Chapter 616: Slightly Wait, Let Me Breakthrough First

The He Ling Realm is the first major hurdle of the Ninefold Mortal Transformation. Countless individuals find themselves trapped at the peak of the Zhuo Qing Realm, unable to progress. This stage requires the soul and body to be perfectly attuned, making soul power more robust. Breaking through is challenging even with focused cultivation. To succeed during a battle... Master Bi's luck is simply extraordinary!

This is an experience countless cultivators only dream of.

"Indeed, breaking through during the match! Although Master Luo lost, he has no cause for complaint!"

"Breaking through mid-battle isn't just about luck; it also shows his past accumulation and courage. It seems Master Bi is the true dark horse of this grand competition!"

"He had no prior fame, yet he astounded everyone at the crucial moment. Impressive!"

Understanding the situation, everyone was filled with admiration. Competitions are already life-or-death and incredibly perilous. To break through at such a moment requires an immense amount of courage. Regardless of how strong Master Bi was previously, his mental fortitude alone is beyond what ordinary people can compare to. Luo Xuan's defeat was not a true loss.

"Now that the result of this match is out, it's time to see who will win between Master Zhang and Master Huang..."

With one of the semi-final matches concluded, everyone's attention shifted to the other arena, eager to see which two super talents would truly emerge victorious in this Grand Master Competition and vie for the championship.

"Look, the lecture has stopped!"

"Yes, time's up. It should be over."

Amidst the discussions, the two lecturers on the stage ceased. The over one hundred people sitting cross-legged slowly opened their eyes, which sparkled with golden light. It appeared that although they had only listened to the lecture for the duration of an incense stick, they had all greatly benefited, resolving many of their cultivation difficulties.

"Who will win?"

"It's hard to tell for now. It all depends on which master these hundred individuals choose to follow!"

"Indeed!"

Seeing the match conclude and knowing the results would be announced soon, everyone watched nervously, eager to discover who would win the contest between Master Zhang and Master Huang.

The lecture concluded, and Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. While he was confident in his lecture, he couldn't be entirely certain how these individuals would make their choice. After all, without being able to utilize the 'Heavenly Mandate of a Teacher's Words' ability, the credibility of his explanations might be significantly lower, and some of the content could even be too profound for many to grasp.

"Let's wait for the results!"

Shaking his head, he stopped overthinking and looked up at the crowd before him, "Everyone..."

Just as he was about to speak and ask how many wished to become his disciples, he saw a blur before his eyes, and a figure knelt down in front of him, saying, "Please accept me as your disciple, Master Zhang. I will certainly study diligently and live up to your teachings..."

"Master Huang, what are you doing?"

Zhang Xuan was startled upon recognizing the figure kneeling before him. It was none other than Huang Zheng, his competitor. Although they had been delivering their lectures audibly, they could still hear each other's explanations. Zhang Xuan's content was profound yet accessible, directly addressing the core of cultivation, which made Huang Zheng unable to control himself and compelled him to seek Zhang Xuan as his master.

"What?"

"The lecture just ended, and everyone else is still processing, but Master Huang already bowed to acknowledge a master?"

"Can anyone tell me what just happened?"

"Basic knowledge, and it made a peak four-star master kneel in reverence... What exactly did he lecture on?"

"Exactly! And he didn't even use the Heavenly Mandate of a Teacher's Words ability?"

The audience went wild. Based on Master Zhang's past performances, it would be plausible for him to use the Heavenly Mandate of a Teacher's Words to compel Master Huang to kneel. But this time, that ability was forbidden, and he was lecturing on the most fundamental knowledge... Under these circumstances, for Master Huang to immediately prostrate himself... What on earth happened? The intense competition wasn't even over, yet his opponent insisted on kneeling to acknowledge him as a master. What kind of situation was this? Even with their sturdy constitutions, the audience felt as if their minds were about to explode. Did it have to be so dramatic?

"Master Zhang, we, too, wish to become your disciples..."

Before the shock could subside, the hundred cultivators on stage also uniformly knelt, looking at Zhang Xuan with profound piety and respect.

"All one hundred people acknowledging him as their master?"

A stunned silence fell over the surroundings. When two masters of the same level lectured simultaneously, the outcome was typically split evenly, as everyone has their emotions and preconceived biases. Yet, all hundred cultivators uniformly chose Zhang Xuan as their master. What on earth did he teach... He not only won over a peak four-star master but also captivated so many cultivators? Even a five-star master couldn't achieve this!

"Alright, everyone, please rise. The grand competition is over. Regardless of the results, I will give all of you a lecture!" Zhang Xuan hadn't anticipated so many people trying to become his disciples at once and felt a bit overwhelmed.

"Yes!"

Hearing Master Zhang agree to lecture, everyone finally regained their composure and nodded in unison.

"This match... Master Zhang wins!"

Seeing that the crowd was appeased, Master Hong nodded and announced the result. Just as he was about to announce the final match, he heard a miserable shriek. Looking up, his mouth twitched involuntarily. He saw Master Huang, who had just been full of vigor, kneeling before Zhang Xuan, intent on acknowledging him as his master. He was being pulled away by his fellow disciples, yet he continued to shout, as if driven mad.

"Ah, this one's truly lost it..."

