"If not for the Ink-Wash Painting gifted by Mr. Zhang, I fear I would have fallen victim to the corpse demon of the Celestial Corpse Sect. Mr. Zhang has given me a second life. Today, I bring a generous gift to express my gratitude!"
Upon hearing this, Dongxiao Daoist's expression turned solemn, and he nodded.
"This is only right!"
...
At the Observatory Platform, Zhang Jian was hesitating.
Originally, Zhang Jian planned for Zhang Zhao to follow the mundane path, to honestly inherit the Zhang family's business and assist him in his plans.
However, Zhang Zhao has his own will and cannot be completely controlled. He never intended to manipulate Zhang Zhao's fate.
If he joins the Dong Shen Temple, it wouldn't be unacceptable.
If the Zhang family seeks to replace the Daqian Society in the future, gaining support from the Dong Shen Temple would greatly reduce resistance.
As Dong Jue Daoist entered the Observatory Platform for a visit, Zhang Jian set aside many thoughts; it all depended on Zhang Zhao's own destiny.
When Dong Jue Daoist saw Zhang Jian, he prepared to perform a grand bow, but was stopped by Zhang Jian.
"Elder Dong Jue, why such a grand gesture?"
Zhang Jian feigned ignorance.
Dong Jue Daoist's beautiful jade-like face now bore a sweet smile: "Dong Jue came to thank Mr. Zhang for his life-saving grace. Without the painting of the chivalrous hero gifted by Mr. Zhang, Dong Jue would have perished at the hands of the villains!"
"Chivalrous Hero Painting?"
Zhang Jian's eyes flickered slightly, but he merely waved it off with a smile.
"This is the Elder's own fortune and has nothing to do with me!"
Dong Jue Daoist naturally dared not take this seriously, although the painting was indeed obtained at a great cost by Jingming Daoist.
After staying briefly at the Observatory Platform, Dong Jue Daoist clasped his hands and left.
Zhang Jian watched as this Kun Dao departed.
It seemed Dong Jue Daoist and Dongxiao Daoist were not on the same path.
Soon after, Zhang Jian noticed that Dong Jue Daoist had left behind many wooden boxes.
Zhang Jian stepped forward, casually opening a few boxes, and his expression shifted slightly.
Dong Jue Daoist was quite generous.
The few boxes contained not only some spirit stones but also numerous valuable spirit fruits, such as century-old Vermilion Fruit and thousand-year-old ginseng, along with several pieces of high-quality Beautiful Jade filled with spiritual mechanism – truly exquisite pieces.
But Zhang Jian was indifferent, as he had no use for these things. They could be reserved for another cultivator in the Zhang family, Zhang Yi.
At this moment, he revealed a bit of resources at his fingertips, which would be of considerable benefit to Zhang Yi, who was new to the Dao path.
Another portion could be stored, kept for future cultivators of the Zhang family.
...
After the battle at the Three-Eyed Exorcism Well, Zhang Jian noticed a significant improvement in the cultivation atmosphere among the disciples within the Dong Shen Temple.
The disciples of the Dong Shen Temple were no longer as leisurely and composed; everyone became busy.
Life and death served as the greatest impetus for these cultivators.
Even in Haojing City, the heart of the Sheji Divine Dao of the Daqian Society, was not free from the disturbances of evil and demonic intruders, showing that there was no true era of peace.
The peace they currently enjoyed might only be temporary.
Only by achieving Primordial Spirit Master oneself could one enjoy a period of free years, controlling one's own fate.
...
The combat before the Three-Eyed Exorcism Well deeply affected Zhang Jian.
Zhang Jian hastened his pace for self-enlightenment in Daoist techniques.
His ideas progressed rapidly.
By comprehending the grand Dao traces at the Observatory Platform and combining them with his own foundation, the idea to establish a new Dharma Gate was proceeding smoothly.
In his conception, the Map of Mountains and Rivers should have divine power, akin to that Supreme Treasure of myth, forming a Void Dharma Realm, reversing Heaven and Earth, and invisibly entrapping Great Divine Ability Users.
The so-called mastery of mountains and rivers in one's grasp, the splendid landscape under one's command, represents the divine power of this Supreme Treasure.
However, his current understanding of space-type divine techniques was limited, and for now, he could only seek solutions through the concept of Sheji (society and state).
This concept was the source of his foundation.
Both the Tongshan Pure Treasure Record and the King's Cauldron Demon-Vanquishing Record were grounded in the concept of Sheji.
Utilizing this as a foundation, he could gradually evolve a Sheji Dao Map, eventually transforming into the Map of Mountains and Rivers.
