Zhang Jian smiled slightly and didn’t go to greet, just had someone bring Chao Mu inside.
Hearing the footsteps behind him, Zhang Jian laughed.
"Chief Minister Chao himself comes to this humble abode, forgive me for not personally greeting you at the door!"
Chao Mu’s gaze fell on the few dishes under the jujube tree, as well as the two plates of spirit dates, but his face instead showed a smile.
He didn’t mind, because his visit was seeking Zhang Jian’s help, and certainly, he wouldn’t care about such ’neglect’ by Zhang Jian; his concern now was whether Zhang Jian was willing to help.
"Mr. Zhang, your words are too serious. With such fine wine and dishes, I couldn’t be happier!"
Zhang Jian made a gesture!
He sat down happily, his face full of smiles.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian understood. He obviously guessed right, Chao Mu came to him for help, and he picked up his jade chopsticks, simply conversing with Chao Mu about some amusing tales around the table, and court matters.
Seeing Zhang Jian’s expression, Chao Mu’s eyes moved, and he laughed.
"Mr. Zhang, to be honest, I came to the Zhang Mansion asking for a favor; I hope you will do me this great favor!"
Chao Mu wasn’t ready to beat around the bush, he didn’t mention helping the Court but spoke earnestly about himself.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian responded.
"Chief Minister Chao, please speak directly!"
Chao Mu said: "Mr. Zhang is not just a common man; I’ll be direct then. Mr. Zhang attended the morning court meeting a few days ago and should know about the nightmare mentioned by His Majesty. This dream is not an illusion, a few days ago another villain attacked a forbidden area in front of Chengguang Sect, releasing the Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend from within. This Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend ran rampant, scattering numerous resentful fiends, already causing some citizens to mutate!
Though the situation was controlled immediately by my Black-clothed Guards, and most of the Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend was contained, it can’t be refined. This is why His Majesty summoned various high Dao Masters to Haojing City!
But I heard Mr. Zhang has a mysterious technique to purify and absorb the resentment within the Dragon Vein. Could I ask Mr. Zhang to lend a hand, help us mitigate this threat? When it’s done, the Court will surely not treat a meritorious person like Mr. Zhang lightly!"
Chao Mu slightly bowed.
At this moment, he couldn’t view Zhang Jian as merely a simple scholar or civil servant.
The Zhang Jian before him was rather a formidable person whose depth is unknown.
Truth be told, if Zhang Jian hadn’t repeatedly helped the Court resolve disasters, he had reason to suspect the one who opened the Three-Eyed Exorcism Well was Zhang Jian in front of him...
At this moment, Zhang Jian stood with a solemn expression.
"The outbreak of the Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend is a catastrophic disaster; if its energy spreads into various Earth Veins throughout Haojing City, it could poison far and wide. Such a matter, I am duty-bound and will naturally assist the Court, lending His Majesty a helping hand!"
Chao Mu’s eyes brightened, unable to help but praise.
"Mr. Zhang indeed possesses the loyal and courageous spirit; having Mr. Zhang, such talent, aiding the Court is a blessing for both the Court and the citizens!"
Zhang Jian’s face remained calm, merely saying lightly: "However, I would like Chief Minister Chao to detail the situation within the Dragon Vein, so I can prepare accordingly!"
"Do not leave out any detail!"
"That is necessary!"
Chao Mu nodded, dissipating some doubts in his eyes.
Zhang Jian was considered righteous and loyal by many ministers in court because of the aura bestowed by Vast Righteous Qi.
Historically, the initial impression of sages possessing Vast Righteous Qi has always been loyalty, hence no suspicion among everyone.
Since Zhang Jian before him possesses Vast Righteous Qi, he should be no different from previous sages.
Yet, Chao Mu always felt a slight doubt about Zhang Jian; he sensed there were always some mysteries with him. Now, seeing Zhang Jian’s outright acceptance, making no mention of conditions, Chao Mu dispelled these doubts.
To unconditionally help the Court rectify the Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend, such compassion is genuine; his previous doubts were likely baseless.
Chao Mu indeed hadn’t thought that there could still be people like Zhang Jian in the world, with a Saint’s Heart and Vast Righteous Qi.
This Vast Righteous Qi wasn’t cultivated by Zhang Jian himself but carried by an external object.
Yet, Zhang Jian indeed had a compassionate heart, loyal to himself, not because of the Daqian Court, but for the common people.
His Vast Righteous Qi grew strong because of the lands and the people, not because of anything else.
...
A month’s time passed in a flash.
With time passing, Haojing City grew increasingly lively both inside and outside.
Daoist high masters from various counties entered the capital in increasing numbers, among whom were renowned grand cultivators whose arrival became honored guests at major aristocrats’, princely mansions, and royal residences.
Compared to this, the momentum of the Ministry of Rites Examination in early February was much diminished.
