Chapter 561: Auxiliary Professions Not Enough?

"Withdraw?"Everyone looked over.

Having finished first in four consecutive rounds, Zhang Xuan had already become the biggest dark horse of this selection. Why would he withdraw in the final round?

"You've already participated in the first four rounds, and this is the last one..." Master Su said anxiously.

"Oh, this selection is to choose two winners to participate in the Master Teachers' Grand Competition. My current score ensures I'm first, regardless of whether I participate in the fifth round or not. I might as well withdraw and give them a chance!" Zhang Xuan said nonchalantly, "Otherwise... always being first isn't very interesting."

"Always being first isn't interesting?""Wow, that sounds so cool.""Yeah, but Master Zhang is right. He got first place four times in a row, accumulating 24 points. The next best scorer, Young Master Ruohuan, has 18 points, followed by Fu Xiaochen with 15 points, Feng Mosheng with 13 points, Luo Xi with 10 points, and Du Hu with 7 points. Even if Master Zhang withdraws from this round and gets last place, earning one point, his total would still be 25 points. If the second-place Young Master Ruohuan gets first in this round, adding 6 points, he'd only have 24... Indeed, participating or not participating makes no difference!""To get first place without even needing to compete in the final round... amazing!"

Hearing Zhang Xuan's explanation, everyone suddenly understood.

Since victory was already secured, why continue participating and waste time?

"This..." Hall Master Kang also understood, exchanging a bitter smile with Master Su and the others.

As expected of Master Zhang, truly commanding.

While others gave their all in every round of the assessment, this guy secured victory after only four rounds...

There truly is a difference between people.

"Since that's the case, then withdraw!" Hall Master Kang glanced at the others and saw that they also didn't want to continue competing with such a prodigy. He shook his head, "However, please don't leave just yet, Master Zhang. Once the final round of assessments is complete, we will discuss the details of the Master Teachers' Grand Competition with you."

"Understood!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Without him participating, the final round progressed quickly, and the results were out in a short time. As expected, Young Master Ruohuan took first place, securing the second spot.

"Alright, the competition is over. I now announce that Master Zhang and Jun Ruohuan will represent the Alliance of Ten Thousand Kingdoms in the Master Teachers' Grand Competition..."

Before he could finish speaking, Fu Xiaochen stepped forward: "I don't deny Master Zhang's ability, but... if I'm not mistaken, there's a minimum requirement to participate in the Master Teachers' Grand Competition. Only master teachers of three stars or higher are qualified. Master Zhang is only a two-star master teacher; his rank is clear. I'm afraid if he truly participates, he won't even pass the first round's qualification review!"

Hall Master Kang frowned.

What the other party said was true. The Master Teachers' Grand Competition indeed had rank requirements; not just anyone could participate.

Three stars was precisely the minimum standard.

If one didn't even meet this, how could they stand out in the competition?

Although Zhang Xuan had performed brilliantly in the previous rounds, his true rank was still only two stars, a little short of the minimum standard.

"Master Zhang easily passed all the previous assessments. Not to mention three stars, it wouldn't be an exaggeration for him to directly apply for a four-star master teacher rank!" Master Su interjected.

Young Master Ruohuan was a four-star master teacher, yet he was effortlessly defeated by Master Zhang. How difficult could it be for Master Zhang to apply for a four-star rank?

"Given Master Zhang's abilities, applying for a four-star master teacher rank is indeed not difficult; he might not even need to be re-evaluated. However... the minimum requirement for a four-star master teacher is to have four auxiliary occupations, all at the four-star level! This... might not be so easy!"

Fu Xiaochen stated.

Originally, if Master Zhang hadn't appeared, it would certainly have been him and Young Master Ruohuan participating in the Grand Competition. Now that the spot had been taken by the other party, he naturally had to find a way to contend for it.

And auxiliary occupations were precisely Master Zhang's biggest weakness!

In his opinion, even if this master teacher possessed high talent, given his age, it was impossible for him to be proficient in everything.

"That's true...""Auxiliary occupations, just like being a master teacher, require accumulation of time and study..."

Everyone fell silent, and Master Su was speechless.

Indeed.

Everyone had witnessed Master Zhang's talent and strength as a master teacher, and there was no denying it. However... becoming a four-star master teacher was not that easy; it also required auxiliary occupations.

Even for the minimum standard of a three-star master teacher, one needed three auxiliary occupations at the three-star level. This was the most basic requirement, just like the cultivation realm; failing to meet it meant one didn't even qualify for the assessment.

"Master Zhang's achievements in painting and calligraphy have definitely reached four stars, or even higher. I can apply for this at the Painter and Calligrapher Guild; it's nothing!"

Elder Yun stepped forward.

The fact that he could effortlessly produce works of the sixth realm was enough to show that his artistic skill in painting and calligraphy surpassed his own. For such a person, applying for a four-star painter and calligrapher was easy.

"That's still only one kind!"

Fu Xiaochen said.

Even if he applied for a five-star painter and calligrapher, it would still only be one profession; he'd still need at least two more.

Auxiliary occupations... they weren't that easy to learn, let alone reaching the minimum of three stars.

"Master Zhang, do you have any other occupations that have reached three stars or higher?"

Hall Master Kang looked at him.

"I..." Zhang Xuan was about to speak when he saw an apprentice hurrying over.

"Hall Master, Hall Master Han of the Beast Hall requests an audience!"

"Hall Master Han? What's he doing here?" Hall Master Kang was surprised.

Han Chong, the Hall Master of the Beast Hall in Ten Thousand Kingdoms City, didn't usually interact much with him. Why would he suddenly come rushing over now?

"Show him in!" Although puzzled, he waved his hand.

