Chapter 171: Royal Library Collection

"Oh?" Shen Zhui looked over.

"A person suspected to be a master teacher, and seemingly more than a one-star, arrived in the royal city a few days ago."

Master Yu spoke about the information he knew.

"A master teacher? More than one-star?" Emperor Shen Zhui had been away for the past few days and hadn't even had time to read the reports from Grand Tutor Qian, so he was unaware of the "five-star" incident.

"Yes, this master teacher easily cured Ling Tianyu's wife's illness and resolved Du Miaoxuan's long-standing chronic condition..." Master Yu shared the information he had.

As a master of medicine, he had been invited to treat these individuals before and knew how difficult their conditions were to cure. Yet, this "Teacher Yang" could heal them in just ten or twenty minutes, which had astonished even him, prompting his desire to visit.

"Curing illnesses makes one a master teacher?" Hearing their conversation, Teacher Zhuang shook his head. "While master teachers possess various abilities, their primary role is to help people achieve breakthroughs. Curing illnesses skillfully falls under the domain of a master of medicine."

Teachers Liu and Zheng also shook their heads simultaneously, disagreeing.

It was no wonder they didn't believe it. While powerful master teachers could guide any profession and even cure illnesses, that level was exceedingly high. Ordinary one-star or two-star master teachers could only help people achieve breakthroughs or offer guidance in a few specialized professions.

Moreover, master teachers received widespread attention wherever they went. How could one possibly come to a small place like Tianxuan Kingdom and even rent a house to live in?

"Uh..." Master Yu was unable to refute.

Although this "Master Teacher Yang Xuan" had been causing quite a stir recently, most of his activities involved diagnosing and treating illnesses. There was no mention of him helping anyone achieve breakthroughs in their cultivation, and whether he was truly a master teacher was merely a rumor, unconfirmed by eyewitnesses.

"What's the name of this person you're talking about? I know almost all the two-star master teachers within the kingdom," Teacher Liu asked with a smile, noticing his awkwardness.

"His name is Yang Xuan; I don't know the specifics..." Master Yu replied.

"Yang Xuan?"

Teacher Liu hesitated, then shook his head. "There's no two-star master teacher by that name within the kingdom. I even know some three-star master teachers, and that name isn't among them!"

Master teachers had their own networks. Although Teacher Liu was only a one-star, he still knew how many master teachers, including two-star and three-star ones, were within the kingdom, and could generally name them all. Yang Xuan... was clearly a name he heard for the first time.

"He's probably a charlatan. You also mentioned that to visit him, one first needs to pay three million gold coins. What true master teacher would care for such mere gold and silver?" Teacher Zhuang sneered.

Master teachers held revered status; with a single word, any major power, or even the royal family, would readily offer whatever resources they desired. Renting a mansion and demanding three million gold coins from visitors clearly marked him as a fraud seeking to profit.

"This..." Master Yu still found it hard to believe.

For the past two days, rumors about this Master Teacher Yang Xuan had spread like wildfire, and he had been eager to visit him. Now, hearing three master teachers suggest he might be a fraud filled him with disappointment.

"Actually, it's simple to find out if he's a fraud. Elder Tian's birthday banquet is still a few days away, and we have nothing planned for tomorrow. I can accompany you to see him; if he's not a master teacher, we can expose him!" Teacher Liu said.

"I'd like to see it too. The profession of a master teacher must not be defiled. Someone daring to impersonate one? I want to see if this fellow has the guts of a bear or the courage of a leopard to play with fire!" Teacher Zhuang snorted coldly.

"Count me in. To be honest, I'm quite interested as well," Teacher Zheng said with a smile.

"Alright!" Master Yu nodded.

What they said was true: what's real cannot be faked, and what's fake cannot be made real. If the person was genuine, these three going wouldn't be an issue. If he was a fraud, he would be exposed on the spot, and Master Yu wouldn't have to dwell on it anymore.

Seeing the three master teachers finish their discussion, Emperor Shen Zhui didn't dare interject and could only shake his head helplessly.

Although he was the ruler of a kingdom, compared to figures like master teachers, he dared not act presumptuously.

Unaware that three master teachers had arrived in the kingdom and planned to expose him, Zhang Xuan woke up to a bright morning.

He tidied up, ate breakfast, and instructed Sun Qiang, "I'm going out. If anyone comes looking for me, tell them to wait outside."

"Yes, Master!"

Sun Qiang nodded, filled with pride.

As the steward of a master teacher, he was now immensely pleased with himself. Regardless of whether they were from the four great clans or royal nobles—individuals he once had to curry favor with—now they all had to bow their heads when they met him!

No matter your status, if the master said to wait outside, then you had to wait...

After the incidents involving Du Miaoxuan and Ling Tianyu, he now possessed ample confidence.

Unaware of Sun Qiang's thoughts and assuming he had understood, Zhang Xuan nodded and walked out of the mansion.

Finding an empty alley, he reverted to his original appearance and walked directly towards Lu Chen's mansion.

Master Lu had said he would take him to the Royal Palace Library today, where he should be able to complete the cultivation techniques for the Aperture Opening realm and successfully advance.

It didn't take long to arrive at Master Lu's mansion.

