Early the next morning
In front of Dragon-locking Dam
Zhang Jian met with the Dragon Maiden, whose expression was complex, and learned from Bai Liying about the grudge between Bai Shui Dragon Palace and Poison Dragon Palace.
"This time, I'm afraid we'll need to rely on Brother Zhang's efforts to help Bai Shui Dragon Palace reverse the situation!"
Bai Liying's jade face carried solemnity, along with a touch of shyness.
She did not conceal anything and revealed Bai Nu's plan.
She then cupped her hands and said, "Li Ying knows this is asking a lot, Brother Zhang can take his time considering. Let's enter the Dragon Palace and talk further!"
Bai Liying was poised and graceful, having changed into a Seven-Colored Jueqiao Robe, her tall and slender figure stunningly beautiful. She formed spells with her hands, invoking the power of Bai Shui Divine Department, instantly opening a Divine Power passage through Bai Shui, and both figures fell into the water.
Along the way, Zhang Jian was weighing the pros and cons.
Currently, the Zhang Family and Bai Shui Dragon Palace could indeed be considered firm allies. Although neither sent their forces to interfere with each other's expansion, their interests were aligned.
Regardless of personal feelings, just based on friendship, he should assist Bai Shui Dragon Palace.
However, even if he helps, Zhang Jian can only do so within his means.
If it's impossible, he must first ensure his own safety.
Of course, he's not afraid of offending others, as he has the Tongshan Lineage as backing, and isn't afraid of offending one of the Water Elder Dragon Palaces.
Bai Shui Dragon Palace
The newly constructed Dragon Palace was built on ruins.
Due to time constraints, the Bai Shui Dragon Monarch chose to construct the entire Bai Shui Dragon Palace's main body using Divine Power, similar to the Phoenix Spirit Mountain God.
However, compared to the meager incense fire of the Phoenix Nest Mountain Mountain God.
The Bai Shui Dragon Monarch's incense fire was abundant, and the gigantic Bai Shui Dragon Palace had already emerged under the investment of incense fire Divine Power, projecting the main palace, sleeping palace, side halls, including the Water Eye, and Merit Pool from the Bai Shui Divine Department.
With Divine Power blessing, the entire Divine Palace not only appeared extraordinarily magnificent, but also exuded a rich atmosphere of solemnity and sanctity.
Inside the Dragon Palace, the two sides were seated as host and guest.
The Bai Shui Dragon Monarch did not immediately mention the matter of competition, instead spoke of interesting matters and gossip concerning the water vein, and then talked about the heritage of the Tongshan Lineage.
In his words, Bai Nu was happy about Zhang Jian being able to join the Tongshan Lineage.
Seeing Bai Nu almost unable to hold back, Zhang Jian made up his mind and took the lead in steering the conversation towards the subject of competition.
He said:
"Uncle Bai, regarding the matter of competition, since the Fourth Princess doesn't mind, naturally I don't mind either!"
"However, if the opponent sends forth a Golden Core level Great Demon, I'm afraid I cannot assist!"
Zhang Jian didn't hide his apprehension towards Golden Core cultivators.
Since witnessing Ancestor Dongming's actions at the Shuangfeng Mountain Range, Zhang Jian understood the terrifying nature of Golden Core cultivators; whether in terms of magical power, divine techniques, or dharma artifacts, they far exceed what Divination Foundation Establishment cultivators can contend with.
Although he possessed two protective talismans in his hand, he didn't want to use them in such futile disputes.
Seeing Zhang Jian take the initiative to bring up this matter, Bai Nu's heart also greatly relaxed, his smile becoming even more genial, and he said with a laugh.
"Rest assured, nephew, this time there won't be Golden Core level monsters appearing. Golden Cores aren't easily condensed, and I've inquired; although that old witch gave birth to many, the strongest were only the Well Dragon Kings within Fengyang County, and even they were crushed by me, others are mostly insignificant, only a few are exceptionally talented, merely Divination Foundation Establishment, easy to handle!"
