Driving Him Away

Ordinary people tend to react to things only after they've already done something; that is, they do what happens first and then try to solve it.

But for fortune tellers, especially top-tier ones, these people can foresee the future, prepare in advance, and then patiently wait.

Zhang Xuezhou was quite unhappy to see Yao Yuanguang.

This wasn't because Zhang Xuezhou disliked Yao Yuanguang; after all, Zhang Xuezhou had never specifically disliked anyone for any particular reason.

Zhang Xuezhou was currently following the new emperor, and his cultivation of magic techniques was still far from being finalized when Yao Yuanguang appeared in Yangxin County. This made it hard for him not to think of some bad possibilities.

Yao Yuanguang is part of the Immortal Court's forces, so what he does must be in the Immortal Court's interest, not in the interests of the Great Han Dynasty.

If the other side uses some special means to target the new emperor, this is entirely possible.

Even if the probability is only one in ten, Zhang Xuezhou felt it was worth the gamble.

"Master Yao, it's been a long time!"

Zhang Xuezhou greeted Sang Hongyang and then entered the restaurant.

He approached Yao Yuanguang and waved.

"Why are you here?" Yao Yuanguang looked up in surprise.

"Um?"

Zhang Xuezhou had originally intended to ask Yao Yuanguang what he was doing there, but unexpectedly, Yao Yuanguang came to ask him instead.

"We citizens of the Great Han are naturally free to roam freely within the territory of the Great Han," Zhang Xuezhou said. "How did you end up in Yangxin County?"

"I am also a citizen of the Great Han," Yao Yuanguang said dryly.

"You call yourself a citizen of the Great Han?" Zhang Xuezhou sat down and sighed. "We Great Han people would be extremely happy to see General Li Guang!"

"I just don't like seeing Li Guang!"

Yao Yuanguang replied sullenly.

He was a fortune teller, and so was Zhang Xuezhou.

Although the two share some ties as fellow students, this cannot overcome the inherent animosity of those in the same profession being rivals.

Yao Yuanguang felt that Zhang Xuezhou was quite hostile towards him.

Of course, Yao Yuanguang was also unhappy to see Zhang Xuezhou, since this guy pulled out his trump card right away, which he found unbearable.

If he had known he would run into Zhang Xuezhou, he would have at least worn a human skin mask or changed his hairstyle, or even just faced away from the outside while eating this meal, so he could have avoided the other party.

"What are you here for?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

Yao Yuanguang, who was trying to recruit people, honestly replied, "We're short-handed over there and need help!"

"You come to a place like this to develop your downline?" Zhang Xuezhou asked incredulously, "What powerful people in a place like this are worth recruiting?"

"I haven't been out of Mount Tai for more than a few days, and I haven't gone anywhere else yet," Yao Yuanguang said, shrugging.

"Then why don't you run now?" Zhang Xuezhou suggested.

"Nephew, are you deliberately trying to get rid of me?" Yao Yuanguang said.

"I'm just afraid someone will tip you off, and you might accidentally get shot dead by an arrow!"

Zhang Xuezhou shrugged.

He didn't know what kind of network Yao Yuanguang was recruiting, but Zhang Xuezhou hoped that Yao Yuanguang would find another place to recruit, or wait until the new emperor finished making adjustments in Yangxin County before returning.

As long as it doesn't target the new emperor, Zhang Xuezhou doesn't care what Yao Yuanguang does.

He had only just managed to get a little closer to the new emperor and had barely managed to enter the ranks of the new emperor's close ministers. Zhang Xuezhou hoped that Yao Yuanguang would not ruin things.

Of course, if Yao Yuanguang could offer some great fortuitous opportunity, even if it meant not only helping Zhang Xuezhou reach the True Self Realm, but also providing a reliable method to deal with the extraterrestrial demons, Zhang Xuezhou would have given up that opportunity.