Zhang Jian felt confident in this line of thinking.
Once this Daoist technique was mastered, not only would his foundation greatly increase, but he would also gain considerable advantage in future magical combat and cultivation.
Once the Map of Mountains and Rivers took shape, it would surely become his trump card, a powerful weapon.
At this point, his Golden Core Qi was harmoniously blended, and Zhang Jian felt that he would soon face the Three Calamities of the Yin Spirit.
Zhang Jian hoped to complete the rudimentary form of the Sheji Dao Map before his Pill Break Divinity Transformation.
...
Meanwhile, in the Northern Land at Lingwu County, Jingming Daoist and his group had joined the bandit suppression forces of Marquis Tongcheng, Yang Gonghu.
With the assistance of cultivators from the Dong Shen Temple, Yang Gonghu's advance was rapid.
On the verge of quelling the rebellion in Lingwu County, the group unexpectedly encountered attacks from several mysterious experts from the Northern Land, caught off guard, resulting in severe losses for the bandit suppression forces due to the rebel ambush.
Even some disciples from the Dong Shen Temple were injured.
"Nephew, be cautious, many of these experts might hail from the Northern Demon Sect. These Northern Demon Dao cultivators have bizarre techniques and hold enmity against us. If we're not careful, our disciples could suffer greatly!"
Within the camp, Dongzhen and Dongxuan Daoists stood behind Jingming Daoist, with Dongzhen Daoist frowning deeply.
The group of Daoists from Dong Shen Temple held a deep-seated loathing towards the Northern Demon Sect.
The remnants of the Northern Demon Sect were primarily from the Blood Evil Sect.
This sect was one of the sworn enemies of Dong Shen Temple.
Back when the Grand Ancestor of Daqian founded the nation, the Dong Shen Ancestor marched with the army, swept the four territories, and killed a former sect master of the Blood Evil Sect, even breaking the sect's gate established in the Northern Mountains.
This enmity was enormous.
The reappearance of some remnants of the Blood Evil Sect now suggests they won't retreat easily.
The group encountered obstacles in their bandit suppression, and concurrently, Jingming Daoist received news from the Dong Shen General View in Haojing City.
He learned that another Primordial Spirit Master from the Daqian Court had killed the invading Yuan Chen Master from the Celestial Corpse Sect, which was encouraging news for everyone.
This news was welcomed!
This example set by the Yuan Chen Daoist was enough to deter many restless experts.
It also bought some time for the Dong Shen Temple.
Another message sent from Dongxiao Daoist, however, worried Jingming Daoist.
The Demon Suppression Tower at the Observatory Platform was indeed a significant catastrophe.
Although Zhang Jian had suppressed one wave of backlash, he might not withstand a second rebound.
The key treasures of Dong Shen Temple were all under his possession, and his inability to return for now truly troubled him.
He must find a way to resolve the persistent entanglement of the Blood Evil Sect's remnants and completely eradicate them in a short time.
Yet, for some reason, when gazing at the undulating Northern Mountains, Jingming Daoist couldn't shake off a sense of foreboding, a nagging premonition.
...
The news of Dong Shen Temple's ineffective bandit suppression in the Northern Land quickly spread back to the Daqian Court, sparking widespread discussion among court officials.
Meanwhile, more precise information reached the Dong Shen Temple.
Though Jingming Daoist was stationed in the Northern Land, he continually sent back updates.
Soon after, however, Dongxiao Daoist received very unfortunate news.
The State Preceptor Jingming Daoist had disappeared!
Upon hearing the news, Dongxiao Daoist immediately suppressed it and called upon Dong Jue Daoist for discussion.
"Fourth Senior Brother, how could Nephew Jingming suddenly vanish?"
Arriving hastily, Dong Jue Daoist's jade-like face showed shock, an incredulous look in her eyes.
"And what of Senior Brothers Dongzhen and Dongxuan?"
Dongxiao Daoist shook his head.
"Senior Brothers Dongzhen and Dongxuan are fine. Only Nephew Jingming was taken by a beam of treasure light!"
Upon hearing this, Dong Jue Daoist's expression eased; it was a blessing amidst misfortune.
"But how could they be so careless?!"
Dongxiao Daoist shook his head lightly.
"We don't know the specifics, but Nephew Jingming seems only trapped. I checked his soul token; it's intact, so there shouldn't be any issues for now. However, the State Preceptor's disappearance could greatly affect the bandit suppression efforts. We should notify His Majesty promptly, so the Court can prepare."