Chapter 1104: The Hall Master Also Defects

“Absorbed?”

“What do you mean?”

Most people frowned, and even the Punishment Hall Master looked puzzled.

“Those more than two hundred war masters who went to challenge have all joined the Xuanxuan Society now…” said Hall Master Zhen Ye.

“Joined the Xuanxuan Society?”

Everyone was stunned, then quickly understood, each feeling a pang in their chest, struggling to breathe.

Especially the Punishment Hall Master, who nearly lost his balance and fell from the central seat.

He had just confidently said that during this exchange, the War Master Hall could take the opportunity to recruit and strengthen the Qingyuan branch, only to hear this news—before they could even steal the chicken, the rice was already lost…

Too much of a trap!

“Nonsense, utter nonsense, what a disgrace! A group of war masters actually joining a rustic organization… Tell them to return to the War Master Hall immediately, or else they’ll be expelled. From today on, these people are no longer qualified to be members of the War Master Hall!”

A hall master stood up, unable to refrain from scolding.

It had always been the War Master Hall that selected people from various regions, never had others poached from them.

“Is it really appropriate to tell them that? Our War Master Hall doesn’t restrict members from joining other organizations or learning other professions…” another hall master raised an objection.

Although the War Master Hall was not as loose as the Master Teacher Hall, it didn’t have overly strict requirements either, demanding absolute obedience. Wasn’t ordering them back and threatening them a bit too much?

“The War Master Hall doesn’t restrict, but if all war masters act like this, who will still become a war master? Who will protect the safety of our human race?”

“Exactly, this precedent must not be set, or else where will our dignity be?”

Two more hall masters shouted in reprimand.

Everyone fell silent.

True.

Although the War Master Hall didn’t restrict, this precedent couldn’t be set; otherwise, military discipline would slacken, and how could they remain invincible and victorious in the future?

If people’s hearts scatter, the team becomes hard to lead!

The War Master Hall had no such precedent, but many empires did.

War masters were like soldiers protecting the empire; without strict discipline, how could they instill fear in outsiders and deter invasion?

“Alright, I’ll notify them now…”

Pausing, Hall Master Zhen Ye nodded, tapped his communication jade token, and sent a message.

Hum!

After a moment, words appeared on the token again. Glancing at them, Hall Master Zhen Ye stumbled once more.

“What now?”

Seeing him in that state again, everyone grew anxious.

This hall master of the Martial Techniques Hall had always been steady in his actions. What was wrong with him today, stumbling like this repeatedly?

What kind of message had he seen that made him so impatient?

“My men just notified Xiao Qin and the others… and got the reply that if they are forced to withdraw from the Xuanxuan Society, they would rather quit the War Master Hall and stop being war masters…”

His lips twitching, Hall Master Zhen Ye read the words aloud.

“Quit the War Master Hall?”

“How is that possible? After just one contact, they want to join the Xuanxuan Society… What kind of charm does this Zhang Xuan have?”

An uproar ensued; everyone stood frozen, their expressions no better than Hall Master Zhen Ye’s.

Becoming a war master was the dream of countless cultivators—a matter of honor and responsibility. Now, after just one encounter with the Xuanxuan Society, these people were willing to give up being war masters to join. What had happened?

“What kind of brainwashing has that Zhang Xuan done to them?! No, I have to go over and teach those clueless fools a lesson!”

An old man stood up indignantly.

Hall Master of the Fist Techniques Hall, Chen Zhuqing!

He was the most impatient among the ten hall masters. Hearing that his subordinates had been seduced by a small organization from a first-class empire, he was furious enough to explode.

“I’ll go with you!” Another old man stood up.

Hall Master of the Movement Techniques Hall, Lu Wangqiu.

The two were friends. Since they were going to see what had happened to those war masters, they might as well go together and confront them.

“Better not cause a conflict. Although this Zhang Xuan is only the dean of a first-class empire, he has a good relationship with Master Wu of the Master Teacher Hall and is said to be talented, and he is Zheng Yang’s teacher… Just teach him a lesson to make him know his place; there’s no need to blow things up!”

Seeing the two hall masters about to go retrieve those war masters, the Punishment Hall Master instructed.

They were all master teachers and here for an exchange; there was no need to burn bridges, or it would be bad for everyone.

Moreover, he was the mentor of the super genius Zheng Yang!

A genius like Zheng Yang was rare in ten thousand years and had a high chance of successfully becoming a battle master. As his founding teacher, this Zhang Xuan’s status would surely rise accordingly. It was best to avoid offending him if possible, to prevent future embarrassment.

Although Zhuo Qingfeng and others had said this Master Zhang was extraordinary, Zhang Xuan rarely acted, and they didn’t know much about him. They didn’t think he could be stronger than a genius like Zheng Yang.

A teacher’s greatest role was to impart knowledge and resolve doubts; it wasn’t unheard of for a teacher to be weaker than a student in martial arts.

“Don’t worry, Hall Master!”

