Chapter 1170 The Luo Family Arrives (Part 1)

President Meng Chong ultimately didn't give any money, only invited him to the Calligraphers' Guild and promised to give him a painting as compensation... leaving Zhang Xuan full of resentment, lamenting the degeneracy of the times.

“Master Zhang, we didn't do much for this sealing, so we won't take these spirit stones...”

President Mu gathered the high-grade spirit stones all over the floor into a ring and handed it over.

This time, he had summoned everyone, hoping to pool their efforts, but in the end, they hadn't been of any help—everything was resolved by this person alone. These spirit stones, though given as payment by the bronze mask, they were too embarrassed to accept.

“Very well!”

Seeing that no one wanted them, Zhang Xuan reluctantly accepted.

In truth, these spirit stones were of little use to him, but in the future, if he wanted to purchase high-grade spirit stones of pure essence, no amount would be too many.

“Master Zhang, your ability in treasure appraisal is unmatched. You must be a treasure appraiser, right?” Seeing him accept, President Mu looked at him curiously.

This person could accurately identify the exact age of calligraphy and paintings without any error, and even find solutions based on the school of the time, perfectly integrating treasure appraisal with calligraphy and painting.

“A five-star treasure appraiser. I was planning to take the seven-star exam, but haven't had the chance...” Zhang Xuan nodded.

“Your eyesight surpasses mine; there's no need for an exam. I'll apply for a seven-star treasure appraiser badge for you shortly...” President Mu laughed.

No wonder someone as remarkable as Master Wu treated him like a brother—with such keen eyesight, taking the exam or not was meaningless.

“I'll also apply for a seven-star calligrapher badge for you!”

President Meng Chong on the side quickly added.

This Master Zhang's skill in void calligraphy just now surpassed even his own; his understanding of calligraphy and painting had at least reached the peak of seven stars, so he was certainly qualified.

“Thank you!”

Having come here and not only learned the calligraphy profession but also obtained two professional badges in succession, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

This way, the auxiliary professions needed for the seven-star master teacher exam were complete. Once the badges arrived, he could smoothly become a seven-star master teacher and qualify to apply for the Saint Son Hall.

“President Mu, where is the library of the Treasure Appraisers' Guild? May I take a look?”

Relieved, Zhang Xuan smiled.

Since he was here, he might as well collect all the books.

“Of course...”

President Mu nodded and was about to lead the way when a troubled voice sounded: “Master Zhang, Teacher... could you please help me resolve this matter first before handling other things?”

Hearing the voice, the two remembered that Zhang Jiuxiao was still standing to the side, his head full of durians.

After more than an hour of growth, he now had nine durians on his head, standing like a tree, lush with leaves, flowers, and fruit—a scene of extraordinary prosperity.

The tail behind him was thick and strong, full of vigor...

“Wait a moment!”

Taking out a brush, Zhang Xuan thought for a moment, casually wrote a prescription, and handed it over: “Prepare the medicine according to this prescription and take it. It should kill the plant spirit within you, but... the process may be painful. You must persevere!”

Since the other party was unwilling to open his soul for him to help, he had to use poison to kill it.

Fortunately, he had observed this spirit in detail earlier and knew what kind of medicine to concoct to poison it.

This medicine was very simple, and even ordinary people could prepare it, but... it was extremely harmful to the human body, and the process was very painful. Whether he could endure it depended on himself.

If he found it too dangerous, he could just keep the durians on his head. It only affected his appearance, not his daily life much. In fact, becoming a plant might even strengthen certain abilities...

To be honest, as a family member of a romantic rival, helping this much was already the utmost kindness.

“Thank you...”

Taking the prescription, Zhang Jiuxiao was full of gratitude.

After handling this matter, Zhang Xuan took leave of Master Wu and others and followed President Mu to the library.

Treasure appraisers needed knowledge covering every profession, including history, geography... and various rare treasures. The related books numbered in the tens of millions.

Walking among them, Zhang Xuan read for over two hours, until late in the night, before absorbing everything into his mind.

After organizing the books, he formed the six-star and seven-star Heavenly Dao treasure appraisal methods and thoroughly studied them.

Having learned everything, his understanding of treasure appraisal reached the peak of seven stars. Even without the library or the Eye of Insight, he could easily identify treasures of the middle-grade Saint Domain level without any error.

Smiling lightly, Zhang Xuan's eyes shone.

Having come to the appraisal meeting, he had become a peak seven-star calligrapher and treasure appraiser. Most importantly, he learned that a phantom of Teacher Kong had once appeared on a mountain peak. If he had the chance, he could go and look for it.

Perhaps he would make a startling discovery.

“Master Zhang...”

Just as he stepped out of the library, he saw President Mu approaching.

