Chapter 12: The Uncrowned King! Zhexian, A Song of Desolation

"Heaven Horned Ant Precious Technique, appear!"

Zhexian's voice was low and powerful; the phantom of the Heaven Horned Ant suddenly raised its head and let out a low roar.

That roar contained endless power, as if even space itself were being shaken into slight distortion.

The Heaven Horned Ant, one of the Ten Fiends, the ultimate power!

The True Phoenix and the Heaven Horned Ant, the phantoms of two great Ten Fiends Precious Techniques, stood tall behind Zhexian.

It was as if he had returned to the past once more, the Uncrowned King! Zhexian!

He slowly opened his eyes, a trace of satisfaction flashing through them.

Although the laws of this world were weak, by relying on his First Immortal Qi and his comprehension of Precious Techniques, he could still unleash powerful force.

"Next, I should plan for the Second Immortal Qi..."

"The Way of Slaughter!"

The next day, Zhexian did not choose to teach in the classroom, but instead brought Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the others to an open space behind the academy.

The environment here was quiet and secluded, suitable for cultivation and combat drills.

In truth, it was just giving them private lessons; he had no leisure to lecture that group of students.

"Today, we will not discuss martial soul theory." Zhexian stood before the group, his expression indifferent.

Because he didn't even know what a martial soul actually was...

If his guess was correct, the essence of a martial soul was actually the manifestation of bloodline, while the Soul Ring was the medium for power.

"Today, what I want to teach you is the application of martial souls, as well as combat techniques."

Upon hearing this, a trace of excitement flashed in the eyes of Yu Tianheng and the others.

They had long since grown tired of listening to those dry and tedious theoretical concepts!

Zhexian scanned the group and said indifferently: "Combat is not merely a contest of strength, but also a mastery of technique, mindset, and timing."

He first walked up to Yu Tianheng and said: "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon has tyrannical power, but it is too rigid and lacks versatility. Only by balancing hardness with softness can one be flawless."

Yu Tianheng nodded thoughtfully; lacking versatility... shouldn't a Power Attack Spirit Master just output damage blindly?

Next, Zhexian walked to Dugu Yan and said: "The Jade Phosphorus Snake has violent toxicity, but it relies too heavily on its poison. Remember, poison is only a means; the true killing blow lies in catching the enemy off guard."

"Only when the enemy is completely unprepared will poison be a lethal tool!"

A flash of realization crossed Dugu Yan's eyes, and she nodded respectfully: "Thank you, Teacher Zhexian."

Just as Zhexian was about to continue guiding Ye Lingling, a commotion suddenly came from afar.

Xue Beng was seen walking over swaggeringly with a group of senior students, a haughty expression hanging on his face.

"Yo, isn't this Yu Tianheng? What, hiding here to practice in secret?" Xue Beng said with a sarcastic tone, his gaze sweeping over the group before finally landing on Zhexian.

Yu Tianheng frowned and said coldly: "Xue Beng, what are you doing here?"

Xue Beng sneered, crossed his arms, and said triumphantly: "I came here, of course, to find my teacher! Teacher Zhexian, from today on, you are my exclusive teacher, right?"

After he finished speaking, he deliberately winked at Zhexian, as if he already had victory in his grasp.

Upon hearing this, Zhexian raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes.

He glanced at Xue Beng indifferently, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of mockery: "Oh? How come I didn't know that?"

Xue Beng was stunned, then said with some displeasure: "My big brother Xue Qinghe has already spoken with the academy; from now on, you will teach only me! Yu Tianheng and the others don't have the qualifications!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Yu Tianheng and the others turned ugly.

Dugu Yan couldn't help but sneer: "Xue Beng, who do you think you are? Why should Teacher Zhexian teach a spoiled brat like you?"

Xue Beng was enraged by Dugu Yan's words; his face darkened as he pointed at her and cursed: "Dugu Yan, don't get too arrogant! Don't think that just because your grandfather is the Poison Venerable, I wouldn't dare to scold you!"

Watching this scene, Zhexian only felt it was laughable.

Over these years, he had also observed the strength of the Heaven Dou Empire; to be honest, Zhexian also didn't understand how a royal family without a Title Douluo managed to control the entire Heaven Dou Empire.

