Chapter 2203: Pondering Swordsmanship

I had believed their medical skills were far inferior to my own. Only now do I realize that, compared to theirs, my medical skills are like a firefly next to a blazing sun—they're not even in the same league.

"Since you've conceded, does this mean I qualify to use the Great Teleportation Array?" Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of course, but don't rush. My concession alone isn't enough; I need to report this matter first. Only then can the token be issued to you. It should be in your hands by this afternoon at the latest!" Liao Xin explained.

Although the person before him had passed the assessment to rank among the top thirty on a divine king potential list and had even surpassed him in medical skills, the news still needed to be reported to the Heavens, and a proper token had to be created before teleportation could proceed. Without it, it would be impossible.

"Understood!" Having already been delayed for so long, Zhang Xuan didn't mind waiting another half-day. He nodded, said nothing further, and turned to leave with Qi Ling'er.

The room immediately fell silent after their departure.

"Ao Hua, did he truly... defeat you with just his physical body?" Liao Xin couldn't help but ask, turning his gaze.

"Yes!" Ao Hua confirmed with a nod.

"He surpassed you in physical prowess, his pill refining earned Fu Jiangchen's profound admiration, and his medical skills are uniquely profound—I'm nowhere near his level... The world truly holds many hidden dragons and crouching tigers!" Liao Xin sighed.

He had initially believed that this trip to Ghost Spirit Heaven would allow him to showcase his dominance, decisively defeat his opponents, and cement an enduring reputation. He never dreamed that he would suffer such a crushing defeat without even encountering anyone from the opposing Physician Guild.

Since he himself was no match, there was no need to consider anyone else; they would only incur greater losses.

"Let's return!" With his hands clasped behind his back, Liao Xin looked somewhat despondent.

"The competition with the Ghost Spirit Imperial City Physician Guild—are we no longer participating?" Wang Fei was startled.

"As long as Physician Zhang is indeed from Ghost Spirit Heaven, even if we were to defeat their Physician Guild, it wouldn't be a glorious victory. Rather than that, it's better to be more gracious!" Liao Xin stated.

Their sole purpose in coming to Ghost Spirit Heaven was to establish the reputation of the Cloud Chi Heaven Physician Guild. Yet, as it turns out... there's always someone stronger. Even if the opposing Physician Guild didn't possess anyone more formidable than them, what difference would it make? As long as Zhang Xuan was present, they would still be defeated!

Rather than endure such humiliation, it was better to simply withdraw.

"Alright..." Comprehending the reasoning, everyone agreed in unison.

At the Ghost Spirit Heaven Physician Guild.

"Congratulations, Physician Zhao Chong!" After several rounds of physician competitions, the final name on the five-person roster was confirmed: Physician Zhao Chong!

Although he hadn't been prominent before, his medical skills were genuinely formidable, and his display left everyone deeply impressed.

"Physician Zhao Chong is already formidable; naturally, that pill refiner couldn't compare!"

"Yes, this Zhang Xuan is excellent at pill refining, I'll grant him that, but medical skills... *chuckles*!"

"Each profession is a world apart. We're lucky we didn't let him compete; otherwise, it would have been a huge embarrassment..."

Witnessing Zhao Chong's performance, everyone recalled the presumptuous Alchemist Zhang from earlier and burst into laughter.

What's the use of being skilled in pill refining? Physicians don't compete in alchemy!

It's a good thing we didn't let that fellow participate; otherwise, wouldn't it make their Physician Guild a laughingstock, sending just anyone to compete?

As they were still reflecting, everyone saw a middle-aged man rush in urgently.

President Sun Xuan furrowed his brows. "What's wrong?"

The middle-aged man quickly reported, "All the physicians from Cloud Chi Heaven have left..."

"Left? What do you mean? They're not competing anymore?" President Sun Xuan was taken aback.

The opposing group had arrived full of aggression, so why had they retreated before the competition even began?

"They said..." The middle-aged man swallowed hard. "They said their skills were inferior, and staying would only add to the ridicule. Rather than suffering humiliation, it was better to leave early..."

"'Skills are inferior,' what does that mean?"

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Hadn't the competition even started?

How had it suddenly become about being outmatched?

"Just now, one of our Ghost Spirit Heaven physicians went to their residence, easily defeated President Liao Xin, and completely convinced everyone else there of their medical skills... That's why they voluntarily conceded!" The middle-aged man had already gathered the full report and was well-informed.

"Someone challenged and defeated President Liao Xin?"

"President Liao Xin's medical skills are considered to be among the foremost in the Nine Heavens, aren't they!"

"Indeed, his medical skills are unmatched in the world; I, for one, am far inferior..."

"He was actually easily defeated by a single physician..."

A commotion erupted. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. After a moment, a physician couldn't help but ask, "All registered physicians in the Imperial City are present here; not a single one has left. Who... defeated him?"

"I just specifically inquired about it. It seems this physician is called..."

After a moment of thought, the middle-aged man slapped his forehead. "He's called... Zhang Xuan!"

"Zhang Xuan?"

"The... alchemist we drove away earlier?"

"We claimed he wasn't qualified to be a physician, and as a result... he defeated President Liao Xin in a medical competition?"

"This can't be true..."

Everyone was simultaneously dumbfounded, their faces looking as if they had just been slapped multiple times.

They had just been discussing an alchemist who wanted to be assessed as a physician, never in their wildest dreams imagining that his medical skills not only far exceeded their own but had also effortlessly defeated President Liao Xin!