“We’ll act according to the situation!”

The two hall masters turned and walked out.

After they left, the room fell into a heavy silence, oppressive and suffocating.

The invincible War Master Hall being outshone by an organization from a small place was something they had never dared to imagine before.

“Actually, this isn’t a bad thing. Our War Master Hall has been too complacent; this can be an opportunity to curb some arrogance…”

Seeing everyone’s low spirits, the Punishment Hall Master smiled.

“Mm!” Everyone nodded.

True. Their War Master Hall had always been too proud. This incident could make many realize that even war masters weren’t invincible or unbeatable.

“Although Hall Master Chen is a bit hot-tempered, Hall Master Lu is steady. It shouldn’t cause major trouble… Once they bring those youngsters back, we can find out what exactly happened that made them willing to give up being war masters to join the Xuanxuan Society!”

“If it’s by fair means, fine. But if it’s through deception and bribery… Hmph, we must report it to the Master Teacher Hall and deal with this black sheep properly!”

“It’s always been our War Master Hall poaching others; now someone is poaching war masters from us. This Zhang Xuan has quite the nerve.”

…

The Punishment Hall Master’s words eased the gloom, but everyone’s faces remained grim.

“They’ve arrived at the place and are negotiating with the Xuanxuan Society…”

After chatting for a while, Hall Master Zhen Ye took out his communication jade token, glanced at it, and nodded.

Hall Master Chen, who had just left, had sent him a message.

“Tell Hall Master Chen to bring those people here directly later. I want to question them personally about what happened!”

The Punishment Hall Master said.

“Alright!” Nodding, Hall Master Zhen Ye was about to say something when the jade token in his hand flashed again, revealing another line of text.

He looked down, and just like before, after one glance, his whole body stiffened for the third time, and he stumbled.

“You… what now? Even with two hall masters going personally, they still won’t come back?”

Seeing his expression, the Punishment Hall Master’s face flushed with anger.

Two hall masters of their War Master Hall had gone in person, and the other side still wouldn’t release them—this was too disrespectful.

“No…”

His lips trembling, Hall Master Zhen Ye’s eyes were full of disbelief: “Hall Master Chen and Hall Master Lu… they’ve also joined the Xuanxuan Society and won’t be coming back for now…”

“Pfft!”

“What did you say?”

“They’ve also joined… the Xuanxuan Society?”

Everyone looked frantic.

Those who went to cause trouble joined, and those who went to call them back also disappeared… What kind of magic did this Xuanxuan Society have that made everyone linger?

“Say that again?”

The Punishment Hall Master trembled all over, pulling out a large tuft of his beard without even noticing.

He knew Chen and Lu well—they were upright and detested such things. How could they… go there and also join that Xuanxuan Society?

“This…”

Seeing the hall master furious, everyone exchanged glances, not daring to breathe loudly.

“Everyone, come with me. I want to see for myself what kind of magic this Zhang Xuan has!”

After a moment, suppressing his anger, the Punishment Hall Master flicked his sleeve.

“Alright!” Everyone nodded simultaneously.

To be honest, they were also curious why those war masters had chosen to stay.

Leaving the hall, they all flew swiftly toward the manor and soon arrived above it.

“Look, they’re all down there…”

Before they even got close, they saw Hall Master Chen, Hall Master Lu, and others scattered among the crowd. In front of the former was a youth of only sixteen or seventeen.

“Which one is Zhang Xuan?”

A hall master couldn’t help asking.

“He doesn’t seem to be here…”

The hall master who had sent the message said.

“Not here?” Everyone was puzzled.

If he wasn’t here, why were these people staying willingly?

“Don’t go down yet. Let’s see what they’re doing…”

Waving his hand to stop those about to descend, the Punishment Hall Master frowned and looked down. As he concentrated, a faint voice drifted into his ears.

“Xiao Chen, your fist techniques are actually not bad. The reason you can’t beat me is that you have too many distracting thoughts. Fist techniques require focusing all your essence, energy, and spirit into a single point to burst forth! The way you’re doing it, you’ll never beat me!”

The youth said.

“Xiao Chen?”

The others also heard this and exchanged glances, their lips twitching.

A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old kid speaking with a teaching tone was one thing, but calling him Xiao Chen…

“How about this: suppress your cultivation to the peak of the Revered Saint realm, and I’ll show you a punch with all my strength!” the youth continued.

“Alright!”

Suppressing his strength to the peak of the Revered Saint realm, Hall Master Chen threw a punch through the air, the energy roaring.

“That’s… Hall Master Chen’s strongest fist technique, Dragon Fighting in the Wild?”

“That youth is in for trouble!”

Seeing Hall Master Chen unleash his ultimate move, intimidating all directions, everyone tensed.

Boom!

Their fists collided.

Whoosh!

Hall Master Chen flew backward.

“Cough, cough, I couldn’t hold back again, used too much force. Sorry…” The youth scratched his head.

“…” Everyone.