Chapter 199: Chapter 57: Vice Hall Master
In the hall, Han Xiao and Chai Yunsheng sat opposite each other.
Seeing Zhang Xuan approaching, Chai Yunsheng rose to his feet with fists clasped: “Elder Ling, oh, that’s not right, Vice Hall Master Ling, I want to congratulate you in advance here!”
Zhang Xuan: “Vice Hall Master?”
Han Xiao nodded with a smile: “We have already convened an Elder Conference and promoted you to Vice Hall Master. Here is the official appointment letter. From now on, you will manage the Heaven Mandate Hall in Han Yuan City together with Vice Hall Master Chai and strive to make it flourish!”
Receiving the appointment letter, Zhang Xuan revealed a look of excitement: “Thank you, Hall Master, for your mentorship. If it weren’t for the pills you provided, I wouldn’t have been able to make a breakthrough so quickly…”
“It’s only right!”
Han Xiao raised his hand to interrupt him, looking over with a face full of anticipation: “I’m very gratified to see you growing so quickly. To be honest, I will resign from the position of Hall Master next year… From then on, the future of Heaven Mandate Hall will depend on you.”
Zhang Xuan was startled: “Hall Master, you are still young…”
Han Xiao shook his head: “Over these years, I have always wanted to pursue a higher cultivation realm, but unfortunately, I’ve been bogged down by too many trivial matters to concentrate on my practice. Now with your strength having made a breakthrough, there are no more worries for Heaven Mandate Hall, and there’s no need for me to continue holding onto this position. Starting from today, I will assess all your actions, and once I step down, whoever is more outstanding will become the Hall Master!”
Chai Yunsheng and Zhang Xuan exchanged glances and nodded at the same time: “Yes!”
Stroking his beard, Han Xiao smiled: “Bu Yang, the books you wanted have been prepared for you. They’re on the third floor of Heaven Mandate Hall. Now that you’re a Vice Hall Master, you are qualified to view them… I won’t disturb you any further now!”
After speaking, Han Xiao and Chai Yunsheng turned and left. After taking only a few steps, Zhang Xuan heard the former’s voice transmission.
“Bu Yang, to tell you the truth, I have higher hopes for you. I have always wanted you to take my place. If you hadn’t become the Vice Hall Master, I would certainly have held on for a few more years…”
Zhang Xuan quickly clasped his fists: “Thank you, Hall Master, for your deep affection and mentorship!”
“Good, work hard!”
After Han Xiao finished speaking, he walked out the gate. Soon after, Zhang Xuan saw streams of Heavenly Mandate Vitality pouring in from the void, drilling into his body, though the quantity was not much.
A Balanced Destiny was completed once again.
Without absorbing it, Zhang Xuan stepped forward and instructed: “I’m going to Heaven Mandate Hall!”
Indeed, on the third floor of Heaven Mandate Hall’s Book Collection Vault, he found the books mentioned by Master Han, all about the Ninefold Source Pool, dense as the stars, numbering two to three hundred.
With a flick of his finger, he took all the books into the Library of Heaven’s Path. With the number of books now sufficient, with the help of the Heavens’ Order, he successfully formed a cultivation technique for the Dharma Form Realm.
On the street, the bodies of Yu Longqing and others had been cleaned up, the clear street now emitting the fragrance of earth, as if the recent battle had never happened.
“Your Majesty, Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong are already on their way. If nothing unexpected happens, they should be able to arrive at the royal palace by noon tomorrow…”
A powerful guard dressed in golden armor approached.
Han Qianchou nodded.
“Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong? The city lord and Dean of Baiyan City?” Sun Lianxiang looked over questioningly.
Her father, Sun Chengyou, had always lived in Baiyan City, and had just returned there not long ago, very familiar with it.
Han Qianchou said: “After returning from Baiyan City, Ling Buyang’s cultivation suddenly surged, and his actions were completely different from before. I suspect someone is impersonating him… According to investigations, during this period in Baiyan City, there was a genius named Zhang Xuan, and the two of them seem to be related. That’s why I wanted to invite these two here for questioning!”
Sun Lianxiang frowned: “Zhang Xuan?”
Han Qianchou looked at her: “Does the princess know of him?”
Sun Lianxiang nodded: “I have met this genius. His medical skills are extremely profound. It was his treatment that brought my father back to life from the brink of death!”
Han Qianchou’s eyes revealed a look of astonishment: “Elder Sun’s illness, which numerous top physicians from the royal family could not cure, this person actually managed to treat? What exactly happened? Could you please explain in detail!”
“It was like this, father knew his illness was incurable and so went back to Baiyan City. When I arrived, he had already passed away…”
Sun Lianxiang recounted her experiences in detail.
