Chapter 596: Zhang Xuan Stares Blankly

Initially, Zhang Xuan had only intended to test, but to his surprise, it actually worked. His eyes lit up with excitement as he eagerly opened the content.

The book read: "Descendant of an extraterrestrial spirit creature and a spirit beast, born on Forgotten Yuan Mountain in the Hongfeng Empire, possessing strength equivalent to a Harmonious Spirit realm cultivator at Fifth-Stage Mortal Transformation... Weaknesses:..."

"'So, it's not a pure Otherworldly Demon, but a descendant of... a spirit beast?'"

Zhang Xuan blinked in surprise.

This creature was so powerful that its mere aura made it difficult for even Four-star Master Teachers to advance. If this was just a hybrid, how terrifyingly strong must a purebred be?

Furthermore, to have offspring with a spirit beast... the Otherworldly Demons certainly had peculiar tastes!

The thought of a spirit beast's bulky, obese body mating with this creature sent a shiver down his spine.

"'However, despite its unique origins, I must admit, this creature is truly powerful!'"

According to the book's annotations, its physical strength and soul power were both exceptionally formidable. Its combat prowess at the same cultivation level was in no way inferior to that of Master Teachers; in fact, Master Teachers who hadn't undergone special training couldn't even get close.

No wonder the Master Teacher Pavilion remained so wary of this creature, never daring to relax their guard. Its life form was fundamentally different from that of humans.

"'My Heaven's Path True Qi is immune to pressure. I just need to get within five meters and stay there for a short while!'"

Having just collapsed the Ghost Domain Illusion City, he was currently at the center of attention. Although the pressure from this round had no effect on him, it was still best to remain low-key.

After all, it was merely a selection trial. Passing the assessment was enough, and there were no rankings, so there was no need to draw too much attention.

Having made up his mind, he looked up at the other participants around him.

While reading, he hadn't moved forward, so he was now almost at the very back. Many participants had already approached the giant creature not far away, and some were already close to the five-meter mark.

Their expressions showed that they were struggling, but the fact that they could get so close demonstrated their courage and determination.

It was clear why they had been selected by various major powers; these Master Teachers indeed possessed extraordinary temperament and talent.

"'Luo Xuan is indeed at the very front...'"

The one leading the pack was Luo Xuan of the Flowing Cloud Sect. He was rumored to be the most likely candidate to win this grand competition, and it now seemed entirely possible.

From a distance, it appeared that one of his feet had already crossed the five-meter mark, signifying that he had passed.

As for his acquaintance Song Chao, he was only a few steps behind Luo Xuan, neither particularly far ahead nor far behind. Young Master Ruohuan, however, surprised him by being among the very first, seemingly one of the top few.

"'Should I go now, or wait a bit? No, there's no rush. I'll finish reading about this creature's weaknesses first!'"

Seeing that no one had yet entered the five-meter proximity, Zhang Xuan was in no hurry. He continued flipping through the book, reading further down.

The book listed numerous weaknesses for the creature, which he hadn't finished reading. Since he didn't want to draw too much attention, he figured it was better to wait quietly until most people had reached the five-meter mark before making his move.

Below the stage.

"'Ruohuan is doing quite well! I didn't expect him to impress us right from the start!' Elder Su remarked, stroking his beard."

"'Indeed,' Master Ling sighed. 'Otherworldly Demons are terrifyingly formidable. Even if I were to go up there, I doubt I could achieve what he has done so far!'"

It was their first time witnessing an Otherworldly Demon up close. Even from their seats below the stage, they could sense the creature's ferocious killing aura, so the pressure on stage was unimaginable.

"'It seems what I told him was quite effective!' Hall Master Kang smiled faintly upon hearing his two old friends' praise."

"'Oh? What words did you say, Hall Master, that inspired him so much he directly surged to the top few positions?' Master Su and Master Ling asked, curious."

What kind of words could possibly bring about such a significant transformation in a person?

While Young Master Ruohuan had made significant progress recently, he was still considered slightly inferior compared to the super geniuses from other sects.

"'I told him to go up and display his full strength with confidence,' Hall Master Kang explained, stroking his beard. 'Is there anything in this world more terrifying than Master Zhang? If he doesn't even fear Master Zhang, what else is there to be afraid of?'"

"'Cough, cough...'"

Master Su and Master Ling stumbled slightly at the same time, utterly speechless.

However, upon closer thought, while the words might have sounded crude, they contained a profound truth.

A person who could collapse the Ghost Domain Illusion City in just two or three minutes could no longer be simply called a 'pervert.' If one didn't fear him, then other so-called geniuses were truly nothing to be afraid of.

It was just... using the lack of fear for Master Zhang to overcome the fear of an Otherworldly Demon... didn't that sound a bit odd?

After their moment of speechlessness, Master Su couldn't help but frown. "'By the way, why isn't Master Zhang moving? Could it be that he can't withstand the pressure?'"

Master Zhang had started off quite quickly, but he had been stopped for several minutes now, completely unmoving. Could it be that he really couldn't withstand the pressure?

"'Indeed,' Master Ling nodded. 'Even if he's exceptionally talented in other areas, he is still too young. I worry that seeing an Otherworldly Demon for the first time might overwhelm him with fear...'"

"'I don't know what's going on either,' Hall Master Kang replied, shaking his head. 'I've considered your idea too, but what concerns me more is...'"

Hall Master Kang shook his head, "...that he doesn't stir up any more trouble!'"

