The puppets of the Puppet Hall were specially forged by master blacksmiths, and they were infused with spirit. Due to the similarity in their cultivation techniques and cultivation techniques, it was impossible for either of them to emerge victorious in a battle.
Even under the guidance of a master teacher, one of the puppets would only achieve victory by a slight margin.
Yet, this fellow actually allowed one of them to smash the other party's head off... How in the world did he do it?
Wu Shi, Mo Hongyi, and the others hurriedly walked over to the door. Looking in, their eyes narrowed, and they nearly fainted on the spot.
Of the two evenly matched puppets, one of them was lying on the ground with its head rolling a long distance away.
Initially, they thought that the other puppet must have been through an intense battle, or at the very least, it would be injured. However, after taking a closer look, they realized that this wasn't the case at all.
The red-clothed puppet stood on the spot with its sleeves fluttering in the wind. It was completely unharmed, and there wasn't even a scratch on its skin.
Yet, it still managed to smash the other puppet's head off...
The heck!
How in the world did he do it?
In a normal battle, one's strength had to be far superior to the other party's.
Yet, with just a casual guidance, he was able to raise the strength of a puppet by a huge margin?
Why did it feel like a dream to him?
"You said that you have been cultivating for half a day... How many moves did the red-clothed puppet defeat the blue-clothed puppet?" Mo Hongyi couldn't help but ask.
This was what he was most concerned about.
Hearing those words, the others also pricked up their ears, afraid that they would miss out on something.
"How many moves? Given how powerful the red-clothed puppet is, it only took a single punch for it to be reduced to such a state. If it had used a few more moves, the blue-clothed puppet would have been reduced to a meat patty... "Zhang Xuan was speechless.
A few more moves? If the blue-clothed puppet couldn't even withstand a single move, wouldn't it be even worse for the blue-clothed puppet if it were to use a few more moves?
"One move..."
Mo Hongyi, Jiang Chen, and the others felt their vision darken, and their bodies swayed weakly.
They thought that seventeen to twenty-five moves would already be incredible, but to think that this fellow only used a single move...
To defeat two evenly matched puppets with a single move, he even smashed their heads off... Is he still a human?
More importantly... What do you mean by that look of disdain?
It takes many moves for others to end a battle, and yet, you cripple a puppet with a single move...
"This... Pardon me for asking, but to allow the red-clothed puppet to defeat the blue-clothed puppet with a single move... How did you do it?"
Wu Shi couldn't help but ask.
All master teachers had undergone the examination of the Puppet Hall, and they knew that there was almost no disparity in strength between the two. In a normal battle, putting aside being defeated in a single move, even if one were to exchange more than ten moves with the other party, it would still be a story that would spread far and wide.
Because of this, he really couldn't figure out how this guy did something so difficult.
Princess Mo Yu also looked over suspiciously. A few days ago, during the examination, she had to experience a total of 22 moves before she succeeded. She also wanted to know what method Miss Zhang had used.
Upon hearing the question, Zhang Xuan was taken aback for a moment. Then, with a matter-of-fact expression, he said, "This is very simple! The red-clothed puppet was strong, while the blue-clothed puppet was fast. If they were to truly fight, it would be hard to tell who would come out on top. However, as long as he could find the blue-clothed puppet's weakness, it would be easy. No matter how fast it was, it would eventually stop! The moment it stopped moving, I predicted its position and let it attack. With a single punch, I knocked its head off … "
"Prediction?"
"Confirm the location?"
Everyone shuddered.
It sounded simple, but in reality, it was extremely difficult.
Everyone knew that with a strength of 10,000 ding, even a Zongshi would be killed in a single move. But … knowing was one thing, it was impossible for one to master it.
By the same logic, such a combat method might sound simple, but when both parties were fighting, the time taken was usually between a tenth of a breath or even a hundredth of a breath. The slightest mistake could result in failure, and it might even become an opening in the other party's counterattack.
To predict the other party's position and accurately let the red-clothed puppet knock off the other party's head with a single punch …
Not only did one have to have a thorough understanding of the battle, one had to have a clear understanding of the other party's strength, physical condition, punches, and movement speed …
Just by watching it once, one had to remember all of these and act accordingly …
The heck!
Brother, it can't be that you are a 3-star master teacher pretending to be a 1-star master teacher to play with us?
By the side, Ling Xiaoxiao's body was trembling so violently that it felt as if it was about to fall apart.
A day ago, when she saw the other party, she thought that he was an ignorant apprentice. Only now did she realize that he was a huge monster hiding in the shadows.
You don't know anything, but you are formidable in the examination … You freak … Where in the world did you pop out from?
She felt a stifling sensation in her chest. If not for her forcefully suppressing it, she would have spurted a mouthful of blood.
"This … I don't think there's a need to compensate me, right?"
After explaining the matter, seeing that no one was saying a word, Zhang Xuan pointed to the puppet lying on the ground.
