Chapter 656: Unlucky Wu Zhen (Part 2)

"Drink?" Wu Zhen was startled. "Isn't this medicine for external application?"

Yesterday, Master Bi was stabbed in the arm with a dagger, and external application worked. Why did it become an internal dose for him?

"This medicine is differentiated for internal or external use depending on the injury. If used incorrectly, not only will it be ineffective, but it can even worsen the injury!" Zhang Xuan said casually. Anyway, there wasn't much "medicinal wine" left in the gourd. He might as well just bluff his way through for now. By the time Wu Zhen wanted to investigate, the wine would be gone, making it impossible to check.

"There's such a thing?" Wu Zhen was somewhat skeptical.

"You saw me use it yesterday; the effect was excellent... If it had no effect, then the method must have been wrong!" Zhang Xuan said without a blush, "You just said it wasn't you who used it. It must have been the person who did, confusing external application and internal consumption, which is why it had no effect!"

"Is that so?" Wu Zhen still hesitated.

"Take a sip, take a sip!" Zhang Xuan smiled.

"Alright, if it doesn't work, see what I'll do to you!"

Snorting, Wu Zhen raised the gourd and took a sip. As the wine entered his throat, he immediately felt a warm current flow from his lower abdomen throughout his body. A moment later, he felt that the previously painful and bruised areas on his body were completely fine, with no trace of injury left.

"This..."

His eyes widened, Wu Zhen was full of disbelief. Only through personal experience did he realize how formidable this healing panacea was. He had been beaten miserably yesterday and used both internal and external medicines, but neither had any effect. He had come today still sporting red eyes, believing Master Zhang's panacea was fake. He never expected it to be so powerful. In an instant, he was fully recovered, all injuries gone... This was simply incredible!

"Didn't I tell you?" Seeing his injuries completely healed, Zhang Xuan nodded. "The person who treated you must have used the wrong method. How about this: you go ask her where she was injured, whether it was applied externally or taken internally, and I'll help you analyze it."

"Okay!" After a moment of hesitation, Wu Zhen nodded. His reputation was at stake. No matter what, he had to clarify the situation, otherwise, he would be wrongly branded a swindler.

Picking up the gourd, he turned and walked towards Princess Six, cupping his fists. "Princess Six, you've misunderstood me. This bottle of medicinal wine isn't useless; you just used it incorrectly!" Having received Master Zhang's guidance, Wu Zhen was full of confidence, carrying himself with an air of composure in every movement.

"Used it incorrectly?" Princess Six frowned, seeing how confident this fellow had become after a brief chat with Master Zhang.

"Exactly. Just tell me where you were injured. Don't worry, as soon as I take a look and identify the root cause, I'll know whether it's for external application or internal consumption. I guarantee you'll be fine immediately!" Lifting his head, Wu Zhen felt he had regained his reputation.

"Where was I injured? And 'take a look'?" Princess Six's face turned crimson. *Are you doing this on purpose?!* My injuries were inflicted by Master Zhang. You talked to him for ages, then came over to ask about it, and now you want to 'take a look'... Does that mean you want to see my... backside?

"Indeed, once I confirm the location and nature of the injury, I can determine whether it's for external application or internal consumption. You must have used the wrong method yesterday, which is why it had no effect..." Smiling, Wu Zhen was about to continue explaining, to let her know he had been wrongly accused yesterday, when his vision suddenly blurred. A slap shot straight at him.

The resounding slap made him spin twice in place, his face utterly bewildered.

"If you want to look, I'll beat you to death today!" Her face ashen, Princess Six kicked the man in front of her. Before he could even react, Wu Zhen flew backward, landing squarely on the ground.

"Princess Six, why are you hitting me? What did I do...?" Wu Zhen cried out. He had kindly given the princess medicinal wine he was reluctant to use himself, thinking he could win her favor. Instead, he got beaten yesterday. Today, he had finally figured out the reason and personally tested the medicine, only to get beaten again... What on earth was happening? He truly meant well, why was he so unlucky?

"Luo Qiqi, quick, help me plead!" Struggling to get up, seeing Princess Six still fuming and about to charge at him for more beating, Wu Zhen jumped in fright and quickly called for help.

"You dared to tease Princess Six? Serves you right!" Luo Qiqi scoffed. She had also heard the conversation just now. This fellow actually wanted to look at Princess Six's backside. Getting beaten was mild; being beaten to death on the spot would not be an exaggeration.

"Teasing Princess Six, Wu Zhen, you have a death wish!" Only then did Xing Yuan, standing to the side, understand what the man had done. He roared, rolling up his sleeves, ready to act. He was a loyal supporter of Princess Six... always by her side. This guy dared to tease her? He clearly didn't respect Xing Yuan!

"..." Wu Zhen wept. *I... I really just wanted to do a good deed...*

"Well..." Seeing Wu Zhen go over and get a thorough beating, Zhang Xuan was utterly bewildered, unable to make sense of it. As expected of a genius from the Master Teacher Academy, truly unpredictable and not to be judged by common sense.

