Library of Heaven's Path

Chu gongzi nearly collapsed onto the ground.

The reason why I wish to watch Fairy Ziyan’s Exclusive Dance is because I want some private time with her… Who wants to watch a man like you dance?

I don’t have such inclinations!

“Zhang shi, calm down!” Unable to watch it any longer, Hu Yaoyao rushed forward to hold Zhang Xuan back.

Luo Qiqi and Yu Fei-er also slapped their forehead helplessly.

They knew that Zhang shi had always been lacking in EQ, but who could have thought that it would be so dire?

Given how that Chu Xiang fellow was drooling all over his clothes earlier, do you think that it’s really the terpsichorean art which he is appreciating?

For you to dance for him…

Honestly, he wouldn’t watch it even if you were to pay him, and you still expect him to pay you a concentrated high-tier spirit stone over it? You are really thinking too much!

“Zhang gongzi, I think it would be better for you to dance for these beautiful ladies instead. I’m afraid that I don’t have such an interest…” With a face flushed crimson, Chu gongzi finally caught a breather and replied.

“Is that so? What a pity. I have to say that you have missed a really good opportunity!” Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He hadn’t offered to dance for the other party out of mere greed for the money. Instead, he had discreetly activated his Eye of Insight to assess the condition of the young man beside him.

Considering the value of a concentrated high-tier spirit stone within Qingyuan Empire, which clan could possibly give a concentrated high-tier spirit stone to a profligate son to squander away? Furthermore, given the fact that he had achieved a cultivation of Saint 3-dan at such a young age, it was apparent that he wasn’t an irrational individual who allowed lust to get the better of him.

It might sound ridiculous for a rational individual to pay such a hefty price just to watch a dance, but Chu gongzi’s true goal was actually to resolve the flaws in his soul so as to advance his cultivation.

As long as the flaws in his soul remained, it would be nigh impossible for him to advance to Primordial Spirit realm.

It was precisely because Zhang Xuan had seen through it that he offered to dance for the other party.

Even though Fairy Ziyan was a 7-star terpsichore, in terms of her ability to heal souls, there was no way she could come close to matching up to Zhang Xuan.

If Chu gongzi had agreed to it, Zhang Xuan was confident that he would be able to nurse the other party’s soul to perfection. However, it was a pity that the other party didn’t treasure this opportunity.

“Opportunity? It’s fine, I don’t need it…” Chu gongzi quickly shook his head.

While the duo was chatting, the auction beneath concluded.

The value of a concentrated high-tier spirit stone was far above a thousand high-tier spirit stones, and not to mention, it was a commodity which was difficult to obtain in Qingyuan Empire even if one had the money for it. Inevitably, the slot went to Chu Xiang.

Shortly after the auction concluded, the room to the suite opened, and Fairy Ziyan, who had been dancing below earlier, slowly walked in.

At this point, she had already switched to another set of clothes. It was less revealing than the one she had performed in earlier, but it still complemented her well nevertheless. With her new set of clothes, the aura of worldliness around her had vanished without a trace, and instead, she resembled a noble from a prestigious clan instead.

At close proximity, one could see that her skin was exquisitely delicate, reminiscent of silk. On top of that, the graceful aura which she exuded made one unwilling to avert one’s eyes after taking a look.

“Ziyan pays respect to Chu gongzi.” Ziyan greeted with a smile.

“You’re too polite…” Chu gongzi hurriedly got to his feet before introducing, “This is my friend, Zhang Xuan, Zhang gongzi!”

“Pleased to meet you, Zhang gongzi.” Ziyan bowed slightly.

Zhang Xuan nodded before asking, “Since you are a terpsichore of the local Terpsichore Guild, may I ask where should I go and whom I should approach in order to take the 7-star terpsichore examination?”

Since Fairy Ziyan was standing right before him at this moment, it was natural that he should make use of this opportunity to ask the matter.

“The 7-star terpsichore examination?” Surprised by the abrupt question, Ziyan took a look around the room before her gaze finally fell on Hu Yaoyao. “Is this young lady here going to take the examination?”

“No, it’s me.” Zhang Xuan replied.

“You?” Fairy Ziyan was visibly startled for a moment.

There was no explicit rule that prevented a male from learning terpsichorean arts, but conventionally, it had been regarded as a female occupation. This was the very first time she saw a male asking to challenge the terpsichore examination.

“That’s right.” Zhang Xuan nodded.