After hearing her words, Han Qianchou and Han Qianye exchanged looks, their faces filled with disbelief.
Reviving someone who had already stopped breathing on the spot… Such medical skills could only be described as unprecedented.
“Does big brother suspect… that Ling Buyang is disguising himself as Zhang Xuan?” Han Qianye asked.
Han Qianchou responded, “Hmm! It’s not uncommon for one’s personality to change greatly, but for such a drastic change, it’s extremely rare. Not to mention anything else, would the old Ling Buyang have agreed to a duel with you? And when encountering Scholar Yu and the others, would he have killed them all, leaving no survivors?”
Han Qianye fell silent.
Ling Buyang’s strength was not weak, but his reputation in Han Yuan City was quite average. Given his temperament and personality, he definitely wouldn’t have engaged in these two bloody affairs.
“That’s not right!”
After a moment of silence, Han Qianye said, “If it’s a disguise, it wouldn’t be possible to execute the Mo Dao Destiny, let alone cultivate to the second realm…”
This was the biggest inconsistency.
Destiny wasn’t something one could learn after just a glance; it required the approval of its controller to break through the Fate Lock and smoothly continue cultivation.
Therefore, while outsiders could disguise themselves with Painting Skin, their cover would be blown the moment they tried to use destiny.
Han Qianchou asked, “Have you ever heard of a Mandate Chaos Master?”
Han Qianye replied, “Of course, it’s said they can stir divination and change predetermined fates… and are not tolerated by the Heaven Mandate Hall. Does big brother suspect that this Zhang Xuan… might be a Mandate Chaos Master?”
With a flash in his eyes, Han Qianchou said, “Correct. The princess consort mentioned that not only are this person’s medical skills and beast taming research profound, but his cultivation speed is also beyond imagination… The most crucial point is, not long after Ling Buyang went to Baiyan City, he vanished, as though he never existed! No matter how you look at it, it’s all very strange. Forget it, no matter how much we speculate here, it’s all false. Once Yu Longqing and the others arrive, we will naturally find out everything.”
Han Qianye nodded, “If it’s confirmed that Ling Buyang is disguised as this Zhang Xuan, and is also a Mandate Chaos Master, how would big brother handle it?”
Han Qianchou declared, “Mandate Chaos Masters must be executed by all! If our Han Yuan Dynasty can be the first to capture one, we will certainly reap unimaginable benefits, helping both you and me break through—it’s not impossible!”
Han Qianye gave an affirmative reply.
The Heaven Mandate Hall held great fear towards Mandate Chaos Masters. Capturing one would bring immense benefits, so much so that even if it meant expanding the Han Yuan Dynasty’s territory by tenfold, they would surely agree.
However, this matter required careful confirmation and thoughtful planning.
Mandate Chaos Masters all had great destiny on their side, not to mention others. The Zhou Yi Dynasty’s individual with low cultivation, despite numerous experts attacking, managed to escape successfully, proving that without sufficient preparation, one should absolutely not make a move rashly.
“Of course, records of Mandate Chaos Masters are scarce. In any case, such individuals are very special, and if we could recruit them, it would also be a good choice, depending on whether he knows what’s good for him!”
Han Qianchou waved his hand grandiosely, revealing immense confidence.
As an emperor, he enjoyed the feeling of controlling everything, and this matter was no different. Although Mandate Chaos Masters were formidable, with proper handling, they could surely become a significant asset to him.
“Yes!” Han Qianye didn’t say more and strode toward the direction of the royal palace with the rest.
In the room, Zhang Xuan stood up.
The cultivation method of the Ninefold Source Pool of Heaven’s Path Divine Art, though formed, did not progress as quickly as before. A night of effort had only just stabilized the Travel Realm.
Speaking of cultivation realm alone, he was comparable to Ling Buyang at that time, but in terms of strength, defeating a true Dharma Form Realm pinnacle expert was almost impossible. He could be considered one of the top-tier practitioners in the whole of Han Yuan City.
“Above the Ninefold Source Pool, there must be another realm, it’s just that I don’t know what it is…”
Zhang Xuan surmised.
The cultivation methods of Han Yuan City went up to the Ninefold Source Pool, with nothing recorded about what lay beyond. However, Dharma was certainly not the end of cultivation.
As he stepped out of the room, Zhang Xuan was considering who to ask about this when he suddenly felt a surge of special strength, and his newly stabilized cultivation seemed to have advanced a bit more.
“Is this… someone has comprehended the Mo Dao Destiny? Who could it be?”
In an instant, Zhang Xuan was filled with curiosity.