Could it be that... Uncle Zhang?
Lu Xun's body swayed, and he felt an urge to spurt blood.
Ever since he challenged the other party to a duel in Tianxuan Kingdom, he had been dealt a huge blow. He thought that by coming to Tianwu Kingdom, he would be able to rest for a while and bask in the limelight. He didn't expect that he would be dealt another blow the moment he arrived.
Are you the nemesis of my life?
Why are you haunting me wherever I go? More importantly... why are you so incredible?
Suppressing his frustration, Lu Xun asked, "What does Grandmaster Zhang look like?"
"He is about my height, slightly thin, and his skin is smoother than a lady's..." The green-robed attendant pondered for a moment before describing the other party's appearance.
Halfway through his words, Lu Xun realized that it was definitely that fellow.
"Forget it, I'm already used to being dealt with..."
After confirming that it was the other party, Lu Xun heaved a sigh of relief.
Not only was this monster incredible, even a few of his students were incredible as well. On the way here, Lu Xun realized that he couldn't compete with the other party. Either way, he would only infuriate the other party.
After hearing about the legendary deeds of this grandmaster, Lu Xun thought that there was such a monster in Tianwu Kingdom as well.
Since they were the same person, Lu Xun was relieved. At the very least, there was a way out for him. Otherwise, if both of them were so incredible, there was no need for him to continue living.
"I'll take the apprentice painter examination first. After I'm done with the examination, I'll return to inform teacher and Zheng Yang. They will probably go crazy with joy!"
After adjusting his state of mind, Lu Xun no longer hesitated and began his apprentice painter examination.
...
Zhang Xuan didn't know that Lu Xun had headed to the Painter Guild right after he left. At this moment, he was wandering aimlessly on the streets.
In order to form the golden page, he had to find a student and earn their gratitude.
Where could he find a student?
He couldn't possibly just grab a random student from the streets and ask him to acknowledge him as his teacher. If he were to do so, he would probably be beaten to death.
"Tianwu Academy!"
Lu Xun's eyes lit up.
If he were to grab a random student and ask him to acknowledge him as his teacher, the other party would surely beat him to death. However... it was different in the academy.
As long as the student was a teacher, they would believe him.
He could easily impersonate a teacher. As long as he could find a suitable student, earning their gratitude was a simple task.
Before arriving at Tianwu Royal City, he had heard that the most incredible academy in the kingdom was located in the capital.
"That's right, let's go now!"
Thinking of this, Zhang Xuan no longer hesitated. Just as he was about to ask around for the location of this so-called academy, his mind suddenly jolted, and his eyebrows shot up.
"Someone is following us!"
He was now a Half-Zongshi expert. Even if he didn't use the Library of Heaven's Path, his body and mind would be able to protect themselves. Even though there were many people in the surroundings, he could still clearly sense the faint malicious intent directed at him from time to time.
Even though this aura was concealed well, such that it would be difficult for other Zongshi realm experts to notice it, Zhang Xuan's Soul Depth had reached 5.0, so he was able to discern it easily.
"Could it be that young master Ji Mo?"
He had just arrived at Tianwu Kingdom, and he didn't know anyone. The only thing he could think of was to teach Ji Mo a lesson. Yet, this fellow was so petty as to send someone to deal with him within such a short period of time.
He casually glanced to the side.
There was a total of five of them, and they were all at Tongxuan realm intermediate and advanced stage. Two of them had even reached Tongxuan realm pinnacle.
It seemed like this Ji Mo gongzi was unaware of Zhang Xuan's true strength. He thought that he would be able to cause trouble for Zhang Xuan by sending these few people over.
Painter was different from the other occupations.
For beast tamers and apothecaries to reach 2-star, they had to possess the strength of a Zongshi realm expert. For 3-star, they had to possess the strength of a Zhizun realm expert.
There was no need for a painter to possess a high cultivation. Even if one was only at Tongxuan realm or Pixue realm, as long as they were able to comprehend a painting of the fifth level, they would still be able to reach 3-star.
Even so, those who were able to produce a painting of the fifth level were all extremely experienced. Most of them were already in their seventies or eighties. On top of that, due to their esteemed status, their paintings were priceless, and they weren't lacking in resources. Even if they couldn't reach Zhizun realm, they would at least be at Zongshi realm pinnacle. All in all, painting wasn't too different from the other occupations.
However, a freak like Zhang Xuan, who was able to produce a painting of the fifth level despite being in his twenties, had broken the rules of the trade.
Zhang Xuan didn't display his strength in the guild, and the Heaven's Path zhenqi specialized in concealment, so no one was able to see through his cultivation. However, based on his age, Tongxuan realm was a huge hurdle. Thus, Ji Mo gongzi felt that it would be good to find a few experts of that level to teach him a lesson.
