Chapter 782: Hu Yaoyao

After some time, Zhang Xuan finished with the chicken leg and put it down. For other items, simply "looking" truly didn't work; he still needed to touch them. Only books were special, allowing him to absorb their content into his mind with just a glance.

"As long as I can read books quickly, that's enough!"

Although the library's upgrade didn't bring about particularly drastic changes, Zhang Xuan was highly satisfied. Previously, whenever he entered the library, he would frantically run around. It was fine if no one saw him, but if someone did, they would surely think he was a complete fool. Now it was better; he just needed a glance to record information. This improved not only his speed but also made his actions much more elegant, a significant advancement.

Nodding with satisfaction, he quickly finished his meal and then stood up. "Alright, let's go!" he said.

Wu Yangzi had once said in the underground palace that his most important legacy and all the treasures he had collected throughout his life were left at the 'Three-Star Earth Dragon' location within his old residence. Over two thousand years had passed; the crucial task wasn't deciphering what the 'Three-Star Earth Dragon' was, but rather finding the old residence itself. Luo Qiqi had immediately started inquiring upon her return. For the past two days, while caring for the unconscious Zhang Xuan, she had also been searching, and finally, she had some news. Naturally, Zhang Xuan also wanted to go and see.

"Mm!" the girl nodded.

Just as they stepped out of the courtyard, they saw a girl about to knock on the door. Seeing him emerge, she quickly cupped her fist and greeted, "Teacher Zhang!"

"Ran Xiaoxiao?"

Zhang Xuan recognized her. It was Ran Xiaoxiao, the female master teacher who had challenged him last time, and who had ranked third in the first-year grand competition. This was the one who had wanted to compete with him in Teacher's Impartation of Heavenly Will, but ended up being easily influenced by him and then took action to teach a lesson to Wu Chan, who ranked second, and Xiao Nan, who ranked fourth.

"Yes! I specifically came here this time to thank Teacher Zhang for your guidance..." Ran Xiaoxiao nodded. Initially, she had been quite unwilling for a new freshman to claim the top spot. However, when Zhang Xuan instantly pointed out the core issue in her cultivation, she fully understood the disparity between them. In the past two days, her bottleneck had been removed, and her cultivation had finally broken through again. Filled with excitement, she had come specifically to express her gratitude. Also, she had heard some news and wanted to share it.

"You're welcome, we're all classmates, it's nothing!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"If not for Teacher Zhang's guidance, I might have been stuck where I was for who knows how long..." Ran Xiaoxiao nodded, just about to continue speaking, when she suddenly froze: "Senior Qiqi?"

Teacher Zhang had come out first, and she had been so focused on greetings that she hadn't noticed someone else behind him, none other than the famous Senior Luo Qiqi from the second year.

"Mm!" Luo Qiqi nodded. As the other girl was a top-five genius in the first year, Luo Qiqi had naturally met her before.

"You two..." Blinking her eyes, Ran Xiaoxiao was utterly shocked.

Luo Qiqi was very famous in the Master Teacher Academy. Not only was she highly talented, ranking among the top cultivators in her second year, but most importantly, she was beautiful, and her family background was rumored to be extraordinary. In terms of looks alone, she could certainly rank among the top on the so-called 'campus beauty list'. She had always avoided interacting with other men, so how had she ended up in Teacher Zhang's courtyard? And it was completely dark... What were they doing?

"I am learning alchemy from Teacher Zhang; he is my teacher!" Luo Qiqi explained.

"Teacher?" Ran Xiaoxiao swayed slightly, her eyes widening in disbelief. This Teacher Zhang had just arrived at the academy and was a first-year student, yet Luo Qiqi, a second-year genius and famous campus beauty, recognized him as her teacher... If word of this got out, wouldn't it drive all the male students in the academy mad?

"If it's just about thanking me, there's no real need. We're all classmates, and helping each other is normal!" Not wanting to waste time there, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, preparing to leave with Luo Qiqi.

"Oh!" Ran Xiaoxiao finally reacted, quickly saying, "Actually, it's not just gratitude. There's something else I need to tell Teacher Zhang!"

"Oh?"

"While cultivating these past few days, I also went out. I heard... I heard that Teacher Zhang has offended quite a few societies, and it seems... they're planning to collectively sanction you!" Ran Xiaoxiao quickly explained.

"Offended societies? When did I ever offend them?" Zhang Xuan was startled. During the public lecture, some societies had wanted him to buy their books... but he simply hadn't. That shouldn't count as offending them, right? It was free trade, after all. How could an organization formed by dignified master teachers possibly sanction him over such a trivial matter?

"Not offended?" Seeing his genuine ignorance, Ran Xiaoxiao shook her head. "These societies collected information on the academy's faculty, compiled it into booklets, and planned to sell them to new students. But... their business was completely disrupted by Teacher Zhang. Not only did they fail to sell a single one, but they were also subjected to questioning. How could they not hold a grudge...?"

"My business was disrupted by me?" Zhang Xuan scratched his head. "I didn't do anything!"

What did I disrupt? He had been unconscious for the past three days and knew nothing. Could he have really sleepwalked and done something he wasn't aware of?

"Didn't do anything?" Ran Xiaoxiao gave a wry smile. "Teacher Zhang, do you happen to know a freshman named Jun Ruohuan? And Song Chao, Luo Xuan?"

"Of course I do!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Those three, acting in your name, freely distributed detailed faculty explanations to new students. What's more, the information they gave out was even more detailed and accurate... This not only caused a sensation among the new students but also led to an uproar among the senior students!" Ran Xiaoxiao said.

