Library of Heaven’s Path

”You are asking if we are still recruiting?”

Looks of bewilderment filled the faces in the area.

”That’s right!” Xiao Qin gritted his teeth in determination. ”I wish to join the Xuanxuan Faction!”

”This…” Upon hearing those words, everyone’s eyes lit up. Ruohuan gongzi burst into laughter before replying, ”That’s not a problem at all! If our principal were to learn than an outstanding expert like you wishes to join our ranks, he would definitely be delighted as well!”

”So... you are agreeing to it?” Xiao Qin asked nervously.

If there were only one or two strong individuals amongst them, he could still attribute it to their outstanding talent. However, all several thousand members were that powerful, it could only mean that they had an outstanding teacher.

The primary goal of a combat master was to advance their fighting prowess. Only with greater strength would they be able to protect mankind from the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe and other threats.

Considering that the Xuanxuan Faction was willing to impart its knowledge to anyone who was willing to learn, allowing him to attain power swiftly, why should he hesitate in joining its ranks?

”Of course, our Xuanxuan Faction welcomes all kinds of talent!” Ruohuan gongzi chuckled as he flicked his wrist and took out a book. ”Here is a manual which contains the compilation of our understanding of the knowledge that our principal has imparted to us thus far. It isn’t wholesome, but it does cover many aspects of battle. You can take a look first, it might just prove to be of help to you in furthering your strength!”

”This…” Xiao Qin took the book, and upon taking a brief glance at it, his heart suddenly jolted in astonishment.

Even just by looking at the first page, he could tell by his eye of discernment and keen instinct for battle techniques that the content compiled within the book was an unparalleled manual of combat insights.

As long as he were to study it diligently, he would definitely be able to bring his strength up another level.

While he was shocked by the content of the manual, he also couldn’t help but feel a little moved.

It was just a moment ago that he requested to join the Xuanxuan Faction, but the other party still chose to hand him such a valuable book to him without the slightest bit of hesitation.

The deep trust that they showed in him left him with an indescribable feeling of warmth within.

”There is only one rule to our Xuanxuan Faction, and that is to obey Principal Zhang Xuan’s commands and strive to assist him wherever possible. Other than that, there are no particular boundaries for our Xuanxuan Faction. We promote the sharing of knowledge amongst members without any concealment so that we could grow together as an entire whole.” Seeing through Xiao Qin’s thoughts, Ruohuan gongzi explained.

From the very start, the Xuanxuan Faction was only a student faction, not an official organization. Furthermore, the primary aim why the organization was founded was to band the freshmen together so that they would be able to protect themselves from the tyranny of the seniors, so the management wasn’t particularly strict.

Even though Zhang Xuan had become the principal and their primary aim had already ceased the exist, the culture of free communication of knowledge and resources had still been preserved.

The more capable members would help to explain difficult concepts to weaker members, and those who were equal in strength would learn from one another and improve together... It was also under such a culture that even the average members of the Xuanxuan Faction were able to advance their cultivation by so much within a short span of several months, such that even a Thousand Men Commander of the Combat Master Hall would be no match for them.

On the other hand, seeing that the Xuanxuan Faction had its ideology based upon the true essence of ’teacherhood’, creating a culture of transparency of knowledge regardless of background, Xiao Qin couldn’t help but feel deeply impressed.

”I am Xiao Qin, a Thousand Men Commander of the Combat Master Hall. To tell you the truth, I have come here with the intention to assess whether the Xuanxuan Faction is qualified to have an exchange with the Combat Master Hall. However, after taking a look, the Xuanxuan Faction is indeed as amazing as the rumors put it out to be. And its leader, Principal Zhang Xuan, is truly the role model of all master teachers!”

At this point, Xiao Qin’s eyes lit up as he continued, ”To be honest with you, there are still several hundred combat masters out there waiting for my news. If it’s not too much, I hope to bring them into the Xuanxuan Faction as well!”

