Chapter 102: Until the Peak of the World

"Phew! Finally done!"

From afternoon until nearly ten in the evening, Zhang Xuan finally stopped and let out a breath.

The books in the elementary library covered everything, all about alchemy. Even with his recent surge in strength, he couldn't help but feel somewhat fatigued after flipping through them all.

Through reading, he also finally realized that this library indeed had no books on special constitutions.

Naturally, he couldn't find the answer.

In other words, he had to become an alchemist and search in the advanced library!

"This knowledge should be enough to qualify as a formal alchemist!"

Although the Alchemist Guild of Tianxuan Kingdom was just a small branch, backed by the headquarters, it stood unshaken even through dynastic changes. After hundreds or thousands of years, even an elementary library contained an astonishing amount of knowledge.

Even a true master teacher couldn't possibly read all these books and absorb all the knowledge.

But Zhang Xuan had done it.

With so much knowledge, when it came to understanding alchemy, if he claimed second place in Tianxuan Kingdom, no one would dare claim first.

Of course, that was only theory. If he actually had to do it, forget alchemy—he probably couldn't even start a furnace fire.

"Let's find something to eat!"

Touching his already empty stomach, Zhang Xuan stretched and strode out of the library.

He had only eaten breakfast today, then had classes, learned the Heart Inquisition, taken the alchemist apprentice exam... He was so busy that his stomach was growling. If not for his improved strength and physique, he might not have held out.

The elementary library was further inside beyond the apprentice exam room. As he walked out, he saw Ouyang Cheng and Du Man still sitting inside, holding brushes as if writing something, their expressions strange, conflicted, struggling, and pained...

"What are you doing?"

Seeing the two formal alchemists like this, Zhang Xuan walked in curiously.

"Ah..."

Ouyang Cheng and the other were studying what Zhang Xuan intended by flipping through books. When he suddenly walked in, they both jumped and quickly covered a piece of paper on the table with their hands.

Zhang Xuan looked down.

He saw a few lines exposed.

"Speculations on the purpose of flipping books in the library: First, showing off (30 votes); Second, boredom (1 vote); Third, studying book materials (1 vote)..."

Seeing only these lines, Zhang Xuan's forehead broke out in black lines.

Was this about me?

Only he had been flipping books in the library just now.

It was about me, but... what's with the voting?

And why was "showing off" ranked first with so many votes...

"Cough, cough, we just thought your book-flipping in the library was a bit strange, so we couldn't help but discuss it..."

Seeing that he had already seen it, Ouyang Cheng stopped hiding and forced down his embarrassment.

The usually stern and serious alchemist Ouyang Cheng, hiding in a room with another alchemist to study the purpose of an apprentice flipping books, even having others vote... If word got out, it would be unbelievable.

"I was looking for a book... but couldn't find it, so I just flipped through randomly!"

Zhang Xuan said casually.

He certainly couldn't mention the Library of Heaven's Path, but his book-flipping was indeed too strange and would inevitably arouse suspicion. He would have to be more careful in the future.

However, he was just flipping books without doing anything else. Although others were suspicious, they couldn't figure out what he was doing, let alone imagine that he had a huge library in his mind.

"That simple..."

Hearing this, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man both looked constipated.

They had studied it all afternoon, neglecting food and drink, thinking there was some special purpose, never dreaming it was that simple.

"What else could it be?" Zhang Xuan looked at them.

As long as he didn't admit to the Library of Heaven's Path, he could lie without even blushing.

"Uh... fine!"

Ouyang Cheng shook his head helplessly. After studying all afternoon, he hadn't expected the answer to be so simple. To ease the awkwardness, he said, "I've already notified ten alchemists about the debate. They'll all come tomorrow! You should prepare well. It will be held here tomorrow afternoon!"

"Okay!" Zhang Xuan nodded, asked a few more questions about the debate process, then turned to leave.

Just as he stepped out of the room, he heard Du Man's voice.

"You lost, give me the money quickly..."

"I lost, but you didn't win either. Your biggest bet was on him showing off..." Ouyang Cheng said discontentedly.

Zhang Xuan stumbled.

You're both respectable alchemists, and you're betting on me...

And showing off? Show off your sister!

Feeling disheartened, he walked out of the room and saw Zhao Ya and the others standing outside.

"Why are you here?"

A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

This was the Alchemist Guild, not the academy. How did Zhao Ya get here?

"Teacher Zhang, thank you!"

Seeing him appear, Zhao Ya could no longer hold back and knelt directly, her eyes full of gratitude.

"Get up quickly. What are you thanking me for?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

What was wrong with this girl?

She knelt as soon as she arrived. Had her "chronic ailment" been cured?

Thinking this, he couldn't help asking, "Have you finished the Cold Yang Mother Herb? How was the effect?"

Hearing the words "Cold Yang Mother Herb," Yao Han, who had been suspecting that Zhang Xuan didn't recognize the herb's value when he gave it away, shuddered.

It seemed he knew what the herb was, so he must know its value!

A medicinal herb of such value, casually given to a student, and risking the alchemist exam to help a student unlock a special constitution...

Regardless of his teaching ability, this sense of responsibility and teacher's ethics alone made him admire Zhang Xuan wholeheartedly.

"Teacher Zhang, I was blind before. I measured the gentleman's heart with my own mean measure. Please forgive me!"

Yao Han stepped forward and bowed completely.

Thinking back, his previous actions were truly laughable.

A teacher so responsible, how could he possibly teach poorly? It seemed the rumors outside might not be true.

"This..."

Seeing the two of them like this, Zhang Xuan blinked.

Could someone tell me what was going on?

I just took the alchemist apprentice exam, and they turned out like this?

Soon he figured out what was happening.

Coming here to find a solution for special constitutions wasn't just for Zhao Ya; it was more for Yuan Tao. He hadn't expected that such a simple action would move her so much.

But thinking about it, he understood. In others' eyes, the debate had an extremely low success rate and was very dangerous, yet he had gone without hesitation. Naturally, they saw him as someone willing to give up everything for his students and face any difficulty!

This bond alone was priceless!

Understanding this, Zhang Xuan remained silent.

He had moved Zhao Ya, but her actions had also moved him.

Previously, he only saw these students as bargaining chips to avoid being fired. Now he realized that people have feelings; how you treat others is how they treat you.

These children's thirst for knowledge and gratitude made him deeply understand a teacher's responsibility and the heavy trust on his shoulders.

"Rest assured, as my students, I will make you go further and further, until the peak of the world!"

Clenching his fists, Zhang Xuan silently vowed in his heart.

At this moment, he finally completed the transformation from a time traveler to a teacher.

Boom!

As this thought arose, at the highest point of the Library of Heaven's Path, a loud rumble sounded, forming a golden book. However, Zhang Xuan did not see it.