Though it was late at night, the president had not yet rested.

Zhang Jiuxiao was also following behind.

By now, he had completely poisoned the plant spirit within him, and the durians on his head and the tail were gone. However, his face and body were somewhat swollen, a side effect of the poison. With proper rest and recuperation, he should recover fully.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Xuan cupped his hands and took his leave.

Leaving the guild, he saw the starry sky, each star hanging in the sky as if someone had pierced the night with needles, leaving countless holes for light to shine through.

The usually bustling streets were somewhat deserted in the dead of night. Stretching, Zhang Xuan headed toward the War Master Hall.

He hadn't gone far when he suddenly frowned, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

He clearly sensed someone following him, but no matter how he used his divine sense or eyes, he couldn't find them.

Whoosh!

Without hesitation, he shook his body, activated the Heavenly Dao movement technique, and flew forward rapidly. After flying over ten kilometers, he was about to turn around when he felt a presence lock onto him.

He quickly turned and saw a black-robed figure standing not far away.

He had fled such a distance using the Heavenly Dao movement technique, yet the other party had easily caught up without him even noticing. How terrifying must his strength be?

Cold sweat poured down, and Zhang Xuan narrowed his eyes.

This had never happened before.

“Don't be nervous. If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already...”

The black-robed figure's face was unclear, but his voice carried a heavy tone. He stood quietly before him, yet seemed to blend into nature, as if he might disappear at any moment.

Activating the Eye of Insight, Zhang Xuan looked over and his body trembled.

He couldn't see through the other's cultivation level—meaning his strength definitely surpassed that of the Hall Master Xing after his breakthrough, and might even exceed the Out-of-Body realm!

When had such an expert appeared in Qingyuan City?

“Senior... were you waiting for me specifically?”

Though nervous, he knew that if the other truly wanted to attack, he couldn't escape. He quickly cupped his hands.

The fact that he had followed him as soon as he left the Treasure Appraisers' Guild meant the other had been waiting for him.

“I only released a trace of aura, and you detected it so quickly. It shows your mental state is extremely high and you are very sensitive to your environment!”

Without answering his question, the black-robed figure clasped his hands behind his back and snorted: “I've been following you since dusk. I saw everything about how you resolved that painting. Young as you are, with such keen eyesight... not bad!”

“Following since dusk?”

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

When he came here, Master Wu had been accompanying him, and he had paid attention to his surroundings but found nothing...

He had been followed for so long without knowing...

How terrifying!

“May I ask what senior intends by following me?”

He secretly communicated with the Heavenly Dao Library, but found nothing.

The other hadn't used any martial techniques, so even if he shouted “flaw,” no book would form, and he couldn't learn his origin.

“Nothing much. I just wanted to see if you have the qualifications and ability!”

With a light snort, the black-robed figure raised his head, revealing an old man in his sixties whom he had never seen before.

Bang!

With those words, Zhang Xuan felt a tightness in his chest, as if struck by something, and his body flew backward.

In an instant, the space before him seemed to be squeezed flat, and he was like a lobster caught in a palm, unable to break free no matter how he struggled.

“This...”

His pupils shrank to the size of a needlepoint.

The library still hadn't produced a book, meaning the other hadn't used any martial technique... Without using martial techniques, he was this powerful, leaving him unable to resist...

What level of strength was this?

Peak of Saint Domain fifth layer?

Sixth layer?

Or seventh?

In any case, it was far beyond what he could contend with at his current level.

“Senior, if you sought me out just to show off your strength, there's no need. I'm just a small figure at the second layer of Saint Domain. Even if you show more, I wouldn't understand!”

Knowing the danger, Zhang Xuan also understood he couldn't panic. He calmed his mind and spoke with a special resonance.

The gap in strength was too great. He could only hope that his superior mental state would cause the other to lose focus, giving him time to escape.

“Your mental state is unbreakable, but... trying to use Teacher's Word of Heaven on me is still lacking...”

As if reading his thoughts, the black-robed elder smiled faintly.

“Senior, what are you saying... It must be a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!”

His scalp tingling, Zhang Xuan put on a full smile, his face full of sincerity.

The other could even tell he was using Teacher's Word of Heaven, indicating his mental state was no lower than his!

Fortunately, he hadn't acted rashly, or he would have suffered backlash and been worse than dead.

“You have some cleverness, but it's useless against someone like me!”

The elder shook his head.

“How could I use clever tricks... Senior, you trapped me so easily, I couldn't detect your tracking, and your mental state is unimaginably high... May I ask what level of expert you are? Could you show me a martial technique?”

His face reddening, Zhang Xuan was full of shame: “I come from a small place and have never seen such a powerful expert. I greatly admire the demeanor of the strong. If I could see it even once, I'd die content!”