Book 2: Chapter 89: Heading to Zouyi City
Seeing everyone agree, Zhang Xuan said no more. With a skybound grab, an immense power enveloped the group, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived within the Xuan World.
Suspended mid-air, Zhang Xuan gently pointed, and a sea of clouds materialized before them. Then, towering palaces appeared out of thin air, each featuring spacious rooms and grand martial arts fields. Everything from food to bathing essentials was fully equipped.
Creating a world was as simple as a thought for him.
"Time distortion!"
With a single thought, Zhang Xuan enveloped the cloud in a special barrier. Moments later, the flow of time around the palaces subtly shifted, becoming about twice as fast as the outside world. One day outside equaled two days here. Although it was far from the 100:1 ratio of the Firmament and Master Teacher Continent, it was a start.
As he pushed further, he felt the stabilized space begin to tremble, as if it might collapse at any moment.
Time and space exist simultaneously, mutually reinforcing each other. Altering time effectively changes the metabolic rate of all life within the space. It’s akin to halving the lifespan of a person meant to live 100 years. Without a strong enough body, they would perish under the strain.
The 5 million strands of Heaven\'s Fate Energy used to stabilize the Xuan World had made it somewhat similar in durability to the Source World. Yet, adjusting the flow of time proved to be beyond its current capacity.For now, doubling time was the limit. Any higher, and the world would risk collapsing.
"Double speed it is. Once I acquire more Heaven\'s Fate Energy, I can reinforce it further," Zhang Xuan muttered.
The Source World spans four dimensions—length, width, height, and time. Doubling the time flow required 5 million strands of energy. Increasing it to four times would need 80 million strands, or 5 million multiplied by 2 raised to the power of four.
As for eight times, it would cost 160 million strands.
To make matters worse, the Xuan World constantly absorbed Source Energy and kept expanding. Even with so much Heaven\'s Fate Energy, it still wouldn\'t be enough.
Clearly, Heaven\'s Fate Energy remained a bottleneck for Zhang Xuan. There was still a long way to go.
"You all stay here and focus on reaching the Dharma Aspect Realm. Once you\'ve done that, I\'ll think of a way to help you comprehend Heaven\'s Fate," Zhang Xuan instructed.
For the Xuan World to progress faster, comprehending a powerful Heaven\'s Fate was essential. Although the Xuan World’s time acceleration could enhance the Source Pool and physical strength, it offered no help in Heaven\'s Fate cultivation.
"Alright!" Luo Ruoxi nodded and walked up, sniffing lightly as she approached. Raising an eyebrow, she glanced at him with a half-smile. "Who\'s this?"
"Who’s who?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled.
Luo Ruoxi\'s tone remained indifferent. "Pretty, isn’t she?"
Realizing who she meant, Zhang Xuan nodded. "You mean Fu Yingying? She cultivates the Fox Charm Destiny and asked for my help…"
Before he could finish, Luo Ruoxi\'s gaze turned cold. "I want to learn that Heaven\'s Fate!"
"You???" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
Her usual aloof demeanor hardly matched the seductive allure of the Fox Charm Destiny. Was she joking?
But if she mastered it… life might get interesting. With her beauty, such techniques could throw the entire world into chaos.
"Take me along the next time you meet her," Luo Ruoxi said, striding toward the largest palace without looking back.
"Uh…" Zhang Xuan scratched his head awkwardly.
The disciples watching the exchange all stifled their laughter.
"Alright, stop loitering. Go cultivate!" Waving his hand, Zhang Xuan, flustered, fled the Xuan World and returned to the Source World.
After sorting everything out, he headed to the courtyard where Yu Longqing and two others resided.
"Teacher Zhang, now that Cold Night is dead, I should be safe. I plan to return to White Rock City, live in anonymity, and spend the rest of my days with my father," Sun Lianxiang said. ŔA
"Alright," Zhang Xuan nodded.
Though she was a royal consort, she had been a caged bird, her emotions dictated by Han Qianye. By helping her break free, Zhang Xuan had granted her liberty.
As for higher realms or grander ambitions, she had no interest.
"And you two?" Zhang Xuan turned to Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong.
The two men had supported him throughout his journey. If they wanted to stay with him, he\'d bring them along.
"My family and business are in White Rock City. For now, I don\'t wish to leave," Yu Longqing replied.
Although his daughter followed Zhang Xuan, his wife and other children remained in White Rock City.
Lu Mingrong also nodded. "White Rock Academy has worked hard to maintain its advantage over other academies. If I leave, I fear the others won’t work diligently enough."
"Alright then," Zhang Xuan relented. He handed over some treasures and medicines obtained from defeated enemies and instructed Sun Qiang to escort them back.
Everyone has their own pursuits. Not everyone is willing to take risks.
Explaining the truth about Ling Buyang’s identity to Yue Longxiao, Zhang Xuan handed over Ling Buyang\'s corpse and claimed rewards amounting to 60 million. He also exposed Han Qianye and Han Qianchou’s misdeeds, claiming additional bounties.
By the time Zhang Xuan left Han Yuan City, his assets exceeded 1 billion Source Coins, making him a certified tycoon.
Learning of his departure, Yue Longxiao breathed a sigh of relief. "Lord Zhang, I’ve been reassigned to Zouyi City’s royal capital for my contributions. Let’s meet there!"
After finalizing matters, Zhang Xuan sought out Min Jiangtao, who presented him with an Iron-Scaled Winged Beast, a Star River Realm Level One source beast.
The beast, resembling a wyvern with scales instead of feathers, roared defiantly as Zhang Xuan approached.
"Silence!"
With a frown, Zhang Xuan released his Tidal Wave Momentum. The beast immediately collapsed, trembling uncontrollably.
“Since it’s uncooperative, I’ll stick with my Blackscale Phoenix Eagle,” Zhang Xuan said, patting his eagle affectionately.
To everyone’s shock, he upgraded the eagle to the Dharma Aspect Realm with a single strike. The once-arrogant Iron-Scaled Winged Beast now groveled before him, eager for the same treatment.
Finally, Zhang Xuan mounted the Winged Beast, taking along Dao Li and Sun Qiang. Looking at the distant city, he clenched his fist. "Kong Shi, here I come!"
Author\'s Note