Chapter 876: Zhang Xuan Was Rejected

"Finally, I'm out!"

After his Spirit Form cultivation reached the "Stepping on Void" realm, Zhang Xuan left the courtyard and walked straight ahead. Before long, he exited the imperial palace. Once past the towering imperial city walls and with no more similar buildings in sight, he was able to recognize his location.

He suppressed his aura as much as possible, found the palace gate he had entered before, located the banquet hall, and walked inside. With a thought, his Spirit Form returned to his body, and he couldn't help but exhale a mouthful of stale air.

Although his Spirit Form hadn't found the Saint Realm Bodhi Tree this time, he had successfully gathered all the cultivation techniques for the "Stepping on Void" realm and successfully advanced. It hadn't been a wasted trip. He also learned that there were experts in soul cultivation within the imperial palace, so if his Spirit Form wanted to go there again in the future, he would need to be even more cautious.

"Teacher, you're done cultivating..."

Seeing him open his eyes, Luo Qiqi, who was by his side, spoke. Her teacher's cultivation was truly unnerving; not only did he stop breathing, but his heartbeat also disappeared. If he hadn't told her beforehand that he was cultivating, she would have truly suspected he was dead.

"Yes!" Zhang Xuan nodded. "Has the banquet started?"

"Everyone's here..." Luo Qiqi nodded, about to speak, when she heard a eunuch's announcement from outside the door: "Her Royal Highness the Princess has arrived!"

Everyone turned their heads to look, and then saw a beautiful figure slowly approaching. Today, Yu Feier wore a long purple gown adorned with countless gems, dazzling under the light of night-shining pearls. Her face wore light makeup, which, combined with her naturally bright and captivating features, made anyone who saw her feel a sudden tug at their heart. She was too beautiful! She looked like a completely different person from how she appeared in the underground palace.

"Your Royal Highness!"

Shen Jun's eyes lit up, and he immediately showed a fervent expression, hurrying forward to greet her. Ignoring the respectful Young Master Shen, Yu Feier's dark eyes scanned the hall as soon as she entered, quickly landing on Zhang Xuan.

"Teacher Zhang, Qiqi, you... you're here!"

The girl took a few steps forward, her face full of joy. Teacher Zhang had always been unpredictable. Although she had sent an invitation, she wasn't sure if he would come. Seeing him in person, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Feier, you look truly beautiful today!" Luo Qiqi replied. In terms of beauty, the two could be said to be evenly matched, each with their own unique charms. However, Yu Feier had clearly prepared meticulously today, making her appear even more captivating.

"Brother Shen, is this the greedy nobody you mentioned?" Young Master Liu looked at Shen Jun with suspicion. "Didn't you just interact with him? Why do I feel that Princess Yu Feier cares about him more than she cares about you?"

"Hmph!" Shen Jun's face darkened. He didn't need the other person to point it out; he had seen it himself. He had long considered Yu Feier his designated woman. Xing Yuan, who had competed with him, had been severely dealt with. Where did this guy come from? He had initially thought he was just a greedy small fry, but now it seemed that wasn't the case at all!

"Sixth Princess, it's been a long time. Knowing it's your birthday today, I specially prepared this for you..." Hiding his displeasure deep down, he smiled faintly, approached her, and opened a jade box. A rich spiritual energy immediately surged out, making everyone's breathing involuntarily smoother.

"A Saint Realm 1-dan Water Dragon Inner Core?" Someone couldn't help but exclaim.

"A Saint Beast's inner core?"

"What a grand gesture!"

Hearing these exclamations, the entire room erupted in an uproar, filled with shock. "Indeed, it is a Saint Realm 1-dan Water Dragon Inner Core. I heard that this item can nourish a cultivator's body, and if worn regularly, it can stabilize one's mind and accelerate cultivation. So I specifically went to the deep sea to find one for the Princess!" Seeing everyone's surprised expressions, Shen Jun smiled faintly, his tone filled with pride.

Water Dragons are not true dragons but a special type of Saint Beast that lives in the deep sea. Their inner core has the effects of repelling water, nourishing the body, and stabilizing the mind, making it extremely valuable! If a cultivator wears it year-round, it can help their cultivation progress more rapidly and strengthen their physical body. It could be said that the value of this single inner core could not be bought with hundreds of high-grade spirit stones! True to Shen Jun's reputation, his gift immediately drew everyone's attention, making all other gifts pale in comparison.

"Thank you..." Yu Feier hadn't expected him to present such a precious item. She paused for a moment, then reached out to take it and placed it into her storage ring. As a princess, she had seen countless treasures. Even though this Water Dragon Inner Core was valuable, it wasn't enough to make her lose her composure.

"As long as you like it!" Seeing her accept it, Shen Jun's lips curled into a smile. He turned to Zhang Xuan: "Today is the Princess's birthday. I wonder what gift Brother Zhang has prepared? I'd love to see it."

Hearing his words, everyone's gaze immediately focused on Zhang Xuan. Everyone had seen that the Princess had asked about Teacher Zhang as soon as she entered. Even the most foolish person knew that Shen Jun was directly challenging him.

"Me? I didn't prepare a gift!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. He had only learned it was a birthday banquet just before entering the hall. How could he have a gift? He simply didn't have one. He had always been "poor" in terms of physical possessions, unable to produce treasures like a Saint Realm Water Dragon Inner Core. Besides, even if he had one, he wouldn't part with it, as his relationship with Yu Feier wasn't as deep as with Luo Qiqi. Since he couldn't produce one anyway, he might as well just admit it.

