Chapter 431: The Great Upheaval in the Xuanyuan Kingdom (Part 1)

"You know Xiao Su and Xiao Ling?"

Sun Qiang frowned.

"Met... once!"

Hearing him address the four-star masters so casually, Jin Conghai dared not reply, his mouth twitching.

These two were figures who could summon wind and rain in the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance, yet in the other's mouth they sounded like nobodies...

Even witnessing it with his own eyes, his mind felt dizzy.

"Since you know them, you're considered an acquaintance. No harm in telling you!"

Sun Qiang's expression softened slightly and said, "Our master, Yang Xuan, is a master teacher. As for his level... the master has never mentioned it, and I don't know either. However, Master Su once hinted privately that he has definitely reached... six stars or above!"

"A master teacher... above six stars?"

"Young Master," Jin Conghai, Gu Mu, and the others were all startled.

The most powerful figure in the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance, Hall Master Kang, was only at the peak of four stars, still a distance from five stars, let alone six.

The higher the master teacher level, the greater the gap.

Six stars and peak four stars might seem only two major levels apart, but in reality, their cultivation was worlds apart. If such a strong person truly made a move, all the experts of the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance combined would be powerless!

Their master was actually such a formidable existence...

No wonder he was so arrogant despite being only at the Dingli realm, showing no fear of them.

With such a powerful backer behind him, not to mention the peak of Supreme, or even the Mortal Transcendence realm... even the invincible Flowing Cloud Sect would surely not dare to utter a word of nonsense.

Elder Wei Yuqing on the side was also trembling, nearly fainting from fright.

He had never met the master the other spoke of, but he had seen the young master... it was the incredibly talented Beastmaster Zhang!

Taming beasts like catching dogs, breaking through trials like grabbing chickens!

He had thought it was a top disciple of some great beast-taming master, but never imagined the teacher was a super master teacher above six stars!

No wonder he was so heaven-defying at such a young age...

"I must hurry back and report to the hall master!"

His expression solemn, he made a decision in his heart.

"Indeed! However, our master is always elusive, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. This time, it is the young master Zhang Xuan who wants Palace Master Gu to go. Prepare quickly, and it's best to bring more poison. If it's needed, we won't be caught off guard!"

Seeing the crowd intimidated, Sun Qiang nodded with satisfaction.

Who was Master Yang?

A super master teacher above six stars. As the steward of such a strong person, he naturally had to display some dignity. If he was scared off by a few small fries, how could he face others in the future?

"Yes!"

Knowing that this 'Grandmaster Uncle' was actually a master teacher above six stars, Gu Mu immediately recalled the details of their interactions.

Resolving his internal blockages, helping tame the Lava Beast, resolving the Great Medicine King's contract Gu...

All these methods showed extraordinary skill.

Thinking of these, he suddenly understood... this guy might not be boasting.

This Grandmaster Uncle 'Master Yang' might indeed possess such powerful abilities.

"Young Master, is he telling the truth?"

Jin Conghai and the 'Young Master' also communicated telepathically.

Although the Young Master was not old and his cultivation was inferior to Jin Conghai's, his insight was extremely sharp, and he judged people very accurately.

"When he spoke, he was full of confidence, without any pretense. I'm afraid that Master Yang is no simple figure," the 'Young Master' said calmly.

"Then..."

"It's also simple to verify whether he's telling the truth. Aren't they going to the Xuanyuan Royal City? I remember that to go to the Tianwu Kingdom, we also pass by there. We can go and have a look. If this master he speaks of is truly a six-star master teacher, befriending him would be immensely beneficial, no doubt. My problem would also be easily resolved."

The 'Young Master' continued, "If not, you can handle it as you see fit!"

"Yes!" Jin Conghai quickly nodded.

The other spoke with such conviction that he dared not be certain.

If this guy was truly a servant of a six-star master teacher, offending him would mean antagonizing such a strong person, causing big trouble.

Since they were going to Xuanyuan Royal City anyway, they could go and see, perhaps verifying the truth and understanding the depth.

Understanding this, the two said no more.

Gu Mu had nothing much to prepare; all his belongings were in his storage ring. Soon, everything was ready, and the group left the Poison Hall, heading straight toward Xuanyuan Royal City.

...

Whoosh!

In the quiet room, Zhang Xuan opened his eyes again.

"What a pity..."

A trace of helplessness appeared on his face.

After Sun Qiang left, he began closed-door cultivation, and now nearly three days had passed.

On the first day, his physical strength reached thirty thousand ding.

