Chapter 579: Return to Wan Guo City

“Yes!”

Though unwilling, they had no better option. If they escalated the situation, the Master Teacher Pavilion of Myriad Kingdom City would inevitably get involved. Before Zhang Xuan could even arrive, people from the headquarters would likely show up, which would be detrimental to them.

With a whoosh! They came and went swiftly. Watching them all depart, Sun Qiang’s legs gave way, and he sank to the ground.

As Master Teacher Yang Xuan’s butler, he couldn’t afford to lose face. Yet, his own strength was only at Mortal-Transcending 1-dan, and facing so many powerful cultivators, the pressure was immense.

“You… aren’t you afraid of dying?” Recalling the recent danger, Zhao Feiwu couldn't help but approach him.

Even her father wouldn't dare tell so many Harmonizing Spirit realm experts to “scram.” Where did this seemingly plump butler get such confidence?

“Of course I am!” It took a long moment for Sun Qiang to recover. He stood up, shaking his head.

“Afraid… yet you…” Even Gardener Xue found it strange.

Afraid, yet you dare to speak so recklessly? If Sect Leader Luo Huang had truly attacked, you likely wouldn't have even had a chance to resist, and would have been killed on the spot. What good would it do even if Master Teacher Zhang returned later to get justice for you? You’d be dead!

“My master’s kindness to me is immense. He transformed me from a nobody in the True Qi realm into who I am today, earning me the respect and trust of countless people. As long as I serve as his butler, I have the right and obligation to uphold his dignity, even if… it means death!”

Sun Qiang’s gaze was resolute.

If not for his master, he would still be a small merchant in the trading house, merely existing. Where would he have met so many Master Teachers? How could he have achieved a status that even the princess of the Myriad Kingdom Alliance wouldn't dare to belittle?

His master gave him a second chance at life. As a butler, failing to uphold his master's prestige would be a dereliction of duty, even if he lived.

This was his conviction, and his resolve.

It was precisely this conviction that allowed him to stand at the forefront in times of danger, imposing and fearless.

His strength might be lacking, his cultivation might be insufficient, but the prestige of being a high-level Master Teacher's butler could not be compromised!

“This…” Zhao Feiwu was filled with admiration.

This plump man, who seemed a bit sly and unreliable, surprisingly held deep convictions.

Furthermore… it seemed that the people around Master Teacher Zhang were stranger than the last, yet they could unite unreservedly, without conflict or infighting.

Perhaps… this was what they called charisma.

“The master you spoke of, is he Master Teacher Yang? Where exactly is he?” Muttering an inward thought, she looked at him again.

She had long heard of Master Teacher Yang, Zhang Xuan’s teacher, but had never met him.

“My master is like a dragon; he appears and vanishes without a trace. I don't know his exact whereabouts!” Speaking of Yang Xuan, Sun Qiang was filled with admiration.

“Don’t know where?” Zhao Feiwu asked, filled with doubt. “Then… Master Teacher Zhang is participating in the Master Teacher Tournament; won't he show up?”

It’s his disciple’s first time competing against so many Master Teachers; could it be that his teacher won't appear?

“Well… I don’t know, but… he should return!” Sun Qiang paused, then nodded.

So many people came here with ill intentions, looking for Master Teacher Zhang. If Master Teacher Yang doesn't appear, I truly fear we won’t be able to hold out. But… Master, where are you?

Achoo! Zhang Xuan rubbed his nose.

He naturally had no idea that Ding Hong had arrived in Myriad Kingdom City, or that he had even instigated the strongest cultivators from fourteen different forces to come to the mansion to find someone. At that moment, he was standing on the back of a flying spiritual beast, gazing at the sprawling buildings below, his eyes shining brighter and brighter.

After more than half a month of flying, Myriad Kingdom City... had been reached!

“Finally back. The Soul-Awakening Grass should be almost fully cultivated. Tonight, I can refine the Soul-Awakening Incense and figure out how to wake Lu Chong.”

Since the Soul-Awakening Grass couldn't be stored in a storage ring, he hadn't brought it with him. Now, nearly fifty days after he left, it should be almost mature under Wang Ying’s care, ready to be refined into Soul-Awakening Incense.

With this, Lu Chong should be able to recover, settling a major concern he had.

Boom! A powerful spiritual energy fluctuation emanated from nearby, accompanied by a strong aura.

“A breakthrough?” He turned to see Young Master Ruo Huan open his eyes.

At that moment, his eyes were clear, and his essence qi surged like a dragon and a tiger, giving off an impression of immense vigor and boundless strength.

Mortal-Transcending 4-dan, Impure-Clear realm peak!

Under Zhang Xuan’s guidance and with the aid of mid-grade spirit stones, he had indeed reached the peak of Mortal-Transcending 4-dan within half a month.

“Thank you, Master Teacher Zhang, for your guidance!” He stood up, feeling the much greater power coursing through him, and clasped his fists in gratitude.

“It’s nothing!” Zhang Xuan waved his hand dismissively.

After fusing with a trace of his true qi, Young Master Ruo Huan's previously turbid true qi had become pure, allowing him to easily break through several minor levels consecutively.

If he couldn't even achieve that, he wouldn't be worthy of being called a genius.

“Master Teacher Zhang, your cultivation…” Hall Master Kang looked at him.

Witnessing Young Master Ruo Huan's gradual progress over the past few days, he felt immense joy, but also a great deal of confusion.

