Chapter 336: The Herbs in Hand

Zhao Ya's injuries were far more severe than imagined. Had she not been physically robust, she might not have even made it back.

Liu Ling was startled to see that a trip to the academy had left her so badly hurt, and he hurried over.

"What happened?"

"She was injured by a vicious woman. Please, Master Liu, treat her!" Zheng Yang said.

"Mm." After a glance, Liu Ling breathed a sigh of relief. "It's just a shock to her true qi. Nothing serious—about half a month of rest and she'll recover."

"Half a month? That won't do. She has a match with that woman in three days..."

Zheng Yang was taken aback and was about to finish speaking when he saw Master Liu wave his hand and bow with cupped fists: "This is your grandmaster, Master Yang. Come pay your respects!"

"Grandmaster?"

"Master Yang?"

Only then did Zheng Yang and the others notice Zhang Xuan sitting in the center of the room.

This Master Yang had created countless legends in the Tianxuan Kingdom, and their own teacher was his direct disciple.

They had only heard tales before, never seen him in person.

Now, upon hearing this, they all trembled, knelt reverently, and performed a grand bow.

"Disciples Zhao Ya (Zheng Yang, Wang Ying, Liu Yang, Yuan Tao) pay respects to Grandmaster!"

"Mm."

Zhang Xuan nodded, then frowned as he looked at Zhao Ya. "What happened?"

He had only been gone a day, and she was beaten like this. Who would dare?

"Reporting to Grandmaster, I was injured in a fair match. It's because my cultivation is insufficient," Zhao Ya said.

"A fair match?" Zhang Xuan's brows furrowed.

If she lost in a fair match, it could only be said that her skills were inferior. Even as her teacher, he couldn't be partial.

"Come here." Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Yes!" Zhao Ya stepped forward.

He placed his fingers on her pulse, and pure true qi surged through her meridians.

Crackle!

Nourished by his Heavenly Dao true qi, the chaotic qi within Zhao Ya's body quickly coalesced, and her internal injuries visibly healed.

"Thank you, Grandmaster, for healing me!" Feeling her body brimming with vitality again, Zhao Ya's eyes sparkled with excitement.

This grandmaster was indeed as formidable as the legends said. With a casual move, he not only fully healed her injuries but also stirred her cultivation, giving her the urge to break through.

"Impressive!"

Seeing this, Liu Ling was once again filled with admiration for this teacher.

The injuries on Zhao Ya just now—he had seen that they were caused by backlash from forcibly using power: internal organs displaced, true qi scattered. Even if not life-threatening, curing them would take at least ten days to half a month.

The teacher only placed his finger on her pulse, and in a few breaths, completely healed her. Such methods were truly mysterious and unfathomable; if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe.

"What did you mean earlier about a martial arts duel in three days?"

Waving his hand to cut off her thanks, Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow and looked over.

What was wrong with these little rascals? How did they end up fighting with others as soon as they arrived? And they even arranged a duel?

"Reporting to Grandmaster, we were strolling outside when we encountered a boastful woman who publicly slandered our master. Zhao Ya couldn't bear it and taught her a lesson, but that woman was not weak and beat her like this!"

Before Zhao Ya could answer, Yuan Tao hurriedly said.

Hearing his words, everyone was startled.

Many renowned teachers disliked their students stirring up trouble.

Going out to fight with others was wrong in itself, and instead of repenting, he spoke so confidently. It might be okay to say this to Teacher Zhang, but saying it to this super teacher above three stars would surely displease him, and might even get their teacher scolded...

Thinking of this, everyone shot Yuan Tao a glare, each looking anxious, afraid that Teacher Yang would get angry.

"Slandering your master?"

Teacher Yang raised his brows: "Good, a student must uphold the teacher's dignity. Well done!"

"Well done?"

Expecting a scolding, they were instead praised by Teacher Yang. Everyone was stunned, and even Liu Ling staggered.

Wasn't this encouraging them to fight?

This teacher of his had such... extreme thoughts!

"But to teach someone a lesson and end up getting beaten yourself—that's utterly disgraceful!" Zhang Xuan snorted.

"Actually... Zhao Ya is no weaker in cultivation; it's just that the other party's martial technique was too powerful..." Zheng Yang hesitated, then said.

The opponent won not by superior strength but by advantage in martial technique.

The Tianwu Kingdom was a first-class kingdom, while the Tianxuan Kingdom was only a low-grade one. The two differed by two levels, and naturally their martial techniques were worlds apart.

To remain undefeated already showed that Zhao Ya was not weak.

"Martial technique?"

Zhang Xuan then remembered that he had not taught Zhao Ya any martial technique.

Wang Ying had taught the Heavenly Dao Leg Technique and Movement Technique, Zheng Yang the Heavenly Dao Spear Technique, Liu Yang the Heavenly Dao Fist Technique, but Yuan Tao and Zhao Ya, after awakening their physiques, had not been taught any martial technique. No wonder she was at a disadvantage in battle.

"Since your teacher is currently undergoing the assessment for a two-star renowned teacher and cannot return for a while, I will teach you a martial technique on his behalf. Would you be willing to learn?"

With this thought, Zhang Xuan looked at the girl before him.

"I'm eager to learn!" Hearing that the grandmaster would personally teach martial skills, Zhao Ya quickly clasped her fists.

