The Master Was Driven Away

Chen Xuan found it amusing. This was indeed a trivial matter that didn't need proving, but since it had escalated to this point, there was no turning back.

He merely wanted to correct a misunderstanding, but some people insisted on bringing shame upon themselves. They had no one else to blame.

Under the burning gazes of the crowd, Chen Xuan, as some had hoped, summoned his martial spirit—an aberrant space-attribute spirit.

A black orb hovered above his head, pitch-black as a bottomless abyss, swallowing even light itself. Yet, the flow of soul power was stable, without an ominous aura.

Xue Qinghe's eyes sharpened, seeing something unusual that made his martial spirit react, giving him an uncomfortable feeling.

Beneath Chen Xuan's feet, soul rings appeared one after another in yellow, yellow, purple, and black—a familiar configuration.

"Is it an illusion?" Ning Rongrong covered her mouth, puzzled. The black of that ten-thousand-year soul ring looked darker than before, and the aura of a ten-thousand-year soul beast seemed much stronger now.

"This color... it's likely over 13,000 years old," Xue Qinghe whispered.

As the descendant of the Angel God and the chosen successor of the Angel's legacy, his sensitivity to such things was beyond ordinary.

This young man was definitely lying. His soul ring's age was far beyond 13,000 years, and his cultivation level was even higher.

"No wonder that woman values him so much," Xue Qinghe finally understood. Not just Bibi Dong, even he was tempted to recruit this young man under his banner.

All the experienced soul masters present noticed something unusual about Chen Xuan's fourth ring. While they couldn't pinpoint the exact age, it was clearly more than just ten thousand years old.

However, Yu Xiaogang, who was only at rank 30, couldn't feel the powerful aura of the ten-thousand-year soul beast, even though he sensed something was off.

Unfortunately, no one was paying attention to him now, not even his disciple, Tang San.

"This young man is no less than Xiao San," Ning Fengzhi said with a gentle smile.

Though he appeared calm, he was deeply serious. This situation was something he had to take seriously.

If this young man didn't meet an untimely end, with proper nurturing, becoming a Titled Douluo was only a matter of time. In fact, his future achievements might surpass both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, known as one of the three great sects, was famous for its top-tier support-type martial spirit, but their combat ability had always been a weakness—one that could even be fatal.

Thus, the spouses of the sect leaders and disciples had to be soul masters of strong attack or possess high combat power.

Ning Fengzhi had come to watch the advancement matches to search for talents, and this young man, with his extraordinary talent and vast potential, seemed like the perfect candidate.

Of course, he had considered binding Tang San through marriage, but alas, Tang San's heart already belonged to someone else.

Now, Ning Fengzhi was considering using the same method to recruit Chen Xuan. Marriage was the most direct and effective way to do this.

As for whom to marry, he hadn't decided yet. He didn't want his beloved daughter to become a mere tool for an arranged marriage. But if Rongrong and Chen Xuan truly fell in love, he wouldn't stand in their way.

Clap, clap, clap!

At that moment, the sound of clear applause echoed through the camp. Xue Qinghe stood up, clapping his hands with a smile.

He spoke warmly, "Brother Chen, as expected, you are one of the finest among the younger generation. With such talent, you will surely achieve greatness and become a rising star of our Heaven Dou Empire."

"You're too kind. It's all thanks to the Empire for providing me with such a good environment to cultivate," Chen Xuan politely replied with a humble gesture.

Ning Fengzhi, with his gentle smile, said, "Brother Chen, there's no need to be so modest. You must have worked hard to achieve such results."

Their attitudes were a clear acknowledgment of the indisputable fact of Chen Xuan's ten-thousand-year soul ring.

Flender, who possessed rank 76 soul power, had noticed something odd from the beginning and had hoped his prediction was wrong. But now, Chen Xuan's claim proved true.

At this point, he wanted to help the master regain some dignity, but there was nothing he could do.

Yu Xiaogang, standing silently at the side, wore a stiff expression, his eyes flickering with unease.

He had always walked with his head held high, prideful and arrogant. Now, however, he hung his head low, avoiding others' gazes in shame.

As a scholar and a theoretical master, being so thoroughly humiliated left Yu Xiaogang feeling unbearable shame. What no one knew was that beneath his lowered head was a face flushed red with embarrassment.

Fortunately for him, nearly everyone's attention was on Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe, rather than on the master.

Only Tang San and Flender noticed Yu Xiaogang's deeply red face. The great master, once so proud, had now bowed his head.

If Liu Erlong were here to see her beloved man being treated like this, she would undoubtedly stand up for him without hesitation.

"Brother Chen, how were you able to absorb a soul ring over 8,000 years beyond the limit? Do you have a special technique or method?" Ning Fengzhi asked sincerely, his smile warm.

This was a question Xue Qinghe also wanted to ask. What exactly was this young man's secret?

