A Visit to the Zhang Residence, Lexuan Takes a Master

Early the next morning, Chen Xuan left the courtyard residence with Lu Yun.

Chen Xuan wore a dark brocade robe today, his hair combed impeccably, with an antique jade token hanging from his waist.

He strode ahead while Lu Yun followed half a step behind, having also changed into a neat azure official robe.

The two did not take the side alleys. Instead, they went around via the main street toward the south of the city, heading for the Zhang Residence.

Azure Mist City's morning market was already bustling. When the street vendors and passersby saw Lu Yun's attire, they quickly made way.

Some bolder people secretly glanced at Chen Xuan, sensing that the old man possessed an extraordinary bearing, though they could not guess his identity.

Upon arriving at the Zhang Residence, Lu Yun stepped forward first and presented his calling card.

The gatekeeper took one look at it and went pale. "Lord City Patrol Envoy? Please wait a moment, this humble one will report it at once!"

Not long afterward, Zhang Yuanshan, the Zhang Family's old patriarch, personally came out to receive them.

The old man was over seventy, his beard and hair half white, yet his back remained straight.

Several younger members of the family followed behind him, all wearing restrained expressions. The moment they saw Lu Yun, Zhang Yuanshan hurriedly bowed.

"I did not know Lord City Patrol Envoy would be visiting. Forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar."

Lu Yun stepped aside without accepting the bow. "Elder Zhang, there is no need for such courtesy. I am not the main guest today. This senior is."

Zhang Yuanshan followed his gaze toward Chen Xuan and paused slightly.

Chen Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze as calm as still water.

But Zhang Yuanshan was no fool. He could only sense that the old man's aura was unfathomably deep, like an ancient well whose bottom could not be seen.

"This senior is..." Zhang Yuanshan hesitated.

Lu Yun lowered his voice and said only one sentence. "Shrek Academy, Sea God Pavilion, Taotie Douluo Xuan Zi."

Zhang Yuanshan went completely stiff.

His mouth opened, but no sound came out for a long while.

It was only when a younger family member behind him reminded him softly that he suddenly came back to his senses and hurriedly tried to kneel.

Chen Xuan raised a hand, and Zhang Yuanshan found himself unable to bow.

"There is no need for such formality," Chen Xuan said mildly. "I came today because there is something I would like to discuss with Elder Zhang. Let us speak inside."

"Yes, yes, yes. Please come in, Elder Xuan! Lord City Patrol Envoy, please!"

Zhang Yuanshan hurriedly led the two of them into the main hall.

Tea, fruit, and refreshments were brought in one after another. Several prominent members of the Zhang Family were all summoned to keep them company.

Yet although everyone sat down, no one dared speak first.

Chen Xuan lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip before saying, "Elder Zhang, I came today because of your granddaughter, Zhang Lexuan."

Zhang Yuanshan's heart skipped a beat. "Lexuan? Did she offend Elder Xuan in some way?"

"Offend me?" Chen Xuan smiled. "Not at all. That little girl has a very kind heart.

During my days in Azure Mist City, she gave me money and brought me pastries.

This old face of mine was apparently taken for that of an old beggar."

Zhang Yuanshan exchanged looks with several family members, all of them showing astonishment and confusion.

Chen Xuan continued, "This girl is exceptionally gifted. Innate Full Soul Power, Two-Ring at nine years old, and her character is upright as well.

I intend to take her as my personal disciple. What does Elder Zhang think?"

Zhang Yuanshan was completely dumbfounded.

He had lived for over sixty years, and his greatest wish had been to keep the Zhang Family from declining entirely under his watch.

But no matter how great his ambitions, he had never imagined that they might become connected to a Sea God Pavilion elder.

That was the Sea God Pavilion, the foremost academy on the entire continent.

Taotie Douluo was even the pillar that held this academy steady.

Such a figure wanted to take his granddaughter as a personal disciple?

