Chapter 766: Spirit Material Pavilion

"You're asking for death!"

The last black-clad man's face was ashen. He was enraged that they had been discovered and ambushed despite their hiding place. His true energy surged, and the aura of a Void-Treading Realm peak expert burst forth like a sharp sword piercing the air! He lunged forward with an open palm.

His true energy surged like a tide, instantly making the surrounding air viscous. In this heavy atmosphere, Zhang Xuan felt his Heavenly Dao movement technique was constrained, significantly reducing his speed. Although his strength was not inferior to his opponent's, his comprehension of nature and his mastery of true energy application were still lacking. In a real fight, he would be at a disadvantage. This meant that, relying on his physical body, true energy, and soul power, he could still defeat mid- and late-stage Void-Treading Realm cultivators, but fighting a peak expert was clearly beyond his current capability.

"Break!"

However, even if victory was difficult, he wouldn't simply wait for death. Raising an eyebrow, he channeled his full power to its limit and kicked forward! A force exceeding 19 million ding slammed forward, and the surroundings, constrained by the opponent's true energy, immediately shattered like glass. Executing his Heavenly Dao movement technique once more, Zhang Xuan surged towards the black-clad man again. His fist was like steel, and his entire being, when exerting power, resembled a blazing furnace.

"Hmph!" After a single exchange, the black-clad man recognized his opponent's cultivation level: a peak Bridge Heaven realm cultivator. Although the youth possessed considerable strength through unknown means, he was still far inferior to a mighty Void-Treading Realm peak expert like himself. Victory would not be difficult! He flipped his palm and pressed his five fingers downwards. Instantly, it gave the impression of a collapsing mountain. A Spirit-level high-grade martial art, Mountain Palm!

With one strike, the heavens and earth seemed to crack. Even experts of the same level would be easily crushed to death by this palm. It was one of his most powerful life-saving martial arts. Seeing how strange his opponent was, he immediately unleashed it. He had expected that once it was unleashed, this opportunistic fellow would be instantly sent flying, if not killed outright. To his surprise, before the palm technique's full power had even manifested, he heard a voice filled with excitement from his opponent.

"Excellent..." Immediately afterward, he saw the young man, darting like a fish, flash to his left side.

"This..." His pupils contracted, and the black-clad man was instantly terrified out of his wits, nearly fainting on the spot. The spot his opponent occupied was precisely the weakness of his Mountain Palm technique. Normally, every technique had flaws, but if executed quickly, even knowing them was useless. This fellow, however, seemed to have known the technique's flaw in advance, anticipating his move and positioning himself to await the attack on his weakness! How thoroughly must one understand the Mountain Palm to achieve this?

However, there was no time for shock or deep thought now. From his rapidly beating eyes, he saw the young man nearby, a single finger leisurely extending towards the technique's weak point. Blood spurted out. Like the previous one, the black-clad man's true energy reversed, and he flew backward, landing stiffly on the ground like a zombie. The opponent's strike wasn't powerful, but it precisely hit the convergence point of his true energy circulation. In an instant, all his meridians were severely shaken, leaving him practically crippled even if he were to recover later. Feeling the condition of his body, the black-clad man burst into tears. He had long since perfected the Mountain Palm, and even if it had flaws, they were almost impossible to detect. How did this guy find it, and strike with such precision? If only he had known that using Mountain Palm would lead to this situation, he wouldn't have used it even if it killed him...

"Alright, bring these fellows over!" Having knocked down and incapacitated all four men, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and gave an instruction. The Purple-winged Celestial Vicious Beast, circling in the air, heard the command and descended.

"Young Master, you're here!"

"Teacher!"

Given the commotion outside, Sun Qiang, Zheng Yang, Wang Ying, and the others had already woken up. As they entered the courtyard, they saw Zhang Xuan and came to greet him.

"Hmm! Have you caused some trouble?" Zhang Xuan sat down, his brows furrowed.

"Trouble? No, not at all!" Sun Qiang was puzzled.

"If you haven't caused trouble, why are there four Void-Treading Realm experts hiding around the courtyard, ready to rush in at any moment?" Zhang Xuan said.

"Void-Treading Realm? Four of them?" Sun Qiang gasped in shock. Before he could finish speaking, a series of "thump! thump!" sounds echoed, and several figures landed in the courtyard. The Purple-winged Celestial Vicious Beast had already thrown them in from outside.

"Go see for yourself!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Sun Qiang walked out and returned a moment later, shaking his head. "I don't recognize any of these people..."

"You don't know them, yet they're hiding nearby?" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Bring them in!"

"Roar!" In a short while, the four men, like mud, were thrown before them again.

Zhang Xuan looked over. In the darkness and during the fight, he hadn't had time for a close look. Now, under the lamplight, he could clearly see that they were all middle-aged men in their forties, with dark skin and tall builds.

"Who are you, and why were you hiding around here?" Zhang Xuan looked at the only conscious black-clad man and snorted.

"We were just passing by and didn't mean to offend..." the black-clad man replied.

"Passing by?" Seeing the man actually try to argue, Zhang Xuan didn't bother with further words. He waved his hand and instructed, "Kill them and throw their bodies outside the city!" He was already in a bad mood, and they dared to provoke him; they were simply asking for death. Although he rarely killed, it didn't mean he wouldn't.

