Zhang Jian clenched the Vast Flame in his palm, forming it into a silken net, firmly trapping the black qi.
His control over the Vast Flame was astonishing.
Even though he had never been exposed to the proper cultivation techniques of the Path of the Saints and Sages, he had achieved this level based solely on his own comprehension.
Given time, it wouldn't be difficult for him to comprehend a method to condense Vast Righteous Qi.
Looking at the mass of black qi that continued to flee in his hand, he explained,
"Uncle, someone left a small trick on you, but it's not a big deal!"
Qi Yuanwu looked at the wriggling black qi that resembled a worm, still feeling a bit fearful.
"Ah Yu, what exactly is this thing?"
"This is a remnant worm from the Gu God, with a bit of something else inside!"
Zhang Jian's eyes also displayed some interest.
"Gu God? The Xuan Du Evil People that attacked us city troops back then?"
Qi Yuanwu's expression immediately turned grim; he had also narrowly escaped death, surrounded by countless poisonous insects, and hadn't expected to be hit.
"That's him. The Yin Spirit Venerable hides in multiple places, making him hard to kill. But his luck ran out when he chose you as a host; his vitality is doomed today!"
Zhang Jian held this mass of black qi. In his eyes, a peculiar jet-black worm appeared. It seemed to be the Gu God's original Gu, quite distinctive.
He slightly activated the Vast Flame to refine it, causing the worm to emit a miserable squeal.
"Vast Righteous Qi?"
The Yin Spirit from the slumbering Gu God also awakened, feeling instantly uneasy.
He had crashed into the Heaven and Earth Net back then and was destroyed by the Grotto God Thunder Skill of a Dongzhen Daoist. But his original worm, the Immortal Gu, was extraordinarily special, capable of splitting into multiple sub-worms. As long as one sub-worm escaped, he could continue to survive.
Relying on the profoundness of the sub-worm, he had been lurking on Qi Yuanwu for days, continuously extracting Qi Yuanwu's essence blood to restore his Yin Spirit.
Yet, unexpectedly, he was discovered again in just a few days.
Moreover, the person possessed Vast Righteous Qi.
This thing was indeed the nemesis of his soul-turned-worm.
"Don't do it, I have a huge secret to tell you!"
At the moment of desperation, the thread of Yin Spirit couldn't help but shout.
Zhang Jian's gaze flickered, and he asked gently, "Oh? What secret do you have?"
The Gu God's sinister voice came from within the Immortal Gu, "If you release me, I will definitely reveal this secret to you!"
"Not only that, I can also tell you the location of my Separate Mansion. Inside, there are many spirit medicines and secret techniques, including some invaluable treasures, as long as you ensure my safety!"
The Gu God's voice was seductive, still attempting to bargain with Zhang Jian.
"That won't be necessary!"
Zhang Jian, however, wasn't interested in such benefits.
But he knew someone would surely be willing to help.
With that, he infused his Divine Thought into a divine thought imprint in his hand, relaying the message.
"Master, I have captured a Yin Spirit Venerable alive here, and he bears secrets. Are you interested?"
From the depths of the divine thought imprint, after a moment, dark light faintly emitted.
An unusual gleam passed through Zhang Jian's eyes.
He had long noticed the divine thought imprint left on him by True Monarch Zhanmo, hidden within the three Sword Qi traces left by True Monarch Zhanmo. If not for sensing that True Monarch Zhanmo's divine thought was mostly dormant, he would have used up these three Sword Qi marks long ago.
"…Can your Divine Thought perceive my existence?"
At this moment, True Monarch Zhanmo's slightly astonished voice rang out.
She clearly hadn't expected Zhang Jian to progress so rapidly.
How long had it been since he entered the Golden Core, and he could already perceive her divine thought?
Zhang Jian merely smiled faintly and said, "It seems I can naturally sense subtle changes around my body, illuminating every inch of my body!"
"Possessing a Saintly Body is indeed extraordinarily miraculous!"
True Monarch Zhanmo was slightly surprised and didn't offer any further explanation, only saying, "Wait a moment, I will send Immortal Sound over, and the Protector of our Zhanmo Lineage will handle it. The benefits follow our Zhanmo Lineage rules; according to the gains and risks within the cave mansion, you get seventy percent or fifty percent!"
"Very fair!"
Zhang Jian nodded in agreement, providing the crucial information while the Sect provided experts, resources, and technology. Getting this ratio was absolutely fair.
Zhang Jian first used a secret technique to confine the Immortal Gu, then left under the couple's requests from the Eldest Princess's Mansion.
...
Shortly after Qi Yuanwu's grand wedding, Zhang Lu also brought Zhang Yi and others into Haojing.
Zhang Jian was preparing to marry Qi Yuhua.
Qi Yuhua, possessing the Phoenix Destiny, was a ticking time bomb. Marrying early would benefit both.
It's not the thief you fear, but the constant worry about being targeted.
As to who the thief was, no doubt.
Marrying early would benefit both.
At this moment, close relatives of both Zhang and Qi families were in Haojing.
With Zhang Jian's consent, Zhang Yi and Madam Zhang Qi exchanged the marriage certificates with Qi Yuansi and Madam Qi Wan according to the traditional three-matchmakers and six-betrothal gifts, setting the auspicious date for the wedding in a few days.
The Qi family was worried that the longer the marriage was delayed, the more complications would arise, especially since Zhang Jian had entered the court and was young, with many high-status families keeping an eye on the Champion Scholar.
Zhang Jian handled all of this with ease. With Zhang Yi and Madam Zhang Qi managing the wedding, he only needed to personally write and send some invitations.
Being such a grand wedding, naturally, it involved inviting friends and family.
In addition, he even invited old acquaintances from the academy and peers.
On the wedding day, Emperor Jingwu sent an imperial decree and even bestowed a Champion Scholar's Mansion, celebrating Zhang Jian's great achievement, succeeding after his academic distinction.
In the courtyard of the Zhang Family, near the bridal chamber, Zhang Jian gazed with some emotion.
The marriage banquet with Yu Hua and Bai Liying, he didn't think much about!
Yet now, a ripple stirred within him.
He glanced around, and outside, there were numerous flow banquets arranged to entertain the neighbors.
Inside, it was filled with distinguished guests!
With a slight hesitation, Zhang Jian pushed open the bridal chamber door, stepping inside, and then slightly wielded magic to seal the door.
As he expected, soon a group of drunken peers began to make a racket outside, but unfortunately, with the door tightly closed, the many Advanced Scholars left after no response.
At this time, Zhang Jian also saw Qi Yuhua with the Phoenix Crown and bridal dress, wearing the crimson bridal veil.
Though veiled, her stunningly beautiful face clearly appeared beneath.
Zhang Jian was no stranger to this; as a seasoned individual, he skillfully whispered with Qi Yuhua on the dragon and phoenix bed, and his new bride opened her heart.
After removing the veil, Qi Yuhua's exquisite appearance under the dragon-phoenix candlelight seemed to glow with brilliant radiance.
By nature, Qi Yuhua was a gentle and traditional girl, no different from other eminent ladies in the chamber.
Yet now, she was particularly captivating.
Zhang Jian smiled slightly and called someone to bring hot water to help Qi Yuhua remove her makeup.
After bathing, what followed was a romantic scene needing no further elaboration.
In early July, amid a lively wedding, Zhang Jian and Qi Yuhua completed the bond that would last a lifetime.
This early summer was exceptionally joyful and bustling.