Zhang Jian inquired further about the traps.
Although Jingming Daoist mentioned he would take full responsibility to deal with the various heterodox sects, including Zuo Dao, targeting Dong Shen Temple and assured it wouldn't affect him, Zhang Jian didn't believe this guarantee one bit.
"According to my personal investigation, there should be several Primordial Spirit Ancestors from heterodox sects involved in setting up the traps. The Fire Worship Sect, Xuan Du Sect, Ghost Control Sect, and the Sinful Demon Sect's Primordial Spirit Ancestors have all appeared around!"
Jingming Daoist's expression remained calm.
"Huang He Master has already set out, and has invited several righteous path experts, enough to eradicate these demons!"
"Scholar Zhang need not worry, these evil demons are nothing to fear!"
Jingming Daoist's expression was cold.
The Fire Worship Sect, Xuan Du Sect, Ghost Control Sect, and the Sinful Demon Sect are all old rivals of Dong Shen Temple.
This time, they took advantage of the fact that Dong Shen Temple and several National Guardian Masters of the Daqian are occupied, attempting to eradicate the core strength of Dong Shen Temple and thereby undermine Daqian's foundation in various places.
To think that the absence of Yinsi Master would enable them to annihilate the living forces of Dong Shen Temple, Jingming Daoist thought these people underestimated him.
Zhang Jian's eyes flickered; this was another high-level game.
However, having cultivated the Yang Spirit and mastered the Golden Crow Evasion Technique, Zhang Jian no longer feared any high-level game.
Thinking it over, Zhang Jian also put forward his own requirements.
"I have heard that the elixirs of Dong Shen Temple are renowned in the cultivation realm, especially the Three Great Golden Cores: Life Creation Golden Core, Celestial Essence Golden Core, and Returning Origin Golden Core. I don't care much for other things, but these treasure pills cannot be missed. I need two Returning Origin Golden Cores and two Life Creation Golden Cores!"
Zhang Jian did not hide his intentions.
Among the Three Great Golden Cores, the Life Creation Golden Core is a treasure medicine for healing injuries, said to restore flesh and bones even if the flesh body is damaged.
The Celestial Essence Golden Core is a treasure medicine for realm breakthroughs.
The Returning Origin Golden Core can enhance aptitude, containing several precious innate spiritual mechanisms, rumored to also enhance bloodlines, trace back to the origin, and refine bloodlines to purity.
Zhang Jian's request for two Life Creation Golden Cores and two Returning Origin Golden Cores was not for himself but for Zhang Yi, Zhang Zhao, and Bai Liying.
If Bai Liying wants to transform into a dragon with pure Flood Dragon bloodline, the Returning Origin Golden Core cannot be missed.
Now, with the rare opportunity to strike a deal with Dong Shen Temple, Zhang Jian didn't want to miss it.
Upon hearing this, Jingming Daoist's smile froze, and his expression showed some difficulty.
The Three Great Golden Cores can be considered as Dong Shen Temple's war reserves.
These items are extremely precious.
Even when severely injured previously, he only used one Life Creation Golden Core.
And now Zhang Jian was asking for two, plus two Returning Origin Golden Cores.
This was simply asking for too much.
After thinking for a moment, he said,
"Scholar Zhang, may I discuss this matter with several elders upon my return?"
"Of course!"
Zhang Jian nodded slightly.
...
Central Jin Province
Celestial Spring Pass, an ancient and mighty pass, is also the first checkpoint from Central Jin Province to Haojing City.
The Celestial Spring Gorge nearby has always been one of the ancient battlefields.
During the twilight of every dynasty, this narrow gorge would become a grinding battlefield.
At this moment, in the pavilion within Celestial Spring Pass, figures shrouded in black, enveloped in demon qi, sat quietly listening to orders from a grand dark figure at the head.
That was the Hundred Facets Ancestor of the Sinful Demon Sect.
A renowned Primordial Spirit fiend of the Demon Dao, rumored to have reached enlightenment over two thousand years ago, with exceptional Dao practice and overwhelming demonic might.
