"Sage Zhang Clan?" Zhang Xuan's face darkened.
Back then, Wu Shi and President Han had told him that the little princess of the Luo Clan was engaged to a powerful Sage Clan … and that clan was none other than the Sage Zhang Clan.
This was precisely the reason why he felt extremely uncomfortable hearing the name.
He was able to remain as calm as still water on other matters, but he was unable to do so on this matter.
If not for that, he wouldn't have beaten Feng Xun up twice after hearing his confession back then.
"Indeed. However, this is only a guess of mine. I can't be certain, "Mu shi replied.
"That can't be right!" Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Since the Sanctum of Sages accommodates the descendants of Sage Clans, the Zhang Clan should be able to enter the Sanctum of Sages directly. Why would they come to Qingyuan Conferred Empire to vie for the only slot?"
"The Sanctum of Sages is indeed more lenient toward Sage Clans than Conferred Empires. Most Conferred Empires only have a single Mingshi Tang slot whereas Sage Clans have at least ten slots. For behemoths like the Zhang Clan, they are able to get at least thirty slots every year … "
Mu shi nodded. "However, it's impossible for the thirty slots to encompass all of the geniuses in the Sanctum of Sages. At the very most, the Sanctum of Sages can only guarantee the members of the purest bloodline a spot in the Sanctum of Sages.
"Thus, these geniuses will usually head to the subordinate Conferred Empires to vie for the slots. Once they enter the Sanctum of Sages, they will be able to obtain the best cultivation resources and the most outstanding heritage. To the branch members of the Sanctum of Sages, this is the best opportunity for them to change their destiny.
"So, they come here? With them around, won't the geniuses of the Conferred Empires stand no chance at all? "
Zhang Xuan frowned in displeasure.
Each Conferred Empire only had a single slot. If the other party were to claim it, wouldn't the Conferred Empire lose it?
"This is the law of the jungle. If the geniuses of the Conferred Empires are able to surpass him, they wouldn't dare to act recklessly. However, if they can't surpass him, they can only watch helplessly as the slots are snatched away."
Mu shi shook his head.
As long as there was a Mingshi Tang in the Sanctum of Sages, even the Sage Clans wouldn't dare to go overboard.
But if your talent isn't as good as mine, then I'm sorry.
The Sanctum of Sages only cared about the strongest experts. If they were inferior to others, they were inferior.
"That's true …" Zhang Xuan nodded.
It was just like the Combat Master Selection. Due to the superior fighting prowess of their Hongyuan Conferred Empire, it was only natural that all of them would be chosen. On the other hand, the other three academies could only rely on the survival of the fittest.
Cultivation was just that cruel.
However, with Mingshi Tang around, there were many rules that were fair. Even if one possessed an ordinary identity, as long as one possessed sufficient talent, one would still be able to make a name for oneself. Take Zhang Xuan for example … He was just an orphan in Tianxuan Kingdom, but through his own hard work, he managed to reach his current position, eventually becoming the principal of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy.
"Even though Zhang Jiuxiao is from the side branch of the Zhang clan, his talent is indeed fearsome. He is only twenty-seven this year, but he has already become a Seven Star intermediate-tier master teacher, a Saint 3-dan pinnacle master teacher. With that, it goes without saying that he's qualified for the slot," Mu shi remarked.
"Actually, the standing of the side branch of the Zhang clan isn't that high, and the resources that they can enjoy aren't much either. To be able to reach such a level at such a young age, even if we disregard the ability of his bloodline, his talent and hard work are truly commendable."
"Un." Zhang Xuan could empathize with Mu shi's words.
Indeed, no matter how talented one was, if one didn't work hard enough, it would all be for naught.
Take Zhang Xuan for example. It had taken him an entire year of painstaking cultivation before he could reach his current level of strength. The pain he had gone through was indescribable.
"I have to go to the Sanctum of Sages. How can I obtain the slot?"
Zhang Xuan asked.
Since Lozosy was in the Sanctum of Sages, he had to make a trip there. No matter what he had to do, he had to obtain the slot.
"You only have one chance. Twenty days later, the Sanctum of Sages will dispatch an envoy to receive you. If you can reach Saint 3-dan pinnacle before that, successfully become a Seven Star master teacher, and your talent surpasses that of Zhang Jiuxiao in all aspects, you will be qualified to enter the Sanctum of Sages. I know that time might be a little tight, but I don't have any other choice …"
Mu shi said.
"Twenty days?" Zhang Xuan nodded. "Alright!"
If it was just two to three days, it might still be a little tight. However, twenty days was more than sufficient for him.
"Alright?" Mu shi asked doubtfully. "If I recall correctly, your cultivation should only be at Saint 1-dan pinnacle. You are still two realms away from reaching Saint 3-dan …"
"Oh, I accidentally reached Saint 2-dan pinnacle last night!"
Zhang Xuan replied with a smile.
Zhang Xuan didn't intentionally reveal his cultivation, so even Mu shi wasn't able to see through it. However, after saying those words, he did reveal a sliver of his cultivation.
"Accidentally? Saint 2-dan pinnacle? " Mu shi's lips twitched, and it took a long while before he could calm himself down. "Zhang Shi's talent is indeed formidable!"
Back at the Qiu Wu Palace, the other party had only been a Saint 1-dan pinnacle cultivator. Yet, in just a single month, he had managed to raise his cultivation by an entire realm.