"There are too many people here. Let's find a secluded spot and play with them!"
Zhang Xuan chuckled softly.
After cultivating for so long, Zhang Xuan felt a little itchy. Since these fellows dared to come looking for trouble, it would be a good opportunity for him to get some practice.
Feigning ignorance, Zhang Xuan scanned his surroundings, trying to find a secluded alley. However, he realized that Tianwu Kingdom was simply too prosperous. Furthermore, the sky had just turned dark, and the streets were bustling with activity. He couldn't find a suitable spot at all.
"Time to leave the city!"
Since it was just at the edge of the city, Zhang Xuan walked out with widened strides.
"Why did that fellow go out?"
Seeing Zhang Xuan striding out of the city gates, the few people who were tailing him were dumbfounded.
There were too many people in the city, and a conflict could easily blow up. They were just thinking about how to bring that fellow to a secluded spot when the other party took the initiative to leave.
Wasn't he being too cooperative?
"Who cares? He's just a young lad who isn't even twenty yet. Why should we be afraid of him?"
"That's true. Even if that fellow started cultivating in his mother's womb, he would only be at Tongxuan realm at most. It's impossible for him to stop us!"
The few of them hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Tianwu Kingdom's cultivation environment and resources were much better than Tianxuan Kingdom's, and Tongxuan realm experts were already considered experts.
To send five of them to deal with a young lad who wasn't even twenty yet, it was no wonder why they were so confident.
"Allow me to say something in advance. Young master has already instructed us that we mustn't kill that fellow as he is a 3-star painter. If he were to die, the headquarters would definitely investigate the matter. We can only humiliate him. I believe that I don't need to explain the details! "
A Tongxuan realm pinnacle expert who seemed to be the leader of the group instructed with a suppressed voice.
"Don't worry, we know our limits!"
The crowd nodded in agreement.
Even though the Painter Guild wasn't a battle-oriented guild, the headquarters would definitely send someone to investigate the matter if a 3-star painter were to die.
Even though the Ji Clan wasn't weak, they wouldn't be able to stand up to the Painter Guild.
Thus, Ji Mo gongzi had already instructed them to humiliate the other party instead of killing him.
...
Following behind the group, they soon left the capital. After walking for a while, they arrived at a deserted forest.
"Be careful, that fellow must have noticed us and intentionally led us here..."
The leader said with a suppressed voice.
"What's there to be afraid of? It's good that there's no one around. This is a good opportunity to teach him a lesson!"
The others didn't think much of it.
In their view, they had seen people courting death, but they had never seen someone courting death.
Despite knowing that he was being followed, he still dared to come to a deserted place. Wasn't he tired of living?
Huala!
Drawing their weapons, they walked into the forest.
Just as they were wondering if that fellow was hiding somewhere and waiting for them, they saw the other party leaning against a tree and looking at them with a smile.
"Did Ji Mo send you here?"
Since there was no one around, Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered to hide. After all, they were just a few small fries.
"Do it!"
Not expecting the fellow to be so fearless instead of hiding, the leader harrumphed coldly and gestured.
"Let me do it!"
The weakest Tongxuan realm intermediate stage fellow chuckled. Pushing off the ground, he leaped forward.
Hualala!
In the air, the zhenqi he emanated caused the surrounding flowers and plants to tremble.
"Zhang Qing's move isn't bad. His aura is perfect and his strength is immense. Looks like he isn't too far away from reaching Tongxuan realm advanced stage!"
The leader nodded his head. At the same time, he shouted, "Control your strength, don't kill him..."
"Don't worry, I know my limits..."
Zhang Qing replied. Just as he was thinking about how much strength he should use to injure the other party, his vision blurred.
Pah!
With a crisp sound, a slap landed on the other party's face. Before he could react, his entire body was flattened like a fried dough twist. His body flew several dozen meters away, spurting mouthful after mouthful of blood. At the same time, his teeth fell to the ground.
"Ah?"
"What?"
They thought that Zhang Qing would be able to capture the other party easily, but to think that he would be sent flying with a single slap. The leader and the other three were shocked.
"My apologies. I have been cultivating by myself and haven't fought with anyone before, so I used too much strength!"
Zhang Xuan scratched his head.
He had been cultivating by himself and hadn't fought with anyone before. As such, he didn't know how much strength was behind his slap. He thought that it would only hurt a little at most, but... the other party was on the verge of death. Thus, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
"This fellow isn't simple. Everyone, use your full strength!"
Seeing how nonchalant Zhang Xuan was, the leader's face paled.
Previously, even he thought that the young master was making a mountain out of a molehill by sending so many of them here. There was no need for them to go all out to deal with an insignificant figure! They were only here to complete a simple mission, so it was of no concern to them.
But upon seeing this sight, he realized that... that wasn't the case at all.
