Chapter 1870: Taking Leave

Xiuru's tamed beast was a griffin-beak, huge in size, and the several people sitting on its back did not feel crowded.

Zheng Yang and the others had initially wanted to fly, but recalling their teacher's low-key nature, they ultimately gave up, sat upright on the beast's back, and closed their eyes to rest.

"You are also cultivators?"

Seeing them regulate their breathing, Xiuru looked over in confusion.

She had thought these people were like the villagers, never exposed to true qi, but unexpectedly they could absorb spiritual energy.

"Sort of,"

Zheng Yang replied with a smile.

Xiuru breathed a sigh of relief, smiled lightly, and her face was full of pride: "I have also cultivated, and I received the true teachings of the old village chief. Among so many people in the village, only I passed the assessment..."

"Impressive!"

Zheng Yang praised.

"The old village chief once received the inheritance of the descendant of the ancient sage Zichi!" Xiuru said.

"Oh?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"When the old village chief was young, he went to Fancheng and received guidance. Although he is old now, he is still the strongest in the village. It's a pity you didn't meet him; otherwise, you would definitely be filled with admiration!"

Xiuru explained.

They had only seen the current village chief; in fact, the strongest in their village was the old village chief. It was with him that she had cultivated and achieved her current results.

"May I ask... what cultivation technique did you practice? Was it guided by a master?" Zhang Xuan asked curiously.

The inheritance left by the ancient sage Zichi was certainly not simple. Even if the other party had only touched on the surface, with his insight, he should be able to discern something.

"Master?" Frowning, Xiuru was somewhat puzzled.

"It's a profession, specializing in teaching and helping people resolve doubts..." Zhang Xuan said.

"Never heard of it..." Xiuru shook her head: "Aren't cultivation techniques all passed down through families and not leaked? How could there really be someone teaching them? Even if such a place existed, it should be in the Great Confucian Hall. Anyway, I've never seen it..."

After asking a few more questions, Zhang Xuan finally understood that in this land of the Hundred Schools of Thought, there was actually no Master Teacher Hall!

To learn cultivation techniques, one needed family inheritance or qualification to enter the Great Confucian Hall.

The so-called Great Confucian Hall was similar to an academy, but it basically recruited only geniuses among geniuses. The village belle before him probably had no hope.

Yan Xue and Nangong Yuanfeng from back then were experts of the Great Confucian Hall.

"You're asking so many details—could it be that you want to go to Fancheng to seek opportunities? Let me tell you, it's not that simple. I've been there several times and haven't even seen those experts once!"

Seeing them keep inquiring, Xiuru showed sympathy.

Cultivation required techniques, but these things were not transparent; it wasn't that if you wanted to learn, someone would teach you.

That she could learn and achieve her current strength was also a stroke of luck.

Knowing they were just a group of people hoping for a lucky break, she lost her previous enthusiasm.

An hour later, a huge city appeared before them.

Fancheng had arrived!

In this village belle's words, it was a super-large city, but having seen the prosperity of the Master Teacher Continent, Zhang Xuan and the others couldn't help shaking their heads.

It was at most somewhat similar to Tianxuan City, and compared to the cities where the Zhang family and the Master Teacher Hall were located, it was worthless.

After passing inspection and entering the city, they walked for a while and arrived before a massive mansion. Xiuru pointed ahead: "This is the mansion of the ancient sage Zichi. Every day, many people come here seeking opportunities. Look at those—they all want to learn, but they can only keep kneeling here and get nothing!"

Following her gaze, they indeed saw a group of youths kneeling outside the mansion.

Their eyes were resolute; some, having knelt for a long time, swayed as if they could barely hold on, yet they still gritted their teeth.

Zhang Xuan frowned.

So many wanted to learn and persisted for it, yet the mansion before them had its gates tightly shut, as if it would never open.

"Confucius advocated education without distinction and passing down teachings to all. The Hundred Schools of Thought are all his students. Why don't they pass on the cultivation techniques?"

He was full of confusion.

It was because of Confucius's broad-mindedness that he had students all over the world and became the teacher for all ages. Since the Hundred Schools of Thought inherited his legacy, why were they so secretive and unwilling to teach their techniques?

While he was wondering, he heard the gate before him creak open, and then several tall, thin figures walked out.

They were three youths and a middle-aged man. The youths were no more than twenty years old, and the middle-aged man had a stern look between his brows, with a cultivation level unfathomably deep.

"A Great Sage expert..."

This middle-aged man was actually a Great Sage-level expert, and the three youths had also reached Saint Realm ninth level—true super geniuses.

"The Great Confucian Hall assessment is very strict. You must remember my teachings and strive to pass!"

Looking at the three youths before him, the middle-aged man instructed.

"Yes!"

The three nodded in unison, their expressions solemn.

"Great Confucian Hall?"

Zhang Xuan's heart stirred.

"That's the current head of the Fan family and his juniors. They're even going to take the Great Confucian Hall assessment... How impressive!"

"Those who can enter the Great Confucian Hall are all geniuses among geniuses, true experts... To receive even a single word of guidance from such a person would be worth dying for!"

"It's a pity that techniques are not passed on outside. Our backgrounds are insufficient; even if we want to learn, we can't!"

...

Murmurs arose all around.

The ancient sage Zichi was just a respectful title; his real name was Fan Xu. The Fan family spoken of by the crowd was precisely the family that inherited the ancient sage's legacy.

"Alright, safe journey!"

Without saying more, the middle-aged man waved his hand.

Whoosh!

The three youths flew up, shooting straight into the distance at great speed, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"Teacher..."

Seeing them go far, Zheng Yang looked over.

"Mm, let's follow them. If we want to uncover the secrets of this world, the Great Confucian Hall should be the breakthrough point."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Nangong Yuanfeng and the others who had entered the Master Teacher Continent before were all experts of the Great Confucian Hall. Rather than asking questions here to this not-so-pretty village belle, it was better to follow these people.

Once they reached the Great Confucian Hall, all secrets should be nothing.

"Follow them? Are you out of your minds? They are Saint Realm experts, flying so fast. Even if my spirit beast breaks its wings, it can't catch up! We can't even see a shadow..."

Hearing their conversation, the 'village belle' let out a scornful laugh.

She also wanted to learn from these three geniuses, but... the two sides were not on the same level at all. They could fly without needing spirit beasts; she couldn't even catch up, so how could she learn?

Even if she wanted to learn, she had to be realistic.

"Thank you for bringing us here. We won't ride your flying sacred beast anymore. Farewell!"

Interrupting her, Zhang Xuan smiled lightly and shook his body.

Whoosh!

In an instant, he flew up and disappeared like a teleport.

"You..."

The 'village belle's' eyes nearly popped out; trembling, she quickly turned to look at Zheng Yang and Wei Ruyan, only to see them also smile.

Whoosh!

They vanished as well.

Thump!

Falling to the ground on her bottom, Xiuru, regardless of her 'village belle' status, was completely dumbfounded.

She had thought they were bronze, but never dreamed they were kings—and even supreme ones at that.