Chapter 196: Lu Xun Borrows Money

Not only his utterly devastated expression, but Liu Ling and Zhuang Xian on the side also had their mouths agape, as if they could swallow an entire duck egg.

There is a qualitative difference between the Martial Artist Eighth Layer Grandmaster realm and the Transcendent Mortal realm; their life tiers are different, and their lifespans are consequently extended.

The lifespan of an ordinary martial artist peaks at seventy or eighty years old, but upon reaching the Grandmaster realm, living past a hundred is not an issue.

Precisely because of this, breaking through is as difficult as an insurmountable chasm.

The difficulty can be seen from how these very master teachers are all stuck at Half-Grandmaster, unable to succeed.

They had specifically observed Shen Hong’s condition as soon as they arrived in Tianxuan Kingdom: his life force was depleted, and he could die at any moment. Even if his *zhenqi* was sufficient, he absolutely wouldn’t have the energy to break through. They never dreamed that the most difficult hurdle in their eyes would be easily resolved by this Master Yang, with just a bottle of medicine.

The stark contrast made them feel that all their previous understanding had collapsed.

Emperor Shen Zhui had the same thought as the three master teachers, believing that this Yang Xuan was definitely playing a trick on him. They never imagined that the Old Ancestor had actually succeeded!

This was a genuine Grandmaster realm...

"Thank you, Master Yang..."

After an unknown period, Shen Hong suddenly stood up, letting out a long roar that sounded like a giant dragon. He took a few steps towards Zhang Xuan and directly knelt on the ground.

Stuck in place for so many years, he had thought he would surely die, with no more opportunities. He never dreamed he would actually succeed!

Seeing him kneeling before him, Zhang Xuan did not help him up. With his hands clasped behind his back, he slowly paced, surveying his surroundings.

"Shen Hong had reached the end of his lifespan, and his bodily functions had deteriorated to their limit. At this point, his desire to live was no longer that strong. Precisely because of this, he could see through life and death, feeling that death was not so terrifying. In this state, both his mental state and his body had reached a period of decline. Let alone tonic herbs, even powerful Grade-2 or Grade-3 pills could not have allowed him to break through the greatest hurdle and assault the Grandmaster realm!"

Everyone knew he was explaining his actions just now. They all held their breath, listening intently.

"Therefore, if you want him to continue living, you must first give him a reason to live—and it must be a reason he cannot refuse!"

"As long as he's a man, he can never refuse a young woman at any time. What's more, he took the medicine; under its stimulation, his entire body's functions would certainly reignite, restoring his youth... Once this emotion accumulated sufficiently, breaking through again would become much easier."

"Of course, the most important thing is the cultivation technique he practices. If I'm not mistaken, it should be the Blazing Sun Art!"

As he said this, Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Yes!" Shen Hong nodded in confirmation.

He indeed cultivated the Blazing Sun Art, the most powerful cultivation technique in Tianxuan Kingdom.

"This cultivation technique, characterized by blazing sun and surging *yang* energy, is a rare secret manual. When practiced by men, its power is even greater! Normally, with his bodily functions completely lost, even with medicinal assistance, it would be impossible for him to return to his peak. But through years of cultivating the Blazing Sun Art, countless *yang* energy true flames had accumulated within him. At this moment, triggered by the medicine and further enticed by the beautiful women, it was like a spark landing on an oil barrel, immediately igniting a roaring fire."

"With all his essence, *qi*, and spirit concentrated at one point, when breaking through, it would be difficult *not* to break through!"

After explaining, Zhang Xuan stood quietly in place. The surroundings were utterly silent.

In fact, he hadn't revealed the most important part.

Whether it was the medicine or the Blazing Sun Art, they were merely factors in the breakthrough. What was truly crucial... was that he had knocked the other party unconscious.

Every time he made a move, he injected his own *zhenqi* into the other person's body, clearing a blockage or restriction in a meridian. Only when the meridians were completely clear, and emotions were stimulated to the extreme, did he succeed in one go and take that final step.

Of course, his *zhenqi* was too pure, and his cultivation was only at the Aperture Opening realm. It was easy to fool Sun Qiang and the others. But if Shen Hong were truly aware, he would definitely notice something. Therefore, he deliberately had Emperor Shen Zhui claim that he had knocked the other party unconscious.

He wasn't deliberately pretending to be a good person.

As for now, with the other party's successful breakthrough, his *zhenqi* had completely merged with theirs. It was like clear water blending into muddy water; trying to find it again would be impossible.

"This..."

After hearing the explanation, the three master teachers were all dumbfounded.

"Seriously... this is possible?"

They were all master teachers with formal training; they had seen many methods to help people break through. But this method of breakthrough... was the first they had ever seen.

This was no longer just unorthodox; it was simply unbelievable.

They couldn't have thought of it even if they racked their brains.

Breaking through by taking medicine... just thinking about it was mind-boggling.

"There are many types of breakthroughs. Sticking to old conventions won't work in many situations. As master teachers, you need to constantly ponder, not just rigidly adhere to rules."

Zhang Xuan waved his hand. His slender shadow stretched long, and his entire being resembled a misunderstood super-expert, exuding an indescribable loneliness.

"Master Yang is right!"

The three master teachers bowed simultaneously.

At this moment, they were utterly convinced and admired this Yang Xuan immensely.

They couldn't help but admire him; he was simply too amazing!

A flurry of blows made Master Zhuang, who hadn't been able to break through for years, succeed. Casually concocting a liquid that only a poison master could make led to Shen Hong's breakthrough by taking medicine...

