Chapter 1245: Specially Appointed Elder

"Teacher Zhang is giving a lecture?"

The old blacksmith stood frozen, listening carefully. Indeed, from afar came a faint, indistinct sound.

Because it was too far away, he couldn't hear clearly, but just catching a bit, he felt his internal qi violently churning, circulating according to the speaker's words.

"This is... a master's divine oral transmission?"

His throat went dry. The old blacksmith understood, his eyes shining, unable to contain his excitement.

Though just a blacksmith, he knew many legends about masters. This divine oral transmission gave spiritual nature to pots and pans; if sold later, the price would reach an appalling level.

Previously, a wok, with his skill, could sell for one gold coin, but now, even a mid-grade spirit stone might not be enough to buy one...

Of course... the prerequisite was to first catch these runaway pots!

Whoosh!

After who knows how long, he finally caught up with the pots and pans. Taking the hammer in hand again, the old blacksmith immediately felt a blood-bond connection.

It was as if it had grown into his hand, no longer having any weight.

"With this, I don't have to wait until afternoon. Eighteen woks can be forged in a short while. From now on, my life will change greatly..."

Clenching his fist, he looked toward where the sound had come from, knelt straight down, his eyes reddening.

"Thank you, Teacher Zhang..."

...

The same scene appeared in the streets and alleys of Qingyuan City.

Zhang Xuan's divine oral transmission not only enhanced cultivation but also greatly benefited other auxiliary skills. Some alchemists who couldn't refine pills succeeded after hearing the lecture; some sacred beasts that couldn't conceive due to powerful bloodlines became pregnant with twins after the lesson...

...

Slap!

The last character in the air dissipated. All the cultivators in the square recovered from their cultivation, their eyes blazing with fervent light.

Other masters' divine word heavenly sounds could only provide cultivation for one person, but Teacher Zhang's could emit a resonant sound, with the same effect as divine oral transmission, allowing them all to gain unimaginable benefits in a short time...

It was simply incredible.

"Teacher!"

They prostrated themselves, filled with admiration.

Refining their techniques, they shared a half-teacher bond.

From today on, all masters and cultivators in Qingyuan City would likely be grateful to Zhang Xuan, with no other thoughts.

"One word convinces ten thousand, one phrase settles nine provinces... This is a true master!"

Looking at the crowd's worshipful eyes, Yao Mantian sighed inwardly.

Even she, an eight-star master, could not achieve this.

This Zhang Xuan's talent surpassed imagination, even comparable to disciples of some sage clans.

Moreover, with so many people simultaneously acknowledging him as teacher, his face showed no excitement or complacency. This mindset alone destined him to go further and further!

"I must take him as a student..."

She quietly clenched her fist.

Although his talent was strong, he had not yet reached eight-star strength. With her status, she still had a chance to take him as a student.

If successful, with vigorous training, he would surely shake the continent in the future!

"Teacher Zhang, would you... like to go to the Empire Alliance for further study and quickly improve your strength?"

Thinking this, she could no longer hold back and looked at him.

"Empire Alliance?"

"Yes. There are the best cultivation techniques and resources. If you agree to be my student, I can take you there, provide the best connections and techniques, give you whatever you want, and ensure you become a true eight-star master within fifty years..."

Yao Mantian nodded.

"Fifty years?" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Not interested!"

By the time he became an eight-star master in that many years, grass would probably be several zhang tall on his grave.

For others, becoming an eight-star master before seventy was a great temptation, but for him, it was slower than a snail, truly unappealing.

"This is a good opportunity. The Empire Alliance's forces are intertwined, forming factions. Without guidance, you'll easily run into trouble..."

Seeing his refusal, Yao Mantian explained.

"Factions?"

"The Empire Alliance is a coalition organization. Under it are not only the eight titled empires but also some minor sage clans. These forces unite to form the alliance. Therefore, the interests among major forces have led to several factions within the Master Teacher Hall. If you don't understand in advance or align with one, you'll inevitably face difficulties."

Yao Mantian continued: "I want to take you as a disciple not to take advantage of you, but to be your guide, helping you integrate and gain recognition. Otherwise, no matter how talented, it's useless. Sage clans and the alliance are so vast... the last thing they lack is geniuses!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

He had read relevant books and knew the structure of the Empire Alliance.

As she said, the eight titled empires were only part of it.

Under it also governed some minor sage clans and sects of modest strength.

It was like the former Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance, which had sects like Flowing Cloud Sect and Cold Qi Sect under it.

Where there are people, there are factions. Different forces, occupying different territories, naturally split into many factions... Without joining a corresponding group, entering was nearly impossible.

