Two days later, Mingcang Sect, Wuya Hall.
The hall was suffused with a thousand strands of auspicious clouds, clear Qi coiling in the air. On the Jade Platform, four individuals sat upright, respectively the masters of the four great Grotto Heavens of the sa lineage: ng, Yan, Zhu, and Sun—four True Masters.
However, at this mont, each person’s appearance was indistinct, like shadows flickering in light, as though real and unreal. It seed that all of them had sent their avatars to attend.
Sitting in the middle, True Master ng cast his gaze downward at a disciple standing below the platform and said in a solemn voice: "Zhuang Bufan, have all our disciples returned safely?"
Zhuang Bufan bowed and replied, "Reporting to True Master, they have all returned."
"Were there any injuries?"
"None."
True Master ng continued, "I heard that this ti it was a disciple nad Zhang Yan who lured away the demon, thus sparing our disciples from slaughter. Is this true?"
Zhuang Bufan said, "After verifying, this matter turned out to be true."
At this mont, True Master Sun, seated in the lowermost position, interjected abruptly, "So it was Zhang Yan. Do you know what level of cultivation this disciple has currently attained?"
This statent carried considerable implication, clearly hinting that he had prior connections with Zhang Yan. True Masters Yan and Zhu imdiately exchanged a glance, each perceiving the cold smirk in the other’s eyes.
Zhuang Bufan thought for a mont and said, "Should be Ming Qi Third Realm; he has yet to condense a Xuan Guang Seed."
True Master ng nodded and said, "Bufan, you handled this matter well. You may leave now."
"Yes." Zhuang Bufan bowed and retreated.
After he left, True Master ng focused straight ahead and said, "This ti, during the ambush on our disciples, though Fang Zhen is talented, his temperant is unstable. He only cares about personal gain, disregarding the safety of his fellow disciples. Junior Brother Yan, he is your disciple. How do you intend to handle this?"
From his left, True Master Yan’s indifferent voice resonated, "Senior Brother, I have already confiscated the Five Fire Divine Weapon Circle bestowed upon him and sentenced him to solitary reflection."
True Master ng nodded in approval and refrained from continuing the topic. Then he said, "It seems that Three Pools Lake has grown restless again. Fellow Junior Brothers, please caution your disciples to stay vigilant."
Sitting on his right, True Master Zhu let out a cold snort and said, "If Three Pools isn’t wiped out thoroughly, Mingcang Sect will always feel like a thorn in its flesh."
True Master ng nodded in agreent and said, "Previously, our Sect Leader refrained from taking harsh asures against Three Pools due to its backing from Dang Domain Water Country. But now that we’ve obtained the Water Country Golden Book, although the internal situation of Water Country remains unstable, this righteous claim gives us considerable leverage. If they’re the ones unable to hold back first, it would be ideal. The Sect Leader plans to eradicate Three Pools within half a year."
True Master Zhu exclaid, "Half a year? Isn’t that too rushed?"
True Master ng sighed and said, "In East Splendor Continent, Xuann Cultivators occupy ten Spirit Caves, claiming the Heavenly chanism. The Six Great Demon Sects, however, occupy six Demon Caves. Over the years, although they’ve been relatively quiet, they still pose a significant threat. Recently, the Sect Leader secretly calculated that the thousand-year-old demon calamity in East Splendor Continent is imminent. The strength of the Six Great Demon Sects will undoubtedly increase, so if our sect can seize Three Pools early to enhance our resources, we will be better positioned to survive the calamity."
Upon hearing this, the other three True Masters grew tense and said, "If that’s the case, we have no objections."
At this mont, True Master Sun spoke up, "Speaking of this Water Country Golden Book, it was brought back by Zhang Yan during his envoy mission to Water Country. In my opinion, he should be credited for this major achievent."
True Master Zhu showed displeasure and said, "Junior Brother, your statent is off. It was Ji Jiushang who presented the golden book, planned in advance by the Sect Leader. How does that make it Zhang Yan’s credit?"