Although the Beast Hall was a bit inferior to the Master Teacher Hall, it was still a powerful force in its own right and couldn't be treated lightly.

"Yes!" The apprentice withdrew. A moment later, two elderly men strode in. Zhang Xuan turned to look and saw it was Hall Master Han, whom he had met at Wenyan Ridge, and the other was Pavilion Master Sai of the Appraisal Pavilion.

"Hall Master Kang, Elders!"

Seeing so many people in the hall, both were somewhat surprised. However, they were influential individuals who had seen much of the world, so they wouldn't be overly impolite and simultaneously cupped their fists in greeting.

"May I ask why Hall Master Han and Pavilion Master Sai have time to visit the Master Teacher Hall?" After exchanging a few pleasantries, Hall Master Kang looked at them expectantly.

"Oh, actually, I came specifically to find Master Zhang!" Hall Master Han smiled, "I heard from Pavilion Master Sai that he was here, so I rushed over!"

"Master Zhang?" Hall Master Kang blinked, and everyone else looked over in unison.

"Why are you looking for me?" Zhang Xuan was also a little puzzled.

Although they knew each other, it was only from one meeting, and their relationship wasn't deep. Why were they looking for him?

"Oh, it's like this: Master Zhang easily tamed the Demonic Celestial Beast. I've already reported this to headquarters, and they've granted you a special promotion to a four-star beast tamer. I've come specifically to present you with the emblem!" Hall Master Han said with a smile.

This Master Zhang had tamed the Demonic Celestial Beast with just a word, displaying beast taming abilities that surpassed his own. After returning, he immediately applied to headquarters, and upon receiving their reply today, he rushed over.

Under normal circumstances, beast tamers, as a top-tier profession, had strict cultivation requirements. To become a four-star beast tamer, one's cultivation had to reach at least Transcendent Mortal 2-dan. This promotion was absolutely an exception.

"A four-star beast tamer?""Master Zhang is actually also a four-star beast tamer?"

Hearing Hall Master Han's words, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

They had just finished saying his auxiliary occupations weren't enough, and now the four-star beast tamer emblem had been delivered.

Including his previous profession as a painter and calligrapher, he now had two sufficient auxiliary occupations.

"Thank you..."Unexpectedly, the other party had even applied for a four-star beast tamer emblem for him. Zhang Xuan nodded. Just as he took the emblem in his hand, he saw the apprentice who had just left rushing back. "Hall Master, President Zheng of Honghai City's Formation Master Guild and President Meng of the Physicians' Guild... request an audience!"

"Show them in quickly!"

Hall Master Kang waved his hand again.

The two arrived before him.

Formation masters and physicians were both top-tier professions among the upper nine ranks, no less prestigious than beast tamers. The simultaneous arrival of two guild presidents made the other master teachers exchange bewildered glances.

"May I ask, gentlemen..." Hall Master Kang cupped his fists, looking at them questioningly.

"Oh, to be frank, Hall Master Kang, I've come this time to find Master Zhang!" President Zheng said.

"Also looking for Master Zhang?" Hall Master Kang's eyes widened.

"Indeed!" President Zheng smiled, looking at Zhang Xuan: "Master Zhang, last time I only gave you a quasi-four-star formation master emblem. After you left, I reported the matter to headquarters, and they have specially approved you as a four-star formation master!"

That day, Zhang Xuan had used a sword, saber, and spear to carve a level five Spirit Gathering Array. It was precisely because his cultivation wasn't high enough that he couldn't become a true four-star formation master, so he had given him a quasi-four-star emblem and then reported the matter. A few days ago, he received a reply from headquarters, granting a special promotion to a formal four-star formation master!

"A formal four-star formation master?"

Everyone blinked.

Another profession?

Before their shock could subside, the other elderly man standing beside them smiled and cupped his fists.

"Don't rush, I'm here too!" The elder smiled, "Master Zhang might not know me. I am Zhang Mengqi, the President of the Physicians' Guild in Ten Thousand Kingdoms City!"

"Greetings, President Meng!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Master Zhang entered Tianwu Kingdom's Wall of Doubts and cured the Second Princess's congenital muscular atrophy. Hall Master Han also previously mentioned your treatment of their injuries... your medical skills are astonishing, truly a miracle. Therefore, I specifically applied to headquarters, and it was approved. Here is your four-star physician emblem!"

President Meng smiled.

After resolving the Wall of Doubts, he received a reply from the Physicians' Guild in Ten Thousand Kingdoms City, specially inviting him to be an elder of their guild. Only today had they met him in person.

Indeed, a young hero with extraordinary demeanor.

"Four professions now..."

Listening to President Meng's words, everyone swallowed.

Especially Fu Xiaochen, who almost slammed his head against something and died.

They had just finished saying that although this guy's master teacher abilities were strong, his auxiliary occupations weren't enough to qualify for three-star or four-star master teacher assessments. Yet, Hall Master Han, President Zheng, and President Meng immediately delivered four-star emblems. Was this really necessary to be so exaggerated?

Even if it was a public humiliation, did it have to be this fast...?

Tears streamed down his face. If he had known about such abilities earlier, he wouldn't have wasted his breath.

Just as he was silently nursing his wounded pride, feeling thoroughly defeated, he heard the cheerful voice of Pavilion Master Sai, who had arrived earlier: "Your top-tier professions are just too troublesome; you still need to apply to headquarters to confirm your ranks. Look at our Appraisal Pavilion; we directly gave Master Zhang a five-star appraiser emblem. There's no such hassle at all!"

"There's also a five-star appraiser profession?"

Thud!

Fu Xiaochen collapsed to the ground.