"Don't try to scare me with Senior Sister Zhanmo; my future is right before me, and I won't let anyone get in my way..."
The Celestial Fire Divine Monarch's gaze flickered with defiance.
"So, you can openly seize others' futures!"
A cold voice resounded in this secretive Divine Office.
Once the voice was heard, several deities present changed their expressions.
"Senior Sister Zhanmo!"
At this moment, even the Celestial Fire Divine Monarch couldn't help but stand up.
His eyes revealed an unmistakable astonishment.
"Dare to steal my possessions, well, you can try; let's see if my Demon-Slaying Immortal-Slaying Sword is still sharp!"
In the midst of a chilly voice, a gray-black Sword Qi instantly tore through the sky, ripping apart the grand and luminous Divine Office, exposing several deities directly to the vast Spiritual Mechanism of the Heaven and Earth Profound Sect.
The expression of these fire deities became solemn as they watched this scene.
At the same time, they felt a sense of relief.
Thankfully, the True Monarch Zhanmo did not strike directly, only using Sword Intent to suppress their Divine Power.
But this was already a direct warning.
A child surrounded by light chuckled upon hearing.
"This is great; no one gets to play, that's the best outcome!"
His figure transformed into a fiery light and vanished instantly.
The Celestial Fire Divine Monarch stood alone, his expression changing dramatically.
Yet there was still a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
In his view, the position of Kitchen God could be the key to proving his Primordial Spirit; a valuable opportunity was before him, yet he could only stop here; how could he accept this?
...
Inside the Canal Dragon Palace
At this time, Zhang Jian's surroundings were flowing with intense Spiritual Mechanism, numerous Spiritual Mechanisms behind him manifested into a grand array of phenomena.
Spiritual Mechanism etched, divine mountains and great rivers emerged, portraying the splendid Map of the Country and People.
Though this Map of the Country and People was incomplete, missing even half of it, it resonated with the Treasure Record Magical Power within Zhang Jian, seemingly merging with the Treasure Record Magical Power, causing it to expand continuously and absorb the abundant Spiritual Mechanism power within the Dragon Palace, with a rotating Golden Tripod faintly appearing within the magical power.
Rumble!!
Spiritual Mechanism surged within the Treasure Vault.
As the master of the Divine Office, Canal Dragon Monarch's Divine Thought detection immediately sensed this, casting his grand and magnificent Divine Thought upon the Treasure Vault, revealing some surprise in his eyes.
He saw numerous Spiritual Mechanisms surrounding the Treasure Vault, akin to an ocean, being consumed by a giant tripod evolved from magical power, all being transformed into a pure magical power.
This magical power visibly burgeoned, vast and overwhelming.
In just a moment, it surpassed what other Foundation Establishment Cultivators achieved in years of hard cultivation.
"Such a formidable Devouring Spirit technique!"
The Dragon Monarch observed this scene, feeling astounded.
He had never seen any cultivator in the Divination Foundation Establishment Realm possess such an astonishing speed in Absorbing Spirit.
Judging by the extraordinary phenomenon surrounding him, Zhang Jian evidently had considerable achievements in comprehending the Ancient Mountains and Rivers Map, perhaps even developing a unique potent magic.
But suddenly, the Old Dragon Monarch, seated on the Dragon Palace throne, changed his expression; he discovered he had lost surveillance over the depths of the Treasure Vault in an instant.
A Sword Qi that cleaved the Star River tore through the sky, forcefully severing it.
"Zhanmo..."
The Old Dragon Monarch was visibly shaken, swallowing the words he was about to say.
The Old Dragon Monarch's expression was somewhat helpless.
In his own Divine Office, he actually lost complete control over his own Divine Office.
Meanwhile, an intangible transformation was happening on Zhang Jian's body.
After Zhang Jian successfully comprehended a portion of the True Form of Mountains and Rivers within the complete Ancient Mountains and Rivers Map, his Red Virtue True King Fate deep in his brow suddenly trembled, inside it, Red Dragon Illusions roared towards the sky, abruptly materializing and merging into the Red Virtue True King Fate.
