Chapter 683: Can You Fly?

"He is..."

After a moment's hesitation, Luo Qiqi recounted what had just happened.

"You want to hitch a ride back to the Hongyuan Empire?"

Zhang Xuan understood and nodded. "Right, another five days wasted. I need to hurry to Hongyuan Academy!"

One day in the underground palace, another five days here, plus the three days he had been unconscious—it had been over nine days since he left the Cleansing Pool.

If he didn't hurry, he might not make it to the academy before the term started.

Although he wasn't particularly eager to attend this master teacher academy, since it had many grades, it must have a comprehensive collection of books. Gathering them would be much easier than outside, which would help him improve his strength.

Luo Qiqi responded, "Since Teacher is fine, let's go back together!"

Earlier, she had been anxious to return for reinforcements to rescue Zhang Xuan, but now that he was safe, it was indeed time to go back.

"Alright."

Getting down from the soft chair, Zhang Xuan had the puppets line up and enter the hole, sealing the entrance and destroying all the passages below.

On the surface, they returned to the underground palace, but in reality, his soul power spread downward and soon collected them all into his storage ring.

These creatures had no life, just like his clones, and could be carried around.

Since he could control them using the heart, he might as well take them.

With so many Saint realm puppets, even if a real Saint realm expert came to cause trouble, they would probably be beaten into a pulp on the spot.

With his safety guaranteed, he wouldn't have to rely on "Teacher Yang" for everything.

Of course, the puppets made from the corpses of the Yiling tribe were too sensitive; even Luo Qiqi and Yu Fei'er should not know about them, let alone the pig-headed guy not far away.

So, he had to be discreet when putting them into the ring to avoid future trouble.

As for the academy people later coming and not finding the puppets, that was none of his concern.

The puppets were alive; couldn't they run away?

Even if he wanted to admit it, others would have to believe him.

"Qin Zhong, right? We'd like to hitch a ride on your spirit beast. I hope you don't mind."

Having decided to leave, Zhang Xuan said no more and called out to Qin Zhong, who was lying nearby with a bloody face.

"Alright..."

Struggling to his feet, Qin Zhong looked at Zhang Xuan, a flash of malice and jealousy in his eyes.

The reason he had been beaten so badly was this very guy.

Although he didn't know who those big fellows that had burrowed back underground were, since they respected this guy so much and had beaten him so badly, it must have been on his orders!

Hmph, I can't deal with you now, but once we're in the air, you'll be at my mercy!

He took a pill, recovered a bit, and a slight smirk crept onto his lips.

These three people were all young. Although they hadn't revealed their cultivation and he didn't know their exact strength, they definitely weren't at the Saint realm.

Below the Saint realm, they couldn't fly, so they'd be helpless in the air!

"My spirit beast doesn't have a cabin, and the wind is strong up there. You'll need to be careful."

Jumping onto the beast's back, Qin Zhong was full of pride, but his words sounded "kind."

"No problem."

Zhang Xuan was completely unconcerned.

Whoosh!

The Azure Leaf Dragon-Winged Beast soared into the air, shooting into the clouds in an instant.

Although there was no cabin, the beast's back was spacious, and the three of them stood without feeling cramped.

The spirit beast flew higher and higher, soon reaching over a thousand meters. The cold wind howled, and the speed created a heavy pressure.

They all released their true energy to form a protective barrier against the harsh wind.

"Zhang Xuan, this guy is clearly up to no good. Why are we still hitching a ride?"

Seeing the young man's nonchalant expression, Yu Fei'er couldn't help but send a telepathic message.

Even she could tell this guy was full of malice. In her opinion, they should just ignore him and leave!

There was no urgent matter now; they could just walk to the Beast Hall. There was no need to take risks. Once in the sky, if this guy pulled something, they'd be helpless in the air, and that would be bad.

Aren't you usually smart?

Why are you making such a basic mistake?

"Fei'er, just watch. Teacher has his own plan."

Luo Qiqi smiled.

Yu Fei'er didn't know Zhang Xuan could fly, but she had seen it with her own eyes. Since he dared to hitch a ride, he must have a countermeasure.

Just kidding—traveling with Teacher, he was always the one tricking others; when had he ever suffered a loss!

"Damn it!"

Seeing that the two beauties, who were cold to him and unwilling to speak, were chatting and laughing with this unremarkable guy, Qin Zhong's face twisted.

As the young master of the Beast Hall, he had been born with a silver spoon. Handsome and elegant, he was always surrounded by admirers and respected. When had he ever been beaten up and then had to drive his spirit beast for someone?

This was a total humiliation!

"Little brother, were those big fellows earlier your servants?"

Though angry, he wasn't too reckless. Qin Zhong asked cautiously.

