Chapter 318: Assessment of Master Teachers, Begin

Chapter 303: Master Teacher Assessment

“Student Mo Yu? Greetings, Teacher Zhang?”

Dead silence fell over the surroundings as everyone’s eyes widened. What was happening? Princess Mo Yu was the kingdom’s second greatest genius, having become a one-star Master Teacher at a young age. And such a person was showing this much respect, addressing him as “Teacher Zhang”… Who was this guy? What qualifications did he possess to command such deference from the princess?

Thud! Captain Yao felt his knees buckle, and he nearly collapsed to his knees right there. My heavens! He had thought there was something ambiguous between him and the princess, perhaps even a rumored romance. He never dreamed the princess would insist on being his student… Was this for real? Fortunately, he hadn’t rashly caused trouble yesterday; otherwise, if he were slaughtered on the spot, no one would dare utter a word on his behalf.

Ling Xiaoxiao, standing to one side, was also utterly bewildered. She had thought her idol had come over to speak with her, but she never imagined that she would be paying respects to this seemingly ignorant fellow? Brother, didn’t you not even know where the Master Teacher Pavilion was, or how to take the Master Teacher assessment? Didn’t you not even recognize Mo Hongyi? A mere apprentice who knew nothing was now being bowed to and addressed as ‘Teacher’ by the kingdom’s second genius, Princess Mo Yu, who had just become a Master Teacher… Was this too much to take?

Even the powerful bodyguard beside her widened his eyes, nearly stumbling. He had previously been dissatisfied with his young lady’s idle chatter with this guy, but only now did he realize that this unassuming young man was actually an extraordinary individual! The princess calling him ‘teacher’… Just that single fact elevated him to the standing of some of the most prominent noble families in the royal city.

They weren't the only ones; Zhao Ya and the others were also at a loss. The incredibly arrogant Physician Bai Chan had been beaten senseless and dared not protest; the genius princess bowed deeply in reverence, addressing him as ‘Teacher’… Hadn’t Teacher Zhang just arrived in Tianwu Royal City yesterday afternoon? He had just arrived and was already causing such a sensation, inspiring reverence, respect, and fear from various individuals… If he stayed for a while longer, would even the Pavilion Master of the Master Teacher Pavilion come to pay his respects?

“Mm.” Ignoring everyone’s shock, Zhang Xuan nodded casually. He certainly deserved her bow. Without the guidance and instruction at Red Lotus City, it would have been absolutely impossible for her to pass the two-star Alchemist assessment.

“Teacher Zhang…” After a moment’s hesitation, Princess Mo Yu wanted to ask about the Poison Faction, but the crowd made her hesitate to speak. When she had left Red Lotus City, Zhang Xuan and the Grand Alchemist had already departed. His mission to infiltrate the Poison Faction as an envoy was fraught with peril, and she had been constantly worried. She had thought that even if he were safe, it would be difficult to see him again. She never dreamed that after just a few days, she would encounter him here. Because of this, she was momentarily lost in thought and stared for a moment. After the Q&A session ended, she could no longer contain herself, walked over, and approached to pay her respects. As the kingdom’s second most talented individual, she still harbored some pride, but after spending some time with him, she realized that her laughable talent paled in comparison to the young man before her.

“Mo Yu, aren’t you going to introduce me?” Just as she was about to continue speaking, a voice interrupted, followed by a tall young man walking over. Around thirty years old, dressed in a long robe, he was also a one-star Master Teacher. With a surging aura and swirling power, his strength was not weak at all; he was actually a Grandmaster realm expert! A thirty-year-old Grandmaster and one-star Master Teacher, though his talent was not quite on par with Mo Hongyi or Mo Yu, was still remarkably close.

Seeing this person, a faint displeasure appeared in Mo Yu’s eyes. However, she still nodded: “I was able to refine a Grade-2 pill and successfully pass the two-star Alchemist assessment without reaching the Grandmaster realm myself, all thanks to Teacher Zhang’s guidance. He has been a half-teacher to me!” Alchemists are among the foremost among the Nine Paths professions. Normally, to assess for Grade-2, one’s own cultivation must at least reach the Grandmaster realm. This is because only at this realm can one better control the heat of the pill furnace, the properties of the herbs, and the interactions of various energies… thereby successfully refining Grade-2 medicines. Mo Yu had already been able to refine Grade-2 pills after receiving guidance at the Beast Tamer Hall. After studying diligently for several more days in Red Lotus City, her techniques became even more refined. Upon returning to the Royal City, she received strong support from the royal family, and her cultivation also made great breakthroughs. Although still some distance from the Grandmaster realm, she had also become a peak Transcendent Mortal realm expert. With this strength, she normally wouldn’t even have had the chance to assess, but because she could successfully refine Grade-2 pills, she was granted special permission to become a two-star Alchemist, making her a legend.

