"Thank you, Young Master Shen, for coming here personally …"
Upon seeing the other party, Xing Yuan's face darkened. Even though he was displeased, he still introduced them. "These two are Princess Hongyuan's classmates, students of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy. This is Zhang Shi, and this is Luo shi!"
"So, it's Zhang Shi and Luo shi. I am Shen Jun!"
Shen Jun clasped his fist, raised his wine cup, and gulped it down.
Zhang Xuan and Luo Qiqi also raised their wine cups and drank a mouthful of wine as a gesture of reciprocation.
"Shen Jun is the young master of the Shen Clan, one of the Four Great Clans. Putting aside his strength, he has also contributed greatly to the royal court and was conferred the title of general. He is Xing Yuan's greatest competitor … In the past, he has suffered quite a bit in the hands of the other party!"
Seeing that the duo didn't know one another, Wu Zhen secretly sent a telepathic message over.
"Four Great Clans?" Zhang Xuan asked.
"Un. Other than the royal family, the strongest clans in Hongyuan Empire are the Four Great Clans. Those in the clans are either powerful or of prestigious standing, such that even the royal family has no choice but to put them in an important position. The Xing Clan, where Xing Yuan is from, is one of them, and I am from the Wu Clan and Liu Clan! In terms of ranking, the Shen Clan is ranked first, followed by the Xing Clan, and the Liu Clan and Wu Clan … "
Wu Zhen said.
Hearing that the person before him was from one of the Four Great Clans, Zhang Xuan was perplexed. "You are a descendant of one of the Four Great Clans as well?"
In his impression, Wu Zhen paled in comparison to Xing Yuan, so he thought that the Xing Clan didn't have much of a reputation.
"I am only a bastard, so I can't compare to a direct descendant like Xing Yuan …" Wu Zhen said awkwardly.
Some powerful clans placed great emphasis on the closeness of one's bloodline, and there was a huge difference between a direct descendant and a bastard.
Xing Yuan was a direct descendant of the Xing Clan, so it was natural that he was highly regarded and possessed many treasures.
The conversation between the duo was conducted swiftly through telepathy. Only then did Shen Jun put down his wine cup and look at Wu Zhen with a smile. "I have a request to ask of you, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate for me to speak of it!"
"Since it's inappropriate, I advise you not to!"
Xing Yuan waved his hands casually, seemingly knowing what Zhang Xuan was going to say.
"Ever since I met the princess at the age of twelve, I knew that she would be my life's goal. As such, I worked hard relentlessly to reach my current standing and strength. As master teachers, you two should know how much effort I have put in. However, I have never given up, because one day, I want to be qualified to stand in front of her … "
Ignoring Xing Yuan, Shen Jun looked at Zhang Xuan elegantly and spoke.
He was talking about his past with Yu Fei-er, as well as his love for her.
Upon hearing this, Xing Yuan's face turned ashen.
Even though he had already given up on pursuing Yu Fei-er, there were many people who knew of his feelings for her. Thus, this fellow was clearly trying to embarrass him by confessing here.
"… Therefore, I intend to propose to His Majesty in a while. I would like to implore you to put in a good word for me when the time comes."
After introducing himself, Shen Jun looked at Zhang Xuan with a bright smile.
"Flatter me? Dream on!" Xing Yuan gritted his teeth. He was so angry that he was about to explode.
"I don't expect you to put in a good word for me, so there's no need for you to flatter me!"
Shen Jun chuckled. Turning to Zhang Xuan and Luo Qiqi, he said, "I only hope that the two of you can put in a good word for me … This is a gift for our first meeting, and I hope that we can get to know each other better!"
After saying those words, Shen Jun waved his hand, and a young man walked over from the back. With a flick of his wrist, he passed two jade boxes onto the table.
Opening them lightly, spiritual energy shone brilliantly. There were actually two high-tier spirit stones in each of the boxes.
To take out such a gift on their first meeting, this Shen Jun sure was a daring person.
His means were also ruthless. No cultivator would be able to turn down such a gift. Furthermore, if Yu Fei-er were to appear later on, even if she didn't speak up for him, it would be hard for her to object.
As expected of the First Young Master of the Shen Clan.
As expected of the First Young Master of the Shen Clan. As soon as he arrived, regardless of whether one was acquainted with the other party or not, he immediately gave them a gift.
"Four high-tier spirit stones for a good word, Young Master Shen Jun sure is impressive! Qiqi, it wouldn't be right for you to reject such a gift. Take it! "
Zhang Xuan nodded.
Four high-tier spirit stones were equivalent to forty thousand middle-tier spirit stones. Even with his current wealth, it was still a considerable sum. It would be a waste if he didn't accept it.
"Yes!" Knowing that her teacher was a person who wouldn't hesitate to scam others, Luo Qiqi nodded. She picked up the jade boxes and kept them into her storage ring.
"Haha, Brother Zhang is indeed a generous person. I'm definitely going to befriend you!"
Not expecting Zhang Shi to accept the gift, Shen Jun burst into laughter. At the same time, he also changed the way he addressed Zhang Xuan from Zhang Shi to Brother Zhang. Before leaving, he shot a provocative glance at Xing Yuan before returning to his seat.
"Zhang Shi …" Seeing that Zhang Shi had accepted the gift despite the other party's provocation, Xing Yuan panicked.
"There's no need to worry. You have been with Yu Fei-er for so long, so how can you possibly convince her with just a few words of praise?" Seeing that Xing Yuan was getting agitated, Zhang Xuan's eyebrows shot up.
"This …" Xing Yuan was taken aback.
If Yu Fei-er could convince him with just a few words of praise, he wouldn't have been forced into such a passive position.
