Chapter 918: Bodhi Seed

"Yu Shenqing?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

What did this fellow want with him?

"The dean didn't accept his congratulatory gift. He's been coming over every chance he gets these days, saying he wants to see you in person. No matter how much we tried to stop him, he wouldn't listen. I reckon he's afraid you might be angry..."

Recalling something, Elder Mi chuckled.

The commotion at Dean Zhang's inauguration ceremony was immense—beasts paying homage, a public lecture that forged a half-teacher bond with the entire faculty and student body... and he had won everyone's recognition!

With just these two points, one could tell his future was boundless. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent such precious gifts to curry favor.

But... he hadn't accepted them. And recalling how he had been expelled from the banquet hall on his daughter's birthday... no wonder he was scared!

"Let's go see him." Zhang Xuan quickly understood these worldly affairs and nodded.

He hadn't accepted the gift because he had watched Yu Shenqing's soul-refining technique and borrowed their Bodhi tree, unwilling to take further advantage.

But if it caused misunderstanding, that would be embarrassing.

Soon arriving at the dean's reception hall, he indeed saw Emperor Yu Shenqing sitting inside, looking anxious.

With Yu Shenqing were three middle-aged men, two of whom didn't even dare to sit, standing pale-faced behind.

"Your Majesty, Prince Huai!"

Glancing over, Zhang Xuan didn't recognize the two middle-aged men, but the other was familiar—it was Prince Huai, who had given him the mansion.

Even before becoming dean, this man had gifted him a residence, leaving a good impression.

"Greetings, Dean Zhang!"

The four stood up simultaneously, cupping their fists.

Although their status was at the pinnacle of the Hongyuan Empire, they were still inferior to the dean of the prestigious Master Teacher Academy.

"No need to be polite..."

Waving his hand, Zhang Xuan took the seat of honor and looked at Prince Huai. "Prince, you generously gifted me a mansion, yet I haven't come to thank you in person. Instead, you've come to me—I'm truly ashamed."

"Dean, you flatter me!" Prince Huai quickly stood up. "The first time I met you, I knew you were a dragon among men. I never expected you to become dean so soon..."

Prince Huai sighed with emotion.

When he first saw Zhang Xuan, he hadn't thought much of it, only considering that Yuan Tao from the Sage Clan valued him, so he sought to win him over.

Who would have thought that in less than two months, a newcomer to Hongyuan City, alone and helpless, a mere Harmonious Spirit realm nobody, had become the most powerful figure in the entire Master Teacher Academy.

Thinking about it was astonishing and hard to believe.

"Prince Huai, you're too kind..." Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Prince, if you don't mind, would you demonstrate your skills so I can see your strength?"

"Demonstrate?"

Startled at first, Prince Huai then burst into ecstasy.

Saying this naturally meant he wanted to offer guidance!

The strength of the man before him might currently be inferior to his, but with a public lecture that made donkeys bray and dogs bark, his understanding of the teacher's path was far beyond that of an ordinary six-star master teacher!

Receiving personal guidance from such a person could surpass years of arduous cultivation!

"With pleasure!"

Without further ado, he hurried to the center of the hall, clenched his fists, and struck out.

As soon as he moved, he revealed his strength, matching Elder Mi and the others, also at the peak of Saint Domain realm first level.

Soon, he finished a set of martial techniques, withdrew his stance, and stood like a primary school student, not daring to breathe loudly.

Just as he was about to ask, he heard the young man above speak in a calm voice.

"This Flowing Water Fist technique, you've mastered it to perfection, truly not weak. However... Prince, have you recently been feeling stagnation in your qi and blood, and a lack of strength?"

"This... how does the dean know?"

Prince Huai was stunned, his body stiffening involuntarily.

He had indeed been feeling stagnation in his qi and blood and poor flow of true qi lately, but he had kept it well hidden, telling no one—not even Emperor Yu Shenqing knew.

After all, with his high position and power, countless people coveted his seat. If word got out that he was unwell, it would inevitably invite much unnecessary trouble.

He had told no one, yet just by watching a set of martial techniques, the dean had seen through it—what kind of insight was that?

Without answering his question, Zhang Xuan smiled. "If I'm not mistaken, it's caused by an old injury."

Prince Huai had earned his current status through battles for the nation in his youth, making many contributions and suffering several severe injuries that nearly cost him his life.

The root of the illness must have been left from that time.

"Yes!" Prince Huai nodded.

"I have a flask of fine wine here. Drink it, then cultivate according to the guidance method I'll teach you. The chronic ailment will be cured. With diligent effort, breaking through your current realm is not impossible."

With a light smile, Zhang Xuan handed over a gourd of fine wine, then took out paper and brush, writing a set of techniques with vigorous strokes.

Although he was only at the initial stage of Half-Saint, having read all the books in the Master Teacher Academy's library, his understanding of cultivation was unmatched by anyone below Saint Domain realm second level.

Guiding him and writing a technique tailored to his constitution was extremely simple.

"Thank you... Dean Zhang!"