Even the well-known and named sect ancestors of the Demon Sect must address him as a senior.
Sitting below him were Xuan Du Ancestor, Huo Ling Divine Monarch, Nine-Child Ghost Mother, and Nie Xiang Master, four Primordial Spirit Masters gathered together, with demon fiend qi reaching to the sky, obscuring the bright sun over Celestial Spring Pass.
Only the hoarse voice of Hundred Facets Ancestor from the chief seat resonated within the hall.
"Everyone, before us is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Many Primordial Spirit Masters of Daqian have been diverted away. We just need to exert some effort to swallow these little ones from Dong Shen Temple, and Daqian's control over the localities will collapse, the fall of Daqian is imminent!"
"And the time for our vendetta has finally come!"
Within the grand hall, many demons and fiends wore wanton smiles upon hearing this.
The Nine-Child Ghost Mother, dressed in black, resembling a charming and beautiful woman, said coquettishly,
"I don't care about vengeance. I only want the war souls within these ancient battlefields. These fierce war souls are best for refining the Blood Soul Banner!"
Beside her was Huo Ling Divine Monarch, with fiery red hair, a red-tinted face, and eyes seemingly filled with blazing flames, he laughed and said:
"Ghost Mother Taoist companion, regardless of our intentions, Dong Shen Temple is our common enemy. Since their Daoists are absent, we should settle our scores. As for the benefits, each of us is on our own!"
He was embracing two beautiful women with vacant expressions, completely ignoring the covetous gazes of the other demons and fiends, indulging in licentious behavior.
Nie Xiang Master sat below Hundred Facets Ancestor, frowning slightly—these recruited heterodox Primordial Spirits were nothing more than a rabble.
"They're not worthy of plotting with!"
He sneered inwardly, a hint of disdain in his proud eyes.
This time, the main participants in the revenge were the two Primordial Spirit Masters from the Sinful Demon Sect.
Yinsi Master had taken their precious treasures, how could they not try to reclaim them? Besides, they had glimpsed a hint of an extraordinary treasure lying deep within Daqian Dragon Vein, hoping to take this chance to explore it.
If they could discover the treasure, inform their superiors, the few ancestors of the Sinful Demon Sect would surely reward them handsomely.
Although Nie Xiang Master looked down on these demons and fiends, he still said calmly, "Senior Brother, besides the opening of Celestial Spring Pass as an ancient battlefield, there are three other ancient battlefields whose forbidden techniques haven't been broken. We should make some arrangements; these are excellent natural traps, perfect for giving the disciples of Dong Shen Temple a heavy blow!"
Hundred Facets Ancestor nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Shortly after, threads of demon qi and magical light shot out from above Celestial Spring Pass, demon fiend qi pervading the air, along with countless miasma and venomous creatures infesting the surrounding mountains and transforming into traps.
However, this scene was observed by a concealed Yang God Divine Sense.
In the void, a Yang Spirit figure concealed itself, roaming the West Shu Mountain Range surrounding Celestial Spring Pass.
This West Shu Mountain Range was extraordinarily long and narrow, stretching across nine mighty passes, each guarded by military generals and Daoists appointed by the court.
Numerous ancient battlefields were scattered throughout.
But the first pass, Celestial Spring Pass, the second pass, Cold Pool Pass, the third pass, Taiye Pool, and the fourth pass, Poison Dragon Pass, were occupied by demons and fiends.
The fifth pass, however, housed a particularly formidable figure, shrouded in various mysterious powers, so fearsome that even the Primordial Spirit Ancestors among the demons and fiends dared not intrude, leaving many astonished.
...
In the Champion Scholar's Mansion, Zhang Jian's Yang Spirit transformed into a golden light and returned to his body.
The Yang Spirit traveled through the Nine Passes of Western Shu, and this trip left Zhang Jian with some impressions, prompting him to make some targeted preparations.
Half a day later, Jingming Daoist hurriedly arrived, bringing two jade boxes sealed with forbidden techniques.
It seemed he had finally made up his mind.
"With these two Returning Origin Golden Cores, Li Ying's transformation into the dragon body is hopeful!"