"We aren't here to listen to your lecture. Zhang Xuan has bewitched the students of the Apothecary School, so we are here to see what kind of underhanded means he has used …"
Knowing that the other party would surely spout a bunch of excuses if he were to continue arguing about their seniority, Lu Feng flung his sleeves furiously.
"Cut the crap! Just listen to the lecture, why are you putting on such a high and mighty front? Today, no matter what you say, if you want to enter, you have to pay the entrance fee. Otherwise, if I were to shout at you, I reckon that many students would want to see the valiant disposition of the acting principal! "
Sun Qiang stretched his back lazily and said with a disdainful grin.
"You …"
Lu Feng clenched his fists tightly in anger.
If he were to allow this fellow to shout at him, he would be done for as the acting principal of the Apothecary School!
Just the humiliation alone would be enough to kill him!
"Principal Lu, let's go in first …"
Knowing that the other party wouldn't be able to answer him, Vice School Head Zhou hurriedly stepped forward and passed five high-tier spirit stones over. "Here!"
"That's more like it!"
Sun Qiang's eyes lit up.
He couldn't accept money as an internal member of the Xuanxuan Faction, and there were only a handful of students and teachers from the Apothecary School who came to listen to his lecture. Most of them were members of the Xuanxuan Faction.
It wasn't easy for him to catch a sucker, so naturally, he had to extort more from him.
In any case, he had already fallen out with the young master, so there was no harm in getting more out of him.
As the principal of the Apothecary School, he probably wouldn't dare to fall out with the 'uncle' of a guest elder in front of so many students.
It would be best if he could vent his anger on the young master's behalf.
That fellow had been extremely arrogant earlier in the morning.
"Humph!"
Seeing that Vice School Head Zhou had given him the spirit stones, Lu Feng's body trembled in anger. Ignoring the excited Sun Qiang, he walked into the lecture hall.
The Xuanxuan Faction's lecture hall was extremely spacious. Even though it could accommodate several dozen thousand people, it didn't seem too crowded. After taking a few steps forward, Lu Feng suddenly halted, and his eyes narrowed.
"Apothecary Lu, why are you here …"
At the back of the crowd, an old man was gazing ahead with glowing eyes. Upon hearing the voice, he turned around and saw that it was none other than... the renowned elder of the Apothecary School, Apothecary Lu Yi.
Even if Apothecary Lu wasn't as old as You Xu, he wasn't too far off in age. He was definitely more than nine hundred years old, a true veteran of the Apothecary School.
Due to his inability to achieve a breakthrough, he had been recuperating in the Apothecary Hall for the past thirty years, rarely coming out. Even when Zhang Xuan convened the Apothecary Hall for the Apothecary Hall, he didn't appear at all … So, why would he suddenly appear here?
"Shh, don't talk, listen to the lesson … Wonderful, truly wonderful! To be able to use this kind of method in alchemy is simply inconceivable, inconceivable … "
Waving his hands, Apothecary Lu Yi ignored Zhang Xuan and continued gazing ahead.
"Alchemist Lu …"
Lu Feng's face darkened. Just as he was about to speak, Vice School Head Wei suddenly tugged on his arm and said, "School Head Wei, look at Apothecary Lu's robe …"
"Clothes?"
With just a single glance, Lu Feng's lips twitched.
The elder of the Apothecary School was still wearing a master teacher robe, but the words' Xuanxuan Faction 'were embroidered on his chest. Clearly, even he … had joined the Xuanxuan Faction!
"It's not just Apothecary Lu. School Head Wei, look …"
Vice School Head Wei pointed once more.
Lu Feng hurriedly turned his gaze over, and he immediately saw several familiar figures in the crowd.
"Apothecary Bai? Didn't he head out on an expedition? Yet, he refused to even conduct a single lecture. Why would he … wear the robe of the Xuanxuan Faction? "
"Apothecary Ren … His Clear Flame Pill Forging Technique is currently one of the most popular courses in the academy. He is one of the apothecaries who has contributed the most to the academy, and he is ranked on the Master Teacher Board … Has he joined the Xuanxuan Faction as well?"
"Apothecary Qiu, I even learned from him …"
…
Every single person that School Head Wei saw made Lu Feng's face turn a shade darker. He couldn't help but feel as if he was going insane.
Why would the retired old fellows of the Apothecary School who he couldn't even invite to join the Xuanxuan Faction on their own accord?
To think that this student faction would be even more influential than his words …
More importantly, they were so engrossed in the lecture …
This was insane!
