Chapter 205: Long Time No See

"That definitely won't work..." Zhang Xuan hurriedly shook his head. If things went that way, he might soon suffer a mental breakdown.

However, if he didn't apprentice himself 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.

"Forget it, I won't think about it for now. But it's good to meet these three master teachers as Zhang Xuan. First, I can make myself known; second, I can also ask about the poison gas inside me!" After struggling with the decision for a while, he made up his mind.

Although the black energy in his body wasn't dangerous for now, it had to be removed. It would be beneath the dignity of a formidable figure like "Yang Xuan" to inquire about it, so going himself would be just right.

If Lu Xun, Wang, and the others knew of his thoughts, they would probably cry themselves to death. Those two, realizing it was impossible to apprentice themselves to Yang Xuan, specifically visited the three master teachers yesterday, only to be denied an audience... Yet this guy, with the three master teachers wanting to meet him, was still considering it, looking utterly reluctant... Did he have to be 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 going to visit?" Zhang Xuan was still quite curious.

For the three great master teachers and Emperor Shen Zhui to personally attend his birthday celebration, Elder Tian must be extraordinary. If he were truly such a formidable figure, the original owner of this body should have known about him long ago. Why was there no impression whatsoever?

"The birthday banquet is today. If we leave now, we'll make it just in time." Seeing him ask, Huang Yu knew he had made up his mind and breathed a sigh of relief. She explained, "Elder Tian used to be a teacher at Beiwu College. Master Liu, Master Zhuang, and Master Zheng all studied with him. Although he didn't mainly teach cultivation, they still have a semi-master-disciple relationship with him. Since the three master teachers are in Tianxuan Kingdom for his ninetieth birthday, they naturally have to go and congratulate him..."

Although Elder Tian was from Tianxuan Kingdom, he had taught at Beiwu College, and the three master teachers had all studied under him, establishing a semi-master-disciple relationship. Master Liu had sent Huang Yu back first precisely so she could attend the birthday banquet. As it turned out, due to the matter with Shen Hong, the three master teachers gathered here, and since they were already in Tianxuan Kingdom, they naturally had to attend the banquet. With them attending, how could Emperor Shen Zhui not go? As for Beiwu College, it was the largest academy in Beiwu Kingdom, where Huang Yu and Bai Xun had previously studied.

Zhang Xuan had perused the entire royal library, and these simple geographical divisions became clear to him with a single thought. Beiwu Kingdom was a second-tier kingdom adjacent to Tianxuan Kingdom, and its resident master teachers were Liu Ling and Zhuang Xian.

Kingdoms were divided into: Conferred, First-tier, Second-tier, and those like Tianxuan Kingdom, which didn't even rank. The higher the kingdom's tier, the more developed it was, the richer its trade resources, and the higher the cultivation level of its martial artists.

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

"Beiwu College 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 special professions. For example, alchemy teachers teach alchemy, and calligraphy and painting teachers teach calligraphy and painting... Students can pursue these professions as lifelong goals, or they can minor in them to broaden their knowledge and relax their minds. Master Liu and the others only studied for a period to prepare for the master teacher assessment, so they weren't considered true students, which is why they only have a semi-master-disciple relationship." Huang Yu patiently explained.

If teachers' professions were very singular, only imparting cultivation, then how would professions like alchemists and artifact forgers be passed down? Surely, master teachers couldn't handle all of that! If that were the case, wouldn't master teachers be worked to death? Clearly, there were also specialized teachers for these professions. Elder Tian, specifically, used to be a teacher of one such special profession.

"So what did he teach?" Understanding dawned on him, and Zhang Xuan nodded. This was similar to schools in his previous life, where there were teachers for physical education, English, mathematics, and physics. Teachers couldn't be all-rounders, so naturally, they couldn't teach all subjects.

"Elder Tian taught the Way of Tea; he is a formally recognized Tea Master!" Huang Yu smiled.

"Tea Master?" The royal library had information about Tea Masters. It was considered a lowly profession, seemingly insignificant, yet in some kingdoms, it was highly sought after.

Brewing tea could relax the mind and bring inner peace. Some accomplished Tea Masters could even brew teas that soothed the mind, allowing drinkers to completely relax, which greatly aided cultivation—their efficacy was no less than that of a Tranquil Heart Pill. Most importantly, the Way 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, getting started was very easy. In some higher-tier kingdoms, many noble scions, princes, and generals knew a few tricks.

"Alright, I'll go with you." After understanding the situation, Zhang Xuan no longer delayed. Since the birthday banquet was about to begin, he followed directly behind Huang Yu and Bai Xun and boarded the carriage.

