Chapter 1168 - 796: Visitors from the Academy

Zhou Qiucheng was dissatisfied with Chen Sanliang and wanted to debate with him, hoping to remedy his past humiliation. But when Zhang Chen spoke, Zhou Qiucheng’s expression froze.

Chen Sanliang was about to reach the Twelfth Tier, while Zhou had just stepped into the Ninth Tier. Did he still have a chance to debate with Chen Sanliang?

Moreover, Zhang Chen didn’t even need to guess; he knew the Academy would certainly be far from peaceful. Zhou Qiucheng, seeking to preach, would undoubtedly face competition, exclusion, and pressure, nowhere near as fast as Chen Sanliang.

Chen Sanliang had the full support of the Demon Race, with the entire community providing feedback for his teachings. Chen Sanliang’s cultivation progress would only get faster and faster. How could Zhou Qiucheng hope to catch up with Chen Sanliang?

After hearing this, Zhou Qiucheng was silent for a long, long time before he mumbled: "I may not be without opportunities. One must know the Demon Race cannot expand indefinitely. Once they stop expanding, Chen Sanliang will encounter bottlenecks while my grand path is just beginning its spread. There will still be countless opportunities; it may not be impossible to catch up."

"And what if you catch up? Chen Sanliang’s teachings have no flaws; even if you catch up to him, you cannot defeat him," Zhang Chen advised Zhou Qiucheng.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiucheng mumbled under his breath: "I don’t believe there exists anything perfect!"

Zhang Chen gave Zhou Qiucheng a glance and said nothing further. The other’s obstinacy needed no additional persuasion; this was Zhou Qiucheng’s mental knot, where a Heart Demon had been born, one whom no one could stop.

The two drank heartily, and Zhang Chen could tell Zhou Qiucheng was truly happy.

It wasn’t until dawn that they dispersed, then sat in their carriages, dozing off as the vehicle continuously rocked.

After another half day had passed, suddenly a streak of light flickered in the distance. A figure with a halo appeared in front of the squad, blocking their path.

The convoy stopped, and upon seeing the newcomer with distinguished presence and luxurious attire, clearly a member of the nobility, the Prince’s Mansion guards dared not offend or neglect them. They hurried forward, respectfully making a salute: "Greetings, my lord. May I ask why you are blocking the path of the Prince’s Mansion?"

"Is Zhou Qiucheng in the convoy?" The newcomer did not reveal his identity but instead asked directly.

Upon hearing that the person was searching for Zhou Qiucheng, the guards were startled. Today Zhou Qiucheng had truly made a name for himself throughout the convoy. Thus they adopted a more humble posture and hastily pointed to the rear, saying: "Reporting to you, sir, Zhou Qiucheng is at the back. However, last night he overindulged in drinking and is still sleeping now."

"Take me to him," said the newcomer.

The guard hesitated slightly but didn’t dare disobey orders, leading the newcomer to the carriage where Zhang Chen and Zhou Qiucheng were asleep. The newcomer peeked inside and saw Zhang Chen. "Why is this kid mingling with Zhou Qiucheng? What kind of relationship do they have?"

Then he looked at Zhou Qiucheng, who reeked of alcohol and was snoring, with a furrowed brow. He knocked on Zhou Qiucheng’s leg: "Old Zhou, wake up, the sun’s already heating your backside."

Zhou Qiucheng was a master of the Yang God realm. Although he was asleep, someone calling him would activate his internal Qi Mechanism, refining all the alcohol and clearing his mind. He opened his eyes and, upon seeing the visitor, gasped: "Old Zhong, why are you here?"

The visitor was none other than Zhong Wubai, grandfather of Zhong Xiang, who had been enlightened by Zhang Chen in years past to become a master of the Yang God realm.

"When you confirmed your path, the Academy sensed it and sent me to summon you to impart knowledge there. You may become a new young master at the Academy, ranking seventh after Zhu Xun as a new master. Would you be willing?" inquired Zhong Wubai.

Zhou Qiucheng did not seem surprised by this because once attaining the Dao, breaking through from the Great Scholar realm and paving a grand path meant entering the Academy and enjoying the reverence and worship of all the scholars across the land—this had been the tradition since ancient times.

"At your service, I would not dare defy tradition," said Zhou Qiucheng.

Zhong Xiang nodded and then looked at Zhang Chen. Seeing this, Zhou Qiucheng hastily said to Zhong Xiang: "Zhong, I was about to introduce you to a prodigy of the Confucians. I’m looking to recommend him to the Academy..."

"No need for introductions." Zhong Wubai interrupted Zhou Qiucheng. Zhou Qiucheng paused, then heard Zhong Wubai say: "I know him; he and I are old acquaintances."

"You still remember him?" Zhou Qiucheng was puzzled. Given Zhong Wubai’s esteemed status within the Academy, how could he know Zhang Chen?

"This kid drank till dawn with me yesterday, and I hope you won’t hold it against him for being rude. I’ll wake him up right away." Zhou Qiucheng looked at the still-sleeping Zhang Chen and hurried to shake him awake, but Zhong Wubai quickly stopped him: "Do not disturb the young master’s sleep."

"Young Master?" Zhou Qiucheng was bewildered, his mind buzzing, unable to comprehend why Zhong Wubai called Zhang Chen ’Young Master.’