Bai Nu's eyes gleamed sharply; if he weren't confident, he wouldn't have agreed to this bet.
"However, there are always exceptions, nephew must also be cautious!"
The dragon and man at this time, akin to uncle and nephew, clearly had deepened their relationship!
After a slight pause, he continued: "In the meantime, I'll also think of ways to maybe increase nephew's odds of victory by another ten percent!"
Evidently, he still harbored other plans.
After discussing some details, Zhang Jian decided to stay at Bai Shui Dragon Palace for further refining of magic.
The competition was scheduled for half a month later, Zhang Jian still had time.
Sculpting a Lifebound Dharma Artifact certainly wasn't feasible.
However, it was still possible to put more effort into several magics.
Simultaneously, Zhang Jian contacted the Phoenix Spirit Mountain God, requesting to send another treasure from within Phoenix Nest Mountain.
With that treasure in hand, Zhang Jian felt more confident.
Thereafter, Bai Liying led Zhang Jian into the depths of Bai Shui Dragon Palace!
Through the Divine Power passage, they reached an extremely peculiar region.
With a glance, Zhang Jian's gaze landed upon a vast dark area, only a specific region emitted a faint brightness amidst the dark waters.
That layer of light was exceptionally dim, nearly becoming one with the water's spiritual mechanism invisible to the naked eye.
Its operation was akin to a drop of water merging into the spiritual force field, quite Divine Profound.
"Rune Array?"
Zhang Jian's expression slightly fluctuated, for this journey Bai Liying was leading him to the location containing a set of sword arts within the Immortal Ruins.
"Brother... uh, cousin, this is the place! I wonder if you can comprehend this Sword Formulas and gain something!"
Bai Liying cast her dazzling gaze at Zhang Jian, the sudden change in address seemed to stir something within her, and her jade face showed delicate beauty, but her eyes were clear, bearing plenty of laughter.
She had also attempted to comprehend the sword cultivation technique within but hadn't gained much.
Meanwhile, she wasn't slow in her movements, strands of magical power shimmered around her, resembling a water Immortal, with a wave of her hand strands of magical power summoned Bai Shui Divine Department's power to form golden lights breaking through the surrounding divine power barrier, including a golden light directly dissolving the radiance around the ruins.
At this time Zhang Jian also noticed the surroundings filled with turbid Bai Shui's dark currents, along with the flow of Bai Shui Divine Department's divine power, seemingly deliberately drawing turbulent currents to conceal the anomaly around.
"Forbidden Technique is open, cousin, let's go inside together!"
At this time Bai Liying's face was solemn, instantly a cluster of divine power enveloped both of them forming into a beam of golden light, directly piercing through layers of divine power barriers.
Passing through layers of dark waters, suddenly Zhang Jian felt his sight brighten.
"..." At first glance, Zhang Jian was slightly startled.
What first met his eyes was a collapsed large palace.
Luxurious, exquisite palatial gardens, chambers were faintly visible, but at this time were being washed by countless streams, merely relying on the palace's materials to barely sustain!
The main body intact, but every corner leaked air and water.
Most of the inside possessions had been swept away by the streams, the few that couldn't be taken were scattered on the muddy bottom of the water, covered by algae.
This ruin seemed to have a long history.
Even the originally intact forbidden technique around the ruins was worn away by time, incomplete.
Using his grand Divine Thought to examine briefly, Zhang Jian's gaze settled onto the wall of the palace, on the sole surviving wall screen.
The wall screen at this moment retained threads of intense rune glow.
It was a jade disc, and upon stepping in front of it, they could vaguely see that on the jade disc there seemed to be the sound of tides and moon roaring, in moments various scenes appeared, as if it were the Primordial Chaos evolving into mountain and sea, or the World-Shining Star River, or the Eightfold Wasteland Fire Realm, or the boundless sea, or Wind Thunder intertwined, or blue clouds veiling the sky.
Yet the core inside was a piercing sword light!
Illuminating the ruins.