Chapter 32: Hong Tian Building

"A mind like still water?"

Soon, Zhang Xuan awoke from the special state of mind, his eyes lighting up.

Having read so many books, he already understood the role of a mental state.

"I'm a transmigrator; I've experienced life and death, so my mindset is much better than an ordinary person's. Plus, I cultivate the Heaven's Path Divine Art, and my True Qi is as pure as clear water! It's quite normal for my mental state to reach the second stage so quickly!"

Though pleased, he wasn't particularly surprised.

With an artifact as heaven-defying as the Heaven's Path Library, if he were still just like any ordinary person, he might as well buy a block of tofu and bash his head in.

The journey was largely silent, and they soon arrived at the academy gates.

"Hongtian Tower!"

Zhang Xuan nodded as he looked at the three large characters before him.

His predecessor's memories contained records of this restaurant; it was the most luxurious restaurant in Hongtian Academy. Meals here were quite expensive, and because his predecessor's salary wasn't high, he had never visited.

He had thought Shen Biru would treat him to a meal at any small restaurant, but he hadn't expected her to bring him here. She was quite generous.

As expected of a famous restaurant, its interior was incredibly luxurious, with fist-sized luminous pearls embedded throughout, illuminating the space as if it were daytime.

They found a window seat and sat down.

"What would you like to eat?" Shen Biru asked, looking at the young man before her.

"Anything!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand. "You're treating anyway, so just order whatever you like!"

He had never been here before and didn't know what to order. Since someone else was paying, he was too lazy to think.

Seeing the young man's look as if he were about to feast at someone else's expense, Shen Biru felt an inexplicable surge of anger, yet she couldn't show it. She merely nodded and ordered a few dishes without much thought.

"Teacher Zhang, did you intentionally get zero points on the teacher qualification exam?"

After ordering, Shen Biru stared intently at the young man.

"Intentionally?" Zhang Xuan was startled, unsure why she would ask that. "Of course not!"

When the teacher qualification exam took place, he hadn't transmigrated yet, nor did he have the Heaven's Path Library. It certainly wasn't an act!

Hearing the young man deny it, Shen Biru showed a look that suggested she had already expected such an answer, and a cold smile appeared on her lips.

'Let's see you deny it,' she thought. 'I'll expose you.'

"Since we're free now, I actually have a few questions that I don't quite understand. Teacher Zhang, could you perhaps help me clarify them?" Her eyes shifted as Shen Biru asked.

"Go ahead!"

Since she was treating him to a meal, answering a question or two was no big deal.

"Alright. When cultivating, if spiritual energy cannot gather in the meridians..." Shen Biru pondered for a moment before posing a question.

"You don't know this?" Hearing this question, which was even simpler than the previous one, Zhang Xuan looked at her doubtfully, then casually explained, "This can be resolved. I have nine methods here..."

He quickly finished his explanation.

"Nine methods..." Hearing the young man casually list nine methods, Shen Biru's expression changed once again.

Even with her extensive knowledge, she only knew three methods. For him to rattle off nine in one breath, and some she had never even heard of, was simply unbelievable.

"Then... what if spiritual energy enters the body but cannot be controlled to flow into the meridians?" Suppressing the shock in her heart, she asked again.

"That's also simple. I have eight methods for that too!" Zhang Xuan explained, "The first is..."

Shen Biru's delicate body trembled. Although she had mentally prepared herself, she still felt like she was going crazy.

These methods were simply incredible; if they were spread, they would undoubtedly revolutionize the world of cultivation!

"Since you know so many methods, why couldn't you answer a single one during the teacher qualification exam and scored zero?"

Forcing down her shock, Shen Biru couldn't help but ask.

The two questions she had just asked were precisely original questions from the previous teacher qualification exam. Since he knew so many methods, how could he not have answered even one? How did he end up with zero points?

"Huh?" Zhang Xuan only then realized.

