Chapter 649: I Pick All of You

“Should we divide the remaining ten?”

Everyone frowned. The top-ranked students, especially those of Master Feng and Master Luo, looked grim.

Under normal circumstances, they should have had individual pools. Now, with the division, not only would individual pools be out of the question, but three days would definitely be impossible. However, despite their reluctance, there was nothing they could do. Wu Zhen, the Sixth Princess, and others were from the Master Teacher Academy, and second-year students at that. There was no way two of them would share a single pool access point. Besides, even if the Sixth Princess were willing to share… who would dare approach her? To desecrate a princess of the Hongyuan Empire, a five-star master teacher… only someone with a death wish would.

“Yes, I truly apologize for this matter. How these five pool access points are distributed is up to you to discuss and decide!” Ye Qian said with sincere apologies. “Once you’ve decided, I have no objections!”

“We decide? Very well!” Luo Zhao hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Here’s a suggestion: For the five pool access points, the imperial capital, besides the Crown Prince, also has a master teacher. He and the Hongfeng Empire will share two access points, while we, Fengyuan, Qianfeng, and Zhuiyue, will use three!”

“That’s fair. The Hongfeng Empire won, and we acknowledge that. Using two access points is very reasonable!” Chen Yue and Feng Yu’s eyes lit up simultaneously. If they could secure three access points, each using one, then the top three would get one day each, which wouldn't be a loss.

“Absolutely not!” Master Hong’s eyebrow twitched.

In the previous challenge, the opposing side lost three slots. In reality, only four individuals from their three factions were eligible to enter the Cleansing Pool. If they were to claim three access points, wouldn’t that be a far better arrangement than their own four people sharing two pools? What would have been the point of the earlier competition then? This is ridiculous!

“So, what do you propose?” Luo Zhao raised an eyebrow.

“We want two access points! You and the master teacher from the imperial capital can share the remaining three!” Master Hong stated.

“Two? You must be dreaming!” Feng Yu and Chen Yue scoffed simultaneously. If the Hongfeng Empire’s three people were to use two access points, even disregarding the three lost slots, it would mean seven people using three access points, resulting in an even greater disadvantage for them. How could they possibly agree to that?

“I disagree as well!” Luo Zhao shook his head.

“You disagree? Then let’s have another fight to decide. Everyone has taken the medicinal solution, so our injuries are mostly healed anyway!” Master Hong flicked his sleeve and stood up. Having won a round, he was full of confidence, and his spirits were exceptionally high.

“Fight?” Luo Zhao and the others’ mouths twitched. Fight what?! Besides, injuries mostly healed? Which eye of yours sees that our injuries are healed? You can walk perfectly fine, without a single scar, while we’re still limping! We couldn’t even win when we were in perfect condition, let alone now!

“What? Are you scared? Don’t make excuses! Each of you drank two cups of medicinal wine, while I only had one. Although I might appear better on the surface, the difference is actually negligible!” Master Hong raised an eyelid.

“Negligible, my foot!” Luo Zhao and the others were speechless. You’re walking as swift as the wind, completely fine, while we can’t even sit steadily and practically need a bed to lie down on. Yet you have the audacity to claim the difference is negligible…

“Fight if you want, but not us. We just had a fight, and continuing to compete wouldn't make much sense. How about letting them do it instead!” Gritting his teeth, Chen Yue pointed to the several people beside him.

“Exactly. We’ve already fought. Fighting again won’t solve the problem. It’s better to let them handle it themselves; their victory or defeat is their own business!” Luo Zhao’s eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded. “If they win, we’ll go with my proposal. If they lose, we’ll go with yours!”

“No! As I said before, it’s unfair for your people to compete against mine, because you’ve taken the Spirit-Confluence Pill!” Seeing that the other side was still insistent on having Master Zhang and the others compete, Master Hong quickly waved his hand.

Even the strongest on his side were a level below their opponents. How could they fight? If they really were to fight, they would surely lose.

“The Spirit-Confluence Pill is only available in the imperial capital; none of our vassal states have it. That’s fair for everyone. If your people haven’t taken it, you can only blame yourself for not being prepared; who else can you blame?” Feng Yu snorted and curled his lip. “Do you dare to compete? If not, the minority defers to the majority. Our three approvals will suffice; your decision isn’t needed!”

“Exactly. For the four vassal states, three approvals are enough, otherwise, we’ll keep arguing until tomorrow with no result! If you don’t dare, then just concede!” Luo Zhao also quickly chimed in. The three of them had now made up their minds: they would absolutely not fight Master Hong. As for how the others fought, it didn't matter. Their own people had all taken the Spirit-Confluence Pill, and their cultivation levels completely suppressed their opponents. Wouldn't victory be simple?

“You…” Seeing the trio form an alliance again, forcing him to concede, Master Hong’s breathing became rapid with anger. Just as he was about to say something, Zhang Xuan interrupted him again.

“Alright, if you want to compete, let’s compete. However… having three separate matches like this is too troublesome!”

“Troublesome?” Seeing that it was this guy again, Feng Yu and Luo Zhao gritted their teeth, narrowing their eyes. “Then what do you propose?”

“It’s simple. I’ll fight all nine of you. You can come at me simultaneously or one by one. If I lose, all the slots for our Hongfeng Empire will go to you… And if you lose, how about you give all your slots to me?” With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan looked over.

