Zhang Jian had few connections within the Tongshan Dao Lineage, so when he needed to enter the mountains to seek aid, Tie Xin Daoist was the first to come to mind.
Tie Xin Daoist was very well-liked within the sect, perhaps he would have a solution.
But when Tie Xin Daoist learned of Zhang Jian’s purpose, he quickly shook his head and said,
"Nephew, I’m afraid no one will be willing to take on this task!"
Meeting Zhang Jian’s gaze, he sighed.
"Indeed, Dong Shen Temple is quite prestigious, and the benefits offered are significant, but the risks involved in suppressing the Dragon Vein are too great!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian nodded; this was not unexpected!
"However, Nephew, I will still ask the various uncles and senior uncles to see if they are willing to help?!"
Tie Xin Daoist was still very enthusiastic.
Zhang Jian was well aware!
The massive scale of the Daqian Dragon Vein made it perilous to involve oneself. If it were to backfire, not only would he gain nothing, but he might also get himself involved.
A good swimmer drowns in water, let alone the Dragon Vein, which is not as simple as water; it is extremely dangerous. Any mistake in suppressing the dragon could result in being devoured by it instead.
Of course, if one were to seek enormous benefits for oneself, that might be different!
"Then Uncle, please give it a try and see if any of the sect elders are willing to take this trouble?"
Zhang Jian slightly cupped his hands.
Tie Xin Daoist nodded.
But Zhang Jian did not wait long, as Tie Xin Daoist soon brought back specific news.
"Most of the senior uncles did not respond, but a few second-generation ancestors said they could give it a try, although the conditions they set..."
Seeing Tie Xin Daoist’s expression, Zhang Jian’s eyes moved as he casually took the few jade slips handed over by Tie Xin Daoist. Just a glance and Zhang Jian shook his head.
The jade slips were filled with various Heaven and Earth Spiritual Materials, including rare innate spiritual materials and divine objects, along with honorary titles and the request for Daqian to open the Dragon Vein for investigation, all extremely stringent.
One second-generation ancestor even demanded that after suppressing the backlash, a small section of Dragon Vein Essence be extracted.
Zhang Jian thought for a moment and knew that the Daqian Royal Family and Dong Shen Temple would not agree.
They would rather change the emperor than agree to such extensive costs.
But Zhang Jian also understood these second-generation ancestors’ conditions.
They were taking on a great risk, after all.
"Looks like I can only do it myself!"
The thought flashed through Zhang Jian’s mind.
Zhang Jian was not afraid of the risk. First, the various Dharma Gates he had cultivated were specifically designed to restrain Dragon Qi.
Even his Lifebound Divine Technique, the Map of Mountains and Rivers, was rooted in the Sheji Dao, naturally suppressing the Dragon Vein.
He also possessed the Red Dragon Pearl, a Celestial Treasure capable of suppressing destiny.
Zhang Jian was willing to give it a try. More importantly, it would allow him to investigate the illusion and reality hidden within the Dragon Vein to prepare for the future.
Thinking about it, Zhang Jian immediately created a "Master Wu Long" persona, filling in some of his own requirements.
Compared to other sect elders, he lowered his own demands slightly, although they were still high.
He requested several types of innate spiritual materials and divine objects.
Most of these materials and divine objects were related to Dragon Race cultivation.
They were preparations for Bai Nu’s transformation into a dragon.
He also required the Seven-leaf Dragon Heart Fruit, Thousand-Year Dragon Pattern Wood, and Profound Turtle Elixir Pearl, among other spiritual objects. Additionally, he requested a part of the Dragon Vein to be opened for investigation. His reason was sound: only by investigating the Dragon Vein’s anomalies could the extent of its backlash be assessed.
Zhang Jian believed that as long as Jingming Daoist was wise, he would choose him!
With the strict conditions set by the previous ancestors, in comparison, his "cost performance" would become apparent!
...
"This is simply outrageous; the high masters of the Tongshan Dao Lineage are too greedy. Look at what this ’Qing Shuang’ Master is asking for! Two Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects, and they have to be twin innate spiritual objects with Yin Yang attributes? If they had such treasures, would they even need outside help?"
On the Observatory Platform, when Jingming Daoist brought back Zhang Jian’s reply, a few ’Dong’ generation cultivators were agitated.
Each of them gesticulating wildly.
Huang He Master, standing by the side, glanced briefly and was slightly taken aback.
The Tongshan Dao Lineage cultivators certainly knew how to take advantage.
He noticed that one elder named Zidian Ancestor demanded a piece of Dragon Blood Celestial Gold, Thunder Dragon Essence Pill, and several Thunder-attributed spiritual objects, including the Thunder Beast Hide, Five Elements Thunder Divine Sand, and Innate Seven-orifice Thunder Spirit, along with viewing rights to Dong Shen Temple’s supreme inheritance, the Cave Scripture.
The Dragon Blood Celestial Gold and Thunder Dragon Essence Pill were extremely rare items.
