Chapter 976: Arriving at the Xuanxuan Society

After discussing with the other party, Zhang Xuan turned to Zhao Bingxu and instructed, "By the way, Elder Zhao, prepare as well. Our academy will also build a large flying vessel!"

Zhao Bingxu nodded.

Although the flying vessel was enormous, with tens of thousands of students in the Artifact Refiner Academy, it wasn't too difficult to forge. The reason they hadn't done so before was the difficulty in finding sacred beasts to pilot it.

With all nine kings of the Cloud Mist Ridge tamed, along with many sacred beasts there, finding a dozen or so was very simple.

Since they were to take the Xuanxuan Society's many students on an exchange, relying on individual spirit beasts to fly would take who knows how long. Riding a flying vessel would naturally be much easier.

After the discussion, they chatted for a while longer.

Teacher Wu spoke up, "Fire Source City is about a week's journey from here. If the ruins haven't opened, going early is useless. How about this: during this time, everyone prepare on their own, and we'll meet at Fire Source City when the time comes!"

"Good!" Everyone nodded in agreement.

If the ruins hadn't opened, going early was pointless. Moreover, so many important figures gathering in a remote small town could easily cause trouble. It was better to prepare in advance.

"In that case, we'll take our leave..."

With that, Teacher Wu didn't linger and flew straight out with Teacher Mu.

Wu Tianqiong and the others, since they lived far away and returning would be troublesome, stayed behind.

After arranging for Elder Mi and others to look after them, Zhang Xuan called Liao Song, Zhuo Qingfeng, and many war teachers and headed to the Xuanxuan Society headquarters.

Before even arriving, he saw many people training, with fists whistling and each exuding great strength.

But after just one glance, his face darkened, and a surge of anger burned in his heart. Zhang Xuan couldn't help but roar.

"Stop right now... What the hell are you practicing?"

The Xuanxuan Society was founded by him personally, and he had high hopes for it. That was why he spared no effort in teaching, even inviting war teachers to provide guidance.

He thought his efforts would bear fruit, but upon seeing this, these guys were practicing... what the hell?

Loose techniques, weak strength, poor combat awareness... as if they hadn't eaten for days. Were they swatting flies?

"What the hell?"

Hearing the reprimand, Liao Song and Zhuo Qingfeng exchanged glances, their eyelids twitching.

In their eyes, these people's practice was already quite formidable...

How did it become 'what the hell' in his mouth?

Was his standard too high?

"Dean..."

Ruohuan, Song Chao, and others hurried over.

"What have you done with all the guidance I gave you before I left?" Zhang Xuan was furious.

What was this?

I put so much effort into teaching you, and this is what you've learned... It's a disgrace!

"We... did study seriously!"

Ruohuan and the others blushed.

"You call this serious?"

With a look of disappointment, Zhang Xuan pointed at a few students nearby: "That move 'Autumn Wind and Rain' he just used looks flashy, but it's actually worthless. Why so many feints? On the first move, if he just lowered his palm by three inches, the opponent would be hit immediately and fall!"

Then he pointed at another.

"His 'Green Leaf Sword Technique' is clearly an offensive move, but he's practicing it as defense. If he defended well, it might be fine, but if someone crouches and attacks his lower body, what do you think would happen?"

"And that 'Chaotic Demon Hammer Technique' looks grand, but the true qi and power are not连贯. If someone finds the nodes where the true qi crosses, they wouldn't even need to strike; a single glance could cause his true qi to clash and severely injure him..."

"That..."

Zhang Xuan pointed out seven or eight people in succession. With each word, the pointed student looked ashamed.

The Dean had explained all these points in previous lessons; they just couldn't apply them smoothly!

Now, hearing the reprimand, they dared not retort.

No wonder he was angry.

He had imparted his knowledge without reservation, pouring all his effort into it. He thought that after so many days, everyone would have grasped sixty to seventy percent, but now it seemed they hadn't even grasped twenty percent!

Their comprehension was too poor!

Of course, he didn't realize that after his trip to the underground cavern, not only had his cultivation level broken through and his Saint Ascension Decipher been revised, but his understanding of combat had also undergone earth-shattering changes.

With his improved insight and experience, naturally he saw flaws everywhere in these students, who hadn't progressed.

"This, this..."

Liao Song and Zhuo Qingfeng breathed rapidly.

In their eyes, those flawless and powerful techniques actually had so many defects. This guy's insight was too sharp!

No wonder he, at the Saint realm, easily defeated a war teacher at Saint Domain Layer 2...

Just this insight alone was beyond their reach.

"Teacher Liao, since they have so many flaws, can we exploit them to avenge our previous defeat?"

Just as he was marveling, he heard his subordinate Zhou Ye's voice transmission.

