Chapter 797: Establishing the Society

"An... an apprentice?""Zhang Xuan's apprentice?"

Xue Zhenyang and the others were dumbfounded, as if they had seen a ghost. What was happening? She had been claiming she would teach Zhang Xuan a lesson; how had she become his apprentice in the blink of an eye?

Apprentices fell into two categories. One type was a newcomer just entering the profession, who hadn't even passed the one-star professional assessment and simply shadowed a formally recognized professional to learn. The other type involved a lower-ranked professional serving as an apprentice to a higher-ranked one. While ostensibly about acquiring knowledge, this arrangement was more akin to being a mere errand runner or doing odd jobs, even less prestigious than being a disciple.

Each of them also had such apprentices, much like the girl named Xin Ru nearby. Since this role was not much different from that of a servant, this second type of apprentice was also called a "seated apprentice" to distinguish them from the first category.

"You were going to make Master Zhang submit, weren't you? How did you become his apprentice in the blink of an eye?"

"I failed. I'm no match for Master Zhang... Please, everyone, return home!" After introducing herself, Hu Yaoyao said no more, simply waving her hand.

"This..." They had initially come to celebrate, but upon hearing her words, Dong Xin, Xue Zhenyang, and the others flushed red with suppressed emotion and reluctantly exited.

"What happened?" Stepping out of the courtyard, the three exchanged bewildered glances.

"It appears... she didn't teach Zhang Xuan a lesson; instead, she was taught one by him!" Dong Xin couldn't help but exclaim. Based on her understanding of Hu Yaoyao, this was the only plausible explanation.

"It appears so..." Xue Zhenyang scratched his head. "This is Hu Yaoyao we're talking about! I've suffered losses in several encounters with her, and she actually lost to a freshman, even pledging herself... This freshman is truly unusual," Long Cangyue remarked, his eyes gleaming. "But for some reason, the more unusual he is, the more interested I become!"

They were all super geniuses, powerful individuals who had distinguished themselves at the Master Teacher Academy; they had never feared anyone before. A mere freshman, yet he had stolen the limelight the moment he arrived, even encroaching on their business—his audacity knew no bounds.

"To be honest, I'm also quite intrigued," Dong Xin added, smiling. Remembering something, she turned to Xue Zhenyang nearby. "Didn't you say you'd already sent people to deal with those freshmen? How have things progressed?"

"I had assumed Yaoyao would succeed today, so I sent people ahead of time to subdue those troublesome freshmen," Xue Zhenyang replied. "Based on the timing, they should have given them a good beating!"

"I'm quite confident in your subordinates' strength," Dong Xin mused. "However... these freshmen are relying on Master Zhang for support. I'm concerned that directly offending him might attract more trouble."

"Directly offend? So what?" Xue Zhenyang scoffed with a light chuckle, his face radiating confidence. "Ever since he started ruining our business, he's been an enemy. Do you truly expect mercy from an enemy? What a joke! Furthermore, my people issued challenges openly and fairly, which adheres to the academy's rules. Even if Master Zhang is displeased, what can he do to me? If it's within the rules, not even Dean Mi or Dean Zhao could object!"

"Unless... he can surpass my subordinates in martial arts, otherwise, they're in for a beating!"

"You sent them to challenge martial arts?" Long Cangyue paused, then burst into a stunned laugh. "You're right. You are indeed the Martial Arts Academy's undisputed Senior Disciple and the Dean's top student! Your comprehension of spear techniques has reached an unfathomable level. Those subordinates, having received your guidance and instruction, also possess first-rate understanding of martial arts. Even if Master Zhang is incredibly talented, his exceptional skills are likely in artifact refining or beast taming. Martial arts, however, demand extensive practice to achieve the 'mind-body unity' state; such a level is exceedingly difficult to attain!"

Unlike auxiliary professions, martial arts required consistent, cumulative practice over time to yield results. While Xue Zhenyang was impetuous and forthright, his understanding of martial arts, particularly spear techniques, was unparalleled. It was rumored he had even grasped the "Heart of the Weapon" and achieved the realm of "Man and Spear as One."

"Yes," Xue Zhenyang affirmed, his back straight as a javelin, his face radiating an irresistible confidence. "Though we are Master Teachers, we are also martial artists. If we don't show these new students the prowess of the seniors, they might genuinely believe we've wasted our years at the Master Teacher Academy!" While he couldn't outmaneuver Hu Yaoyao in cunning schemes, always falling for her tricks, she was certainly no match for him in terms of genuine combat prowess. When he wielded his long spear, it moved like a soaring dragon; few fifth-year students could defeat him.

"Precisely. Connections are merely supplementary; true strength reigns supreme! Come, let's go see how you teach those freshmen a lesson!" Long Cangyue said with a light smile.

"Alright..." Xue Zhenyang nodded. The three strode together towards the dormitory district where the freshmen resided.

As he and Luo Qiqi left Hu Yaoyao's residence and had just returned to the Elite District, they spotted Young Master Ruo Huan standing anxiously outside his door.

"Master Zhang! Senior Qiqi!"

Upon seeing them approach, Ruo Huan's eyes lit up, and he quickly came forward.

"I was just about to look for you!" Zhang Xuan snorted.

"Looking for me?" Young Master Ruo Huan paused, surprised.

"That detailed guide for faculty and staff—you gave it away for free to others, didn't you?" Zhang Xuan asked.

