Chapter 152: Treating Du Maoxuan

"Master, this spear technique..."

Entering the room, Zheng Yang could no longer hold back.

"This spear technique is one I just created. I'll recite the cultivation formula for you now!"

Zhang Xuan recited the technique.

"This... this..."

After hearing the formula, Zheng Yang was stunned.

This spear technique was far too brilliant; compared to it, the spear techniques he had learned before were utterly worthless.

He had previously thought this spear technique was crooked and ugly in form, but it turned out that wasn't the case at all.

This technique valued intent over form; it could be executed clumsily or with unparalleled grace. Though it consisted of only one move, it surpassed countless spear techniques, ever-changing and infinitely powerful.

"Alright, I have fully imparted this spear technique to you. Without my permission, you are not allowed to pass it on!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Yes!" Zheng Yang knelt and solemnly kowtowed several times.

Having immersed himself in spear techniques for years, he naturally understood the value of this technique and knew the bloody storm that would ensue if it leaked out.

"Though this spear technique is simple, it is the foundation of all spear techniques. With over ten days left, I hope you can make great progress and not let my efforts go to waste!"

Zhang Xuan instructed.

"Rest assured, Master!" Zheng Yang's expression was resolute, then he looked up: "Master, may I ask what this spear technique is called?"

"Name? I haven't named it yet. If you have an idea, just pick one!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Although he himself called it the Heavenly Dao Spear Technique, that was just a general term; each move still needed its own name. He couldn't be bothered to think of one, so he let this student do it.

"Yes!" Knowing his master's temperament, Zheng Yang suppressed his overwhelming shock and walked out.

After he left, Zhang Xuan rubbed his temples.

Wang Ying and Liu Yang, having resolved their physical issues, would surely advance by leaps and bounds; Yuan Tao and Zhao Ya, having activated their physiques, would progress even faster. Only Zheng Yang was slightly weaker than the others, but now with this spear technique, it was hard to say who would come out on top in over ten days.

He called in the other students, gave them some instructions, and then left the academy.

...

"You say... Du Maoxuan has been kneeling at the door for a whole day?"

"Although Du Maoxuan lost the competition for family head due to a serious illness, he is still a notable figure. Kneeling at the door for a day... could it be that the other party is truly a master teacher?"

"If that's true, then we were wrong before..."

...

When Zhang Xuan left the mansion to learn and teach the spear technique, the entire Tianxuan Royal City was already in an uproar.

If many hadn't believed the matter with Ling Tianyu before, Du Maoxuan kneeling at the door for a day made them waver.

A distinguished elder of one of the four great families, a once-contender for family head, kneeling at someone's door—only a master teacher could command such respect.

"Let's go see what's happening!"

"What exactly is going on? If it's confirmed to be a master teacher, we must quickly build good relations!"

...

As the news spread, countless major powers and families could no longer hold back, sending people to investigate. Some even came in person, including heads of households and leaders.

Luo Chong was one of them.

He was the president of the Tianxuan Royal City Blacksmith Guild, a solid mid-stage first-star blacksmith.

The highest-level blacksmith master in the Tianxuan Kingdom.

Even Emperor Shen Zhui had to spend a fortune to buy the weapons he forged. Countless nobles desired them but couldn't obtain them; every piece he made was sought after and bid up to astronomical prices.

Originally, with his status and position, even if a master teacher came, he had no need to curry favor or build connections.

After all, although blacksmiths were inferior to master teachers, they were among the top professions in the upper nine classes, with their own dignity and status.

But... he still came.

Because, unknown to others, only he knew that recently, when forging, he could never achieve a calm mind, and his creations often collapsed at the final step, becoming waste.

All the forging steps were no different from before. He initially thought it was a problem of physical strength or energy, and had specifically rested for several days, but... there was no change.

As the foremost blacksmith of the Tianxuan Kingdom, being unable to forge—once this got out, not only would his status be affected, but his former rivals and enemies would surely come, causing him to fall from grace.

So, upon hearing that a master teacher had arrived in the city, he could no longer restrain himself and quietly came to see if it was true.

If it was true, he would pay any price to identify the problem and solve it.

"It really is Du Maoxuan!"

Standing in a corner of the street, looking at the middle-aged man kneeling in the middle of the road, Luo Chong recognized him.

This most famous elder of the Du family was known to most high-ranking figures in Tianxuan City. He had once specially requested Luo Chong to forge a sword, so even from a distance, he recognized him at a glance.

"That fellow is always cautious. For him to willingly kneel like this, the person in that mansion must be able to solve his problem and has won his heartfelt admiration!"

With just one look, Luo Chong made a judgment.

If the person in the courtyard didn't have a sufficiently high status and the means to solve his problem, Du Maoxuan would never kneel like this, effectively slapping his own face.

"Creak!"

Just as he was speculating, the mansion's gate "creaked" open, and a plump steward walked out.

"Our master invites you in!"

