Chapter 1089: Can't Even Withstand a Single Move

"The Zhang family?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"Indeed, the Zhang family of sages ranks among the top three of the sage clans. They are one of the most prestigious families on the entire Master Continent. Their core disciples possess pure bloodlines; once activated, they can break through to the Saint Domain before the age of sixteen, and become superpowerful beings surpassing the Nascent Soul realm before twenty! In truth, the Luo family's status on the continent is inferior to that of the Zhang family!"

Wu Shi sighed.

"That formidable?" Zhang Xuan was astonished.

"Yes. If you truly choose Luo Shi, you will likely face these two great families. Of course, given Zhang Shi's talent and progress, surpassing the sage clans is not difficult, but it's best not to let them know for now. After all, Heaven's Recognized Master and Heaven's Recognized Saint are too shocking. Once the news leaks, it could easily provoke attacks from the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe, which are hard to guard against. Moreover, not all masters are good people. Well, we've told you this much. The decision is yours, Zhang Shi!"

Wu Shi smiled. "If you truly choose to resist, please call on us. No matter how difficult, we will stand by your side!"

"Yes, Zhang Shi. Regardless, we will unconditionally support you!" President Han also smiled.

As long as the man before them did not fall, his future achievements would be limitless.

Though the sage clans had deep foundations, in a few hundred or thousand years, they might not be worth mentioning in this man's eyes.

However, for now, it was best to keep a low profile; otherwise, the trouble would be too great.

"Thank you!" Knowing their goodwill, Zhang Xuan clasped his fists gratefully.

He had long known that Luo Ruoxi's identity was not simple, but he hadn't expected it to be so complicated.

No wonder she had been reluctant to agree at first and had said that being with her would be difficult. Facing two great sage clans, anyone would feel immense pressure.

"Zhang Shi is always steady and thinks more than we do. We won't say more. We'll await your arrival in Qingyuan Empire. Farewell!"

Wu Shi, President Han, Liu Mo, and others took their leave.

"Zhang Shi, we're heading back to the academy directly. This time, thanks to you, we might have all been wiped out..." Wu Tianqiong and others also came over.

"Zhang Shi, we're returning to the War Master Hall now to prepare well and await your academy's students for the exchange!"

Jiang Yuan, Feng Xun, and others from the War Master Hall also nodded and took their leave.

Soon, everyone parted ways, leaving only Zhang Yinqiu, Ji Yan, Tan Qing, and Luo Ruoxi.

"Let's return to the academy!"

The group flew straight toward Hongyuan Academy.

"Dean Zhang, I heard from Feng Xun that our academy's students are going to the War Master Hall for an exchange. What's this about?"

Standing on the back of the sacred beast, Zhang Yinqiu hesitated for a moment before approaching.

Exchanges were usually conducted between equal powers. For instance, they often took students to Yunxu Academy, Luoqing Academy, and other places to learn more under the guise of exchange.

As for the War Master Hall... every member there could fight above their level. Sending their students for an exchange... wasn't that just asking to be beaten?

"When I was still a student, I set up the Xuanxuan Society and conducted a few training sessions. The students' combat abilities improved somewhat. Knowing the War Master Hall's strength, I thought of taking them to see the world." Zhang Xuan smiled.

"A few training sessions? What use is that?"

"The War Masters of the War Master Hall are too powerful. If we go for an exchange, I'm afraid our students will lose all confidence..."

Ji Yan and Tan Qing were also taken aback and couldn't help shaking their heads.

This Zhang Shi was still too young.

He was a Heaven's Recognized Saint with formidable strength, defeating Feng Xun and others as easily as cutting vegetables. But the students were ordinary people, far inferior to the War Master Hall.

If they really went for an exchange, it might crush everyone's confidence.

"It's just to see the world, nothing more! Losing or winning is fine. If we don't take them out, how will they know there's always a higher mountain?" Zhang Xuan said.

"Well... alright!" Having witnessed this man's prudence along the way, the others didn't say more.

The flying sacred beast was extremely fast. A few days later, Hongyuan City came into view again, a massive city appearing before them.

"You all go back to the academy first. I'll return to my residence..."

He clasped his fists and took leave of Zhang Yinqiu and the others.

He wanted to return to his residence to check on Wang Ying and the others' progress. As for the academy, with Elder Mi and others there, nothing would go wrong. Besides, with Zhang Yinqiu and the others returning, many acquaintances would meet, and he wouldn't have much to say.

Returning to the residence, he inspected Wang Ying and Liu Yang's progress. Both had improved rapidly, had started practicing the Sealing Saint Release, and possessed vigorous true qi and formidable combat power.

He distributed the treasures obtained from the ruins to the two, instructed them to continue training, and then summoned the steward Sun Qiang.

In the dozen or so days, Sun Qiang seemed to have grown even rounder. His overall strength hadn't changed much from before, as if he hadn't focused on cultivation at all.