"'Trouble? That's unlikely,' Master Su said, shaking his head. 'This Otherworldly Demon is incredibly powerful; neither you nor I could defeat it. He's only at Third-Stage Mortal Transformation... and the assessment simply requires moving a few steps forward. It would be very difficult for him to cause any trouble here! You can rest assured!'"

"'Let's hope so...'"

Hall Master Kang nodded, about to speak, when he suddenly froze, pointing forward. "'Oh no, look!'"

Master Su, Master Ling, and the others heard the urgency in his voice and quickly looked. Their pupils involuntarily contracted.

As Luo Xuan and the others stepped within the five-meter mark, the Otherworldly Demon, whose eyes had previously been closed, suddenly opened them. Its blood-red pupils glowed with an eerie light.

"'Using me to train your courage? You're asking for death!'"

With a ferocious roar, its towering body swayed violently. Immediately, everyone felt a sudden, hurricane-like gale rush towards them, threatening to crush them completely.

The sound was like thunder, causing their souls to tremble violently.

"'Ah!'"

The Master Teachers who were closest bore the brunt of the attack. They cried out in misery, their bodies went limp, and they collapsed onto the ground, their faces deathly pale.

Even Luo Xuan was not spared; his body stiffened as if his soul had left his body.

"'Despicable beings! How dare you capture me and use me? I'll devour every single one of you!'"

It roared again, its crimson lips parting to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth, exuding an aura of madness. It looked as if anyone who approached would instantly be torn to shreds.

"'Ah... I'm out of the competition!'"

Before the roar even finished, a Master Teacher, his face ashen, cried out and fled.

A foul odor and a strange liquid were left on the ground where he had been.

One fled, quickly followed by a second, and then a third.

Witnessing dignified Four-star Master Teachers and super geniuses so terrified that they wet themselves, the audience below fell silent. Although they felt a pang of disdain, no one actually considered them cowards!

Because... if it had been them, they certainly wouldn't have fared any better.

Even when silent, the Otherworldly Demon had instilled such fear that no one dared to approach. Now, with its roars and a readiness to attack at any moment, it would be strange if anyone *could* withstand it.

"'Such pathetic beings can rule the continent? No wonder they're so weak!'"

Seeing some of them flee and all the other Master Teachers on stage collapse to the ground, the Otherworldly Demon snorted with contempt. Just as it was about to unleash its full might to drive them all away, it noticed a young man standing calmly in the distance, seemingly...

...staring blankly!

Staring blankly?

"Weren't you here to train your courage? What in the world are you doing, standing there blankly?"

"Furthermore, I've been shouting and roaring, pushing my killing aura to its limits! The oppressive force is so great that even a Half-step 5-star Master Teacher would find it hard to resist, yet you, a mere junior, are completely unfazed?"

Its face turning livid, the Otherworldly Demon raised an eyebrow. It immediately gathered its full aura, turned to face the dazed young man, and let out a thunderous roar.

"'Little fellow, you're quite bold, aren't you? Believe it or not, I'll kill you right now!'"

Whoosh!

The sound swept through like a hurricane, terrifying a Four-star Master Teacher in the stands so much that he directly fell from his seat, his eyes rolling back as he fainted.

The numerous Four-star Master Teachers who had already collapsed buried their heads in their arms, not daring to even breathe loudly.

However...

The young man he had specifically targeted remained standing quietly in his spot, completely engrossed in... staring blankly!

It was as if he hadn't even noticed that he had been specifically targeted and attacked!

"'I'm going to kill you!'"

To its utter disbelief, the immensely proud Otherworldly Demon found itself ignored by a mere Master Teacher. The giant creature was absolutely enraged.

When Master Hong had captured it, he had paid a tremendous price, mobilizing over seventy Master Teachers to finally succeed.

In that battle, it had personally torn apart at least twenty Master Teachers and severely wounded over thirty others. Its killing intent had been so overwhelming that even the Five-star Master Hong had been wary of it. Yet, a mere junior at the initial stage of Four-star Master Teacher cultivation was completely ignoring it...

This was simply outrageous!

Boom!

An even more immense aura surged forth once more. Feeling this aura, even Master Hong, who was not far away, turned pale. Yet, the young man directly facing it remained... staring blankly.

It was as if staring blankly was his sole purpose, and all pressure and killing aura were mere trifles.

"'This... I knew Master Zhang would cause trouble, but I never imagined... it would be like this!'"

Hall Master Kang, Master Su, and the others suppressed their ashen faces, trembling uncontrollably.

This young man was, naturally, Zhang Xuan.

They had long suspected he might stir up some trouble, but they truly hadn't expected him to do so in such a manner.

The opponent was an Otherworldly Demon, using killing intent that even they found difficult to resist. Now it was exerting all its might to attack him... He should at least react, if only to show respect to his opponent. What exactly did he intend to do by simply standing there blankly, completely motionless?

"'No way... could Master Zhang have been so frightened that he passed out from the start?'"

"'Passed out? If he passed out, how is he still standing? I just saw him look up earlier...'"

"'If he's not passed out, then what is it? Look, the Otherworldly Demon over there is exerting itself so much it's practically spitting blood, yet he shows no reaction at all!'"

"'This... I don't know either!'"

Not only had they noticed the problem, but many Master Teachers in the audience and countless spectators in the square had also realized it. They stared at each other, their faces etched with expressions of utter disbelief.

This Otherworldly Demon, using its special soul deterrence, had suppressed all the participants, causing them to collapse to the ground, unable to utter a single word.

Yet now, it was roaring, bellowing, baring its fangs, and flailing its limbs at Master Zhang... and the latter simply showed no reaction whatsoever...

My friend, are you truly fearless, or have you already... died?