Chapter 516: Alliance Leader

Soul-Calming Grass calms the soul, quiets the mind, and stills the waters.

Emotion-Sinking Flower allows the heart to settle, even dulling emotions.

Both herbs are extremely rare; even in the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance, only a few can be found. To obtain one, alive and five hundred years old... the difficulty is extraordinary.

"This... I'm not sure either. But when we reach the Alliance Leader's residence, you can ask my father. Even if he doesn't know, he should be able to help you find out!" Zhao Feiwu said.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

The person before him was merely a gravely ill princess; even if she had read many books, she likely knew little about such rare herbs. Her father, Alliance Leader Zhao, was different.

Controlling the entire alliance, it would be easy for him to inquire about a single herb.

Understanding this, Zhang Xuan asked no more and stood quietly by the window, consolidating his cultivation.

Over these five days, although his strength hadn't broken through to the second level of Mortal Transformation, the true energy within his body had become purer and denser.

Having experienced the consumption of the Dust-Stepping Heaven Walk, he knew that true energy needed not only purity but also density. Thus, these days, without any pause, he continuously accumulated. Now, his dantian surged with true energy, power raging; in terms of sheer quantity, it had increased by at least a tenth compared to a few days ago!

Don't underestimate that tenth; when using the Heaven Walk, it could sustain two or three more breaths, preventing a fall from the sky.

Knowing they had arrived at the Ten Thousand Nations City, the group said little. The spirit beast continued flying, and soon a tall, magnificent building appeared in sight.

As the core of the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance, the Alliance Leader's residence exuded its own aura, giving a strong sense of oppression even before approaching.

"Even my spirit beast cannot fly directly into the Alliance Leader's residence. Let's descend here!"

With a smile, Zhao Feiwu gave the order. The spirit beast beneath her flapped its massive wings and descended straight down, soon stopping in the broad square before the residence.

Jumping off the beast's back, Zhang Xuan looked around and couldn't help but sigh.

Truly the central seat of the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance, the buildings were not only towering but also faintly filled with spiritual energy. Without looking, one could tell they were covered with various formations.

If anyone dared to cause trouble, even without soldiers, the formations alone could annihilate thousands of troops.

No wonder Zhao Feiwu didn't dare to fly her beast in; if she did, she would likely be trapped in the formations before going far, unable to escape.

Looking up, he saw rows of patrolling soldiers before the palace, all clad in blue-gray armor, holding spears, with imposing auras.

"Zongshi-level experts?"

After a glance, Zhang Xuan was astonished. These ordinary guards were all experts at the Zongshi realm!

In a place like Tianxuan Kingdom, there wasn't a single Zongshi; even in the second-rank kingdom where Master Liu was, they were revered as founding ancestors. But here, they were merely guards—the gap was staggering.

However, thinking about it, he understood. The Ten Thousand Nations City was a place with four-star masters; attending just one of their lessons could deepen one's understanding of cultivation, making breaking through bottlenecks much easier.

Even if one couldn't attend lessons from masters of that level, lessons from three-star or two-star masters were enough to facilitate breakthroughs. Moreover, as a center of economy and trade, the city was rich in resources and abundant in spiritual energy, so its overall strength was inevitable.

Zhao Ya and the others, who had thought reaching the Zunshi level made them formidable, now saw that even ordinary soldiers were no weaker, and they all felt helpless.

Truly the capital of the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance—how terrifying!

"Subordinate greets Princess Feiwu and Lord Jin!"

As they marveled, a squad of soldiers approached, led by a general in golden armor. Zhao Feiwu's mount was a Mortal Transformation realm tier-three spirit beast, known to almost everyone in the residence. Seeing it arrive, they naturally knew the princess had returned.

The general's aura was subtle, with strong control over his surroundings. Without looking, one could tell he had surpassed Zunshi realm ninth level and entered the Mortal Transformation realm—a true Mortal Transformation expert.

"Prepare a clean, spiritually abundant courtyard and arrange for my friends to stay. Do not neglect them!" Zhao Feiwu waved her hands, her expression calm.

Ordinarily, she seemed unremarkable, but now, with her princess aura revealed, she carried a natural dignity.

"Yes!" The general quickly nodded, not daring to be negligent.

"Mm," Zhao Feiwu responded, then turned her face: "Master Zhang, I'll take you to see my father."

"Alright."

Nodding, Zhang Xuan instructed Zhao Ya and the others to follow the general, then walked with Zhao Feiwu toward the palace.

The palace was not extravagant, nor were there many guards inside. Instead, it was exceptionally quiet, resembling a serene park.

Had Zhao Feiwu not personally led him, and had there not been soldiers guarding outside, he would have suspected they had taken the wrong path.

"My father dislikes being surrounded by attendants, so he keeps few guards here. Besides, knowing this is the Alliance Leader's residence, I believe no one reckless enough would dare to cause trouble!"

Seeing his confusion, Zhao Feiwu smiled.

"Mm," Zhang Xuan nodded.

Since his rebirth, he had entered several royal palaces, all with tight defenses. This place was different, showing that Zhao Feiwu's father had absolute confidence in his own strength.

Chatting casually, the two bypassed several corridors and arrived before a large hall.

After having someone announce their arrival, they walked inside.