During this month, Zhang Jian mostly returned to his duty at the Sports and Arts College, spending leisure time occasionally entering the East Study to borrow classics, not in a hurry.
Of course, during this time, he didn’t forget to refine his magical power.
The third tribulation of the Yin Spirit known as Monkey Mind, also called the Unwarranted Tribulation.
This tribulation’s peril far surpasses the previous two tribulations; despite having Vast Righteous Qi, Zhang Jian must make preparations to avoid being caught off guard.
In fact, during this period, Zhang Jian wanted to take this opportunity to explore the core area of the Shu Kingdom’s Dragon Vein. However, for some unknown reason, Chao Mu kept refusing him, citing that the Daqian Court was currently setting up a magic altar and mapping the reality and illusion of the Shu Kingdom’s Dragon Vein.
Zhang Jian vaguely guessed that there were hidden secrets within and was curious about it. He was also trying to investigate further.
Through his comprehension of the Mirror Moon Scripture, he discovered a mysterious technique that was quite profound and found some clues.
However, due to the lack of specific precedents and experience, he was temporarily unable to draw a definitive conclusion.
...
Deep within the East Mausoleum, Yuan Geng sat in the Heaven-Praying Bureau with a frown, his expression sullen.
He angrily scolded, "The guys at the Observatory Platform are really useless. After all this time, they still can’t find the Dragon Soul. Is Daqian nurturing a bunch of useless fools?!"
Chao Mu stood beside him, frowning and speaking calmly.
"We don’t have much time left. If we still can’t find the Dragon Vein, we’ll have to follow the original plan and hold the Peaceful Sacrificial Ceremony!"
Chao Mu also seemed somewhat helpless.
The Dragon Soul, like a True Dragon, has some characteristics of a True Dragon, capable of changing size and extremely adept at hiding.
If the Emperor Corpse were still around, it could have been used to lure it out through the connection between the Emperor Corpse and the Shu Kingdom’s Dragon Vein.
But the Emperor Corpse is gone.
They have no way out.
The only one who might have the capability to find the Dragon Soul would probably be the professional "Dong Shen Ancestor"!
But Dong Shen Ancestor is currently active deep in the Barbaric Region.
Chao Mu and Yuan Geng looked at each other with wide eyes, seeing the helplessness in each other’s eyes.
The Dragon Soul is a valuable entity, especially an unclaimed Dragon Vein Dragon Soul.
Once captured, it can be used in magic refinement to cultivate a Guardian True Dragon, equivalent to having an additional Primordial Spirit Level Guardian Spirit, with benefits in battles that are self-evident.
Most notably, it has considerable growth potential, able to grow as one’s Dao Practice increases.
When used in Artifact Refining, it can produce a Primordial Spirit Level Spirit Treasure.
There might even be hope of crafting a True Monarch Spirit Treasure.
"Is there any news from Brother Dong Shen?"
Yuan Geng looked towards Chao Mu.
Chao Mu shook his head and said, "No!"
Yuan Geng’s gaze flickered.
Suddenly, a thought struck Chao Mu, and he asked, "If we were to completely purify the resentful fiends within the Dragon Vein, Brother, do you have a Dharma Gate to find that Dragon Soul?"
"Do you have a way?"
Yuan Geng’s face froze.
"Just tell me, yes or no?"
Chao Mu narrowed his eyes at Yuan Geng.
Yuan Geng snorted lightly, "Of course, once the Dragon Vein is mostly overwhelmed by resentful fiends and purified clean, how much Dragon Vein Essence remains won’t matter, we’ll just absorb it completely. The Dragon Soul can’t escape!"
"But the question is, can you completely purify the Dragon Vein’s resentful fiends?! Without that Peaceful Sacrificial Ceremony, how can they be fully transformed?"
Chao Mu’s gaze flickered, and he said.
"It’s worth a try!"
...
In front of Chengguang Sect
The area of several kilometers around had been completely controlled by the Court’s Black-clothed Guards’ armored warriors, with dense magic altars scattered around.
Many Daoists from Dong Shen Temple were busy among them.
Zhang Jian and Chao Mu appeared in front of the gate, Zhang Jian’s eyes flashed with a hint of peculiarity.
He considered it a revisit to an old place.
But this time, he was entering openly and aboveboard.
At this time, in Zhang Jian’s Spiritual Gaze, numerous Dragon Vein resentments appeared like an Earth Lungs volcano on the verge of eruption, with the accumulation of Dragon Vein resentful fiends below being quite astonishing.
For other Daoists, these Dragon Grudges might be a great disaster, but in his eyes, they were treasures that could save him many years of cultivation!
The level of comprehension of the forces of heaven and earth leads to remarkably different perspectives!
But in his eyes, these Dragon Vein Resentful Fiends are simply heaven-sent resources for upgrading the Cyan Lotus Soul Purification Spell.