Chapter 222: Apprenticeship (Part 2)

"To be assessed for a two-star rating, in addition to having two auxiliary professions, one's cultivation must reach the Grandmaster realm. Given our current age and cultivation status, we've visited many individuals without success. Master Yang is our only hope!"Zhuang Xian also nodded.

Becoming a Grandmaster and extending one's lifespan is an irresistible temptation. They had been stuck at the Half-Grandmaster level for an unknown period and had specifically sought out two-star master teachers, but unfortunately, they couldn't achieve a breakthrough. A few days ago, when they saw Master Yang successfully revive Shen Hong, who was on the verge of death, and help him reach the Grandmaster realm, they could no longer sit still. If Shen Hong could do it, they certainly could too! However, the precondition was Master Yang's willingness to teach.

"Regardless, let's try again; perhaps we'll succeed this time," Zheng Fei said.Master Yang had helped him break through to Half-Grandmaster, and he had intended to become his disciple, but Master Yang hadn't agreed, and he hadn't pressed the matter excessively. Now, even Master Liu and Master Zhuang were interested, so he naturally didn't want to fall behind.

"Alright, let's go see!"Considering this, the three master teachers no longer hesitated and strode towards the mansion.

"Brother Lu, the pills have been bought. Do you want to reconsider? Are you really going to use them?" Wang Chao asked, looking at his friend in Lu Xun's classroom, his face full of worry.Although these pills could drastically increase one's power in a short time, they also caused significant damage to the body.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Lu Xun took the pills, hesitated for a moment, then gave a command.Soon after, several students approached. They were the ones on the Master Teacher Assessment list: Zhu Hong, Mo Xiao, Du Lei, Bai Chao, and Kong Jie!

"Teacher!"The students stood still, their aura strong. In just half a month of cultivation, they, like Zheng Yang and others, had all reached the Martial Artist Second Realm, Dantian Stage. Although there weren't many shortcuts in the Martial Artist First Realm, Qi Accumulation Stage, these students were different from Wang Ying and the others. Before becoming disciples, their cultivation had essentially reached the peak of the First Realm, needing only one more breakthrough. Even Kong Jie, who was slightly weaker, had successfully advanced with the abundance of resources poured into his cultivation.

"Here's a pill. After taking it, it can expand your dantian, allowing you to break through tonight and reach the Martial Artist Third Realm, True Qi Stage! This way, the Master Teacher Assessment will be foolproof, ensuring victory."Holding up the pill, Lu Xun scanned the room. He didn't hide anything, even stating its drawbacks. "However, there's no such thing as a free lunch. While it allows for rapid breakthroughs, there's a potential side effect: after reaching the True Qi Stage, your cultivation speed will slow down to only 70% of its previous rate.""I will help you resolve this issue once I become a master teacher. I'll also take you as my direct disciples and guide your future cultivation.""Of course... the choice is yours. I won't force you. If we genuinely lose, then I can only say that our teacher-student relationship has ended!"After speaking, he set the pill down and looked around. Although he had made his decision and even purchased the pills, he left the choice to his students. He couldn't force them to take it, even though he desperately wanted to win. A teacher has their bottom line. A teacher has their dignity. After so many years of teaching, he still couldn't bring himself to resort to unscrupulous methods just to win.

"I trust Teacher Lu." After only a brief hesitation, Zhu Hong stepped forward.Under normal cultivation, reaching the True Qi Stage would be difficult to achieve in less than two or three years. This pill could help them reach it overnight. So what if future cultivation was affected? Who could guarantee a smooth cultivation journey anyway? Moreover, once they became direct disciples, this small issue wouldn't matter.Even as students, there was a significant difference between public lectures and direct discipleship. In public lectures, hundreds of people attended simultaneously, making it impossible for the teacher to provide specific guidance tailored to individual cultivation. Students mostly had to figure things out on their own; it was like a communal pot dish—the same ingredients, but the taste was merely passable. Direct discipleship was different, like cooking in a small pot. The teacher would constantly offer advice and individual guidance, ensuring their cultivation remained on track. Even if they didn't progress as quickly due to the pill, with such guidance, their future would be far brighter.Thinking this, he was the first to show his resolve, taking the pill and swallowing it immediately.

Upon entering his mouth, the pill instantly melted, forming a unique force that surged through his body. Seeing his swift decision, Lu Xun nodded in satisfaction. He placed his palm on Zhu Hong's back, slowly channeling true qi into him to guide the force.After an unknown period, with a resonant hum, Zhu Hong suddenly stood up, exhaling a mouthful of turbid air, his aura vibrant and powerful.Martial Artist Third Realm, True Qi Stage!Just as promised, taking this pill directly increased his cultivation by a full level.

"That's incredible... I want to try!"Seeing his success, Mo Xiao, Du Lei, Bai Chao, Kong Jie, and the others could no longer hold back and rushed forward one after another. Once Zhu Hong understood, the others also grasped the situation. If Teacher Lu truly became a master teacher, as his direct disciples, they would undoubtedly soar. This was a choice with nothing to overthink.Before long, all of them had also broken through.

"Good, good!"Watching all five students reach the Martial Artist Third Realm, True Qi Stage, Lu Xun's eyes gleamed with excitement. Not to mention new students, even among the older students who had been at the academy for two or three years, this level of strength would put them at the forefront.

