Chapter 528: Three Questions

To prevent others from suspecting the Heavenly Dao true energy, Zhang Xuan did not conceal his cultivation. Thus, any cultivator could see that he was only at the peak of the Mortal Transformation First Layer.

As a Four-Star pinnacle master teacher with a mental state of 14.0 or above, Hall Master Kang could naturally discern this with ease.

Moreover, experts who had practiced martial techniques would leave traces on their hands and feet, and their movements would inadvertently reveal certain habits. This young man before him showed none of these traits; instead, his every move was utterly unmethodical, as if he had never trained at all...

How could he be a genius?

A master teacher being invincible at the same level does not merely refer to the ability to spot flaws and weaknesses in techniques; more importantly, it requires a perfect mastery of true energy and martial techniques.

A fellow who has barely practiced any martial techniques, claiming to be a genius and representing the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Master Teacher Academy in the Master Teacher Tournament—isn't that too frivolous?

"Although Teacher Zhang's strength is somewhat low, his understanding of the master teacher path has reached a profound level..." Hearing the hall master's immediate skepticism, Teacher Su hastily explained.

"Understanding?" Hall Master Kang's expression darkened. "Elder Su, we are selecting talents to participate in the Master Teacher Tournament. As a veteran of the Master Teacher Academy, you should know what the opponents are like and what abilities they possess!"

No wonder he was angry. Elders Su and Ling had staked their lives to secure this spot, expecting a formidable genius. Instead, they found someone whose cultivation was only at the peak of Mortal Transformation First Layer, with barely any training in martial techniques... How could such strength stand out among Four-Star master teachers?

Although the Master Teacher Tournament does not solely test strength, strength is still a part of it. If one's own realm is insufficient, how can one guide others?

Even if one could articulate it, it would be mere armchair theorizing, like rootless duckweed, devoid of any practical value.

"I know, but..." Teacher Su's face showed urgency.

"No buts. Take him away!" Hall Master Kang waved his hand.

"Hall Master, don't rush to decide..."

Teacher Ling stepped forward. "Teacher Zhang's current cultivation is only at the peak of Mortal Transformation First Layer, but... do you know what his strength was when we last saw him?"

"Twenty-some days ago?" Hall Master Kang raised an eyebrow.

These two elders had gone down about a month ago and returned only a little over ten days ago. By calculation, it had been only about twenty days since they last saw this young man.

"Yes," Teacher Ling nodded.

"What strength?" Hall Master Kang picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

Even if he cultivated quickly, going from the middle stage of Mortal Transformation First Layer to the peak in twenty days—so what?

With only two months left until the Master Teacher Tournament, even with the most extraordinary talent, breaking through to Mortal Transformation Second Layer would be impressive. What more could he achieve?

"Master Teacher! When we first met Teacher Zhang twenty-some days ago... he was only at the Master Teacher realm!" Teacher Ling hurriedly said.

"Pfft!" A mouthful of tea sprayed out, and Hall Master Kang's eyes bulged. "Martial Layer 8... Master Teacher?"

What kind of joke was this!

In twenty-some days, breaking through from Master Teacher to Zongshi, then Half-Step Mortal Transformation, Mortal Transformation First Layer... and even reaching the peak...

Three major realms in a row, countless minor realms...

Even taking gunpowder wouldn't be this fast!

In truth, even Teacher Ling and Teacher Su were utterly dumbfounded when they saw Zhang Xuan's strength had reached Mortal Transformation First Layer.

However, knowing that his teacher might be a Six-Star or higher master teacher, they felt somewhat balanced.

A high-level master teacher like Teacher Yang, concealing his reputation and not notifying the guild to take a disciple in a small place like the Tianxuan Kingdom, clearly did not want others to know.

As juniors, without permission, they naturally dared not spread the word.

Thus, although they strongly recommended Zhang Xuan, they never mentioned his teacher's background. Hall Master Kang was unaware, and upon hearing that in less than a month, he had gone from Master Teacher to the peak of Mortal Transformation First Layer... he felt he was going mad.

This was no longer cultivation... it was like a direct infusion!

Even an infusion wouldn't be this exaggerated!

"Absolutely true!" Teacher Ling nodded, and Teacher Su nodded along.

"Twenty-some days, breaking through from Master Teacher to the peak of Mortal Transformation First Layer... If he trains hard in the remaining two months and reaches the peak of Mortal Transformation Second Layer, or even the early stage of the third layer... there is still hope for him to contend with those geniuses..."

Knowing the character of the two elders, they could not be lying. Hall Master Kang pondered.

The young talents coming to the tournament were mostly Four-Star master teachers.

A One-Star master teacher required cultivation at the Tongxuan realm; Two-Star required the Master Teacher realm; Three-Star required the Zongshi realm.

The minimum requirement for a Four-Star master teacher was Mortal Transformation Second Layer; reaching the early stage of Yuan Qi realm qualified one for the Four-Star master teacher examination.

Thus, the young talents in the tournament generally had strength ranging from the Second Layer Yuan Qi realm to the Fourth Layer Zhuo Qing realm.

This Teacher Zhang's cultivation speed was so fast that if he could raise his cultivation to the early stage of Mortal Transformation Third Layer in the two months before the tournament, he would be considered mid-tier among the many geniuses. Perhaps he could even secure a ranking!

