Chapter 319: Assessment of the Renowned Teacher Begins

## Chapter 303: Master Teacher Assessment

“Student Mo Yu? Greetings, Teacher Zhang?”

The surroundings fell silent, everyone's eyes wide with disbelief. What was going on? Princess Mo Yu was the kingdom's second greatest genius, having become a 1-star master teacher at such a young age... For such a person to show so much respect and call him "Teacher Zhang"... Where did this guy come from? What qualifications did he possess to warrant such behavior from the princess?

Thump! Captain Yao felt his knees weaken, almost collapsing onto the ground. Oh my goodness! He had thought he might have a blossoming romance with the princess, perhaps even be considered a rumored boyfriend. He never dreamed that she would refer to herself as his student... Was this really necessary? Fortunately, he hadn't recklessly caused trouble yesterday. Otherwise, if he had been killed on the spot, no one would have dared to speak up for him.

Ling Xiaoxiao, standing nearby, was also completely bewildered. She had thought her idol was coming over to speak with her. She never imagined the princess was coming to greet this guy who seemed to know nothing. "Brother, don't you not even know where the Master Teacher Pavilion is, or how to become a master teacher? Don't you not even recognize Mo Hongyi?" An apprentice who knew absolutely nothing was now being bowed to and addressed as "Teacher" by the kingdom's second greatest genius, Princess Mo Yu, who had just become a master teacher... Was this really happening?

Even the powerful individual beside her widened his eyes and nearly stumbled. He had previously been annoyed by his young lady's idle chatter with this guy, but now he realized that this seemingly unremarkable individual was actually a hidden powerhouse! The princess calling him "Teacher"... that alone was enough to elevate him to the status of some of the capital city's most prominent families.

It wasn't just them; Zhao Ya and the others were equally perplexed. The arrogant Physician Bai Chan had been beaten senseless and dared not retort; the genius princess bowed deeply and called him "Teacher"... Wasn't Teacher Zhang... supposed to have just arrived in Tianwu Royal City yesterday afternoon? He had only just arrived and was already causing such a stir, inspiring awe, respect, and fear in different people... If he stayed for a while longer, would even the head of the Master Teacher Pavilion come to pay respects?

"Hmm!" Ignoring everyone's shock, Zhang Xuan nodded faintly. The bow was indeed something he deserved. Without his guidance and teachings in Honglian City, it would have been impossible for her to successfully pass the 2-star alchemist assessment.

"Teacher Zhang..." After a moment of hesitation, Princess Mo Yu wanted to ask about the Poison Hall, but with so many people around, she ultimately refrained. When she had left Honglian City, Zhang Xuan and Grand Alchemist had already departed. Impersonating an envoy to the Poison Hall was fraught with danger, and she had been constantly worried. She had thought that even if he returned safely, it would be difficult to meet him again. She never dreamed that they would encounter each other here after only a few days. It was precisely because of this that she had been momentarily distracted earlier, taking an extra look. When the Q&A session ended, she couldn't hold back any longer and walked over to pay her respects. As the kingdom's second greatest genius, she had been somewhat proud, but after spending some time with him, she realized that her laughable talent was insignificant compared to this young man.

"Mo Yu, aren't you going to introduce me?" Just as she was about to speak again, a voice rang out, and a tall young man approached. Around thirty years old, dressed in a long robe, he was also a 1-star master teacher. His aura surged, and power rippled around him, indicating formidable strength; he was actually a Zongshi realm expert! A Zongshi realm expert and 1-star master teacher at thirty, although his talent wasn't as great as Mo Hongyi or Mo Yu, it wasn't far behind.

Seeing this person, Mo Yu's eyes showed slight displeasure, but she still nodded: "I was able to refine a grade-2 pill and successfully pass the 2-star alchemist assessment without reaching the Zongshi realm myself, all thanks to Teacher Zhang's guidance. He is like a half-teacher to me!"