"Tomorrow will be my moment to shine, Lu Xun! I will shock the entire academy and silence all those who gossip behind my back!"Clenching his fists, Lu Xun's confidence, which had been dampened during the day, returned with a surge of ambition.So what if he was a Grandmaster of Calligraphy and Painting, or proficient in the Tea Ceremony? When it came to teaching, Lu Xun was second to none!"Three master teachers, I will also prove to you that I am the best choice for apprentices!"

"Master, the three master teachers have been waiting for half a day," Sun Qiang greeted him as soon as he returned to the mansion."They're here?"Zhang Xuan had been wondering if he should send someone to fetch them later, but he hadn't expected these three to be even more proactive than himself. He chuckled softly.

Entering the reception hall, he indeed saw the three master teachers seated there. Upon his arrival, their eyes lit up with excitement."Liu Ling (Zhuang Xian, Zheng Fei) greets Master Yang!"The three immediately bowed.

"May I ask why the three of you have come to see me so late?"Zhang Xuan sat down, had someone prepare a cup of tea, and slowly took a sip before calmly looking at them. After visiting the Tian Residence and returning to the academy, it was already dark, and the hour was late.

"Master Yang, the three of us sincerely wish to become your disciples! We hope you will accept us!"Liu Ling and the others quickly stood up, cupped their fists, bowed deeply, and looked at him nervously. Knowledge comes at different times, and each field has its specialists. Although they were much older than Master Yang, he was clearly far more capable than them. When seeking a master, age shouldn't be the only consideration.

"You wish to become my disciples?"Holding his teacup, Zhang Xuan calmly brushed away the floating tea leaves, his expression unchanging. With days of experience in disguise, he was no longer the inexperienced young man whose flaws could easily be seen. Every action now carried an air of grace and authority. The room fell silent.

"Yes, although the three of us are untalented, we can serve by your side and help you with your worries and difficulties."Liu Ling and the others breathed rapidly. While they had expressed their desire to become disciples during previous visits, they hadn't stated it directly. This time, by saying it outright, there would be no room for maneuver if they were rejected.

"If I'm not mistaken, you wish to become my disciples because your cultivation has reached a bottleneck and you're unable to break through. You believe that by becoming my students, you might overcome this final hurdle and advance further, right?"Without lifting his head, Zhang Xuan's voice was utterly calm, as still as ice.

"Uh... yes!"Their intentions exposed, Liu Ling and the others simultaneously blushed.

"At least you're honest!"Seeing that they didn't deny it, Zhang Xuan nodded.

"We beg Master Yang to grant our wish!"Liu Ling and the others gritted their teeth.

Zhang Xuan didn't reply. He slowly put down his teacup, stood up, and walked to the center of the living room. Just as the three master teachers wondered what he intended to do, his calm voice resounded.

"I, Yang Xuan, have traveled through many kingdoms and have always preferred quiet, never revealing my identity. I presume, coming from other kingdoms, you've never heard my name before!""That's right!"When they had previously heard the name Yang Xuan, they had specifically investigated and found no such person in the surrounding kingdoms. They had initially thought it was an assumed name, but now it seemed Master Yang was simply low-key and didn't wish to say much.

"If I don't want people to know, no one will know I am a master teacher. Even if you checked at the Master Teacher Pavilion, you certainly wouldn't find anything," Zhang Xuan continued. "But here in Tianxuan Kingdom, I revealed my identity and even offered guidance. Do you know why?"He said this to preemptively set their expectations. "Yang Xuan" was originally a fake name, so of course, it wouldn't be found at the Master Teacher Pavilion. However, with this preparation, their inability to find him wouldn't make them suspect it was fake. Instead, they would regard him with even greater awe and admiration, like a towering mountain. Unable to be found even by the Master Teacher Pavilion... just how formidable was he?

"We are ignorant!"Liu Ling and the others looked at him. Indeed, they had also found this point strange. If such a formidable master teacher truly wished to avoid worldly affairs, who could possibly know of him? Yet, he had inexplicably become known throughout the entire Tianxuan Kingdom.

"Because while traveling here, I happened to encounter a promising junior. I couldn't help but be pleased and took him as my direct disciple. However... I cannot stay here for too long, and fearing he might suffer grievances, I intentionally revealed my identity to give him a proper standing."With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Xuan stood ramrod straight in the middle of the hall, appearing as towering as a mountain.

"A promising junior? Taken as a direct disciple?"Liu Ling and the others exchanged glances. Suddenly, something dawned on them, and their pupils simultaneously contracted: "Could it be, could it be... Master Yang's direct disciple is... Teacher Zhang Xuan of Hongtian Academy?"If that were the case, it would all make sense. A low-ranking teacher from a remote kingdom, capable of expounding such profound theories, a Grandmaster of Calligraphy and Painting, proficient in the Tea Ceremony, and most crucially... unwilling to accept the recruitment of three master teachers like themselves. Perhaps only Master Yang's student could possess such capabilities.

Seeing that their reaction was quicker than he had anticipated, saving him the trouble of further explanation, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction."Indeed, Zhang Xuan is my direct disciple. If you also wish to join my tutelage... he will be your...""Eldest Senior Brother!"