“A half-teacher relationship?” “Making Master Mo successfully assess as a two-star Alchemist at such a young age, how strong must his alchemy skills be?” The crowd gasped in astonishment, each person looking at Zhang Xuan with awe, and at the same time understanding the reason for the profound respect shown to this young man. Princess Mo Yu could successfully assess as a two-star Alchemist because she was guided by him… Doesn’t that imply he’s even more formidable in alchemy? Beyond two-star? Could he possibly be a three-star Alchemist? A three-star Alchemist under twenty? A collective gasp went through the crowd.

“Teaching you alchemy?” The young man’s eyes flickered before a smile spread across his face, as he looked at Zhang Xuan: “So you are a Grandmaster Alchemist, my apologies for the oversight. I am Jiang Chen, and I thank you for your guidance to Princess Mo Yu!” Princess Mo Yu showed him no deference, her brows furrowed in displeasure: “I don’t need you to thank him on my behalf!”

“Heh heh!” Jiang Chen forced a dry chuckle, seemingly unbothered. With a flick of his long sleeve, he looked at Zhang Xuan with a superior air: “Master Hong, an Alchemist of the Alchemist Guild, is my friend; he just successfully assessed as a three-star Alchemist a few days ago. Since Teacher Zhang is a master of alchemy, I presume you two are familiar with each other. It’s just that I’ve never heard him mention that the Guild has such an alchemy prodigy? Moreover, it seems I know almost all Alchemists above two-star in the entire Guild. I wonder… what rank is Teacher Zhang?”

Hearing this, the others also turned their heads to look, filled with curiosity. “Just a one-star Alchemist!” Zhang Xuan said. He had only assessed as a one-star Alchemist, was no so-called prodigy, and had never even visited the Royal City’s Alchemist Guild, so naturally, he neither knew Master Hong nor possessed any reputation there.

“One-star?” “A one-star Alchemist guided Princess Mo Yu to refine a Grade-2 pill? Is this a joke?” “Professional ranks are clearly defined; how could a one-star guide a two-star Alchemist?” Everyone was baffled once more. Princess Mo Yu had just shown him so much reverence, admiring him to the point of almost kneeling. Everyone thought he was an exceptionally skilled Alchemist, but it turned out he was just one-star… Was there some mistake?

“One-star?” Jiang Chen was also taken aback for a moment, then a look of disdain flashed across his face, but he quickly concealed it: “For Brother Zhang to reach one-star at such a young age is indeed a testament to remarkable talent. As long as you work hard, you will eventually achieve a higher rank!” After speaking, he dismissed him and turned to Princess Mo Yu: “Mo Yu, I’ve prepared a celebration banquet for you to celebrate your successful Master Teacher assessment. Let’s go!”

“No!” Princess Mo Yu waved her hand dismissively. “A celebratory banquet meant for you, how can it proceed without the guest of honor…?” Rejected in front of so many, Jiang Chen felt a flicker of embarrassment. “I still have something to discuss with Teacher Zhang. What celebration banquet? You can go by yourself!” Mo Yu said. It seemed she also had little regard for this person.

“How about this, Brother Zhang comes along as well; it would be a way to repay your partial mentorship.” Saying this, Jiang Chen looked over: “Brother Zhang, what are your thoughts? I see you’ve just arrived in the Royal City. The banquet will gather many prominent figures, and Master Hong, the Alchemist, happens to be there; I can introduce you to him. As a one-star Alchemist, gaining more exposure to high-level Alchemists like them would undoubtedly prove beneficial.”

“I’m busy!” Zhang Xuan shook his head. If the other party had genuinely invited him, perhaps after the Master Teacher assessment, he might have gone to see. But with such an air of condescension, even if it were the King’s birthday banquet, let alone a small gathering like this, he wouldn’t bother attending.

“Busy?” Jiang Chen could tolerate being rejected by Mo Yu, but a mere one-star Alchemist dared to speak to him like that. His face darkened, his eyebrow shot up, and his Grandmaster realm aura flared: “While Alchemists are powerful, they are incomparable to Master Teachers. You ought to carefully consider your decision and not let a trivial matter or a poor judgment land you in trouble… Hey, I’m speaking to you! Stop right there!” After stating the consequences, he expected the other party to feel apprehensive and comply obediently. To his surprise, before he could even finish his sentence, the person had vanished. Jiang Chen nearly blacked out from fury. As a dignified one-star Master Teacher and a Grandmaster realm expert, when had anyone ever dared to show him such blatant disrespect?