"Distributed for free?" Zhang Xuan rolled his eyes. No wonder.

Those societies had wanted to sell him detailed explanations. He had touched them, learned their content, then compiled them into a booklet and given a copy to Jun Ruohuan and the others. It had been a good-hearted gesture, intended to help them choose their teachers wisely. Who would have thought these individuals would then distribute them for free to other new students? Others were selling similar booklets for 100 mid-grade spirit stones, yet these were free and even more accurate... By brazenly disrupting the market, it would have been strange if they hadn't incurred resentment.

However, Jun Ruohuan and the others were certainly well-intentioned, wanting to build some reputation for him. They just hadn't expected that it would lead to offending many societies.

"Yes, if new students offend societies, they'll face a tough time moving forward. I hope Teacher Zhang is careful. If it really becomes difficult... you should join a powerful society!" Ran Xiaoxiao said with a smile. She herself was a member of a society and had heard the news from within. After much consideration, she had decided to come and inform him. A lone individual would surely face sanctions from other societies, but if one joined a powerful society, even those wanting to act against them would have to show some restraint.

"Thank you!" Understanding her good intentions, Zhang Xuan smiled.

To be honest, these matters were nothing to him. If he offended them, then so be it. Coming all the way from Tianxuan Kingdom, how many people had he offended along the way? If they were sensible enough not to cause trouble, then fine. But if they dared to stir up trouble, he wouldn't mind letting them know his true capabilities. He could drive even the dignified Pavilion Master of the Spirit Material Pavilion, a Saint realm expert, to madness, let alone a few students. It was nothing.

"Then I'll take my leave!" Having said all that needed to be said, Ran Xiaoxiao no longer lingered. She cupped her fist, turned, and left.

As Ran Xiaoxiao walked away, Luo Qiqi furrowed her delicate brows and said, "These societies are quite troublesome, Teacher. You should be careful!" As a senior student, she was aware of the 'dirty tricks' these societies employed. If they truly wanted to teach a student a lesson, they could even force them to leave within a day, making them drop out. Precisely because of this, students either needed a strong background or considerable strength. Otherwise, they had to join a society, or else they would face deliberate obstacles and constant trouble.

"Alright!" Knowing her concern was well-intentioned, Zhang Xuan acknowledged. Knowing her teacher wasn't bothered and that he had the protection of Dean Mi and Dean Zhao, Luo Qiqi figured the societies wouldn't dare go too far. Thus, she stopped fretting.

The two walked along the street. Before long, they arrived at a lakeside pavilion.

"I arranged to meet them here..." Luo Qiqi stopped.

"Who is it? Another student from the academy?" Zhang Xuan asked, looking over.

"I don't know exactly who it is," Luo Qiqi replied. "I posted a request in the academy's Assistance Tower, and someone responded, asking to meet me here. I assume it's either a teacher or a student!"

"Oh!" Zhang Xuan nodded. The academy's Assistance Tower was a place where students or teachers could seek help for perplexing knowledge or difficult tasks, usually at the cost of academic credits. It was somewhat similar to the Physicians' Guild's Wall of Difficulties. As long as one answered correctly and gained approval, they would automatically receive the other party's academic credits or remuneration.

Wu Yangzi had disappeared for over two thousand years, and history had changed dramatically. If Luo Qiqi were to search for his residence on her own, it would be impossible to tell how long it would take. That's why she had written a request letter, left it there, and promised benefits in return. She had originally thought it would take a considerable amount of time to get an answer. Unexpectedly, on the third day, someone left her a message, arranging to meet her there. However, she didn't know if the person who had arranged to meet her was male or female, a teacher or a student.

"Let's wait a bit!" Knowing that the person who had made the appointment would surely come, Zhang Xuan didn't mind. He smiled, and just as he was about to speak again, he heard a whooshing sound as a figure swiftly flew straight through the night towards them.

With the help of the starlight, they could discern it was a woman, tall and slender, with a graceful, willowy waist that seemed to invite a single grasp, like a long, lithe snake. Her figure was exceptionally beautiful, particularly her prominent chest, which formed a graceful, rounded curve, even surpassing Luo Qiqi's, or at least matching it.

The figure landed in the small pavilion. Luo Qiqi also clearly saw the other person's face. It was a woman who appeared to be in her twenties. Her beauty was in no way inferior to Luo Qiqi's; in fact, she exuded a more mature charm, like a ripe peach, full of allure.

"Senior Yaoyao?" Luo Qiqi was startled for a moment and quickly bowed, cupping her fist.

"Oh, it's you!" The other woman recognized Luo Qiqi, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Are you the one looking for Wu Yangzi's old residence?"

"Yes!" Luo Qiqi quickly nodded. "Senior, do you know anything about it?"

"I know a thing or two!" The alluringly-figured girl nodded.

Hearing the other woman's confirmation, Luo Qiqi clenched her fists and looked at her teacher, who was gazing back at her with a puzzled expression, seemingly wanting to ask who the girl in front of them was. Luo Qiqi didn't conceal it. "Teacher, this is a fifth-year student from the academy... Hu Yaoyao!"

"Hu Yaoyao?" Zhang Xuan scratched his head.

Hu Yaoyao, Luo Qiqi, Ran Xiaoxiao... Why were the names of the women he encountered at the academy all so similar?

"You don't even recognize me?" Seeing the young man's bewildered expression and realizing she still needed an introduction, Hu Yaoyao found it somewhat odd. She couldn't help but look at him more closely. "What's your name? Where are you from?" she asked.

"Me?" He hesitated for a moment, then Zhang Xuan looked at her with a serious expression. "My humble self is Xuanxuan!"