Chapter 1718: Lo Ruoxi's Worry

It was already late by the time they left Jingxin Pavilion and found their accommodation. Instead of going out to explore, Zhang Xuan remained in his room to consolidate his recently advanced cultivation and meticulously sense the power within him. Cultivation is an arduous process, not something achieved overnight. Even a genius like him had to work tirelessly to reach his current level of achievement.

With this breakthrough, his Witch Soul and True Qi simultaneously reached Grand Saint 2-dan Consummation. Combined with the Dragon Bone Divine Spear and his mastery of various truths of time and space, he was now capable of engaging even a peak Immortal Realm expert in combat. This was unlike before, when he had to rely on external forces such as the Blood of Kong Shi.

For several consecutive days, he remained in his residence, rarely venturing out. Three days later, the members of the Zhang Clan arrived to rendezvous with him. Through their cultivation, Sword Saints Xing and Meng had thoroughly consolidated their Immortal Realm strength. When they wielded their sword arts in cooperation, they could even contend with peak Immortal Realm experts. Beneath the Ancient Sages, there were now few who could inflict harm upon them.

Nearly all the Grand Elders of the Zhang Clan who had been in seclusion arrived. Zhang Xuan observed that over twenty of them alone had reached the Immortal Realm. As expected of the foremost clan on the Master Teacher Continent, their foundations were indeed terrifyingly profound.

“Zhang Xuan, I hear it’s quite lively outside… Would you be interested in taking a stroll?”

On the fifth day, Luo Ruoxi came to find him.

“Alright!” Zhang Xuan nodded. Remaining in Qufu solely for cultivation had indeed become somewhat monotonous. It was a good opportunity to explore.

Upon stepping out of their residence, Zhang Xuan observed that in just a few days, the town had become significantly more vibrant than it was four days prior. Not only were there countless master teachers and experts from the Master Teacher Pavilion, but an unknown number of patriarchs and grand elders from various other professions had also arrived. This place had effectively transformed into a haven for experts. Even numerous Saint Beasts, having reached the Grand Saint level, had flown here.

Nevertheless, despite the large crowds, everything remained orderly and peaceful, with no apparent conflicts, battles, or competitions disrupting the harmony. “This is a sacred land,” Luo Ruoxi explained, “no one dares to cause trouble here. Any genuine conflicts are resolved by fighting outside the city.” Qufu, the location of the Temple of Confucius and the ancestral land of the Master Teacher Pavilion, was indeed not a place where anyone would dare to cause trouble.

“Do you think there are members of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe here?” Zhang Xuan asked as they walked along the street, observing the crowded flow of people. Legend had it that even Otherworldly Demonic Tribe emperors could disguise themselves as master teachers without detection, fooling even nine-star master teachers. Since Saint Beasts and numerous human experts from various professions had gathered, the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe would certainly not miss this opportunity to infiltrate.

“Likely,” Luo Ruoxi nodded, then seemed to recall something and looked at him. “After the Temple of Confucius ruins open, those who enter will be teleported to random locations and won't be able to stay together! At that time… you must be careful!”

“Teleported randomly?” Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

“Yes, Wu Chen has been inquiring about the Temple of Confucius’s opening these past few days. It’s said that once it opens, we’ll all be instantly enveloped and then randomly teleported. No one knows where they’ll end up… It’s also possible that the groups we’re teleported into could include members of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe, so you must not let your guard down!”

“Understood! I will be careful,” Zhang Xuan nodded. If it truly was random teleportation, he would resort to disguise if necessary. Apart from the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe, even the Hundred Schools of Philosophers harbored deep animosity towards him. While his strength was considerable, he couldn’t contend with overwhelming numbers. Caution was paramount; he certainly didn’t want to be killed before even setting foot inside the Temple of Confucius.

“This pendant was given to me by my father… if you encounter danger, it can save your life…” After a slight hesitation, Luo Ruoxi removed a pendant from her neck and offered it to him. It resembled crystal on the outside, but glowed with a dazzling, vibrant red from within, like solidified blood.

“This…” Zhang Xuan looked at her, his face full of confusion as she offered him the item. Even if the Temple of Confucius posed dangers, he was, by all accounts, an expert comparable to a peak Immortal Realm master. Surely, it wouldn’t be so easy for anyone to harm him!

“Just take it. No one knows the precise conditions inside the Temple of Confucius! What if there’s something that allows one to break through to Ancient Sage, and an Otherworldly Demonic Tribe member achieves a breakthrough and discovers your identity? You’ll certainly face considerable trouble…” Seeing that he hesitated to accept it, she clarified that the ‘identity’ she referred to was his status as a Heavenly Acknowledged Master Teacher.

Zhang Xuan fell silent. She had a valid point. It had been ten thousand years since anyone on the Master Teacher Continent could break through to Ancient Sage. However, the Temple of Confucius had been sealed for tens of thousands of years, making it entirely possible that it contained items capable of facilitating such a breakthrough! If an Otherworldly Demonic Tribe member were to obtain such a breakthrough and then learn of his identity, he would indeed likely be hunted relentlessly. While he didn’t fear facing Immortal Realm experts, when it came to Ancient Sages… he would run as far as his legs could carry him. They were simply not on the same level.

“If I take this, what about you?” Understanding her good intentions, Zhang Xuan accepted the pendant, then looked at her with a puzzled expression. If this item could truly protect a life, what would become of her?

“You don’t need to worry about me… Even if I can’t win, I can still escape.” Shaking her head, Luo Ruoxi clearly didn't want to dwell on the topic. She then looked at him again. “Just now… I saw Luo Qiqi!”

“Luo Qiqi?” Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned. “She’s here?” He hadn’t seen her since their separation at the Luo Clan. If Luo Ruoxi had seen her, did that mean Luo Qiqi had also come here? It made sense. Luo Qiqi possessed the Quiet Sky Pearl, and her strength was in no way inferior to an Immortal Realm expert. Given the significance of the Temple of Confucius opening, her presence here was perfectly normal.

“Indeed. She… is a good girl!”

“Ruoxi, are you… alright?” Zhang Xuan frowned, seeing her suddenly praise his romantic rival.

“It’s nothing, I just feel that once the Temple of Confucius opens and we are separated… I’m afraid we might not have another chance to meet.” A trace of worry crossed Luo Ruoxi’s flawless features. Once inside the Temple of Confucius ruins, no one knew where they would be teleported. At that point, their lives would no longer be within their control, and their ultimate fate remained uncertain. Perhaps… this was already their final meeting.

“Don’t worry,” Zhang Xuan said, “even if there are dangers inside the Temple of Confucius, we will definitely overcome them together…” Zhang Xuan wore a helpless expression, seeing her worried about such things. This girl, ever since he had known her, had always appeared composed and indifferent to most matters. Why was she suddenly so sentimental today?

With the Temple of Confucius opening and countless experts from the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe, the Hundred Schools of Philosophers, and others entering, danger was inevitable. But to say… that he would be killed, was likely not so easy. Although he couldn’t discern the exact extent of the girl’s strength before him, his current perception couldn’t see her true depth, which was enough to suggest she was even more formidable than he was at that moment. Given this, what was there to fear?

“I hope so. Enough about this,” she said with a slight smile, interrupting him. The girl no longer dwelled on the matter, extending her hand. “Where is that Inherited Mother Charm? Can you let me see it?”

“Here!” With a flick of his wrist, Zhang Xuan retrieved the small charm and handed it to her. This item had been obtained by both of them. Even if she wished to keep it, let alone just see it, Zhang Xuan would have no objections.