Chapter 1289: I'm in a Hurry

"Chen Leyao of the Icefield Palace greets Young Master Zhang!"

Withdrawing her power, the woman clasped her fists in return.

"A member of the Zhang family?"

Zhang Xuan looked over.

This Zhang Qian, around twenty-five or twenty-six, possessed a strength as profound as rivers and seas, comparable to Chen Leyao of the Icefield Palace, having reached the peak of the Out-of-Body realm.

No wonder, though both were from the Zhang family, Zhang Jiuxiao was merely a collateral branch; compared to him, even after receiving his guidance, he was still far behind.

"So it's Fairy Leyao. I've long heard of your deeds—one palm breaking seven swords, freezing three thousand miles... The seven villains of Shunyan City wreaked havoc everywhere; if not for your intervention, there would still be suffering today!"

Zhang Qian smiled, refined and elegant.

"Young Master Zhang flatters me!"

Hearing the praise, Chen Leyao felt a surge of joy, a hint of pride in her eyes.

To enter the Saint Son Hall and resolve the hidden dangers in her cultivation, she had trained herself relentlessly. Her most famous feat was killing the seven villains of Shunyan City with a single palm. This event wasn't widely known, yet he could recount it in detail, showing he had heard of her and wasn't lying.

"I have always admired your strength and talent!"

Praising her again, Zhang Qian stepped forward: "I overheard your conversation just now. This fellow is rude and ungrateful. Let me teach him a lesson for you, so as not to dirty your hands."

"I'll trouble Young Master Zhang then."

Knowing his intention was to curry favor, Chen Leyao paused and did not refuse, but said: "However... just teach him a lesson and make him apologize; don't hurt him!"

She was only upset that he had directly called the Young Palace Master by name; it was no deep grudge. A lesson to make him realize his mistake was enough; there was no need for serious injury.

"You are kind-hearted, Fairy. Rest assured, I have my limits!"

With a "whoosh!" he opened his folding fan. Zhang Qian turned to Zhang Xuan, his smile gone, his gaze cold, exuding the aura of a scheming overlord: "Friend, I'll give you two choices. First, apologize and compensate—nothing much, just two mid-grade saint artifacts. Second, I'll force you to apologize and compensate, and then it won't be just two mid-grade saint artifacts so simple."

"Apologize? Compensate?" Zhang Xuan found it both amusing and annoying.

He just wanted to ask about Zhao Ya's current situation, and now he had stirred up such trouble.

Ignoring this self-important fellow, he looked again at the woman nearby: "Miss, I didn't know she had become your Young Palace Master. My words were offensive, and I apologize now. Your Young Palace Master and I have known each other for a long time... So I just want to ask, how is she now? Is she doing well in the Icefield Palace?"

Knowing Zhao Ya had become the Young Palace Master, he realized his earlier words were indeed inappropriate.

As long as he could get news of his student, apologizing was nothing.

"Kid, are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"

Before Chen Leyao could speak, Zhang Qian's face darkened.

As a genius of the Zhang family, he was respected wherever he went, never slighted. But this fellow simply ignored him—instantly igniting his anger.

"I'm asking something of a friend from the Icefield Palace. What does it have to do with you? What, do all you Zhang family members like to butt in whenever you see a pretty girl?"

Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Xuan looked coldly at him and flicked his sleeve: "Who spoiled you with such bad habits?"

Do I owe you something?

If it were another family causing trouble, fine. But the Zhang family... Hmph, I'm not even looking for trouble with you.

And yet you dare to throw your weight around here... Do you really think your family is the only one that matters in the entire Master Teacher Continent?

"What did you say?"

Not only did the other party show no fear, but he also said such things. Zhang Qian's veins bulged, on the verge of exploding.

Although his bloodline was purer than Zhang Jiuxiao's, his status in the family was still not very high. If he could build a relationship with the Icefield Palace, he might be valued and rise to prominence soon.

That was why, seeing Chen Leyao in conflict with someone, he immediately came to help.

He had thought that by announcing his family and name, the other party would be frightened into submission without daring to retort. He never dreamed... not only was he unafraid, but he was also full of hostility!

"You know very well what I said. Get lost, or if you make me angry, I won't mind teaching you a lesson first..."

Waving his hand, Zhang Xuan snapped.

It was only because he had a good temper that he hadn't already struck out at any Zhang family member who came looking for trouble.

"It's over..."

On the side, Zhao Xingmo swayed, nearly fainting on the spot.

This guy had just said he was low-key, and in the blink of an eye, he had clashed with the Icefield Palace and the Zhang family...

And this was what he called low-key? If he were to be high-key, would he tear down the Saint Son Hall?

"You're asking for death..."

As Zhao Xingmo's face turned pale with frustration, Zhang Qian nearly exploded. With a furious roar, he grabbed at the air.

The surrounding space instantly seemed to congeal, and a powerful force spread out, enveloping Zhang Xuan.

