Chapter 723: Elder Mi Wants to Take a Disciple

Most importantly...

According to other renowned teachers, this Teacher Zhang, in order to save people, used a secret technique to forcibly rise from the early stage of the Bridge Heaven Realm to its peak!

For anyone else, with such strength, they would surely be arrogant beyond measure, eager to show off, but he deliberately suppressed his cultivation, making it appear similar to the Harmonious Spirit Realm...

If not for this Yu Cheng revealing his name, none of us would have recognized him!

Such a calm state of mind and attitude—countless renowned teachers could never learn it!

And you... want to compare yourself to him?

With what?

Just your mouth?

With a snort, many senior students cast contemptuous glances at this Yu Cheng.

In the past, scoring over two thousand points would have earned him great respect, and they would have thought his future promising, but compared to Teacher Zhang, he fell far short.

Not only in strength but also in character.

Teacher Zhang was willing to dedicate himself for other renowned teachers, seeking nothing in return. What about you?

Seeing someone else's spirit beast catch a spirit beast, you deliberately drove it away, and then manipulated points in such a shameless and despicable manner...

Both are geniuses, but how can the difference be so great!

...

Seeing the contemptuous looks from the senior students, Yu Cheng's body swayed. He turned to look at others and found that the other renowned teachers also showed disdain.

His vision went dark, and he spat out another mouthful of blood.

Damn it... wasn't it just a bet?

Stripped clean by a spirit beast, losing all his treasures, and now subjected to such contempt, becoming the object of universal ridicule and mockery... What kind of mess is this!

Yu Cheng and Feng Wu exchanged glances, both in tears.

...

Um... Teacher Bai, may I ask what Elder Mi wants with me?

At this moment, Zhang Xuan still looked completely bewildered, utterly unable to figure out what was going on.

Earlier, he had been in a hurry to chase the Queen Ant, so he hadn't paid attention to those spirit beasts, nor did he know that the many renowned teachers he had saved had credited all the points from the spirit beasts to his name.

Thus, he still thought his points couldn't compare to that Yu Cheng's.

You don't know?

Seeing his expression and hearing his question, Teacher Bai was taken aback, then filled with admiration.

See that?

This is the breadth of a true master!

For others, doing good deeds without expecting anything in return is already commendable. He not only doesn't expect anything but also forgets it completely—such a broad mind, such magnanimity, beyond compare.

Among all the people I've met, except for the old dean, no one else can match him.

How would I know?

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He had only met Elder Mi once, and from a great distance at that. How could he know what he wanted?

Don't worry, it's good news. You'll find out soon!

Shaking his head with a wry smile, Teacher Bai didn't explain further and led the way.

After walking for a while, a thatched cottage appeared before them.

Though called a thatched cottage, it was actually a pavilion, seemingly built not long ago. Two old men sat inside, apparently talking.

Hall Master Mo?

Taking a look, Zhang Xuan recognized one as Elder Mi, and the other was also an old acquaintance—Hall Master Mo, Mo Gaoyuan, who had awarded him the high-grade spirit stone as a prize.

Teacher, Teacher Zhang is here!

Unaware of his inner thoughts, Teacher Bai stepped forward.

Oh? So you are Zhang Xuan?

Elder Mi stood up, looking at Zhang Xuan, more and more satisfied.

His aura was restrained, simple and unadorned—clearly a sign of high cultivation.

Zhang Xuan pays respects to Elder Mi and Hall Master Mo! Zhang Xuan clasped his fists.

Oh? Teacher Zhang, it seems we are meeting for the first time, aren't we? Mo Gaoyuan looked over.

Uh... yes!

Zhang Xuan was startled, then remembered that the last time he saw Hall Master Mo, he was 'Teacher Yang,' and he had never interacted with him before. Strictly speaking, this was their first meeting.

Hall Master's reputation is far-reaching. I have heard Teacher Hong describe you in detail, so I recognized you at once!

Without a blush or a racing heart, Zhang Xuan said.

Not bad. To identify me just from a description—truly a genius! Mo Gaoyuan nodded, without suspicion.

He had been a famous figure for a long time, and since he had offered a high-grade spirit stone as a prize, it would be a disgrace to the title of genius if the other couldn't guess who he was.

Oh? Hall Master Mo, what do you mean? Do you two know each other? Hearing his tone, Elder Mi looked over in confusion.

Isn't this a new student who came this year?

Why does Hall Master Mo seem to have some connection with him?

Not exactly old acquaintances, just heard of Teacher Zhang's name! As you can see, this is actually our first meeting. Mo Gaoyuan said.

Without the other's permission, he dared not disclose the matter of Teacher Yang, so he had to be vague.

Heard of his name? Elder Mi was even more puzzled.

Who was the person before him? A peak six-star renowned teacher, a hall master controlling a renowned teacher hall, a prominent figure even in the Featherfall Empire. And this Teacher Zhang, even if a top genius, was merely a minor figure from the Featherfall Empire. How could they have any connection, and he had heard his name?

Hall Master Mo has ties with my teacher, hence he knows my name! Seeing his difficulty in explaining, Zhang Xuan spoke up.

Ties? Elder Mi was taken aback, then looked over: May I ask who your teacher is? Do I know him?

He knew that this Zhang Xuan had tamed over four hundred spirit beasts in an hour, which had stirred his desire to take him as a disciple.

