Chapter 811: Zheng Yang Takes on Disciples

"Mine?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback, his hand holding the teacup wavered, spilling some water. "What's mine?"

"Just now, I went to the merchant guild to inquire. As Young Master knows, I've bought houses before and understand the intricacies of such transactions very well. It didn't take long to find the owner of the mansion... and the name is Zhang Xuan!"

Sun Qiang seemed equally disbelieving and continued, "I was quite puzzled, so I specifically asked about this Zhang Xuan's profession and identity. The answer I received was... a first-year student at the Master Teacher Academy! Therefore, I suspect there might be another new student with the same name as you, Young Master. If not... then it must be you!"

"This..." Zhang Xuan blinked, feeling dizzy.

He had never been here before, and certainly didn't have the money to buy such a large mansion. How could it be his?

Previously, he wouldn't have been certain if any new students shared his name. However, he had just established a society yesterday, and the list of new students, which he had touched, had formed into a book. He had just checked it, and found no one with his name, or even a similar-sounding one.

What was going on?

"Did you inquire?" Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask. "Who purchased this mansion? Has the buyer ever appeared?"

Since he was the only Zhang Xuan among the first-year students, someone must have impersonated him to buy the property.

But... what was the purpose of this?

"I did inquire," Sun Qiang replied. "They say the person who bought the house has never appeared. They merely registered this name and stated that once the renovations are complete, the owner would come to take possession." Sun Qiang was equally bewildered.

The more he inquired, the stranger it seemed.

This mansion, which he had been so eager to buy but couldn't, was now somehow registered under the Young Master's name?

"This..." Zhang Xuan felt utterly perplexed.

He had heard of people paying the wrong amount for purchases, but never of someone registering the wrong name for a house.

"Luo Qiqi, was this your doing...?"

He couldn't help but turn to look.

In Hongyuan City, if anyone was willing to act on his behalf regardless of the cost, it would likely only be this student.

"How could it be me? Even if I wanted to buy it, I don't have that much money," Luo Qiqi shook her head.

"That's true!" Zhang Xuan said with a wry smile.

This mansion was so spacious and well-located. Its value would be at least dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of high-grade spirit stones. Even if his student had an unusual background, it would be difficult for her to produce such a sum all at once.

"Then... could it be Yu Fei-er or the others?"

Those in Hongyuan City with such capabilities would certainly include Yu Fei-er, Xing Yuan, and the like.

After all, one was a dignified Sixth Princess, and the other came from a prominent family.

Luo Qiqi shook her head. "Fei-er and Xing Yuan underwent Marrow Cleansing and Muscle Tempering. They're currently in secluded cultivation, striving to break through to the Grand Unification realm, just like me. They wouldn't have time to bother with something like this."

If they had the time for this, they would have long since come to visit Master Zhang, rather than not showing up until now.

If they didn't even have time to visit, how could they specifically go and purchase a mansion, and go through all this trouble?

Besides, Yu Fei-er was her close friend. If she were doing something like this, there would be no need to hide it from her.

"This... then who could it be?" Zhang Xuan was utterly baffled.

Mo Gaoyuan, Elder Mi, and similar figures were naturally even less likely candidates.

Dignified six-star Master Teachers, respecting their own status, would have many ways to befriend him, even if they wished to. It was impossible for them to specifically buy a mansion, meticulously renovate it, and then put his name on it.

"Let's not worry about it for now," Zhang Xuan said, shaking his head after thinking for a while and coming up with no answers. "Since they used my name, they will certainly reveal their identity eventually. Otherwise, wouldn't the money have been spent in vain?"

If this person did this, they would come looking for him sooner or later; otherwise, it would be a complete waste of money. He didn't believe anyone could be foolish enough to throw away such a fortune.

"So, Teacher, should we still enter this courtyard?"

Luo Qiqi looked at him.

"No need to enter for now," Zhang Xuan waved his hand. "Since my name is registered, they should come looking for me soon after the renovations are complete. We can then enter openly and avoid any unnecessary trouble!"

This was now his mansion. He could go whenever he pleased, so there was no need to sneak in, arouse suspicion, and expend extra effort.

"Understood," Luo Qiqi nodded.

"Sun Qiang, go back and gather Wang Ying, Zheng Yang, and the others," Zhang Xuan instructed. "You won't need to look for accommodations for now. Instead, keep a close eye on this mansion!"

"Yes, Young Master!" Sun Qiang nodded.

"Alright, let's return to the academy first!"

Knowing that he was surprisingly the owner of the mansion, there was no longer any point in staying there. After giving Sun Qiang his instructions, he returned to the academy with Luo Qiqi and Hu Yaoyao.

As soon as he returned to his residence, Zhang Xuan immediately sat down cross-legged.

He rested for a full two hours before his fatigue vanished and he fully recovered.

He looked up and out. It was almost midnight. The dark night sky, like ink, had stained everything in its inky depths. The weather was gloomy; with no stars, it appeared even darker.

"Since I have nothing else to do, I'll go to the Physician Academy and read some books!"

An idea suddenly emerged.

It was so dark, and he had nothing else to do. He might as well go to the Physician Academy and read some books. If he succeeded, treating Wei Ruyan would become much simpler.

"Spirit Soul Detachment!"