He shook his head and said indifferently: "The academy cannot control me. If they dare to arrange any Tom, Dick, or Harry for me, then I will tear the academy down!"

Xue Beng was choked by Zhexian's words, his face instantly flushing red.

The group of followers behind him also looked at each other, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

Zhexian ignored Xue Beng, turned to Yu Tianheng and the others, and said: "Continue practicing; do not be disturbed by irrelevant people."

Yu Tianheng and the others nodded respectfully and immediately began to continue practicing according to Zhexian's guidance.

Seeing this, Xue Beng gnashed his teeth in anger, yet he dared not act out in front of Zhexian.

He glared fiercely at Yu Tianheng and left a harsh threat: "You just wait!"

Having said that, he took his group of followers and slunk away.

After Xue Beng had gone far away, Dugu Yan couldn't help but laugh: "Teacher Zhexian, that was so satisfying just now! That guy Xue Beng relies on his status as a prince to throw his weight around all day; someone should have disciplined him long ago!"

Zhexian smiled faintly and said nothing more. He looked up into the distance, a profound light flashing in his eyes.

The Heaven Dou Empire... Hmph.

"Next, I will teach you how to handle group battles." Zhexian withdrew his gaze and said to the group, "Remember, combat is not just a contest of strength, but a battle of wits."

Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng and the others perked up and listened attentively.

Meanwhile, Xue Beng returned to the Prince's Mansion in a rage, found Xue Qinghe, and began to complain: "Big brother, that Zhexian doesn't put me in his eyes at all! He actually humiliated me in front of everyone!"

Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue—felt a chill in her eyes upon hearing this. She said indifferently: "Fourth brother, you went to find him just now?"

Xue Beng was choked by Xue Qinghe's words, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

"Big brother, didn't you say yesterday that you would help me arrange it?"

Qian Renxue cursed Xue Beng as a stupid pig internally; why were all these royal family members so arrogant and domineering?

"You go back first; I will personally go to pay a visit to this Teacher Zhexian."

Xue Qinghe said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise appeared on Xue Beng's face: "Really? Then hurry and go, big brother."

"Mm." Xue Qinghe replied in an understated tone.

Xue Beng beamed with joy, hurriedly bid farewell, and ran outside in a rush.

"Sigh... what a fool." Qian Renxue shook her head helplessly.

She only hoped that this fool Xue Beng wouldn't bring her up when he spoke...

After finishing teaching Yu Tianheng and the others the basic techniques, Zhexian sat on a giant rock on the back mountain.

He gently blew into the Jade Flute in his hand.

This time, the flute music lacked the killing intent and oppression one might imagine, holding only endless contemplation and memories.

A long time ago, Zhexian had also played this melody.

Within this long, drawn-out flute sound, he seemed to traverse countless years, returning to the distant past...

In a single thought, the heavens wither and immortals perish, yet I still stand amidst the eight wildernesses.

I have shattered the high heavens and buried the sky.

I wish to hold my sword and roar at the heavens, departing for the vast seas to descend upon the soaring winds.

Dreaming back through the ages, what is the Dao of nirvana?

In a single thought, how much smoke and cloud, burning heavens and destroying seas, all vanish.

How lonely, seeing only the mountains and the moon inverted.

I wish to entrust everything to the river tides, drifting aimlessly with karma.

This life remains unfinished, the sword shall not return to its sheath.

I roam freely to overturn the universe, through nine deaths and a hundred turns to protect the mortal world.

The only debt is the bitter waiting of someone in this world.

I was born to face tribulations and provoke the wrath of gods, a lonely wanderer drifting through life.

If there is karma, let it all be heaped upon me.

I break the firmament, alone deciding the fate of heaven, drifting and sinking on my own.

Exhausting the blue heavens and delving deep into past lives, who drinks the bitterness of regret?

I hang outside the world, restraining obsession and anger, looking back at how many moments of the past.

No matter how deep reincarnation is, it is nothing more than dust. (Play BGM yourself)

I do not know when it was, but Zhexian stopped playing, a faint tear trace at the corner of his eye.

"Unknowingly, so many years have passed..."

"The great war from back then should be over by now!"

"Huang, will we ever be able to meet again?"

PS: This chapter is over 2,300 words; the extra part is just me padding the word count for you to play BGM.

(End of chapter)