"Ahem, since everyone is here, let's proceed to the Purification Pool!" Finally, Emperor Ye Wentian couldn't bear to watch any longer and interrupted the few geniuses.

"Let's go!" Knowing it was getting late, everyone stopped talking and followed closely.

The Purification Pool was not in the imperial palace, nor even within the capital of Phantasm Feather Empire. It was located where Green Grain Mountain and Dragon Scale River met, not far from the imperial capital, guarded by heavy forces of the Phantasm Feather Royal Family.

Everyone boarded the pre-arranged flying spiritual beasts. After several tens of minutes of flight, a place where spiritual energy converged appeared before them. Green Grain Mountain resembled a giant dragon coiled on the ground, while Dragon Scale River was like a silvery ribbon embedded in the earth. The overall formation evoked the image of a dragon drinking from a long river, with constellations scattered across the land.

A single glance revealed it was a natural spirit-gathering formation. Moreover, the dragon's ability to summon clouds and rain meant it could ascend at any moment, making the spiritual energy here even gentler and more beneficial for the soul.

"Amazing!" After observing for a while, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up. No wonder it could be the capital of a second-tier empire; this Purification Pool was truly extraordinary. It was far more powerful than the spirit-gathering formation he had created.

They slowly descended.

"Ahead is the Purification Pool. Before entering, I will distribute the Spirit-Cleansing Incense according to the pre-determined quotas and times," Emperor Ye Wentian explained. As he spoke, a guard approached, carrying exactly thirty sticks of Spirit-Cleansing Incense. This incense was unlike ordinary incense sticks; from a distance, it looked more like a type of metal. It could float on water and burn independently, used to determine the density of spiritual energy in the pool's eyes.

Hongfeng Empire had obtained three "pool eyes," and there were a total of nine Spirit-Cleansing Incense sticks. Zhang Xuan took three sticks. One pool eye could only be used for three days, so three sticks were enough for him.

By the time the Spirit-Cleansing Incense was distributed, it was almost noon.

"Master Zhang, I have something to discuss with you!" Seeing the Purification Pool about to open, Zhang Xuan was just about to follow Ye Qian and the others when he heard a faint telepathic message beside his ear. Turning his head, he saw Xing Yuan had appeared beside him at some point. First Wu Zhen, now this guy again. What did he want? However, since the other party had something to say, it was impolite to refuse.

The two moved to a corner unseen by the crowd. As soon as they stood still, Xing Yuan got straight to the point: "I know you made a bet with Princess Six!"

"Yes!" Zhang Xuan had nothing to deny. During the first bet, this guy had been present and personally witnessed the princess he admired become Zhang Xuan's maidservant.

"Concede the bet yourself! Don't let Princess Six find out!" Xing Yuan looked at him.

"Concede?" Zhang Xuan frowned. He had wondered what the other party wanted, only to find out he wanted him to concede.

"Precisely. As long as you concede, name your terms!" Waving his hand, Xing Yuan scoffed.

"Name my terms?" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

"Indeed!" Xing Yuan nodded.

"Alright then. Princess Six and I bet ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones, which I presume you know. This bet is the same... So, how about this: if you can give me one high-grade spirit stone, I don't mind conceding!" Zhang Xuan said indifferently. For him, controlling the rate of spiritual energy absorption in the Purification Pool was easy. If he could get another high-grade spirit stone from this, it would truly be a huge gain. Although one high-grade spirit stone was worth ten thousand mid-grade ones, if one actually tried to buy it, it was priceless and unobtainable on the market.

"One high-grade spirit stone?" Xing Yuan's mouth twitched. Such an item was too precious; even for his family, producing one was not easy.

"If you don't agree, that's fine... Anyway, if Princess Six loses, she'll still compensate me with ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones..." Zhang Xuan said. While ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones couldn't compare to one high-grade one, it at least ensured he wouldn't lose anything. If the other party couldn't produce it, it made no difference.

"Alright, I agree!" Xing Yuan gritted his teeth. "After this trial, once I complete the task and return to the academy, I will receive one high-grade spirit stone as a reward. I can give you that spirit stone, but... you must keep it a secret for me and not reveal this matter!"

"Deal!" Zhang Xuan nodded. At worst, he'd waste three days, but getting a high-grade spirit stone was definitely a huge profit. Moreover, doing so wouldn't offend Xing Yuan and would also appease Princess Six.

No sooner had the two finished their discussion than a violent roar erupted, followed by a surge of dense spiritual energy that spread out directly, as if a massive spirit-gathering formation had suddenly activated.

"Look!" Someone in the crowd exclaimed.

They hastily looked forward and saw a dense pillar of spiritual energy soaring straight into the sky. A refreshing aura swept over them; just one breath made their souls tremble, feeling on the verge of a breakthrough. In the distant open area, a massive pool slowly appeared. Spiritual energy within it boiled, forming what looked like gigantic dragons that let out tremendous roars, appearing ready to burst forth at any moment. Around the pool, ten identical whirlpools emerged, each about two meters in diameter, quietly embedded in the surrounding water like jewels on a crown.

"The Purification Pool... it's open!" Witnessing this scene, everyone simultaneously clenched their fists.