Under his guidance, Hu Yaoyao’s proficiency as a terpsichore had advanced to the level of 6-star pinnacle. Nevertheless, she still needed more practice before she was ready to be promoted to 7-star.

Knowing what Fairy Ziyan was thinking of, Zhang Xuan flicked his wrist and took out his 6-star terpsichore emblem.

That was the emblem which Wei Ranxue had applied for him previously.

Taking a closer look at the emblem and confirming its authenticity, Fairy Ziyan turned to Zhang Xuan apologetically and said, “You are really a 6-star terpsichore! I’ll bring you over right now then… Chu gongzi, pardon me, but I’ll have to ask you to wait for me here for a moment. I’ll be back after dealing with this matter to conduct an Exclusive Dance for you.”

“It’s fine.” Chu gongzi nodded. “Actually, since I’m free at the moment, is it fine if I follow you all over as well?”

To be honest, he was rather surprised to learn that Zhang Xuan was actually a terpsichore too.

The seductive moves of a dancing man… Just the thought of it left him feeling a little agitated within…

“This…” Fairy Ziyan turned to Zhang Xuan to seek his opinion.

Typically speaking, the examination would be conducted in a private location so as to ensure confidentiality and absolute silence for the examiner to showcase the full extent of his abilities. Since Zhang Xuan was the one going to take the examination, it would only be right for her to seek his opinion on the matter.

“It’s fine.” Zhang Xuan nodded.

In the first place, terpsichorean art was a performance art meant for others to spectate. It mattered not to him whether he performed before a crowd or not.

“Zhang gongzi, this way please!”

Knowing that the other party was here to challenge the 7-star examination, Fairy Ziyan’s attitude became significantly more amiable. She began leading the way forward.

Stepping out of the grand hall, they arrived in a spacious room.

A middle-aged lady walked up to them and frowned, “Ziyan, why did you bring others in here?”

“Teacher, Zhang gongzi over here is a 6-star terpsichore. He intends to challenge the 7-star examination.” After saying those words, Fairy Ziyan passed Zhang Xuan’s 6-star terpsichore emblem over.

“Zhang gongzi?” Lowering her head to look at the emblem, a look of astonishment surfaced on the middle-aged lady’s face. “You are Zhang Xuan, Zhang shi? From Hongyuan Empire?”

“Hm?” Zhang Xuan was perplexed to hear those words. “You know me?”

“I am Wei Ranqin. The head of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy Terpsichore School, Wei Ranxue, is my junior!” the middle-aged lady replied with a kind smile. “Not too long ago, she sent a message over and told me about your affairs. It’s truly incredible for a man as young as you to achieve the level of Unadorned Quintessence in your terpsichorean art.”

“I see.” Zhang Xuan nodded in realization.

Wei Ranxue had never spoken about Wei Ranqin before, but given how the latter knew of his background, her words should be true as well.

“There’s no need to stand on ceremony! Due to the considerations as a result of her identity as a master teacher, Junior Ranxue hasn’t been able to release her inner self through her dance, resulting in an awkward rigidity in her move. As a result, she has stagnated at 6-star pinnacle for a very long time. It’s thanks to your guidance that she’s able to take the final step forward and achieve the level of 7-star.” Guild Leader Wei Ranqin said with a smile.

“She specially sent a message over saying that you might visit our guild in recent days, and she entrusted me to relay her gratitude to you if I were to meet you. Since you are intending to take the 7-star terpsichore examination, allow me to make preparations for you now.” Guild Leader Wei Ranqin nodded.

“I’ll be troubling you then.” Zhang Xuan clasped his fist in response..

“It’s no problem. It’s also a good thing for us if more geniuses to emerge from our Terpsichore Guild.” Wei Ranqin replied with a smile. After which, she turned around and instructed, “Ziyan, accompany Zhang shi here for a moment while I make some preparations for the examination!”

“Yes!”

After Wei Ranqin left, Fairy Ziyan and Chu gongzi couldn’t help but reassess Zhang Xuan with a look of bewilderment on their faces.

To them, Guild Leader Wei was a nonchalant person who rarely showed her emotions. Power and prestige, these are things which didn’t seem to affect her in the least. This was the very first time that Fairy Ziyan had seen her teacher getting so excited.

“Brother Zhang, you are really… a terpsichore?” Chu gongzi still found it difficult to believe the matter.

“That’s right!” Zhang Xuan nodded.

“Aiya! How could I have been so dense…” Hearing Zhang Xuan acknowledge the matter, Chu gongzi slapped his forehead and exclaimed.

