The old clan chief is highly respected in this place. Upon hearing his words, Shi Yantang dared not refuse. He stomped his foot and gritted his teeth, saying, "Fine! As long as Daoist can get rid of this demon, I’m willing to go with Daoist."
Zhang Yan nodded and smiled, "This matter is simple."
He retrieved a few talismans from his sleeve and handed them to Tian Kun, saying, "Disciple, take these talismans to the four directions—east, west, south, and north—and burn them. Then bury them underground."
Tian Kun, a seven-or-eight-year-old child with a playful nature, imdiately responded with excitent, eagerly holding the talismans and running off.
The old clan chief observed with a hint of confusion. Usually, when a Taoist ca to exterminate demons, an incense table would be set, offerings presented, talisman water burned, village youths gathered, drums beaten, chants shouted in unison, and black dog blood and filth splashed around with much commotion. Zhang Yan’s approach left the old man sowhat baffled.
After an hour passed, a hubbub arose outside, causing the old clan chief to pause in astonishnt. He was about to send soone to investigate when a sudden "boom" echoed, as if thunder had struck flat ground. Both the old clan chief and Shi Yantang felt their eardrums buzzing, unable to stabilize themselves for a while.
Amid their lingering confusion, faint shouts seed to reach their ears, but the source was unclear. The noise grew increasingly louder and closer until hurried footsteps approached. A robust, sturdy man burst into the room, throwing the object on his back to the ground, exclaiming with excitent, "Uncle! This demon turned out to be a spirit-transford rat. It was struck by the drought thunder set down by the little Daoist and is now dead!"
The old clan chief shakily stood, inching closer to inspect the corpse. A dead rat as large as a buffalo lay on the ground, its coarse gray fur resembling steel brushes, its slender red claws curled tightly into a ball, and black blood slightly oozing from its orifices. Dead beyond doubt.
After staring for a long ti, a thought suddenly struck him. He hurriedly turned, wanting to express gratitude, but was startled to find that Zhang Yan and Shi Yantang had vanished without a trace.
Half a month later, at Dan Yang Mountain’s Left River House of the Beichen Sect.
In an elegant and secluded cool pavilion, Elder Yan and Zhang Yan sat facing each other. Surrounding them was a thousand fathoms deep gorge, with mist like frosty clouds swirling upwards from ti to ti, making one feel as though they were standing atop a glacial jade cliff.
Elder Yan lifted a cup from the table, smiling slightly, "Fellow Daoist, your success in Solidifying Pill Condensation is truly worthy of celebration. I raise a glass to you."
Zhang Yan also lifted his jade cup, smiling, "Master Yan, I too offer my congratulations here."
After twenty years apart, Elder Yan had stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm, now deserving the title of True Master.
With this elder supporting the Beichen Sect, it could likely endure for another millennium as long as no significant upheaval occurred. However, with the Great Catastrophe Sword about to rise in East Splendor Continent, whether he could escape its tribulations would depend on the elder’s future actions.
Elder Yan downed his drink in one gulp and, setting it down, clasped his hands, saying, "Last year, I received a letter from my wife regarding the East Sea matter. I must thank Fellow Daoist for your past kindness in saving her."
When Zhang Yan heard him ntion Lu i Niang, it was clear he was informing him that the Lu siblings had already erged from seclusion. Understanding this, he nodded and smiled, "True Master, there’s no need for formalities. If not for your guidance, I wouldn’t have found that Sixty-Year Four-Season Water back then."
Elder Yan chuckled heartily, flicking his robe sleeve and pointing down the cliffside, "Daoist Zhang, look—sunrise and sunset, growth and decay of flora—everything thrives and declines inevitably. This is the principle of heaven and earth. Neither of us is content with diocrity. If we join hands, we might carve out a new realm."
For the Beichen Sect to survive the calamity, it had to rely on great sects like the Mingcang Sect, and Zhang Yan was undoubtedly the best gateway to the Mingcang Sect’s master-disciple lineage.
Back when Zhang Yan was but a Xuan Guang Practitioner, Elder Yan had seen promise in him and had laid the groundwork early.
Now, after twenty years, Zhang Yan had successfully ford his refining Elixir. Upon returning to his sect, he was sure to advance further, allowing conversations previously unsuitable to now take a candid tone.
Watching Zhang Yan, Yan Zhengting felt confident that he wouldn’t refuse this substantial offer. His own wife and brother-in-law needed the Zhao You Heavenly Pool Cave Mansion to cultivate and advance their breakthrough; this undeniable karmic tie was the first bond of mutual interest.
Zhang Yan understood this clearly, and even if Elder Yan hadn’t taken the initiative, he would have sought to use Lu i Niang to secure the elder’s allegiance.
His Grotto Heaven undoubtedly attracted much jealousy. Even if he didn’t contend for the Top Ten Disciples position, soone would inevitably challenge him sooner or later.
But this wasn’t a matter of re declarations. After all, he still had cultivation practices to pursue and realm advancents to strive for; he couldn’t personally handle every affair.
The Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples were all backed by factions from within the sect. Dislodging them wasn’t as simple as defeating them on the surface. Both inside and outside the sect, allies were crucial, and Elder Yan was an excellent choice. With both on the rise, mutual support could benefit them imnsely.
Thus, after a brief consideration, Zhang Yan smiled, saying, "True Master’s words align perfectly with my thoughts."
Elder Yan relaxed. His eyes glead brightly as he respectfully lifted his cup, while Zhang Yan likewise raised his. The two toasted remotely and drained their cups simultaneously.
Setting down their cups, they exchanged glances and laughed heartily, their mutual understanding evident.
Elder Yan stroked his beard with a grin, saying, "I noticed that youth behind Fellow Daoist earlier possesses exceptional potential. Could he be your disciple?"
Zhang Yan nodded, "Indeed, he is my second disciple."
Elder Yan praised, "Fellow Daoist truly has an eye for talent in selecting disciples."
Zhang Yan raised his brow slightly, "True Master’s tone seems to imply sothing specific?"
Elder Yan hesitated briefly, "Fellow Daoist, you have a disciple nad Liu Yan Yi, correct?"
Zhang Yan paused montarily, his voice steady yet firm, "How does my disciple’s na co to reach True Master’s ears?"
Elder Yan sighed, "After Fellow Daoist departed, I took the liberty of noting so inner affairs of your Mingcang Sect. Your disciple is truly remarkable; I heard she attained Xuan Guang five years ago. However, lacking your guidance, she inevitably endured considerable hardships."
Cold resolve flickered in Zhang Yan’s eyes. Even on this icy cliff, the temperature seed to drop by several degrees.
...
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, visit Qidian (qidian) to support it with recomndation tickets and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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