For the grand plans ahead, Zhang Yan and Zhou Chongju deliberated in the secret chamber for a long ti. Out of certain considerations, Zhou Chongju detailed the sect’s current power distribution and the major events of the past few years to Zhang Yan.
In that mont, it was as if a scroll painting was unfurled before Zhang Yan, revealing every detail of the Mingcang Sect in its entirety.
Previously restricted by his position and identity, Zhang Yan could only catch fragnted glimpses, re scales and claws of the whole picture. Even when obtaining valuable information, it was akin to seeing flowers in a fog. Now, however, he gained a sweeping clarity and renewed understanding of the sect.
To ensure caution, Zhou Chongju suggested that Zhang Yan reside in the Elixir Cauldron Institute for the next few days to avoid attracting the attention of Madam Feng. After the dust settled, he could then return to his cave mansion. Zhang Yan readily agreed; soone like Feng Shang would surely send people to secretly monitor his actions. To return imdiately would inevitably arouse the suspicions of that cunning old fox.
However, Zhang Yan also discovered that this place was truly unsuitable for cultivating Mysterious Skill.
The spirit land within the Elixir Cauldron Institute was abundant, yet all of it was suppressed by arrays, with the spiritual energy being channeled underground to nourish dicinal herbs.
Moreover, the Alchemy Technique was notoriously difficult to master. Those who chose this path were often individuals who knew their cultivation prospects were bleak. Thus, the cave mansions here were largely ornantal, suitable for average cultivators but beneath Zhang Yan’s notice.
With little else to occupy his ti, Zhang Yan casually flipped through the Alchemy Technique handed over by Zhou Chongju. To his surprise, as he read on, he beca utterly engrossed, imrsing himself in the Broken Jade for an entire month before finally stopping.
After finishing, he couldn’t help but marvel. No wonder the senior who had once guided him to this place advised him to join Zhou Chongju. Zhou’s mastery of alchemy was truly exceptional. The original "Three Apertures Skill" had been ticulously refined by Zhou into the now superior "Inner Aperture Skill."
It’s important to note that the "Three Apertures Skill" required a cultivator to refine their tongue, nose, and eyes into peerless magic artifacts for detecting fire conditions and dicinal properties. Only with this foundation could one be called an alchemist.
On the other hand, the "Inner Aperture Skill," though evolved from the Three Apertures Skill, outshone its predecessor by far. Zhou first opened a specialized Qi Acupoint within the body, then consud several unique elixir pills to condense the Qi Acupoint into an entity rivaling magic artifacts. When utilizing the Aperture Skill to inspect dicinal properties, one only needed to circulate the Qi chanism through the three apertures, rendering the original Three Apertures Skill obsolete. Not only did this significantly reduce cultivation ti, but it also lowered the qualificational demands on cultivators. Most pivotal of all, anyone could practice the skill as long as they had access to the necessary elixir pills.
If this thod were to spread, it would undoubtedly upheave the current structure of the Sixteen Great Sects.
Realizing the imnse value of this alchemy skill, Zhang Yan carefully stored the text in his Qiankun Pouch, intending to search for the required elixir pills and test it out himself. With this thought, he decided to step out, prepared himself, and headed to the outer chamber. Releasing his Flying Boat, he directed his path toward Detan Pavilion.
As per the regulations, flying a vessel casually within the Elixir Cauldron Institute was strictly prohibited. However, Zhou Chongju had bestowed upon Zhang Yan the position of Supervisor—a duty that entailed overseeing various courts and halls within the institute.
This position wielded significant authority, permitting Zhang Yan to inspect any irregularities throughout the institute. When Zhou Chongju arranged this role, no one expressed any dissent.
To outsiders, there were two reasons for this: First, Zhang Yan was now Zhou Chongju’s direct disciple and true lineage, deeply trusted and not soone worth offending. Second, though the Elixir Cauldron Institute’s affairs were intricate and countless, Zhang Yan was a newcor unfamiliar with the accounts, unversed in alchemy, and incapable of differentiating dicinal herbs or assessing elixir quality. Even if others secretly manipulated matters, he wouldn’t discern anything amiss. Thus, even the two Deputy Pavilion Masters tacitly approved of this arrangent.
The Elixir Cauldron Institute occupied expansive land, a continent positioned outside the Upper Court. Most of the continent was covered with dicinal field spirit peaks, and its shores hosted nurous waterborne spirit grasses. As Zhang Yan flew along, he noticed River Flipping Warriors, Sea Stepping Warriors, and Mountain Moving Warriors patrolling various parts of the land.
He couldn’t help but stir internally. Fingering the sleeve at his side, he found a Life Summoning Jade Token hidden within. The talisman contained a trace of Essence Blood Spirit from the warriors. With a single command, it could temporarily summon thirty Sea Stepping Warriors and five Mountain Moving Warriors to serve his needs.
At this mont, the pinnacles of Detan Pavilion’s ridgeline faintly ca into view. Suddenly, a deafening "boom" erupted. A streak of white light roared through the sky, seemingly about to brush past him. Zhang Yan quickly maneuvered his Flying Boat to evade. To his astonishnt, a voice from within the white light bellowed, "Get out of the way!"
Before Zhang Yan could respond, a red streak abruptly slashed downward toward him. Zhang Yan’s eyes glead coldly as he decisively abandoned his vessel. With a sharp crack, the Flying Boat was split into two. His Clear Qi surged internally, allowing him to gently drift downward from mid-air. From within the white light, soone exclaid, "Huh?" The red streak then looped back and targeted Zhang Yan once more, seemingly poised to strike him down.
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