No kidding—this was the teacher's master; the martial skills he taught would surely be extremely profound.

"You've used a sword since childhood, so I'll teach you a sword technique!"

After a moment's thought, Zhang Xuan said, "However, my sword technique is quite sharp. You've just been injured, so it's not suitable for you to practice yet. Rest today and adjust; I'll teach you the sword technique tomorrow."

Zhao Ya's pure yin constitution had been activated, making fist techniques, leg techniques, and the like unsuitable. Since she had practiced swordsmanship since childhood, teaching her a sword technique was the most appropriate.

"Yes!" Zhao Ya nodded.

She had just been injured; learning a powerful sword technique was indeed not appropriate. Only by adjusting to her best condition before learning could she unleash its full power.

"Alright, you may all go now. Sun Qiang, send someone to the Master Teacher Hall to find Jiang Shu and tell him I'm looking for him."

Having agreed with Zhao Ya, Zhang Xuan said no more and waved his hand.

He had read many books in the Master Teacher Hall, including quite a few martial skills like sword techniques. However, they were all somewhat profound; if he taught them directly, it would probably be difficult to master. It was better to first learn them himself and test their power before considering how to teach.

Otherwise, if he taught rashly without even practicing himself, any problem could lead to serious trouble.

Sun Qiang was very efficient; in less than half an hour, Hall Master Jiang arrived.

Seeing Zhang Xuan seated in the main seat, he excitedly stepped forward and bowed: "Jiang Shu pays respects to Teacher!"

This man before him had not only helped him subdue a powerful savage beast but also bestowed a cultivation technique, resolving the hidden dangers and ailments within his body. His heart was already filled with gratitude.

"I need two medicinal herbs: Golden Leaf Fire Root and Nine Insect Flower. Can you find them?"

Without wasting words, Zhang Xuan looked over calmly.

"Golden Leaf Fire Root and Nine Insect Flower? Reporting to Teacher, your student happens to have them!"

Jiang Shu hesitated for a moment, then turned his wrist, and two herbs appeared in his palm—exactly what he was looking for.

"Mm." Taking the herbs casually, Zhang Xuan waved his hand: "I won't take advantage of you. I'll have Sun Qiang pay you for these two herbs later."

"Teacher's kindness to your student is as heavy as a mountain. These two herbs are nothing; consider them a token of your student's respect..."

Jiang Shu hurriedly said.

Without the teacher's cultivation technique, the hidden ailments in his body would eventually flare up and threaten his life. Now, not only had he subdued a powerful savage beast, but the hidden dangers were also completely resolved. Even if he had to go through fire and water, he would do so willingly.

If it weren't for this genuine gratitude, the library wouldn't have produced a golden page.

"I take students based on affinity; how could I take advantage of you?" Zhang Xuan frowned, speaking with great righteousness: "Whatever it costs, that's what you'll be paid!"

Seeing the teacher insist, Jiang Shu secretly admired him.

See that?

This is the true magnanimity of a master teacher.

One can't help but be impressed.

"Yes!" He nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "These two medicinal herbs were obtained from the Great Medicine King, and both are over a hundred years old. If bought with gold coins, they would cost a total of twenty million!"

"Twenty million... cough, cough!"

Just as he was about to wave his hand grandly and hand over the money, upon hearing this, Zhang Xuan coughed and nearly fainted from spitting blood.

Twenty million? Gold coins?

Damn it!

Even if he sold himself, he wouldn't be worth that much!

He had thought it would be at most a few million, and he could put on a generous show and pay. He never dreamed that these two herbs were more expensive than all the ones he had bought before combined.

What kind of medicine is this...

He had only wanted to take on a student to quickly improve his strength and gain the other's trust. He never dreamed it would directly bankrupt him...

Too much of a rip-off!

"Money is an external thing. As a master teacher, thinking about money all day... will affect one's mind!"

His face reddening, Zhang Xuan waved his hand grandly.

"..."

Jiang Shu was completely baffled.

It was me who didn't want it, and you insisted on giving. Why, after stating the price, do you say that thinking about money affects the mind?

Seeing his strange expression, Zhang Xuan felt a bit embarrassed and waved his hand again: "How about this: you take some time to adjust, and I'll find a moment in the next few days to guide you in breaking through... Consider that as payment for these two herbs!"

He had promised to pay, but ended up not having the money. Unable to swallow his pride, he had to promise benefits instead.

"Guide me in breaking through?"

Just as he was wondering why the teacher had suddenly changed his attitude, upon hearing these words, Jiang Shu was so excited he nearly jumped up and immediately knelt down.

"Thank you, teacher..."

He had been stuck at the peak of Grandmaster for who knows how many years. If he could break through and reach Half-Step Sovereign, both his lifespan and strength would greatly increase.

"You may leave too!"

With the herbs gathered, Zhang Xuan didn't intend to stay longer. He greeted everyone: "I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. I'll come again tomorrow!"

With that, he strode out.

Leaving the mansion, seeing that no one noticed, he changed back to Teacher Liu's appearance and headed toward Tianwu Academy.

The mansion Bai Chan had found was located between the Master Teacher Pavilion and Tianwu Academy, not far from either. Soon, he returned to his classroom.

Before he could enter, he saw Meng Tao approaching: "Teacher, you're back. Please save Senior Sister, she... is injured!"

"Mu Xueqing is injured?"

Zhang Xuan was startled.