Then for the next two days, he consumed a full five drops of spirit beast blood, but his strength only increased to thirty-five thousand ding before stopping.

"There's no problem with the cultivation; it's just that the spirit beast blood has lost its effect!"

Exhaling a breath, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

The second level of the Heavenly Dao Golden Body used spirit beast blood to advance the physical body. The technique formed by the Heavenly Dao Library naturally had no issues, nor had he reached perfection and couldn't progress further. It was simply that the effect of the spirit beast blood had disappeared.

The Xuanyuan Kingdom Beast Hall had only collected the essence blood of first-level spirit beasts. This substance had great effect when the user's cultivation was low, but upon reaching the late Supreme realm, it became extremely weak.

It was like two ponds: when the water levels differed greatly, the flow was fast; when they were nearly equal, the flow stopped.

This first-level spirit beast essence blood had pushed his physical body to the late Supreme realm, and now it was like water at the same height. No matter how much he used, it was hard to increase his strength.

He looked inward with his spirit.

The blood in his body was full and round, like mercury, containing power. Each drop alone was not inferior to the previous first-level spirit beast blood.

Although his cultivation had not improved much in the following two days, it was not wasted effort. It allowed him to thoroughly consolidate and familiarize himself with his strength, so that the situation where his physical body surged but he couldn't control it, nearly killing someone, would not occur again.

"Seven drops remain. Three drops for Yuan Tao to help him activate his Unicorn Bloodline, and four drops for the Howling Sky Beast!"

He had obtained a total of thirty drops of spirit beast blood from the Beast Hall. After cultivation, seven remained. Keeping them was useless, so he might as well give them all away to make the best use of them.

Yuan Tao possessed the Unicorn Bloodline, and spirit beast blood was exactly the treasure that could activate his constitution.

As for the Iron-Toothed Howling Sky Beast, his true qi cultivation had not increased, so he couldn't help it with bloodline advancement. But by feeding it the spirit beast blood and finding a special guidance method suited to its constitution, it could still advance by one or two minor levels.

Even without using the Heavenly Dao Library, having read all the books from the Beast Halls of the Xuanluo Mountains and the Xuanyuan Kingdom, combined with his Insightful Eye, he still had this ability.

In other words, even without relying on master teacher methods, his beast-taming skills alone were at least as strong as those of a third-rank beast tamer.

Thinking it, he acted. Zhang Xuan stood up and walked out, called Yuan Tao and the Howling Sky Beast over, distributed the remaining seven drops of spirit beast blood, and gave detailed instructions on how to use them.

Just as he finished handling these matters, he saw Hall Master Xie Jiuchen walking over with a happy expression.

"Beastmaster Zhang, I have not failed your trust. The books you requested have all been gathered!"

After making the Cyan Nightmare Beast submit to the Beast Hall, he had requested cultivation technique manuals. After three days of collection, he had gathered over a thousand books each for Half-Step Supreme and Supreme realm cultivation techniques.

Whoosh!

With his words, Xie Jiuchen flipped his palm, and two huge bookshelves appeared before them, densely packed with books, over two thousand in total.

Fearing that Zhang Xuan might be dissatisfied, these techniques had been obtained from various families and major powers, costing favors and great expense. They were considered not weak.

Although they were all handwritten copies, the fact that so many could be gathered in such a short time showed the Beast Hall's formidable strength.

"Thank you, Hall Master Xie!"

A glance told him that acquiring these things must have cost a lot. Zhang Xuan was full of gratitude and asked, "How is the taming of the Cyan Nightmare Beast going?"

"Its injuries have begun to heal, and it is no longer as resistant to me as before... I must thank Beastmaster Zhang for your help!"

Xie Jiuchen nodded with a smile.

Although the Cyan Nightmare Beast was somewhat unwilling, it had already signed a contract. The master's words were commands, and its attitude toward them had clearly improved.

As time passed, even if it couldn't be completely tamed, getting it to coexist peacefully and act when needed should not be difficult.

"That's good!"

Seeing everything going smoothly, Zhang Xuan laughed.

"Beastmaster Zhang, you are busy. I'll take my leave!"

Knowing that the other wanted these manuals for cultivation or research, Xie Jiuchen turned and left.

After Hall Master Xie left, Zhang Xuan ran his fingers over the many manuals and stored them in the library.

"Correct!"

With a low exclamation, two manuals appeared in his mind.

They were the Heavenly Dao manuals for Half-Step Supreme and Supreme realms.

"Continue!"