"School Head Wei, is that … Lu Hui?"
Just as Lu Feng was about to explode, Vice School Head Wei suddenly raised his finger once more.
Lu Feng's body jolted once more.
Amidst the crowd, a young man was looking at the podium excitedly with glowing eyes, as if he had seen his idol.
Who else could it be other than his direct disciple, Lu Hui, who else could it be?
When he left the book collection vault and headed to the Apothecary School, he wasn't with this fellow. When did he end up here? And why was he wearing the robe of the Xuanxuan Faction?
How long had it been since he left?
Could it be that … he had betrayed the Xuanxuan Faction?
"Lu Hui!"
Lu Feng bellowed.
Only upon hearing the voice did Lu Hui realize that his teacher was here as well. He hurriedly walked out of the crowd and bowed deeply. "Teacher, I … I saw so many people attending the lecture earlier, so I couldn't help but come over as well. After listening to the lecture, I felt that … it was really nice, so I decided to join the Xuanxuan Faction …"
Fearing that his teacher would reprimand him, Lu Hui hurriedly clasped his fist.
"Nice …"
Lu Feng's face reddened in anger. "Are you going to cancel my lecture as well?"
"This … It would be best if teacher could grant my wish!"
Lu Hui scratched his head.
"Grant your head …" Lu Feng clenched his jaws so tightly that he felt as if he was going to lose his mind.
It was just a moment ago that he had confidently asked what was wrong with this Zhang Xuan. But in less than ten minutes, he had already betrayed him … Are you really my student?
"Let me see just what kind of magic this fellow possesses …"
Unable to hold himself back any longer, he turned to look at the young man lecturing on the podium.
At this moment, the young man had already finished his lecture and was currently answering questions.
"Zhang Shi, when I was forging the Quenching Yang Pill, I kept experiencing the phenomenon of the pill turning yellow. May I know how to resolve it?" one of the apothecaries asked.
"The Quenching Yang Pill is used to temper one's yang meridian, making it purer. To have such an effect, the person who forged it has to possess superior yang energy. Even though your cultivation isn't hindered, you were afflicted with a cold illness when you were young, resulting in your weak constitution. While forging this pill, you are lacking in essence. Even though you managed to successfully form the pill, its medicinal energy isn't too potent! "
The young man on the podium glanced at the apothecary and said, "If I'm not mistaken, the Quenching Yang Pill you forged is only average, right?"
"That's right!"
The apothecary hurriedly nodded.
What the other party said was exactly the same as what he had experienced in the past.
"Since you have joined the Xuanxuan Faction, I can't possibly give up on my membership as well. Here is a grade-6 Searing Yang Pill. After you consume it, you will be able to cleanse the cold energy in your body. Not only will you be able to forge the Quenching Yang Pill in the future without any problems, it will also allow you to advance your cultivation and break through the bottleneck of Ethereal Treading realm!"
With a flick of his finger, Zhang Xuan tossed a pill over.
"That pill is mine …"
Seeing the pill flying over, Vice School Head Wei's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but speak up.
This pill was none other than the one he had placed in the Apothecary Pavilion to sell after forging it …
"Yes!"
Ignoring Vice School Head Wei's words, the apothecary grabbed the pill and swallowed it.
Gugugugu!
Not too long later, spiritual energy began to gather above his head, and with a deafening roar, his aura surged into the clouds.
Chrysalis realm, he had reached!
"Thank you, Zhang Shi!"
Not expecting that not only would he be able to resolve his illness, he would also be able to achieve a breakthrough in his cultivation. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the apothecary bowed deeply to the young man on the podium.
"Zhang Shi, I …"
A few more people immediately raised their questions.
The young man on the podium answered each and every one of their questions with ease. Whenever he saw someone on the verge of a breakthrough, he would also bestow a grade-6 pill to them.
The sounds of breakthroughs echoed incessantly beneath the podium.
Lu Feng and the other vice school heads couldn't help but feel their hearts ache.
The pills that the other party had bestowed upon them were all pills that they had forged at great cost, and every single one of them was extremely valuable. Yet … that fellow was actually giving them away so casually …
The more he thought about it, the more infuriated he felt. However, Lu Feng knew that if he were to rush over to ask for the pills now, he would surely be chased away by the other students!
"Let's return first!"
Gritting his teeth, Lu Feng turned around and left.
Not only did the other party abduct his students and teacher, he even used his pills to win their hearts … The more he thought about it, the more frenzied he felt.
If he were to continue watching this, he would surely die from anger!
