Chapter 88: Alchemist Guild

"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. Go back and practice well as I taught you. In half a month, there will be the teacher evaluation. I don't want to lose! And I hope you won't let me lose either!"

In the room, Zhang Xuan talked a bit more about cultivation, then waved his hand.

After spending these two days with the group, he had gradually adapted to the role of teacher, increasingly showing the demeanor of a master.

"Yes, Teacher Zhang!"

Zhao Ya, Zheng Yang, and the others clenched their fists, their faces flushed red.

They knew about what had just happened—that Teacher Lu Xun had challenged Teacher Zhang, and that the wager was them.

In the past, hearing that they could become disciples of Teacher Lu would have kept them awake with excitement. Now, they would rather die than leave!

Casually pointing out their flaws; curing the chronic ailments of Zhao Ya and Wang Ying; providing advanced cultivation techniques and even letting them name them; finding Zhu Hong's vital point to secure their victory... This Teacher Zhang seemed to possess a unique charm that shocked and impressed them, leaving no room for other thoughts.

"Goodbye, Teacher!"

The few of them left the classroom.

"You say... Teacher Zhang punched with the strength of fifty-five rams?"

"Even Young Master Bai Xun sought his advice?"

...

As soon as they left the classroom, the group couldn't help but look at Liu Yang and ask about what had happened at the Learning Heart Trial.

Liu Yang did not hide anything and told them everything he had seen.

When the group heard that Teacher Zhang actually possessed the strength of the Acupoint Opening Realm, they were shocked beyond measure, their eyes shining.

When they heard about the shameless actions of the Academic Affairs Office, they were filled with righteous indignation, ready to explode.

"Everyone, I think Teacher Lu Xun's challenge is actually an opportunity—a good chance to clear Teacher Zhang's name!" After finishing the story about the Learning Heart Tower, Liu Yang looked around: "So, I hope that over the next half month, you all will train hard, win glory for our teacher, and make a name for ourselves!"

"Right, Teacher Zhang has noble character and is magnanimous. He may overlook the slander of petty people, but as his students, we have the responsibility to help restore his reputation!"

Zhao Ya's beautiful eyes flickered, revealing an unwavering determination.

"I... I agree too!" The somewhat naive Wang Ying also gritted her teeth.

Teacher Zhang had cured her leg ailment and created a set of techniques specifically for her. This kindness was beyond repayment, even if she were ground to dust.

"Count us in too!"

Yuan Tao and Zheng Yang also stepped forward.

"Then it's settled. For the next half month, we'll train desperately. At the freshman competition, we'll show those who look down on Teacher Zhang..." Liu Yang's eyes were firm, his voice slow and steady: "His students... are the best!"

...

"The competition in half a month..."

Unaware that his five students were already brimming with fighting spirit, Zhang Xuan sat in the classroom, his brow furrowed into a knot.

He wasn't worried about Zhao Ya, Wang Ying, and the others; each had a strong background, and with the techniques he taught, their strength would surely increase greatly in half a month. Zheng Yang and Liu Yang were not weak in talent and had strong competitive drive; with proper guidance, a significant boost in cultivation was not a problem. His only concern was Yuan Tao.

That fellow was a rogue cultivator, with no backing or connections, and had barely been exposed to cultivation techniques. Making rapid progress in half a month would be difficult.

"Unless... I find a way to activate his Ancient Rhino Bloodline!"

An idea flashed through his mind.

Yuan Tao—he had checked earlier using the Library of Heaven's Path—possessed the Ancient Rhino Bloodline. This bloodline granted unparalleled defense. Once activated, his cultivation speed and defense would greatly increase.

To make him improve quickly, this might be the only path.

"But... how do you activate the Rhino Bloodline?"

Knowing the method, another problem arose.

The Rhino Bloodline was a lineage passed down from ancient times, extremely rare. Records about it were scarce; at most, the name was known. As for how to activate it, probably no one in the entire Tianxuan Kingdom knew.

"There are generally three methods to activate a special constitution. First, cultivate step by step until reaching a certain realm; then it might activate. This method is steady but takes too much time, and many people die before they can activate it. Second, after identifying the constitution's attribute, take corresponding pills; the powerful medicinal effect has a certain chance of success."

"Third, special experiences: death or poisoning. Once, a strong man activated his constitution after being stabbed over seventy times. Another was poisoned, bled from seven orifices, and was dead for three days before his special constitution activated and he revived..."

With a thought, a book about special constitutions appeared in his mind, recording some activation methods.

After reading for a while, Zhang Xuan was speechless.

The first and second methods were normal enough, but the third... what the hell?

Death or poisoning, being stabbed over seventy times, taking deadly poison and bleeding from seven orifices... What if it didn't activate? Wouldn't you really die?

"I'll use the second method."

He rubbed his brow.

The third method was definitely out. With only half a month left, the first method was also too slow. After much thought, only the second method was most suitable.

"In that case, I'll go to the Alchemist Guild. Maybe I can find suitable pills to activate Yuan Tao's Rhino Bloodline and Zhao Ya's Pure Yin Constitution."

He stood up and left the room.

Both Zhao Ya and Yuan Tao had special constitutions. If activated, their strength would surely soar.

Almost every high-ranking profession had its own alliance organization, such as the Teacher Guild, Artifact Refiner Guild, Formation Guild, Beast Tamer Guild...

Alchemists were no exception.

As one of the special professions on the continent, alchemists, though slightly inferior to masters of teaching, still held a revered status that people aspired to. After all, any cultivator would get injured or seek breakthroughs, and often they needed the help of alchemists.

The pills they refined could better unleash medicinal effects, allowing cultivators to gain greater benefits.

Because of this, the Alchemist Guild was very lively, bustling with people every day. Countless martial artists came to buy medicine or seek advice.

Zhang Xuan's predecessor had never been here, but as one of the major powers in the royal city, he knew its location.

Leaving the academy, he walked along the street for about an hour before arriving.

The broad and majestic building resembled a huge church, with a horizontal plaque hanging above, bearing five bold and flowing characters—Alchemist Guild!

Without much hesitation, Zhang Xuan stepped inside.

Upon entering, there was a spacious hall, bustling with people coming and going.

"To find out which pills can activate the Rhino Bloodline and Pure Yin Constitution, I either need to ask an alchemist or research books about pills."

Zhang Xuan had come mainly to gather information, not to buy pills. These were the only two methods.

He didn't know any alchemists, so asking around was clearly inappropriate. Moreover, even if he did, they might not know—the Rhino Bloodline and Pure Yin Constitution were simply too rare.

As for the second method, for others, finding useful information among many books would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But with the Library of Heaven's Path as a cheat tool, it was different for him.

Having made up his mind, he strode toward the front desk of the Alchemist Guild.