Seeing the man completely infatuated, as if he had lost his mind, Master Hong shook his head. As a peak four-star master with a deeper understanding of cultivation, his comprehension of Master Zhang's explanations was naturally more profound than others, leading him to become even more engrossed. Given his infatuated state, it seemed Master Zhang would have no choice but to accept him as a disciple.

Every time Master Zhang passes a stage, it's unbelievable if something isn't broken. Now, whenever he competes, his opponents either get injured or go insane... What a turn of events! Master Zhang is no longer just destroying treasures; it seems anyone who competes against him ends up so shaken they lose their confidence and their very selves.

"Alright, a ten-minute break, then we begin the final match for the championship! Master Zhang versus... Bi Jianghai, Master Bi!"

Ignoring the mad and twitching Huang Zheng, who was being pulled away by others, Master Hong announced the result. Zhang Xuan also slowly descended from the competition stage.

"Master Zhang, Master Bi just broke through directly to the He Ling Realm and defeated Master Luo..."

Seeing him approach, Hall Master Kang hurriedly recounted the details of the match on the other stage.

"Breaking through cultivation during a match and defeating Luo Xuan?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback. Even he found it odd after hearing about it.

"Yes, although there's only one level between the He Ling Realm and the peak of the Zhuo Qing Realm, the difference in victory is enormous. I fear... he might challenge your cultivation level in this round!"

"No doubt, he definitely will!"

Hall Master Kang, Master Su, and the others were filled with worry. Master Zhang had defeated Liao Wuzhi, who was at the fourth level of Mortal Transformation, using swordsmanship, but facing an expert of the He Ling Realm, victory would be far more challenging. In the He Ling Realm, the soul is tempered and perfectly integrated with the body, not only greatly increasing combat strength but also significantly enhancing reaction speed and overall abilities compared to those in the Zhuo Qing Realm. It signifies a true entry into the realm of experts. Since his opponent had no confidence in defeating Master Zhang in other aspects, they would certainly have to focus on this. After all, Master Zhang was currently only at the peak of the third level of Mortal Transformation. Even with high talent, keen insight, and the ability to fight beyond his rank, it was impossible for him to cross two major levels and defeat a He Ling Realm expert. Such a feat had never been witnessed in the Master Teacher Pavilion, or even throughout the entire Master Teacher Continent.

"Facing Master Zhang, he will certainly challenge his cultivation level. What then? Unless... he refuses!"

"Refuse? If he's determined to compete, what good would refusing do?"

Everyone was filled with anxiety.

"Master Zhang can fight above his level. If... he could break through to the Zhuo Qing Realm now, perhaps he could still put up a fight..." Zhao Feiwu couldn't help but interject. Master Zhang had defeated Liao Wuzhi, who was at the peak of the Zhuo Qing Realm, when he himself was only at the peak of the third level of Mortal Transformation. If he could now reach the Zhuo Qing Realm, he might stand a chance against Master Bi, who had just entered the He Ling Realm.

"Breaking through to the Zhuo Qing Realm... how could it be that easy? We only have a ten-minute break, and half the time is already gone. Are you suggesting Master Zhang should break through within five minutes?" Hearing her words, Hall Master Kang shook his head with a bitter smile. Cultivation is like climbing a staircase, requiring one step at a time; it cannot be achieved instantly. Master Zhang has already progressed remarkably fast recently. Asking him to break through again in just five minutes? How could that be possible? Isn't that a joke?

"True..." Zhao Feiwu nodded. Just as she was about to think of other solutions, she saw the young man beside her look over. "You mean, if I just break through to the Zhuo Qing Realm, it won't be easy to win against me, right?"

"Yes..."

Zhao Feiwu nodded.

"Alright, then. Please wait a moment. I'll just break through first..."

Master Zhang nodded, and with a flick of his wrist, a middle-grade spirit stone appeared in his palm. He clasped his hands together, and his aura instantly surged like ignited gasoline, rising dramatically.

"Wait a moment?"

"Master Zhang isn't actually going to break through right now, is he?"

"What's impossible about that? It's not like he hasn't broken through at crucial moments before..."

Hearing Master Zhang's words and witnessing his actions, everyone was stunned. Did he have to be so dramatic? Breaking through just like that? Is it as easy as eating a sweet potato? Is it that simple?

However, before the crowd's astonishment could subside, a roar was heard. Master Zhang's power seemed to have shattered a certain restriction, steadily rising.

"Mortal Transformation Fourth Level... the Zhuo Qing Realm?"

Hall Master Kang and the others' mouths twitched. We thought you were just joking, but you're serious? Sensing the fluctuations in aura from that side, Bi Jianghai, who was not far away, looked over. He had thought that breaking through to the He Ling Realm would make dealing with his opponent a simple task, but he hadn't expected this guy to break through as well... Master Zhang, is there anything you can't do?

"No, I can't let him continue to break through, or this match will surely be lost..." He gritted his teeth and stood up, his body swaying as he appeared on the competition stage. With a flick of his sleeve, he declared, "Master Zhang, I am well-rested. Since everyone is waiting, I suggest we don't delay any further. Let's begin immediately!"

"Start immediately?"

"He saw Master Zhang break through and got scared, didn't he!"

"Definitely. Master Zhang just broke through, and his cultivation hasn't stabilized yet. Fighting him now would be like striking before the iron cools, a perfect opportunity to gain an advantage. Once his cultivation stabilizes, who knows what could happen?"

Seeing Bi Jianghai propose to start the match before the break officially ended, everyone frowned.