Chapter 399: Above the Alliance

"Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Master Su hesitated for a moment, then said, "As for the status of our Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance on the continent, even if you don't know the details, you must have heard something about it!"

Having read many books, Zhang Xuan already knew that this continent, due to the existence of the master teacher profession, was called the Master Teacher Continent.

It was vast and boundless.

Among it, kingdoms stood in great numbers, countless; various sects and independent forces were as numerous as grains of sand, too many to count.

Although the Kingdom Alliance was the most powerful among kingdoms, placed within the entire Master Teacher Continent, it was nothing much.

Seeing many master teachers looking confused, Master Su shook his head: "Even if you know, it must be only half-baked. Let me explain in detail!"

"You should be very familiar with the ranks of kingdoms: they include four levels—unranked, second-class, first-class, and titled!"

"Our Tianwu Kingdom is a first-class kingdom, a vassal state under the domain of the Xuan Yuan Titled Kingdom. And kingdoms of the level of Xuan Yuan Kingdom, within the scope managed by the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance, number one hundred and forty-two!"

"That many?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

The geographical diagrams he had seen only reached the level of first-class kingdoms; he was not clear on the exact number of titled kingdoms.

He had thought the so-called Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance was just a figurative term, but now he realized that within its controlled range, the number of kingdoms was probably more, not less.

Over one hundred and forty titled kingdoms, and under Xuan Yuan Kingdom there were more than twenty first-class kingdoms like Tianwu, and further subdivisions... the numbers were dense and hard to keep track of.

"Yes, the formation of kingdoms involves history and also the presence of the Master Teacher Pavilion. I won't go into that today. Let's just talk about the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance!"

"The Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance governs the entire range of kingdoms. It sounds enormous, but in fact, within the Master Teacher Continent, it is but a drop in the ocean, insignificant. There are thousands of forces of the same level across the continent, such as the neighboring Mingxia Empire, Huanhai Empire... and also some powerful third-rate sects, like Luosha Sect, Hanqi Sect, and so on."

"There exist existences as vast as the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance?"

Everyone was full of astonishment.

They had long known the Master Teacher Continent was vast, but they never imagined it was this vast.

Gathering ten thousand kingdoms seemed huge to them, but they never expected that forces of the same level numbered in the thousands!

Terrifying!

"The Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance sounds domineering, but because the kingdoms govern independently and do not coordinate with each other, it is the weakest among forces of the same level."

"For example, the Mingxia Empire, whether in number of experts or economy, is much stronger than us; the Liuyun Sect and Luosha Sect also produce talents in abundance, far surpassing us."

"Of course, these forces also have their own Master Teacher Pavilions, subject to the headquarters."

"To better select talents and make the master teacher profession more glorious and dazzling, the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance and twenty-seven neighboring forces of the same level jointly hold a master teacher competition!"

"It is held once every ten years, and only master teachers under thirty years old can participate. The winners receive generous rewards."

"This competition has been held seventy-seven times consecutively, but unfortunately... the Master Teacher Pavilion of the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance has always been at the bottom, with the best result being only twenty-third..."

At this point, Master Su's face turned red.

In a competition among twenty-seven forces of the same level, the best result was only twenty-third, meaning fifth from last—the poor performance was imaginable.

No wonder he was ashamed.

"This time, the newly appointed Pavilion Master Kang took office, determined to turn the tide... He ordered us to closely monitor all kingdoms, and as long as there are outstanding geniuses, select them and nurture them! To prepare for the competition three months later..."

Master Su looked over, his eyes showing expectation.

"Master Su's meaning is... to let Master Zhang participate in this competition?"

Pavilion Master Jiang understood.

"Exactly!" Master Su nodded: "Master Zhang, young as he is, has achieved such results, breaking countless records of the Master Teacher Pavilion. His talent is unparalleled even in the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance. Therefore... I want to invite him to participate!"

"This..."

Unexpectedly, the request was this, Pavilion Master Jiang turned to look at Zhang Xuan.

The other master teachers also focused their gazes on him.

In competitions, there are winners and losers; participation is voluntary, and no one can force it.

"This..." Zhang Xuan was also taken aback.

"Master Zhang doesn't need to answer immediately. Take two days to consider, and you can also discuss it with your teacher. It's not too late to give a definite answer later!"

Master Su said.

"Alright, I'll think it over..."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

He had never even heard of the master teacher competition, let alone how it was conducted. It was better to be cautious and not agree blindly.

His main goal now was still to find a way to reach Nine-Star Master Teacher before the age of thirty; other matters were not important.

"That's all I have. Master Zhang, I may also trouble you to help introduce me. Master Ling and I would also like to meet your teacher, Master Yang!"

Master Su smiled.

Able to nurture such an extraordinary genius as Zhang Xuan, this Master Yang's strength was probably not lower than theirs. Since they had come, not paying respects would be impolite.

"As soon as my teacher returns, I will immediately inform you both."

Hearing that they hadn't forgotten this matter, Zhang Xuan felt a headache coming on.

Seeing the earnest expressions of these two Four-Star master teachers, there was definitely no avoiding it. If worst came to worst, he would have to brace himself and keep up the act.