Sun Qiang waved his hand grandly.

"Thank you, Steward Sun, for putting in a good word..." Du Maoxuan excitedly stood up.

"Let's go!"

Sun Qiang didn't waste words, leading the way. They entered the courtyard, and the gate closed tightly again.

"He went in!"

"Du Maoxuan went in. We should be able to tell from his demeanor when he comes out!"

"Yes, let's keep waiting..."

...

The many spies from major powers hidden nearby, seeing him enter the mansion, didn't leave in a hurry but continued to focus their attention.

Luo Chong also didn't rush, waiting quietly.

...

"I failed to recognize your greatness. Please forgive me, Master Yang!"

As soon as he entered the room, Du Maoxuan, shedding all previous doubt and pride, knelt directly.

"Rise."

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

After returning from the academy, he found a secluded spot, disguised himself as "Yang Xuan" again, and came back to the mansion.

His absence for most of the day had worn down the man's arrogance, so he had Sun Qiang let him in.

"Please, Master Yang, put aside past grievances and save me!" Du Maoxuan didn't rise but continued kneeling.

"Since I let you in, I will naturally act. Rise." Zhang Xuan said indifferently.

Hearing this, Du Maoxuan's face lit up with joy, and he quickly stood up.

Du Yuan, following behind, also brightened but felt some confusion.

Hadn't his father just suffered a serious illness before? Could it be that this master teacher could even cure past ailments?

"Do you know why I called you a beast earlier?"

Zhang Xuan looked at him.

"Yes." Du Maoxuan replied.

Sun Qiang and Du Yuan couldn't help nodding.

Earlier, this Master Yang had only glanced at Du Maoxuan and called him a beast. They had thought it was an insult, but now it seemed not so simple.

Yet, what puzzled them was: what could make him call someone a beast without the slightest anger, and instead with excitement?

But they didn't have to wonder long, as Zhang Xuan's voice rang out.

"Ten years ago, everyone thought you fell ill and your cultivation plummeted. But in fact, if I'm not mistaken, you... merged the blood of a Snow Wolf Beast into your body, attempting a blood exchange!"

"Doing so caused your body to be poisoned by the wolf beast's venom. Every noon, your entire body grows white fur, making you neither human nor beast, like an animal. Am I correct?"

"Yes, Master Yang's words are perfectly accurate!"

Du Maoxuan quickly nodded.

Although being called a beast earlier had made him realize the other party had seen through his condition, hearing it described with such precision still filled him with shock.

Truly a master teacher, with astonishing insight—this was a problem even Master Yuan Yu hadn't detected.

"This..."

"Snow Wolf Beast blood? White fur all over?"

Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, Sun Qiang and Du Yuan finally understood.

The latter, especially, trembled.

No wonder his father had the habit of drinking cold tea at noon and seeing no one; he had thought it was a long-standing habit, never dreaming it was for this reason.

Growing white fur all over every noon... he was afraid of being seen, so he deliberately hid!

A person covered in fur—what else but a beast?

No wonder Master Yang said it outright, and his father didn't refute but knelt outside the door... the root cause was all here.

"The Snow Wolf Beast is a seventh-rank savage beast, equivalent to a martial artist at the seventh level, Tongxuan Realm. It has white fur and moves like the wind. Its blood is one of the main ingredients for refining [Tongxuan Pill], which can unblock meridians and enhance cultivation. You exchanged blood with the Snow Wolf Beast, probably after reading some manual, mistakenly believing that success would greatly advance your cultivation, right?"

Ignoring the shock of the others, Zhang Xuan continued.

"Yes!" Du Maoxuan smiled bitterly and quickly nodded.

Exactly as Master Yang said; he had indeed read a manual that claimed a successful blood exchange would allow him to break into the Tongxuan Realm and become a seventh-rank martial artist.

Who would have thought it would become the start of a nightmare?

Every day, his body grew white fur, making him neither human nor ghost. Even if it lasted only about half an hour, the suffering was unimaginable.

That he endured for ten years was only due to his strong will; otherwise, he would have surely committed suicide long ago.

"I was young and couldn't distinguish truth from falsehood, so I rashly believed it... I beg Master Yang to save me!" Du Maoxuan clasped his fists.

Thinking back now, he had really been out of his mind.

He had obtained an ancient manual by chance, thought it a treasure, went deep into the barren lands, used various means to hunt a Snow Wolf Beast, and performed the blood exchange. He had expected to achieve great cultivation and directly succeed as family head, never dreaming it would lead to this outcome.

If that wasn't out of his mind, what was?

"Distinguishing truth from falsehood? That manual of yours... is genuine." Zhang Xuan said.

"Genuine?" Du Maoxuan was about to say something else, but hearing this, his whole body trembled: "How is that possible? If it's genuine, how could I have become like this..."

If that manual was true, how could he have been neither human nor ghost for so many years?

And how could his cultivation have regressed from the Pixing Realm to the Dingli Realm, never recovering?