As a centurion of the War Teacher Hall, he had been beaten by ordinary academy students as soon as he arrived, and he had been holding a grudge.

Now hearing that the Xuanxuan Society members had so many flaws in their training, his eyes lit up.

"We can exploit them, but... their flaws aren't that easy to find..."

Liao Song shook his head.

Dean Zhang made it sound simple, but with his own insight, he couldn't see them. He didn't believe his subordinates could.

If you can't even see them, how can you exploit them?

"Then we can challenge the weaker ones among them. With over thirty thousand people, I don't believe all of them are strong!"

Zhou Ye said.

"This..."

Liao Song hesitated.

What he said was true. People's comprehension differs; even with the same master's guidance, what they learn varies.

Among the thirty thousand members of the Xuanxuan Society, there were strong ones and naturally weak ones.

For instance, the ones Dean Zhang was now scolding were clearly not strong enough.

"Alright, combat isn't about wishful thinking; it requires much contemplation..."

After scolding everyone, Zhang Xuan introduced them: "War Teachers Liao, Zhuo, and others—I assume I don't need to introduce them further. I specially invited them to guide you. Later, study hard and don't slack off..."

"Yes!"

Everyone nodded.

"War Teacher Liao, these are the students I told you about. I only taught them for one afternoon, so their combat ability is average. Just guide them as you see fit, and it's best to let them know the true strength of a war teacher!"

After introducing everyone, Zhang Xuan smiled.

"Uh..."

Liao Song was about to speak when he saw Ruohuan approach: "Teacher Liao, we meet again..."

Not knowing their identities before, they had beaten up his people badly; now thinking about it, they felt quite embarrassed.

"Yes, we meet again..."

Liao Song also nodded.

"You all communicate; I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave!"

With that, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Since he had a month, he planned to take the opportunity to go to Jingyuan City, find the Poison Hall, and resolve Wei Ruyan's condition.

Before leaving, he naturally had to arrange everything.

These war teachers were meant to temper the Xuanxuan Society members.

To help them adapt to fighting war teachers, understand the gap, and not embarrass themselves too much during the exchange later.

"Farewell..."

Seeing he had matters to attend to, Liao Song sighed in relief and quickly cupped his hands.

It was best that he wasn't here; if they couldn't win, at least it wouldn't be too awkward.

"Mm."

Zhang Xuan turned and flew toward his residence, disappearing from view in an instant.

"Everyone, Dean Zhang said to guide you, but it's actually mutual learning..."

Seeing him leave, Liao Song smiled and cupped his hands to the Xuanxuan Society members: "We can improve our understanding of martial techniques through sparring!"

Ruohuan nodded.

Cultivation isn't just theoretical; only through personal experience and constant exploration can one improve.

"Captain, I want to be the first to spar with a Xuanxuan Society expert!" Zhou Ye stepped forward.

"So it's Brother Zhou..."

Ruohuan recognized him and smiled: "I'll find you an opponent..."

Although Zhou Ye had been defeated by them last time, he was still very strong. While the Xuanxuan Society members all seemed formidable, as he guessed, not everyone could win.

"No need to trouble yourself. May I choose my own opponent?"

Zhou Ye interrupted him with a smile.

To avenge his defeat, he naturally had to pick a weak one; if he let the other side choose, he would surely lose.

"Choose your own?" Ruohuan frowned, immediately understanding his intention. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded: "Of course!"

This sparring was to improve strength, not to save face; losing was no big deal.

"Alright then..."

Hearing his agreement, Zhou Ye sighed in relief and looked around.

The Xuanxuan Society had many members, packed in layers, stretching out of sight. Since their strengths were similar, it was hard to tell from appearance alone.

"I choose that one!"

After looking for a while, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he pointed at a figure.

"Her?"

Seeing who Zhou Ye pointed at, Ruohuan's mouth twitched: "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Zhou Ye nodded.

Among the many men in the Xuanxuan Society, he had seen a few and was almost no match for them, so he chose a woman.

This woman looked about twenty, very beautiful, and at first glance, his heart skipped a beat.

If he could defeat her and show off his strength, he might win her heart and gain her favor.

Most importantly, her cultivation was the same as his, both at the Silkworm Seal realm, so he wouldn't need to suppress his cultivation and could fight at full strength.

"Alright then..."

Seeing his confirmation, Ruohuan had no choice but to shake his head, approach the woman, and explain in detail. The latter frowned at first but finally nodded and walked to the training platform in the middle of the courtyard.

"I am Zhou Ye. May I ask the lady's name..."

He jumped up with a smile and bowed.

"I am..."

The woman looked over, her voice calm as a chrysanthemum.

"Yu Fei'er!"