Chapter 197: Long Time No See

"That definitely won't work..."

Zhang Xuan quickly shook his head.

If he really did that, he might soon develop a split personality.

However, if he didn't become a disciple of one of them, he wouldn't qualify as a teaching assistant and wouldn't be able to assess a true master teacher.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

"Forget it, I won't think about it for now. But it's also good to meet these three master teachers as Zhang Xuan. First, I can get familiar with them; second, I can ask about the poisonous gas in my body!"

After hesitating for a moment, he made a decision.

Although the black gas in his body was not dangerous for now, it had to be removed. If "Yang Xuan" went to ask, it would compromise his identity as a grandmaster. It was just right for him to go himself.

If Lu Xun, Wang Chao, and the others knew what he was thinking, they would probably cry their eyes out.

These two, seeing no hope of becoming Yang Xuan's disciple, had specially visited the three master teachers yesterday but couldn't even get an audience... This guy, on the other hand, had the three master teachers wanting to see him, and he still had to consider it, looking reluctant...

Can't he stop showing off for once?

"When does the birthday banquet you mentioned start? And who is this Old Tian, that even the three master teachers and Emperor Shen Zhuo go to visit him?"

Zhang Xuan was still a bit curious.

For the three master teachers and Emperor Shen Zhuo to personally offer birthday congratulations, this Old Tian must be someone extraordinary. If he were truly a formidable figure, his predecessor should have known about him long ago. How could he have no impression at all?

"The birthday banquet is today. If we go now, we'll make it just in time."

Seeing him ask this, Huang Yu knew he had made a decision and breathed a sigh of relief, explaining, "Old Tian was once a teacher at the Northern Wu Academy. Teacher Liu, Teacher Zhuang, and Teacher Zheng all studied under him. Although he didn't primarily teach cultivation, he still had a half-teacher relationship with them. Now that he's celebrating his ninetieth birthday, since the three master teachers are in Tianxuan Kingdom, they naturally have to go to congratulate him..."

This Old Tian, though a native of Tianxuan Kingdom, had taught at the Northern Wu Academy. The three master teachers had studied under him, forming a half-teacher bond. Teacher Liu had sent Huang Yu back earlier precisely to have her attend the birthday banquet.

As it turned out, because of Shen Hong's matter, the three master teachers had gathered. Since they were all in Tianxuan Kingdom, they naturally had to attend the birthday banquet. And if they were attending, how could Emperor Shen Zhuo not go?

As for the Northern Wu Academy, it was the largest academy in the Northern Wu Kingdom. Huang Yu and Bai Xun had both studied there before.

Zhang Xuan had perused the entire kingdom's library. With a flick of his mind, he quickly understood these simple geographical divisions.

The Northern Wu Kingdom was a second-class kingdom neighboring Tianxuan Kingdom. The master teachers stationed there were Liu Ling and Zhuang Xian.

Kingdoms were classified as: titled, first-class, second-class, and those like Tianxuan Kingdom that didn't even rank.

The higher the kingdom's rank, the more developed it was, the richer the resources for trade, and the higher the level of martial artists.

"This Old Tian doesn't teach cultivation. Is he also a teacher?" Zhang Xuan found it strange.

All teachers at Hongtian Academy taught cultivation. Even Teacher Wang Chao, famous for his spear techniques, not only taught spearmanship but also guided students in improving their strength.

If he didn't teach cultivation, what did he teach?

How could he still be a teacher?

"The Northern Wu Academy is much larger than Hongtian Academy, with many more categories of teachers. Cultivation is just one of them. There are also teachers who specialize in special professions. For example, alchemy teachers teach alchemy, calligraphy and painting teachers teach calligraphy and painting... Students can pursue these professions as lifelong goals or take them as electives to broaden their knowledge and relax their minds. Teacher Liu and the others only studied for a short time to qualify as master teachers; they weren't true students, so they only have a half-teacher relationship."

Huang Yu explained patiently.

If teachers only taught cultivation, how would professions like alchemy and artifact forging be passed down? Could master teachers handle everything?

If that were the case, master teachers would be exhausted to death!

Clearly, there were also specialized teachers for these professions.

This Old Tian had once been a teacher of such a special profession.

"So what did he teach?" Zhang Xuan nodded, understanding.

This was similar to schools in his previous life, where there were teachers for physical education, English, mathematics, and physics. A teacher couldn't be a jack-of-all-trades and naturally couldn't teach all subjects.

"Old Tian taught the tea ceremony. He is a certified tea ceremony master!" Huang Yu smiled.

"Tea ceremony master?"

The kingdom's library had an introduction to tea ceremony masters.

It was a low-ranking profession, seemingly unremarkable, but in some kingdoms, it was highly sought after.

Brewing tea could relax the mind and bring peace. Some skilled tea ceremony masters could even brew tea that eased the drinker's state of mind, allowing complete relaxation after consumption, greatly aiding cultivation—its effects comparable to Tranquility Pills.

Most importantly, the tea ceremony was much easier to learn than alchemy, artifact forging, or calligraphy. Although mastering it to become a certified tea ceremony master was difficult, getting started was very easy. In some higher-ranking kingdoms, many noble子弟 and high officials knew a thing or two about it.

"Alright, I'll go with you."

Having understood the situation, Zhang Xuan didn't delay any longer. Since the birthday banquet was about to start, he followed Huang Yu and Bai Xun onto the carriage.

