After entering seclusion, Zhang Yan would condense the clear and turbid two qi at midnight every day, during the mont of Yi Yang Laifu, rging them into unity. With the assistance of the "Moonlight Jade," his progress was exceptionally swift.
In addition, he purposely set aside an hour each day to refine the "Fate Determining Jade." This jade pendant, after each refining, could withstand three attacks from Dharma Treasures. In Zhang Yan’s view, its value surpassed that of ordinary treasures. As for the remaining ti, it was entirely devoted to cultivating the Inner Aperture Skill.
Once mastered, this technique would allow him to identify the properties and principles of various dicines without needing the Broken Jade. Moreover, even if immortal herbs and spirit roots were deeply buried underground, he could recognize them with proximity alone – an exceedingly practical skill.
He silently contemplated to himself that, should one day he no longer belong to the Mingcang Sect, he could rely on this technique to refine pills and dicines on his own, eliminating the need for assistance from others.
After roughly one hundred days of cultivation, he had successfully rged seventy-five streams of clear and turbid qi into unity. Adding this to his previous work, there were now seventy-eight streams of spiritual energy within his body. He needed only to refine three more streams to break through the bottleneck and fully achieve the Third Realm of the Ming Qi Stage.
Just as he was about to continue his cultivation, he suddenly heard the golden bell outside ring, pulling him out of ditation.
Opening the door of the quiet room and stepping into the outer hallway, Luo Xiao approached and said, "The younger son of Lord Ji, Prince Zhen, Ji Zhang, has sent an envoy, who is now waiting at the Biyun Pavilion."
"Oh?"
Zhang Yan hadn’t expected Ji Zhang to co looking for him and couldn’t help but reveal a slight expression of surprise.
Everyone knew that Ji Jiushang, the King of the Water Country, intended to abolish the Eastern Palace and establish Prince Zhen as the Crown Prince. If nothing went wrong, he would undoubtedly be the next King. Moreover, the protagonist of this year’s Elixir Conference was none other than Ji Zhang himself. Thus, offending this person was not sothing to be taken lightly, nor would it be wise to leave him waiting outside.
Luo Xiao evidently understood the weight of the matter, which was why she had dutifully reported it to him. Zhang Yan cast her a gaze of approval before producing a token to disperse the island’s prohibition.
On the lake surface, more than fifty people stood atop an enormous lotus leaf. Leading the group was a woman wearing the official court attire of the Dang Domain Water Country. Her face was like a blossoming peach, and her figure graceful and poised.
It turns out she was a female official!
Zhang Yan shifted his expression slightly. The Sect Leader of Mingcang Sect preferred employing female cultivators, and it seed Ji Jiushang also favored female officials. This had stirred a trend throughout the Water Country, and it appeared Prince Zhen was no exception.
Seeing the prohibition open, the female official and her entourage stepped onto the island. Four female attendants holding trays followed her, walking gracefully toward him. The female official first glanced at Zhang Yan, then smiled charmingly and spoke, "Prince Zhen has issued an edict. Upon hearing of the Mingcang Sect envoy Zhang Yan’s exceptional mastery in alchemy, His Highness has specially bestowed upon you a Xuanluo Daoist Robe."
Her enunciation was clear, her voice loud but not jarring, carrying a faint huskiness that made it oddly pleasing to the ear.
She signaled for soone to present a deep purple Daoist robe to Zhang Yan. She then added, "This robe can resist water and fire, repel iron and gold, gather energy, and calm the mind. Please accept it, Daoist Zhang."
Zhang Yan waved his hand, signaling to Luo Xiao to receive it. Nearly every Pill Master invited by the Water Country Royal Family received rewards, so he was not particularly surprised.
Afterward, he instructed Luo Xiao to present one hundred Spiritual Shells according to protocol as a return gift.
To his surprise, the female official gently declined with a smile. Zhang Yan initially thought she might find it insufficient, but a nearby female attendant promptly remarked, "My lady has no interest in your paltry Spiritual Shells."
The female official’s phoenix-like eyes turned as she rebuked sternly, "Wan’er, do not be brusque. Daoist Zhang is a direct lineage disciple of Master Zhou; how dare you show disrespect?"
The female attendant quietly murmured, "Understood."
Zhang Yan discerned that this female official seed to have other motives for coming. Returning the courtesy with a cupped hand, he said, "May I inquire how to address the esteed envoy?"
The female official responded directly, returning the gesture with equal propriety. "Daoist Zhang, there is no need for such formality. I am Zhen Ming. The title of ’envoy’ is unnecessary; simply addressing as fellow Daoist will suffice."
Since the other party avoided discussing her official title within the Water Country, Zhang Yan readily complied and gestured sideward, saying, "Daoist Zhen, please co into the pavilion for a chat."
Zhen Ming extended her jade-like fingers and gently waved them. "There’s no need. My visit today has two purposes: one is official, and the other is a personal request to you, fellow Daoist."
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Whenever you’re ready, fellow Daoist. Please speak."
Zhen Ming sighed and explained, "I have a younger brother who, due to overzealous cultivation of a Mysterious Skill last month, suffered an inner injury from a backlash of demonic fire. He requires the Lu Yu Pill for treatnt. However, while refining this pill is relatively simple, only the most potent dicinal essence from a batch will suffice for healing. The other pills in the batch are ineffective no matter how many are consud. I heard that Master Ren highly comnded your abilities, praising your skill in discerning dicinal properties and understanding dicinal principles. Therefore, I have co to seek your assistance."
Zhang Yan nodded in understanding, realizing that the reason for her visit stemd from Master Ren’s acclaim of his reputation.
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