The moment he glanced at the technique, Prince Huai's pupils contracted, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably.

With his knowledge, he could naturally see that this technique was superior even to the royal family's cultivation method, and it suited his constitution better. With diligent practice, the chronic ailment was a minor matter; as the dean had said, he might truly break through his current shackles and reach a higher realm!

Having only gifted a mansion, he received a technique that could be passed down through generations...

He had definitely hit the jackpot!

"This..." Yu Shenqing and the remaining two exchanged glances, each shaking their heads.

Although he didn't know the content of the technique, the fact that it could excite the usually composed Prince Huai so much showed it was extraordinary.

They hadn't had the foresight before he became the dean; now wanting to curry favor... it was already too late!

"No need to be polite!" Zhang Xuan smiled.

It was just a technique, not a simplified version of the Heavenly Dao technique; doing it casually was nothing.

This way, he had repaid the favor of the mansion gift, and they were even.

After dealing with Prince Huai's matter, Zhang Xuan looked at Yu Shenqing not far away: "May I ask, Your Majesty, what brings you here today?"

Yu Shenqing quickly stood up: "Dean Zhang, I came this time for two things..."

"Oh?"

"The dean has shown such great kindness to my Yu family—not only teaching my daughter the method to cultivate her soul but also reviving the Bodhi tree... I am extremely grateful. If I didn't show my appreciation, it would be truly ungrateful!"

Yu Shenqing hurriedly said.

The other party had rejected his gifts, making him uneasy. This time, he came to offer gifts again.

"You're too kind!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

"I know the dean is righteous and doesn't care about wealth. This is the only Bodhi seed produced by the Bodhi tree over the years... I hope the dean will not refuse again!"

Yu Shenqing turned his wrist and took out a jade box, handing it over.

Opening the box, inside lay a single round seed.

"Bodhi seed?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

What use was this thing?

Although he had read countless books, he didn't quite understand.

"If planted properly, it can grow into another Bodhi tree. Cultivating under it often calms the mind, doubles strength, and prevents the danger of demonic possession. It has miraculous effects for soul cultivators..."

Yu Shenqing quickly explained.

"It can grow into a Bodhi tree?" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

He had indeed envied the other's Sacred Domain Bodhi tree, which had quickly nourished Wei Ruyan's soul, showing its power.

If he could have one, his witch soul could cultivate within it, and his strength would surely multiply.

"Yes!" Yu Shenqing handed it over: "Master Zhang has created such a powerful soul cultivation technique, so you must have deep research on the soul. I hope you won't refuse!"

"Then thank you!"

Nodding, Zhang Xuan no longer refused.

He could decline other valuable items, but this Bodhi seed was indeed useful and worth keeping.

Later, he could plant it in the Ant Nest and carry it with him, allowing his witch soul to enter and cultivate anytime without worry.

"The second thing... you two should say it!"

Seeing him accept, Yu Shenqing sighed in relief, smiled awkwardly, and looked at the two middle-aged men behind him.

The two stepped forward and cupped their fists simultaneously.

"Shen Wanting, current head of the Shen family of Hongyuan City, pays respects to Dean Zhang!"

"Liu Zaiyan, current head of the Liu family of Hongyuan City, pays respects to Dean Zhang!"

"Shen family? Liu family?"

Zhang Xuan had heard of the four great families of Hongyuan City before but had never interacted with them. Why were these two family heads coming to see him?

"Yes, my son was insolent and offended Dean Zhang. Our Shen family has come specially to apologize..."

"My son Liu Quan failed to recognize a person of importance. I too have come specially to apologize! This unfilial son is at your disposal!"

The two family heads waved their hands, and two young men were pushed forward.

They were Shen Jun and Liu Quan, whom he had met at Yu Fei'er's banquet.

The two no longer looked like elegant young masters; they were beaten black and blue, their faces unrecognizable. If not for faint traces in their brows, he wouldn't have recognized them.

It could be said they were in a terrible state!

"This..."

Zhang Xuan blinked.

Although Shen Jun had exchanged unpleasant words with him at Yu Fei'er's banquet, there had been no real conflict. There was no need to beat them like this!

"These two dared to trouble the dean. It's our failure in teaching. We willingly accept punishment. This is the compensation from our two families; we hope the dean will accept it!"

Shen Wanting extended his hand and offered a storage ring, his attitude sincere.

"This..." Zhang Xuan was stunned.

These two had troubled him? No... why didn't he remember at all?

Had he lost his memory?

"We hope the dean will not refuse; otherwise, our two families will be too fearful to stay in Hongyuan City..."

Seeing that Dean Zhang neither accepted nor refused, with a strange expression, Liu Zaiyan quickly said.

Zhang Xuan grew more and more confused.

What was going on?

Seeing that his confusion didn't seem feigned, Yu Shenqing and Prince Huai exchanged glances, filled with admiration.

The other party had come to cause trouble and wanted to beat him, yet he didn't even remember...

The dean is indeed the dean—look at this breadth of mind, this magnanimity...

Impressive!