But if this matter were to be reported to the Mingshi Tang Academy, not only would he be in the wrong, he might even be reprimanded for it.
The greatest value of a pill wasn't to be left in one's room for observation but to be put to good use.
Even though the other party was using his pills to play the role of a good person, he had to admit that the other party's usage of the pills was just right.
"Return?" The vice school heads were taken aback.
Wasn't the other party here to make trouble and get the students to return?
Why were they leaving just like that?
"What else can we do? Do you think that you can pull the students away now? "
Lu Feng gritted his teeth.
"This …"
The vice school heads shook their heads.
Even they were unable to pull the teachers away, needless to say, the students.
"What do we do now?"
With the teachers and students of the Apothecary School here, the entire Apothecary School was done for … If they were to return, they would be left without an army!
"What do we do now? I'll call for an Elder Assembly right away! "
Lu Feng gritted his teeth.
The other party had won the hearts of the students, and with tens of thousands of them gathered together, even he didn't dare to cause trouble. Thus, he could only return and call for an Elder Assembly to discuss countermeasures.
Otherwise, what would become of the entire Master Teacher Academy? What kind of scandal would that be?
How would that be befitting of the Master Teacher Academy?
"Yes!"
Vice School Head Wei nodded.
If this problem wasn't resolved, the Master Teacher Academy would be plunged into chaos …
What the heck was this? Just because of You Xu, the Master Teacher Academy had fallen into such a state. If he could, he would chop that fellow into pieces and feed him to the dogs!
"Let's return!"
Having come to a decision, the vice school heads turned around and left.
After leaving the Xuanxuan Faction, they returned to the Apothecary School. Looking at the empty hall that used to be bustling with people, the vice school heads felt as if they would burst into tears at any moment.
When had the great Apothecary School ever suffered so much?
"School Head, why don't you … apologize to Zhang Shi? Otherwise … I fear that the Apothecary School will be done for! "
After some time, Vice School Head Zhou finally spoke up.
"Apologize? Dream on! "
Lu Feng roared furiously. "Wait here, I'll call for a meeting of the Ten Great Master Teachers right now. Wait here, I'll call for Mu shi as well. If I don't arrest that fellow who broke the rules of the academy, I'll change my surname … Lu!"
…
In the best room in the tallest building of the Master Teacher Academy.
The eleven seats were already filled, and the ten school heads were seated within.
"School Head Lu, why did you summon us here in such a hurry?"
School Head Mo couldn't help but ask.
"Could it be that … you have already found Senior Byzantium Helios?"
"That's great! We haven't received any news from him yet …"
The eyes of the other school heads lit up in agitation.
From the time Zhang Xuan left for the Apothecary School to the time when all of the teachers and students had joined the Xuanxuan Faction, it had only been four to six hours. It happened so quickly that the other schools hadn't even realized what was going on yet.
"It's not about Senior Byzantium Helios but a matter that concerns the survival of our Master Teacher Academy. Please wait here for a moment. I'll speak to you once Mu shi arrives!"
Lu Feng waved his hands.
"A matter that concerns the survival of our Master Teacher Academy?"
"Could it be that the Otherworldly Demons who captured Senior Byzantium Helios have already discovered his whereabouts?"
"If that's the case, a huge battle is inevitable …"
…
Seeing how Lu Feng had invited Mu shi over as well, the school heads glanced at one another with grim expressions on their faces.
The existence of the Mingshi Tang Academy was to spread its teachings to the world, and more importantly, it was to protect mankind.
The Otherworldly Demons had captured Senior Byzantium Helios a few days ago, so there was no doubt that they were up to something big. Once they made their move, the Master Teacher Academy would have to send all of its students into battle to protect mankind.
Jiya!
Amidst the discussions, the door opened, and Mu shi walked in.
"Paying respects to Mu shi!"
Everyone stood up and clasped their fists.
Mu shi was a Seven Star Master Teacher from the headquarters, and he was in charge of the inauguration of the new principal. As such, everyone had to treat him with the respect of a teacher, not daring to overstep their boundaries.
"Un. Lu Feng, why are you in such a hurry? What happened?"
Mu Yuan asked with a deep frown.
"Mu shi, since all of the school heads are present, I'll begin speaking to you about the matter!"
Lu Feng nodded. "Among the freshmen this batch, there's a person named Zhang Xuan. I believe that all of you should have heard of him, right?"
"Of course!"
While the school heads nodded, only Mu Yuan frowned.