But pretending in front of Four-Star master teachers... he really had no confidence.

"If there are no other instructions, I'll take my leave!"

Seeing there were no more arrangements, he said no more and cupped his fists.

"Farewell!" Everyone nodded.

The master's assessment was successful. After finishing the explanations and approvals, it was time to return and take a look.

Not long after arriving in the royal city, he had disguised his identity. To be honest, he had never moved about as Zhang Xuan.

As he walked out of the council hall, he saw Mu Xueqing and Lu Chong approaching.

"Teacher!"

Their eyes were full of admiration.

They had thought their teacher was just an ordinary instructor, but unexpectedly, he was the super genius who had shaken the royal city—Zhang Xuan!

With such a teacher, they would surely leap over the dragon gate and soar to great heights.

"Teacher..."

Zhao Ya and the others also came over, looking like defeated roosters, their former high spirits gone.

Especially Zheng Yang and the others, trembling like mice seeing a cat.

"You few, wait until we return to the residence to see how I discipline you!"

This was the Master Teacher Hall, with many people watching. If outsiders learned that his students constantly tried to kill him, they would surely laugh their heads off.

The prestige he had just gained from passing the second-star master teacher assessment would instantly collapse.

Family scandals should not be aired in public; it was better to go home and properly teach these reckless brats a lesson.

"You all come with me too!"

Glancing at Mu Xueqing, Lu Chong, and the others, Zhang Xuan waved his hand grandly.

Two identities had become one; the two groups of students needed to be settled and reorganized.

"Yes!"

Everyone nodded and followed behind.

Back at the residence, Teacher Liu, Bai Chan, and the others had already received the news, and inevitably, there was another round of sighs.

Entering the main hall, he sat upright in the seat of honor, looking at Zheng Yang, Yuan Tao, and the others kneeling below, his face ashen.

As soon as they arrived, the few had already detailed the poisoning incident.

"Regardless of who that Teacher Liu is, whether it's me or not, as a teacher imparting knowledge to all, he deserves respect. For a minor grievance to deliberately administer poison—you truly have audacity!"

He scolded.

These fellows were simply too reckless.

Poisoning him was one thing, but what angered him was their behavior and actions—disregarding the dignity of the teacher-student relationship and losing all moral bottom lines.

Once a person loses morality, no matter how strong their strength, they are nothing but trash and waste!

A teacher not only imparts knowledge but also cultivates conduct and character.

It's like raising flowers: not only watering and fertilizing but also pruning regularly; otherwise, they grow crooked, lacking beauty and even spoiling the appetite.

"Teacher, your student dares not..."

Seeing the teacher angry like this for the first time, Zheng Yang and the others turned pale with fright.

"Dares not? You even dared to lay hands on your teacher, what else wouldn't you dare? I, Zhang Xuan, have no such students, and I can't afford to lose face!"

Flicking his sleeves, Zhang Xuan snorted.

"Teacher..."

Zheng Yang and the others trembled simultaneously.

Saying this was equivalent to expelling them from the sect!

"Please, Teacher, withdraw your order. Zheng Yang and the others meant no harm..."

Zhao Ya stepped forward hastily, pleading in her eyes.

"No pleading. Let them kneel. When they figure things out, then we'll talk!"

After reprimanding Zheng Yang and the others, Zhang Xuan said no more and turned to look at Mu Xueqing and the rest not far away.

"I disguised myself as Liu Cheng, which gave us the bond of teacher and student. Now that my identity is restored, the bond is also over. I will leave behind techniques that can help you advance to Grandmaster. All of you, go back!"

His bond with these students existed only in the Tianwu Academy. Now that the mission was complete, there was no need to continue.

Besides, Tianwu Kingdom was still too small for him. He would leave sooner or later. Taking Zhao Ya and the others along would not be easy; he couldn't possibly bring all of them, could he?

"Teacher..."

Mu Xueqing, Meng Tao, and the others all had red-rimmed eyes. "Alright, all feasts must end. Even if you are no longer my students, you must cultivate diligently and not slack off!"

After finishing, Zhang Xuan waved his hand: "All of you, go back!"

"Yes..."

Everyone knelt down and kowtowed simultaneously, their eyes reddening.

"Teacher, I... want to follow you. Wherever you go, I go!" Mu Xueqing gritted her teeth.

"You? Alchemist Mu has only you as his daughter. If you leave, how will you fulfill your filial duty? Go back!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"I..." Mu Xueqing was at a loss for words.

She had lost her mother since childhood, and her father had raised her with great hardship. If she truly left, how could she explain it to her father?

"If you still want to follow me later, you can arrange things with Alchemist Mu and come find me. Don't worry. As a renowned teacher, it won't be hard to track me down!" Zhang Xuan smiled.

If she wanted to follow him later, it was simple—just catch up.

"Yes, thank you, Teacher, for your hard work and guidance these days!"

Mu Xueqing understood and bowed down, knocking her head heavily several times.

Zhang Xuan nodded and was about to say something when his mind suddenly shook. Deep in the bookshelf, another golden book appeared.