"The Prince of the Canal Dragon Palace, Jin Ping, invites the honored guest to the Dragon Palace on behalf of the Dragon Monarch!"
This Dragon God Prince, with a face like a spring breeze, looked at Zhang Jian and smiled.
"The honored guest need not worry, the Canal Dragon Palace is grateful for your assistance. This journey will only bring opportunities, not risks..."
"The Dragon Prince is too kind. The Dragon Monarch feast of the Canal Dragon Palace is renowned among the gods of the Southern Provinces, and should not be missed!"
Zhang Jian smiled slightly.
At the same time, he took out a Water-Repelling Pearl from his sleeve, and his figure transformed into a stream of light, merging into the small sedan chair.
The Dragon Prince, slightly surprised at this sight, nonetheless smiled.
"The honored guest is straightforward, as for your friends, you needn't worry, the River Patrol General will take care of them!"
Upon hearing this, a blue-skinned River Patrol Yaksha, surrounded by intense Ghost God power, leaped out of the river's depths.
"Respecting the Crown Prince's command!"
"That's excellent!"
From within the sedan, Zhang Jian's laughter could be heard.
The Dragon Prince nodded, observing that Zhang Jian's Dao practice wasn't very high, merely at the Middle Stage of Divination, but considering he might be a disciple of True Monarch Zhanmo.
On the way, the Dragon Prince couldn't resist his curiosity and asked.
"May I ask, what is your relationship with True Monarch Zhanmo?"
Inside the sedan, upon hearing this, Zhang Jian replied.
"The Prince's words are correct, I am the newest disciple accepted by my master!"
Hearing this, the Dragon Prince's expression became solemn.
"Indeed, a disciple of the True Monarch. I've heard that the True Monarch is an unparalleled strong figure of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, achieving Primordial Spirit True Monarch status in less than five hundred years of cultivation. I've always admired him greatly and have considered entering the Tongshan sect. However, the Tongshan Lineage has its unique method of accepting disciples, and I've never had the chance to see the True Monarch's face, a lingering regret..."
At this moment, the Dragon Prince seemed to shine with excitement, discussing True Monarch Zhanmo's many deeds, like an avid fan, leaving Zhang Jian slightly taken aback.
By the time the sedan approached the Canal Dragon Palace, the Dragon Prince was still somewhat reluctant to stop.
Zhang Jian dismounted from the sedan, only smiling at the Dragon Prince, while Jin Ping seemed a bit embarrassed.
"Apologies for making you laugh, honored guest!"
Zhang Jian was about to speak when a voice came from the palace gate:
"No wonder you are so outstanding, being a disciple of the True Monarch!"
At this time, the Canal Dragon God, dressed in a dark noble robe, emerged from the palace gate, followed by many Canal Gods, each exuding immense and extraordinary Divine Power.
The display was grand.
Zhang Jian, somewhat surprised, slightly bowed.
"Zhang Jian pays respects to the Canal Dragon Monarch!"
Upon hearing this, the Dragon Monarch laughed heartily, waving his hand repeatedly as he stepped forward to support Zhang Jian.
"Nephew, there's no need for formalities. The bond between the True Monarch's lineage and our Canal Dragon Palace goes way back. Not only did this young friend of yours lend us aid in a time of great difficulty, but several of your senior brothers and sisters also stayed as guests in our Canal Dragon Palace in the past..."
At this point, the Dragon Monarch paused briefly, then quickly led Zhang Jian into the Dragon Palace.
The other gods nearby, upon hearing this, had somewhat peculiar looks in their eyes.
Zhang Jian, with keen Divine Thought, noticed the strange looks in the gods' eyes, feeling a subtle warning, suggesting that the Canal Dragon Palace might have suffered at the hands of his senior brothers and sisters, hence the gods' odd reactions.
He made a mental note to himself!
As Zhang Jian stepped into the Dragon Palace, he noticed that this Canal Dragon Palace was evidently more luxurious and magnificent compared to his father-in-law's Bai Shui Dragon Palace.
The Crystal Palace Hall was adorned with precious Jade Pearls, its eaves and beams shining with a crystalline luster.
The Dragon Monarch's feast was something Zhang Jian had encountered before, and he was not unfamiliar with it.
It was a spectacle characteristic of High-tier Cultivators.