Ever since he arrived at the Master Teacher Academy, he had sensed the aura of the Byzantium Helios Beast, so he had spent most of his time cultivating in his residence. As such, he had never heard of Zhang Xuan before.
"Mu shi, Zhang Xuan is …"
School Head Mo explained.
"A master teacher who has comprehended the Eye of Insight? The Master Teacher Academy actually produced such a genius? "Hearing the introduction, Mu shi's eyes lit up.
Challenging the Blacksmith School, Physician School, and challenging You Xu in a duel wasn't a big deal to him. No matter how good a supporting occupation was, it was still a supporting occupation!
To Mu shi, what mattered the most was one's talent as a master teacher.
As long as a master teacher who had comprehended the Eye of Insight didn't die, his future accomplishments could be predicted.
Putting aside the Qingyuan Conferred Empire branch, even the Sage Clans wouldn't be able to produce such a genius in a thousand years.
"Mu shi, I advise you to calm down and listen to what I have to say first … That person is indeed talented, and it's one thing for him to do good in the name of Mingshi Tang Academy. However, if he were to commit evil, I fear that our academy won't be able to withstand his wrath, and it could be destroyed at any moment!"
Seeing the excitement on Mu shi's face, as if he was intending to accept a disciple, Lu Feng hurriedly explained.
"Commit evil?" Mu shi nodded.
Master teachers who possessed the Eye of Insight were able to see through the facade of a matter and reach the core of the matter. They were able to conduct a lecture or cultivate a cultivation technique without fail, but if they were to commit evil, the consequences would be dire as well.
While there were no records of such incidents on the Master Teacher Continent at the moment, there had been cases of talented master teachers betraying mankind.
Seven thousand years ago, there was a humble genius who had passed the Seven Star Master Teacher Examination before his thirties, causing a huge uproar. Everyone thought that it was only a matter of time before he became an 8-star master teacher or even higher, but … due to a certain matter, the Mingshi Tang Academy made a wrong judgment, and in a fit of rage, he slaughtered the thirty-seven master teachers who had wronged him.
In that battle, an entire capital spanning three thousand li was reduced to smithereens, and more than a hundred million people lost their lives. The devastation was on par with the invasion of more than ten thousand Otherworldly Demons!
Due to the severity of the matter, the Mingshi Tang Academy was unable to cover for the culprit. Thus, they could only issue a [Master Teacher Hunt], dispatching even more powerful master teachers to hunt down the culprit.
Upon learning of the Master Teacher Hunt, the culprit fled as he fought. Using himself as bait, he lured more than nine thousand 6-star master teachers over to the Drifting Wave Ridge to set up an ambush with the Otherworldly Demons.
That battle had been an earth-shattering one. Even though they had managed to kill that genius, the Master Teacher Pavilion had suffered heavy losses as well. Three 8-star master teachers, one hundred thirty-four 7-star master teachers, and seven thousand six hundred twelve 6-star master teachers had perished!
This incident was known as the [Calamity of Drifting Wave]!
It could be said to be one of the greatest losses suffered by the Mingshi Tang Academy in the tens of thousands of years since Kong Shi had unified the Master Teacher Continent.
Even the entire Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters had mobilized their forces to deal with the culprit.
Due to this matter, the Mingshi Tang Academy had also changed its rules. While talent was important, temperament and moral character had also become the criteria for evaluation.
If the culprit failed to pass these two criteria, the more resources they were given, the greater the threat they would pose to mankind.
Throughout history, there were only a handful of master teachers who possessed the Eye of Insight, and every single one of them was an astounding figure who had shaken the world for several centuries. If they were righteous, they would be able to bring mankind to greater heights. However … if they were to commit evil, the consequences would be far more fearsome than the Drifting Wave Ridge!
"Could it be that Zhang Xuan harbored evil intentions and moral character?"
Mu shi asked doubtfully.
If that was the case, they would have to tread carefully. Otherwise, the slightest mistake could bring calamity to the entire Master Teacher Continent.
"How could that be possible?"
School Head Mo couldn't help but exclaim. "In order to bring more students into the Master Teacher Academy and bring mankind to greater heights, Zhang Shi willingly gave away the forty thousand points he earned from the examination to others. How could such a magnanimous person possibly commit evil?"
"School Head Mo, don't be fooled by his facade. He's only doing this to win over the hearts of the masses so that he can establish the Xuanxuan Faction! "Lu Feng waved his hands.
"Xuanxuan Faction?" Mu shi asked.