True Master Sun smiled faintly and said, "If not for Zhang Yan’s decisive action in bringing the golden book back early, how could we even discuss attacking Three Pools? Is this act without rit?"
True Master Zhu retorted, "Even if there is credit, in my view, it’s only a minor one."
Seeing the dispute between the two, True Master Yan first glanced at True Master ng and then spoke, "Fellow brothers, there’s no need to argue. The attack on Three Pools is still a confidential matter. To allocate rewards based on this now would be inappropriate. I believe it’s better to wait until Three Pools is pacified before deciding—it won’t be too late to deliberate then."
True Master Sun chuckled lightly and said, "Very well, I won’t raise this matter further. However, Zhang Yan’s act of attracting the demon away, sparing hundreds of disciples from harm, and demonstrating courage and responsibility, is surely a significant rit."
True Master Zhu said coldly, "This Zhang Yan is under Dean Zhou’s tutelage. Junior Brother, why are you so concerned about him?"
After a long silence, True Master ng finally spoke: "Not entirely so. Although Zhang Yan entered Dean Zhou’s tutelage, he cultivates Junior Brother Sun’s ’Lan Yun Secret Volu,’ which can be considered part of our lineage."
True Master Zhu snorted and said no more.
True Master Yan glanced around and said proactively, "This ti, the shortcomings of my disciple’s virtues were exposed. Zhang Yan has now reached the Ming Qi Third Realm and will soon need to condense his Xuan Guang Seed. Very well, I’ll bestow upon him a high-quality Cloud Sand to assist him. Fellow brothers, what do you think?"
True Master Sun nodded, "I agree."
True Master ng looked at True Master Zhu and, seeing he did not oppose, said, "In that case, Junior Brother, please make arrangents."
True Master Yan rose to his feet, bowed, and bid farewell. In a flash of light, he vanished from the Lotus Platform.
After his departure, True Master Zhu also left without a word.
At this mont, only ng and Sun remained in the grand hall.
True Master ng gazed at Sun Zhiyan and said slowly, "Junior Brother Sun, I know you initially intended to groom Zhang Yan, but why did you later stop paying attention to him? Moreover, when Zhou Chongju sought to take him as a disciple, had you co to , Zhou may not have had his way."
True Master Sun solemnly said, "Senior Brother, our lineage has not produced a True Disciple in the past hundred years. When Zhang Yan entered the Upper Court, he drew too much attention, so I deliberately let him go unnoticed to observe his temperant and to avoid excessive scrutiny from the noble families, which would be disadvantageous to him. Having him join Dean Zhou’s tutelage was a move of convenience."
The elders of Du Zhen Hall and the Sect Leader’s position can only be succeeded by a True Disciple. If our lineage excessively focuses on Zhang Yan, it will inevitably arouse the vigilance of the Xuann Families, who will undoubtedly suppress him with all their strength. Having him placed under Zhou Chongju was a way to reassure the noble families.
True Master ng nodded and sighed, "Junior Brother’s actions are indeed well-considered."
True Master Sun smiled and said, "But now, it seems that a needle in a pouch cannot be hidden."
True Master ng laughed lightly, "Since it cannot be hidden, let it pierce out. The only question now is whether he can bear the burden."
True Master Sun said calmly, "If Zhang Yan can pass this trial, why would we hesitate to lend him a helping hand?"
anwhile, in Weiguang Hua Ding Da Ming Cave Heaven.
Standing below, Fang Zhen was nervously watching Yan True Master who sat above with closed eyes. At this mont, a flash of light swept through as the avatar rged back into the body, and the pair of eyes slowly opened.
Seeing this, Fang Zhen quickly stepped forward and asked, "Father, how did it go?"
True Master Yan frowned and gave him a displeased look, "Have I not told you before that you are not to address as father here?"
Fang Zhen hastily lowered his head, "Yes, Master."