"However, if that's all, I'm afraid that it's still insufficient. Putting aside the huge difference between Saint 3-dan Embryonic Soul realm and Spiritual Perception realm, just fusing one's soul perfectly with one's Origin Core will require several years of effort."
Mu shi wasn't optimistic about Zhang Xuan's chances.
After reaching Saint realm, each level was like a huge world. Even the most talented cultivators would have to spend a long period of time just to advance a little. To achieve a breakthrough within twenty days … was a little too much.
"More importantly, Zhang Jiuxiao isn't an ordinary Saint 3-dan pinnacle cultivator. Instead, he has accumulated an incredible amount of strength, allowing him to challenge opponents stronger than him. Even ordinary Saint 4-dan experts would find it hard to defeat him. Even I, who has achieved a breakthrough to Saint 4-dan, would only have a fifty-fifty chance of defeating him …" Mu shi remarked.
He was once a core member of the Mu Clan, and it was for this reason that he was expelled from the clan for leaking his cultivation technique. Only after reaching Saint 4-dan was he able to match up to Zhang Jiuxiao at Saint 3-dan pinnacle.
"You have a fifty-fifty chance of defeating him?"
Zhang Xuan frowned. "Mu shi, can you test my strength?"
"Test?" Understanding the other party's intentions, Mu shi chuckled. He brought Zhang Jiuxiao to a training ground in Mingshi Tang Academy and crossed his arms before his chest. "You can make your move now. I have just achieved a breakthrough yesterday, so I don't think that I have fully reinforced my cultivation yet. Don't worry, I won't use my full strength. I just want you to experience the might of a Primordial Spirit realm expert …"
Hu!
Before Mu shi could finish his words, a figure abruptly appeared before him. Following which, a fist flew right toward his chest.
"Hmm?"
Not expecting the other party to be so fast, Mu shi's eyebrows shot up. He gathered all of his strength, intending to withstand the attack, but in the next moment, he suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure pressing down on his soul.
Peng!
Before Mu shi could even react, he was already sent flying out of the training ground. His back crashed heavily against the wall, and large mouthfuls of blood spurted from his mouth.
Following which, the apologetic voice of the young man sounded by his ear. "I'm sorry, Mu shi. Are you alright? I tried my best to hold back earlier, only using a fifth of my strength … "
"Pu!"
Mu shi's face paled, and a mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth. He nearly fainted on the spot.
For an instant, he really thought that he was facing a Saint 4-dan pinnacle expert instead of a Saint 2-dan pinnacle expert.
Even five of him wouldn't be a match for the other party.
Zhang Xuan hurriedly pulled Mu shi down from the wall, and with an apologetic look on his face, he asked doubtfully, "Is this all the Master Teacher Zhang Jiuxiao you spoke of possesses?"
"Cough cough!"
Mu shi coughed yet another mouthful of blood, and his face reddened.
Even though the cultivation techniques of the Mu Clan weren't suited for combat, he was still a core member who had inherited the direct lineage. As such, his fighting prowess was far superior to those of the same cultivation realm. Yet, who could have thought that he wouldn't even be able to withstand a single punch from the other party?
Just the thought of it left him feeling stifled.
"In truth, Zhang Jiuxiao is slightly stronger than me … However, given your fighting prowess, even if you haven't achieved a breakthrough yet, you should still be able to overcome him!"
Mu shi said awkwardly after recovering his zhenqi for a long while.
If Zhang Jiuxiao was already so powerful as a Saint 2-dan cultivator, even as an offspring of the Zhang Clan, it would be difficult for him to stand against him.
"Other than strength and master teacher rank, what other tests does the Sanctum of Sages require? Why don't you spar with me for a while? "Zhang Xuan asked.
"There's no need for that!" Mu shi's face darkened, and he hurriedly shook his head.
He had only tested his cultivation for a moment, and he nearly lost his life. He was afraid that if he were to continue with the test, inner demons would grow within him, and the confidence he had just regained would crumble once more.
"What you need to do now is to take the Seven Star master teacher examination. The minimum requirement for the Sanctum of Sages is to reach Seven Star. If you can't do it, there's nothing you can do about it!"
Zhang Xuan nodded.
His greatest goal for the next two days was to clear the Seven Star master teacher examination.
Even if the other party didn't say anything, he would still give it his all.
"I have already said what I need to say. I still need to hurry on with my journey, so I'll be taking my leave now."
After saying those words, Mu shi turned around and left hurriedly.
To be honest, the longer he spent with that fellow, the more blows he would receive. He was really afraid that the confidence he had built up with great difficulty would crumble due to that.
"Ah …"
Not expecting Mu shi to leave so abruptly, Zhang Xuan shook his head and walked out of the training grounds, heading toward Wu Shi's residence.
"Zhang Shi, you can do it!"
"Zhang Shi, we believe in you! You'll surely be able to create a new record!"
Barely after walking for a short distance, he suddenly heard a series of frenzied screams.
Passing through the crowd, Zhang Xuan turned his gaze over, and a long stone bridge appeared before his eyes.
There was a person standing on the stone bridge, and sweat was pouring profusely from his forehead, seemingly trying his best to hold on.
He was the offspring of the Zhang Clan, Zhang Jiuxiao.
"What is he doing?"
Zhang Xuan asked in bewilderment.
"He's challenging the Heart Tempering Bridge!"
A master teacher not too far away said.
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