"Roar!" Hearing the command, the Purple-winged Celestial Vicious Beast nodded excitedly. With a roar, its massive hoof-like claw swiped down at the speaking black-clad man. It looked as if, if the claw truly descended, the man's head would be crushed instantly.

"Don't kill me... I'll talk, I'll talk..." Seeing that this young man, despite his age, was serious and intent on killing with his first move, the black-clad man was so terrified he nearly fainted. He quickly spoke, "We were just following orders, please spare our lives, sir..." This Celestial Vicious Beast was not only powerful but also seemed a bit simple-minded. If he didn't beg for mercy, he might truly be crushed to death on the spot.

"Following orders? Whose orders?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"The Spiritual Material Pavilion..." the black-clad man replied.

"Spiritual Material Pavilion?" Zhang Xuan frowned. "What is this shabby place I've never even heard of doing here?"

"You're from the Spiritual Material Pavilion?" Sun Qiang was startled, then clasped his hands and looked at Zhang Xuan. "Young Master, the Spiritual Material Pavilion is a place in Hongyuan City that buys and sells treasures... I went there today!"

"You went there?" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

"Yes, didn't we run out of money? I thought about selling the treasures you obtained in the Illusionary Feather Empire; they should fetch a good price, so I sought out this Spiritual Material Pavilion," Sun Qiang explained.

Zhang Xuan had acquired many treasures from the Pavilion of Wonders in the Illusionary Feather Empire but hadn't sold them. With their current financial difficulties, Sun Qiang had no choice but to think of a plan. He just hadn't expected them to be targeted and followed.

"So that's how it is!" After hearing the explanation, Zhang Xuan understood. This Spiritual Material Pavilion sounded impressive, but it was actually a black market organization. Selling items there allowed for quick cash, but it also made one easily coveted. Sun Qiang, Zheng Yang, and the others weren't particularly strong, yet they possessed immense wealth, making it impossible not to be eyed. These shadowy figures were indeed sent by the Spiritual Material Pavilion to investigate. Once they confirmed there were no powerful experts, they intended to plunder everything!

"They dare to covet my possessions? How audacious!" His face darkened. It was one thing to covet other people's things, but to covet his own? They truly didn't know what was good for them!

"Where is this Spiritual Material Pavilion located?" Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Xuan turned his head and asked.

"It's not far from here, about ten minutes' walk," Sun Qiang nodded.

"Very well. Prepare yourself. We'll pay them a visit at dawn!" Zhang Xuan's eyes narrowed as he instructed. If he hadn't spontaneously decided to return, these people wouldn't just have robbed them; they might have even killed them to seize their treasures! Zheng Yang and the others had followed him all this way and were like family to him. Anyone who dared to scheme against them would face his wrath! As a renowned Master Teacher, if he couldn't even protect his own students and butler, what was the point of striving for advancement?

"Yes!" Knowing that the "visit" Young Master mentioned wasn't going to be pleasant, Sun Qiang paused for a moment before nodding. Having followed him all this time, he knew Young Master's bottom line. Usually carefree and agreeable to anything, but when it involved the safety of those close to him, he would never be lenient! Just like last time, when Lu Chong was severely injured and fell into a coma, he single-handedly destroyed the Xuanyuan Kingdom to avenge him. Now, this Spiritual Material Pavilion dared to target them, completely enraging the Young Master.

"What about these few people?" Pointing at the four black-clad men, Sun Qiang couldn't help but ask.

"Crippled their cultivation, tie them up as a gift, and send them over at dawn!" Waving his hand, Zhang Xuan snorted.

"Understood!" Sun Qiang replied, signaling the Celestial Vicious Beast to take the men away.

After they left, only Zheng Yang and a few other students remained in the room. After observing their cultivation for a while, giving a few pointers, and imparting the revised Bridge Heaven Realm cultivation technique for them to thoroughly comprehend, Zhang Xuan finally dismissed everyone. He then walked to the center of the room and, with a flick of his wrist... *Whoosh!* A tall, ape-like magical beast dropped onto the ground. The Violet Sun Beast!

This creature had been stored in the Thousand-Ant Beehive that afternoon. Now that he had some free time, he decided to take it out and examine it.

"You... what do you want?!" The Violet Sun Beast, severely wounded and bound like a dumpling, with only half its life remaining, saw this "Otherworldly Demonic King" release it. It gritted its teeth in fury, wishing it could devour the king's marrow and flesh, and let out a roar: "If you want to kill me, kill me! Dream on if you think I'll betray my master!"

In a spacious courtyard within the Master Teacher Academy, an elder suddenly stood up.

"Master Mu, what's wrong?" A faint voice sounded, seemingly noticing his strange behavior.

If the Dean of the Pill Hall and others were present, they would surely recognize that it was the girl named Luo Ruoxi, the "junior" recommended by Master Mu.

"Reporting, Miss Ruoxi... I seem to have sensed the aura of the Violet Sun Beast!" Master Mu said hurriedly. At this moment, he showed no demeanor of treating a junior; instead, his face was filled with respect. It was likely that this Luo Ruoxi, as everyone speculated, was very possibly a young miss from a Saint Clan who had come out for experience.