Chapter 1226: Liu Yang's Crisis (Part 1)

"Master Zhang, we'll hold them off for you. Find a way to escape..."

Stepping forward, Wu Shi and Hall Master Xing frantically channeled their true energy, blocking the spreading force and shielding the others at the center.

The face before them was too enormous, too terrifying. They surely couldn't escape, but... if they gave their all, perhaps Master Zhang could get away!

He was the future of the human race; he couldn't die here!

"Escape? If I had turned and fled before the island fully rose, maybe I could have. But now..."

Zhang Xuan shook his head: "Do you really think he said all that because he's a chatterbox looking for someone to confide in?"

"This..." The group was stunned.

The other's explanation involved too many secrets, too shocking, making them forget to flee. Now it seemed it was all to buy time.

"His consciousness just escaped from suppression. It takes time to control such a massive island! So he used information to distract us. In that time, he's fully taken over the head. Even if we could break out, in such a vast swamp... we can't escape. Worse, rushing might lead us into danger and certain death!" Zhang Xuan said with a bitter smile.

Against an opponent of this strength, even if Wu Shi and Hall Master Xing sacrificed themselves, it wouldn't buy much time. Even if they fled, how far could they go?

They'd probably be caught before covering even ten kilometers.

"Master Zhang knew this, why didn't you flee earlier..." Ji Tianxiong couldn't help asking.

Since you saw through his plan, why didn't you escape? Why keep questioning him? Now he's fully controlled the island, reached his peak strength, and escape is impossible.

Without answering, Zhang Xuan stepped forward and looked up at the face before him.

"We definitely can't escape, and we can't withstand your current strength... I just want to know now: who is that puppet you mentioned?"

"Hehe, to be honest, caring about this in such a situation—your temperament and composure are almost comparable to Master Kong back in the day! Such a genius, I almost don't want to kill you..."

The ruthless man's mouth curled, his eyes glinting: "How about this: if you pledge allegiance to me and sacrifice your soul to me, I'll not only tell you but spare your life. Later, when I obtain the World-Transmitting Talisman, I'll take you to seek the Spring and Autumn Ceremony and help you become a teacher for all ages..."

"Allegiance?" Zhang Xuan shook his head: "Once a teacher, always a teacher. I can't bring myself to serve an alien spirit. But even if you don't tell me who the puppet is, I've already guessed!"

"Oh?" The ruthless man's eyes held amusement, as if he didn't believe Zhang Xuan could guess.

"It should be the emperor of Qingyuan Empire, Chu Tianxing!" Zhang Xuan said calmly.

"Hmm?" The ruthless man's eyes narrowed.

"Someone whose information is even more timely than Vice Hall Master Tian Qing must hold a high position. Wu Shi is a true master teacher, and Hall Master Gou was killed... The only possibility is His Majesty the Emperor!"

Zhang Xuan said.

In fact, this wasn't hard to guess.

In the Qingyuan Empire, only those of the highest rank could know about the World-Transmitting Talisman. Even the status of the Loyal Qing King wasn't enough. Besides the emperor, he couldn't think of anyone else.

Moreover... the emperor's own actions were suspicious.

When the Loyal Qing King was arrested, he paid a huge price to bail him out. When he came to visit the Loyal Qing King, eight master teachers from the Master Teacher Hall had their souls taken...

He couldn't understand before, but now, hearing that the ruthless man had tamed this puppet, a little connection made it clear.

"As expected of a Heaven-Approved Master Teacher—your mind is sharp, and you saw through the key point at once..." The ruthless man sneered, no longer hiding.

An open man speaks plainly. Since it was out in the open, concealment was meaningless.

"Heaven-Approved Master Teacher?"

"Master Zhang is... a Heaven-Approved Master Teacher?"

Ji Tianxiong, Hall Master Xing, and the others were all stunned.

Among them, only Wu Shi knew Zhang Xuan's identity; the others were unaware.

Hearing this alien spirit say so, they were all shocked beyond belief.

A Heaven-Approved Master Teacher—one in ten thousand years. In all recorded history of the Master Teacher Continent, only Master Kong had appeared. And now this man was also one!

"What? You didn't know? Haha... He is a Heaven-Approved Master Teacher, recognized by heaven and earth. As long as he lives and his cultivation increases, he will definitely become a teacher for all ages!"

Seeing their ignorance, the ruthless man snorted, his gaze turning cold: "But now, there's no chance! I've fought Master Kong many times; I'm very familiar with his methods. No matter how many tricks you have now, they're useless! So, will you submit to me and live? Otherwise, not only will you die... your students, friends, and family will all be killed!"

"Let me tell you plainly: when you came here, I already notified Chu Tianxing to arrest your student first... By now, he should be under control..."

The ruthless man sneered.

"Arrest my student?" Zhang Xuan's gaze turned cold.

He hadn't expected that the other, as a great emperor, would be so shameless and despicable.

"Exactly!"