These questions were indeed from the teacher qualification exam. Because they were part of his predecessor's experience, he felt a sense of familiarity with them, but hadn't recalled them.

"Well..."

Just as he was wondering how to answer, the dishes they had ordered began to arrive one after another.

"Let's eat first!"

Seeing the delicious food and smelling its aroma, Zhang Xuan's appetite was greatly roused. He was too lazy to bother with such trivial matters anymore and began to eat with gusto.

"Hmph..."

Seeing this guy happier to see food than to see her, Shen Biru's cheeks puffed out in exasperation.

Countless people wanted to treat her to a meal, using it as a pretext or excuse to spend more time with her. But this guy... he really *was* just here to eat...

***

"Young Master Shang, don't be angry anymore. I've already applied for a 'Heart-Seeking Interrogation,' so the academy will definitely bring Liu Yang in for review tomorrow. Zhang Xuan will certainly not escape punishment! As for that lunatic, Elder Shang lent you his spirit beast this time. If we run into him tomorrow, we'll definitely teach him a good lesson. You should be happy now! Come on, I'll treat you to a big meal to replenish your energy, and then we can find some girls... hehe!"

On the academy streets, two young men strode along.

The first one's face was red, swollen, and bruised, with eyes like a panda's – clearly, he had been in a fight and got hit in the face. The second one was bowing and scraping, his demeanor somewhat servile; he was the one speaking.

Behind the two, a massive lion strutted along, exuding a ferocious aura. Even before it drew near, it emanated a terrifying presence, causing an oppressive aura.

These were Shang Bin, who had gone to disrupt the class earlier and was beaten by Yao Han, and Cao Xiong, who was still itching to cause trouble for Zhang Xuan.

As for the lion behind them, it was Elder Shang Chen's spirit beast, a Level 6 Savage Beast: the Sky-Crushing Lion!

In this world, there were many professions like alchemists, artifact refiners, and others. Each profession was incredibly esteemed and admired.

Elder Shang Chen was a beast tamer.

This profession allowed one to tame savage beasts, spiritual beasts, and the like, making them their own and using them as aids in combat. It was a very powerful and renowned profession among the various others.

This Sky-Crushing Lion was the spirit beast trained by Elder Shang Chen.

Shang Bin had been thoroughly thrashed by the madman Yao Han. Knowing his own strength was insufficient, he had pleaded with his grandfather to lend him the spirit beast.

"Mn!" Hearing the other's fawning words, Shang Bin nodded, his face contorted into a sinister expression. "That Yao Han must be taught a good lesson, and Zhang Xuan too!"

"Of course! With this Sky-Crushing Lion, what does Young Master Shang have to worry about?" Cao Xiong chuckled.

A Level 6 Savage Beast was equivalent to a Martial Artist 6-dan expert, or even superior.

Even if the strength of that mad steward, Yao Han, wasn't weak, it wouldn't be easy for him to defeat the Sky-Crushing Lion even at his peak, let alone in his current state.

Earlier today, he looked like a mummy wrapped in bandages, no better off than Young Master Shang's current state.

"The Sky-Crushing Lion is my grandfather's spirit beast. You know it's extremely wild and difficult to tame. Even though Grandpa has given it to me now, it will only act to defend me if someone attacks me. Commanding it might still be somewhat difficult!"

Glancing at the formidable Sky-Crushing Lion behind him, Shang Bin said with a hint of helplessness.

Savage beasts are powerful and proud creatures. Unless one's strength surpasses theirs, or they are a beast tamer, it's very difficult to make them willingly obey commands.

"Not necessarily. Once we get there, we'll treat it to fine wine and food, and it might just become obedient!"

Cao Xiong laughed.

"Let's hope so!"

The two continued walking and talking. A moment later, a tall restaurant appeared before them.

"We're here!"

They stepped inside. Behind them, the three large characters on the plaque above them shone brightly.

Hongtian Tower!