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan paid no mind to the self-important man and walked up to Mo Yu: “Lead the way.” “Yes!” He had told her about taking the Master Teacher assessment back in Red Lotus City, so Mo Yu understood his meaning. The two of them then walked past Jiang Chen.

“This guy…” Seeing him dismiss the man and turn to leave, the corner of Ling Xiaoxiao’s mouth twitched. “Do you know who that guy is? And you just ignored him? Even His Majesty the King would probably treat him as a guest of honor, and you just ignored him…” Just as she was about to go over and intervene, she saw Princess Mo Yu stop in front of an elder: “Master Wu, Teacher Zhang wishes to undergo the Master Teacher assessment. Please make the necessary preparations.”

“A Master Teacher assessment?” Her steps stumbled, and Ling Xiaoxiao almost fell to the ground. Knowing absolutely nothing about the assessment and just showing up to take it… Brother, are you serious? They had discussed it before, and again just now. This Zhang Xuan, he was utterly clueless about Master Teachers. She even suspected that his apprentice badge had been bought. And now, like this, he was declaring his intention to take the Master Teacher assessment… Did he even know what being a Master Teacher entailed? She felt he was insane.

Jiang Chen, who had been about to rush over and scold him, also stopped upon hearing this, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully, wondering what he was thinking. “A Master Teacher assessment? Very well, but first, I must verify that you possess the necessary qualifications!” Master Wu nodded. He was in charge of Master Teacher apprentice assessments at the guild, so he was well-versed in the procedures. Before the assessment, one must have sufficient external and internal conditions. External conditions: recommendation from a Master Teacher, status as an apprentice assistant, and possession of at least one auxiliary profession! Internal conditions: a Heart of Tranquil Water at the Proficient Comprehension realm, and cultivation at the Transcendent Mortal realm! Liu Ling had mentioned these conditions in Tianxuan Royal City, so Zhang Xuan was not unfamiliar with them. With a flick of his wrist, he took out his apprentice badge and one-star Alchemist badge, handed them over, and simultaneously displayed his Half-Grandmaster cultivation. These items could not be faked, so Master Wu confirmed them with a glance, then took out a Mindset Stone and handed it over.

“Test your Mindset Scale!” Zhang Xuan nodded, gripped the Mindset Stone, and focused his mind.

“Master Liu, there’s no need to be upset. He’s just an ignorant fellow who appeared out of nowhere. Even if he takes the test, he might not succeed!” An apprentice, seeing Jiang Chen’s grim expression, approached him with flattery: “Besides, even if he meets the assessment standards and can take the test, he certainly can’t compare to young master! Young master is a super genius whose Mindset Scale naturally reached 40!” The Master Teacher assessment requires a Mindset Scale of 30. Generally, Master Teacher apprentices, when they first reach a Heart of Tranquil Water, only have about 15 at most, and it takes countless years of cultivation to reach this level. But this Jiang Chen, as soon as he reached a Heart of Tranquil Water, his scale reached 40. He had made quite a name for himself. Though slightly lower than Mo Hongyi’s 60 and Mo Yu’s 50, he was undoubtedly a genius among geniuses.

“Compare himself to me? Who does he think he is!” Hearing this, Jiang Chen’s countenance softened considerably. Besides those two freaks earlier, when it came to the Mindset Scale, he genuinely feared no one. Just some nameless brat who appeared out of nowhere. His alchemy might be good, but his Mindset Scale… This is the foundation of a Master Teacher, just like a martial artist’s cultivation. Even if he reached 30, compared to someone like him who naturally reached 40, there was still a huge gap. The difference between thirty and forty, while seemingly slight, was like heaven and earth; if one were to improve through cultivation, it would be impossible without decades of arduous cultivation.

Ling Xiaoxiao also looked over. She didn’t believe that this fellow, who seemed to know nothing, could possibly achieve a passing score on the Mindset Scale. Who in their right mind would attempt the Master Teacher assessment without even knowing its content? Others preparing for the Master Teacher assessment would prepare for years, studying diligently without the slightest laxity. Yet this guy just showed up knowing absolutely nothing, and he wants to take the assessment? What a farce! If he could pass, wouldn’t someone like her, who knew everything, be able to casually attempt a two-star assessment? Lost in her musings, just as she was considering what to say about his likely failing mindset, she heard a soft chime. The Mindset Stone not far away shimmered, and a line of text slowly appeared.

