Chapter 705: Someone Wants to Make a Bet

Back in the Ten Thousand Nations City, when I first met many renowned teachers, there were only a thousand or so in total. But at the start of the Master Teacher Academy, there were thirty thousand who had reached half-step five-star or four-star peak...

Just thinking about it is terrifying!

However, knowing the geographical environment of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, one can understand.

This academy is the only master teacher institution below the titled kingdoms, recruiting not only students from the Hongyuan Empire but also from other first-class empires.

Dozens of first-class empires, plus countless sects and master teacher halls, produce an abundance of genius master teachers.

No wonder a place like the Tianxuan Kingdom is called an ancient land, where even a single master teacher is absent—truly backward.

"We haven't allied with any other forces. For these students to pass the assessment, it all depends on you, Master Zhang..."

Master Feng, Master Luo, and others came over.

Although there had been conflicts with this Master Zhang before, everyone was a master teacher belonging to the same faction. The stronger he was, the stronger the Huanyu Empire would be. After these days, they had come to terms with it.

"Don't worry!"

Glancing at the many students around, Zhang Xuan nodded.

This time, including him, the Huanyu Empire had sent a total of fifty master teachers, most of whom were four-star peak, around the Zhuqing realm in strength.

Such strength was indeed not outstanding among the thirty thousand new students. To stand out and have everyone pass... it could only be said to be very difficult!

For this reason, after discussing earlier, they had wanted to form an alliance with the second-class Jinhai Empire, thinking that even if they didn't win, the difference wouldn't be great, allowing for fair competition without a primary-secondary distinction. Unexpectedly, the opponent was so strong that they were utterly defeated, nearly becoming their meat shields.

Fortunately, Master Zhang turned the tide.

Without the alliance, they could only place their hopes on Master Zhang, hoping he would lead everyone through the assessment without being eliminated midway.

"Thank you!"

Master Luo, Master Feng, and others clasped their fists.

If it had been someone else, after being obstructed in every way, they would have certainly made things difficult for them. But this Master Zhang showed no such intention. Whether in character or demeanor, he was beyond their comparison.

Looking back on what they had done, they felt only deep guilt and shame.

"You're too kind!" Seeing their expressions, Zhang Xuan smiled and was about to say a few polite words when a faint voice sounded not far away.

"Is this the one who defeated you?"

Turning to look, he saw the previously defeated Senior Feng from the Jinhai Empire following behind a young man as they walked over.

It was this young man who spoke, tall and long-limbed, with dark skin and a cold gaze that seemed to flash with lightning.

"Bridge Heaven realm?"

Zhang Xuan frowned.

The other party did not conceal his aura; the power of the Bridge Heaven realm radiated outward like a blazing sun, exerting immense pressure.

The Bridge Heaven realm formed a bridge between the spirit and nature, drawing closer to nature and merging with it. Although the Harmony Spirit realm was not weak, it was insignificant before such a strong opponent.

Though he had reached the Bridge Heaven realm, on par with Luo Qiqi and others, the badge on his chest was still four-star.

To be assessed as five-star, the Bridge Heaven realm was only the most basic requirement; one also needed five five-star auxiliary professions and a mental state scale of 15.0.

Thus, many first-year students at the Master Teacher Academy had long met the strength requirement but were stuck, unable to advance because they failed other conditions.

The one before them was clearly such a case.

Even so, he was formidable.

Under thirty, and having achieved this strength without entering the Master Teacher Academy, he was considered a genius among the many new students in this assessment, enough to stand out.

"Yes!" Brother Feng nodded.

"This..."

Hearing his confirmation, the young man frowned.

He had known this "Brother Feng" for a long time. He had thought that after repeatedly trouncing his good friend, the latter would at least have reached the Bridge Heaven realm, with extraordinary strength and bearing... but this? What the hell?

Filthy all over, as if unwashed for days; eyes bloodshot, clearly from lack of rest; head and face, though healed, still bore bruises from injuries...

If he guessed correctly, he had been beaten black and blue not long ago...

Most importantly, though his strength was at the peak of the Harmony Spirit realm, he gave off a feeling of not being very powerful... In any other place, he wouldn't even glance at someone like this. Could this really be the one who had crushed his friend's spirit and shattered his confidence?

"Brother Yu, don't underestimate him. Teacher Zhang... is extraordinary; he defeated me with a single finger!" Fearing the other might not believe him, Brother Feng explained, but even he felt dazed as he finished.

Was it really this guy who injured me?

How did it feel like I lost to a beggar...

"A single finger?"

"Brother Yu" shook his head, his gaze like lightning as he looked over: "So you are Zhang Xuan, Teacher Zhang? You defeated Feng Wu. Do you dare to compete with me?"

"Compete?" Zhang Xuan shook his head, about to say he was busy and had no time, but then thought of something and looked over with shining eyes: "Any stakes?"

He was a bit short on cash, couldn't even afford to rent a place. If someone was willing to bet and give him some money, that would be great.

