Chapter 569: Mo Gaoyuan Seeks an Audience

"I'm terribly sorry, but our young master is still in seclusion and cannot receive visitors!"

In the courtyard of the mansion, the steward Sun Qiang looked apologetically at the two people before him.

This Elder Hu and Master Song Chao had come almost every day since learning that Master Zhang had returned, and they refused to leave, leaving even him somewhat helpless.

"I know, but... the competition begins tomorrow. I thought Master Zhang would surely emerge from seclusion today..." Elder Hu said with an embarrassed smile.

Although the fourteen major powers had suppressed news of what happened that night, other factions participating in the competition had still learned something.

The fact that so many powerful forces had retreated without a word afterward meant that this Master Zhang's background must be immense.

Thus, what had originally been an intention to purchase the Soul-less Golden Man had become a daily routine, with a simple goal: to build a good relationship with this Master Zhang.

"I don't know when the young master will emerge from seclusion either..." Sun Qiang shook his head.

Since the young master returned, he hadn't shown himself again; nearly half a month had passed.

Moreover, the old master had only appeared that one time and hadn't been seen since. Even he couldn't confirm whether the two were still in the mansion.

"Then... when Master Zhang emerges, could Steward Sun immediately send someone to notify me? As you can see, I am sincere in wanting to purchase the Soul-less Golden Man!" Elder Hu said.

"Well..."

Frowning, Sun Qiang waved his hand, displaying the demeanor of a senior master's steward: "That's not for me to decide; I must first consult the young master. If he doesn't wish to see you, I dare not act on my own authority!"

Since that day, his status as steward had risen sharply. Even Alliance Leader Zhao and Hall Master Kang had to come in person if they wanted to see him, and over time, he had acquired a certain bearing.

"Yes, yes. A genius like Master Zhang is not someone just anyone can see..." Elder Hu went along with the conversation.

"Of course. The young master's talent is unparalleled, and his status is of the highest order. Even Sect Leader Luo Huang of Flowing Cloud Sect came by these past few days, and I drove him away!" Sun Qiang said proudly.

These past few days, Sect Leader Luo Huang had also come to visit, but he had been driven away with a stick before even reaching the gate.

Hah, when he made a move against you back then, why didn't he think of today?

Now that he knew the old master's power, he wanted to apologize—there was no such good fortune.

"Indeed, Master Zhang's bearing is noble and his demeanor lofty. It's not easy to see him. I just hope Steward Sun can put in a good word for me..." Elder Hu's mouth twitched as he quickly spoke.

Before he could finish, a loud crash rang out, and then they saw a figure plunge headfirst into the ground before them, twitching uncontrollably.

"How dare you! Causing trouble at Master Zhang's mansion!"

Seeing that this fellow had dared to make a move here, even demolishing the wall, Elder Hu let out a loud shout and was about to step forward to show off, when Steward Sun rushed over: "Young master, what's wrong?"

"Young master? Master Zhang?"

His vision went black, his body swayed, and Elder Hu felt a mouthful of blood in his throat, ready to spew at any moment.

This... this fellow who had landed headfirst on the ground, filthy and disheveled like a beggar—was this Master Zhang?

And they said he had an elegant demeanor and soaring spirit...

This dog-eating-face-plant landing, the convulsive twitching, the head buried in the ground... what did any of that have to do with elegance?

They had just been praising this renowned master to the skies with Steward Sun, and now he made an entrance like this...

Elder Hu felt like he was about to cry.

Not just him, but even Song Chao off to the side was twitching at the corner of his mouth.

Having met him several times, he could recognize at a glance that this fellow was indeed Zhang Xuan, Master Zhang. In the past, he had always been righteous and dignified, exuding a sense of authority, but now...

This was... simply too much of a shock to his image.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Pulling his head out of the ground, Zhang Xuan was utterly dejected.

Both were at the peak of the Mortal Transformation Triple Realm. He had cultivated the Heavenly Dao technique, while the other had a simplified version. Yet, with the same force in a fistfight, he had nearly been beaten to death on the spot by that fool!

What kind of nonsense was this!

The original body being outmatched by the clone... how pathetic was that?

Though dejected, he quickly understood.

The clone was refined from the Nine Heavens Lotus Embryo, a treasure surpassing sacred objects. Even if its cultivation technique was slightly inferior, its physical body alone was invincible at the same level—there was no comparison.

Unless... he continued cultivating the Heavenly Dao Golden Body to a higher level, otherwise, for quite some time, he would likely be easily crushed by this clone.

"Forget it, it's still me anyway, no need to feel aggrieved..."

He quickly recovered.

Whether clone or original, it was all himself—nothing to be depressed about.

"I'm fine. Just had some issues during cultivation, nothing serious!"

Seeing Steward Sun looking at him with concern, Zhang Xuan patted his clothes and said.

"Oh!"

Hearing it was a cultivation issue, Sun Qiang, though finding it strange, suppressed his doubts and quickly cupped his hands: "Young master, Elder Hu of the Cold Green Sect and Master Song Chao want to buy the Soul-Less Golden Man from you. They've been coming for several days now..."

"Song Chao, Soul-Less Golden Man?"