Master Wu took it casually, lowered his head to look, and his originally indifferent expression suddenly shifted, and his lips began to tremble uncontrollably: “This… this…” “Quick, look at the score!” Seeing the usually composed Master Teacher in such a state, everyone was stunned, filled with curiosity, and couldn’t help but glance at the Mindset Stone. Upon seeing it, their bodies also stiffened in shock. “Go take a look!” Jiang Chen, out of a sense of dignity, did not step forward. The youth nodded, walked over, and approached with a look of utter disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost.

“What? Could he possibly compare to me? Did he also reach 40?” Jiang Chen’s eyebrow shot up: “I hail from a lineage of Master Teachers, having been exposed to their teachings since childhood, which is why I attained such a high scale score the moment I reached a Heart of Tranquil Water. How could some wild, unknown kid possibly compare? What’s the score exactly?” The youth’s face flushed crimson: “He… 51!”

Thud! His body swayed, and Jiang Chen felt an immense blockage in his chest: “51?” Unbelievable! He had just declared that this fellow was incomparable, and now a ‘51’ appeared… This was a Mindset Scale even higher than Princess Mo Yu’s! He felt as if a mouthful of fresh blood was about to spurt out; Jiang Chen was so frustrated he nearly vomited.

“Fifty-one? This…” Ling Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened. “You! Your Mindset Scale has reached 51, yet you claimed to know nothing about the Master Teacher assessment? Where on earth did you pop out from? 51 could already be called a peak genius. With a little more cultivation, his scale could reach 60, qualifying him for a two-star Master Teacher assessment! In all these years, Tianwu Kingdom had seen only a handful of such talents… She had thought he was a country bumpkin who knew absolutely nothing, but he had transformed into a peerless genius. Ling Xiaoxiao’s pretty face flushed crimson, leaving her speechless.

“A Mindset Scale of 51! This is truly a genius among geniuses! Let’s head to the assessment grounds; I’ll conduct your assessment now!” Master Wu, his face alight with excitement, strode towards the exit. Zhang Xuan and the others followed. A short while later, they arrived at a spacious hall.

In front of the hall were five tightly closed doors. “The Master Teacher assessment is divided into five steps: Trust Test Chamber, Support Skill Hall, Puppet Hall, Cultivation Art Sea, and Flawless Hall! Do you have any students? If so, have them enter this first room. As long as their Trust Rating in you reaches 50, you pass!” Master Wu said, pointing to the first door.

“Understood.” Having heard Ling Xiaoxiao mention the rules, Zhang Xuan nodded and gestured. Zhao Ya and the others walked over: “These are my students!” “They…” Master Wu glanced at the students, then at Zhang Xuan, a hint of doubt appeared on his face. Typically, there’s a significant age gap between a teacher and their students, as this tends to foster greater trust. For example, if you’re twenty and teaching seven or eight-year-olds, they’ll certainly trust you. But if you’re teaching sixteen or seventeen-year-olds, even if they were to believe you, they might still harbor some reluctance in acknowledging you as their teacher. Why should they? This was the case here; Teacher Zhang looked less than twenty, and his students were sixteen or seventeen, with little age difference. “Are you sure bringing such students will allow the Trust Rating to reach fifty?”

“Well… how long have you been teaching these students?” After a moment of hesitation, Master Wu continued to ask. Although a small age difference posed a slight challenge, if the teaching period was prolonged and the students harbored admiration, their Trust Rating would naturally be considerably higher.

“A little over half a month, I suppose…” Zhang Xuan thought for a moment, slightly abashed: “I was frequently away during that time, so if you were to count the actual teaching hours, it would probably add up to about seven or eight double-hours!” “Seven or eight… double-hours?” Princess Mo Yu’s mind reeled. With such a short time, what kind of Trust Rating could possibly be forged? She had thought this guy must have come prepared and thoroughly organized, but she didn’t expect him to be so utterly unreliable…

“Quick, look, the Trust Rating is out!” Just as she was contemplating how to tell him to prepare himself again, she heard a shout from the crowd. Mo Yu quickly looked. She saw the first large door before them shimmer, and a line of text slowly appeared on its surface.

“What? How is this possible?” Mo Yu, Jiang Chen, and the others cried out in unison. “Trust Unto Death? This is something only a five-star Master Teacher can achieve…” Master Wu’s body also trembled, like a leaf in the wind. The other Master Teachers who had followed into the room were struck by a stunned silence, as if they had been struck dumb by the number before their eyes. Two large characters on the door wall shone with exceptional brilliance, almost blinding the onlookers, making it impossible to believe their eyes…