Before the two maidens were sent, they were already mentally prepared for this, but even so, they couldn't help feeling naturally shy in front of Zhang Jian.
Zhang Jian slightly chuckled, waving his hand.
Since he walked the path of the mortal world, it was only natural that he couldn't completely avoid female company, especially as his cultivation technique did not have such restrictions.
"Of course, if the young master does not like them, replacements can be arranged!"
Upon hearing this, the two maidens anxiously glanced at Zhang Jian.
They had been purchased by their families at a young age, their physiques carefully examined, and specially trained so that their backgrounds were well understood.
They could only remain with the Zhang Family, and if they couldn't stay with this exceptionally handsome young master, then they would obviously be assigned to other young masters' quarters.
While the other young masters of the Zhang family showed extraordinary qualities, they were no match for this particular young master.
Not only handsome, but also the youngest prodigy talent in Fengyang County.
Moreover, he was next in line to become the patriarch of the esteemed Zhang family.
"They look fine, let them stay then!"
With Zhang Jian's approval, the two maidens exchanged glances and moved forward, bowing in unison.
"Thank you, young master. We will serve you with all our dedication and help alleviate your concerns!"
Zhang Jian revealed a slight smile.
Such maidens had numerous future utilities; they could be chambermaids or even spies for the inner residence if not made formal members.
...
After washing up, Zhang Jian calmed his mind once more, immersing himself in studying the "Tongshan Pure Treasure Record" along with the lineage-supporting technique "Golden Tripod Technique."
As for the other method of Visualization Nourishing Spirit, and the "Nine Heavens Wind-Riding Thunder-Controlling Technique," Zhang Jian temporarily set them aside.
The Qianyuan Tripod from the "Golden Tripod Technique" was Zhang Jian's chosen lifebound Dharma artifact for well-considered reasons.
The "Golden Tripod Technique" actually included the refining techniques for multiple kinds of tripods.
Renowned ones among them were the Earth Tripod suitable for Earth Spirit Root cultivators, as well as the Peiyuan Tripod, Demon-Vibrating Tripod, and others.
Zhang Jian chose the Qianyuan Tripod because it aligned with the path of destiny, possessing special suppressive power to guard against the backlash of destiny, with exceptional defense.
Most crucially, it shared a lineage with the lifebound Dharma artifact of the Tongshan Daoist Lineage patriarch, the Sheji King Tripod.
It's said that the patriarch of the Tongshan Daoist Lineage was an ancient Saint King who once ruled as the founder of a dynasty and had refined a Sheji King Tripod to suppress the Sheji fate, governing vast lands.
In the future, nine Qianyuan Tripods could be refined, transforming into nine to suppress the earth, gather the spirit of heaven and earth, nurturing one's innate Dao embryo.
This perfectly complemented the mysterious techniques within the "Tongshan Pure Treasure Record."
According to Zhang Jian's research, during the Divination Foundation Establishment stage within the "Tongshan Pure Treasure Record," there was a mysterious technique that could greatly enhance the capacity for refining in one's Dantian.
This was also the foundation for Gathering Spirit and Absorbing Spirit.
It involved condensing a Yuan Absorption Tripod within one's Dantian.
Only once this Yuan Absorption Tripod was fully formed could one gather the spirit of the lands and withstand the backlash of the Sheji fate, and even directly absorb destiny as spiritual mechanism, enhancing one's Dao practice.
If a tangible lifebound tripod could be refined, its efficacy would further increase.
Of course, it also had an extraordinarily strong defensive power, which suited Zhang Jian's intentions well.
...
"However, the materials needed for refining tripods are indeed extraordinary, requiring the Qianyuan Golden Mother born from the power of Supreme Yang and Pure Yang, the Earth Mother condensed from the Earth Element Origin, nine kinds of Celestial Gold, and a special forging flame!"
In the ancestral hall, Zhang Jian felt a bit troubled while contemplating.
Despite his smooth understanding of the secret technique of the Yuan Absorption Tripod, which only required a robust amount of Innate Qi, perhaps through refining elixirs to supplement Innate Qi.