Zhang Xuan was startled, then immediately remembered.

Back at the southern city herb garden, he had tricked Song Chao into spending a spirit stone on a coffin, promising that if he had money, there were still three golden figures for sale. He hadn't expected the guy to actually come.

However, for now, he couldn't find a suitable body for Mo Hansheng in a short time, so he had to rely on the golden figure to survive. If it got damaged in battle, having a few spares on hand would allow for replacements.

Once he sold them all, finding more would be nearly impossible.

After all, the profession of soul shaman had long vanished from history. Soul-less golden figures were a dwindling resource; finding a fifth one would be extremely difficult.

Moreover, he didn't lack mid-grade spirit stones, and his mindset had changed—he wasn't too keen on selling anymore.

"Master Zhang, I am Elder Hu from Hanqing Sect, and this is Master Song Chao. I'm sure you two already know each other..."

Just as he was hesitating, Elder Hu and Song Chao approached.

"Oh, greetings, Elder Hu!"

Seeing them arrive, Zhang Xuan cupped his fists and scratched his head awkwardly: "I'm really sorry. I did have three soul-less golden figures before, but... you came too late. I've already sold them. Now I don't have a single one left... Sorry for making you come all this way for nothing!"

He couldn't say much about Mo Hansheng, and it was hard to refuse, so he just claimed the golden figures had been sold.

"Sold out?" Elder Hu was taken aback by this outcome.

"Yes, you know, soul-less golden figures are tied to the secrets of soul shamans. Too many people want to buy them. I only had a few..."

Zhang Xuan was waving his hand apologetically when a thunderous rumble shook the ground, and a tall figure rushed out from the inner courtyard.

"Young master, what just happened? Are you alright..."

Mo Hansheng looked over with concern.

He had been guarding the inner courtyard to protect the young master, but when the young master was sent flying with a punch, he immediately chased after him to see what had happened.

"This is... a living soul-less golden figure..."

Elder Hu's vision went dark.

Brother, didn't you say all the soul-less golden figures were sold? Then what the hell is this living one running out?

"Cough, cough!"

Having just claimed he had none, this guy ran out. Zhang Xuan was extremely embarrassed: "This, this... isn't a golden figure. He's a bodyguard of mine who practiced some strange martial art and ended up like this!"

"Strange martial art?"

Elder Hu and Song Chao swayed again.

Do you think we're blind?

This is clearly a soul-less golden figure, isn't it?

We're all master teachers. Even if our eyesight is poor, we can still tell the difference between a bodyguard and a golden figure.

"Alright!" Since he was unwilling to say more, they didn't press the issue. After all, the golden figure was trivial; befriending this Master Zhang was what truly mattered.

After chatting a bit more and seeing that Zhang Xuan had no intention of selling the golden figure, Elder Hu and Song Chao had to take their leave.

Before leaving, they were also instructed not to spread the matter of Mo Hansheng.

As soon as they left, Zhang Xuan angrily looked at the big guy before him: "Running out looking like this—do you want everyone to recognize you?"

Soul-less golden figures were already sensitive due to their connection to soul shamans. A living one that could run around would definitely cause a lot of trouble if word got out.

"I..." Mo Hansheng knew he had caused trouble and was full of embarrassment.

"Is there a way to conceal your aura and appearance?"

Knowing he couldn't blame the other party—after all, he hadn't expected this either—Zhang Xuan snorted and asked.

"There is a way, but it might take a few days..."

Mo Hansheng hesitated before replying.

"Good. Then don't show yourself for the next few days..."

Seeing that there was a way to conceal his aura and appearance, Zhang Xuan nodded and turned to Sun Qiang nearby: "Steward Sun, anything happened during my seclusion?"

He had gone into seclusion right after returning, and nearly half a month had passed. Quite a few things should have happened.

"Reporting to young master, after the master appeared last time, the other sects have kept a low profile and haven't caused trouble. These past few days, Hall Master Kang, Alliance Leader Zhao, and Princess Feiwu have come every day, but upon learning you were in seclusion, they all left disappointed."

Sun Qiang said.

With the master's deterrence, Myriad Kingdom City had been unprecedentedly quiet. The previously arrogant sect disciples were now as docile as house cats, not daring to act recklessly, lest they inadvertently offend Master Yang and bring about the destruction of their entire sect.

"Also... Ding Hong, who was sowing discord, was killed by Sect Leader Luo Huang of Liuyun Sect on the night of your return!" Sun Qiang added after a moment's thought.

That day, Zhang Xuan had disguised himself as Yang Xuan and wanted to eliminate this threat, but making a move would have revealed his strength. Moreover, as the esteemed Master Yang, how could he act personally? So he didn't.

But it seemed the sect leader of Liuyun Sect was perceptive, knowing his thoughts, and killed him in advance, saving him the trouble of seeking him out.

"Anything else besides these?"

Zhang Xuan asked.

"Young master Lu Chong should wake up in a few days. The rest is that the master teacher competition is about to begin..."

Sun Qiang was about to continue when a faint voice came from outside.

"Mo Gaoyuan, hall master of the Hongyuan First-Class Empire Master Teacher Hall and a six-star pinnacle master teacher, requests an audience with Master Yang!"