Zhang Yuanshan's lips trembled. Only after a long while did he rise to his feet, his voice shaking. "What Elder Xuan says... is it true?"

Chen Xuan nodded. "I do not speak empty words."

Zhang Yuanshan turned and waved at the family members. "Quick, go call Lexuan here. No, I will go myself!"

"No rush." Chen Xuan raised a hand. "Elder Zhang, sit down first. I have not finished speaking."

He paused. His voice was not loud, yet everyone in the hall fell silent.

"My disciple will not remain in the Zhang Family. I will bring her back to Shrek Academy and teach her personally.

Once she completes her studies, she will become a member of the Inner Court.

At the very least, she will succeed me as the deputy commander of the Sea God Pavilion's Inquisitorial Legion.

In the future, she may even have a chance to contend for the position of Sea God Pavilion Master.

Therefore, she must spend most of her time at Shrek."

Zhang Yuanshan had only just sat down when he sprang back up upon hearing this.

Lu Yun stood to one side with a proper smile on his face, though his heart was already in turmoil.

Sea God Pavilion Master... My heavens! Is Elder Xuan grooming the next master of Shrek?

The master of Shrek's Sea God Pavilion held a status comparable even to the rulers of the three great empires.

To put it bluntly, saying they stood on equal footing with the rulers of the three great empires was merely giving the original three great empires some face.

The one who could truly have the final say on this continent would always be the master of Shrek's Sea God Pavilion!

Zhang Yuanshan was stunned as well.

He had lived most of his life and seen every kind of storm, but at this moment, his head only buzzed.

The Sea God Pavilion Master was the true pinnacle of the continent's soul master world.

His granddaughter, Zhang Yuanshan's granddaughter, might one day have some connection to that position?

"Elder Xuan..." Zhang Yuanshan's voice trembled. "You mean Lexuan, in the future..."

"No one can say what the future holds," Chen Xuan said calmly.

"But since I am taking her as my disciple, I will pave the road for her. How far she can go will depend on herself."

Zhang Yuanshan nodded again and again, his eyes even reddening.

Just then, a clear young girl's voice came from outside the hall.

"Grandfather! Did you call for me?"

Zhang Lexuan ran into the hall and immediately spotted Chen Xuan seated in the place of honor. Her steps abruptly stopped.

"You are... Old Grandpa?"

Her eyes widened, her little mouth slightly open. For a moment, she did not know what to say.

Chen Xuan looked at her and smiled. "Little girl, it has only been two days. Do you still recognize this old man?"

Zhang Lexuan's little face instantly turned red.

She looked at Chen Xuan, then at the elders sitting stiffly around the hall, before finally turning her gaze back to him. Her voice was full of disbelief. "You... you were not a beggar?"

"I pretended to be poor in order to observe you," Chen Xuan said frankly.

"If I was to take a disciple, I had to first see what kind of character the child had. You are quite good. This old man is very satisfied."

Zhang Lexuan stood there blankly. Then her little cheeks puffed up. "So you were lying to me before?"

"Yes." Chen Xuan nodded. "This matter was this old man's fault. It is only right for you to be angry with me."

Zhang Lexuan had originally been somewhat upset, but seeing him admit it so openly, she was instead taken aback.

She pouted for a long while before finally squeezing out one sentence. "Then you are not allowed to trick me like that again."

Chen Xuan turned serious. "All right. This old man promises you. From now on, I will never pretend in front of you again."

Only then did Zhang Lexuan give a small huff.

She turned to look at Zhang Yuanshan, then at the family members filling the hall, before asking softly, "Then what did you come here to do today?"

Chen Xuan walked over and crouched halfway down, meeting her eyes. "This old man wishes to take you as my personal disciple. Are you willing?"

Zhang Lexuan froze.

She glanced back at Zhang Yuanshan, then turned back again. Her eyes held surprise, confusion, and a trace of fear she could not hide.

"Will I still be able to come home?" she asked softly.