"Do you think I'll believe that? My student is training in the War Master Hall, protected by many war masters. Even Chu Tianxing wouldn't dare to act there!"

Zhang Xuan snorted.

He currently had only one direct disciple: Liu Yang!

Before leaving, he had specifically instructed Liu Yang to train in the War Master Hall... Even if Chu Tianxing was the emperor of Qingyuan Empire, he wouldn't dare to cause trouble there!

"Having Chu Tianxing act directly certainly won't work... but what if he goes to invite him?"

The ruthless man laughed.

"Invite?" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

Before coming, they only suspected Chu Tianxing and had master teachers watch him... without concrete evidence.

As an emperor, personally inviting his student to the palace—Liu Yang would have no reason to refuse...

Once in the palace, there would be no way to save him!

Now the master teacher hall master and war master hall master were both here, making rescue nearly impossible.

"Knowing you were coming here, if I didn't prepare some measures, do you think I could contend with Master Kong?"

Seeing his expression, the ruthless man sneered: "Alright, I'll give you time to decide. Submit to me, and you and your student will live. I can even teach you the complete Soul Puppetry Art... to help you become a teacher for all ages. If you don't submit... I'll have to kill your student first!"

"This..."

Zhang Xuan's eyes narrowed, caught in a dilemma.

For the first time... he was being threatened like this.

...

Qingyuan City, War Master Hall.

On the third day after Zhang Xuan and the others left, a guest arrived at the hall: the emperor of Qingyuan Empire, Chu Tianxing.

"Hall Master Zhou, I might trouble you again. The Loyal Qing King is still detained by the Master Teacher Hall. He didn't commit a major fault—just a conflict with Master Zhang. I've come to ask you to help arrange a meeting so I can apologize!"

Chu Tianxing said with a smile.

Behind him were several guards, and before him sat Hall Master Zhou of the Weapon Hall.

With Hall Master Xing, Hall Master Wei, and Hall Master Liao away, Zhou was temporarily managing the War Master Hall's affairs.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty has come at an inopportune time. Master Zhang is currently in seclusion and not available to receive guests..."

Hall Master Zhou shook his head with a bitter smile.

Before leaving, Hall Master Xing had instructed that their departure must not be disclosed. If anyone came, they should say Zhang Xuan was in seclusion.

The other was the emperor of Qingyuan Empire. Even though the War Master Hall only took orders from the Master Teacher Hall and stood aloof, they couldn't refuse outright.

"In seclusion? Then... I heard Master Zhang has a direct disciple named Liu Yang? Could I meet him? I hear he's seventeen. I have a daughter of similar age, passable in appearance. I could introduce them..."

Chu Tianxing quickly said.

"This..."

Refusing his request to see Zhang Xuan was already awkward. Refusing to let him see a student would seem unreasonable.

"How about this: I'll send someone to ask. If Liu Yang is unwilling to come out, then I can do nothing."

After a pause, Hall Master Zhou said.

"Then I'll trouble you, Hall Master..." Chu Tianxing smiled. "You know, I've come specifically to mend relations. I hope you can put in a good word..."

"Mm."

Nodding, Hall Master Zhou called out, and a war master immediately withdrew.

This war master hurried toward Liu Yang's residence. Before reaching it, he heard "bang bang bang bang!" sounds ringing out.

Knocking and entering, he saw Master Zhang's direct disciple training frantically, sweat drenching his clothes. From overexertion, his face was pale.

"Young Master Liu, you... take it easy. You seem to be overexerting yourself... Training like this will slow your progress and may damage your foundation!"

The war master said.

The war son had clearly instructed that Zhang Xuan should be treated as a teacher. This Liu Yang was neither a master teacher nor a war master, so he could only be addressed as "Young Master Liu" or "Master Liu."

Though just an ordinary war master, anyone in the War Master Hall was an outstanding master teacher. He could see at a glance that Liu Yang was overexerting himself to the point of exhaustion.

Diligent training was good, but training beyond the body's limits... once the foundation was damaged, repair would be difficult!

Most critically, being too impatient would collapse the mind, easily creating mental knots and leading to qi deviation.

"I know... but time waits for no one!"

Wiping his sweat, Liu Yang stopped and clenched his fists involuntarily.

His teacher had seven direct disciples.

Zhao Ya, Lu Chong, Yuan Tao, Wei Ruyan, Zheng Yang, Wang Ying... all had found their own paths, each more impressive than the last.

He, following closely behind his teacher, had made painfully slow progress in cultivation... The pressure weighed heavily on him.

Especially after witnessing Zheng Yang become a war son, suppressing all sides with a single effort... He grew even more anxious, his mindset somewhat unbalanced.

He too wanted to be strong, to become stronger, not weaker than the others!

Holding a breath in his heart, he trained desperately, persisting even when his body could no longer bear it.

"What do you want?"

Liu Yang looked over: "If there's nothing, I need to continue training!"