In his view, since Zhang Xuan came from a small place like the Featherfall Empire, his teacher must not be very accomplished. Taking him as a disciple wouldn't be a problem. But now seeing that Mo Gaoyuan knew his teacher and seemed to have a close relationship, he couldn't help asking.

If the previous teacher was of a lower level, taking him as a student was fine, but if they were of the same level, it would be somewhat inappropriate.

Especially for a direct disciple, face and family tradition mattered most. Without careful investigation, rashly taking a disciple would be like Cao Xiong's fight over Liu Yang—a face-slapping act that could easily lead to a falling out.

My teacher is Yang Xuan! Zhang Xuan quickly nodded.

Yang Xuan?

Elder Mi's brow furrowed into a knot. He thought hard for a long time but had never heard the name. He couldn't help looking at Mo Gaoyuan nearby: This Teacher Yang is...

Well...

Mo Gaoyuan was full of hesitation, unsure how to answer.

My teacher is a free spirit, not famous at all. It's normal that Elder Mi doesn't know him! Seeing Hall Master Mo's difficulty, Zhang Xuan spoke up.

Not famous? Elder Mi's suspicion grew.

Mo Gaoyuan, as the hall master of the renowned teacher hall, held a high status. If it were just an ordinary peer-level renowned teacher, why couldn't he say it?

I'll be honest: Teacher Yang has given me guidance... Seeing that he seemed unwilling to let it go, and afraid that his old friend might offend someone he shouldn't, Mo Gaoyuan spoke reluctantly.

Guidance? Could it be...

His pupils contracted, and Elder Mi quickly turned to look at the young man before him.

Among renowned teachers of the same level, terms like correction, discussion, exchange, and mutual learning are usually used. Only higher-level renowned teachers use the word 'guidance.'

Mo Gaoyuan was so cautious... Could it be that this Zhang Xuan's teacher was a renowned teacher above him?

He and Hall Master Mo were both peak six-star. Above that would mean reaching seven-star, or even higher?

Yes! Knowing what he was thinking, Mo Gaoyuan quickly nodded.

Well... Elder Mi's face turned pale, and he felt somewhat awkward.

He was only a peak six-star, and trying to take a student of a seven-star renowned teacher as his disciple was clearly overstepping.

May I ask... is Zhang Xuan's beast-taming method taught by Teacher Yang?

Though awkward, he was still unwilling to give up.

A student could have many teachers: cultivation, beast-taming, calligraphy, medicine... If the beast-taming wasn't taught by this Teacher Yang, it wouldn't be rude for him to take him as a beast-taming student.

Just like Zhang Xuan taking Luo Qiqi as a pill-refining student.

Mastery makes the teacher. Even if this Yang Xuan was a seven-star renowned teacher, as long as he didn't teach beast-taming, it wouldn't be a violation.

It was taught by my teacher!

Now seeing his intention, Zhang Xuan quickly explained.

Although this Elder Mi was powerful and one of the top ten renowned teachers, he didn't want to take him as a master.

First, the identity of 'Teacher Yang' was hard to explain.

'Teacher Yang' had always been portrayed by him as powerful and invincible, at least reaching seven or eight stars. If he abandoned such a formidable renowned teacher to take a six-star as master, wouldn't that mean he considered Elder Mi inferior?

Second, he hadn't even agreed to be Kong Shi's disciple. If he agreed to this guy, would Kong Shi be so angry that he would come back to life on the spot?

Although the entire continent knew that Kong Shi had passed away, after the last 'disciple-taking' incident, he felt it wasn't that simple.

Moreover, he was a Heaven-recognized renowned teacher, acknowledged by the heavens. Even if he wanted to take a master, this guy probably couldn't bear it!

Then... what about artifact forging? I'm not only good at beast-taming; I'm also quite skilled in artifact forging! Seeing that beast-taming was indeed taught by Teacher Yang, Elder Mi continued.

Outsiders knew he was strong in beast-taming, but they didn't know he was also a top-notch artifact forger.

Artifact forging... was also taught by my teacher! Zhang Xuan continued.

Well... then, what about medicine? Elder Mi was unwilling to give up.

Ahem, enough. Teacher Yang's knowledge is vast and profound, beyond our comprehension...

Seeing his old friend's persistence, shifting from beast-taming to artifact forging and medicine, Mo Gaoyuan couldn't help interrupting.

Ah, you know, I haven't taken a true disciple for so many years, not because I didn't want to, but because I haven't found a truly fine jade...

Knowing Hall Master Mo meant well, Elder Mi shook his head with a wry smile.

Over the years, he had encountered geniuses, but none met his standards.

His requirement for taking disciples was not about talent first, but about good character. As a renowned teacher, one must have the responsibility of serving the world.

This Zhang Xuan had forcibly raised his strength to save people and didn't care about rewards. Based on these two points alone, his character met the requirements.

He had spent a great price to ask Ziyang Beast to test the new students, precisely to choose one who suited him. Now that he had finally found one, he naturally didn't want to give up.

I understand your feelings, but...

Mo Gaoyuan hesitated: Teacher Yang's strength...

Just as he was struggling, wondering whether to reveal a little to let his old friend give up, he saw a senior student in charge of the assessment rushing over.

Reporting to Elder Mi, we have finished reviewing all the new students' points!

Finished reviewing?

Elder Mi's eyes lit up: How many new students passed?

Reporting to Elder, a total of six thousand four hundred and eighty-seven!

Six, six... only six thousand? Elder Mi was stunned.