Even seeing it with their own eyes, they felt as if they were dreaming.

"Hmm!" Seeing that they understood, Zhang Xuan nodded. Just as he was about to bid farewell and return to his residence, he saw a pair of eyes appear before him, filled with shyness and excitement.

He took a step back, and only then did he clearly see that it was Zheng Fei, one of the three master teachers.

Earlier, he had been the most skeptical, even vowing to cut off his own head if Shen Hong could break through. Now, however, his eyes were gleaming, as if he had won the lottery.

"What do you want?" Zhang Xuan asked, full of caution.

"Master Yang, I've also been stuck at the Half-Grandmaster realm for many years. Now, I'm going to prepare medicine and beautiful women; I also want to try assaulting the Grandmaster realm..."

Zheng Fei was holding a jade bottle, he didn't know when he'd picked it up. He poured out the pills inside and was about to swallow them.

"..." Zhang Xuan.

"..." Emperor Shen Zhui, Liu Ling, Zhuang Xian.

After much effort, Zhang Xuan managed to dissuade him, feeling helpless.

Everyone cultivates different techniques, has different personalities, and different cultivation levels, so their breakthrough methods must also be different. As a master teacher, Zheng Fei definitely understood this principle, but he still underestimated the allure of the Grandmaster realm.

A greatly increased lifespan... just this one point could make countless people lose their rationality and judgment.

In fact, it wasn't just Zheng Fei who was tempted. Even Liu Ling and Zhuang Xian's gazes towards him became fervent.

If even the dying Shen Hong could be guided to a breakthrough by Master Yang, wouldn't it be even easier for them, with their abundant energy and status as master teachers, to break through?

Thinking of this, the three master teachers each made up their minds. They planned to build a good relationship with the person in front of them and try to get him to lend a hand and guide them once.

Seeing that they all wanted him to guide them, Zhang Xuan felt his scalp tingle. Just as he was about to bid farewell, a guard walked in from outside the hall.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Teachers Lu Xun and Wang Chao from Hongtian Academy are requesting an audience outside the hall!"

"Why are they coming at this time?" Emperor Shen Zhui was startled. Then he nodded: "Let them in!"

These two star teachers were very likely to become master teachers in the future. Even as king, he was unwilling to easily offend them. What's more, he had deep ties with the elders of both of them.

Zhang Xuan, on the side, was also surprised.

"Lu Xun? Wang Chao?"

Weren't these two just about to visit him? Why did they come here?

Could it be that they were discovered when he left the residence and followed him here?

Impossible...

Doubts arose in his mind, and his steps, which had been intending to leave, halted.

Lu Xun was going to have a Teacher Qualification Exam with him; he had never met him before. Since they've met, it's a good opportunity to see what he looks like and what abilities he possesses.

Emperor Shen Zhui had the many dancing girls withdraw, and the hall was tidied up again. Shen Hong, whose clothes were all torn, found it inconvenient to meet people and also left.

Just as they had settled down, two young men strode in.

Upon seeing their faces clearly, Zhang Xuan frowned.

Weren't these the two arrogant and dismissive idiots he had met yesterday at the academy entrance?

So, after all this time, these were the legendary Lu Xun and Wang Chao!

No wonder their eyes carried disdain; they had probably already recognized who he was.

"Lu Xun (Wang Chao) greets Your Majesty, Master Liu, Master Zhuang, and Master Zheng!"

The two simultaneously cupped their fists.

Emperor Shen Zhui they had seen before, so they naturally recognized him. Although they hadn't met the three master teachers, their master teacher attire made them easy to identify. As for Zhang Xuan on the side, judging by his attire of brocade hat and mink fur, and his flamboyant demeanor, he looked like a nouveau riche... they merely glanced at him and then ignored him.

Star teachers had their own pride; they didn't bow to just anyone.

They had always heard that Master Yang wanted to visit, but they had never actually met him. So they didn't know that the person sitting before them was him.

"Why have you two come to see me at this time?" Emperor Shen Zhui was displeased to see the two ignoring Master Yang. He wanted to introduce him, but seeing the latter signal no need, he swallowed his words and asked with a puzzled expression.

"We have presumptuously come here with an impolite request," Lu Xun said after a moment of hesitation. "We wish to borrow three million gold coins from Your Majesty..."

"Borrow money?"

Emperor Shen Zhui found it strange.

Given their family backgrounds, did they still need to ask him?

Furthermore, asking for three million, what did they need so much money for?

"We both wish to visit Master Yang. Your Majesty must have heard the rule that one must pay three million upon entering!" Seeing his confusion, Lu Xun didn't hide his purpose and stated it directly. "This money is just a temporary loan. As long as we can meet Master Yang, I am confident that I can make him accept us as apprentices. At that time, the three million will definitely be returned and repaid to Your Majesty."

"You want to meet Master Yang?"

Hearing his objective, Emperor Shen Zhui and the three master teachers exchanged glances.

The Master Yang you wish to meet is sitting not far away. Yet you, in your self-proclaimed arrogance, can't even offer a simple greeting, completely ignoring him...

And you still want to become his apprentice like this...

Everyone's expressions were strange. Zhang Xuan, on the side, scratched his head and looked over. He was truly a bit curious: where did this guy get the confidence that the three million would be returned?

"Are you so sure Master Yang will accept you? What if he doesn't, and the three million isn't returned? How will you repay it then?" Reaching out to stop Emperor Shen Zhui and the three master teachers from revealing his identity, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but look over.