Chapter 833: Hu Yaoyao's True Identity

The land deed clearly indicated the address of the mansion he, Luo Qiqi, and Hu Yaoyao had seen.

He had previously wondered who would gift him a mansion, considering many people, but he never expected it to be this individual!

He had no significant connection with Prince Huai; their only interaction was Zheng Yang and others staying at his residence for a few days, and the Yuan family picking up Yuan Tao from there.

To put it plainly, it was just one brief encounter, and yet he was gifted a luxurious mansion worth hundreds of high-grade spirit stones?

This… this gesture was simply too grand.

However, upon reflection, among all the people he knew, perhaps only this individual possessed such vast resources.

While Mo Gaoyuan and others were six-star master teachers, their assets were far inferior compared to those of an immensely powerful prince.

"Yes!" Butler Yu Qing nodded respectfully.

"One should not accept unearned favors; I feel unworthy of this gift..." Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Although he had a desire for the mansion, he had no prior connection with the giver, making it difficult to accept such a gift without cause.

"The Prince instructed that Master Zhang must accept it," Yu Qing said urgently. "Otherwise, when I return, I might be expelled or even punished!"

Yu Qing added, "Moreover, this mansion was purchased in Master Zhang's name. If Master Zhang refuses, I truly wouldn't know what to do!"

Zhang Xuan frowned.

He had just checked, and his name was indeed written in the owner's section of both the land deed and the house deed.

This meant the Prince had anticipated his potential refusal and, to prevent any complications, had bypassed the ownership transfer process entirely.

"Very well! Sun Qiang, accept it. When I have time, I will personally visit the Prince to express my gratitude!"

After a brief hesitation, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Firstly, he currently had no place to stay. Secondly, it was Wu Yangzi's former residence, which he needed to enter anyway to search for the treasure. Since the other party offered it sincerely, there was no need to refuse repeatedly.

At most, he could find an opportunity later to offer some guidance or resolve a potential issue for the Prince, which would serve as a form of repayment.

In fact, the other party's true intentions became clear upon careful consideration.

They were not interested in him, but in Yuan Tao.

Yuan Tao possessed the Dragon Rhino bloodline. Once he returned to the Saint Clan, he would undoubtedly be extensively cultivated and become an unparalleled master; it was only a matter of time.

As Yuan Tao's enlightening master, his own status would naturally be elevated.

Since Yuan Tao himself couldn't be easily befriended, befriending him (Zhang Xuan) was akin to establishing a connection with the Saint Clan Yuan family, which would further stabilize the Hongyuan Empire.

If he truly refused, the other party would undoubtedly find other means, so it was better to simply accept it and avoid further complications.

"Thank you, Master Zhang!"

Having expected to persuade him further, Butler Yu Qing nodded excitedly when he saw Master Zhang agree directly. He handed the house deed and land deed to Sun Qiang, then clasped his fists and said, "I shall take my leave now!"

"Alright!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand. "Since we have a new place, let's go there together!"

With no further hesitation, he turned and left with the others.

"This..."

Huang Xing and the others, seeing that they had just rejected Master Zhang, while Prince Huai gifted him a magnificent mansion, exchanged glances, utterly speechless.

Their original instruction from Dean Lu Feng was to humiliate Zhang Xuan. Now, not only was he not humiliated, but it felt like they had been slapped instead.

If they were to report this news to Dean Lu Feng, would he become enraged and beat them?

What a mess!

They should have known better than to get involved in this mess!

Ignoring the conflicted Huang Xing and his companions, Zhang Xuan, Sun Qiang, and the others left the academy and soon arrived at the mansion.

"Young Master..."

Before they even reached the entrance, the large gate creaked open, and a group of guards and servants rushed out to greet them.

"The Prince was concerned that Young Master might not be accustomed to the living arrangements," a butler-like figure approached them and said, "so he specifically sent us here to serve you. Maids, cooks, servants, guards... everything is complete!"

"I appreciate the Prince's thoughtfulness!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Prince Huai had truly gone to great lengths. Not only the mansion but even servants were provided, which was incredibly generous.

However, managing such a large mansion without servants, relying solely on Sun Qiang, Zheng Yang, and the others, would indeed be troublesome.

Since the favors had already been accepted, a little more or less no longer mattered.

He only needed to find a way to repay the kindness later.

Following the butler into the courtyard, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but be impressed.

No wonder he had heard sounds of work from outside the courtyard earlier. The entire mansion was completely refurbished, evidently having been recently renovated. It was wealthy yet elegant, splendid yet luxurious.

With its towering eaves and intricate architectural designs, stepping inside felt like entering a vast garden.

The spiritual energy in the courtyard was dense; one could tell at a glance that a spirit-gathering formation had been set up. Its concentration was no less than that of the courtyards in the elite district.

"Impressive!"

Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

To be honest, the Prince had indeed put a lot of effort into it. He had initially thought the purchase of the mansion was expensive, but now it seemed the renovation costs were certainly even higher.

If he had purchased it, he certainly wouldn't have been able to achieve such a result.

"Sun Qiang, you and the Violetwing Heavenly Mastiff go bring Wei Ruyan here!"

After walking to the central hall and ensuring everything was properly arranged, Zhang Xuan gave an instruction.

"Yes!"

Sun Qiang nodded and turned to leave.

After instructing Zheng Yang and the others to confine You Xu, Zhang Xuan stepped out of the room and went to a garden in front.