This fellow had given away that item, completely unbeknownst to Zhang Xuan, who then found himself a thorn in the side of numerous societies, a target for their aggression. It was truly a case of "trouble finding you while you're simply at home." He hadn't even had a chance to settle scores with Ruo Huan, yet the latter dared to seek him out—what nerve!

"It was simply my duty! Master Zhang, please don't give it another thought!" Thinking Zhang Xuan was concerned about that, Young Master Ruo Huan, with an air of magnanimity, waved his hand. "I actually came today because I need Master Zhang to intervene in something..."

"His duty?" "Don't give it another thought?" Zhang Xuan nearly choked on his own saliva. *You caused me such grief, yet you're acting like you've done a good deed and wish to remain anonymous?*

Though frustrated, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but inquire when he saw the other's grave expression. "What's wrong?"

"Because we didn't purchase those detailed guides for the faculty and staff guilds, senior students have been constantly coming to challenge us these past two days," Young Master Ruo Huan explained. "Today, three masters arrived, speaking incredibly rudely. Everyone was indignant and fought them, but... they were severely beaten, and many students were injured!"

"Challenges?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled. Most freshmen were at the fourth level of Mortal Transcendence, with very few reaching the fifth, while even the weakest senior students possessed at least Bridge Heaven Realm strength. How could they possibly fight?

"They suppressed their cultivation to match their opponents, fighting purely with martial arts," Young Master Ruo Huan clarified.

"Martial arts?" Zhang Xuan nodded. If they suppressed their cultivation to match their opponents, it wouldn't be considered bullying. In that case, battles would depend purely on each individual's mastery and application of martial techniques, which wasn't unfair.

"Yes, they've blocked the dormitory entrance, declaring that if anyone can defeat them today, they'll withdraw. Otherwise, they'll beat us until we're afraid to leave our rooms!" Young Master Ruo Huan glanced up at the young man before him, his face etched with distress. "They also said that if... no one can defeat them within a day, then Master Zhang, you... must issue a public apology, and all freshmen must then repurchase the detailed faculty and staff guide!"

"A public apology? What does that have to do with me?" Zhang Xuan was speechless. Challenges to freshmen were one thing, but how did *he* get involved? *Apologize myself... Was it even necessary?*

"Well..." Young Master Ruo Huan scratched his head, a hint of awkwardness on his face. "You know that joining the seniors' societies requires a membership fee, and since we just entered the academy, we don't have the funds to pay. So... everyone joined the society you organized..."

"The society *I* organized? What did I organize?" Zhang Xuan's eyelids twitched uncontrollably. When had he ever organized a society?

"Master Zhang, you gave away so many points for free, clearly intending to rally support. I thought you must be planning to establish a faction," Young Master Ruo Huan explained. "Besides, among all the new students, you are the only one we admire and are willing to listen to. So, after everyone discussed it, we formed a society, and you are the president..."

"President?" Zhang Xuan felt like he was going insane. He had become a president without even knowing about it... This was truly outrageous!

"Yes, Master Zhang, please don't decline," Ruo Huan added urgently. "Without a society, it's extremely difficult for new students to distinguish themselves in the academy. Even accomplishing simple tasks would be hampered. Among the thirty thousand new students, only you possess the charisma and prestige to earn everyone's admiration! If you don't serve as president, then who will?" At this point, Young Master Ruo Huan's face was etched with urgency. "Furthermore, the senior students, leveraging their longer time in the academy, act without restraint and oppress others wantonly. If we don't unite, won't we simply be at their mercy?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused. What the other person said was true. Without a society, new students would indeed struggle.

Due to the free distribution of the detailed faculty and staff guide, many senior students already harbored animosity towards this batch of new students. If they didn't unite, they would likely face significant obstacles and find their progress difficult.

"When you distributed the detailed faculty and staff guide for free, did you already anticipate this situation?" Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask, looking at him. This fellow, along with Song Chao, Luo Xuan, and others, had given away the items Zhang Xuan provided for free. As Master Teachers themselves, how could they not have known that such an act would offend the senior students?

"At the time, we were indignant that the senior students were deliberately inflating prices and maliciously selling their goods," Young Master Ruo Huan explained, his face flushing. "Many new students who refused to buy were beaten! What's more... buying from one group meant offending another, and they would be bullied by them all the same. So... a few of us discussed it and decided that instead of waiting to be bullied, it would be better to take the initiative. That's why we distributed the detailed guide you gave us to everyone. We hope Master Zhang can forgive us; we were truly forced into it!"

"Sigh..." Zhang Xuan sighed. He conceded the point. During the public lecture, he had indeed been intercepted by members of the True Sun Society, whose attitude was extremely arrogant, conveying the message: *buy our stuff, or you're an enemy*. For new students lacking influence or background, it was genuinely difficult to distinguish themselves under such circumstances. He, upon arrival, had immediately gained Dean Mi's attention and was assigned to the Elite District, preventing many senior students from daring to cause him trouble. But for others, it was different; forming a society might be their only way to resist.

"Alright, since a society has been formed and I'm its president, I suppose I should know its name?" Understanding the situation, Zhang Xuan looked over.

"The True Sun Society is named after its president, Xue Zhenyang, and the Azure Moon Society after its president, Long Cangyue... So, our society is also named after you; it's easy to understand!" Seeing that Zhang Xuan didn't show much resistance, Young Master Ruo Huan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly continued.

"My name? The Zhang Xuan Society?" Zhang Xuan looked at him expectantly.

"No, it's..." Young Master Ruo Huan announced, his face alight with excitement, "The 'Xuanxuan Society'!"