The Dragon Palace feast set by the Canal Dragon Palace, however, was even more astonishing, with various rare and exotic Spirit Fruits on display everywhere, and Jade Nectar. Two gourds were also placed on the table.
These were rumored to be items from an Immortal Sect Dao Lineage focused on Alchemy.
The hospitality was certainly prepared with great care.
Thanks to his master, Zhang Jian was enjoying, for the first time, this treatment comparable to a Great Cultivator of the Yin Spirit Realm.
The hospitality at the Bai Shui Dragon Palace, especially since his father-in-law's palace had been destroyed, was virtually non-existent, making the Dragon Monarch's feast mostly in name only.
Here, it was indeed genuine.
With Spirit Fruits like the mild Thousand-year Vermilion Fruit, the Earth Spring Fruit specially processed by the Dragon Palace, A Thousand Years of Cyan Sky, Wood Spirit Fruit, and Thousand-year-old Water Spirit Mushroom Fruit...
By simply consuming a few Spirit Fruits, Zhang Jian felt that the accumulation within his Jade Liquid Stage was gradually achieving Perfection, his internal Magical Power continually compressing, with countless Rune shadows surfacing within, subtly refining into rings that encircled the Jade Liquid Dharma Spring. Within the Spring, droplets of golden brilliance began to emerge, gradually replacing the central Jade Liquid Magical Power.
Taking advantage of this Dragon Monarch's feast, he directly broke through to the Golden Liquid Realm.
Late Stage of Divination.
Just one step further would be the Golden Core Realm.
Zhang Jian's Spiritual Mechanism around him saw a minor enhancement, which the Canal Dragon Monarch and many gods noticed.
The Dragon Monarch laughed:
"Nephew, truly worthy of a disciple of the Zhanmo Lineage, progressing so boldly and swiftly. Yet, after a breakthrough, one should also calm down and refine their Magical Power. Our Canal Dragon Palace has many Blessed Lands abundant in Spiritual Mechanism. Should you need them, feel free to choose..."
"Thank you for your hospitality, Uncle, but it's not necessary!"
Zhang Jian smiled, thanking the Dragon Monarch for his kindness!
Within himself, he activated the secret techniques from the "Tongshan Pure Treasure Record", with the Dantian Magical Power forming the Yuan Absorption Tripod, constantly refining the Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Mechanism released within his body.
He easily suppressed the erupting Spiritual Mechanism in his abdomen!
Practicing the "Tongshan Pure Treasure Record" demands much more Magical Power for each advancement compared to other cultivation techniques.
While other techniques might only need a single portion of Magical Power to ascend, he needed at least two to three portions.
Otherwise, given the Celestial Treasures' medicinal power within Zhang Jian, breaking through the Golden Liquid Stage would be as easy as drinking water.
However, these additional two portions of Magical Power are not wasted but are integrated into his refining Innate Daoist Embryo Body.
At this moment, Zhang Jian said with a smile.
"I've always heard of the multitude of treasures in the Dragon Palace, and today I witness its profound foundation. Just a couple of casual Spiritual Objects or Jade Brew can save us decades of arduous cultivation!"
Pausing slightly, Zhang Jian continued.
"Uncle, to be honest, I have another small request during this visit to the Canal Dragon Palace!"
"Oh, nephew, feel free to speak!"
Hearing Zhang Jian's small request, the Canal Dragon Monarch couldn't help but straighten his elderly back. He remembered the last time someone made such a 'small request,' it kept him sleepless for quite a while.
Seeing the gods all turning their gaze towards him, Zhang Jian said.
"I've heard that Uncle has an Ancient Mountains and Rivers Map in your palace. I came here for this map; I was wondering if Uncle could lend it to me for a few days to study? I promise to return it intact after a few days!"
"This..."
Hesitatingly, the Dragon Monarch was inwardly relieved upon hearing this and smiled.
"Since nephew is an honored guest of our Canal Dragon Palace, there's no harm!"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian was delighted, appreciating the old Dragon Monarch's reasonableness.
With his goal smoothly achieved, he couldn't help but reveal a smile on his face.
The old Dragon Monarch reminded, "However, nephew should know, although that Ancient Mountains and Rivers Map contains the wonders of mountains and seas, it is extremely obscure and difficult to comprehend its mysteries..."