Chapter 725: Giving Away Points

"Elder Mo, please wait here a moment. I'll go arrange the new students and then come with you to gather the other renowned masters."

Having obtained Zhang Xuan's consent, Elder Mi spoke, turned, and left. The small pavilion once again held only Mo Gaoyuan and Zhang Xuan.

"Master Zhang, I wonder if... Master Yang has arrived?"

After a moment of silence, Mo Gaoyuan couldn't help but look over.

He had offered high-grade spirit stones as rewards for the competition and had come specially to befriend this Zhang Xuan, all in hopes of building a good relationship with Master Yang.

"My master's whereabouts are always uncertain; I don't know exactly where he is either!"

Zhang Xuan casually explained, then looked over: "I heard from my master that you had some issues with opening the Sky-void Acupoint. May I ask if they have been resolved?"

"Speaking of that, I still wish to personally thank Master Yang for his guidance!"

Mo Gaoyuan's expression turned serious, and he quickly cupped his fists.

Had it not been for Master Yang's personal guidance, he might have gone further astray in the wrong direction, never able to advance to the second level of Sage in his lifetime. Now, with his internal energy re-nourishing his acupoints, a breakthrough was within reach.

It was precisely because of this that he understood how terrifying this Master Yang truly was.

With a single glance, he had identified his problem, and not only pointed it out but also enabled him to cultivate and improve simultaneously. His ability was such that ten of him combined could not hope to match it.

The so-called Ten Great Masters of Hongyuan Academy would likely seem as laughable as children before him.

"No need to be polite. My master is always indifferent to fame and fortune. Since he was willing to guide you, it means you have a connection. There's no need to dwell on it too much!" Zhang Xuan smiled.

"Indeed!" Mo Gaoyuan nodded.

Some eminent masters, who comprehend the workings of heaven and earth, emphasize fate and destiny. Without a connection, they would not offer guidance.

Master Yang had given guidance—a matter of fate arising and fading—without seeking any return.

And even if he wanted to repay, it would only be if the other party deemed it worthy; otherwise, all efforts would be in vain.

"By the way, since Elder Mi is a six-star peak beast tamer, why haven't I seen his beast companion? What kind of sacred beast is it?" Zhang Xuan asked, recalling something.

Although he was fairly certain that the Purple Sun Beast was a spy from the Heterodox tribe, he still had some doubts.

After all, this Lei Yuan Peak was so close to the Master Teacher Academy, and such a powerful sacred beast living on the mountain without being discovered was itself very strange.

"It's a Fire Dragon Sacred Beast!" Not knowing why he asked, Mo Gaoyuan replied.

"Fire Dragon Sacred Beast?"

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he had never heard of this sacred beast either, as long as it wasn't the Purple Sun Beast, it was fine.

"Yes, this beast companion... ah, let's not talk about it!" Mentioning the Fire Dragon, Mo Gaoyuan hesitated, then shook his head.

"What's wrong?" Seeing his expression, Zhang Xuan looked at him curiously.

"It's nothing much, just that this Fire Dragon Sacred Beast... I'm afraid its days are numbered!" Mo Gaoyuan sighed.

"Days numbered?" Zhang Xuan was even more puzzled.

Spirit beasts generally live longer than humans, especially at the sacred beast level. It is indeed rare for one to die before its master.

"Yes, the Fire Dragon Sacred Beast... has encountered some problems in its cultivation. Let's not speak of it!"

Mo Gaoyuan shook his head and said no more.

In fact, he had only learned of this news from chatting with Elder Mi earlier.

Otherwise, as a beast companion, it would be inexplicable for it not to come while its master was here.

"Alright!"

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to say more, Zhang Xuan did not press further.

...

Hu Qing was a four-star peak master teacher from the Qingyuan Second-Class Empire, with cultivation only at the late stage of the Turbid Purity Realm, not even reaching the peak.

He came from an extremely remote and small place, and had paid great effort and cost to pass the assessment and come here.

Especially in the final round of the Master Teacher Competition, in order to advance, he fought desperately, suffering a total of seventeen severe injuries before succeeding.

The reason he fought so hard was that he was different from others.

Others who couldn't enter the Master Teacher Academy could still stay at the local Master Teacher Hall and enjoy the highest treatment, but he... had no way back!

He suffered from a stubborn illness, and only one type of medicinal herb could save him. This herb could only be exchanged with credits from the Master Teacher Academy. In other words, only by becoming a student could he continue to live!

He had thought that no matter how difficult the entrance assessment, as long as he worked hard, he could manage it, even if it meant risking his life... But to his dismay, he found that this time, risking his life was useless!

He wanted to hunt spirit beasts to pass, but was instead surrounded by them and nearly died. He barely escaped, but at a heavy cost: severely injured and without a single point!

Without points, he could not become a member of the academy!

That meant he would never get the medicinal herb, and would soon succumb to his illness and die.

"No, I must succeed..."

Suppressing the intense pain in his body, he struggled to his feet and walked a few steps to the genius who had just attracted much attention—Yu Cheng.

He had witnessed the earlier gamble and knew that this person had over two thousand points. If he were willing to give him just one point, he could become a student of the academy and extend his life.