However, Yao Yuanguang himself is only a cultivator at the Divine Ability Realm, making it quite difficult for him to help.

"Tip someone in the foot..."

Yao Yuanguang grunted.

How could he not know who the scoundrel who tipped him off was?

Zhang Xuezhou was too vigilant; he sent him away as soon as he saw him, giving him no chance to make a move.

The knife stung a little, but Yao Yuanguang knew perfectly well that Zhang Xuezhou's approach was the best way to handle the situation.

Of course, if this young man were more ruthless and had actually tipped off Li Guang beforehand, Yao Yuanguang felt he would have been doomed.

He had used physiognomy to target many people, but he also found it difficult to guard against his peers, especially those whose cultivation was close to his own.

Zhang Xuezhou has now clearly entered this category.

Congratulations on your cultivation level reaching another level!

When Yao Yuanguang's gaze fell upon Zhang Xuezhou, he couldn't help but feel that his century of cultivation had been wasted on a dog.

Compared to the arduous and painful cultivation he and Hongku endured, Zhang Xuezhou's cultivation progressed far too quickly; he was only one step away from entering the Divine Ability Realm.

The Divine Ability Realm can hold back 99% of the world's great cultivators, but it certainly cannot hold back certain special cultivators.

For someone Zhang Xuezhou's age group, ordinary cultivators are still honing their skills in the first three realms, the more outstanding ones might be in the Blood Penetration Realm, the even more powerful ones are honing their skills in the Body Control Realm, while geniuses are at the True Spirit Realm.

Only top-tier young cultivators can enter the Consciousness Creation Realm, while only extremely monstrous talents can step into the Body Transformation Realm.

While a normal cultivator's cultivation level can only be determined through combat, fortune tellers can discern the strength of their peers simply by engaging in a game of chess.

Yao Yuanguang was caught off guard by Zhang Xuezhou's sudden attack. The opponent's cultivation level should only be slightly lower than his, not two major realms lower as before.

This level of cultivation undoubtedly places him at the top of his peers.

Yao Yuanguang didn't need to deduce or calculate; he was well aware that Zhang Xuezhou would most likely surpass him in the future.

He still harbored a certain degree of wariness and awe towards this promising colleague, and would not rely on his seniority or try to go against the other party's favorable circumstances.

"Take care, Uncle-Master!"

Yao Yuanguang grumbled in dissatisfaction, then congratulated Zhang Xuezhou, clearly intending to leave first to quell the matter.

He quickly finished eating the food on his plate and stood up, receiving a respectful farewell from Zhang Xuezhou.

"Since you haven't called anyone to kill me, your martial uncle will also give you a word of advice: remember my previous warnings," Yao Yuanguang said.

"Uncle-Master, please don't let your people mess with me. Who knows, I might even become one of your subordinates in the future," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Cut!"

Yao Yuanguang spat, clearly not believing Zhang Xuezhou's explanation.

He paid the bill, then strolled out of the restaurant and headed out of town along the street.

"There seems to be considerable conflict within your sect!"

After listening for a while, Sang Hongyang felt that the affairs of Zhang Xuezhou's sect were somewhat complicated. It seemed that Zhang Xuezhou had directly driven away this senior uncle.

Sang Hongyang couldn't help but marvel, feeling that there were many strange rules among schools of thought in the world. For example, Zhang Xuezhou's school of thought was very averse to people gathering together.

"Our sect is terrible!"

Zhang Xuezhou thought about Zou Bugui and Jin Chang of the Yin-Yang School, and then about Hongku and Yao Yuanguang.

He would occasionally think about the extremely distant Kunlun Sacred Land, a place he lacked the ability to even visit.

All things considered, none of his sects were easy to deal with.

If he hadn't always relied on his own efforts, Zhang Xuezhou felt he would have been finished long ago.

He stared at Yao Yuanguang, then slowly followed behind, occasionally chatting with Sang Hongyang, which could be considered a way of seeing off his nominal uncle.