Smiling lightly, Zhang Xuan looked at them.

Before long, he had read both books, and their contents were all imprinted in his mind.

"Cultivate!"

Not daring to waste time, he sat cross-legged, flipped his wrist, and a spirit stone appeared in his palm. He began to cultivate.

He had obtained ten spirit stones from the Lin family, and as the champion of the beast-taming competition after challenging the Ten Beast Cage, he received a reward of five.

That is, he now had a total of fifteen spirit stones (Liang Qingming and Lin Long had been smashed into meat paste by the Heavenly Dao Book, and their storage rings were nowhere to be found, so even if they had spirit stones, he didn't get them).

Although the quantity was not large, it should be enough to boost his strength significantly.

Crack! Crack!

One by one, the spirit stones were absorbed clean of their spiritual energy, turning into powder. The vast spiritual energy immediately flowed along his meridians throughout his body, continuously increasing his aura and strength.

Boom!

After more than ten minutes, his body shook, and his cultivation broke through from the peak Grandmaster realm to Half-Step Supreme.

Jiang Shu, Mo Tianxue, and others had cultivated their whole lives without reaching this level. If they knew this guy had done it easily in just over ten minutes, they would probably vomit blood and die on the spot.

Half-Step Supreme meant one foot had entered the Supreme realm, and life had already undergone a transformation.

With his cultivation improved, Zhang Xuan did not stop. He continued to devour the spiritual energy from the spirit stones, constantly increasing his power.

Crack!

Half an hour later, he shook again and successfully advanced to Supreme.

From peak Grandmaster to Supreme, it took less than an hour.

Truly worthy of the Heavenly Dao technique. As long as spiritual energy was sufficient, cultivation was as simple as eating and drinking, with no barriers at all.

Having broken through, his true qi rolled along his meridians. He carefully sensed it.

Now, even without using his physical body, his true qi power reached ten thousand ding, truly stepping into the highest ranks of martial artists.

An hour later.

He stopped, and Zhang Xuan sighed.

As his cultivation increased, his demand for spiritual energy grew higher, and the need for spirit stones became greater.

Previously, five spirit stones could bring him to peak Grandmaster, but now, fifteen only brought him to Supreme, without even fully consolidating the early Supreme stage.

For others, it wouldn't be so exaggerated. The main reason was that his Heavenly Dao true qi was too pure and too heaven-defying.

This kind of low-grade spirit stone had great effect on other Supreme experts, but not much for him to absorb.

Eighty to ninety percent of the spiritual energy was mostly wasted.

Although his cultivation had only reached early Supreme not long ago and the spirit stones were exhausted, his true qi power had still increased by five thousand ding, reaching a total of fifteen thousand ding, much stronger than an average early Supreme.

"Adding the physical body's thirty-five thousand ding, I can easily crush peak Supreme experts. With the Insightful Eye and the Heavenly Dao Library, I can even fight Half-Step Mortal Transcendence!"

His eyes shining, Zhang Xuan showed intense confidence.

True qi at fifteen thousand ding, physical body at thirty-five thousand ding, totaling fifty thousand ding, much stronger than the peak Supreme's forty thousand ding.

Coupled with his many Heavenly Dao combat techniques and master teacher methods, even a Half-Step Mortal Transcendence would find it hard to defeat him.

On the fourth day after arriving at the Xuanyuan Royal City Beast Hall, and the seventh day since Lu Chong was gravely injured saving him, he had finally leaped from peak Grandmaster to possess power surpassing peak Supreme!

This also meant...

He now had the capital for revenge!

"Lu Chong, watch your teacher... avenge you!"

His eyes narrowed, and a murmuring voice came from Zhang Xuan's throat.

With his strength achieved, it was time to act.

However, before that, he needed to understand the other party's situation.

Leaving the quiet room, Zhang Xuan knocked on the door and saw Princess Mo Yu waiting inside.

"How is it?"

Without pleasantries, he spoke directly.

Before going into seclusion, he had Sun Qiang find Gu Mu, Xie Jiuchen search for manuals, and also arranged for Mo Yu to go to Xuanyuan Royal City to inquire about Ding Mu.

He couldn't let the Beast Hall know about killing this crown prince of the Xuanyuan Kingdom; otherwise, no one could guarantee that the news wouldn't leak. If the guy escaped and hid somewhere, the entire Kingdom Alliance was so vast—where would he find him?

So he had Mo Yu go inquire.

After all, the fact that Zhao Ya and others were his students had long spread throughout the Tianwu Kingdom, making it easy to find out. If they went to ask, it would be easily discovered.