He paced back and forth a few steps, then smiled faintly, took out the Ten-Leaf Flower, and planted it in the ground.

This was the center of spiritual energy convergence for the entire mansion; placing medicinal herbs here would better preserve their freshness and prevent them from withering.

After placing it, with a thought, he dripped a few drops of Earth Vein Spiritual Liquid onto it, then finally sighed in relief.

To nurture a soul with the Ten-Leaf Flower, its vitality must be maintained; otherwise, if the flower withers, the soul it nourishes will also perish.

He then took out dozens of formation flags from his storage ring, inserting them around to set up a formation, preventing accidental intrusion by outsiders.

After completing these tasks, he finally relaxed. Just as he was about to return to his room, he saw Luo Qiqi and Hu Yaoyao approaching.

"Teacher, is this mansion really yours?"

Luo Qiqi still couldn't believe it.

It was no wonder; the place was truly too luxurious, not even inferior to the imperial palace. Being gifted to their teacher for no apparent reason would surprise anyone.

Zhang Xuan nodded. "Let's talk inside!"

Saying so, he walked into the hall.

The two followed him into the hall.

"Hu Yaoyao, are you sure this is Wu Yangzi's former residence?" Zhang Xuan sent a telepathic message with a thought.

"Certain!" Hu Yaoyao nodded.

Seeing her certainty, Zhang Xuan frowned.

His and Luo Qiqi's purpose in searching for Wu Yangzi's former residence was to find the treasure he had left behind. But this place had changed hands numerous times and undergone countless renovations and redecorations. Even if there had been a treasure, it would likely have been dug up long ago!

As he was pondering, he heard Hu Yaoyao's calm voice. "Master Zhang is so persistent in searching for Wu Yangzi's former residence. If I'm not mistaken, it must be for the treasure he left behind, right?"

"Treasure? What treasure?" Zhang Xuan feigned ignorance.

"You don't need to hide it from me," Hu Yaoyao looked at him. "Although the Artificer Academy didn't spread the word about you two finding Senior Wu Yangzi's corpse, many students from the Artificer Academy who are part of my Enchanting Association already know the news! Having found his corpse, you must certainly know about the treasure!"

"Senior Wu Yangzi has been missing for over two thousand years," Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Even if his corpse is found, he has long passed away. How could there be any information about a treasure...?"

"Heh heh! Earlier, when you asked me about Wu Yangzi's former residence, I already knew what you were planning. It's just that you didn't say anything, so I didn't expose it!"

With a slight smile, Hu Yaoyao reverted to her enchanting demeanor and said, "Rest assured, I am the only one in the entire Hongyuan City who knows about Senior Wu Yangzi leaving a treasure. There's no need to worry about it leaking!"

"Oh? Since you put it that way, I'd also like to ask what your relationship is with Senior Wu Yangzi, and why you know so many details about him?"

Seeing that the other party had made her intentions clear and wasn't hiding anything, Zhang Xuan stopped feigning ignorance and looked at her.

This woman was certain this was Wu Yangzi's former residence, which had already made him suspicious. Now, her immediate mention of a treasure made him even more so.

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe it..."

She nodded. Hu Yaoyao suddenly took a deep breath, circulating her True Qi within her body.

Her slender body trembled, and all her muscles seemed to glow, dramatically increasing her aura.

"Five-Splendor Golden Body?"

Luo Qiqi exclaimed in surprise, unable to resist exchanging a glance with Zhang Xuan.

Both of them had cultivated it: it was none other than Wu Yangzi's unique secret manual, the Five-Splendor Golden Body!

Wasn't this body cultivation technique said to have been lost long ago?

Why did Hu Yaoyao know it?

Moreover, it seemed she had been immersed in it for quite some time, already reaching the second stage, which was in no way inferior to Zhang Xuan's progress.

"Indeed, this is the Five-Splendor Golden Body!" Hu Yaoyao said, stopping the circulation. She nodded. "It is a unique secret manual left by my ancestor."

"Your ancestor? The Five-Splendor Golden Body isn't... could it be...?" Luo Qiqi was momentarily stunned.

"My surname isn't Hu; it's... Wu!" Hu Yaoyao revealed. "Wu Yangzi is my ancestor!"

"Since you are a descendant of Senior Wu Yangzi, why did you change your surname to Hu?" Zhang Xuan asked, finding it strange.

Wu Yangzi, as a revered grandmaster artificer, held an esteemed and respected status. As his descendant, why would she hide her name and not dare to make it public?

"If we didn't hide our names," Hu Yaoyao retorted, "our lineage might have been eradicated long ago!"

Hu Yaoyao snorted coldly.

"Eradicated?" Zhang Xuan frowned. "This is where the Master Teacher Academy is located; would anyone dare to attack you?"

In the Hongyuan Empire, with the Master Teacher Academy and even the Master Teacher Pavilion, who would dare to harm Wu Yangzi's descendants?

"It's more than just daring..." Hu Yaoyao said, "Do you really think Ancestor Wu Yangzi was so easily captured, without even a chance to send a message?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan hesitated.

He had entered the underground palace where Wu Yangzi was captured and had always found something strange about it.

The strongest puppets inside were only at Saint 1-dan. While this level of strength was not weak in the Hongyuan Empire, it would likely still be very difficult to deal with an artificer who could break through to seven stars at any moment.

Could it be... there was some unknown secret involved?