Chapter 809: Price

"It's not about the price," Sun Yuan said, waving his hand. "These herbs are simply not for sale by our teacher. Please forgive us."

Wei Changfeng clenched his teeth.

If they were for sale, he would definitely buy them, even if it meant losing everything. But if they weren't selling, he couldn't very well rob them, could he?

Not to mention, he might not be able to defeat them, but the fact that this was the Master Teacher Academy alone prevented him from having any other ideas.

"I'm trying to save my daughter; she desperately needs this soul-nourishing sacred medicine. I implore Dean You to make an exception..."

Taking a deep breath, Wei Changfeng knelt to the ground.

"Ah!"

Seeing his action, Zhang Xuan sighed.

For his daughter, he had now knelt twice.

A dignified Saint realm expert, abandoning all pride and foregoing everything to save someone... this was a parent!

The boundless love of parents!

For their children, they would do anything and give up everything. This kind of love was pure and selfless, grand and profound.

"I told you it's not for sale," Vice Dean You said, his expression unchanged. "Even if you kneel here until you die, my decision won't change. Please leave."

"Dean You..."

Wei Changfeng's face flushed crimson, and his fingernails dug into his flesh.

They were both Saint realm experts, often crossing paths, yet even after he knelt and pleaded, the other party remained unmoved.

Seeing that the other party showed no consideration, Zhang Xuan shook his head. Just as he was about to step forward and try to persuade them, he heard another knock at the courtyard gate.

*Knock, knock, knock, knock!*

Sun Yuan looked confused, walked to the gate, and soon returned, followed by a middle-aged man.

"Dean You, my master needs a Saint realm-level Hanyuan Grass for alchemy!" the middle-aged man said, cupping his fists.

"Hanyuan Grass?"

Vice Dean You nodded. "Sun Yuan, go dig it up for Master Zhuo!"

"Yes!" Sun Yuan nodded, entered the herb garden, and before long, returned with a pale green plant.

"Thank you!" The middle-aged man nodded, flicked his wrist, and several high-grade spirit stones appeared before them. "This is payment for the herb!"

They shone brightly; there were exactly ten.

Vice Dean You collected the spirit stones, and the middle-aged man took the herb and turned to leave.

The entire transaction took only a few minutes.

"Dean You, didn't you say these weren't for sale? Why did you sell it directly to Master Zhuo?" Wei Changfeng's fists clenched, and veins bulged on his forehead, seeing the herb sold so easily while he, despite kneeling, was refused.

Zhang Xuan also frowned.

If it were genuinely their principle not to sell, even he wouldn't say much. But for them to sell directly to Master Zhuo, yet adamantly refuse Wei Changfeng...

Such differential treatment seemed a bit too much!

"Master Zhuo's teacher is Dean Lu Feng of the Pill Faculty. He's buying it to refine a sixth-level pill, so naturally, it's for sale," Vice Dean You sneered, lifting an eyelid. "As for you... it seems we don't have the kind of relationship that would compel me to sell."

"I..." Wei Changfeng gritted his teeth.

Indeed, it was their first meeting; they had no prior connection. If the other party sold it, it would be a favor; if they didn't, it was fair. He truly had no grounds to demand it.

"That's not how it should be said," Zhang Xuan interjected, unable to watch any longer. He stepped forward and cupped his fists. "The greatest purpose of medicine is to save lives. Physicians have the hearts of parents; it's unacceptable to delay treatment or let a patient die simply due to personal likes or dislikes. Pavilion Master Wei's daughter is in critical condition, waiting for the Ten-Leaf Flower to sustain her life. I hope Dean You will grant this."

"We are speaking; what gives you the right to interrupt? Who are you?" Vice Dean You's eyebrows furrowed.

As a six-star master teacher of esteemed status and Vice Dean of the Physician Faculty, when had he ever been lectured, especially by a youth barely twenty years old?

"I am Zhang Xuan, a new student who just arrived at the academy this year," Zhang Xuan replied.

"Oh, I thought it was someone else. So you're that Zhang Xuan?" Vice Dean You initially paused, then sneered. "I've heard about you. Although you're highly regarded by Dean Mi, Dean Zhao, and others, in my presence, you are merely a junior and have no right to speak!"

"A new student comes to the academy, doesn't study properly, relies on a bit of talent, parades around, and causes widespread resentment—you're an absolute disgrace to the reputation of master teachers. If you were my student, I would have expelled you long ago!"

Saying this, he looked at Zhang Xuan with a hint of disdain and waved his hand. "Alright, before my mood sours completely, leave immediately. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."

"Impolite?"

"That's right! New students should act like new students and abide by their rules. You're ungrateful, lack common sense, disrespect your elders, and ignore etiquette... If you continue to babble here, I don't mind teaching you a lesson on behalf of your teacher!" Vice Dean You flung his sleeve, hands clasped behind his back.

"Teach me a lesson on behalf of my teacher? First, you don't have the qualifications. Even if you did... it wouldn't be your turn!" Seeing the other party's hostile tone and deep prejudice against him, Zhang Xuan shook his head and took a step forward. "Whether I've disgraced the reputation of master teachers isn't for you to decide; it's for the Master Teacher Pavilion and the academy to determine! Furthermore, while this may be your private residence, it's also public property of the academy. To kick me out... do you have that right? I recall..."

With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan looked over with a calm expression. "You... aren't the dean, are you?"

