Chapter 936: Bodhi Seed

"Yu Shenqing?" Zhang Xuan frowned. What did that man want with him?

"The Dean didn't accept his congratulatory gift, so he's been coming over every free moment these past few days, saying he wants to meet you in person. We couldn't stop him, so he's probably afraid you'll be angry..." Elder Mi chuckled, recalling something.

The commotion caused by Dean Zhang's succession ceremony was immense: myriad beasts paying homage, and a public lecture that forged a semi-mentorship bond with all the students and faculty... He had also gained everyone's approval! Just these two points alone indicated boundless future prospects; otherwise, such valuable gifts wouldn't have been sent to curry favor. Yet... the Dean hadn't accepted them. And then, recalling how he had driven the man out of the banquet hall at his daughter's birthday earlier... it would be strange if he wasn't afraid!

"Let's go see!" Zhang Xuan quickly understood these human relations and nodded. He hadn't accepted the gift because he had observed their soul cultivation technique and used their Bodhi Tree, and he didn't want to take advantage further. However, it would be awkward if that caused a misunderstanding.

They soon arrived at the Dean's reception hall and, as expected, found Emperor Yu Shenqing seated inside, looking anxious. With Yu Shenqing were three middle-aged men; two of them dared not even sit, standing behind with pale faces.

"Your Majesty, Prince Huai!" Zhang Xuan glanced at them. He didn't recognize the two middle-aged men, but the other one was familiar—it was Prince Huai, who had gifted him a mansion. Zhang Xuan had a good impression of him, as the Prince had given him the residence even before he became Dean.

"Greetings, Dean Zhang!" The four men simultaneously stood up and cupped their fists. Although their status was at the pinnacle in the Hongyuan Empire, it still paled in comparison to that of the esteemed Dean of the Master Teacher Academy.

"Please, don't be so formal..." Zhang Xuan waved his hand and sat on the main seat, looking at Prince Huai. "Prince, you generously gifted me a mansion. I haven't even had the chance to thank you in person, yet you've come to me. I'm truly ashamed!"

"What are you saying, Dean?" Prince Huai quickly rose. "The first time I met you, Dean, I knew you were an extraordinary talent among men. I never imagined you would become Dean so quickly..." Prince Huai was filled with emotion. When he first saw Zhang Xuan, Master Teacher Zhang, he didn't think much of him, only believing that Yuan Tao from the Sage Clan held him in high regard, which prompted him to try to win him over. Who knew that in less than two months, a nobody who had just arrived in Hongyuan City, without any backing and only in the Harmonious Spirit realm, would become the most powerful person in the entire Master Teacher Academy? It was truly astonishing and hard to believe.

"You're too kind, Prince Huai..." Zhang Xuan shook his head. "If the Prince doesn't mind, would you be willing to demonstrate your skill and let me see your strength?"

"Demonstrate my skill?" Prince Huai was momentarily stunned, then ecstatic. The Dean's words naturally meant he intended to offer guidance! Although the Dean's current strength might not surpass his own, his understanding of the Teacher's Way, as demonstrated by his public lecture which made even "donkeys bray and dogs bark," was absolutely incomparable to that of an ordinary six-star master teacher! Receiving personal guidance from such a person would surely be more beneficial than countless years of arduous cultivation!

"My pleasure!" Without daring to waste words, Prince Huai quickly moved to the center of the hall, clenched his fists, and began to perform. His initial move immediately displayed his strength, no less than that of Elder Mi and others, also reaching the peak of Saint 1-dan. Soon, he finished his set of martial arts, stood still, and held his breath like a primary school student. Just as he was about to inquire, the young man above him spoke in a faint voice.

"This set of Flowing Water Fist has indeed been cultivated to perfection by the Prince, and it's quite formidable. However... have you recently often felt your qi and blood stagnate, leaving you feeling somewhat powerless?"

"How... how did the Dean know?" Prince Huai stiffened, startled. He had indeed been feeling stagnant qi and blood and obstructed true qi circulation recently. However, he had kept the information well-hidden, not telling anyone, not even Emperor Yu Shenqing. After all, he held a high and influential position, and countless people coveted it. If word got out that he was unwell, it would inevitably invite unnecessary trouble. To have discerned this just by watching a single martial arts set, without being told by anyone—what kind of discerning eye was that?

Without answering, Zhang Xuan smiled. "If I'm not mistaken, it should be due to old injuries!" Prince Huai had attained his current status because, in his youth, he had fought for the nation, achieving many meritorious deeds, and had even suffered several severe injuries, bringing him close to death. The root cause of his illness must have originated from that time.

"Yes!" Prince Huai nodded.

"I have a flask of fine wine here. Drink it, then cultivate according to the guidance method I teach you. Your chronic illness can be resolved, and with diligent effort, breaking through your current realm is not impossible!" With a light smile, Zhang Xuan handed him a flask of fine wine. Then, he took out paper and brush and, with elegant strokes, wrote down a cultivation technique. Although he was currently only at the Half-Saint initial stage, having read all the books in the Master Teacher Academy's library, his understanding of cultivation below Saint 2-dan was unmatched. Guiding the Prince and writing a cultivation technique tailored to his physique was extremely simple for him.