There was no longer any hesitation. With a thought, his Spirit Soul leaped out from between his eyebrows, swayed lightly, and swiftly flew towards the Physician Academy.

Given Wei Ranxue's experience, he knew that even as a Spirit Soul, he needed to be cautious. He didn't fly quickly, taking almost half an hour to reach the vicinity of the Physician Tower.

"The Physician Academy's library is located there..."

Having visited once during the day and specifically noted its location, he knew the way well. Before long, he arrived in front of the library.

The towering library exuded a unique aura, imparting a sense of gravity and solemnity.

Like the Ethereal Pavilion's library, entry required academic credits and a student ID. Zhang Xuan was not in a hurry and waited quietly outside.

The Physician Academy was different from the Ethereal Academy. The latter had few students, meaning not many frequented its library. The former, however, as the fifth-ranked academy, boasted tens of thousands of students, with countless individuals entering and exiting daily to read. As long as he waited, an opportunity would surely arise.

Sure enough, not long after, someone exited the library. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly darted inside.

Upon entering, he immediately saw countless books.

"Let's begin!"

With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan wasted no time. His gaze swept across the bookshelves, and in an instant, countless books flooded into his mind.

While Zhang Xuan returned to the academy, Sun Qiang, too, arrived at his lodging.

By nightfall, Wang Ying and the others all returned, looking dejected.

It was indeed difficult to find a suitable mansion near the Master Teacher Academy, which was why Sun Qiang had found nothing for so many days.

Just as he was about to tell them they didn't need to continue searching, Sun Qiang suddenly frowned and asked, "Where is Young Master Zheng Yang? Isn't he with you?"

Of the Young Master's three students, Wang Ying and Liu Yang had already returned, but Zheng Yang was still nowhere to be seen.

"We don't know," Liu Yang said. "After leaving this morning, he went off by himself. But don't worry, he should be back soon!"

"Yes," Wang Ying also nodded, "Zheng Yang is very perceptive and has received true teachings from the Teacher. He should be fine!"

Among Master Zhang's many direct disciples, Yuan Tao was the most adaptable, followed by Zheng Yang. It would be a wonder if he didn't cause trouble for others; how could *he* get lost?

Just as they were speaking, a figure walked back. It was none other than Zheng Yang.

"Uncle Qiang!"

Approaching them, Zheng Yang's eyes gleamed with intense excitement.

"Have you found accommodation?" Seeing his expression, Sun Qiang looked at him with doubt.

"No..." Zheng Yang scratched his head. "I just encountered something... and I wanted to discuss it with Uncle Qiang!"

"Discuss with me? Go on, what is it?" Sun Qiang asked.

Zhang Xuan had previously instructed these students to follow Sun Qiang's arrangements, so Zheng Yang and the others all addressed him as "Uncle Qiang."

"This is what happened," Zheng Yang said with some embarrassment. "When I went out today, I met someone who... wants to learn spear arts from me. I'd like to take him as a student and let him stay here for a few days. I was wondering if that would be alright?"

"Take a student?" Sun Qiang's eyes widened in surprise.

You're still a student yourself, and you want to take on a student?

"Yes," Zheng Yang hesitated before continuing, "this person's spear arts are quite good; he has a solid foundation. I just gave him a few pointers, and it greatly excited him. He insisted on becoming my disciple and even gave me a substantial amount of tuition fees... I found it hard to refuse..."

Today, while he was out looking for a house, he happened to encounter a bully. Provoked, he intervened and taught the fellow a lesson. After that, this young man approached him, stating his desire to learn spear arts.

For the past six months, he had diligently practiced with Master Zhang, already reaching an unfathomable realm. Upon hearing someone wanted to learn, he couldn't help but offer a few pointers. Unexpectedly, this young man possessed incredibly high comprehension and picked it up immediately.

Although the young man's own spear arts were a bit weak, his foundation was good, which immediately made Zheng Yang consider taking him as a disciple.

However... he was still a student himself, not yet officially a master. If he wanted to take a disciple, he should consult with his master.

Since his master was not present, he naturally sought Uncle Qiang's opinion.

"He gave tuition fees? How much?" Sun Qiang looked at him.

"It's all in here!"

Zheng Yang handed over a ring.

Sun Qiang took it doubtfully, activating his true qi to look inside. His eyes instantly widened. "Twenty thousand mid-grade spirit stones, so many medicinal pills... are these all his tuition fees for becoming your disciple?"

Inside the storage ring was a large pile of items: twenty thousand mid-grade spirit stones and an unknown quantity of medicinal ingredients.

The total value amounted to no less than fifty thousand mid-grade spirit stones...

All that money, just to learn spear arts from him?

Where did Zheng Yang find such a gullible person?

"Yes, I want to take him..." Zheng Yang said, a little embarrassed. "I'm just afraid Teacher won't agree. I hope Uncle Qiang can put in a good word for me..."

"Don't worry," Sun Qiang chuckled. "With so much tuition paid, the Young Master will definitely agree. Besides, as a Master Teacher, the Young Master naturally hopes his legacy can be carried forward and flourish. There's no need to worry!"

Having interacted with the Young Master for so long, what habits of his did he not already know?

As long as enough tuition fees are paid... never mind just one disciple, even if there were eight more, he wouldn't say a word.