He respected those who respected him.

To immediately accuse him of disgracing master teachers and threaten expulsion... even with his good temper, he found it hard to tolerate.

Master teachers valued their reputation above all else.

That's why, even though he knew saving Wei Ruyan would deplete his soul and damage his primordial spirit, he was willing to do it.

The moment the other party opened their mouth with accusations of parading around and threats of expulsion, it amounted to outright insult, crossing his bottom line.

"Impudent! Do you know who you're speaking to?" Vice Dean You's face darkened with anger, surprised that a new student dared to contradict him.

"I naturally know who I'm speaking to: You Xu, a six-star master teacher and the 'Vice' Dean of the Physician Faculty! I know who I'm speaking to, but do you know who *you're* speaking to?" Zhang Xuan stood ramrod straight, like a spear, radiating a sharp, imposing arrogance.

"I am a distinguished guest of Hall Master Mo, and Deans Mi, Zhao, and Wei, holding three elder tokens. I hold the two professions of six-star artifact forger and six-star Formless Master! To wantonly insult me and issue threats... I don't think *I'm* being impudent, but rather, *you* are!"

The dignity of a master teacher could not be insulted.

Especially for a Heavenly Impartation Master Teacher like him!

"You..."

Vice Dean You's eyes narrowed.

He had heard about this Zhang Xuan; ever since he arrived at the academy, he had caused quite a stir, not just among senior and new students, but also creating a frenzy among the teachers.

He naturally disliked those who didn't follow rules and had intended to teach him a lesson, a show of force, but he hadn't expected to be contradicted directly.

What the other party said was true: holding elder tokens from three deans was akin to those elders being present themselves. Kicking him out would indeed mean disrespecting them, which would be inappropriate.

Although he was also a six-star high-grade master teacher, he was still far inferior to the many deans.

"I came with my subordinate simply to purchase a sacred medicine. State your conditions, if any. Yet, a dignified six-star master teacher like yourself has personally and wantonly insulted me and issued threats. If I report this matter to the academy, I wonder if they will investigate?" Zhang Xuan coldly snorted, disregarding the other's anger.

"You... you're very good!" Vice Dean You's face turned ashen, realizing that his angry words had been used against him.

Master teachers valued their status. A dignified six-star master teacher could simply refuse to sell. To openly insult a six-star artifact forger truly violated the decorum and authority of a master teacher.

If this were truly reported to the academy, there wouldn't be a major punishment, but a demerit would be unavoidable, and if word got out, it might be even more humiliating.

He had long heard that this fellow was incredibly eccentric, but he hadn't expected his words to be so sharp.

Knowing that continuing to argue with the other party would likely lead to more disadvantage, Vice Dean You Xu stopped pressing the issue. "The Ten-Leaf Flower was painstakingly cultivated by me. If you truly want it, it's not impossible to sell!"

Seeing his sudden change of tone, Zhang Xuan and Wei Changfeng exchanged bewildered glances.

"However, the price might be a bit high!" Vice Dean You said.

"Please name your price!" Wei Changfeng cupped his fists.

Although he didn't know why the other party had suddenly changed his mind, being able to buy it was certainly better than not getting it and arguing here.

"I need a Cloud Mist Flower. If you can bring me one within two days, I will give you the Ten-Leaf Flower for free!" Vice Dean You stated.

"Cloud Mist Flower?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

Although he was a four-star physician and highly knowledgeable about many herbs, he had never heard of such a medicine.

Just as he was about to ask what it was, he saw Wei Changfeng beside him turn pale and tremble slightly.

"You know this thing?" Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask.

"The Cloud Mist Flower is a unique plant found only in the Cloud Mist Ridge of the Hongyuan Mountain Range. It's not a medicinal herb... when dried, roasted, and steeped in boiling water, it produces a thick, misty vapor, like clouds, making it very beautiful. It's a rare type of tea!" Wei Changfeng explained.

"Tea? You're exchanging a plant used for tea for a Ten-Leaf Flower?" Zhang Xuan was astonished.

The Ten-Leaf Flower was a Saint realm-level medicine, worth at least ten high-grade spirit stones. Exchanging it for a tea plant seemed far too cheap!

"Indeed!"

Wei Changfeng nodded, then seemed about to say something but stopped, instead looking up at Vice Dean You. "Alright, I accept!"

"Excellent, then I await your good news!" Vice Dean You smiled faintly and waved his hand.

"Rest assured! I only hope you will honor your promise and give me the Ten-Leaf Flower when the time comes!" Taking a deep breath, Wei Changfeng clenched his fist. He then called out to Zhang Xuan, "Young Master, let's go!"

Seeing that their discussion was complete, Zhang Xuan said no more, and the two walked out of the courtyard.

The moment they left, Sun Yuan on the side couldn't help but look at the elder before him. "Teacher, the Cloud Mist Ridge is swarming with Saint Beasts. Even Dean Mi, who is both a skilled beast tamer and powerful, would find it difficult to return from there... Isn't it... too dangerous for you to ask Pavilion Master Wei to gather the Cloud Mist Flower?"

"Dangerous? Of course I know it's dangerous. However, you've heard about the things Wei Changfeng has done... It would be best if such a menace died! As for that Zhang Xuan, he shows no respect for elders or authority. It would be best if he went along too. If not, at least it will teach him that a six-star master teacher... is not someone to be easily offended!" Vice Dean You sneered.