Zhang Xuan scolded him, filled with frustration.

His students were all reliable, but this steward was far too lax in his cultivation.

While he was instructing his students and scolding the steward, Ji Yan and the others arrived above the academy.

"Although Zhang Shi is strong himself, he's too young and has a young man's temper. Exchanging with the War Master Hall... it's too frivolous!"

"Indeed. Every War Master in the War Master Hall is incredibly powerful and invincible at the same level. Pitting our students against them will likely shatter their confidence. Instead of motivating them, it might backfire!"

Zhang Yinqiu and Ji Yan sighed.

When opponents are of similar level, comparison can motivate. But when the gap is too large, it crushes confidence.

It's like comparing an ordinary person to the emperor—clearly not on the same level.

"How about this: let's go check out the Xuanxuan Society and remind them to mentally prepare for the War Master Hall's strength, so they won't be caught off guard!"

After a moment, Ji Yan said.

"Good. Let them know the War Masters are formidable, and this exchange is just for learning. If they lower their expectations beforehand, they won't be too affected!" Tan Qing also nodded.

The three quickly agreed.

Zhang Shi was now the dean, and since he had arranged the exchange with the War Master Hall, they couldn't back out. However, they should let the students know beforehand to adopt a humble attitude and treat it as a learning opportunity, not an equal exchange. With that mindset, even if they lost, they wouldn't be too affected.

"Let's go!"

They had asked about the location of the Xuanxuan Society headquarters on the way, so without further delay, they flew straight there.

Since Zhang Yinqiu was still in the guise of an Otherworldly Demonic Tribe puppet, he remained on the beast's back without descending. Ji Yan and Tan Qing soon arrived at the entrance but were stopped by several students.

"Who are you looking for?"

A student asked.

"We're looking for the person in charge of the Xuanxuan Society..." Seeing that these students didn't recognize them, Ji Yan said.

Most of the Xuanxuan Society members were freshmen from Zhang Xuan's cohort. Although the two vice deans held high status, they had been missing for two years, so many didn't know them.

"The person in charge? I'll go get them..."

Seeing the two elders' extraordinary bearing, the student didn't hesitate and quickly went inside. Before long, Ruohuan Gongzi and Song Chao came out.

The two were founding members of the Xuanxuan Society and usually handled affairs when Zhang Xuan was away.

"May I ask what brings you here?"

Seeing the two extremely powerful elders, Ruohuan Gongzi and Song Chao exchanged glances, dared not offend, and respectfully clasped their fists.

"We heard you're going to have an exchange with the War Masters?" Ji Yan didn't hide his intentions and spoke directly.

"That's right. Recently, everyone in the Xuanxuan Society has been training hard, aiming to give the War Master Hall a lesson and teach them a good beating!" Song Chao laughed.

This was no secret; the entire academy knew, and everyone was preparing. There was nothing to hide.

"A lesson?"

"A beating?"

Ji Yan and Tan Qing exchanged glances, their brows furrowing even more.

The War Master Hall was full of freaks, and these people were talking about teaching them a lesson... weren't they asking for death?

Truly ignorant of the world!

"How about this: since you're so confident, the two of us will suppress our cultivation and have a match with you..." After a moment's hesitation, Ji Yan said.

"A match?"

"Indeed. The War Master Hall members are extremely strong; it's not as simple as you think to fight them. If you can defeat us with suppressed cultivation, then the exchange is fine. If not... I hope you'll go with a learning mindset, or you might not withstand the blow!"

Ji Yan said.

"Alright, we won't bully you..."

Hearing this request, Ruohuan Gongzi hesitated, then turned to a student sweeping the floor nearby. "You... come over! Spar with these two seniors. Be careful, go easy on them, don't hurt them..."

"..." Ji Yan and Tan Qing.

Seeing that this fellow didn't fight himself but casually called over a sweeper, and even told him to go easy—the two vice deans nearly exploded with rage on the spot.

"Are new students all this arrogant now? Fine, let me see what you've got!"

Gritting his teeth, Ji Yan suppressed his cultivation to match the sweeper's level and beckoned. "Begin!"

...

"Master, Dean Ji and the others are fighting..."

In the air, Ziyang Beast said to the old dean on its back.

"Don't worry, Dean Ji has discretion; he won't go too far..."

Zhang Yinqiu smiled and nodded, about to continue speaking when he heard a rush of wind, followed by Ji Yan and Tan Qing flying in.

The two Nascent Soul realm experts had faces covered in broom marks and clothes full of dirt, looking utterly disheveled.

"What happened?"

Not expecting them back so soon, Zhang Yinqiu was taken aback.

"We got beaten..." The two looked embarrassed.

"Beaten?" Eyes wide, Zhang Yinqiu couldn't believe it.

Two vice deans, and such strong ones at that, beaten? How was that possible?

Seeing his astonished expression, the two said shamefacedly, "Couldn't even withstand a single move..."