"Thank you... Dean Zhang!" After just a glance at the cultivation technique, Prince Huai's pupils contracted, and his entire body trembled uncontrollably. With his extensive knowledge, he could naturally see that this technique was far superior to the imperial family's cultivation methods. Moreover, it was perfectly suited to his physique. With diligent cultivation, his chronic ailment would be a minor issue; he would likely break through his current limitations and reach a higher realm, just as the Dean had said! To receive a cultivation technique that could be passed down through generations, merely for gifting a mansion... This was an absolutely massive gain!

"This..." Yu Shenqing and the remaining two exchanged glances, each shaking their heads. Although they didn't know the content of the technique, the fact that it could excite the usually composed Prince Huai so much was proof of its extraordinary nature. Before the Dean became Dean, they lacked foresight. Now, trying to build good relations... it was already too late!

"No need to be so polite!" Zhang Xuan smiled. It was just a cultivation technique; it wasn't a simplified version of the Heavenly Dao cultivation technique, so creating it casually was nothing special. This gesture also repaid the Prince's kindness in gifting the mansion, leaving them mutually indebted no longer.

After handling Prince Huai's matter, Zhang Xuan looked at Yu Shenqing, who was not far away. "Your Majesty, may I know why you came to see me today?"

Yu Shenqing hurriedly rose. "Dean Zhang, I've come for two reasons this time..."

"Oh?"

"The Dean has bestowed such great kindness upon my Yu clan, not only by teaching my daughter a method for cultivating her soul but also by reviving the Bodhi Tree... I, Shenqing, am endlessly grateful. It would be truly ungrateful if I didn't show my appreciation!" Yu Shenqing said eagerly. The Dean's rejection of his previous gift had made him anxious, so he had come this time to offer another gift.

"You're being too formal!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

"I know the Dean is magnanimous and doesn't care for material wealth, but this is the only Bodhi Seed born from the Bodhi Tree throughout all these years... I hope the Dean will not refuse it again!" Yu Shenqing flipped his wrist and produced a jade box, which he handed over. Opening the box, a perfectly round seed lay inside.

"A Bodhi Seed?" Zhang Xuan frowned. What was this thing used for? Although he had read countless books, he didn't quite understand its purpose.

"If this item is properly planted, it can grow into another Bodhi Tree. Cultivating beneath the tree can calm the mind, greatly increase strength, and prevent the risk of cultivation deviation. It has miraculous effects for soul cultivators..." Yu Shenqing quickly explained.

"It can grow into a Bodhi Tree?" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up. He was indeed quite envious of their Saint Bodhi Tree; its ability to nourish Wei Ruyan's soul so quickly demonstrated its power. If he could have one, his Witch Soul cultivating within it would definitely increase its strength manifold.

"Yes!" Yu Shenqing offered it. "Master Teacher Zhang can create such powerful soul cultivation techniques, which suggests a deep understanding of souls. Therefore, I hope you won't decline!"

"Then, thank you very much!" Zhang Xuan nodded, no longer refusing. While he could decline other valuable items, this Bodhi Seed was genuinely useful, and he could certainly keep it. When the time came, he could plant it in the Thousand Ant Hive, carry it with him, and his Witch Soul could cultivate inside whenever needed, without worrying about waste.

"For the second matter... perhaps these two should explain," Yu Shenqing said, seeing Zhang Xuan accept the item. He let out a sigh of relief and gave an awkward smile, looking at the two middle-aged men behind him.

The two men stepped forward and cupped their fists simultaneously.

"Shen Wanting, current Patriarch of the Shen Clan in Hongyuan City, greets Dean Zhang!"

"Liu Zaiyan, current Patriarch of the Liu Clan in Hongyuan City, greets Dean Zhang!"

"The Shen Clan? The Liu Clan?" Zhang Xuan had heard of Hongyuan City's Four Great Clans before, but he had never interacted with them. What did these two patriarchs want with him?

"Yes, my unfilial son lacked judgment and offended Dean Zhang. My Shen clan has specifically come to apologize..."

"My son, Liu Quan, failed to recognize a great person, and I have also come specifically to apologize! You may deal with this unfilial son as you see fit!" The two patriarchs waved their hands, and two young men were brought forward, restrained. They were Shen Jun and Liu Quan, whom Zhang Xuan had encountered at Yu Fei'er's banquet. At this moment, the two no longer resembled noble young masters; they were beaten into pig-heads, unrecognizable. If not for faint traces in their eyebrows, he wouldn't have known who they were. It was truly a pitiful sight!

"This..." Zhang Xuan blinked. Although Shen Jun had had a verbal disagreement with him at Yu Fei'er's banquet, there hadn't been any actual conflict. It shouldn't have warranted such a severe beating!

"These two dared to cause trouble for the Dean! It is due to our failure in raising our sons. We are willing to accept punishment, and this is the compensation from our two clans. We hope the Dean will accept it!" Shen Wanting extended a hand, offering a storage ring with a sincere attitude.

"This..." Zhang Xuan was dumbfounded. These two caused him trouble? No... why couldn't he remember it at all? Had he lost his memory?

Seeing the genuine confusion on his face, Yu Shenqing and Prince Huai exchanged glances, completely prostrating themselves in admiration. The Dean didn't even remember that people had tried to cause him trouble and tried to beat him... The Dean truly was something! Look at his magnanimity, his demeanor... Truly formidable!