"Mingshi Tang possesses the ability to regenerate itself. As long as it rests for a few days, the puppet will recover to its original state!"
Recovering from his shock, Wu Shi nodded.
"That's good …" Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief. "Then … does this count as a pass?"
"Yes, you do!" Wu Shi smiled bitterly.
The others rolled their eyes.
To defeat the other party in a single move, if you don't pass, who else will?
"The next test is the Ocean of Cultivation Techniques!"
Suppressing his dismay, Wu Shi continued explaining the content of the next test. "There are countless cultivation technique manuals in the Ocean of Cultivation Techniques, and in order to clear the test, one has to be randomly selected to be imparted. During the lecture, not only will there be many master teachers judging it, there will also be the Sage Bell!
"The Sage Bell is a spirit artifact, and it is imprinted with the understanding and control of the predecessors toward cultivation techniques. If the knowledge imparted isn't satisfactory, the bell won't ring, and you won't be able to clear the test! The more the bell rings, the more accurate the explanation is. "
Zhang Xuan nodded.
"Alright, let's go in. Master teachers, follow me as well. As for the others, I'll have to trouble you to wait outside!"
Wu Shi said as he surveyed the surroundings.
The fourth test of the Ocean of Cultivation Techniques required a master teacher to oversee it. Outsiders weren't qualified to enter.
"Yes!" Everyone answered in unison.
Zhang Xuan pushed open the door and walked into the room.
The Ocean of Cultivation Techniques was similar to a lecture hall. The main test was the impartation of a master teacher.
No matter how good a master teacher was, if he couldn't conduct a lecture, he could only serve the individual. As such, he couldn't be considered as a good teacher.
A truly good teacher had to have students all over the world, and every single one of them had to be talented.
It wasn't a big deal for a master teacher to groom one or two formidable students.
Lifting his gaze, he saw two rows of huge bells hanging by the sides of the room. Each of them was as tall as a human, and there were unique inscriptions inscribed on them, giving off a profound feeling.
At the center of the room were some tables and chairs arranged neatly, just like the desks students would use for lessons.
More than ten master teachers walked in one after another and sat down.
Right now, they were students, and there was only a single teacher — Zhang Xuan.
Everyone sat down, and the door closed. The room immediately fell silent.
Hu!
The podium shook, and a book slowly appeared.
"This secret manual is randomly selected from the library. You have an incense's time to read through it before explaining it! These Sage Bells will automatically analyze whether your words are correct or not, and we will also make our own judgment. Once the two of them are combined, we will be able to determine if you have passed the test. "
Upon seeing the book appear, Wu Shi said.
The Bell of the Sages was left behind by a 4-star master teacher, and it contained their understanding of cultivation techniques and battle techniques. As long as the content of the lecture was identical to the Bell of the Sages, it would be acknowledged. If there were any mistakes, the Bell of the Sages wouldn't sound.
It sounded complicated, but in truth, it was similar to the Supporting Occupation Pavilion.
The Supporting Occupation Pavilion was a place where one's score would increase and decrease, and this bell was just a bell that was correct.
"Un!" Zhang Xuan reached for the book and picked it up.
"Multi-Ripple Water Ripple Palm?" His eyes fell on the cover of the book.
It was a battle technique.
"Multi-Ripple Water Ripple Palm? It seems like his luck isn't too good. This is one of the rarest battle techniques in Mingshi Tang's examination! "
"Indeed. Since the founding of the Kingdom Master Teacher Pavilion several thousand years ago, there have been a total of eight examinees who have drawn this book, but seven of them returned in disappointment. Even the last examinee only managed to scratch the surface of the book and barely pass the examination!"
"Even if he were to pass this test by luck, he probably wouldn't be able to achieve as good a result as before …"
…
Upon seeing the name of the book, the master teachers below shook their heads in pity.
Even though the selection of cultivation techniques and battle techniques in the Ocean of Cultivation Techniques was random, luck was still a factor.
If one's luck was good, they could choose an easy one or one that they had seen before, thus making it much easier for them to decipher it. On the other hand, if they were to choose a difficult one that they didn't know how to cultivate, how could they decipher it?
Clearly, Zhang Xuan's luck wasn't too good, and he ended up as the latter.
Even though this Multi-Ripple Water Ripple Palm wasn't the most difficult battle technique in the entire Mingshi Tang, it wasn't too far off.
Countless cultivators were unable to cultivate it, needless to say, decipher and decipher it within a short incense's time.
Paying no heed to the discussions of the crowd, Zhang Xuan flipped open the secret manual, took a look, and nodded his head.
This secret manual might seem profound, but in truth, it was still within the realm of Tongxuan realm.
Having cultivated the Heaven's Path Spear Art, Heaven's Path Movement Art, and fist art, Zhang Xuan had gained a certain level of understanding of battle techniques. As long as it wasn't beyond his capabilities, no matter how difficult it was, he would be able to see through the creator's intentions and determine the cultivation method.
