Chapter 175: Getting Rich

As a renowned master's guard, he knew the status and fame of the three masters in the kingdom. They left with only a steward seeing them off, and that... 'swindler' didn't even show his face?

Was it real or fake?

Weren't you going to expose that guy? Instead, you're with a steward, giving gifts and calling him 'Brother Sun'... What the hell?

A Yun seemed to realize he was wrong, and terribly so.

Could it be... that this Yang Xuan really was a renowned master?

The crowd, who had just heard him vow to expose Yang Xuan, saw this and were completely stunned.

Weren't they saying he was a fake? How could even a steward be so respected?

Most importantly... calling him 'Brother Sun'?

Master Liu, you're over sixty, and Sun Qiang is under forty. Calling him 'Brother Sun'...

Why does it give me goosebumps?

Lucky I didn't listen to him, or I'd have fallen into a trap!

Yeah, knowing nothing, pretending to be a big shot...

And expose? Have you ever seen an exposure like this? The person isn't even here, and you're respectfully exposing him through a steward?

...

After the shock, the crowd's tone turned disrespectful.

Those waiting here generally had some status in the Tianxuan Kingdom. They feared Master Liu but didn't necessarily hold A Yun in awe.

When he spoke earlier, so confidently, they almost believed him. Now they knew believing him would be sheer folly.

Hearing these words, A Yun trembled with anger, deeply wounded.

You came to ask me, and I kindly told you. Now you turn your backs on me... I shouldn't have bothered...

...

You want me to guide your ancestor's breakthrough?

Zhang Xuan looked at the nervous Emperor Shen Zhui before him.

Having smoothly helped Zhuang Xian break through, Liu Ling and Zheng Fei no longer doubted him. They asked some cultivation questions, and after reading through the entire kingdom's library, Zhang Xuan's knowledge was astonishing. With the help of the Library of Heaven's Path to identify flaws, a few words left the two deeply impressed.

After consulting for a while, the three took their leave, while Emperor Shen Zhui stayed behind.

He had come for the matter of his ancestor. As soon as the three masters left, he spoke up.

Yes... Emperor Shen Zhui said, full of hope.

If the Tianxuan Kingdom had no ancestor to guard it, it would likely be carved up by other kingdoms before long.

Survival of the fittest, the strong rule—not just for warriors, but for nations.

I came to Tianxuan Royal City to rest and don't want to get entangled in too many trivial matters... Zhang Xuan shook his head.

It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but... the other party's ancestor had already reached half-step Grandmaster realm. Breaking through further would mean becoming a true Grandmaster.

He hadn't even reached Tongxuan realm. Guiding Zhuang Xian's breakthrough had been partly luck; he didn't want to overcommit and reveal his flaws.

Please, Master Yang, make a move. If you're willing to guide him, the Tianxuan Kingdom will exchange anything for it...

Hearing the refusal, Emperor Shen Zhui quickly bowed.

He had gone to great lengths to invite the three masters, but they were powerless. His only hope was this man. If he truly refused, the ancestor wouldn't live much longer.

Do you think I lack anything?

Zhang Xuan narrowed his eyes.

I wouldn't dare...

Emperor Shen Zhui was startled.

No kidding. The other party was a renowned master even more formidable than Master Liu and the others. If he wanted something, a word would bring countless people rushing to offer it. He was just a minor kingdom's emperor, daring to speak nonsense.

Alright, do this: gather for me some manuals on the seventh level of martial arts, the Tongxuan realm. It doesn't matter if they're precious or not, just as long as there are many. When you find over a thousand, I'll consider guiding your ancestor.

Zhang Xuan said calmly.

Ah? Emperor Shen Zhui was taken aback.

Didn't you say you lacked nothing? Tongxuan realm manuals... what does that mean?

And a thousand?

His mouth twitched.

In the Tianxuan Kingdom, Tongxuan realm was the pinnacle. Manuals that could enhance such experts were rare, even in the royal palace. Asking for a thousand at once? What did Master Yang intend?

If it's too difficult, forget it... Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

It's not difficult. Master Yang, rest assured. I'll complete it within five days... Emperor Shen Zhui gritted his teeth.

This was the only chance. Missing it would mean lifelong regret.

Mm. Zhang Xuan said no more and casually waved his hand.

Emperor Shen Zhui tactfully withdrew.

As soon as he left the hall, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

He hadn't expected the Tongxuan realm manuals that had troubled him to be resolved so simply.

With his ability, finding one or two Tongxuan realm manuals wouldn't be hard, but hundreds or thousands was nearly impossible. Emperor Shen Zhui was different. As the emperor, with a single command, gathering several Tongxuan realm manuals was simple.

Most importantly, he only cared about quantity, not quality.

He could do without secret transmissions; just having enough manuals was fine.

Master...

Sun Qiang approached.

What happened these past few days? Who are those people outside?

Since arriving, he had been questioned by the three masters and Emperor Shen Zhui, and hadn't figured out what was going on outside.