Moreover, as a one-star master teacher, Mo Yu held a high status, making it relatively easier to investigate someone.

"I've found out..."

Nodding, Mo Yu frowned, her face pale: "As soon as this Ding Mu returned to the Xuanyuan Kingdom, he hid in the Master Teacher Hall and hasn't come out since!"

"The Master Teacher Hall?"

His brows furrowed.

It was exactly what he had feared.

Earlier, Mo Yu had said that if they truly wanted to confront a titled kingdom, the biggest obstacle was not the kingdom itself, but the local Master Teacher Hall.

The Master Teacher Hall maintained stability in the region and would not easily allow people to act. Otherwise, with so many experts in the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance, who wouldn't want to become a king?

If killing went on arbitrarily, the kingdom system would have collapsed long ago.

He had thought that killing a crown prince, not a king, and with his master teacher status, the other side would consider face. Now it seemed he had thought too simply.

"It is said that the Master Teacher Hall's hall master, Luo Qianhong, once received favors from the royal family and is a close friend of his. He plans to mediate!" Mo Yu relayed the information she had gathered.

The other side had deliberately spread the news, making it very easy to find out.

"Hmph!"

Zhang Xuan's eyes narrowed, and a murderous aura emerged: "As long as Ding Mu hands over his life, I'll naturally let him mediate!"

Mediate?

If he accepted, how could he face Lu Chong, who was still unconscious?

What a dream!

"Zhang Xuan, there's another piece of news, not so good..."

Seeing his expression, knowing that he was determined to kill Ding Mu, Mo Yu showed a worried look and said.

"Oh?" Zhang Xuan looked at her.

"The king of the Xuanyuan Kingdom, Ding Chong, has announced to the world that he has decided to abdicate in favor of Ding Mu!" Mo Yu said.

"Abdicate?" His brows furrowed.

The other was just a crown prince, a heir apparent. Killing him might cause some trouble, but with his master teacher status, it could probably be resolved.

Once he became king, he would be the sovereign of a nation. Killing him would inevitably cause turmoil in the country, and other titled kingdoms might also take the opportunity to act.

At that time, there would be widespread suffering and disaster across the land. Even if the Master Teacher Hall cared about face, they would certainly stop him.

"It seems he has made thorough preparations!"

As soon as he arrived, he hid in the Master Teacher Hall, then had the king announce the abdication, waiting to inherit the throne. Once successful, it would be difficult to act.

It seemed this guy was frightened by the scene of him killing Liang Qingming with a single book and had thought of a plan in advance.

But... so what if he became king?

So what if the Master Teacher Hall obstructed him?

Since he dared to ambush and injure Lu Chong, he should expect his revenge!

If the kingdom obstructs, he would destroy the kingdom; if the Master Teacher Hall obstructs, he would destroy the Master Teacher Hall!

At worst, he would find a way to form golden pages again. Even if he had to oppose everyone, I, Zhang Xuan...

What fear do I have!

Having made up his mind, his face no longer showed any waves. Zhang Xuan continued to ask, "When will he ascend the throne?"

A king's ascension was no small matter. It required summoning the royal clan, nobles, and even inviting other neighboring titled kingdoms to observe the ceremony... With all these procedures, it would certainly take time.

It had only been seven days since this guy fled. Even if he announced the abdication as soon as he arrived, it shouldn't be so fast.

"It's... today!"

Mo Yu smiled bitterly.

As a princess of a kingdom, and even trained by Mo Tianxue as a female emperor, she knew these procedures very well.

The other had flown back from the Tianwu Kingdom for a full two days. That meant... in just five days, he had completed all the procedures. That was really rushing.

Before the coronation ceremony, he hid in the Master Teacher Hall. Once the ceremony was held and he ascended the throne, it would be difficult to kill him...

Even she couldn't imagine that this young man had pushed a titled kingdom's crown prince to such a state.

"Today?"

Flicking his sleeves, Zhang Xuan stood up and strode out.

"What are you going to do? You're... not going to crash his coronation ceremony, are you?"

Mo Yu's face turned pale.

"Exactly!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"But your strength... didn't you say you need to reach the peak of the Supreme Realm to go there? This is too reckless..." Mo Yu said hurriedly.

"Peak of the Supreme Realm?"

Without turning back, the aura on Zhang Xuan suddenly exploded, like a flood dragon ascending to the sky or a fierce tiger emerging from the forest, bringing a strong sense of oppression and helplessness.

"...I have already reached it!"