As expected of a Zhang family genius, also at the peak of the Out-of-Body realm, his combat strength was even greater than that of the Fiend back then.

Not that the Fiend was weaker than him, but having been dead for tens of thousands of years and sealed by Qingtian Emperor, his usable strength was limited, far inferior to this young man in his prime with the best training.

"Hmph!"

Zhang Xuan narrowed his eyes.

Although the opponent was strong, he was no longer the same as he was twenty days ago. Both his strength and insight had increased immensely. Just as he was about to act, a sword light whistled toward Zhang Qian.

Boom!

Air waves rolled, the sword light dissipated, and a muffled groan came from nearby, as if someone was injured.

"Zhang Jiuxiao, how dare you oppose me?"

Zhang Qian roared.

Turning his head, he saw Zhang Jiuxiao rushing over, standing not far away, his face pale.

He had just taken a blow from the opponent and was already injured.

He was only at the peak of the Spirit Embryo realm, a whole major level below the peak of the Out-of-Body realm.

"Zhang Qian, we're all here for the Saint Son Hall assessment. I hope we can maintain harmony..." Zhang Jiuxiao clasped his fists, suppressing the tightness in his chest.

Zhang Xuan had shown him great kindness; even knowing he was no match, he would not back down.

"Harmony? There was a chance earlier, but not anymore..."

His face twisted, Zhang Qian raised an eyebrow: "Step aside, or I won't mind teaching you a lesson too!"

"Then let's fight..."

Zhang Jiuxiao stepped forward.

"You're no match. Let me handle it..."

Blocking him, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He understood Zhang Jiuxiao's intention—not overestimating himself or deliberately currying favor, but trying to take the blame and minimize the conflict.

The Zhang family, the continent's number one family, had extensive connections in the Saint Son Hall. Offending them would make things difficult.

By taking the blame, as a member of the same family, he would at most suffer some punishment, without major consequences.

However... though well-intentioned, he didn't know that Zhang Xuan was not afraid of the Zhang family at all, and even... was looking for an opportunity to teach them a good lesson!

"Alright, if you want to fight, hurry up. I'm in a hurry and have things to ask. I don't have time to waste with you."

Stopping Zhang Jiuxiao, Zhang Xuan looked over calmly.

"You..."

Not only did the other party not fear his threat, but he also urged him to hurry. Zhang Qian roared and grabbed again.

True qi howled, even more powerful than before. Before it even arrived, it emitted rumbling thunder, as if about to punch through the air.

"So strong..."

"Although Zhang Qian isn't the strongest among the Zhang family geniuses here, he's still not to be underestimated!"

"Yes, if you face him head-on, it's best to dodge; otherwise, you can't withstand it..."

"This reckless brat is in for trouble!"

"Even if he wanted to strike up a conversation, he should have found a better excuse. Now he's offended the Icefield Palace and the Zhang family. Even if he passes the assessment, he won't last long in the Saint Son Hall..."

...

The surrounding crowd all looked over, some shocked, some gloating.

Since they were all competitors in the assessment, seeing someone fall was a delight; naturally, no one stepped forward to dissuade.

"This..."

Unexpectedly, things had escalated so much, Chen Leyao also frowned.

Earlier, she had only thought he was speaking carelessly; she didn't expect him to be so arrogant!

Zhang Qian, she had heard of him long ago.

At twenty-six, not only had he reached the peak of the Out-of-Body realm, but his understanding of martial techniques was also remarkable. More importantly, he had rich combat experience. Even she would find it hard to defeat him. This kid, only at the peak of the Spirit Embryo realm, opposing him... wasn't he asking for trouble?

Boom!

Amid everyone's shock, Zhang Qian's palm wind arrived. The neat ground of the square was torn by true qi, cracking into a huge fissure.

"It's the mid-grade peak martial technique, Soul-Shattering Palm!"

"This move attacks both physically and spiritually. Once hit, you'll instantly fall into a coma, unable to resist!"

"Shattering stone and injuring the soul... This move ranks very high among mid-grade martial techniques..."

...

Seeing the power of this move, the crowd buzzed again.

But before the noise died down, they heard Zhang Xuan's slightly helpless voice:

"So this is your move? Not bad, but... I'm really in a hurry and don't have time to play with you. Sorry about this..."

As his voice ended, they saw the young man step forward and press his palm down.

Crack!

Without astonishing power or dazzling aura, yet somehow, the magnificent palm strike collapsed upon contact.

Then with a "thud!" Zhang Qian was struck as if by a mountain, lying on the ground like a toad, unable to move, his face full of humiliation.

"This..."

"Defeated Zhang Qian in one move?"

Everyone's eyes widened, as if going mad.

"How... is this possible?"

Her red lips parted, Chen Leyao was also full of disbelief.

"Alright!"

Turning around, Zhang Xuan smiled slightly: "The troublemaker is dealt with. Miss, you haven't answered my question yet... How is your Young Palace Master now?"