"I owe my attainment of the Yang God realm entirely to the young master’s guidance, which helped fill the gaps in my knowledge and opened a grand path," Zhong Wubai said. "Hence, I call him ’young master’ and treat him with the respect of half a disciple."

"Zhang Chen actually guided you to become enlightened?" Zhou Qiucheng was flabbergasted upon hearing this, turning to look at the still-sleeping young man in the carriage, his mind buzzing.

What kind of talent did this young man possess? He advised Chen Sanliang, Zhong Wubai, and even himself?

Seeing Zhou Qiucheng’s reaction, Zhong Wubai pondered and said: "Could it be you..."

"Indeed, it was through Zhang Chen’s guidance that I was able to break through and forge a new path, once again comprehending a great truth." Zhou Qiucheng sighed with a bitter smile.

Zhong Wubai stood frozen in place, staring blankly at Zhang Chen, disbelief filling his eyes.

Looking at Zhong Wubai’s dumbfounded expression, Zhou Qiucheng wanted to say that even if Chen Sanliang managed to attain the Dao, it was all due to this young man’s guidance, but he swallowed his words back.

After all, with the current uproar caused by Chen Sanliang, revealing the relationship between him and Zhang Chen would undoubtedly stir up even more chaos.

"I just wonder what kind of shock Zhong Wubai would have if he knew that Chen Sanliang was also guided by Zhang Chen," Zhou Qiucheng mused inwardly.

And so, the two renowned educators of the Academy quietly sat in the carriage, waiting for Zhang Chen to awake from his slumber.

Zhang Chen had indeed drunk a lot last night and, without suppressing his internal energy, had truly gotten drunk. Only a fatal attack could rouse him from his deep sleep.

It wasn’t until the setting sun began to sink in the west that Zhang Chen slowly opened his eyes. He instantly sensed something amiss, detecting Zhong Wubai’s presence.

"Why are you here?" Zhang Chen turned over and sat up, looking at Zhong Wubai with surprise in his eyes.

"Zhou Qiucheng has achieved the Dao, and the Academy invited him to become the Seventh Master. I’ve come specially to welcome Mr. Zhou into the Academy," Zhong Wubai said with a smiling face, saluting with clasped fists:

"It’s been years, yet Young Master still carries the same elegance."

"You look well too; mutually so," Zhang Chen returned the salute.

"Is Young Master hungry? I’ve prepared a roast lamb leg for you," Zhong Wubai looked at Zhang Chen with eagerness in his eyes.

Hearing Zhong Wubai’s words, Zhang Chen sized him up. That attitude made Zhang Chen suspicious; the old man likely had a request.

But what could he possibly want from him?

Zhang Chen pondered slightly, thinking it might be related to academic matters. With that thought, he felt more confident: "Bring it quickly; I happen to be hungry."

Zhong Wubai quickly commanded a nearby attendant, "Quickly serve the roasted lamb leg."

Soon, a golden, crispy roast lamb leg was served by the attendant. Zhang Chen picked up the lamb leg and started gnawing on it, while Zhong Wubai, standing by, flatteringly said, "My young hound often talks about you, mentioning you frequently, hoping you’ll visit Kyoto to discuss."

"That young Zhong Xiang talks about me?" Zhang Chen paused in his lamb-eating. His relationship with Zhong Xiang was hardly amicable, considering he once used Zhong Xiang as a furnace in a cave and left his backside blooming like a flower. Zhong Xiang probably hated him.

"Indeed! He misses you dearly. When you arrive in Kyoto, you must first come to my residence for a talk," Zhong Wubai insisted.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen continued to munch the lamb leg and mumbled, "We’ll see then."

"You must come," Zhong Wubai insisted.

Zhang Chen just focused on eating, not responding. Beside him, Zhou Qiucheng watched Zhong Wubai’s pandering demeanor, his eyes twitching uncontrollably, realizing he might have underestimated Zhang Chen. For someone like Zhong Wubai, who was usually astute, to act so low and subservient was unprecedented in his experience.

"Didn’t you say you had something to discuss with me?" Zhang Chen, having finished the lamb leg, noticed Zhong Wubai’s eager gaze and casually wiped his hands with a handkerchief before asking.

"I have some unresolved academic issues; although you taught me last time, I’ve developed numerous doubts..." Zhong Wubai didn’t hesitate, quickly expressing his academic dilemmas to Zhang Chen.

Standing aside, Zhou Qiucheng watched Zhong Wubai respectfully seek Zhang Chen’s guidance, his mind reeling with disbelief. Such a scene utterly shattered his perceptions.

Who was Zhong Wubai?

A distinguished Fifth Master of the Academy, now asking Zhang Chen’s advice with utmost respect — wasn’t that astonishing?

"Knowing Zhang Chen isn’t his fortune; it’s the greatest fortune of my life," Zhou Qiucheng thought as he observed the scene, his eyes filled with awe, yet he refrained from interrupting, watching Zhang Chen elucidate the Dao and discuss profound truths.

This scene was overwhelmingly impactful. Zhou Qiucheng’s thoughts scattered in all directions, spreading far and wide, countless ideas swirling in his mind, only concluding that he needed to become even closer to Zhang Chen in the future.

Who was Zhong Wubai after all? An authority figure within the Academy, now seeking academic advice from Zhang Chen without reservation, was almost too unbelievable to share.