Zhou Zishang furrowed his brows and remained silent. His thoughts at this mont were astonishingly close to Ai Zhongwen's. He did not believe Zhang Yan could decipher the Erosion Text on his own, and he judged that there must be soone guiding him behind the scenes. It was either a Deacon Daoist from Shanyuan Temple or that high-ranking individual who instigated him to climb the mountain. This realization sparked a profound sense of apprehension in his heart. However, since that high-ranking individual did not bring Zhang Yan by his side to secretly teach Dao techniques, it was likely more inclined toward the latter possibility.
"In that case, Zhang Yan is not soone to be moved against easily."
He mused that handling this matter could not be reckless and must require the use of alternative asures. Yet, no matter how extraordinary Zhang Yan might be, he was rely a Lower Court Disciple. Zhou Zishang had plenty of ways to make him obediently bow his head.
The three family servants Zhou Zishang had brought along to the mountain were still waiting respectfully on either side. Among them, a burly, rotund man with the appearance of a steward stepped forward and whispered, "Young master, should I..." He gave a quick shake of his fleshy face and made a grabbing motion with his hand.
Zhou Zishang arched an eyebrow and gestured dismissively. "That's inappropriate. I, Zhou Zishang, am a cultivator as well; how could I resort to such lower thods?" He imdiately displayed a confident smile and remarked, "Yet since I've co to the foot of Cangwu Mountain, how could I leave empty-handed? Watch and see—within three months, I will have Zhang Yan obediently descending the mountain!"
The servants Zhou Zishang had brought were well-versed individuals. Although they all chid in to agree upon hearing his words, their hearts were filled with confusion, wondering where their young master's confidence ca from.
Zhou Zishang rely smiled faintly and did not explain.
After sitting idly for about an hour, a Daoist boy descended hurriedly from the mountain path. He rushed up to Zhou Zishang, dared not linger his gaze, offered a respectful salute, and said, "I am unaware which esteed guest has graced our temple. The temple master invites the honored guest to co inside for a discussion."
Zhou Zishang stood up, adjusted his robes and attire, and with a slightly arrogant deanor, nodded, "Lead the way forward."
The Daoist boy, ignorant of Zhou Zishang's identity but complying with the temple master's sudden request to welco this esteed guest, dared not utter much else. He gestured slightly as if inviting the way and dutifully led him forward.
The temple master of Shanyuan Temple might be difficult for others to encounter, but given Zhou Zishang's cultivation level, simply sitting here and releasing his Qi chanism would suffice to evoke a reaction from the other party. As fellow cultivators within Xuann, there was no scenario where the temple master would not invite him inside.
The pace up the mountain was sowhat slow, and it took roughly an hour before the massive Xuanwen Stone in front of the temple ca into view.
Without needing advanced notice, the Daoist boy led Zhou Zishang straight through the mountain gate.
Shanyuan Temple's layout followed the vertical axis of the terrain. Passing through the mountain gate, one side featured the Black Tortoise Stele established in the early years of the Wei Dynasty's reign. Dense forest shaded both sides, with ancient trees towering majestically. The path of square stones led forward, passing through the Moral Hall, Jingqing Hall, and Sanming Hall, three grand halls, before reaching the rear of the temple.
Before them now lay a pebble-paved path, flanked by various potted green vines artfully arranged, presenting a serene and mystical atmosphere of an immortal abode. Zhou Zishang, however, had no interest in admiring the scenery, following the Daoist boy to the highest elevation in Haohue Peak's Du Zhen Hall.
Upon stepping into the grand hall, he was greeted by an elderly Daoist, with white beard and hair, seated cross-legged atop a ditation cushion in the main hall.
The old Daoist's half-closed eyes opened slightly, his horsetail whisk gathered with a flick, and he said, "So it's a fellow Daoist from Yuxiao Sect. I bow in respect."
Zhou Zishang didn't return the courtesy and directly said, "I have a matter to trouble you with, Daoist."