Especially the Thunder Dragon Essence Pill, which is the innate essence pill of the ancient divine beast, the Thunder Dragon. Its value is no less than a Spirit Treasure.
The Thunder Beast Hide and Innate Seven-orifice Thunder Spirit are both rare Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects, even Dong Shen Temple is reluctant to use them.
Let alone the viewing rights to the Cave Scripture.
The conditions of the first few Primordial Spirit Masters were nearly impossible for anyone to accept.
But the conditions of the fifth person, the one named "Master Wu Long," seemed negotiable.
After a moment, Daoist Dongzhen said to Jingming Daoist,
"Nephew, in my opinion, the terms set by this so-called ’Master Wu Long’ are quite reasonable!"
Daoist Dong Jue shook his head after hearing this. "Second Senior Brother, the demands of this ’Master Wu Long’ are also high. The Seven-leaf Dragon Heart Fruit, Thousand-Year Dragon Pattern Wood are very rare treasures, but the most precious are the Innate Geng Metal Spirit Pearl and the Profound Turtle Elixir Pearl!
The Innate Geng Metal Spirit Pearl is a divine object of Heaven and Earth, nurtured by the Innate Geng Metal Vein, and extremely rare. The Profound Turtle Elixir Pearl is even more difficult; although the Profound Turtle is not a divine beast, it is excellent at avoiding disaster. How could we possibly obtain their elixir pearls?"
Jingming Daoist smiled slightly and said calmly, "Dong Shen Temple, after operating for so many years, is not short of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects. Although we might not have the Profound Turtle Elixir Pearl, we do have a spirit armor molted by a ten-thousand-year-old Profound Turtle, which should serve the same purpose!"
Compared to the harsh conditions of the Tongshan Dao Lineage’s high masters, the demands of the so-called "Master Wu Long" were more reasonable.
The only complicated part was investigating the Dragon Vein.
That pertained to the secrets of the Daqian Royal Family.
After discussing it with Huang He Master, Jingming Daoist made a preliminary decision and finally went to East Mausoleum to seek Tiangang Master’s opinion.
Ultimately, they decided to invite this so-called "Master Wu Long" to give it a try.
Though they had never heard of this reputed "Master Wu Long" before, given Zhang Jian’s recommendation, Jingming Daoist trusted the choice.
...
Meanwhile, Zhang Jian was familiarizing himself with his magical power after the Fourth Tribulation of the Yin Spirit.
After advancing to the Fourth Tribulation of the Yin Spirit, every aspect of his body was changing.
Not only his magical power but also his understanding of the laws of various magic began to rise. With some insight, he could use the magic to greater effect.
Particularly with the two Primordial Spirit Immortal Techniques and numerous Yin Spirit Level Techniques he now controlled.
He needed to fully comprehend these techniques, harmonize them with the True Intent of the Great Dao, consolidate them, and integrate them into the Map of Mountains and Rivers to become his foundation.
For other Yin Spirit Venerables, the process of the Fourth Tribulation of the Yin Spirit required a long time, re-planning, and harmonizing their Lifebound Techniques to the realm of Primordial Spirit Immortal Technique, as well as preparing for escaping life and death.
For Zhang Jian, it was just a matter of reorganizing.
By sorting and classifying his vast arsenal of techniques like a star river, integrating them, he could elevate his Dao Practice to a level others could not reach.
This was indeed years of accumulation and a sudden breakthrough.
The most profound aspect was that his Map of Mountains and Rivers was all-encompassing. The integration of various techniques wouldn’t make it cumbersome; instead, it would only enrich its essence.
Because the essence of his Map of Mountains and Rivers was a mystical matrix-form technique.
In the Dragon Palace market, he also acquired the "Little All Heavens Fortune and Tribulation Cutting Skill" and "Great Five Elements Magnetic Extinction Divine Light" as part of his cultivation plan.
Particularly for the new "persona" he was crafting, he focused mainly on the Great Five Elements Magnetic Extinction Divine Light, this Five Elements Technique.
And when Jingming Daoist came, agreeing to the conditions, Zhang Jian was ready to reply.
"Very well, two days from now, ’Master Wu Long’ will arrive!"
Two days would be enough for him to prepare.
However, Jingming Daoist, pondering for a moment, still asked,
"May I ask if Mr. Zhang is familiar with this ’Master Wu Long’? We have long resided in the East, and are quite unfamiliar with this ’Master Wu Long’..."
Zhang Jian’s eyes wavered as he smiled and said, "This ’Master Wu Long’ is a third-generation luminary from Tongshan, having always been active overseas, renowned for his extensive Five Elements Daoist Techniques and cultivation in the Saint King Secret Technique. He once supported the Dragon Court, helping stabilize the land, so there will be no issues!"
Jingming Daoist thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "I see, then in two days, we shall await the arrival of Elder Wu Long to deliver our Majesty from this disaster!"
Zhang Jian slightly nodded.
The opportunity to openly explore the Daqian Dragon Vein was something he anticipated.
There’s a chance to accomplish other objectives during this process as well.