Reporting to master, your reputation has spread throughout Tianxuan Royal City these days...

Sun Qiang briefly explained the events of the past few days. Zhang Xuan finally understood and couldn't help but marvel at how everyone wanted to become a renowned master—the influence was immense.

Master, this is what the three masters left behind...

After speaking, Sun Qiang handed over a spatial ring.

Mm. Zhang Xuan nodded.

He had thought the three renowned masters weren't short of money. After all his hard work guiding them, how could there be no reward?

Dropping blood to claim ownership, Zhang Xuan looked and his eyes went wide.

This ring was far superior to the one he used.

Though also a low-grade storage ring, it had a full thirty cubic meters of space, ten times larger than his three-cubic-meter ring.

Not to mention anything else, this ring alone was probably worth millions of gold coins.

Inside, it was piled with all kinds of treasures, rare herbs, and stacks of gold coins. A quick glance suggested it was worth no less than ten million.

What a generous gesture...

Just one look, and Zhang Xuan couldn't help but exclaim.

As expected of renowned masters, they were truly generous. A casual gift was worth over ten million, far more than others.

Of course, he knew that Master Liu and the others intended to curry favor. Otherwise, just guiding their cultivation wouldn't warrant such a huge expense.

Master, while you were away, Lord Ling Tianyu also came a few times and brought another five million in gold notes...

Sun Qiang then handed over a stack of gold notes.

Though he knew his status had risen, he dared not conceal any of these gifts and handed them over faithfully.

This is the visitation fee from callers these days. I've made a list...

Sun Qiang handed over a notebook. Zhang Xuan took it and flipped through, then was startled: How many people is this?

Reporting to master, a total of twenty-seven visitors, all of whom paid. The total is 81 million...

Sun Qiang gestured, and two guards carried over a chest filled with gold notes.

Holy crap...

Seeing the mountain of gold notes before him, Zhang Xuan felt he was going crazy.

He had thought earning over two thousand gold coins was nearly impossible. Now he realized he had underestimated the prestige of a renowned master.

Just by announcing his name, without even seeing anyone, people eagerly sent over so much... Probably no other profession could achieve this.

Go and tell them: those who have paid, come tomorrow, and I'll guide them one by one. Those who haven't paid, please leave. From today, I won't accept any more... Zhang Xuan rubbed his temples and waved his hand.

Since they had already paid, he couldn't refund them. But guiding over twenty people would certainly keep him busy for a while.

Yes. Sun Qiang nodded.

Zhang Xuan stored the chest and all the gold notes into the spatial ring, then casually pulled out a note and handed it over: This is your reward. I told you, following me comes with benefits.

If you want the horse to run fast, you must feed it well. Without Sun Qiang's maneuvering these days, he wouldn't have earned so much money.

Besides, the guy had probably been through a lot of fear these days. A few gold notes were nothing; with his status as a renowned master, he could have as much as he wanted.

One million...

Seeing the denomination on the gold note, Sun Qiang was startled and fell to his knees.

This was money he could never earn in a lifetime.

From today, whatever master commands, I will do, even if it costs my life...

Sun Qiang vowed silently.

Since following this master, he had gained dignity, money, and a breakthrough in cultivation. Such kindness and recognition were things he could never have obtained in his previous aimless life.

It could be said that this master had opened another world for him, a kindness as great as being reborn.

Alright, I'm going out. Handle the matter of the people at the door as you see fit.

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

The other's gratitude was just a minor episode, nothing to him. The most important thing now was to pick up the medicine, help Yuan Tao and Zhao Ya activate their physiques, and then... sleep!

He had been up all day and night, exhausted like a dog. If not for his increased cultivation, he would have long since collapsed into deep sleep.

Yes. Sun Qiang nodded.

Knowing the front gate was crowded, Zhang Xuan left through the back door. Leaving the residence, he found a secluded spot, removed his disguise, changed clothes, and reverted to his original appearance.

Restored to his normal look, Zhang Xuan strode toward the Alchemist Guild.

...

Teacher!

In Lu Xun's classroom, several students stood neatly before him.

Among them were Zhu Hong, who had previously delivered a challenge letter to Zhang Xuan's class, Mo Xiao, a friend of Zheng Yang, and a few others.

If Yuan Tao, Liu Yang, and the others were here, they would recognize these five as the ones on the list to compete with them.

Previously, they were all at the first level of martial arts, Juxi realm. Now, each exuded a vigorous aura and full strength, all having reached the second level.

Not bad.

Looking at the progress of these students, Lu Xun nodded with satisfaction. It seemed his great efforts and immense cost had not been in vain.

Having reached the second level, dealing with that Zhang Xuan would be a walk in the park.

Teacher Lu, that renowned master Yang Xuan... has appeared!

Just as he was about to give further instructions, Teacher Wang Chao pushed open the door and entered, his eyes full of excitement.