"So, would you consider it..."

Seeing he understood, Yao Mantian asked.

"Well... the Master Teacher Hall is divided into many factions. Does the headquarters allow this to develop?" Zhang Xuan found it strange.

Throughout his journey, the Master Teacher Hall had always been united. Why did it seem chaotic at the higher level of the Empire Alliance?

"When Confucius established the Master Teacher Hall, he said that for humanity to develop rapidly, nature must be liberated, and there must be competition and conflict internally. Otherwise, if everyone is complacent, how can they surpass other professions?"

Yao Mantian smiled.

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused, then nodded.

It was like the rules of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy.

As long as it didn't harm humanity, they generally didn't interfere, allowing students to compete.

With competition, there is progress.

If it were all top-down commands, combat effectiveness could be consolidated in the short term, but over time, it would become mediocre, no longer highlighting the greatness of the number one profession.

It must be said that Confucius's rule was indeed good.

Because of this, Master Teacher Halls everywhere handled their own affairs. As long as it wasn't beyond their capacity, they resolved it themselves without reporting to headquarters for personnel.

With this mechanism, the Master Teacher Hall continuously produced talents, enduring for tens of thousands of years without any other profession being able to contend.

Natural selection, survival of the fittest.

Only through constant selection can the best be retained.

"This kind of conflict is the most troublesome..."

Zhang Xuan rubbed his brow.

To be honest, he disliked such factions the most; they wasted too much energy.

"Yes, but there's no choice... Unless you become an elder of the Alliance Master Teacher Hall, you will inevitably face various constraints and sanctions!"

Yao Mantian said.

"Elder?"

"Yes. An elder of the Alliance Master Teacher Hall has voting rights in adjudicating matters. This alone makes them sought after by all forces, and no one dares to offend them!" Yao Mantian continued.

"How does one become an elder?"

Zhang Xuan was intrigued.

He didn't want to get involved in factional affairs. If he could become an elder, he could avoid trouble and enjoy corresponding resources—killing two birds with one stone.

"Become an elder?"

Yao Mantian was speechless.

This guy really dared to think.

She, a dignified eight-star lower-grade master, couldn't become one. He was only seven-star and hadn't even gone there yet, but he was already thinking about this... Wasn't he overthinking?

Suppressing her displeasure, she still explained: "To become an elder of the Alliance Master Teacher Hall, one must first reach eight-star master and have cultivation at the Saint Domain seventh level. Most crucially, one must gain the recognition and approval of the Hall Master... Otherwise, don't even think about it!"

Saying this, she sighed: "My teacher is an eight-star middle-grade master and has been applying for thirty years to become an elder, but... has never succeeded!"

If her teacher were an elder, he would have long entered a better place for cultivation, instead of being sent to such a poor region to deal with messes.

Even her teacher wasn't qualified. This one was only a seven-star master; even if talented, it was useless!

The higher the master level, the more talented people there were...

If Hall Master He agreed so easily to someone becoming an elder, the Alliance Master Teacher Hall wouldn't have only twelve after all these years.

"Well... it is indeed difficult!"

Hearing that even her teacher hadn't succeeded, Zhang Xuan scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.

An eight-star middle-grade master with cultivation at Saint Domain seventh level couldn't do it... naturally, he couldn't either.

"Yes..."

Yao Mantian nodded: "Being in the Master Teacher Hall, it's impossible to escape its disputes. So, you have to pick a side early and join one. My teacher, though not an elder, is one of the many stewards in the Master Teacher Hall. Becoming my student means joining our camp, which can save a lot of trouble..."

Just as she was about to explain further, trying to make Zhang Xuan her student, a gust of wind swept through the air, and a huge sacred beast slowly descended.

Then, several figures flew down.

"Master Wu, Hall Master Xing..."

Zhang Xuan smiled slightly.

It was Master Wu and the others, returning from Jibei City.

"Teacher Zhang, I have reported the matter in detail to the Alliance Master Teacher Hall, and Hall Master He has granted rewards!"

Coming over, after exchanging pleasantries, Master Wu smiled, raised his hand, and shot a beam of light toward the nearby Master Teacher Hall.

Rumble!

As if some formation was activated, a vast force enveloped the surroundings.

Knowing it was a command from headquarters, all masters and battle masters looked solemnly.

"Zhang Xuan, master of Qingyuan Empire Master Teacher Hall, thwarted the Heterodox tribe's conspiracy, killed Qingtian Emperor and the ten kings, with boundless merits... Appointed as Specially Appointed Elder of the Alliance Master Teacher Hall..."

A grand voice then rang out.