Alchemists were one of the most highly ranked professions among the Nine Paths. Normally, to pass the grade-2 assessment, one's cultivation needed to reach at least the Zongshi realm. This was because only at that realm could one better control the heat of the pill furnace, the properties of the medicinal ingredients, and the conflicts between various forces... thus successfully refining grade-2 pills. Mo Yu had already been able to refine grade-2 pills after receiving guidance at the Beast Hall. After studying diligently for several more days in Honglian City, her techniques became even more proficient. Upon returning to the royal city, she received strong support from the royal family, and her cultivation made significant breakthroughs. Although still some distance from the Zongshi realm, she had become a peak Tongxuan realm expert. With such strength, she wouldn't normally have even had the chance to take the assessment, but her ability to successfully refine grade-2 pills earned her special permission, allowing her to become a 2-star alchemist and creating a legendary tale.

"Half-teacher?""To enable Teacher Mo to successfully pass the 2-star alchemist assessment at such a young age, how strong must his alchemy skills be?" The crowd was in an uproar, looking at Zhang Xuan with astonishment. They now understood why this young man commanded such respect. Princess Mo Yu's success in the 2-star alchemist assessment was due to his guidance... Didn't that mean he was even more skilled in alchemy? Beyond 2-star? Could he be a 3-star alchemist? A 3-star alchemist under twenty years old? Everyone gasped in collective shock.

"Taught you alchemy?" The young man's eyes flickered, then he smiled, looking at Zhang Xuan: "So you are an alchemy grandmaster. My apologies for the disrespect. I am Jiang Chen, and I thank you for guiding Princess Mo Yu!"

Princess Mo Yu gave him no face at all, frowning slightly: "I don't need your help with thanks!"

"Heh heh!" Jiang Chen gave a dry laugh, unaffected. He flicked his sleeve, adopting an air of superiority, and looked at Zhang Xuan: "Alchemist Hong, from the Alchemist Guild, is a friend of mine. He just successfully passed the 3-star alchemist assessment a few days ago. Since Teacher Zhang is a master alchemist, I presume you two are acquainted. However, I've never heard him mention such an alchemy prodigy in the guild. Furthermore, it seems I know almost all alchemists of 2-star and above in the entire guild. May I ask... how many stars is Teacher Zhang?" Hearing this, the others also looked over in unison, filled with curiosity.

"Just a 1-star alchemist!" Zhang Xuan replied. He had only ever taken the 1-star alchemist assessment, wasn't a so-called prodigy, and had never even been to the royal city's Alchemist Guild. Naturally, he didn't know Alchemist Hong and had no reputation there.

"1-star?""A 1-star guiding Princess Mo Yu to refine grade-2 pills? Are you kidding?""Specialized professions have clear rankings; how could a 1-star guide a 2-star..." The crowd was confused once more. Just now, Princess Mo Yu had treated him with such reverence, admiring him so much she almost knelt down. They had thought he was a highly skilled alchemist, but he turned out to be only 1-star... Was there some mistake?

"1-star?" Jiang Chen was also startled for a moment, then showed a hint of disdain, though he quickly masked it. "Brother Zhang, to reach 1-star at such a young age is indeed a sign of exceptional talent. As long as you work hard, you'll eventually achieve a higher rank!" A moment ago, he had called him "Teacher Zhang," but now he directly switched to "Brother Zhang," even skipping common courtesies.

After speaking, he ignored Zhang Xuan and turned to Princess Mo Yu: "Mo Yu, I've already prepared a celebration banquet for you, to commemorate your success in the master teacher assessment. Let's go!"

"I'm not going!" Princess Mo Yu waved her delicate hand.

"It's a celebration banquet prepared for you; how can it proceed without the guest of honor..." Being rejected in front of so many people, Jiang Chen felt somewhat awkward.

"I still have matters to discuss with Teacher Zhang. As for the celebration banquet, you can go by yourself!" Mo Yu said. It seemed she also held this person in low regard.

"How about this, Brother Zhang, come along as well? It could be a way to repay your 'half-teacher' favor." At this point, Jiang Chen looked over: "What do you think, Brother Zhang? I see you've just arrived in the royal city. The banquet will gather many famous people, and Alchemist Hong happens to be there too. I can introduce you. As a 1-star alchemist, you'll surely gain many benefits from interacting more with high-level alchemists like them."