"Since that's the case, I'll give him a chance. I'll ask three questions. If he can answer them correctly, he can participate in the selection competition. Whether he stands out will depend on his ability!"

After finishing his deliberation, Hall Master Kang looked over.

"Good!" Hearing there was a chance, Teacher Su and Teacher Ling both sighed in relief and hurriedly looked at Zhang Xuan.

One look, and they both staggered, nearly fainting.

This Teacher Zhang hadn't been listening to their conversation at all. Instead, he was standing by the bookshelf against the wall, his fingers lightly gliding over it, as if searching for some book.

They were nervous to death, afraid they wouldn't get the spot, but this fellow didn't care at all...

Was his heart too big!

To get you into the tournament, we two old men have thrown away our faces, but you couldn't care less...

It was truly exasperating.

"Teacher Zhang..." Unable to help himself, Teacher Su approached and interrupted his action. "The hall master wants you to answer a few questions. If you answer well, you can participate in the selection."

"Oh!" Zhang Xuan nodded and walked over.

Knowing that Hall Master Kang would not use martial techniques, and that using Teacher's Word and Heaven's Mandate would be useless, he had stopped thinking about it. While looking around, he noticed that the bookshelf on the wall contained many cultivation techniques for Mortal Transformation Second Layer. He couldn't help but walk over and store them in the library.

As for the discussion among the others, he hadn't really paid attention.

Back in Honghai City, Pavilion Master Sai had helped him collect at least five hundred Yuan Qi realm cultivation technique manuals. Now, with the hundreds on the wall, together they formed a complete Heavenly Dao technique.

He didn't have enough time to study this stuff, let alone bother with what they were saying.

"My questions are all about cultivation and teaching students. If you can answer them, I'll give you a chance to participate in the selection."

Hall Master Kang looked over, casually picked up the book he had been reading, and said with a serious expression: "This is a case I encountered before."

"A cultivator at the Half-Step Mortal Transformation level had suffered a hidden injury. His left lung was pierced, causing the true energy in his left meridian to be blocked. How would you guide him to successfully break through and achieve Mortal Transformation?"

This problem was one he had personally experienced. He had studied it for a long time and consulted many books before solving it. It was considered extremely difficult.

However, the Master Teacher Tournament was much harder than this. If he couldn't solve this problem, going would be useless, so it was better to eliminate him early.

As for the problem itself, it was within the Mortal Transformation realm and did not exceed the scope of his understanding.

"The Mortal Transformation realm requires a cultivator to be perfectly rounded and unified to communicate with nature, get close to nature, and control nature. With a pierced left lung and blocked true energy in the left meridian... it's like a defect in a circle. To communicate and break through is nearly impossible!"

Hearing this problem, Teacher Su frowned. "Very difficult!"

"Indeed, even for me, solving it would require at least eight steps," Teacher Ling also nodded.

They were Four-Star master teachers. Although this problem was difficult, they could solve it, but it would take considerable effort.

"I would need seven steps as well," Teacher Su said after a moment of thought.

"Your Little Pure Yang Art has reached the seventh turn, and your strength is formidable. It's normal for you to need one step less than me. However, as far as I know, this problem was solved by the hall master when he was a Three-Star master teacher, and he... only used five steps!"

Teacher Ling said.

"Five steps?"

Teacher Su's pupils contracted.

In master teacher guidance, the fewer steps, the more refined, and the greater the likelihood of success for the guided person.

The effect would also be better.

Even with his current strength and methods, solving that problem perfectly would require seven steps. The hall master, when he was a Three-Star, could do it in five... Such skill was astounding.

"I wonder how many steps this Teacher Zhang will use to solve it!"

After his shock, he couldn't help but look at the young man not far away.

"Steps? I'm afraid he won't even come up with a solution in a short time," Teacher Ling shook his head.

Although he had great confidence in Teacher Zhang, the hall master's problem was too difficult. Even they would need a lot of time to study it. Whether this fellow could succeed was still unknown.

The two were nervous. After hearing the question, Zhang Xuan frowned. "The left lung is injured. What is the extent? Can you mark the specific location? Also, what caused the injury, and what was the attribute of the opponent's true energy?"

"It was a sword injury. The opponent comprehended sword intent, and the sword energy seeped into the blood vessels. Here is the diagnosis; you can take a detailed look."

As if expecting this question, Hall Master Kang handed over the book.

Zhang Xuan casually flipped it open, and indeed, it was densely filled with detailed information about the cultivator.

The content was very detailed, not only the injured area but even the technique that caused the injury was clearly recorded.

He finished reading quickly.

"Do you have a solution?" Hall Master Kang looked over.

"Oh, this is simple. Just design a new cultivation route for him," Zhang Xuan said.

"Cultivation route?" Hall Master Kang's expression darkened. "You mean... modify the cultivation technique?"

"Yes. The left lung injury does not mean the left meridian's true energy cannot circulate; it means the path of the true energy needs to be changed. With a slight adjustment, he will be like a normal cultivator, and breaking through won't be difficult."

Zhang Xuan said.

"Modify the technique?" Teacher Su and Teacher Ling on the side were both startled. "That would eliminate the need for treating the injury, reopening the meridians, recuperating the body, and many other steps... If it really works, that would mean only..."

"One step?"