Given he was an innate cauldron, he might achieve this directly in one step.
However, the materials required to refine the Qianyuan Tripod were extraordinarily rare.
Though new to the cultivation realm, Zhang Jian knew that every primary material was worth a fortune.
Each of the nine kinds of Celestial Gold was already a remarkable spiritual material, and the main materials—Qianyuan Golden Mother and Earth Mother—were notoriously rare Heavenly and Earthly treasures.
"Perhaps it's possible to first contact the Bai Shui Dragon Palace and the Phoenix Ling Mountain God!"
Zhang Jian's gaze wavered.
Feng Ling, as a Mountain God, shouldn't be unfamiliar with such main materials, perhaps offering some assistance.
But doing so would require leaving Zhang Residence in Fengxi County and returning to the Commandery City.
Considering the timing, he should also plan to return to the Commandery City.
He must actively prepare for next year's spring exams.
After the preliminary exam, the following will be the Ministry of Rites Examination, and the Palace Examination hosted by the Emperor of Daqian.
Though in times of unrest, the value of civil servants diminishes significantly, they could serve as an opportunity to explore the depths of the Daqian Court!
Faced with such an encounter, Zhang Jian definitely wouldn't miss out.
If he could become an Advanced Scholar, it would also aid the Zhang family in recruiting talents!
...
Within the depths of Phoenix Nest Mountain, Feng Ling was surrounded by a dense layer of Nine-Colored Flame, and behind her emerged an intense Nine-Colored Divine Light, within which appeared a colossal Phoenix Divine Bird.
The intense spiritual mechanism enveloping her body seemed to form a massive vortex, merging into her being.
The complete Phoenix Soul not only restored her origin but also granted her the legacy of the Phoenix Divine Beast lineage.
Currently, her cultivation was progressing rapidly, and after purging the resentment attached to her body, she exuded an aura where heaven's bell 灵 gathers, with a divine phenomenon where all things聚灵.
The innate divine disposition was beginning to emerge.
A moment later, she opened her eyes.
Through the Spirit Communication Seal deep within her mind, perceiving the transmitted message, her eyes flickered, and her form transformed into a path of Nine-Colored Divine Light, diving into the depths of Shuangfeng Mountain.
It was a colossal mountain cave's belly; within its sight were dazzling multicolored golden ore.
Most strikingly, it was a gigantic gold ore piece towering a yard high, emanating Pure Yang Phenomenon with a hidden crimson gold glow within.
"This thing should be the Qianyuan Golden Mother. Is it really so rare?"
She looked somewhat puzzled into the mountain belly, where various colored ores piled like a hill.
A phoenix never perches in a place devoid of treasure.
She had long sensed the abundance of ore veins deep within the Shuangfeng Mountain Range, including a fair amount of rare Phoenix Blood Spirit Gold, though much of it had been deceived and taken by Prince Mian for refining pill furnaces.
Yet the remaining quantity was still substantial.
"I should take everything to have Brother Zhang take a look to see if anything is missing!"
At this point, a slight smile graced the jade-like face of the Feng Ling Mountain God, and with a wave, she cleared the entire mountain belly, promptly departing from it.
...
In Fengxi County, after Zhang Jian arranged all matters at the Zhang Residence, he set off with Zhang Lu, the two maidens, and a troop of soldiers escorting plenty of supplies, preparing to head for Fengyang County.
Since he was returning to Fengyang Commandery City anyway, Zhang Jian had also prepared various gifts for the elders of the Qi family and several cousins.
On the mountain path, Zhang Jian remained astride a tall steed, his mind still in the motion of conveying magical power, simultaneously comprehending the cultivation secrets of the Yuan Absorption Tripod.
The cultivation of such mysterious techniques must not tolerate any missteps, or else would slightly cost magical power, or severely harm the Dantian, which would affect the foundation.
On reaching halfway, Zhang Jian's gaze shifted to the surroundings along the mountain path, signaling the team behind him to remain alert.
In his sight, a thick black wind abruptly appeared atop the hills.
"A demon?"
Zhang Jian felt a bit surprised. Was there still a demon actively attacking him at such a time?