As the words "fellow Daoist" reached his ears and Zhou Zishang's overbearing attitude beca apparent, the old Daoist's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly. He slowly replied, "Please, Your Excellency, speak clearly."
Zhou Zishang stood with his hands behind his back, his posture commanding. "I am Dingyang Zhou Zishang. Zhang Yan, a registered disciple of your temple, happens to be my brother-in-law. Bitter disagreents over family matters have caused discord between us, and thus I ca to bring him down the mountain today."
The elder Daoist's lips moved slightly as he replied with an expressionless face, "Disciples within the temple cultivate in accordance with their Dao Heart's Intention, how their spiritual nature and fate align. I have never forced anything."
Though seemingly evasive, the real emphasis in his response was the phrase "Dao Heart's Intention." His aning was clear: as long as Zhang Yan was unwilling, he would not be compelled to descend the mountain.
Zhou Zishang smiled faintly. This result was entirely within his expectations.
"If that's the case, then please transfer this Daoist book to my brother-in-law. Surely you won't refuse, Daoist?" Zhou Zishang extended a thin silk-bound booklet, presenting it before the elder Daoist.
The old Daoist glanced at the booklet with a sideways gaze. When his eyes fell upon the six characters "Xuan Yuan Inner Secrets," his eyelids twitched slightly. After a mont of contemplative silence, he finally reached out to take the book, remarking flatly, "Very well, I'll see to its delivery."
The elder Daoist displayed indifference, but Zhou Zishang remained unconcerned as he cupped his hands, saying, "Many thanks, Daoist."
The old Daoist closed his eyes and said nothing, lightly tapping the Jade Chi before him and producing a gentle, lodious ring—this was his way of dismissing the guest.
Zhou Zishang laughed loudly and strolled away leisurely.
The elder Daoist stroked his beard. Though his expression remained unchanged, he was inwardly astonished. This Zhou Zishang, though young, had already achieved Opening ridians and Condensing Qi, with an ethereal cloud-like phenonon surrounding him. His cultivation matched his own, as expected for a disciple of a great sect. His actions also revealed a sophisticated level of cunning and calculation.
At first glance, his direct confrontation seed impolite, but in reality, his behavior showed a deep understanding of the Daoist way—knowing that the words of Daoist cultivators often veer into vague obscurities and rarely reach the point. Hence, he intentionally portrayed himself as an arrogant youth intoxicated by early success, making it difficult for the elder Daoist to slow down and deflect.
Given ti, this person's future would be limitless.
Lowering his gaze to the Daoist book at hand, the "Xuan Yuan Inner Secrets" was indeed an ancient classic. It was said to have originally belonged to Nanhua Sect's He Daoist. How it fell into Zhou Zishang's possession remained unclear, but it truly was an exceptional Dharma technique for Opening Immortal ridians.
Once a cultivator opens their inner ridians, their Spirit Root is planted, they can perceive their true nature of mind, and only then are they qualified to practice superior immortal techniques and eventually cultivate the Dan Flower to fruition. However, this spell was not only extrely intricate and overwhelming but also held imnse hidden dangers. Without constant guidance and adjustnt from elders or masters, it could very easily damage internal ridians and destroy the Dao Foundation, rendering future cultivation impossible.
The elder Daoist couldn't help but let out a faint sigh. He wondered what grudge Zhou Zishang held against Zhang Yan to go so far as to ruin his cultivation path.
As Zhou Zishang stepped out of the temple gate, a sense of satisfaction filled his heart. This sche had been carefully calculated; Zhang Yan's ascension to Cangwu Mountain to seek the Dao clearly concealed truths yet unknown to him. Acting cautiously was always wise. By abandoning all trivial details and striking directly at the core—using Shanyuan Temple's hand to destroy Zhang Yan's Dao Foundation—this was undoubtedly the most secure approach. Even if sothing unexpected occurred, he could claim it was borne of goodwill. If bla were to fall, it would only be that Zhang Yan lacked the fortune to succeed.
Once his cultivation failed, Zhang Yan would only be left with the option of returning ho to serve the wife's family!
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