Sun Xuan's mouth twitched; he wished there were a crack in the ground he could crawl into.

The "alchemist" he had dismissed possessed such profound medical skills... It had clearly been a prime opportunity to learn, and they had simply let it slip away...

Oblivious to the Ghost Spirit Imperial City Physician Guild's frustration and dismay, Zhang Xuan now gazed at a small token on the table, his eyes sparkling. "Is this the token for the Great Teleportation Array?"

Someone had delivered the item before the afternoon.

The token, the size of a baby's palm, was intricately carved with special runes and imbued with a profound will that instilled fear in anyone who gazed upon it for too long.

"This rune was personally carved by an Emperor-level expert and can withstand the spatial storms within the Great Teleportation Array..." Qi Ling'er explained, a hint of envy in her eyes.

Even as a core member of the Qi family, wielding considerable authority, she wasn't qualified to obtain a token of this caliber.

Possessing this item meant entering other Heavens would take mere breaths. As long as one had sufficient funds, they could travel freely throughout the Nine Heavens.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

A single glance at these runes confirmed their complexity; they were likely related to an Emperor.

"Alright, continue arranging the sales of Breakthrough Pills and Beauty Pills, and try to expand their reach. Have Sun Qiang look after my parents; do not hesitate to provide them with any resources they need for their cultivation breakthroughs!" Zhang Xuan instructed.

Traveling to Spirit Origin Heaven to find Luo Ruoxi would likely involve danger, so he decided not to bring his parents and others. They would remain here and diligently cultivate for the time being.

With guidance from the Sword Pavilion's experts, their comprehension of swordsmanship grew increasingly profound, allowing their cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds. Coupled with Zhang Xuan's unlimited supply of resources—Breakthrough Pills and Beauty Pills consumed like common candies—both had successfully broken through to the Low-grade Heavenly God realm!

Given time, it wouldn't be impossible for them to achieve even higher realms.

Having arranged everything, Zhang Xuan no longer hesitated. He confirmed the location of the Great Teleportation Array, mounted a flying divine beast, and flew there alone.

As long as the Qi family continued to mistakenly believe he was an "Emperor," they would undoubtedly exert all their efforts to protect his parents, Sun Qiang, and the others, ensuring their safety.

Following him, however, would expose them to greater danger!

The effects and prices of the Beauty Pills and Breakthrough Pills had undoubtedly long aroused the envy of countless individuals. While remaining within Ghost Spirit Imperial City was safe, once they left, countless eyes would surely be watching.

Therefore, while it appeared he would enter Spirit Origin Heaven directly via the Great Teleportation Array, the journey there would undoubtedly be more challenging than anticipated.

Sitting on the beast's back, he closed his eyes and adjusted his state.

The Great Teleportation Array, capable of transporting experts across the Heavens, was inherently fraught with danger, despite requiring an assessment for every user. For this reason, the array was not located within the Imperial City but rather atop a mountain peak over a hundred *li* away.

It was heavily guarded by a large contingent of soldiers.

This meant that to access the teleportation array, one first had to leave the Imperial City, and this stretch of travel was highly susceptible to ambushes.

Controlling Breakthrough Pills and Beauty Pills was akin to holding a vast fortune, which inevitably incited greed and madness in others.

"There's still a quarter of an hour before we leave the city limits. Just enough time to study the Heavenly God realm sword techniques!"

He sank into contemplation.

It hadn't been long since he broke through to the Heavenly God realm. He had constantly focused on gathering information about Luo Ruoxi and improving his cultivation, leaving no time to comprehend sword techniques. Now, with some leisure, he could finally dedicate himself to it.

Comprehending this type of sword technique, which transcended the Heavenly Dao, required one to be within the God Realm. This meant that even if time accelerated ten thousandfold within the Library of Heaven's Path, it would offer no benefit to his comprehension.

"'Heaven If There Is Love' cultivation method, first level: the master-servant bond. Its sword technique is 'Heart Like a Double Silk Net, With a Thousand Knots Within!'"

"Second level: the brotherly bond. 'Harmonious brotherly love, diligent servant's strength.' Its sword technique is 'How Could It Be for Sightseeing, Filial Thoughts Stirred in Heart and Gut...'"

"Third level: the teacher-student bond. 'Fallen petals are not heartless things; they transform into spring mud to protect the flowers!'"

Ever since he comprehended his unique cultivation path, the cultivation techniques and sword arts for each successive realm had been continuously surging and swirling in his mind.

It was like a scroll slowly unfurling, detailing a vast history of emotions.

Some were thrilling, some sweet, some terrifying, some heartbreaking...

A complex blend of emotions, diverse and myriad, ceaselessly motivated him to cultivate and advance.

Liking and loving are emotions.

Dislike and aversion are emotions.

Happiness and pain are emotions.

As long as there is life, no one can escape the path of emotion. And without life, the very purpose of the Heavenly Dao would vanish.

Hence, if Heaven has feelings, Heaven too shall age!

The Heavenly Dao might be destroyed, but emotions will always persist as long as life exists.

The teacher-student bond is akin to family, and also a legacy...

It stirred one's heart deeply, making it impossible to refuse.

"I understand..."

With a jolt, an insight flashed through his mind. Just as he was about to deduce the sword technique, he felt every hair on his body stand on end, and he stomped his foot sharply.

The flying divine beast beneath him suddenly exploded. Having lost his mount, he immediately plummeted from the sky.