"Hmm." True Master Yan nodded, "This matter would have been a minor grievance if Zhang Yan hadn’t spoken of it. Since Senior Brother ng has intervened, I cannot afford to show favoritism excessively. You are to remain in the cave for the next few months and focus on cultivating the ’Kunyu Micro Dust Skill’ I’ve passed on to you."
Mingcang Sect possesses Five Skills, Three Scripture, and Twelve Divine Abilities, taught only to those who make significant rit for the sect.
Within the rit Institute, fifteen small rits count as one major rit; six major rits constitute one upper rit. The Kunyu Micro Dust Skill—requiring three upper rits to be earned before being imparted—had, however, already been secretly taught by True Master Yan to Fang Zhen for his cultivation.
Recalling Zhang Yan’s scolding words earlier, Fang Zhen could not help but mutter venomously, "That Zhang Yan truly deserves death!"
True Master Yan said solemnly, "Zhang Yan is an anomaly. Senior Brother ng and Junior Brother Sun seem inclined to support him. You are not to complicate matters."
Fang Zhen said anxiously, "Master, surely we won’t just let this matter rest?"
True Master Yan flicked his horsetail whisk, his gaze flashing with brilliance, "Do not rush. Do you think I would allow soone to disgrace my disciple? I will resolve this matter myself. Moreover, as a True Disciple, once his cultivation matures, it will certainly disrupt the plans I’ve laid."
Among the disciples of the sa lineage, there is a hierarchy. Those with exceptional talent and comprehension are given priority in terms of resources—elixirs, Dharma treasures, cultivation techniques—but the younger generation lacks particularly outstanding talents. True Master Yan had originally sched to elevate Fang Zhen, but one mont of carelessness this ti had caused him a misstep. For Fang Zhen to rise in the future, Zhang Yan must be suppressed.
Fang Zhen rejoiced, "How does Master intend to deal with him?"
True Master Yan smiled faintly, "I shall grant him a Cloud Sand to assist him in quickly forming his Xuan Guang Seed."
Fang Zhen was shocked and cried out, "Father, you intend to help him?"
True Master Yan said irritably, "What do you understand? He is a True Disciple. Whether it’s fighting external enemies or establishing rits, anything below the Xuan Guang Realm can be rejected. How could I allow him to cultivate peacefully till the Sect’s grand competition?"
Fang Zhen froze briefly before realizing, "Master, you an to push him into the Xuan Guang Realm early and then arrange for him tasks to build rit, thus toying him into your hands?"
True Master Yan cast him a glance, "You finally understand a bit."
Those skilled at swimming drown in water, akin to martial artists in the Mortal World. Ordinary individuals who lack combat skills may live their lives in relative safety, whereas, for those who master combat techniques, it’s often one careless mont that brings them an untily death.
True Master Yan chuckled coldly, "Even if Junior Brothers ng and Sun discern my intentions, they will undoubtedly not intervene."
This sche was an open gambit—a matter of grand strategy. Zhang Yan had no choice but to comply. When the ti ca to orchestrate a few missions to eliminate devils or demons, even if he were fortunate enough to survive, repeated failures would leave him incapable of rising again.
It’s worth noting that even among Xuan Guang Realm cultivators of comparable prowess, the difference between an average cultivator and one ticulously nurtured with superior techniques, guidance, and resources is as vast as heaven and earth.
Fang Zhen hesitantly said, "What if Junior Brother Sun secretly imparts him a cultivation technique?"
True Master Yan said with a cold sneer, "No matter the level of innate genius, which sect technique does not demand ten or twenty years of arduous practice? Even the Kunyu Micro Dust Skill I’ve imparted to you has taken you fourteen years to reach modest proficiency, despite aid from spiritual dicines and external bonuses. Zhang Yan, with his lowest-grade Fog Phase constitution, can only access cultivation techniques of limited quality. How could he ever amount to anything?"
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