Chapter 1088: Luo Ruoxi's Identity

Wu Shi's alchemy auxiliary skills were not weak, and it didn't take long for him to successfully refine the Tendon Restoration Pill.

Whether due to his improved cultivation or the high age of the Tendon Restoration Herb, this batch yielded as many as five pills.

Dean Tan Qing took three pills, and only then did his severed limbs recover completely, regaining the ability to walk.

"Old Dean, although you are still far from the Primordial Spirit realm, your soul, having been bathed in holy light for so long, has become very resilient. Let me teach you a soul cultivation technique, and then... you can first enter this puppet, and I'll find a way to help you forge a new body!"

Approaching Zhang Yinqiu, Zhang Xuan flicked his wrist, and a puppet of a Heterodox tribesman appeared before him.

Although he was now only a soul, having been illuminated by holy light for a long time, he had long transcended the category of shaman souls and become very resilient. Though incomparable to a Primordial Spirit, he could still survive for a long time.

All he needed was to forge a new body, and he could live on like a clone—no problem.

"This is... a Heterodox tribesman puppet?"

Recognizing its appearance, Zhang Yinqiu shook his head.

He had spent his life fighting Heterodox tribesmen; entering such a puppet was absolutely impossible.

"This was forged by Master Wu Yangzi after he was captured, using the flesh of a Heterodox tribesman... It contains his most exquisite craftsmanship!"

Knowing that the man before him admired Wu Yangzi the most, Zhang Xuan explained.

"Master... personally forged it?"

His pupils contracted, and Zhang Yinqiu quickly looked over.

His admiration for Senior Wu Yangzi came from the heart; otherwise, he wouldn't have found this relic.

After studying it carefully, he couldn't help but admire it, but in the end, he still shook his head: "No matter what, I am a true master teacher. Living by borrowing a Heterodox tribesman's body... I really can't do it!"

"Master... you're not dead!"

Just as he was about to continue refusing Zhang Shi's kindness, an excited voice rang out.

Looking up, he saw a huge ape-shaped sacred beast standing not far away, its eyes moist, rushing straight over.

"Ziyang..."

Recognizing its appearance, Zhang Yinqiu's eyes also reddened as he approached.

It was his beast pet, the Ziyang Beast!

Master and servant had thought they were separated by life and death, never expecting to meet again.

"Master, I've missed you so much..."

Because of its height, the Ziyang Beast knelt on the ground, hugging Zhang Yinqiu, tears streaming down, no longer the dignified guardian of Hongyuan.

"It seems that although he submitted to me, his deepest loyalty is still to the old dean..."

Seeing the sight of the man and beast, Zhang Xuan smiled wryly.

He had thought that after spending so much time together, he could replace the other, but now it seemed he was still far off.

With a flick of his finger, the soul that had been sacrificed flew out and shot straight back to the Ziyang Beast.

"Dean..."

Feeling his soul restored, the Ziyang Beast quickly turned to look at the young man before him, unable to believe it.

"From now on, you are free. You are still the old dean's beast pet..." Zhang Xuan smiled.

To be honest, given his current strength, keeping the Ziyang Beast by his side was indeed meaningless. Instead, it was better to let it do what it most wanted and continue following Zhang Yinqiu.

"Thank you, Master..."

Kowtowing to Zhang Xuan a few times, the Ziyang Beast's eyes were full of gratitude.

Without him, it would surely never have seen the old dean again.

"Zhang Shi, I've made up my mind. I'll enter this puppet first. Before, I had no attachments. With you in charge, the academy will surely be even more glorious. Rather than lingering on, it would be better to die..."

At this point, the old dean smiled and looked at the sacred beast before him: "Now... seeing it, I want to keep living!"

He had no wife or children, only the academy. Now that there was a new dean, he had originally thought it didn't matter whether he lived or died. But seeing the Ziyang Beast and its attachment to him, he knew that only by living could he do more.

People live not only for themselves, but sometimes for others.

"Good!"

Hearing his agreement, Zhang Xuan nodded. With a grab of his hand, a special force spread over, sending him into the puppet.

Whoosh!

After a moment, the puppet opened its eyes.

Although this Heterodox tribesman puppet was not very good-looking, it possessed the strength of a genuine Saint realm third layer. Merging with his soul would also greatly improve his strength.

After dealing with the old dean and Tan Qing, Zhang Xuan led the others back to the seal outside the Saint Sealing Pavilion.

With a flick of his finger, the crystal appeared. He lightly traced it, and a passage opened in the seal that had previously been impossible to leave.

"Let's go!"

The group filed out and soon reunited with Mu Shi, Feng Xun, and the others who had stayed behind.

Seeing them return safely and bringing back Tan Qing, Ji Yan, and others, everyone was overjoyed.

With this goal accomplished, they didn't linger. Once again, they raised the crystal, and its light enveloped the group.

Whoosh!

The next moment, they were back above the crater of Yanlin Mountain.

