"Scholar Zhang, it's rather impolite of me to visit so unexpectedly!"
"..."
Zhang Jian glanced at Jingming Daoist, his gaze shifting. Dong Shen Temple had already owed him quite a few favors. If this continued, even offering the entire Dong Shen Temple might not be enough.
However, since Zhang Zhao had already joined Dong Shen Temple, though not directly apprenticed, he had entered the lower courtyard for cultivation. Considering the relationships, he still gave some face.
"State Preceptor, if you have any matters, please speak directly!"
Zhang Jian had a slight smile.
Upon hearing this, Jingming Daoist's expression relaxed, though he had a wry smile in his heart.
In fact, seeking out Zhang Jian time and again for help left him feeling somewhat guilty.
Yet the matter at hand truly required Zhang Jian's assistance.
He sighed.
"Did Scholar Zhang notice the anomaly half a month ago?"
Zhang Jian nodded slightly: "The heavens showed an anomaly. Since ancient times, there's been no two suns in the sky. This may suggest instability in the Daqian Dynasty's fate. Has Dong Shen Temple found the hiding place of another 'rebel' with a Ziwei Star Fate?"
Jingming Daoist shook his head slightly.
"No, the Hidden Dragon hasn't manifested yet, making it exceedingly difficult to pinpoint. Even Dong Shen Temple is powerless!"
He looked at Zhang Jian, pondering briefly, then conjured a Dharma Seal, suddenly sealing the hall with an invisible barrier.
Seeing his caution, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.
"Scholar Zhang should have received information from 'Wu Long' seniors about another secret within the Daqian Dragon Vein?"
Zhang Jian shook his head: "No, I haven't!"
Before acting, 'Wu Long' Daoist had formal agreements with Dong Shen Temple, ensuring that what was seen and heard within the Dragon Vein wouldn't be disclosed.
However, as a direct participant, Zhang Jian naturally knew the truths and falsehoods inside.
Upon hearing this, Jingming Daoist smiled slightly: "The 'Wu Long' seniors indeed are trustworthy, but there's no harm in sharing this with Scholar Zhang!"
Noticing Jingming Daoist's expression, Zhang Jian's mind stirred. It seemed that Jingming Daoist regarded him as Dong Shen Temple's most 'intimate' ally. Given this, he might glean the reality about the artifact deep within the Dragon Vein from the State Preceptor!
"Since this matter pertains to royal secrets of the Daqian Royal Family, I am but an outsider, a subject, unsuitable for prying into royal secrets!" Zhang Jian shook his head.
Jingming Daoist chuckled.
"Scholar Zhang is an important minister of the court, a friend of Jingming, and closely connected with His Majesty, hardly an outsider!"
His expression was clear.
"..."
Zhang Jian felt as if, despite being a future rebel, he had infiltrated the core of the opposing organization. He would surely rise in ranks over time.
But no matter how high his position rose, it mattered little.
He had no intention of boarding the sinking ship of the Daqian Court.
Especially having sensed that the Daqian Royal Family was continually siphoning the world's Destiny, utilizing Dragon Vein Dragon Qi for treasure refinement, he had no wish to bind himself to it.
However, Jingming Daoist had already spoken to this extent, so he must listen to this secret.
Zhang Jian adopted a receptive posture, ready to listen.
"You may have heard from 'Wu Long' seniors that His Majesty the Grand Ancestor of Daqian was a heroic monarch, leading numerous campaigns, sweeping across territories, achieving repeated victories. He defeated Emperor Ai of Shu's 300,000 elite soldiers, crushing Former Shu's final resistance!"
"Yet, everyone is unaware that the real reason for Former Shu's defeat was not Emperor Ai's incompetence!"
Jingming Daoist's eyes shimmered with depth at this moment.
Zhang Jian's gaze shifted slightly.
Faced with Zhang Jian's speculative gaze, Jingming Daoist said: "Shu's downfall was due to greed. If not for the Shu kings' ambition to usurp the heavens' merit and unify rivers and mountains, achieving the Ancient Saint King's enterprise, Shu might not have fallen!
To this end, they had once refined an ancient fierce object within the Dragon Vein. If completed, it could indeed reshape the land, fulfilling the Saint King's enterprise!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's gaze wavered.
"Could it be..."
An absurd feeling arose in Zhang Jian's heart.
Noticing Zhang Jian's expression, Jingming Daoist took a deep breath, lightly sighed.