He was rather familiar with most of the combat masters who had come to the manor today, and most of them were deeply interested in advancing their fighting prowess. Without a doubt, the Xuanxuan Faction was an ideal platform for them to achieve their goals. If they were to learn of this, they would surely join the Xuanxuan Faction without any hesitation.

”Several hundred combat masters will be joining the Xuanxuan Faction?”

The crowd couldn’t help but be stunned by the news.

”Does the Combat Master Hall permit you to join other organizations?” Ruohuan gongzi couldn’t help but ask.

No matter what, the Combat Master Hall could be considered as a military branch of the Master Teacher Pavilion. It didn’t seem likely for it to allow its members to join other organizations easily.

”The Combat Master Hall has no particular rules regarding that aspect. Furthermore, considering that the Xuanxuan Faction is a student faction of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, it can be considered as an organization of the Master Teacher Pavilion as well. Thus, there should no problem in us joining the Xuanxuan Faction!” Xiao Qin replied with a smile.

The rules of the Combat Master Hall were mainly directed towards preventing combat masters from betraying mankind, but considering that the Xuanxuan Faction was an organization of master teachers, it was unlikely that it would cross the bottom line of the Combat Master Hall.

Besides, the Xuanxuan Faction was also a lax organization with few commitments. Even if the hall master were to learn of this matter, it was unlikely that he would say much about it, either.

”Since that’s the case, feel free to invite your friends over then... This would also be a good opportunity for our members to learn from you all as well!” Seeing that it wasn’t a problem, Ruohuan gongzi nodded.

”Alright!” Xiao Qin quickly left the manor, and not too long later, he returned with two hundred men behind him.

Naturally, it was inevitable that there would be some battles in their first encounter with one another, but considering how even Xiao Qin wasn’t a match for the members of the Xuanxuan Faction, less had to be said about the other combat masters.

In less than two hours, the two hundred combat masters had nothing but admiration left for the members of the Xuanxuan Faction. They fought with one another for the opportunity to interact with the members of the Xuanxuan Faction at a deeper level.

The more that they crossed blows and traded insights with the members of the Xuanxuan Faction, the more astounded they were by the level of comprehension that their principal had regarding combat. At the same time, the admiration they felt towards their principal also inevitably deepened as well.

To impart such profound combat insights to the public without any reservations was almost unthinkable! Just what exactly what kind of person was their principal?

The combat masters who had just joined the Xuanxuan Faction couldn’t help but be filled with curiosity towards him.

...

The Elder Conference Hall of the Combat Master Hall.

”I have taken a look at the report sent in by Zhuo Qingfeng and Feng Xun, and the fact that Principal Zhang Xuan was able to raise the fighting prowess of ordinary members to match combat masters shows that he’s an extraordinary figure. We should pay close note to the students during the exchange, and if there are talented individuals amongst them, try to recruit them into our ranks so as to bolster the forces of our Qingyuan Empire Combat Master Hall!” an elder seated on the main seat of the conference table stroked his beard and said.

The head of the Qingyuan Empire Combat Master Hall, as well as Half-Leaving Aperture realm expert, Xing Zhuoyuan.

While the notion of an exchange with the Master Teacher Academy of a vassal nation sounded ridiculous, it was a motion endorsed by a few Thousand Men Commanders of their Combat Master Hall. As such, Xing Zhuoyuan was also interested to see whether the little Master Teacher Academy was truly as powerful as everyone put it out to be.

If that was truly the case, he could try to bring in some of their talents into their branch so as to further strengthen themselves.

”Hall Master Xing is indeed wise, our thoughts have been too narrow!”

”With Hall Master Xing’s sharp insight, our Qingyuan Empire Combat Master Hall would surely rise to greater heights!”

Upon hearing Xing Zhuoyuan’s explanation, the various division heads and elders couldn’t help but nod in commendation.

When they first heard that Xing Zhuoyuan had approved to the exchange, they were astounded.

The Combat Master Hall had always been a symbol of strength for the master teachers, an unreachable target for them. Considering how the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy was just a cradle for master teachers in a vassal nation of Qingyuan Empire, it was beneath their Combat Master Hall to hold an exchange with them.