"Everyone, these are the storage rings and treasures obtained from slaying the many kings along the way. Earlier, in the relic, we weren't sure if we could get out, so we couldn't divide them. Now that we're out, everyone gets a share!"

Seeing they had returned to the original place, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled lightly. Instantly, countless treasures appeared on the ground.

These were the treasures obtained from slaying Redleaf King, Jadeleaf King, Heavenleaf King, and others, as well as from the relic.

Although they were precious, they were obtained through everyone's joint efforts. Earlier in the relic, it was uncertain whether they could get out, so keeping them was nothing. But now, they had to be divided.

"This..."

"Zhang Shi, slaying Heavenleaf King and the others was all your achievement. It has nothing to do with us..."

They hadn't expected him to take out so many treasures. Everyone was stunned and deeply moved.

In truth, slaying the many kings was the achievement of the man before them. They hadn't done much, so receiving benefits for nothing made them feel uneasy.

"Entering the relic, we were a whole. Without you, I might not have survived to this day. Please don't refuse..."

Zhang Xuan smiled.

Having become a Heaven-Approved Saint, his mindset had also changed.

Although these treasures were precious, if they could help more people improve their strength, they would be far more useful than if he kept them alone.

"Alright, then we'll gladly accept..."

Seeing his firm attitude, everyone stopped refusing and divided the treasures. Each person gained a great deal.

After distributing everything, Zhang Xuan still had a fair amount left. However, these treasures were no longer of much use to him. His greatest gain was refining the entire Qiuwu Palace!

Whoosh!

The crystal in his hand turned gently, and the folded space of the relic silently attached itself to the map on the crystal ball's surface, looking from afar like a carved painting.

"Zhang Shi, since the relic matter is concluded, we won't return to the academy. We'll head straight back to Qingyuan Empire..."

After dividing the treasures, Wu Shi and President Han approached.

"Mm," Zhang Xuan nodded.

Going from here back to the academy and then to Qingyuan Empire would be a detour. Leaving directly from here would save at least two or three days' travel.

"Before we leave, we'd like to have a private word with you, if possible?"

Wu Shi transmitted his voice.

"Mm."

Zhang Xuan grabbed with his hand, setting up a seal around them, and looked at the two: "What matter requires avoiding the others?"

"Actually, it's nothing much... Just something we'd like to advise Zhang Shi about."

Exchanging glances, Wu Shi and President Han looked at him.

"Advise?" Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

What could be so mysterious that they needed to advise him?

"I'll be direct. Through our observations these past few days, Zhang Shi seems to be pursuing Luo Shi as a dao companion, correct?" After a moment's hesitation, Wu Shi spoke directly.

"Yes," Zhang Xuan smiled, not denying it.

The affection between man and woman was nothing to be ashamed of.

Moreover, she was the only woman he had ever loved, the one he wanted to spend his life with.

"Then... do you know Luo Shi's background and origins?" Wu Shi couldn't help asking.

"This... it should be related to the Luo family of the Sage Clans, right?"

Pausing, Zhang Xuan said.

"Correct, it is related to the Luo family of the Sage Clans. If we're not mistaken, she is very likely the little princess of the Luo family!" Wu Shi said gravely, voicing his speculation.

"Little princess?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

"Mm, this little princess possesses an extremely pure bloodline, unparalleled talent, and most importantly, she inherited the Luo family's supreme treasure, the Still Void Pearl..."

Wu Shi paused: "Sage Clans are extremely strict about their bloodlines. Moreover, she controls the family's most important treasure... Under normal circumstances, it's impossible for her to marry an outsider!"

"This..."

Zhang Xuan was stunned: "If she doesn't marry an outsider, does she stay in the family forever?"

"For ordinary bloodlines, marriage is fine, but for one so pure... it's difficult," Wu Shi shook his head. "Moreover, even if she marries, it would likely be a marriage alliance between Sage Clans."

"Marriage alliance?"

"Correct. The techniques of Sage Clans are not allowed to leak out. Marrying someone with equally pure blood makes it more likely to produce even stronger geniuses... So, if you truly want to become her dao companion, you will likely face many difficulties. It won't be easy."

After hesitating, Wu Shi said.

He wasn't trying to stop them, but wanted to give the man before him a heads-up.

Women from Sage Clans were not so easily taken away.

"Most importantly... I've heard that the Luo family has already formed a marriage alliance with a very powerful Sage Clan! That's why the little princess was unhappy and ran away. Now no one knows where she is..."

This time it was President Han who spoke.

Having previously guessed Luo Ruoxi's identity, these legends surfaced in their minds, making them cautious.

If the man before him insisted on being with Luo Ruoxi, he might offend not only the Luo family but also another great clan.

Having gone through life and death together, since they knew this, they couldn't let him remain in the dark.

"A great clan marriage alliance? Which clan?" Zhang Xuan couldn't help asking.

"It shares your surname."

Wu Shi paused.

"The Sage, Zhang family!"