Thus, after the tempering of the Library of Heaven's Path, Zhang Xuan's eye of discernment had become extremely sharp. Most of the time, even without the Library of Heaven's Path, he was still able to see through the flaws in a cultivation technique.
It was just like how one would be able to discern the authenticity of a counterfeit just by touching it.
The Heaven's Path Divine Art and Heaven's Path Battle Techniques meant that he was already standing on the straightest path of cultivation, and he had already reached the other side. Looking at the twists and turns of the path, it was easy for him to find the crux of the problem.
After reading through the secret manual in a few dozen breaths, Zhang Xuan casually placed it on the table and said, "I'll start then …"
Seeing that Zhang Xuan was about to start after just a single glance, Wu Shi couldn't help but say, "Miss Zhang, there's no need for you to rush. You have an incense's time to decipher it …"
"There's no need for that!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.
Such a simple battle technique would be a waste of time if one were to look at it for too long.
Zhang Xuan glanced at the crowd and couldn't be bothered to waste any more time. Thus, he began, "The Multi-Ripple Water Ripple Palm sounds like a water attribute palm technique, and many people cultivate it with this as their foundation. They try all kinds of methods to cultivate it, but in truth … this method is wrong!"
"Wrong?" Everyone was taken aback.
Zhang Xuan continued, "Actually, the Multi-Ripple Water Ripple Palm refers to the movement of one's attacks after cultivating it, forming an endless stream of ripples! It has nothing to do with the water attribute … "
Zhang Xuan casually explained the problems he had seen and the cultivation method.
"This …"
"So that's how it is, I didn't think that …"
"So that's the case, I'm really enlightened!"
…
Hearing his explanation, everyone felt their body jolt, and their faces paled in agitation.
As master teachers, they were able to discern whether Zhang Xuan's explanation was correct or not. Previously, they thought that this palm technique was a water attribute palm technique, but who could have thought that it wasn't the case at all?
Analyzing it from another angle, the incomparably difficult secret manual was like a naked beauty, no longer hiding any secrets.
"There's indeed a difference …"
After hearing Zhang Xuan's explanation, Princess Mo Yu turned to look at the young man on the stage with a complicated gaze.
She had seen the Multi-Ripple Water Ripple Palm before, and her understanding of it was the same as the others. She had never thought that such a technique existed.
After hearing the other party's explanation, she felt that her understanding of cultivation techniques over the years had been too shallow.
"Incredible …"
Mo Hongyi clenched his fists tightly.
Even though he didn't want to admit it, he felt that there was nothing wrong with the other party's explanation.
"This person is probably my greatest enemy …" Narrowing his eyes, Mo Hongyi's fighting spirit surged in his heart.
He was a genius, and he had never had a worthy opponent. Now that there was someone who was on par with him, perhaps even slightly superior to him, his fighting spirit was ignited.
"Looks like I'll have to take the 2-star master teacher examination soon!"
Exhaling deeply, Mo Hongyi harrumphed coldly.
Actually, given his cultivation, he was already qualified to take the 2-star master teacher examination. However, he wanted to accumulate more experience and break all records. Given how outstanding Zhang Xuan's performance was, if he didn't hurry up, he would be surpassed by the other party.
…
The master teachers were filled with admiration for the young man on the stage. On the other hand, the crowd waiting outside grew anxious, eager to know the results.
"I wonder how his results are in this stage!"
Ling Xiaoxiao stared fixedly at the door of the fourth stage, and if she could, she would have dived right in.
"The results of the Cultivation Technique Ocean are closely related to the chimes of the Bell of the Sage. A chime means that he has barely passed, two chimes means that he has barely passed, three chimes means good, four chimes means superior, five chimes means that he has completely comprehended the Bell of the Sage, and six chimes means perfect!"
The Zongshi realm guard behind her said, "Currently, the one with the best results in the master teacher examination is still Mo Hongyi. His Bell of the Sage rang a total of four times, and countless people were shocked by it. If this Zhang Xuan wants to shock everyone, he will have to ring it four times! "
"Four? How can it be that easy? To comprehend the battle technique in an incense's time is simply too difficult. "
"I heard that Mo Hongyi was lucky during the examination, and he happened to have seen the battle technique he drew before. That's why he was able to explain it so thoroughly. That fellow might not be as lucky!"
Hearing the conversation between the duo, the crowd shook their heads.
Everyone wanted to achieve good results in the examination, but how could there be so many good results?
The first and second stages were formidable, but they didn't believe that the third stage would be able to surpass everyone's expectations as well.
Dang!
Just as the crowd was discussing, the ground suddenly shook, and a loud chime echoed.
The Bell of the Sage had rung!
"How many chimes will there be?"
Everyone held their breaths and turned to look at the source of the sound.
(Two chapters of over 8,000 words, that's equivalent to three chapters in the past and four chapters in the others! To be so hardworking at work, does he still have a monthly pass?)
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