Chapter 1184: Hall Master Gou Admits Defeat

Although he had comprehended the heart of a teacher and taught without discrimination,

this Hall Master Gou harbored selfishness, could not distinguish right from wrong, and misjudged people... Such a person, the stronger his strength, the greater the harm to humanity. How could he possibly pass on such a powerful palm technique as Qiuwu Gusu's?

Zhang Xuan had a gentle temper, but he was not a pushover.

He had a certain discretion about whom to accept as a disciple and whom not.

"I was being wishful..."

Hall Master Gou looked dejected.

He had personally forced the other party to challenge the hall, and now he wanted to learn his martial skills? How could that be?

Not killing him on the spot was already showing considerable respect.

"I concede..." Shaking his head, Hall Master Gou announced loudly, "Master Zhang has passed the first trial of the hall challenge!"

The first trial was to defeat all the masters in a Master Hall, and now it was accomplished.

"Hold on... I haven't fought with Vice Hall Master Tian Qing... I'm afraid he won't be convinced!"

Zhang Xuan interrupted him.

"Since I am no match for you, Tian Qing is naturally even less so. Therefore, fighting or not is meaningless..."

Hall Master Gou shook his head.

"I am no match for you; I concede!"

Tian Qing cupped his fists.

Seeing the other party concede, Zhang Xuan was full of regret.

To be honest, he really wished the other party would agree, so he could give him a good beating, first crippling him so he could never walk again.

However, since he conceded, it was awkward to make a move.

After all, this was just a hall challenge, not a massacre.

"The Master Tower is this way. Master Zhang, follow me..."

The Master Tower contained the wills of the most peak masters throughout the history of a Master Hall. Some of these had reached eight-star lower grade or even higher... To pass and gain their recognition was extremely difficult.

Therefore, the first trial—challenging and defeating all masters—was relatively easy compared to the hall challenge.

The real difficulty lay here.

Throughout history, countless geniuses had been trapped here.

Following behind, he soon saw a seven-story tower standing before him, giving a sense of stability like the sea, suppressing all directions.

Knowing this trial was harder than the previous one, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, focused his mind, and pushed open the door to enter.

Seeing him disappear, a master couldn't help asking, "Will Master Zhang... succeed?"

"It's very difficult. Although the Master Hall of Qingyuan Empire is not among the top of the eight titled empires, historically, it has produced four eight-star masters. The most powerful, Master He, even reached eight-star middle grade! The wills they left behind are learned and knowledgeable; it probably won't be easy to pass."

A knowledgeable master said.

"Indeed. A master reaching eight-star is nearly at the peak of the entire continent. Their knowledge, mental state, and understanding of cultivation are not something ordinary people can contend with..."

The first master nodded.

"Ah, I hope Zhang Xuan can pass. If he does, as his students, we will also be honored!"

"Yes, I also hope he can pass. No one has challenged the hall in so many years. If he does it here and succeeds, what fame it will bring! In the future, we'll have something to be proud of..."

Their faces were full of anticipation.

"Pfft!"

Hearing their conversation, Hall Master Gou, covered in injuries, could no longer suppress the blood in his chest and spat out several mouthfuls before stopping.

When others challenged the hall, the masters of that hall would wish to kill the challenger. But here, they all wished for the other party's success...

This was your own Master Hall! If someone successfully challenges it... wouldn't you be embarrassed? What pride is there to speak of!

"A just cause gains much support, an unjust one gains little... Hall Master Gou, whether Master Zhang passes or not, you have already lost the people's hearts. I'm afraid even if headquarters doesn't hold you accountable, no master in the hall will be willing to follow your orders anymore..."

Seeing his expression, Master Wu knew what he was thinking and shook his head.

Even if Vice Hall Master Tian Qing's framing of Master Zhang was very secretive, with so many masters returning at once and such a commotion, it could no longer be concealed.

Single-handedly contending with all the war masters of the entire Master Hall and taking them as students—even if only half-teacher bonds—was enough to change everyone's view.

A hall master, to avoid trouble and retire peacefully, allowed his vice hall master to frame other masters... This one charge would make countless masters despise him, making it hard to ever recover.

"I..."

Hall Master Gou's face turned ashen.

Ever since the other party declared the hall challenge, he knew it would be difficult for him, as hall master, to ever turn things around.

He just hadn't expected... the war masters who had fought alongside him would betray him so thoroughly.

"Did I... really do wrong?"

His body swayed, his face gloomy.

Five hundred years as hall master, accustomed to a high position, had stripped him of his former ordinary heart; everything was considered from the standpoint of his status... In the end, he got what he deserved—a fitting retribution.

"This Master Zhang... just what is his background?"

His chest felt tight and unbearable; unable to hold back any longer, he blurted out the question.

"He is the most hardworking and most talented person I have ever seen..." Master Wu clenched his fists, his eyes shining.