This fellow's strength was definitely higher than his.
To possess strength surpassing Tongxuan realm pinnacle despite being in his twenties?
Probably only the number one genius, Mo Hongyi, would be able to match him!
Huala!
The others weren't fools either. Even if they didn't say anything, they could tell that this fellow wasn't simple. With a grim expression, they raised their swords and surrounded Zhang Xuan.
Of the four of them, two were Tongxuan realm pinnacle while the other two were Tongxuan realm advanced stage.
"Attack!"
Knowing that the other party was powerful, the leader ordered without any hesitation.
Hualalala!
The four of them thrust their weapons forward simultaneously.
The four of them were the guards of the Ji Clan, and they had lived together for more than six years. They had already developed a tacit understanding with one another. Driving their swords with zhenqi, they sealed off Zhang Xuan's upper, middle, and lower body, as well as his escape routes.
Even a Half-Zongshi would have a hard time dealing with such a flawless coordination and battle technique.
However, Zhang Xuan wasn't an ordinary Half-Zongshi. He was a genius who could challenge those of a higher cultivation realm than him.
The four of them thought that at least one of their swords would land on Zhang Xuan, but as soon as their swords left their hands, they suddenly felt their palms empty.
Raising their heads, they saw that their sharp attacks had disappeared, and the swords in their hands were all in the other party's palms.
"Ah!"
Shocked, the four of them exclaimed in shock.
The heck!
This is too frightening!
To be able to catch their swords barehanded, it wasn't just a matter of one's high cultivation.
One had to have a clear understanding of their battle techniques, strength, the landing point of their swords, as well as their next move in order to do so.
Otherwise, the slightest mistake could result in one's finger being severed!
Even a Zongshi realm pinnacle expert... would find it difficult to do so!
They thought that it would be a piece of cake to teach a fellow who wasn't even twenty yet a lesson. Yet, who could have thought that... the other party was a ferocious tiger!
"Retreat!"
Narrowing his eyes, the leader knew that he would surely die if he were to stay here any longer. Thus, he immediately turned around and fled.
The other three didn't hesitate either. They wished that their parents had given them a few more legs to run for their lives.
As for the fellow who was sent flying by Zhang Xuan's slap, he was still convulsing on the ground. They couldn't care less about him anymore.
"Since you're here, why are you in such a hurry?"
Not expecting them to turn around and flee before he could even make a move, Zhang Xuan was speechless. Thus, he waved his hand.
Hu!
Before the four of them could react, they saw a streak of darkness in front of them. A huge figure fell from the sky.
Padah!
As if struck by a small mountain, the four of them were sent flying like cannonballs. Their vision darkened, and they spurted mouthfuls of blood.
"This is... a Half-Zhizun realm savage beast..."
It wasn't easy for them to regain consciousness. Blinking their eyes, they saw the massive fellow before them, and they nearly went insane.
To think that it would be...
It was a Half-Zhizun realm savage beast!
Only the old ancestor of Tianwu Kingdom possessed the strength of a Half-Zhizun realm expert. It could be said to be the strongest expert in Tianwu Kingdom. To think that it would possess such a tamed beast...
What kind of monster did they offend?
The Howling Firmament Beast had been roaming around the forest. Upon hearing Zhang Xuan's order, it immediately rushed over.
They were just a bunch of small fries. If it hadn't gone easy on them, they would have been reduced to minced meat.
After knocking the four of them away, before they could even land on the ground, the massive body of the Howling Firmament Beast flapped its wings once more.
Padah! Padah! Padah! Padah!
With four consecutive sounds, the faces of the four reddened, and fresh blood spurted from their mouths. Kneeling on the ground, they felt as if all of their bones had fallen apart.
The Howling Firmament Beast was a Half-Zhizun realm expert, as well as a powerful savage beast. With just a few light flaps of its wings, half of the bones in the four of them were shattered, and their zhenqi dissipated. Even if they could be treated, they would be crippled.
"I told you to go easy on them. Why didn't you hear me? I still have some questions to ask. How am I supposed to ask them in such a state?"
Seeing how the Howling Firmament Beast was able to cripple the four of them, Zhang Xuan frowned.
It would have been fine if they hadn't heard those words. Hearing those words, everyone, including the leader, felt their lips twitching, and they nearly burst into tears.
Brother, you still have the cheek to criticize us? Zhang Qing was beaten up by you, right? He seems to be in a worse state than us. He is still spurting blood, and his face is so distorted that even his mother wouldn't be able to recognize him.
If we don't treat him as soon as possible, not only will he lose his cultivation, he might not even be able to survive the night...
You are already so vicious, yet you still have the cheek to criticize us?
Wuuuu...
Who told us that this was a simple mission?
Young master, come over. We promise that we won't beat you to death...
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