Entering the hall, Zhang Xuan immediately saw a middle-aged man with a dignified brow sitting in the central seat, exuding a powerful aura that was in no way inferior to that of the Yaochen Beast, clearly having reached the peak of the Fourth Stage of Mortal Transformation.

Compared to him, the previously seen Pavilion Master Sai and Hall Master Han were far inferior.

Even at the same peak of the Fourth Stage of Mortal Transformation, there was still a significant gap in strength.

For instance, the Yaochen Beast could not be matched even by several people like Hall Master Han Chong forming a formation.

"Father!" Zhao Feiwu stepped forward.

"Mm, you're back!" The middle-aged man nodded, his eyes falling on Zhang Xuan, and he couldn't help but brighten.

With his own strong strength and long-standing high position, he naturally carried a certain aura. Even the former Physician Guild President Meng, when speaking with him, was trembling and somewhat frightened. Yet this young man, who looked less than twenty, remained composed and fearless.

From this alone, one could tell he was not simple.

"You must be Master Zhang!" The Alliance Leader Zhao smiled slightly and looked over.

"I am Zhang Xuan. Greetings, Alliance Leader!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Mm," seeing his attitude, Alliance Leader Zhao was even more satisfied. "I've heard about your deeds. Under twenty, becoming a Two-Star Master Teacher, challenging the Heavenly Wu Kingdom's Wall of Difficulties, solving all the problems, passing the appraisal for an artifact appraiser, saving Hall Master Han... and even curing my daughter's stubborn ailment. Truly a young hero!"

"You flatter me, Alliance Leader!" Hearing him speak so detailedly, Zhang Xuan was initially puzzled, then suddenly understood.

His daughter had gone alone to the Heavenly Wu Kingdom. Although Jin Conghai was protecting her, it was impossible for him not to be concerned. It was not surprising that he had casually inquired and learned of these deeds.

Moreover, as his subordinate, Jin Conghai would certainly have reported them.

"In my many years of governing the alliance, I have seen many geniuses, but few with abilities like Master Zhang's!" Alliance Leader Zhao praised.

As Zhang Xuan had guessed, Jin Conghai had indeed reported many things. Although matters like the Soul Tomb and Heaven-acknowledged Master Teacher were not included, even the previous experiences had startled the alliance leader.

Under twenty, a Five-Star Artifact Appraiser, Quasi-Four-Star Physician, Three-Star Calligrapher and Painter, Two-Star Master Teacher...

Such titles and abilities were enough to make anyone admire and concede.

As the most powerful person in the alliance, he had seen countless brilliant geniuses, but compared to the one before him, they were as dim as fireflies, without any luster.

"I presume Master Zhang has come to Ten Thousand Kingdoms City to participate in the Master Teacher Competition!" After chatting for a while, Alliance Leader Zhao asked.

"Mm," Zhang Xuan nodded.

He had once promised Teacher Su and Teacher Ling that since he was here, he would naturally participate.

Most importantly, the rewards for the Master Teacher Competition were quite generous.

"The Master Teacher Competition gathers countless geniuses from twenty-seven Master Teacher Halls. It is indeed very difficult to achieve a ranking. Even with Master Zhang's exceptional talent, it may not be easy!"

Speaking of the Master Teacher Competition, Alliance Leader Zhao shook his head with a bitter smile.

Having seen his experiences, he knew that the young man before him possessed talent unmatched by ordinary people, but obtaining a ranking in the competition of twenty-eight forces was not so simple.

If it were that easy, the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance Master Teacher Hall would not have been at the bottom all these years.

"Well, let's not talk about that for now!"

With over two months until the competition, knowing it was still too early to discuss this, Alliance Leader Zhao shook his head and looked over again. "Master Zhang's medical skills are profound, and you saved my daughter. How should I express my gratitude? Whatever you ask, as long as I can do it, I will not refuse!"

"You are too kind, Alliance Leader. But... I do have a request!"

Seeing the other party speak this way, Zhang Xuan did not stand on ceremony and cupped his fists.

Although the other party was the leader of the alliance and strong in strength, Zhang Xuan had seen the world through his experiences and could not be made nervous.

Alliance Leader Zhao looked over.

"It's like this: I need a special medicinal herb. I wonder where in our alliance it can be found. I would like to ask the Alliance Leader to inquire on my behalf!"

Zhang Xuan stated the requirements for Soul-Calming Grass and Sinking Emotion Flower.

"Soul-Calming Grass? I haven't heard of it... but I do know of a Sinking Emotion Flower that is over five hundred years old and still alive!" Alliance Leader Zhao hesitated for a moment, then said.

Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

Soul-Calming Grass and Sinking Emotion Flower were both merely the basis for making Soul-Awakening Grass; one plant was enough, not needing many.

"But... even if you know where it is, buying it may not be easy..." Alliance Leader Zhao shook his head.

"Oh?"

"Master Zhang, don't be anxious. Let me finish, and you'll understand. The places with the most medicinal herbs in the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance are, first, the Medicine King, and second, the Alchemist Guild and the Physician Guild. As a Master Teacher, you should know this without my saying."

Alliance Leader Zhao said.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

The Medicine King was essentially a medicinal herb merchant. If one wanted the most and most complete herbs, it would be them. Next were the Alchemist and Physician Guilds, which used the most herbs.

These two places had great demand and consumption for herbs and usually stockpiled a considerable amount.