Elder Tian's residence was in the suburbs of the royal city, some distance from Hongtian Academy. The carriage traveled for nearly an hour before stopping in front of a massive estate. Stepping out of the carriage, they immediately saw crowds of people everywhere. Elder Tian had once been a teacher at Beiwu College and had guided master teachers; this fact alone was enough to attract countless major powers to offer their congratulations.

"Master Zhang, follow me..." Getting off the carriage, Huang Yu led the way. Arriving at the entrance, she took out an invitation card, and they easily entered the courtyard. As expected of a residence even the three master teachers would visit, it was vast and sprawling, with crisscrossing paths. Someone visiting for the first time could easily get lost.

"Master Liu and the others probably haven't arrived yet. We can wait in this side hall." Huang Yu seemed to have been here before, knowing the way well. The three walked on and soon arrived at a spacious hall. Before even entering, they saw a bustling crowd; quite a few people 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, who appeared to be twenty-three or twenty-four, wore white clothes and was exceedingly handsome. Compared to him, Zhang Xuan was quite a bit less striking.

Seeing this person, Bai Xun's face fell, and he stepped in front of Huang Yu.

"Bai Xun, what are you doing?" The young man's lips curled upwards.

"Who gave you permission to call her Xiaoyu? I advise you to stay away from her, or don't blame me for being impolite." Bai Xun glared at the other person, fuming with anger.

"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 unfazed. "Besides, this is my home. Since Xiaoyu is visiting, I naturally have to fulfill my duties as host. Are you going to meddle in this too? Young Prince Bai, aren't you being a bit too nosy?"

"You..." Bai Xun's eyebrows shot up, and he was about to make a move.

"Enough!" As if she already knew the two would argue, Huang Yu frowned and looked at them. "We're here to offer birthday wishes to Elder Tian. If you want to fight, do it later!"

"Don't worry, Xiaoyu, I can't be bothered with this brute who only knows how to fight all day long!" After saying this, the young man smiled softly. "Xiaoyu, I just learned a new tea brewing technique. Come, let me take you to taste it. It's absolutely calming and spirit-focusing. Drink it a few times, and I guarantee you'll soon achieve the state of 'mind like still water'..."

"No, thank you. I still need to wait for Master Liu here!" Huang Yu was unfazed by his enthusiasm and waved her hand to refuse.

"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 was completely unconcerned by her refusal and said with a smile. Since he wouldn't leave, Huang Yu had no choice.

"Shameless!" Bai Xun fumed but no longer mentioned fighting. It seemed he was probably no match for this guy; otherwise, with his fiery temper, he wouldn't care about a birthday celebration or not.

Knowing the young prince's character, the young man couldn't be bothered with him. It was then that he noticed Zhang Xuan and looked over with curiosity. "Xiaoyu, who is this...?"

"Oh, let me introduce you!" Huang Yu looked over. "Master Zhang, this Tian Long is the owner here, 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..." The young man, Tian Long, frowned upon hearing the name, pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Hongtian Academy, are you Zhang Xuan, the one who took the Teacher Qualification Assessment with Teacher Lu Xun?"

The Teacher Qualification Assessment caused quite a stir; it was hard not to know about it. "Lu Xun is Hongtian Academy's most formidable star teacher. To dare to take the Teacher Qualification Assessment against him, your courage is truly remarkable, I admire that, I admire that!"

Although the other party spoke of admiration, there was not a trace of it on his face; instead, it was filled with schadenfreude. Lu Xun had been famous for many years, and being the son of Master Lu Chen, his reputation was immense. Almost everyone thought this 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?" Bai Xun couldn't stand it anymore.

"It means nothing. It's good for people to know their own limitations. Overestimating oneself only leads to more trouble in life." Tian Long shook his head.

"Make yourself clear! Who is overestimating himself? Master Zhang is just low-key and unwilling to show off..." Bai Xun fumed with anger.

Although he knew Lu Xun, he wasn't familiar with him. On the contrary, he admired Zhang Xuan wholeheartedly, so hearing the other party speak like this, he immediately objected.

"Master? What master? Is the title 'Master' something you can just throw around?" Tian Long sneered, flicking his hand dismissively with an air of arrogant disdain. "That's a title reserved for someone who has reached a certain level in their profession. Like my grandfather, who pursued the ultimate in the Way of Tea, he alone is qualified to be called a Tea Master. A Hongtian Academy teacher, in his twenties, should consider it a courtesy to be called 'teacher.' How dare he be called 'Master'? Truly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth..."

He let out a cold laugh, intending to continue speaking, when he saw an old man approach. Tian Long immediately closed his mouth, clasped his hands respectfully, and went to greet him. "Tian Long greets Master Yuan Yu!"

The person who arrived was precisely Tianxuan Kingdom's top physician, Yuan Yu.

In response to Tian Long's deference, Master Yuan Yu nodded, his face unperturbed. Just as he was about to continue forward, he suddenly saw 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!"