"No time!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. If the invitation had been sincere, perhaps he would have gone after his master teacher assessment. But with such a condescending attitude, let alone a small banquet, he wouldn't even bother with the King's birthday feast.

"No time?" Jiang Chen could tolerate being rejected by Mo Yu, but for a 1-star alchemist to speak this way made his face darken. He raised an eyebrow, and his Zongshi realm aura emanated: "While alchemists are formidable, they can't compare to master teachers. You should carefully consider your decision. Don't let a trivial matter or a wrong judgment lead you into trouble... Hey, I'm talking to you, stop!" After explaining the stakes, he expected the other party to feel apprehension and obediently comply. He didn't expect that before he even finished speaking, the person was gone. Jiang Chen nearly fainted from anger. As a dignified 1-star master teacher and Zongshi realm expert, when had anyone ever shown him such disrespect?

Shaking his head, ignoring the self-important man, Zhang Xuan approached Mo Yu: "Take me there."

"Yes!" He had mentioned wanting to take the master teacher assessment when they were in Honglian City, so Mo Yu understood. The two of them walked past Jiang Chen.

"This guy..." Seeing him disregard Jiang Chen and turn to leave, Ling Xiaoxiao's mouth twitched. Did he even know who that guy was? To just ignore him? Even His Majesty the King would likely treat him as an honored guest, but he just ignored him... Just as she was about to go over and try to dissuade him, she saw Princess Mo Yu stop ahead, standing before an elder: "Teacher Wu, Teacher Zhang intends to take the master teacher assessment. Please make preparations."

"Master teacher assessment?" Her forward steps faltered, and Ling Xiaoxiao nearly fell to the ground. He didn't know how to assess to be a master teacher, what the assessment involved, or anything, and he was just coming to take it... "Brother, you must be joking." They had talked before, and just a moment ago. This Zhang Xuan knew absolutely nothing about master teachers. She even suspected his apprentice badge was bought... Like this, just openly taking the master teacher assessment... Did he even know what a master teacher represented? She thought he was crazy. Jiang Chen, who had originally intended to rush over and lecture him, stopped upon hearing this, his eyes narrowing as he pondered something.

"Master teacher assessment? All right, but first, I need to check if you meet the qualifications!" Teacher Wu nodded. He was responsible for apprentice-to-master-teacher assessments at the guild and knew the procedures very well. Before the assessment, one needed to meet 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 Tranquil Heart of Clarity at the Mingli realm, and cultivation at the Tongxuan realm! Liu Ling had mentioned these conditions in Tianxuan Royal City, so Zhang Xuan was familiar with them. With a flick of his wrist, he took out his apprentice badge and 1-star alchemist badge, handing them over, while simultaneously displaying his Half-Zongshi realm cultivation. These items couldn't be faked. Teacher Wu glanced at them, confirmed their authenticity, and then took out a Heart-State Stone and handed it over.

"Test your Heart of Tranquility score!" Zhang Xuan nodded, gripped the stone, and focused his mental state.

"Teacher Liu, don't be angry. He's just some ignorant fellow who appeared out of nowhere. Even if he takes the assessment, he might not succeed!" A young apprentice, seeing Jiang Chen's gloomy expression, approached him ingratiatingly: "Besides, even if he meets the assessment standards and is allowed to take it, he certainly can't compare to you, young master! You're a super genius whose Heart of Tranquility score was naturally 40 from birth!" To assess as a master teacher, one's Heart of Tranquility score needed to reach 30. Generally, master teacher apprentices, upon first achieving a Tranquil Heart, would only have a score of about 15 at most. It would take countless years of cultivation to raise it to this level. As for Jiang Chen, he achieved a score of 40 as soon as his heart reached tranquility. He was famous for a time. Although slightly lower than Mo Hongyi's 60 and Mo Yu's 50, he was still absolutely a genius among geniuses.

"Compare to me? What is he?" Hearing this, Jiang Chen's expression softened considerably. Besides those two freaks, when it came to Heart of Tranquility scores, he truly feared no one. Just some kid who appeared out of nowhere. His alchemy might be decent, but his Heart of Tranquility score... This was the foundation of a master teacher, like a martial artist's zhenqi. Even if he reached 30, it would still be a significant gap compared to someone like him who was born with 40. The difference between thirty and forty was like a tiny fraction. To improve it through cultivation would require decades of arduous training, an impossible feat without it.