"The Xuanxuan Faction is a student faction formed by Zhang Xuan. The Master Teacher Academy doesn't interfere with the formation of student factions to unite the master teachers, but … this fellow has only just entered the Master Teacher Academy, and yet, he's already trying to form a faction. It's clear that he's up to no good! "Lu Feng said.
"School Head Lu, as a master teacher, I hope that you can watch your words!" School Head Mo's face darkened.
What did he mean by forming a faction?
How could a bunch of students form a faction together to form a faction with ill intentions?
"Indeed. If my sources aren't mistaken, Zhang Shi didn't know that he was going to establish the Xuanxuan Faction. He was only forced to do so after seeing that the freshmen were being pressured by the seniors …" Wei Ranxue's complexion also darkened.
Master teachers should speak as little as possible without sufficient evidence. Otherwise, if they were to be convicted, there would be no turning back.
"Watch my words? I am already being very careful with my words! Since that's the case, I won't hide it from you anymore. I'll tell you everything that happened today, and I hope that you can judge for me whether I am innocent or not! "
Harrumphing coldly, Lu Feng began recounting everything that he had seen today.
"You are saying that … all of the teachers and students of the Apothecary School have joined the Xuanxuan Faction? They have all become members of the Xuanxuan Faction? Even the elders weren't spared from it? "
"And now … the Apothecary School has become nothing more than an empty shell?"
The entire room fell silent. The ten school heads and Mu shi were all dumbfounded.
Why did it feel as if they were hearing a story?
"Indeed! Master teachers value the heritage of their teacher the most. To be able to convince so many of them to withdraw from the academy and join a student faction, that fellow must have resorted to some unknown means! "
Lu Feng said with a savage expression. "If we don't deal with this matter as soon as possible, wouldn't all of the teachers and students of the Master Teacher Academy become his students?"
Everyone fell silent.
Even School Head Mo, School Head Zhao, and the others were shocked speechless.
Previously, they thought that it was one thing for Zhang Shi to destroy a few buildings and destroy a few passageways, but who could have thought that … with a single lecture, he would actually win the hearts of all of the teachers and students of the Apothecary School?
That was way too frightening!
If he were to conduct a few more lectures, wouldn't the entire academy become his students and grand-students?
"Did you listen to his lecture?"
After a moment of silence, Mu shi couldn't help but ask.
"Zhang Xuan listened to the lectures of the Xuanxuan Faction for free, and those who didn't would have to pay a hefty sum for it. Zhou Qing, I, and the others had to pay a high-tier spirit stone each to enter the Xuanxuan Faction!"
Lu Feng harrumphed. "Of course, we did listen to his lecture, but our standards were only average. Most of it was just words of goodwill and bewitchment!"
"Average?" Mu shi frowned.
"Indeed. Didn't I say that he used despicable means to steal the grade-6 pills of the academy? In order to win the hearts of the students, he gave those pills to the students who were on the verge of achieving a breakthrough so as to create the illusion that he was magnanimous, thus making the students even more loyal to him! "
Lu Feng swiftly recounted what he had seen in the Xuanxuan Faction.
"If those pills can be given to those who are on the verge of achieving a breakthrough, it can be considered as a good deed. However … using those pills to win the hearts of the students … That's an ulterior motive!"
Mu shi nodded.
The purpose of the Master Teacher Academy was to nurture its students, and it was naturally a blessing for its students to grow swiftly. However … if it was just to win the hearts of the students, that was definitely an ulterior motive.
"He must be harboring some ulterior motive!" Lu Feng exclaimed. "Otherwise, how could he possibly win the hearts of tens of thousands of students and teachers simultaneously?"
"There are both good and bad cultivators. Every single one of them has a different understanding of the world, so naturally, their lessons would be different as well. This is also the reason why Kong Shi proposed the idea of teaching students according to their aptitude. To win the respect of all of the students and teachers in a single lecture and make them join the Xuanxuan Faction willingly is indeed impossible. "
Mu shi shook his head.
No matter how formidable a master teacher was, there were bound to be those whom they liked and those whom they hated.
As long as one was a human, it was impossible for them to win the hearts of everyone.
But … Zhang Shi had managed to do so. Thus, it was impossible for anyone to not be suspicious of him.
"Since this matter happened in your Apothecary School, how do you intend to deal with it?"
With a grim expression, Mu shi turned to Lu Feng and asked.
"My intentions are simple. The Ten Great Master Teacher Academies will join forces and expel Zhang Xuan from the academy. He won't be allowed to enter the academy ever again!"
Lu Feng sneered coldly. "After which, we'll revoke his master teacher license and forbid him from taking any examinations in the future!"
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