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu couldn't help but turn their gazes toward Chen Xuan. The secrets surrounding this man were growing more and more intriguing, making them want to uncover the truth.

Even Tang San perked up his ears at this, eager to understand something he hadn't yet grasped.

The reason Tang San had been able to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring beyond his limit was largely due to the effects of three special herbs, along with body refinement through the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the Tang Sect techniques—all essential to his survival.

"I'm not entirely sure," Chen Xuan said, fabricating a story without skipping a beat. "I just remember eating a particular herb, and suddenly my soul power surged."

"Could it be an immortal herb?" Tang San blurted out, startled by the implications of this revelation.

The Shrek group, too, was taken aback. Having consumed immortal herbs themselves, they were well aware of their potent effects. Ma Hongjun's control over his evil fire and Ning Rongrong's martial spirit evolution to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda were both benefits of these herbs.

Xue Qinghe looked puzzled. Though he had grown up in Spirit Hall and seen all sorts of treasures, he had never heard of an "immortal herb."

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Xuan played dumb. "What's an immortal herb?"

Tang San, growing more serious, explained, "Immortal herbs are a type of spiritual plant that absorbs the essence of heaven and earth. They are extremely rare and difficult to cultivate. Each one is as valuable as a hundred-thousand-year soul ring."

"Those who consume an immortal herb experience a direct increase in soul power, body refinement, and the purification of martial spirit impurities. In some cases, it can even evolve a martial spirit."

Hearing Tang San's explanation, even people like Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi were stunned. Such a rare treasure, if given to every sect disciple, would be immensely powerful.

But they both understood—rare treasures were rare for a reason. One couldn't force their acquisition.

"So that's why my soul power increased by three ranks, and I've found cultivation much easier than before," Chen Xuan said, his story sounding more plausible now.

Tang San remained focused and added, "Soul masters can't fully absorb an immortal herb's power right away. Its effects will continue to assist in cultivation until the soul master reaches rank 50, after which the full benefits will be realized."

He paused briefly, then added, "I read about this in an ancient text."

Tang San was cautious, leaving no room for Chen Xuan to one-up him or undermine his future prospects.

Chen Xuan was speechless. Was he that type of person?

"It's getting late, Dean Flender. We should take our leave now," Ning Fengzhi said as he prepared to depart.

Flender escorted them to the tent's entrance, saying, "Sect Master Ning, Shrek Academy will always welcome you as a guest."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, then looked at Chen Xuan and said, "Brother Chen, do visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect when you have time. You can have Rongrong show you around."

"Of course, Sect Master Ning," Chen Xuan replied, surprised that such an olive branch had been extended so soon.

Satisfied, Ning Fengzhi turned back to Flender. "Dean Flender, once the advancement matches are over, I'll send my sect's disciples over for further training."

"They're always welcome," Flender smiled.

Ning Fengzhi hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I have an additional request, if it's not too much trouble. Could Master handle the theoretical lessons for my disciples? As for combat training and other practical matters, I hope that you and your academy's advanced soul masters will personally oversee them."

After witnessing what had just transpired, Ning Fengzhi had grown concerned about Yu Xiaogang. While he fully trusted the master's theoretical knowledge, the fact that he was still only a rank-30 soul master raised doubts about his practical and combat-related teaching abilities.

Ning Fengzhi had entrusted his disciples to Shrek Academy for the best training possible, and he didn't want anything to go wrong.

"This..." Flender hesitated, unsure of how to respond. If he agreed, how would the master save face? It would be a huge blow to his pride.

Yet Ning Fengzhi was a key supporter of the academy. His request was reasonable, making it difficult for Flender to refuse.

Crash!

At that moment, a sudden noise echoed—metal clashing against metal.

Everyone turned in the direction of the sound and froze at the scene before them.

There, they saw a figure running off into the distance, looking utterly dejected.

It was Yu Xiaogang. Overwhelmed by the conversation he had overheard, his self-esteem, already deeply wounded, had reached its breaking point. Ashamed and humiliated, he had stormed off, knocking over some tools along the way.

"Xiao Gang!"

"Teacher!" Tang San's heart broke at the sight, and he immediately gave chase.

Flender, deeply anxious, looked between Ning Fengzhi and Yu Xiaogang's retreating figure. Gritting his teeth, he rushed after his old friend, fearing the worst.

He knew Yu Xiaogang all too well. His pride was immense, and to be humiliated so publicly, with even a sect master now doubting him, was a devastating blow to his already fragile self-esteem.

Ning Fengzhi's expression stiffened, feeling somewhat awkward. It was bad enough to talk behind someone's back, but to be caught in the act only made things worse.

"Teacher, don't blame yourself," Xue Qinghe said earnestly. "That man hastily judged others and passed reckless conclusions. His heart is corrupt. Besides, I didn't see anything extraordinary about him."

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