Chapter 204: Long Time No See

“This definitely won’t work…” Zhang Xuan immediately shook his head. If things continued like this, he might soon suffer a mental breakdown.

However, without becoming an apprentice to one of them, he wouldn't qualify as an assistant teacher, making it impossible to be assessed as a true Master Teacher. The thought gave him a headache.

“Never mind, I won't think about it for now,” he decided after a moment of struggle. “But it might be good to meet these three Master Teachers as Zhang Xuan. Firstly, I can make a good impression, and secondly, I can ask about the poison gas in my body!”

After some deliberation, he made up his mind. Although the black energy in his body wasn't dangerous for now, it had to be removed. If “Yang Xuan” were to inquire, it would compromise his image as a senior expert, so going himself was perfect.

If Lu Xun, Wang, and others knew about his thought process, they would surely cry themselves to death. Those two had realized that becoming Yang Xuan's apprentice was impossible, so they specifically visited the three Master Teachers yesterday, only to be denied an audience… Yet, this guy was being asked to meet the three Master Teachers, and he still had to “consider” it, looking quite unwilling… Couldn't he just stop being so pretentious?

“When does this birthday banquet you mentioned start? And who is this Elder Tian that even the three Master Teachers and Emperor Shen Zhui are visiting?” Zhang Xuan was still curious. For the three Master Teachers and Emperor Shen Zhui to personally attend his birthday celebration, Elder Tian must be extraordinary. If he was truly someone so significant, Zhang Xuan's previous self should have known about him. Why was there no impression at all?

“The banquet is today. If we leave now, we'll make it just in time.” Seeing him ask, Huang Yu knew he had made a decision and sighed in relief. She explained, “Elder Tian used to be a teacher at Beiwu Academy. Master Liu, Master Zhuang, and Master Zheng all studied with him. Although he didn't primarily teach cultivation, they had a semi-teacher-student relationship with him. Since it's his ninetieth birthday and the three Master Teachers are in Tianxuan Kingdom, they will definitely go to offer congratulations…”

Although Elder Tian was from Tianxuan Kingdom, he had taught at Beiwu Academy, and all three Master Teachers had studied under him, creating a semi-teacher-student bond. Master Liu had actually sent Huang Yu back earlier specifically for her to attend the banquet. As a result, because of Shen Hong's matter, the three Master Teachers were already gathered. Since they were all in Tianxuan Kingdom, they naturally had to attend the banquet. With them attending, how could Emperor Shen Zhui not go?

As for Beiwu Academy, it was the largest academy in Beiwu Kingdom, where both Huang Yu and Bai Xun had previously studied. Zhang Xuan had reviewed the entire royal library, so these simple geographical divisions became crystal clear to him with a single thought.

Beiwu Kingdom was a second-tier kingdom adjacent to Tianxuan Kingdom, presided over by Master Teachers Liu Ling and Zhuang Xian. Kingdoms were categorized as: Conferred Title, First-Tier, Second-Tier, and those like Tianxuan Kingdom that weren't even ranked. The higher a kingdom's tier, the more developed it was, with richer trading resources and higher-level martial artists.

“This Elder Tian doesn't teach cultivation, yet he's also a teacher?” Zhang Xuan was puzzled. All teachers at Hongtian Academy taught cultivation. Even Teacher Wang, famous for his spear techniques, not only taught spear skills but also guided students' overall strength. What could he teach if not cultivation? How could he still be considered a teacher?

“Beiwu Academy is much larger than Hongtian Academy, and it has more categories of teachers. Cultivation is just one of them. There are many teachers who instruct in specialized professions. For example, alchemy teachers teach alchemy, and calligraphy and painting teachers teach those arts… Students can pursue these professions as lifelong goals, or they can take them as electives to broaden their knowledge and relax their minds. Master Liu and the others only studied for a short period to prepare for the Master Teacher assessment, so they weren't true students, which is why it's considered a semi-teacher-student relationship.” Huang Yu patiently explained.

If teachers' roles were singularly focused on transmitting cultivation, how would professions like alchemists and artifact forgers be passed down? It couldn't possibly be left solely to Master Teachers! If that were the case, Master Teachers would be exhausted to death! Clearly, there were specialized teachers for these professions as well.

Elder Tian had once been a teacher of such a specialized profession. “So what did he teach?” Realizing this, Zhang Xuan nodded. It was similar to schools in his previous life, where there were teachers for physical education, English, mathematics, and physics. Teachers couldn't be proficient in everything, so naturally, they couldn't teach all subjects.

“Elder Tian taught the art of tea, he's a formal Tea Master!” Huang Yu smiled.

“A Tea Master?” The royal library had an introduction to Tea Masters. It was considered a lower-tier profession, seemingly inconspicuous, but greatly sought after in some kingdoms. Brewing tea could relax one's mind and bring peace. Some highly skilled Tea Masters could even brew tea that soothed the mind, allowing drinkers to relax completely, which greatly aided cultivation, with effects comparable to a Tranquility Pill.

Most importantly, the art of tea was much easier to learn than alchemy, artifact forging, or calligraphy and painting. While it was difficult to master and become a formal Tea Master, it was very easy to get started. In some higher-tier kingdoms, many aristocratic youths, princes, marquises, and generals would typically know a few techniques.

“Alright, I'll go with you,” Zhang Xuan said. Having clarified everything, he no longer delayed. Since the birthday banquet was about to begin, he followed Huang Yu and Bai Xun directly into a carriage.

Elder Tian's residence was in the outskirts of the royal city, some distance from Hongtian Academy. The carriage traveled for nearly an hour before stopping in front of a vast estate. Stepping out of the carriage, Zhang Xuan immediately saw a throng of people. Elder Tian had once been a teacher at Beiwu Academy and had guided Master Teachers; this fact alone was enough to attract countless major powers to offer their congratulations.

