88 Chapter 1245: Honorary Elder (1/2)
”Zhang shi is conducting a lecture?”
The old metalsmith was taken aback. Pricking up his ears and listening intently, there was indeed a faint voice to be heard a distance away.
As it was too far away, the voice sounded indistinct. Nevertheless, just by catching traces of it, he could already feel the zhenqi in his body leaping into action, moving along with the other party's words.
”Is this… Impartation of Heaven's Will?” the metalsmith asked hoarsely as his eyes lit up in agitation.
Even though he was only an ordinary metalsmith, he had still heard much about the master teachers. It was indeed troublesome that his pots and bowls had run away, but this was also a rare opportunity for him. There was a vast difference in the price of an ordinary pot and one that had been infused with a spirit.
With his exquisite craftsmanship, he could sell his pots for a thousand gold coins easily. However, if his pots were infused with spirit, he would have to think twice about selling them even if the buyer were to offer him a middle-tier spirit stone!
Of course… before considering any of that, he had to capture his escaped pots and metalware back first!
Hu!
Not too long later, the old metalsmith finally managed to catch up to his pots and bowls, and his hammer was finally back in his hands as well. This time though, he could feel a bloodline connection with his hammer, and it felt as if the hammer had no weight at all.
With this, I won't need to rest in between my forging anymore. I can finish the eighteen pots required well before afternoon! As long as I have this hammer in hand, I'll be able to lead a far better life than before, the old metalsmith thought as he clenched his fists in agitation.
Gazing in the direction that the voice had come from, the old metalsmith kneeled onto the floor with reddened eyes.
”Thank you, Zhang shi.”
…
The same sight was happening throughout every street and alley of Qingyuan City.
Zhang Xuan's Impartation of Heaven's Will was not only able to raise one's cultivation, it was also highly effective toward one's proficiency in an occupation. There were some apothecaries who found themselves successfully forging pills that they had failed countless times before after listening to Zhang Xuan's lecture. There were also saint beasts who were unable to reproduce due to their strong bloodlines suddenly finding themselves carrying twins in their wombs after listening to the lecture.
…
Padah!
When the final character above the square dissipated, the cultivators in the square gradually roused from the trance they were in, and an ardent heat could be seen in their eyes.
Ordinary Heavenly Impartation of Mentor's Calligraphy was only sufficient for the cultivation of an individual, but Zhang Xuan's had been actually able to release a resounding voice, reminiscent of an Impartation of Heaven's Will. Within just a short period of time, they had found themselves benefiting greatly from his teachings.
Everything felt so mystical that they could not help but feel a little dreamy within.
”Teacher!”
One by one, they kneeled onto the ground and kowtowed in agitation.
Having benefited from the Zhang Xuan's guidance, he could be considered half a teacher to them.
From that day onward, nearly all of the master teachers and cultivators in Qingyuan City would be Zhang Xuan's students, granting him unparalleled authority and prestige in the city.
Seeing the gazes of admiration around him, Yao shi remarked in awe, ”To make countless submit to him through just words… this is a true master teacher!”
Despite being an 8-star master teacher, she knew that she was incapable of doing the same.
The talent that the young man before her possessed far surpassed her imagination. Perhaps, he might even be on par with the offspring of the Sage Clans!
Furthermore, despite having so many people acknowledging him as their teacher simultaneously, he showed no signs of excitement or complacency at all. Just by his state of mind alone, there was no doubt that he would eventually achieve great things in the future!
I must accept him as my student! Yao shi clenched her fists tightly in determination.
As talented as Zhang Xuan was, he still was not an 8-star master teacher yet, so she stood a chance in becoming the young man's teacher.
As long as she groomed him well, it would not be long before she became one of the most respected figures in the Master Teacher Continent!
With such thoughts in mind, Yao shi could no longer hold herself back anymore. Turning to Zhang Xuan, she asked, ”Zhang shi, are you are interested in cultivating in the Empire Alliance?”
”Empire Alliance?”
”That's right. The cultivation techniques and resources they have there are incomparable to those of the Qingyuan Empire. As long as you agree to become my student, I can take you there and vie for the best resources for you. With my guidance, I guarantee that you will become a real 8-star master teacher within the next fifty years!” Yao shi nodded.
”Fifty years?” Hearing those words, Zhang Xuan shook his head. ”No thank you.”
If he needed fifty years to advance to an 8-star master teacher, he would already be lying in the dirt with tall grass above his grave.
To others, to be able to become an 8-star master teacher before seventy was already a formidable achievement, but to him, that was a speed even slower than a snail's crawl. It could not generate the slightest enthusiasm in him.
Despite Zhang Xuan's rejection, Yao shi did not show the slightest hint of anger. Instead, she began patiently explaining, ”Zhang shi, this is really a good opportunity. The Empire Alliance is filled with many different factions, and without someone to bring you around, you will face many obstacles there.”
”Factions?”
”The Empire Alliance is basically a power consisting of multiple organizations, namely the Eight Conferred Empires and several smaller Sage Clans. Due to the independent nature of these organizations, there are often conflicts of interest, resulting in the rise of several different factions in the Master Teacher Pavilion. Without any understanding of the various factions, it's very easy for one to get on the wrong side of the more powerful factions, which would make it hard for one to survive there,” Yao shi replied with a nod.
”I am not taking advantage of you by accepting you as my disciple. By coming under my protection, you will be able to better maneuver your way around the politics there and receive the recognition from the various powers. Otherwise, no matter how talented you are, it will be difficult for you to rise through the ranks. After all, given how big the Empire Alliance is, one thing that they don't lack is talented individuals!”
Hearing those words, Zhang Xuan nodded.
He had read books concerning the Empire Alliance, so he had some understanding of how it operated.
Just as Yao shi said, the Eight Conferred Empires were only a portion of the Empire Alliance.
Some of the weaker Sage Clans and sects were under them as well.