“One person against nine?” “Is this guy kidding?” “Yeah! A mere Nascent Soul realm fourth stage challenging nine of us Spirit-Confluence realm cultivators? What kind of dream is he having?” The entire room erupted in an uproar.

These individuals, having distinguished themselves in the Master Teacher Tournament of the vassal states to become top three, were all proud talents, unparalleled geniuses. To be ridiculed by someone several minor cultivation levels below them was simply unbearable!

“Master Luo, let me go teach this arrogant brat a lesson! I’ve had enough of him!” A young man exclaimed, standing up. His aura surged like an explosion; he was a late-stage Spirit-Confluence realm expert!

Even if all nine of the opponent’s people had taken the Spirit-Confluence Pill, a late-stage Spirit-Confluence realm cultivator would still be considered top-tier.

“Master Feng, I’ll go too! This guy caused you such misery. If I don’t make him kneel and admit his mistake, I won’t be worthy of being a person from the Fengyuan Empire!” Another young man stood up behind Master Feng.

As the two stood up, everyone behind Master Feng, Master Luo, and Master Chen could no longer hold back. They glared angrily at Zhang Xuan, wishing they could tear him apart and devour him.

“Are you sure you want to compete against him?” Seeing the indignant crowd, each more agitated than the last, Master Luo couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes!” “This guy has no respect for his elders and must be taught a lesson!” The crowd shouted in unison.

Few knew about Master Feng being roared down from the sky by this guy, but everyone had witnessed him making things difficult for Master Luo earlier. It was even his idea to have Master Hong fight the other three masters, and now he was so arrogant and unashamed; it was simply unforgivable.

“This…” Master Luo looked at Master Feng and Master Chen. The matter was too important for him to decide alone. After all, no one had thought Master Hong could defeat the three of them alone, yet the outcome… was that they themselves were left utterly helpless. This guy seemed to have the lowest cultivation, but what if he had some special techniques?

“Scared? If you’re scared, just say so… I knew all along you didn’t have much courage! Master teachers, geniuses, my foot!” Before Master Feng and Master Chen could even respond, they saw the young man opposite them shake his head, a look of disappointment on his face.

“You…” Luo Zhao and the others were furious. Honestly, this guy was utterly despicable! Especially that expression just now, it was blatant mockery.

“Alright, we’ll compete then! But, I need to confirm again: can you make the decision regarding the wager we just discussed?” Gritting his teeth, Luo Zhao’s face became distorted.

“If I lose, the Hongfeng Empire’s slots go to you. If you lose, the remaining slots go to me. Yes, I can make that decision!” Zhang Xuan said calmly.

“Good, as long as you can make the decision!” Luo Zhao raised an eyebrow and gestured, “Li Xiulian!”

“Master Luo!” The late-stage Spirit-Confluence realm youth who had first clamored stepped forward. He was Li Xiulian, Young Master Xiulian, the top-ranked participant from the Qianfeng Empire’s Master Teacher Tournament.

“Go up there and teach him a lesson! Beat him thoroughly until he knows his place!” Luo Zhao clenched his fists, his anger burning.

In a normal competition between master teachers, no matter how angry both sides were, they would always instruct to stop before causing serious harm. His direct order to "beat him thoroughly" showed the extent of his fury.

“Don’t worry, Master Luo! I’ll make him understand the gap between the Nascent Soul realm and the Spirit-Confluence realm!” Young Master Xiulian snorted coldly, then stepped into the center of the room. He beckoned to Zhang Xuan, “Weren’t you very arrogant just now? Come on, let me see if your skills are as powerful as your mouth!”

“Master Zhang… you must be careful!” Master Hong couldn’t help but warn. Although he had great confidence in Master Zhang’s abilities, the opponent was a late-stage Spirit-Confluence realm expert, and the gap between them was simply too vast. If they lost, all the slots would be forfeited, and all their previous efforts would turn to naught.

Luo Xuan and Bi Jianghai’s brows were furrowed into knots. Although Master Zhang’s performance in Ten Thousand Kingdoms City was astonishing, his cultivation had only just broken through. Was it too difficult for him to face a late-stage Spirit-Confluence realm opponent?

“Don’t worry!” Knowing their concerns, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and walked to the center of the hall. He looked at the young man before him. “You alone won’t be enough. Let the other eight come down together. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t get a chance!”

“You…” Seeing him still speaking so boastfully, Young Master Xiulian clenched his fist. “No need. I alone am enough to deal with you!” With that, he threw a punch.

As a late-stage Spirit-Confluence realm cultivator, his spirit and body were one. The punch, like a tidal wave, carried a soul pressure that stifled any thought of resistance. Any other peak Nascent Soul realm cultivator might have been defeated in a single move, unable even to retaliate.

But Zhang Xuan was no ordinary peak Nascent Soul realm cultivator. Seeing the punch approach, he smiled faintly, making no other movement than bending his thumb and middle finger… and flicking them gently.

His fingertip met Young Master Xiulian’s fist. Before the latter could even react, he was sent flying straight backward dozens of meters, landing headfirst in a nearby pool of wine, completely disheveled.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Xuan looked at Young Master Xiulian, who was lying on the ground, and smiled slightly, “It seems…”

“You really aren’t enough on your own!”