“Master Zhang, please follow me…” Getting off the carriage, Huang Yu led the way to the entrance, produced an invitation, and they easily entered the courtyard. As expected of a residence that even the three Master Teachers visited, it was vast and expansive, with crisscrossing paths. Someone visiting for the first time might easily get lost.

“Master Liu and the others probably haven't arrived yet. We can wait in this side hall,” Huang Yu said. Huang Yu seemed familiar with the place, and the three of them walked along. Soon, they arrived at a spacious hall. Even before entering, they saw a crowd of people; quite a few guests had already arrived.

“Xiaoyu, you're finally here…” Just as they stepped through the hall's entrance, a surprised voice rang out, and a young man immediately approached them with a joyful expression. The young man, appearing to be twenty-three or twenty-four, wore white clothes and was exceedingly handsome; Zhang Xuan looked significantly less striking in comparison. Seeing him, Bai Xun's face darkened, and he stepped in front of Huang Yu.

“Bai Xun, what are you doing?” The young man's lips curled upward.

“Is 'Xiaoyu' a name you get to use? I advise you to stay away from her, or don't blame me for being impolite,” Bai Xun said, glaring furiously at the other man.

“Impolite? It's not like we haven't fought before. Can you even beat me?” Facing Bai Xun's threat, the young man was completely unconcerned. “Besides, this is my home. Xiaoyu is my guest, so of course, I should fulfill my duties as a host. Is this something you also need to manage? Prince Bai, aren't you being a bit too meddlesome?”

“You…” Bai Xun's eyebrows shot up, about to make a move.

“Enough!” As if she had long anticipated their bickering, Huang Yu frowned and looked at both of them. “We are here to congratulate Elder Tian on his birthday. If you want to fight, do it later!”

“Don't worry, Xiaoyu, I can't be bothered with this fellow, a mere martial brute who only knows how to fight all day!” With a light chuckle, the young man continued, “Xiaoyu, I just learned a new tea brewing technique. Come, let me offer you a taste. It's guaranteed to calm the mind and gather your Qi. Drink it a few times, and I promise you'll soon achieve a tranquil heart like still water…”

“No thanks, I need to wait for Master Liu here,” Huang Yu refused, dismissing his enthusiasm with a wave of her hand.

Huang Yu was unperturbed by his eagerness, waving her hand to decline. “It's alright if you don't want to go. I also wanted to meet Master Liu, so I'll just wait here with you…” The young man said with a beaming smile, completely unfazed by her refusal.

Since he wouldn't leave, Huang Yu could do nothing.

“Shameless!” Bai Xun fumed, but he no longer suggested fighting. It seemed he was no match for this guy; otherwise, with his fiery temper, he wouldn't care about a birthday celebration. Knowing the young prince's temperament, the young man ignored Bai Xun. It was then that he noticed Zhang Xuan and looked over in confusion. “Xiaoyu, who is this…?”

“Oh, let me introduce you!” Huang Yu looked at Zhang Xuan. “Master Zhang, this is Tian Long, the master of this estate and Elder Tian's only grandson. Tian Long, this is Teacher Zhang Xuan from Hongtian Academy.”

“Zhang Xuan? That name sounds familiar, like I've heard it somewhere before…” The young man, Tian Long, frowned upon hearing the name, pondered for a moment, and then his eyes lit up. “Hongtian Academy… Are you the Zhang Xuan who had the Teacher Evaluation with Teacher Lu Xun?” The Teacher Evaluation had caused quite a stir, so it was hard not to know about it.

“Lu Xun is Hongtian Academy's most formidable star teacher. To dare to undertake a Teacher Evaluation with him, you're incredibly bold. Impressive, impressive!” The person said “impressive” aloud, but his face showed not the slightest bit of admiration; instead, it was filled with schadenfreude. Lu Xun had been famous for many years, and being the son of Master Lu Chen added to his renown. Almost everyone believed the competition would be a one-sided affair.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Xuan shook his head. Just another self-important nobody.

“Tian Long, what do you mean by that?” Bai Xun couldn't stand it anymore.

“I don't mean anything. It's valuable to know oneself. Overestimating your capabilities only makes life harder,” Tian Long said, shaking his head.

“Clarify what you mean! Who is overestimating their capabilities? Master Zhang is just being modest and doesn't like to show off…” Bai Xun retorted angrily. Although he knew Lu Xun, he wasn't familiar with him. Conversely, he was utterly impressed by Zhang Xuan, so hearing Tian Long's words, he immediately became indignant.

“Master? What master? Is 'master' a title you can just throw around?” Tian Long sneered, waving his hand with an arrogant, cold demeanor. “That's a title reserved for someone who has reached a certain level in a profession. Like my grandfather, only after pursuing the ultimate in the art of tea did he qualify to be called a Tea Master. A teacher from Hongtian Academy, in his twenties, should consider it a courtesy just to be called 'teacher.' How dare he be addressed as 'Master'? Truly ignorant of the immensity of the world…”

He let out a cold chuckle, about to continue speaking, when he saw an old man approaching. Tian Long immediately closed his mouth, clasped his hands respectfully, and went to greet him. “Tian Long greets Master Yuan Yu!” The arriving person was none other than Tianxuan Kingdom's top physician, Yuan Yu. Master Yuan Yu nodded at his deference, his face unperturbed. Just as he was about to continue forward, he suddenly caught sight of Zhang Xuan to one side. His eyes lit up, and he immediately rushed over, his face beaming with enthusiasm.

“Master Zhang, you're here too… Long time no see!”