"Scholar Zhang's speculations are correct. After Shu's fall, the artifact in question fell into the hands of the Grand Ancestor of Daqian and was not destroyed. Youthful brilliance and decisiveness saw him through his years, but in his later years, he entertained the idea, leaving a will asking my master and several predecessors to assist Daqian in completing this endeavor, ensuring no regrets for posterity!"
"So, was it this fierce artifact that caused the Dragon Vein's early decline, resulting in endless natural and human disasters?"
Zhang Jian's expression was calm.
This is where the dragon slayer finally became the evil dragon!
Jingming Daoist nodded silently.
Zhang Jian's gaze fluctuated as he let out a light sigh.
"Countless bones under the success of a general. If using the Creation of Humanity as a price to bring about the Saint King's Ascension, it's not the right path. This method surely brings great backlash. The Daqian Court is in peril!"
This wasn't an excuse from Zhang Jian.
In the Ancient Saint King's Advent, none weren't supported by immense human merit, recognized by people everywhere, even by cultivators.
They weren't just emperors but possessed Saintly Bodies.
Becoming an Ancient Saint King through claiming kingship with a mere magical treasure?
Zhang Jian was skeptical?
This was not the way of Saintly Virtue.
It seemed more like the way of the Heterodox Sect.
Zhang Jian's gaze fluctuated: "Then does the State Preceptor know what this treasure truly is?"
His eyes bore a trace of curiosity. That day, when he briefly encountered the depths of the Dragon Vein, he sensed the artifact's overwhelming ferocity, surpassing even the Demon-Slaying Immortal-Slaying Sword.
The origin is undoubtedly astonishing.
Jingming Daoist shook his head: "What exactly is being refined within the Dragon Vein, even I am not very clear. Only my master and several predecessors know the full details..."
Scouring Jingming Daoist's words, Zhang Jian wasn't sure if they were truthful or false, so he asked another question.
"Has this artifact been completed?"
Jingming Daoist had no reservations, responding solemnly.
"This is precisely why I've sought you, Mr. Zhang. The artifact within the Dragon Vein is nearing completion, but now, the fierce qi is leaking out. Such malevolent energy permeates the Imperial City, and if prolonged, it may cause disasters!"
After a slight pause, he continued: "It could also incite civil unrest!"
Zhang Jian looked at Jingming Daoist, signaling for him to continue.
Jingming Daoist went on: "The only solution now is to complete refining the Supreme Treasure as soon as possible to mitigate this great catastrophe. However, this treasure still lacks one final primary material. Only by transforming malevolent qi into harmony can the Supreme Treasure be achieved!"
His expression serious: "We've pinpointed the location of this treasure's final component, but it's situated within a peculiar ruin filled with endless evil qi. We seek Mr. Zhang's help to accomplish this final task!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's gaze shifted, asking, "Do you know where these ruins are located? How dangerous are they?"
Seeing that Zhang Jian didn't outright reject the proposal, Jingming Daoist was delighted. At least Zhang Jian's current demeanor wasn't one of direct refusal.
He smiled and said: "This is a unique ruin within the Void Dharma Realm, with its danger level not being high. My Dong Shen Temple has studied this ruin for some time, though several areas within have prohibitions filled with Divine-Demon remnant souls and a Celestial Demon curse, which requires Mr. Zhang's intervention!"
At this point, he handed over a jade slip to Zhang Jian: "This is a map of the ruin. After viewing, Mr. Zhang can destroy it directly!"
Zhang Jian casually took it, his vast Yang God Divine Sense sweeping over it, his eyes flickering slightly.
"I see!"
He casually crushed the jade slip, contemplated for a moment, and said:
"Since it is at the State Preceptor's request, I will consider it seriously!"
Zhang Jian did not immediately agree.
Jingming Daoist wasn't surprised at this, simply saying: "Should Mr. Zhang decide to venture forth, you may set conditions. If it's within Dong Shen Temple's capabilities, the poor Daoist will certainly agree!"
With this, he slightly clasped his hands and departed Zhang Mansion with his disciples.
Watching Jingming Daoist's departing figure, an odd thought flashed through Zhang Jian's mind.
Judging by Jingming Daoist's attitude, he might, in the future, use Jingming Daoist as a springboard to bring Dong Shen Temple entirely to his side.
Perhaps this time, he could probe Jingming Daoist's stance!