It was only at this moment did they finally comprehend the thoughts which Xing Zhuoyuan had put into this matter.

If one were to describe master teachers as the geniuses amongst the populace, the combat masters would be the geniuses amongst the geniuses. Even within a group of several thousand master teachers, there might not even be a single individual who would be qualified as a combat master.

It was due to the high standards of the Combat Master Hall that there were very few combat masters around. If what Zhuo Qingfeng and the others said were true, and the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy was truly filled with powerful individuals who could subdue cultivators beyond their current cultivation realm, it would indeed be a good opportunity for them to pull in some fresh blood.

”Right, Hall Master Xing. Even though the exchange is set on three days from now, there are many combat masters who feel indignant at the notion of having to face the students of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy as equals, so they have secretly sneaked off to the accommodations of our guests intending to try out their skills…” At this moment, an elder suddenly recalled a certain matter and reported.

The head of the Martial Arts Division, Division Head Zhen Ying!

Just like the school system of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, the Combat Master Hall was also divided into multiple divisions. All in all, there were a total of ten divisions, namely the Weapon Division, Fist Division, Palm Division, Footwork Division, Martial Arts Division, Internal Breath Division, Guardian Division, Soul Division, as well as the most secretive Heart Division!

Each of these divisions represented a complete heritage, and it served to draw out the full potential of a combat master in a certain aspect.

For example, the Weapon Division could be divided into saber, sword, spear, and the various weapons. Those who were able to join its ranked were mostly combat masters who had grasped Weapon Intent.

On the other hand, the combat masters of the Palm Division specialized in palm arts and wielded incredible strength, and the combat masters of the Footwork Division specialized in movement techniques and possessed outstanding agility.

As for the Soul Division, combat masters would cultivate their souls and learn battle techniques effective against bringing down souls there.

As there was a limit to what an individual could learn, it was impossible for one to be capable in every single field. As such, the Combat Master hall divided the combat masters into the various divisions based on their proficiency. Through specialization, not only would they be stronger individually, they would also be able to better complement one another in group battles against the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe.

”I have heard of that matter too. Don’t worry, just let them be. This will also be a good opportunity to see if the Xuanxuan Faction of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy is truly as capable as Zhuo Qingfeng and the others put them out to be!” Hall Master Xing replied with a chuckle.

Xiao Qin and the others had thought that they had managed to slip out without catching anyone’s notice, but considering how more than two hundred combat masters had suddenly vanished from the Combat Master Hall, it didn’t take long for the others to catch wind of what they were up to.

In fact, almost every single division head and elder on the conference table was aware of it. However, they chose to left the combat masters to their own devices.

”That’s what I thought too, so I allowed them to act as they please. I have already sent someone to scout the situation, so we should receive some news very soon!” Division Head Zhen Ying nodded.

”Seems like all of us have the same intention in mind. We have also sent scouts of our own over, so we should be able to learn whether the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy is the real deal this time around... Good, it seems like the news is in!” Halfway through another division head’s words, he suddenly flicked his wrist, and a Communication Jade Token appeared in his hands.

With a smile still lingering on his lips, he lowered his head to take a look, and his face abruptly stiffened.

”What’s wrong? Did our combat masters lose in a duel against them?” Upon noticing the peculiar expression on the division head’s face, Hall Master Xing asked.

”News has come in on my side as well. Let me take a look…” Division Head Zhen Ying seemed to have felt something as well, and a Communication Jade Token materialized in his hands. Upon scanning the content, he suddenly froze on the spot as well, unable to speak a word.

”What’s going on? Say something!” Taking the reactions of the two division heads into sight, an elder couldn’t take it any longer, and he exclaimed in frustration. Thus, he walked forward and took the Communication Jade Token from Division Head Zhen Ying’s hand. However, after taking a look, he froze on the spot too.

It took a very long time before Hall Master Zhen Ying was able to exclaim with a tearful voice, ”Hall Master Xing... it seems like before we could even recruit them into our ranks, our combat masters have already been taken in by the Xuanxuan Faction!”