Question: What does royal bloodline mean after more than ten generations?
Zhang Chen thought of Liu Bei, who sold straw shoes.
The young man before him wore clean and neat clothing, but they were full of patches, making him appear nothing like a wealthy person.
Yet even a youth in such dire straits could easily access opportunities that Zhang Chen had to expend tremendous effort, exhaust all his resources, and spend countless money to obtain, leaving Zhang Chen with an indescribable feeling.
Facing the young man’s curious gaze, Zhang Chen shook his head: "There’s not much to introduce about me. My family is just ordinary civilians, making some money through business, and then coming here to find a mentor, thinking of improving ourselves."
"You’re a civilian?" Upon hearing this, Chai Chuanxin’s expression changed immediately, and his attitude suddenly cooled. After closing the door, he said to Zhang Chen: "The teacher is inside, go by yourself."
Then, he went to read under the eaves, paying no further attention to Zhang Chen.
Witnessing Chai Chuanxin’s abrupt change in attitude, Zhang Chen was astonished; this kid was truly pragmatic, or perhaps, nobles were excessively realistic in their attitudes toward commoners.
Fortunately, Zhang Chen was uninterested in disputing with him, as there was no conflict of interests between them. As long as the other did not bring harm, he was unwilling to stir up trouble.
"Master, I’ve arrived!" Zhang Chen called out as he stood in the courtyard.
Han Suzhen walked out of the house with a rag in hand, wiping her hands and looking at Zhang Chen, and upon seeing him clearly, was taken aback.
At this moment, Zhang Chen looked quite different compared to seven days ago.
Firstly, Zhang Chen was a divine presence, wielding power beyond ordinary people, instilling in him a certain unexplainable mental advantage and a vague attitude of looking down from above, forming a unique demeanor.
Having mastered abilities beyond the common, he felt no inferiority even when confronted with nobility.
What does nobility matter? As long as one possesses the power to determine the fate of nobles, an innate sense of superiority arises.
Additionally, Zhang Chen’s body had undergone two transformations, not enhancing strength or defense, but making his physique increasingly perfect, mending innate flaws.
As the saying goes: No one is flawless. Humans are born with physical imperfections, but Zhang Chen, through successive transformations, was moving toward a Divine Demon form, with human flaws becoming fewer.
Most crucially, in recent days, Zhang Chen succeeded in Qi Cultivation and gathered Magical Power, naturally spawning changes.
In Han Suzhen’s eyes, Zhang Chen appeared particularly vibrant and striking at this moment. If Heaven and Earth were a monochrome ink painting, then the people and objects in the courtyard were all black and white, except for the colorful youth before her, capturing attention at first glance.
More accurately, not just colorful, but alive.
"This young man is extraordinary!" A thought flashed through Han Suzhen’s mind.
In the short span of seven days, Zhang Chen’s demeanor had transformed so remarkably that Han Suzhen, no fool herself, sensed peculiarities.
"You’ve changed quite a bit these few days." Han Suzhen hung the rag on a rack, seated herself on a stool in the courtyard, and gestured for Zhang Chen to sit.
Zhang Chen placed seven or eight paper packages he bought on the table, the scent of meat and pastries wafting, prompting Han Suzhen to feigned reprimand: "Did I not tell you last time not to bring things?"
"Just some snacks, nothing valuable, thinking to supplement Master’s health, I bought them casually, it’s just the disciple’s intention." Zhang Chen replied respectfully.
Han Suzhen, hearing this, remained non-committal and shifted the conversation: "Has there been progress in your studies these seven days? Have you fallen behind?"
"I ask Master to test me." Zhang Chen requested.
Han Suzhen was not reserved and began testing Zhang Chen.
Due to entry-level mastery of the Huangting Scripture, Zhang Chen had naturally grasped the characters and meanings therein, hence he answered fluently regardless of how Han Suzhen tested him.
Yet, as she flipped further, Han Suzhen’s expression grew more solemn, commencing dictation for Zhang Chen, prohibiting him from reading the book.
As Zhang Chen took up the pen, his handwriting, though not quite neat, had showed promise.
"How is this possible! A mere seven days, ten thousand characters, how have you memorized them all? Is there truly such a thing as photographic memory in this world?"
Han Suzhen, skeptical, didn’t believe Zhang Chen had mastered an entire book’s knowledge in such a short time, so she abandoned the Huangting Scripture and presented another book for Zhang Chen to read aloud.
Zhang Chen read it effortlessly, without the slightest pause, continuing piece by piece, as Han Suzhen watched him in disbelief, like witnessing a ghost, finally interrupting his reading at the fifth piece: "Enough, don’t read any more."
Zhang Chen stopped reading, looking at Han Suzhen: "I ask for Master’s guidance."
Han Suzhen gazed at Zhang Chen, staring for a long time before finally stating helplessly: "Are you still human?"
She felt it was impossible for a person to memorize ten thousand characters in a mere seven days and fully grasp their meanings, even writing them smoothly. This was akin to memorizing ten thousand words in a week—could it be done?
"..." Zhang Chen was speechless at Han Suzhen’s inquiry, unsure how to respond. He was indeed no longer considered human, for his heart was no longer significant; the Crystal Core within his body was the key to his survival.
What normal person could transform into a Vampire Bat and fly wildly about?
"The Huangting Scripture encompasses all the world’s characters. In seven days, you have reached the efforts others achieve in four or five years, but next comes focusing on writing practice, crafting good handwriting to truly be deemed a scholar." Han Suzhen’s eyes rested on Zhang Chen: "The next step is to read classics, gradually engage in scholarly pursuits, memorize celebrated Chapters, then find ways to inch closer to officialdom. Unfortunately, our family has fallen to this state, with most connections unusable, otherwise, I could recommend you for a position, gradually altering your status."