Old Tian's residence was in the outskirts of the royal city, some distance from Hongtian Academy. After nearly an hour by carriage, they stopped in front of a huge manor.

Stepping out of the carriage, Zhang Xuan saw a sea of people around.

Old Tian had been a teacher at the Northern Wu Academy and had instructed master teachers. This alone was enough to attract countless major powers to come and pay respects.

"Master Zhang, follow me..."

Getting off the carriage, Huang Yu led the way. At the entrance, she presented the invitation and easily entered the courtyard.

True to being a residence that even the three master teachers would visit, it was vast and spacious, with crisscrossing paths. A first-time visitor might easily get lost.

"Teacher Liu and the others probably haven't arrived yet. We can wait in this side hall."

Huang Yu seemed to have been here before, familiar with the place. The three walked forward and soon arrived at a spacious hall.

Before even entering, they could see a crowd of people already gathered.

"Xiao Yu, you're finally here..."

As soon as they stepped through the hall's door, a delighted voice rang out, and a young man approached with a joyful expression.

This young man, about twenty-three or twenty-four, was dressed in white and extremely handsome. Even Zhang Xuan paled in comparison.

Seeing this person, Bai Xun's face darkened, and he stepped in front of Huang Yu.

"Bai Xun, what are you doing?" The young man curled his lips.

"Who allowed you to call her Xiao Yu? I advise you to stay away from her, or don't blame me for being rude." Bai Xun glared at the other, furious.

"Rude? Haven't we fought before? Can you beat me?"

Unfazed by the threat, the young man said nonchalantly, "Besides, this is my home. Xiao Yu is a guest here, so of course I should play the host. Do you have to meddle in that? Bai, the Little Prince, aren't you overstepping your bounds?"

"You..." Bai Xun's brows shot up, and he was about to throw a punch.

"Enough!" Seeming to expect their quarrel, Huang Yu furrowed her delicate brows and looked at the two. "We're here to congratulate Old Tian on his birthday. If you want to fight, do it later!"

"Don't worry, Xiao Yu. I can't be bothered with this guy, a brute who only knows how to fight all day!"

With that, the young man smiled lightly. "Xiao Yu, I've just learned a new tea-brewing technique. Come, let me treat you to a taste. It's sure to calm the mind and gather the spirit. Drink it a few times, and I guarantee you'll soon reach the state of 'heart like still water'..."

"No, thanks. I still have to wait here for Teacher Liu."

Unmoved by his enthusiasm, Huang Yu waved her hand in refusal.

"If you won't go, that's fine. I wanted to pay respects to Teacher Liu anyway. I'll wait here with you..."

Unfazed by her rejection, the young man said with a smile.

Since he wasn't leaving, Huang Yu had no choice.

"Shameless!" Bai Xun fumed but no longer mentioned fighting.

It seemed he was no match for this guy; otherwise, with his hot temper, he wouldn't care about the birthday banquet.

Knowing the Little Prince's temperament, the young man ignored him. It was then that he noticed Zhang Xuan and looked at him curiously. "Xiao Yu, who is this..."

"Oh, let me introduce you!" Huang Yu looked over. "Master Zhang, this is Tian Long, the host's only grandson. Tian Long, this is Teacher Zhang Xuan from Hongtian Academy."

"Zhang Xuan? That name sounds familiar, like I've heard it somewhere..."

The young man, Tian Long, frowned at the name, thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Hongtian Academy? Are you the Zhang Xuan who had the teacher assessment with Teacher Lu Xun?"

The teacher assessment had caused quite a stir; it was hard not to know about it.

"Lu Xun is the most outstanding star teacher at Hongtian Academy. To dare have a teacher assessment with him, you've got guts. Admirable, admirable!"

Though his words expressed admiration, his face showed no such thing, instead full of schadenfreude.

Lu Xun had been famous for many years, and as the son of Master Lu Chen, he was well-known. Almost everyone thought this competition would be a one-sided affair.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Just another self-righteous nobody.

"Tian Long, what do you mean?" Bai Xun couldn't stand it anymore.

"Nothing much. A person should know their limits. Overestimating oneself only makes life more tiring." Tian Long shook his head.

"Speak clearly! Who's overestimating themselves? Master Zhang is just modest and doesn't show off..." Bai Xun fumed.

Although he also knew Lu Xun, he wasn't familiar with him. On the contrary, he had the utmost admiration for Zhang Xuan. Hearing the other's words, he immediately objected.

"Master? What master? Is the title 'master' something to be thrown around casually?"

Tian Long sneered, waving his hand with an air of arrogance and coldness. "That title is reserved for someone who has reached a certain level in a profession. Like my grandfather, who pursued the pinnacle of the tea ceremony and is worthy of being called a tea ceremony master. A teacher from Hongtian Academy, in his twenties—calling him 'teacher' is already giving him face, and he dares to be called 'master'? Truly knowing no bounds..."

With a cold laugh, he was about to continue when he saw an elderly man approaching. Tian Long immediately shut his mouth, respectfully clasped his fists, and greeted him. "Tian Long pays respects to Master Yuan Yu!"

The newcomer was none other than Tianxuan Kingdom's top physician, Yuan Yu.

In response to his respect, Master Yuan Yu nodded, his face expressionless. He was about to move on when he suddenly caught sight of Zhang Xuan off to the side. His eyes lit up, and he immediately rushed over, full of enthusiasm.

"Master Zhang, you're here too... Long time no see!"