Chapter 1240: Song Xuan's Mortification

Holding poison, he drugged the entire imperial palace, incapacitating tens of thousands without any resistance. Although it was to save people, Chu Tianxing deserved punishment... but it was too shocking.

If it were not for saving people but killing... who could resist?

Once the news spread, everyone would feel endangered. Other titled empires would be in constant fear, eager to kill him.

For this reason, Song Xuan sentenced everyone to death without much hesitation. Even Yao Mantian silently acquiesced, thinking it was not a big deal.

Zhang Xuan's state of mind reached 25.1, understanding all worldly affairs. He clearly saw their concerns and thoughts, knowing that without a proper reason, no matter how well he spoke, they would inevitably be sentenced.

So... he first gave Elder Xu and others a formal identity, then pinned a fabricated charge on Chu Tianxing!

Thus, they were not acting recklessly but were a rescue operation planned by the War Master Hall in coordination with master teachers...

Knowing this, other titled empires would not say much and would no longer worry.

Others could not think of these ideas. Elder Xu was stunned for a moment, then understood, and looked at Zhang Xuan again with admiration.

In such a short time, he analyzed the psychology of Master Song and Master Yao, understood the thoughts of the Master Teacher Pavilion and all cultivators in Qingyuan City, and found the most suitable reason to solve the problem in one stroke... This alone was something many could not achieve!

His quick reaction and swift thinking were terrifying!

"I feel... this one is the real benefactor?"

Looking at Zhang Xuan again, then unable to help glancing at Sun Qiang not far away, Elder Xu muttered.

The benefactor who saved them, when encountering trouble, was like this—possessing extraordinary reaction and ability, wise and intelligent, doing everything unhurriedly, completely different from the fat man who was captured with them!

This fat man Sun Qiang, aside from being able to eat... and being lazy, seemed to have no other merits!

Full of doubt, just as he was about to probe, he saw the fat "benefactor" not far away stride forward a few steps.

"Master Yao, I am the Sun Qiang who was to be beheaded!"

With a clear voice, Sun Qiang stood with hands behind his back, an arrogant expression on his face, and his voice rang throughout the square: "We were unwilling to speak out for fear of causing unrest and panic. Since the young master has said it, I will admit it! The reason Liu Yang and I killed Chu Tianxing was because we saw him doing evil, intending to sacrifice the entire capital city! Although we are weak and not famous, if our lives can save the entire city, death is an honor!"

After speaking, Sun Qiang came before the crowd, back straight, looking as if he was ready to die heroically for humanity but was misunderstood.

"So that's how it is..."

"He was trying to save us... Ridiculous, we thought he was a traitor!"

"Chu Tianxing actually defected to the alien race and wanted to sacrifice us all—unforgivable!"

"Seeing it firsthand, we realize how great Sun Qiang and these poison masters, no, war masters, are. We have wronged them..."

……

Hearing the explanation and witnessing with their own eyes Sun Qiang's unyielding spine—preferring death to causing panic among the crowd—everyone was deeply moved.

The many renowned teachers of the Master Hall were even more ashamed.

Although they were masters, compared to these people, they still fell far short.

“This…”

Elder Xu's mouth twitched again.

Committing evil?

Clearly it was an accidental killing, okay? And most importantly… you were about to castrate him with a knife…

The one committing evil was you; when did it become Chu Tianxing?

And most importantly… all you do is eat and sleep; when did you ever die a heroic death…

“But… this is somewhat similar to my benefactor!”

Rubbing his brow, Elder Xu could no longer distinguish.

Earlier, he suspected that this Master Zhang Xuan might be the true benefactor, but seeing Sun Qiang's demeanor… it was also somewhat similar to his benefactor, leaving him unable to tell anymore.

“This guy… he just loves showing off!”

Unlike Elder Xu's thoughts, seeing Sun Qiang rush out and put on this act, Zhang Xuan couldn't help rubbing his brow, speechless: “If only he had half my humility!”

No matter what he did, he always thought about avoiding trouble and keeping a low profile… but this guy loved to steal the spotlight…

He really didn't know who he learned that from!

Still, this was fine.

As long as public opinion was stirred, the matter would be resolved. Even if this Master Yao felt something was off, faced with popular sentiment and will, she would surely agree directly.

Most importantly, an imperial emperor's betrayal would greatly damage the reputation of the Master Hall. By handling it this way… it made it seem as if the Master Hall had already known of Chu Tianxing's evil deeds and prepared in advance, not only preserving their reputation but elevating it further, earning even more admiration.

In such a situation, as long as one wasn't stupid, they would surely agree directly, no need to think twice.

Sure enough, before his thought had even ended, he saw Yao Mantian not far away nod, looking over with a grave expression: “I never imagined Chu Tianxing's evil deeds! Since the truth has come to light, I will petition the headquarters for rewards and treat you all well to make up for my earlier mistake!”