A man who would read books no matter how dangerous or difficult the circumstances—this attitude toward learning alone was something he could not achieve and needed to earnestly learn from.

Perhaps it was precisely because of such diligence and eagerness to learn that he had achieved what he had today, possessing at such a young age a power that even he could not match!

...

Entering the gate of the Master Tower, Zhang Xuan did not pause but slowly ascended.

The Master Tower—he had challenged it once before and knew the rules.

The imprints preserved here were all of high rank, so it was impossible to challenge by strength; basically, they tested matters concerning masters, such as teaching, spotting people's flaws, guiding martial techniques...

Thus, to pass this level required not strength but the most extensive knowledge.

This was also what a master should possess.

Whoosh!

After walking not far, a phantom appeared before him—the guardian of the first level, Zhao Zhen, an eight-star lower-rank master who had left the Qingyuan Empire Master Hall thirteen thousand years ago.

"Challenging the tower at such a young age—what grievance have you suffered?"

Seeing that the challenger was merely a youth of twenty, Master Zhao Zhen frowned.

"The current hall master, to keep his position, slandered my reputation..."

Zhang Xuan clasped his fists and bowed, recounting the matter in detail.

"Such a thing? Truly each generation is worse than the last! It seems the Master Hall needs to be rectified..."

After hearing the explanation, Zhao Zhen shook his head and looked over again: "You may be aggrieved, but as the guardian of the Qingyuan Empire Master Hall, I cannot easily let you pass. Otherwise, if everyone with a grievance comes to challenge the tower, where would the Master Hall's authority be?"

"Yes!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"My test is simple: guide a martial technique!"

Seeing the other's sincere attitude, Zhao Zhen nodded with great satisfaction: "I will perform a martial technique; you find its flaws. If you can find one, you pass..."

"Good!" Zhang Xuan's face lit up with joy.

Seeing that the young man before him was not nervous but instead relaxed, with a relieved expression, Zhao Zhen frowned: "Don't think finding a single flaw is simple. As an eight-star lower-rank master, the martial techniques I perform are naturally my most accomplished, revised countless times, and deemed flawless! Although it's only one flaw, it's very possible that many seven-star peak masters would need days, months, or even years to discover it!"

"I understand. Please start quickly! I need to hurry to the next level..."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

"You..."

Greatly displeased, Master Zhao Zhen flicked his sleeve.

As a dignified eight-star master setting the test himself, it was naturally not as simple as imagined, yet this fellow was so frivolous, even wanting to hurry to the next level... Were you so sure you could pass?

"This technique of mine is called Autumn Wind Entangling Silk Hand. It was inspired by watching autumn wind sweep fallen leaves that could not be caught but were stuck by spiderwebs. Now I will demonstrate it for you..."

Master Zhao Zhen spread his ten fingers, and streams of virtual true qi shot out from between them, forming something like a spiderweb that enveloped all directions. If someone were in front of him, they would surely be entangled and find it hard to escape.

"I have never demonstrated this technique to anyone, so don't think you can get by with nonsense or trickery. There are ten moves in total, each more powerful than the last. This is the first move, Golden Thread Entanglement... I will perform all ten moves and then give you two hours. If you can find one flaw, you pass; if not, then leave!"

As he performed, Master Zhao Zhen spoke.

Normally, challengers were given two days, but this arrogant and rude fellow had his time directly cut to two hours to curb his sharpness.

After two hours, if he found nothing, he would then be given an extension.

"No need to perform all ten moves, and no need for two hours. I'll say it now!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

His challenge was a spur-of-the-moment decision after being insulted; what he needed to do now was to quickly take the seven-star master exam, find a way to earn money and improve his strength. He had no time to waste here.

"Say it now?"

Zhao Zhen was taken aback.

He had only used one move, and this fellow wanted to speak... Could it be that he had already spotted a flaw in just one move?

"Your Autumn Wind Entangling Silk Hand looks good; it should rank among the top of saint-level mid-grade techniques. Once mastered, your attacks entangle, making it hard for enemies to escape. However... the flaws are also quite numerous. I just took a glance and roughly estimated about... 37 flaws and loopholes!"

Zhang Xuan said.

"37?" Zhao Zhen's face darkened.

He had only used one of ten moves, and it was unknown whether the other could even spot a single flaw, yet this fellow claimed 37?

In an instant, he felt no goodwill toward this challenger.

"Yes..."

Not noticing the change in his expression, Zhang Xuan, thinking the other didn't believe him, sighed: "Creating martial techniques requires practical refinement; only through combat can they unleash their full power. Since you've never taught anyone, they haven't been refined. Having only 37 errors is, frankly, not bad..."

"You..."

Zhao Zhen's consciousness shook with rage, nearly collapsing on the spot: "Then tell me, what are those 37 flaws... If you can't, believe me, I'll slap you to death!"