Master Teacher Zhang guides others to such rapid improvement, yet why doesn't he quickly raise his own cultivation?

He was still at the peak of Mortal-Transcending 2-dan, not even reaching 3-dan. With such strength, he would certainly be at a significant disadvantage in the Master Teacher Tournament.

“Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to reach the peak of the Yin-Yang realm, or even break through to the Impure-Clear realm, before the tournament!” Knowing his concerns, Zhang Xuan waved his hand dismissively.

His breakthroughs required mid-grade spirit stones. Without any spirit stones now, relying solely on absorbing spiritual energy from the air to reach higher realms was simply too difficult.

It would be better to acquire some spirit stones once he reached the capital city.

“Understood!” Seeing Master Teacher Zhang's assurance, Hall Master Kang nodded, then looked down. “We’ve reached your residence…”

“Alright, I’ll take my leave now. Don’t look for me for a while; I’ll appear at the Master Teacher Tournament.” Reaching the door of his room, Zhang Xuan turned and instructed.

He planned to go out and acquire some mid-grade spirit stones in the coming days, likely appearing as Master Teacher Yang. Since he himself would often be absent, and these were four-star Master Teachers who knew him relatively well, it would be easy to expose his identity if they came looking for him. It was better to tell them in advance.

“Understood!” Believing he was going into seclusion for cultivation, Hall Master Kang nodded and instructed the spiritual beast to descend.

Zhang Xuan said no more, leaping off the beast's back and bidding farewell to Hall Master Kang and the others.

The moment he returned to the mansion, he saw Sun Qiang hurrying to greet him.

“Young Master!”

“Has anything happened while I was away?” Noticing his unusual expression, Zhang Xuan looked at him.

“People from Flowing Cloud Sect and fourteen other factions came looking for you…” Sun Qiang then recounted what had transpired earlier.

“What do they want with me?” He frowned.

He had never seen these people, nor did he even know them. Why would they come looking for him? What did they want?

“Next time they come, inform me beforehand…” He had just been pondering how to approach these people to ‘trick’ some spirit stones out of them, and now they had come to him. This was perfect; it saved him the trouble of seeking them out and reduced a lot of inconvenience.

“Yes!” Seeing his young master completely unfazed, Sun Qiang also breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but ask, “Young Master, where is the Master now, and when will he arrive?”

“My teacher?” Zhang Xuan paused. “My teacher informed me he might be arriving in the next few days… Alright, I need to find Wang Ying about something. Where is she?”

He waved his hand casually. He would definitely have to appear as Master Teacher Yang in the coming days, so he needed to prepare for it.

“She's still tending to the Soul-Awakening Grass, Young Master… are you planning to revive young master Lu Chong?” Realizing something, Sun Qiang’s eyes lit up.

As the butler, he was well aware that Wang Ying was tending to the Soul-Awakening Grass. The moment the young master returned and sought out this student, it surely meant he intended to treat Lu Chong.

“Yes!” Zhang Xuan nodded. “Treating Lu Chong involves his soul, so absolute quiet is essential. No one must disturb us!”

Sun Qiang acknowledged, then looked at him curiously. “By the way, Young Master, didn't Miss Zhao Ya leave with you? Why isn't she back?”

Zhao Ya left with Master Teacher Zhang, so why did he return alone this time?

“She went somewhere else and won't be back anytime soon…” Zhang Xuan waved his hand, offering no further explanation, and walked towards the room where the Soul-Awakening Grass was cultivated.

“Teacher!” Entering the room where the Soul-Awakening Grass was kept, Wang Ying approached.

Zhang Xuan nodded, looking at the Soul-Awakening Grass in the center of the room.

Swaying in the breeze, it had grown to over half a person's height, emitting a mesmerizing aura. It seemed as though a single glance could draw one's soul into it.

The Soul-Awakening Grass contained soul power, capable of inducing a trance.

“You’ve worked hard these past few days. Go rest.” Seeing how robustly it had grown, without any damage, Wang Ying's efforts were indispensable.

“Yes!” Blushing at the praise, Wang Ying turned and left.

“Let’s begin!” After such a long wait, the plant had finally matured completely. Zhang Xuan’s spirit stirred, and his witch soul flew out of his body.

With a gentle grasp, he held the Soul-Awakening Grass in his palm. Powerful energy circulated, refining it.

With his previous strength, refining the Soul-Awakening Grass would have required various preparations and methods. However, his soul, having been baptized by the Yin-Yang Qi, was now stronger and more solidified, allowing him to easily refine it without any other methods.

Soon, the entire herb transformed, flowing like a pool of liquid.

With a flick of his finger, the liquid slowly fused, becoming a solidified mass of incense.

Soul-Awakening Incense! When lit, it could awaken dormant souls and gather spirits.

“According to Mo Hunsheng’s explanation, to maximize the chances of Lu Chong awakening, it would be best to separate and burn a portion of one’s own soul and infuse it into the incense.”

“Split!” His gaze grave, with a mental command, he split a small portion of his soul from his body. Zhang Xuan’s face turned pale.

Although his witch soul had reached the peak of Mortal-Transcending 4-dan, forcibly separating a portion of it was still somewhat unbearable.

However, as long as he could save Lu Chong, any sacrifice was worth it.

The separated soul quickly merged with the incense. Before long, a stick of incense appeared before him.

The Soul-Awakening Incense was complete!

“Excellent, let’s begin…” Seeing the incense successfully refined, Zhang Xuan let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. His witch soul returned to his body, and he approached Lu Chong.