A rich purple light enveloped the Red Virtue True King Fate, transforming into a swinging Red Carp with a purple spine.
The carp is a Dragon Child.
This Red Carp Life Phase corresponded to the Hidden Dragon Fate.
"Hidden Dragon Fate, it truly progressed to this stage!"
In the void, True Monarch Zhanmo observed this scene, simultaneously controlling the Simulation Jade Pendant over Zhang Jian's heart from afar, concealing this Life Plate again.
True Monarch Zhanmo merely glanced at the Red Carp, indifferent; it's just a Hidden Dragon.
As long as it doesn't truly revolt, ultimately it won't grow dragon horns or transform into a Dragon Body.
If necessary, the dragon whiskers might be severed, the Dragon Bone dissolved, retaining only the pure Command of the Duke.
Yet the fact that Zhang Jian's Life Plate could manifest into a tangible Life Phase was slightly impressive to her.
Cultivators can condense Life Plates, but transforming them into physical forms is another realm, achievable only by those with profound Dao Practice, typically having reached Primordial Spirit Realm.
For ordinary cultivators to achieve this is one in ten thousand.
This characterizes possessing unique phenomena.
Similar to those born extraordinary, like founding emperors or some naturally dominant overlords, or powerful cultivators who have left vivid marks in the world.
...
As Zhang Jian's Life Plate transformed into Hidden Dragon Fate.
In Vermilion Phoenix Mountain at Fengxi County, unusual phenomena occurred; during the day, faint red haze seemed to emerge, as if Red Dragons and Fire Phoenixes were roaming, countless purple Qi permeating deep into the Earth's Vein, Dragon Qi lurking in form.
However, this phenomenon just appeared and was immediately absorbed completely by the Red Dragon Pearl within the Dragon Vein.
Hidden Dragon diving into the abyss.
Leaving no traces!
...
Two days later, Zhang Jian bid farewell to the gods in the Canal Dragon Palace, returning to the guest boat.
At this moment, the white mist around the guest boat gradually dissipated.
The River Patrol General completed his mission and retired.
Everyone on the boat thought it was just a beautiful dream.
Only when they landed and replenished their supplies days later did they realize three days had passed in the blink of an eye.
Such mysterious changes left quite a few advanced scholars feeling bewildered.
...
On the guest boat, Zhang Jian saw the panicked expressions of the advanced scholars and casually offered a few comforting words!
His mind was mostly engaged in conversation with True Monarch Zhanmo at this time.
It was rare for his master to appear, and he couldn't pass up this opportunity, taking the chance to ask about many cultivation questions that puzzled him.
Seeking answers from True Monarch Zhanmo.
Zhang Jian knew that after his magical power had condensed into Golden Liquid, the next essential checkpoint was Solidifying Core.
If anything went wrong, it would be a lifelong regret.
He needed to seize the time to grasp the secrets and essentials of breakthrough.
If True Monarch Zhanmo eventually became impatient or had other matters, he might miss this critical opportunity.
Just as Zhang Jian anticipated, after his persistent inquiries, soon True Monarch Zhanmo felt troubled, handed Zhang Jian a Jade Token, and excused herself to leave.
Hidden within the Jade Token were additional mysteries that could directly help Zhang Jian communicate with the Transmission Hall at Tongshan Dojo.
After each lecture, the Preaching Elders would embed a portion of the teachings inside the Transmission Jade Disc, which sect disciples could access through browsing; though less convenient than attending directly, with diligence, there was always something to gain.
Zhang Jian felt somewhat regretful.
But he gained something in the end.
Furthermore, True Monarch Zhanmo indicated she would seek a special spot for him, allowing remote entry through the sect's Supreme Treasure, to listen to the transcendental Daoist Technique at the Transmission Hall.
Yet she also mentioned such spots were limited, even requiring some sacrifices from her to arrange.
Thus, over half a month passing, Zhang Jian and others finally arrived in Haojing smoothly.