"Brother Yu... I am Hu Qing, a master teacher from the Qingyuan Empire. If Brother Yu would grant me one point to pass the assessment, I would be willing to serve you like a beast of burden for the rest of my life to repay your kindness..."

Gritting his teeth, he cupped his fists.

Begging humbly, though beneath the dignity of a master teacher, as long as he could survive, he could endure any humiliation!

"Give you a point? What do you think you are?"

Still fuming over his loss to Zhang Xuan, Yu Cheng's face darkened when he heard this unknown person come asking for points.

He had only about two thousand points, and he was still thinking about whether he could gain favor from other elders since Elder Mi had not favored him. If he gave points to you, and others came asking too, should he give or not?

Once I start, wouldn't all the previous hardship be wasted?

"I..."

His face flushed, Hu Qing felt as if his skin had been torn off by the other. He lowered his head to his chest, his knuckles whitening from gripping. Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth and knelt down: "I only ask for one point from Brother Yu, just enough to pass. If you agree, I'll do whatever you ask without frowning!"

"A mere late-stage Mortal Transformation Fourth Realm nobody, not even at the peak, even if you wanted to be my servant, it's useless. Get lost! Otherwise, believe me, I'll throw you out right now!"

Raising an eyebrow, Yu Cheng snorted.

What nonsense!

If a Spirit Fusion Realm expert came and said that, he might consider it. But a little guy who hasn't even reached the peak of the Turbid Clarity Realm wants to bargain with him? On what grounds?

His own points had been earned by spending countless treasures and even being humiliated by a Mortal Transformation Seventh Realm spirit beast.

How could he just give them away?

"If you can't get points, it's because you lack skill and ability. Naturally, you don't qualify to enter the academy and become a student. Don't keep making a spectacle of yourself here..."

Feng Wu also stepped forward.

Compared to that Zhang Xuan, they were nothing, but compared to more master teachers, they had already reached the forefront, worthy of pride and honor.

"Yeah, go away. Can't get points, so you beg? If that's the case, don't call it the Master Teacher Academy; call it the Beggar Academy!"

"No points, you can only blame your own lack of effort, not others!"

"The Master Teacher Hall has no connection with you. Go... don't disgrace the dignity of master teachers here!"

...

Some surrounding master teachers also waved their hands.

Begging like this truly compromised the dignity of a master teacher. If word got out, how could this foremost profession in the world still have the face to teach and educate?

If you didn't pass, you didn't pass. Since Elder Mi had set the rule, it naturally couldn't be broken.

"Yes..."

Knowing there was no hope, he stood up, fists clenched, Hu Qing's body trembling slightly.

In that instant, he felt his dignity blown away completely in the spring breeze, not a shred left.

Though master teachers were noble, people were selfish.

Where there was profit, there was human nature. No one could truly be selfless.

"Forget it..."

Shaking his head, Hu Qing knew that even if he abandoned his face, no one would give him a single point. Rather than that, it was better to leave with some dignity.

Whoosh!

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard the wind rustling above. Elder Mi's figure appeared in the air, his resonant voice echoing across the land.

"This assessment, a total of 6,487 people passed. Those without points indicate they failed the assessment and have no connection with the Master Academy!"

"No connection..."

The more than 20,000 who failed all turned pale.

Although they had known the outcome beforehand, hearing Elder Mi's words with their own ears was still hard to accept.

"However... everyone need not dwell on it. Master Zhang of the Feather Phantom Empire, upon learning of this news, specifically sought me out and expressed his willingness to offer his own points to distribute among you, so that all may pass the assessment. Let our Master Hall grow ever stronger!"

"After much deliberation, I nodded in agreement!"

"That is to say, from today onward, you will all be new students of the Master Academy!"

Elder Mi waved his hand grandly.

"Distribute his points... to us?"

"Master Zhang is willing to give away his own points?"

"This..."

Everyone was shaken. Hu Qing, standing to one side, turned even paler, his body trembling uncontrollably as tears streamed down his cheeks.

He had begged others for a single point, even kneeling, only to receive nothing!

Yet this Master Zhang willingly gave his points to everyone, allowing all to pass...

This is what it means to be a true master—broad-minded, with the human race at heart!

"Master Zhang... thank you!"

His body went rigid, and his knees softened again as he fell to the ground: "From now on, you are my benefactor. Whatever you ask me to do, I will do without a frown!"

Hu Qing gritted his teeth and made an oath.

This time, he knelt... willingly!

"This..."

While many who had failed felt grateful to Master Zhang, Yu Cheng and Feng Wu swayed, their vision going dark.

They had just refused someone who wanted a share, and now this fellow gave away all his points, letting everyone pass...

Did the slap in the face have to come so quickly?

Did it have to be so exaggerated?

Hurriedly looking around, they saw countless new students staring at them with contemptuous eyes, as if saying, 'Both are masters, but what a difference!'

Pfft!

Unable to hold back any longer, old and new ailments flared up together, and Yu Cheng spat out a mouthful of blood.

Feng Wu also felt his vision darken, utterly crushed and losing all confidence.

What kind of nonsense was this? Why did nothing good ever happen whenever that Zhang Xuan was involved?