Chapter 1819: Pointing out to Liu Yang

"The Spirit Emperor and Star Emperor have no retreat; they are desperate, and your situation is indeed very dangerous. However, if you flee now, you'll easily be labeled a traitor and will never be able to return."

Knowing Liu Yang's current predicament, Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment. Unable to come up with a better solution, he flipped his wrist. "This is essence blood left by an ancient saint with regenerative powers. Refine it quickly; it will grant you an extra life if you face danger."

Taking the blood, Liu Yang was filled with emotion. Without much hesitation, he swallowed it. The blood's power immediately surged within his body. Zhang Xuan rose and channeled streams of True Qi into him. Half an hour later, the blood was completely refined.

With the blood assimilated, his True Qi circulated smoothly, and his power became stronger. However, he was still some distance from being able to break through to the Ancient Saint realm.

Zhang Xuan once again took out a scroll. "This is a sealed portion of space I created, imbued with the power of an Ancient Saint, which can help you strive for Ancient Saint. This is also a cultivation technique for improving your mental state; I'm passing it on to you. Strive to break through this realm as soon as possible."

The Spirit Race was in turmoil, and to navigate it safely, it would be best if he could reach the Ancient Saint realm. Liu Yang was currently disguised as a member of the Spirit Race, a disguise even Emperor Chen Yong couldn't see through. For him, this was indeed a significant opportunity, and he might go far on this path. If he could gain sufficient status, or even control this unruly race, during this internal conflict within the Spirit Race, it would undoubtedly be more beneficial to humanity than a million-strong army.

"Thank you, Teacher," Liu Yang said, deeply moved. Although he had only spent a few months with the Spirit Race, he had endured countless hardships and was no longer the willful and arrogant youth he once was. The items his teacher casually produced seemed simple, but their true value was immeasurable. If word got out, they would certainly cause countless people, even Ancient Saints, to vie for them. As an unworthy disciple, he felt overwhelmed with shame that his teacher not only didn't blame him but also bestowed such precious items. He was so moved he could barely speak.

Knowing his thoughts, Zhang Xuan explained, his voice penetrating his heart and soul: "Everyone's opportunities are different. There's no need to envy others; doing so will only limit your mental state, hinder your progress, narrow your perspective, and ultimately make you just another ordinary person."

Whether cultivators or ordinary people, one must maintain a normal mindset. Thoughts of envy, jealousy, and resentment will only make one's mind restless, ultimately turning one into a puppet of emotions. Among his many disciples, Liu Yang wasn't particularly outstanding. Coupled with the trouble he caused, he inevitably developed an inferiority complex. This made him grit his teeth and leave, hoping to forge his own path, both for himself and to show Zheng Yang, Zhao Ya, and the others. While such emotions can be beneficial for personal growth, making one more resilient, they can also easily lead to a narrow-minded approach, preventing one from seeing things comprehensively. When Liu Yang was still by his side, Zhang Xuan hadn't paid much attention to this detail. Now was a good time to explain, reminding him not to stray from the right path.

"Yes," Liu Yang replied, his expression solemn.

"To become a true powerhouse," Zhang Xuan continued, "one's mind must be broad. The reason Master Kong was unrivaled and unsurpassed for generations wasn't because of his extraordinary talent, but because he embraced the world and cared for all living beings, teaching everyone without discrimination. No one else in the world possesses his magnanimous spirit, which is why he could transcend ancient and modern times to become the foremost figure in history."

Zhang Xuan raised his head, his eyes filled with reverence. Only after personally entering the Temple of Confucius did he truly understand the greatness and formidable nature of this powerhouse. Although his strength was unmatched throughout history, later generations spoke more of his teachings to the world than of his power. This alone highlighted his charismatic personality.

After lecturing for a while, seeing that his student completely understood and his mental block had successfully opened, Zhang Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. This student's greatest flaw was his excessive competitiveness, constantly comparing himself to Zheng Yang and the others. Fellow disciples should support each other; too much comparison can easily lead to mental imbalance and ultimately cause internal strife.

"Your student understands," Liu Yang suddenly realized, no longer dwelling on the matter. His eyes showed remorse, and he looked over questioningly. "Teacher, you returned to the royal city alone. Is something the matter?"

"I plan to go to the Spirit Emperor's palace to find dragon blood," Zhang Xuan said, having nothing to hide from his student.

"The Spirit Emperor's palace?" Liu Yang frowned. "Teacher, although I haven't been there, I know its defenses are extremely strict. Outsiders have no way of entering."

"I know, but there's a compelling reason for me to enter," Zhang Xuan nodded. His purpose in coming to the Spirit Race was not to help Emperor Chen Yong seek revenge, but to leverage his influence to contact the Spirit God and find Luo Ruoxi. To achieve this, he first needed strength. The Dragonbone Divine Spear was undoubtedly the fastest method to enhance his combat power.

Seeing his teacher's resolve, Liu Yang stood up, his brow furrowed into a knot. "The Spirit Emperor's palace has thirteen layers of defense. Even a Witch Soul would be unable to enter, and a direct assault might not succeed even for an Ancient Saint. Most importantly, we don't even know where the dragon blood is. If you force your way in and your objective is discovered, finding it will be even harder."

Zhang Xuan definitely couldn't force his way in. Aside from the insufficient strength and certain death if caught, the dragon blood was merely a rumor. To force entry without even knowing its specific location would easily lead to missteps. "I must definitely find a way to sneak in first." Zhang Xuan had deliberated on this many times and already had a plan in mind. "Only by entering their palace can I search for an opportunity." Even the most formidable defenses must first be observed to reveal their flaws. To force entry into the Spirit Emperor's palace while knowing nothing about it would be the act of a fool.

"Help me inquire if there are any good opportunities recently. For instance, since he was injured by Emperor Chen Yong, has he sought a physician's help for treatment?" Having been pierced by the ruthless figure's arm, his cultivation foundation was damaged. Although there was no news about the Spirit Emperor's exact physical condition, it could be inferred that he wouldn't recover quickly. In other words, the Spirit Emperor was very likely still undergoing treatment and might require a physician's assistance. This would create an opportunity to infiltrate.

"I'll go check." Seeing that his teacher already had a plan, Liu Yang said nothing more and turned to leave. Having stayed with the Spirit Race for several months and being Emperor Chen Yong's most valued successor, he had already established his own intelligence network.

In less than an hour, he returned.

"Teacher, your guess was correct. The Spirit Emperor's palace is indeed recruiting, but not physicians." A strange expression on his face, Liu Yang seemed to find the news he'd received almost unbelievable himself.

"Not a physician? Then what are they recruiting?" Zhang Xuan frowned. Since he was gravely injured, he would certainly require a physician's treatment. It wouldn't be easy for ordinary individuals to heal him, likely necessitating a medical consultation. That's why Zhang Xuan speculated about the possibility of them seeking physicians. If they were, he could seize the opportunity to infiltrate.

"Yes," Liu Yang paused before replying, "They are recruiting appraisers."