Ling Xiaoxiao also looked over. She didn't believe this guy, who seemed to know nothing, could pass the Heart of Tranquility test. Had anyone ever come to take the master teacher assessment without even knowing what it involved? Others prepared for years, studying diligently without daring to slack off, but this guy just showed up knowing nothing and was taking the assessment. What a joke! If he could pass, couldn't someone like her, who knew everything, easily pass a 2-star assessment?

As she pondered all these thoughts, wondering what to say about his likely failing score, she heard a soft hum. The Heart-State Stone nearby glowed, and a line of text slowly appeared on it. Teacher Wu casually took it, looked down, and his indifferent expression instantly changed. His lips trembled uncontrollably: "This... this..."

"Quick, see what the score is!" Seeing the usually calm master teacher behave like this, everyone was stunned, their faces filled with curiosity, and they couldn't help but look towards the Heart-State Stone. Upon seeing it, their bodies also trembled.

"Go take a look!" Jiang Chen, preserving his dignity, did not step forward. The young apprentice nodded, walked over, and approached with a look as if he had seen a ghost.

"What? Can he compare to me? Did he also reach 40?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow: "I come from a master teacher lineage, exposed to master teacher lessons since childhood. That's why I achieved such a high score as soon as my heart became tranquil. How could some wild kid compare? What is it, exactly?"

The young apprentice's face turned red: "He... 51!"

Thump! His body swayed, Jiang Chen felt a profound sense of anguish: "51?" Damn it! He had just said this guy couldn't compare, and then came a 51... This was a Heart of Tranquility score even higher than Princess Mo Yu's! He felt as if a mouthful of fresh blood was caught in his throat, Jiang Chen was so depressed he almost spat it out.

"51? This..." Ling Xiaoxiao also widened her eyes. "Brother, your Heart of Tranquility score is 51, and you still don't know what the master teacher assessment is about? Where did you even come from?" A score of 51 was already considered a peerless genius. With a little more cultivation, he could reach 60, qualifying him for the 2-star master teacher assessment! In all these years in Tianwu Kingdom, only a few such talents had ever appeared... She had thought he was a country bumpkin who knew nothing, but he had transformed into a peerless genius. Ling Xiaoxiao's pretty face flushed, unsure what to say.

"A Heart of Tranquility score of 51 is absolutely a genius among geniuses! To the assessment grounds, I'll assess you now!" Teacher Wu's face was filled with excitement, and he strode outwards. Zhang Xuan and the others followed.

Before long, everyone arrived in a spacious hall. At the front of the hall were five tightly closed doors. "The master teacher assessment is divided into five stages: the Trust House, the Auxiliary Cultivation Hall, the Puppet Chamber, the Manual Sea, and the Flawless Hall! Do you have any students? If so, have them enter this first room. As long as their trust in you reaches 50, you pass!" Pointing to the first door, Teacher Wu explained.

"Hmm!" Having heard the rules from Ling Xiaoxiao, Zhang Xuan nodded and beckoned. Zhao Ya and the others walked over: "These are my students!"

"They are..." Teacher Wu glanced at the students, then at Zhang Xuan, a hint of doubt appearing on his face. Generally, there was a significant age gap between teachers and students, as this allowed for better acquisition of trust. For example, if you were twenty and taught seven or eight-year-olds, they would certainly trust you. But if you taught sixteen or seventeen-year-olds, whether they believed you or not, they might feel a little unconvinced about acknowledging you as their teacher. Why? This was the case here: Teacher Zhang appeared to be under twenty, and his students were sixteen or seventeen. The age difference wasn't significant. "Are you sure you can achieve a trust score of 50 with these students?"

"Um... May I ask how long you've taught these students in total?" After a moment of hesitation, Teacher Wu continued to ask. While a small age difference posed some issues, if the teaching period was long and the students admired him, their trust would naturally be much higher.

"About half a month..." Zhang Xuan thought for a moment, a little embarrassed: "For this past half a month, I was often out. If I calculate carefully, it's probably about five or six days!"