"Brother Zhang, I apologize to you..."

The moment Zhang Xuan saw Master Lu Chen, the latter looked at him with an apologetic expression.

"Apologize? Is it impossible to enter the Royal Palace Library?" Zhang Xuan's heart sank.

If he couldn't get in, where would he find books to study and complete his knowledge?

"It's not about that. It's about my rebellious son..." Master Lu Chen shook his head.

"Rebellious son?" Zhang Xuan was utterly bewildered.

What does your rebellious son have to do with me? I don't even know him...

"Yes, I only heard last night that that unfilial son wants to cause you trouble and challenge you to a teacher evaluation. It's my fault; I'll go make him concede today..."

Master Lu Chen said.

"Teacher evaluation?" Zhang Xuan froze, a strange expression on his face. "Master Lu, don't tell me... Teacher Lu Xun is your son?"

"Yes, that unfilial fellow. He argued with me three years ago, ran away from home, and never returned..." Master Lu Chen shook his head.

"Uh... Since the competition is already set, I won't trouble Master Lu. Otherwise, it might seem like I asked for your help because I was scared..."

Zhang Xuan said with a wry smile.

He had known Master Lu Chen for a long time, but he never expected Lu Xun to be his son.

What a coincidence.

However, news of the competition had already spread, and it was too late to back down now. If he was going to make a statement, he should do it honorably. If Master Lu Chen were to intervene, wouldn't his reputation be ruined?

Unable to defeat the son, one seeks help from the father... How is that different from a teacher who can't discipline a student going to their parents?

He certainly didn't want to do something like that.

"Alright then..."

Seeing his insistence, Master Lu Chen had no choice but to give up.

"Brother Zhang, my son has never suffered a setback since he was young and is accustomed to being arrogant. Since you're going to act, let him know his place. Let him stumble, so he understands that there are always people stronger and more skilled than himself, and that he shouldn't be so conceited."

After a few more words, Master Lu Chen spoke with anticipation.

His son was too arrogant. Just a few words from him had caused the boy to run away from home and not return for several years, almost making Master Lu sick with anger.

If Brother Zhang could step in and teach him a lesson, it would be ideal. Let him experience some hardship and realize that the world outside is vast, and only by humbling himself can he go further.

"Uh... Alright!"

He had been wondering whether to go easy on him given his good relationship with Master Lu, but upon hearing this, Zhang Xuan nodded.

However, since the other party had said as much, if Teacher Lu Xun insisted on being difficult, Zhang Xuan wouldn't mind making him fall flat on his face.

The two chatted idly along the way and soon arrived at the Royal Palace.

The Royal Palace Library, located within the palace, housed countless books collected from across the kingdom. Only royal descendants and the most prominent nobles were granted access to view them.

As the Imperial Teacher, it wasn't difficult for Master Lu Chen to bring someone in. Before they even reached the entrance, the guards readily let them pass.

"Truly worthy of a royal palace..."

Walking inside, Zhang Xuan looked around.

Although Tianxuan Kingdom was not a major power, its palace was extremely luxurious, comparable to the Forbidden City from his previous life, and even slightly more opulent.

The secluded courtyards were numerous and intricate; without guidance, one could easily get lost within them, unable to find their way.

Led by Master Lu Chen, they traversed over a dozen long corridors before stopping in front of a grand palace.

"This is the Library!"

Master Lu Chen pointed with a smile.

Zhang Xuan looked ahead to see a palace several tens of meters high standing before him. A horizontal plaque above bore three large characters, "Library," in golden script on a red background with silver trim, gleaming brilliantly as it reflected the sunlight.

"This is Emperor Shen Zhui's Golden Dragon Token. With it, you can freely browse the books without triggering the formations inside. I won't go in."

With a flick of his wrist, he produced a golden token.

A ferocious and eye-catching dragon was carved upon it.

"Thank you, Master Lu!" Zhang Xuan quickly cupped his fists as he took the Golden Dragon Token.

The Royal Kingdom Library was one of the kingdom's most important places. It was certainly protected by formations and restrictions left by master formation arrays. Without the token, one would likely be attacked upon entry.

"There's no need for formalities between us. I'll head back now as there's nothing else to do. Feel free to find any books you need inside; no one will disturb you," Master Lu Chen said, stroking his beard with a smile.

"Alright!" Zhang Xuan said no more, holding the Golden Dragon Token as he walked in.

As expected of the Royal Kingdom Library, the bookshelves were stacked high, extending as far as the eye could see. The books covered numerous professions, numbering in the tens of millions.

"Since I've come all this way, I might as well copy all these books into the Library of Heaven's Path!"

Seeing so many books for the first time, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up with excitement. Instead of searching for cultivation techniques, he went straight to the first row and casually flipped through them.

*Rustle, rustle!*

The sound of pages being turned echoed through the Royal Library.

As Zhang Xuan entered the Royal Library and began flipping through books, on the other side, Master Yu, accompanied by Master Teachers Liu, Zheng, and Zhuang, arrived outside Zhang Xuan's mansion.

"This is where Teacher Yang lives..."

Master Yu pointed forward.

"Hmm, knock on the door," Teacher Liu gestured.