“What’s wrong?” Zhang Xuan was bewildered by Chu gongzi’s abrupt words.

“If I were to become a terpsichore too, I would have more opportunities to come into close range with other terpsichores too. If so, I’ll be able to watch as many dances as I want to without spending a single gold coin! More importantly… as the saying goes, those standing by the gazebo are the first to acquire the moon 1 . That must be the reason why Brother Zhang has three ravishing beauties following you. You are truly a winner in life, my idol!” Chu gongzi exclaimed with a look of deep regret on his face.

“How could I have been so foolish back then? If only I have insisted on learning terpsichorean arts back then, my life could have very well taken a wholly different trajectory!”

“…”Zhang Xuan was speechless.

Reluctant to bother himself with this fellow whose mind was filled with nothing but nonsense, Zhang Xuan turned to Fairy Ziyan and asked, “Pardon me, but I would like to ask how the 7-star terpsichore examination is conducted.”

“You don’t know?” Fairy Ziyan was taken aback.

To challenge the 7-star terpsichore examination despite not knowing what it was, the other party sure was gutsy!

“To be honest, I don’t really know…” Zhang Xuan shook his head.

“The 7-star terpsichore examination doesn’t differ much from the 6-star examination, so you need not worry too much about it.” Shaking her head, Fairy Ziyan replied.

“Cough cough, then… may I ask how the 6-star examination is conducted?” Zhang Xuan scratched his head.

He hadn’t taken the 6-star terpsichore examination either. The emblem he had was specially applied by Wei Ranxue. As such, he had no idea how the examination went either.

Hearing those words, Fairy Ziyan couldn’t help but frown in displeasure.

It is one thing for you to not know about the 7-star examination, but as a 6-star terpsichore, do you think that it makes sense for you not to know about the 6-star examination too? Aren’t you clearly toying with me?

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t take the 6-star terpsichore examination. My emblem was obtained by a special application from School Head Wei Ranxue, so I’m not very sure about the procedures for the 6-star examination either!” Seeing that the other party was mistaking his intentions, Zhang Xuan swiftly clarified.

“You obtained your emblem through a special application? How is that possible? How would others know how deep of an understanding you have in terpsichorean art without undergoing a formal examination? This is preposterous!” Fairy Ziyan flung her sleeves in displeasure.

Even if you wanted to boast, at least come up with something more believable!

While the Terpsichore Guild wasn’t as strict and rigid as the Upper Nine Paths occupation, it was still a unique occupation. Every single examination needed to be invigilated by numerous elders of at least equal ranking, and only after receiving the approval of the majority would the individual be qualified to receive the emblem…

To be given the emblem without even undergoing the examination… You must be kidding me!

She had been considered as a once-in-a-century genius in terpsichorean arts, but even she had never encountered something as absurd as this!

“This…” Not expecting the other party to doubt him despite speaking of the truth, Zhang Xuan had no idea how he should explain himself. Sighing deeply, he could only give up on the matter and relent, “Forget it then. May I know where your guild’s library is? I would like to browse through the books if possible.”

Since the other party was unwilling to speak, he would just have to uncover the answer himself through the books.

Besides, he had only compiled the 6-star Heaven’s Path Terpsichorean Art so far. While his prowess was already on par with 7-star terpsichore, he would still have to compile the 7-star Heaven’s Path Terpsichorean Art before he could be considered as a full-fledged 7-star terpsichore.

“Teacher will be turning very soon, so just wait here for a moment longer…” Fairy Ziyan waved her hands impatiently. However, before she could finish her words, Guild Leader Wen Ranqin suddenly returned back to the room with a bright smile on her face.

“Congratulations, Zhang shi. Junior Ranxue has reported your mastery in terpsichorean arts to the headquarters previously, and it has cleared their reviews. Thus, when I tried applying for the 7-star terpsichore examination on your behalf previously, the headquarters replied that they would bestow you with the 7-star emblem directly, so you don’t have to take the examination anymore!” Wei Ranqin said as she passed an emblem over.

“Thank you for that!” Taking the emblem, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.

“It’s really possible to obtain the emblem without undergoing any examination?” Fairy Ziyan froze on the spot.

1. In this saying, gazebo refers to an elegant sheltered structure constructed above a pond, and the moon refers to the reflection on the surface of the water. This saying means those who are closest in proximity to an individual or a place tend to be the ones to gain the most from a happening.