Those big fellows might be Lightweights above the Mortal Shedding realm's eighth level. If they were his attendants, offending him would not be worth it.

"No, they belong to a friend who just sent me out." Zhang Xuan said calmly.

"A friend?" Qin Zhong frowned. "Then may I ask your name and status?"

This time he was a bit more direct.

"Just a nobody, naturally not comparable to the young master of the Beast Hall." Zhang Xuan continued.

"A nobody?"

Qin Zhong sneered.

That made sense. He knew almost all the famous young talents of the Huanyu Empire, and he had never seen or heard of this guy. He probably wasn't anyone important.

Still, he had to be careful.

"Have you studied the master teacher profession?" he continued.

"Oh, I've only been studying it for about half a year." Zhang Xuan scratched his head sheepishly.

He was telling the truth; it had been less than half a year since he started the master teacher examination.

"Half a year? The master teacher profession is profound. Half a year indeed doesn't teach much, but don't feel inferior." Thinking the other was also a master teacher, but hearing he had only studied for half a year, Qin Zhong was full of contempt.

Any special profession had a complete system and knowledge that required a lifetime of study. Especially the number one profession, master teacher—half a year probably wouldn't even get you past the apprentice level!

Since he wasn't a master teacher, it was simple.

"Little brother, you look spirited. Since you started master teacher studies so late, did you study other professions? Have you studied alchemy?" Qin Zhong continued.

"I studied it for a few days." Zhang Xuan replied.

"Only a few days? What a pity! Alchemy helps focus the mind and speed up cultivation. Studying it for only a few days probably hasn't cultivated that quality, and you've lost the good habit of being meticulous..."

After a sigh, Qin Zhong asked, "Then... have you studied beast taming?"

"I only touched on it a bit." Zhang Xuan said.

"Beast taming brings one closer to nature. Only studying a bit won't do; you've missed the chance to connect with nature..."

Qin Zhong shook his head again. "Have you studied medicine, artifact forging, or formations?"

Soon, he had asked about the top special professions. Every time he heard the other hadn't studied something, he sighed, offering various criticisms. Finally, learning that the guy had barely studied any profession, his confidence soared.

Truly powerful and influential experts all mastered several professions and showed persistence in learning. This guy studied everything for just a few days—clearly impatient and accomplished nothing.

So, what was there to worry about?

"Haha, everyone, hold on tight. I'm going to speed up!"

With a light laugh and a long shout, Qin Zhong made the Azure Leaf Dragon-Winged Beast beneath them flap its wings violently, and it shot forward in the air.

Whoosh!

With the sudden acceleration and some wriggling on the beast's back, Zhang Xuan and the others felt their footing slip, about to fall off.

For a beast tamer on the beast's back, dealing with passengers was too easy.

"You..."

Knowing his intention, Yu Fei'er's pretty face flushed with anger, and she nearly exploded.

Just as she was about to scold him, she felt a surge of true energy behind her, steadying her.

Turning around, she saw Zhang Xuan reaching out to stabilize her body, making her stand more firmly.

The erratic, diving Dragon-Winged Beast seemed to have little effect on this young man.

"Hmm?"

He had thought a simple move would make this useless brat cry for his parents and beg for mercy, but the guy remained calm, showing no fear.

Qin Zhong's face darkened again.

The guy wasn't even scared—so all this effort was for nothing?

Just as he was about to make the Dragon-Winged Beast do a few somersaults, he heard the young man's calm voice not far away.

"By the way, Brother Qin kept asking me questions, and I didn't have the chance to ask you. May I ask... can you fly?"

"Fly?"

Caught off guard by the question, Qin Zhong was stunned. "Flying is an ability of Saint realm experts. How could I possibly do that!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the young man's apologetic voice continue.

"Oh, I see. Sorry, I can."

"You can?"

Qin Zhong was puzzled, wondering what the guy meant, when a thunderous sound rang out.

"Hmm!"

Whoosh!

As the sound ended, he felt the Dragon-Winged Beast beneath him stiffen and then plummet straight down in free fall.

"Ah..."

With a scream, Qin Zhong was terrified out of his wits and nearly fainted.

His spirit beast had lost its ability to fly, and he couldn't fly either. Falling from over a thousand meters, he would be dead or as good as dead!

As he screamed, he heard the young man's calm voice again in his ear: "I don't know what I've lost, but since you can't fly, it seems... you've lost your life."

He quickly looked up and saw the young man watching him calmly, floating in the air. The two girls, supported by his true energy, stood quietly on either side, gliding downward slowly.

"...Can fly?"

He never dreamed that this guy, who looked only about twenty and had studied every profession for just a day or two, could fly in the sky!

What was this? If he had known the guy could fly, he would never have tried to show off!

Qin Zhong burst into tears.