"Five or six days..." His body swayed, and Teacher Wu nearly fainted, looking at the man before him as if he were a monster. For the master teacher assessment, others would bring students they had nurtured for several years, which would greatly increase trust and the likelihood of passing. But he... brought students he had only taught for five or six days... Was he sure there was over 50 trust?

"What's wrong?" Zhang Xuan, unaware of such specific requirements for bringing students, asked, his face full of doubt.

"Um... nothing, I just wanted to ask if you have any other students, for example, those you've taught for a longer time, or younger ones..." Fearing he wouldn't understand, Teacher Wu patiently explained.

"No, they are the ones I've taught the longest and are the youngest!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Teacher Wu rolled his eyes. Damn it, taught for five or six days, and around your age? This is considered the longest-taught and youngest? Are you messing with me? As he was feeling depressed, wondering how to explain to this guy, he heard the young man in front of him look over with a puzzled expression: "If they won't do, I've also taught Princess Mo Yu for a few days; she can try too!" Are you serious?! Do you think taking the master teacher assessment is a game? He had thought that with a Heart of Tranquility score of 51, he was a peerless genius and the assessment would surely be fine. He didn't expect... that he couldn't even communicate clearly.

"If these are your only students, then let them go in. Let me tell you beforehand, their trust in you must reach 50 or above to pass. If not... you'll have to come back for the assessment next time!" Forcing down his frustration, Teacher Wu, too lazy to explain further, said.

"Yes, understood!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand and looked at Zhao Ya and the others: "Go on in!"

"Yes!" Zhao Ya and the others nodded, pushed open the door, and entered the room.

"Drip a drop of your blood here. Like the Trust Crystal, various illusions will appear in the room, displaying your students' trust in you on the wall!" Seeing this guy just send his students in without a single instruction, Teacher Wu was even more speechless and had no confidence in him. Other teachers would give their students instructions beforehand on what to do when encountering illusions, using verbal cues to increase their trust score... But he said nothing, just let them in like herding ducks. He truly didn't know how such a person became a teacher.

Zhang Xuan didn't understand the rules of the master teacher assessment at all, but for him, he didn't need to. He walked forward and dropped a drop of blood. With a soft hum, the Trust House immediately activated, shining with light. Seeing the first stage of the master teacher assessment begin, everyone who had followed focused their gaze, a hint of nervousness in their expressions.

"Bringing a group of students close to his age whom he's only taught for five or six days... it'd be good if their trust score even reached twenty!" Jiang Chen sneered. While the master teacher assessment was difficult, there were patterns to it. As a 1-star master teacher from a master teacher lineage, he knew the ins and outs of such assessments very well. Parental trust was sixty; passing required fifty, indicating that this level of trust was already similar to that between siblings. How could students taught for only a few days have such high trust? Let alone a celebrated teacher, even a 1-star master teacher couldn't achieve such high trust from students of similar age in such a short time.

"These students... were they really only taught for five or six days?" It wasn't just him; even Princess Mo Yu couldn't help but walk over.

"Actually... not even five or six days. All the time added up, it's probably about seven or eight hours!" Zhang Xuan thought for a moment. When teaching Zhao Ya and the others, he had daily commitments. He would usually guide them in the mornings and be absent in the afternoons. So, the actual teaching time was probably only seven or eight hours, not exceeding ten.

"Seven or eight... hours?" Princess Mo Yu also felt her vision go dark. What kind of trust could be built in such a short time? She had thought this guy would definitely come fully prepared, but she didn't expect him to be so unreliable...

"Look, the trust score is out!" Just as she was wondering how to tell this guy to prepare again, someone in the crowd shouted. Mo Yu quickly looked over. She saw the first door in front of them shake, and a line of text slowly appeared on it.

"What? How is this possible?" Mo Yu, Jiang Chen, and the others exclaimed in shock.

"Trust unto death? This is something only 5-star master teachers can achieve..." Teacher Wu's body also trembled like a sieve. The other master teachers in the room fell silent, as if stunned into a stupor by the numbers before their eyes. On the door's wall, two large characters were exceptionally dazzling, making it hard to believe they were real...