"That might not be the case," Huang Yu said, her voice growing softer and softer. "The teacher issuing the challenge... is very famous at Hongtian Academy, a true star teacher. Furthermore, he has a great many students; at least two hundred of the top three hundred in the entrance examination are under his tutelage!"

"What is this teacher's name?" Lu Chen asked, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

"Cough, cough," Huang Yu hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's Master Lu's son... Teacher Lu Xun!"

"That beast... despicable!" Master Lu Chen swayed, then let out a roar.