“Master Yao…”

Hearing her verdict, Song Xuan's face turned pale: “I feel there are still irregularities in this matter that need careful investigation…”

To decide like this meant that he had mishandled the case and framed the loyal… With this single charge, he would likely never recover.

"Enough!"

His face darkening, Yao Mantian flicked his sleeve: "Haven't you disgraced yourself enough? As a quasi-eight-star master, you passed judgment without proper investigation, nearly chilling the hearts of the loyal... How can you ever live up to the authority granted by the Master Hall?"

"I..."

Song Xuan's body trembled.

"Enough. This time, you mishandled the matter. I will report it to headquarters in detail. Wait to return and accept your punishment!"

Yao Mantian waved his hand.

"It's all your fault..."

He had thought this would be an easy, simple task, but it had turned out like this. Song Xuan turned to look at Zhang Xuan, his eyes filled with hatred.

If not for this fellow... as long as he handled things here properly, even if he didn't soar to great heights, he would definitely rise step by step, perhaps even receive rewards from above, directly breaking through the shackles of the Out-of-Body realm and successfully impacting the Domain realm...

But now... everything had turned to dust!

Worst of all, he had been publicly slapped in the face, and that thing was ruined too...

Their hatred could be said to be irreconcilable!

Flipping his wrist, the master's badge fell into his palm. He pointed a finger, and a drop of blood floated above it.

Then a resonant voice rang out.

"Zhang Xuan, you instigated so many masters to attack me, insulted my dignity, and had your weapon cripple me... I, Song Xuan, in the name of a seven-star master, hereby apply to the Master Hall headquarters for a master challenge, effective immediately... Do you dare to accept?"

Immediately, a beam of light shot from the badge into the sky.

"Song Xuan, how dare you!"

Unexpectedly, the fellow, unwilling to accept punishment, had directly proposed a master challenge. Yao Mantian's face darkened.

When irreconcilable conflicts arise between masters, they may apply for a [Master Challenge]. Through the badge, this intention is reported to headquarters, which then judges based on the specific strength of the person being challenged.

This was the best way to resolve master grievances. Once both parties agreed, even she, an eight-star master, could not stop it.

"Why wouldn't I dare? I accept!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Forcibly taking someone from him, making him spit blood, rendering him unable to be a man... and in front of so many people... if this Song Xuan could swallow that, Zhang Xuan would be surprised.

This outcome was entirely within expectations.

"Master Zhang..." Yao Mantian quickly looked over, wanting to dissuade him, but as soon as he agreed, the Master Hall responded.

Boom!

From the Master Tower not far away, a beam of light shone out, and in the blink of an eye, two large characters formed in the air: "Agreed!"

Song Xuan, though a quasi-eight-star master, was still within the seven-star category, a seven-star master. Zhang Xuan had just successfully challenged the tower, his prestige at its peak... Therefore, headquarters judged that the two were evenly matched.

"Good that you dared to accept..."

Seeing the other party accept without hesitation, Song Xuan was somewhat surprised. He gritted his teeth: "Since I proposed the challenge, you may set the competition event!"

He had proposed the challenge, so naturally the other party chose the content of the competition to ensure fairness.

"I'll set it? Very well!"

Knowing the rules of the challenge, Zhang Xuan looked over calmly: "I challenge you to 'Master's Word, Heaven's Gift'!"

His mental state had long reached the level of an eight-star master, coupled with the natural advantage of being a Heaven-Recognized Master. If he challenged Master's Word, Heaven's Gift, not only would this fellow be unable to withstand it, even an ordinary eight-star master would likely be unable to resist.

Since this fellow was asking for trouble, there was nothing to hesitate about... just crush him.

"Master's Word, Heaven's Gift?" His eyebrows jumped.

He had heard that the other party's challenge of the tower had made all masters in the Qingyuan Empire Master Hall willingly become his disciples... His mental state was definitely stronger than his own.

Choosing this would likely result in being crushed.

However... he was a peak Out-of-Body realm expert, having undergone four thunder tribulations, with a powerful primordial spirit and a steady mind. The other party was at the peak of the Fetal Infant realm... as long as he prepared in advance and chose the right content for the competition, he should have a good chance of winning.

"Fine, I accept. However, I will set the specific content!"

The competition of Master's Word, Heaven's Gift had many forms. The other party set the event, but he determined the content.

"Of course!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand, saying no more.

No matter the content, when it came to Master's Word, Heaven's Gift... he had never feared anyone.

"Very well!"

Song Xuan looked at Master Yao before him and cupped his hands.

"May I ask Master Yao, could I borrow your Heaven's Sound Brush?"

"Heaven's Sound Brush?"

Startled, Yao Mantian's face then darkened: "Are you going to challenge the most difficult form of Master's Word, Heaven's Gift... Master's Word, Heaven's Sound?"