"Didn't prepare? *Cough, cough!*" Shen Jun was taken aback, the words he was about to say catching in his throat, almost choking him. He had originally intended to see the other party's gift and, if it was inferior, to suppress him to prove his own sincerity. But... the guy didn't even have one?

Everyone else was also stunned. Attending a dignified princess's birthday banquet after accepting an invitation, yet preparing absolutely nothing? Was he serious, or was this a joke?

"Brother Zhang, this joke isn't funny at all! The Princess sincerely invited us, and we all prepared something... Coming empty-handed is a bit too disrespectful, isn't it?" Recovering his composure, Shen Jun sneered.

"Teacher Zhang is my honored guest, Shen Jun. What do you mean by that?" Yu Feier's pretty face darkened.

Seeing the Princess speak up for the other party, Shen Jun grew even angrier: "Princess, today is your birthday, and everyone has prepared gifts, but Teacher Zhang came empty-handed. He clearly didn't take it to heart..."

"He..." Yu Feier was about to say, "I didn't tell him it was my birthday today," when she saw Zhang Xuan wave his hand, and she immediately stopped.

"Having a gift means respect? The more valuable the gift, the more respect shown? Your meaning is... Princess Feier invited everyone to the banquet for the sake of gifts?" Zhang Xuan looked over. "Is the Princess... a vulgar person who only seeks profit?"

"I... how could I mean that..." He hadn't expected the other party's logic to be so twisted, instantly leading him astray. Shen Jun was startled, and his face turned ugly. "I just meant that coming empty-handed is disrespectful to the Princess..."

"Exactly. I come empty-handed, which is disrespectful to the Princess, but you bringing a precious gift is respectful. Doesn't that still mean the Princess only cares about gifts and not people? That she respects whoever has a gift?" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "What is your intention in insulting the Princess like this?"

"You're spouting nonsense! When did I insult the Princess?" Seeing him stray further and further, Shen Jun hastily looked at Yu Feier, full of anxiety. "Princess, don't listen to his nonsense, that's not what I meant..."

Luo Qiqi, standing to one side, blinked her eyes, barely suppressing a laugh. Her teacher's glibness was truly astounding. It was one thing to not bring a gift for someone's birthday, but to be so self-righteous and eloquent about it, making those who *did* bring gifts seem like they had a problem...

The other guests also exchanged glances. They had all prepared gifts. If they presented them, it would be akin to insulting the Princess. If they didn't, it would be impolite... Their faces were all contorted with an awkward, constipated expression.

"Enough! I invited everyone today simply for a gathering. If anyone else presents a gift, they can leave immediately and not return. I, Yu Feier, will not welcome you again in the future!" Interrupting his apology, Yu Feier flicked her sleeve.

"I..." Shen Jun's face turned ashen, and his fist clenched. He had presented such a precious gift, thinking he would win the Princess's favor. Unexpectedly, it backfired, not only failing to please her but also incurring her displeasure! What kind of situation was this?! It was truly a case of losing both the wife and the soldiers.

"It's all this guy..." He glared coldly at Zhang Xuan, flicked his sleeve, and returned to his seat. The more he said now, the more mistakes he would make. It was better to remain silent for now and find an opportunity later to teach this guy a lesson.

As the successor of the four great families' Shen clan, and having reached such strength at a young age, he had never suffered a loss among his peers. He never expected to be almost choked to death by a young man only around twenty years old. Just thinking about it made him feel utterly frustrated.

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan no longer paid attention to the guy who was almost fuming to death. He turned to the Princess before him. "Are you cultivating your soul?" Earlier, his Spirit Form had circled the imperial palace. Although he hadn't found the Saint Realm Bodhi Tree, he had discovered the imperial family's emphasis on soul cultivation. Since Yu Feier was a member of the imperial family, she must have also studied it.

"Yes, I have cultivated some!" Yu Feier nodded, looking at him with slight confusion.

"I just asked Xing Yuan and learned that your imperial family excels in soul cultivation. So, I closed my eyes and meditated, creating a set of soul cultivation techniques suitable for you. Consider it your birthday gift!" Zhang Xuan transmitted his voice. He had entered their imperial palace, learned the Thousand Hammers Soul Condensation Art from the stone tablet, and then absorbed all the spiritual energy from their residences... Having gained such immense benefits, he naturally couldn't mistreat the other party. Otherwise, he would feel uneasy.

"Soul cultivation techniques?" Yu Feier was surprised.

"Yes, I comprehended them myself while studying the Demonic Tune and Startling Swan professions. They are suitable for your physique!" Zhang Xuan said. Spirit Form cultivation was a secret and could not be revealed to others. Stealing someone else's cultivation technique was even more unspeakable, so he could only modify it and use his Demonic Tune and Startling Swan professions as a cover. Anyway, he had already reached the peak in both professions at the Master Teacher Academy, so even if others wanted to question him, they wouldn't be able to.

"This..." Yu Feier hesitated, biting her lip, then spoke with hesitation: "I... don't want it!"

"Don't want it?" Zhang Xuan was stunned. Since he had offered it, it was certainly a powerful cultivation technique, perhaps even far surpassing their Thousand Hammers Soul Condensation Art... Yet, the other party actually didn't want it! The dignified Dean of the Master Teacher Academy, offering a cultivation technique, was actually... rejected! This... what was going on?