Yu Fei-er had her own way of thinking, and she was extremely decisive. As long as she made up her mind, not even nine bulls would be able to pull her back.
This was precisely the reason why she would rather serve as Zhang Shi's maid than accept his goodwill.
How could such a personality be changed with just a few words of praise?
"Since I'm unwilling to submit, why wouldn't I accept the benefits?"
Zhang Xuan said. "Even if the Shen Clan is a powerful clan, and Young Master Shen isn't weak, surely four high-tier spirit stones isn't a small price to pay!"
"That … is true!" Xing Yuan nodded.
Their Xing Clan was on par with the Shen Clan. While his standing in the clan was beneath Shen Jun's, it wasn't too far off either.
Given his current standing, it was extremely difficult for him to use high-tier spirit stones. Furthermore, he would only use ten high-tier spirit stones at a time. Even if the other party's cultivation was higher than his, the disparity shouldn't be too great.
Thus, while it might seem generous for the other party to take out four high-tier spirit stones at once, it probably wasn't that easy.
Most likely, his motive was to slap Xing Yuan's face, but he didn't expect the other party to accept it …
In other words, he only wanted to put on a show, but he ended up meeting with a reckless person like Zhang Shi, causing the other party to feel awkward instead …
Most likely, Young Master Shen's heart was bleeding right now.
"Not bad …"
Understanding all of this, Xing Yuan's eyes lit up, and the displeasure he felt previously vanished in an instant.
Looking at Zhang Shi once more, he felt even more admiration for the latter.
Just as he had guessed, Young Master Shen's heart was indeed bleeding right now.
The reason why he took out four high-tier spirit stones was firstly to suppress Xing Yuan, and secondly, to earn some face for himself. He didn't think that the other party would really accept it …
He really accepted it …
Not to mention, he accepted it so calmly and confidently!
Are you really Xing Yuan's friend?
How can you be so shameless?
"Brother Shen, who is that fellow?"
Returning to his seat, a young man walked up to him and sent him a telepathic message.
He was a gongzi of the Four Great Clans, the Liu Clan.
"A greedy fellow!"
Even though Shen Jun felt stifled, he still harrumphed coldly.
"Greedy?"
The Liu Clan gongzi was bewildered.
Weren't master teachers synonymous with the wealthy?
How could they be greedy?
…
Shen Jun's arrival was just a small interlude. To Zhang Xuan, it didn't bother him at all. At this moment, he turned to Xing Yuan and sent a telepathic message.
"I heard that there is a Bodhi Saint Tree in the royal palace that is extremely beneficial to one's soul. May I know if that's true?"
"Bodhi Saint Tree? There is indeed such a tree! "
Xing Yuan nodded.
As a direct descendant of the Four Great Clans, he had heard of some of the secrets of the royal family.
Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but ask, "Do you know where it is in the royal palace?"
"It seems to be in His Majesty's sleeping chamber, and there are professionals taking care of it …" Xing Yuan replied. "This is a secret of the royal family, so I'm not too sure about the details."
If it was anyone else, he would have kept it a secret. However, this was Zhang Xuan, and he was indebted to him for saving his life. Naturally, he wouldn't hide anything from Zhang Xuan.
"Sleeping chamber?"
Zhang Xuan frowned.
Even though he didn't know where the emperor's sleeping chamber was, it shouldn't be too difficult to find it as long as he searched carefully.
The emperor's living quarters were bound to be the most heavily guarded. If he were to head in that direction, he should be able to find it easily.
Un. It seems like I should find an opportunity to take a look with my soul …
Zhang Xuan thought.
Given his current strength, even with the Eye of Insight and the Library of Heaven's Path, it would still be impossible for him to find the emperor's sleeping chamber without alerting anyone. However, it was a different story for a soul oracle.
As long as he didn't encounter a Saint realm expert who specialized in souls, it wouldn't be easy for the other party to notice his presence.
"Qiqi, when will the banquet start?"
With such a thought in mind, Zhang Xuan turned to the young lady beside him.
"Not everyone is here yet, so it should take at least an hour!"
Luo Qiqi said as she scanned the surroundings.
"That's good. I have an epiphany, and I would like to cultivate. Guard me and make sure that no one disturbs me!"
Zhang Xuan instructed.
"Cultivate? Here? "
Luo Qiqi widened her eyes in shock.
There were so many people here, and this was the venue of a banquet. Everyone was drinking, singing, and chatting … You want to cultivate?
"Un." Zhang Xuan nodded.
"Alright then!"
Luo Qiqi nodded in agreement. She couldn't help but feel impressed.
It was no wonder her teacher was able to advance his cultivation so quickly within such a short period of time. Just the effort he put in was already far beyond her.
"Thank you!"
Zhang Xuan expressed his gratitude before returning to his seat. With a thought, his soul left the room.
Having cultivated demonic tunist and terpsichorean arts, he had a deeper understanding of souls. As such, no one in the hall noticed his departure.
After leaving the hall, Zhang Xuan's soul didn't wander around aimlessly. Instead, he discreetly flew into the air and scanned his surroundings with his Eye of Insight.
The formations in the royal palace immediately came into view.
"That place has the most array formations …"
Soon, he found the courtyard with the most formations.
Had it been in the past, he wouldn't have dared to venture too deeply into the grade-6 formations here. However, with his current understanding of formations, he was practically invincible within the borders of Hongyuan Empire. On top of that, he had the Eye of Insight and the Library of Heaven's Path. No matter how formidable a formation was, it would be no different from a naked beauty before him.
After evading the sentries, traps, and formations, Zhang Xuan finally arrived at the courtyard.
(Here's to our alliance leader, Blissful Sweetheart 007! Seeking monthly votes!)
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