The treasures he had obtained from the Rare Treasures Pavilion back then had arrived here before Sun Qiang had a chance to sell them. Now, in Hongyuan City, he was unfamiliar with the place and certainly couldn't sell them anytime soon. All things considered, he had very little savings left on hand.

"A wager?" "Brother Yu" was taken aback.

"That's right. If we're going to compete, how can we not put up a wager?" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

He had no time for idle chitchat. Without some tangible benefit, why waste time on a competition?

"You... do you even know what I want to compete with you in?"

Frowning, "Brother Yu's" expression turned unpleasant.

Regardless, they were both renowned masters, people of some standing. To demand a wager right off the bat—wasn't that too mercenary?

Moreover, you're at the Harmony Spirit realm. Not only are you not afraid of me, but you don't even know what we're competing in, yet you're already asking for a wager... Are you so sure you'll win?

Arrogant!

Insolent!

His impression of this guy had been poor from the start, and in the blink of an eye, it plummeted to rock bottom.

"Whatever you're competing in, as long as there's a wager, I'm game!"

Ignoring the other party's attitude, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Since you're so confident, I'll grant your wish!"

With a cold snort, "Brother Yu" flicked his wrist, and a pile of spirit stones appeared before him: "Here are 1000 medium-grade spirit stones. If you win, take them!"

"1000 spirit stones?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"That's right! Given your strength, you've probably never seen so many spirit stones. But don't worry, if you lose... I won't take your spirit stones. I just want you to apologize to all the new students for your rudeness just now..."

"Brother Yu" sneered coldly, hands behind his back, looking arrogant.

The Huanyu Empire was not among the top second-rate empires, and coupled with the other party's shabby appearance and constant talk of bets... it was clear he was a pauper. A thousand medium-grade spirit stones was an astronomical sum for someone like him, something he'd never seen in his life.

"Apologize? You're overthinking..."

Seeing the other party rambling on, Zhang Xuan waved his hand to interrupt: "A thousand medium-grade spirit stones is too troublesome. How about betting just one?"

"One? Betting one medium-grade spirit stone? That's not even a bet. I give more than that to my servants as tips..."

Hearing the bet was just one stone, "Brother Yu" sneered, but before he could finish, he felt "Brother Feng" Feng Wu nudge him. He looked over in confusion, and his eyes fell on the stone in Zhang Xuan's hand. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

In the other's hand, a spirit stone had appeared out of nowhere, dazzling and radiant, shining with a blinding light.

"H-high... high-grade spirit stone?"

His lips trembled, and "Brother Yu" swayed.

"That's right, a piece of high-grade spirit stone!" Zhang Xuan said calmly, looking over.

"..." "Brother Yu" saw stars and nearly fainted.

Although he was quite wealthy, he only had medium-grade spirit stones. High-grade ones were items traded only by sages. To casually take one out as a bet... Are you really in the Harmonious Spirit Realm, really from the Huan Yu Empire?

Just now, seeing this guy all dirty and ragged like a beggar, I thought he was a pauper. Never in my dreams did I expect him to pull out a high-grade spirit stone at the first move... Are you crazy?

"What's wrong? Don't have one? If you don't have the money, don't bother betting. Go play somewhere else. I don't have time to waste on you..."

Seeing this guy's face twitching, Zhang Xuan curled his lips, looking disdainful.

If you don't even have a high-grade spirit stone, why are you putting on airs here?

Seeing his expression, "Brother Yu" and Feng Wu were so angry their eyes went dark.

What kind of situation was this? They had come to cause trouble and embarrass him. How, after all this fuss, had they ended up embarrassing themselves?

Especially that expression of his, as if to say, 'You're paupers, I'm too good to compete with you'...

"Fine, I'll bet!" "Brother Yu" gritted his teeth, flicked his sleeve, and snorted.

"Alright, where is your top-grade spirit stone? Take it out and let me see. Otherwise, if you really intend to default, there's nothing I can do! These days, there are plenty of people who put on airs without money!" Zhang Xuan said.

"You..."

Brother Yu clenched his fist, knowing that getting angry with him would only cause trouble for himself. He turned to look at Feng Wu: "Bring out your [Air-Strike Talisman]!"

"Brother Yu, this thing..."

Hearing that he was asked to take it out, Feng Wu's brows jumped, his expression changed, and he quickly waved his hand.

"Relax, do you think he can beat me?" Brother Yu snorted, clasped his hands behind his back, and a look of strong confidence appeared on his face.

"Uh... alright then!"

Thinking of Brother Feng's identity and the content of this assessment, Feng Wu hesitated for a moment, nodded, and flipped his palm. A jade talisman appeared in his hand, which he handed over.

Brother Yu took the jade talisman and held it in his palm: "This Air-Strike Talisman was refined by a sage. It can withstand one attack from a First-Level Sage without taking damage! Its value is definitely equivalent to a top-grade spirit stone!"

"Air-Strike Talisman?"

Zhang Xuan reached out his finger, touched it, and then nodded with satisfaction: "This thing is indeed worth a top-grade spirit stone. Fine, I'll bet!"

"Alright, then let's bet on... who gets the higher score in the upcoming trial!"

Seeing him agree, Brother Yu curled his lips.