Within the Champion Scholar's Mansion, Zhang Jian held a tome of the "Sun Scripture," and this time it was not a fake, but the genuine scripture authored by the Western Extreme Sun King.
Zhang Jian glanced over it briefly but still felt greatly benefited.
Such obscure and intricate classics, in the eyes of other cultivators, might seem like ordinary works at best, good for cultivating one's temperament. However, to the remarkably insightful Zhang Jian, it was no less than the enactment of a divine sage's art.
Just after flipping through it once, Zhang Jian's mind seemed to manifest many divine wonders of the sun stars' movements, which combined with his own circulation mark, Golden Crow Mark, yielded significant insights.
His command of the Golden Crow True Flame subtly improved.
This was a terrifying level of comprehension.
His entire body was subtly enveloped in strands of Pure Yang Golden Light, naturally integrating into his Innate Dao Embryo body, with his flesh orifices starting to emit a jade-like vitality glow.
Inside his body, countless Golden Crow flames seemed to transform into fine lines, coursing through various meridians and entering his heart orifice.
After flipping through it several times, Zhang Jian put it down.
His gaze drifted; his mind was still preoccupied with what Jingming Daoist had asked of him.
After careful deliberation, Zhang Jian made a decision in his heart.
Since Jingming Daoist "trusted" him so much, he naturally had to accept.
Besides probing Jingming Daoist, Zhang Jian felt he might be able to unearth the origins of that ancient spiritual treasure from this affair.
To know oneself and the adversary is the only way to prepare in advance.
Once he made up his mind, Zhang Jian sent a message back to Dong Shen Temple.
Not long after, Jingming Daoist came again, and after discussing for half a day, they finally settled on a date.
...
"Dear wife, as I depart on my journey, you must keep Zhao'Er and Chang'an restrained. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid leaving the mansion. As long as you remain within the mansion, despite any chaos in Haojing City, you will all be safe!"
Before leaving, Zhang Jian went to the inner courtyard to see Qi Yuhua.
Qi Yuhua, currently cradling Zhang Xian, was radiant with maternal glory. Upon hearing his words, she grew somewhat worried.
Zhang Jian wasn't speaking lightly.
Qi Yuhua still agreed, "Husband, with me at home, you need not worry!"
Zhang Jian promptly summoned Zhang Fu.
Before departing, Zhang Jian handed over two talismans to Zhang Fu, asking him to send one back to Fengyang County while keeping the other to use when necessary, delivering it to someone fated.
...
The site Zhang Jian intended to visit was called the Eastern Emperor Ruins.
The Eastern Emperor was an ancient sage born amidst vast realms, an overlord in the cultivation world who once led the realm in defending against the Demon Race, repelling multiple invasions by outer gods and demons.
However, this Eastern Emperor did not achieve enlightenment before completely disappearing after a great battle, later confirmed to have fallen.
This cultivator, whose Dao practice reached the heavens and earth, once led numerous cultivators to fight enemies in the outer void, achieving much glory.
These Void Dharma Realms eventually became the Eastern Emperor Ruins.
An ancient sage's remains left within the cultivation world, Zhang Jian had some interest.
...
Meanwhile, Zhang Fu did not dare to delay; after Zhang Jian departed, he instructed someone to send a talisman via the waterway station back to Fengyang County, and he himself headed to a tavern in Haojing City waiting for the target's arrival.
...
In another place, Zhang Jian's letter reached Zhang Yi's hands, who then summoned Zhang Yi.
"Brother Yi, here is a letter for you from Ah Yu. You still need to make a trip to the Shuangfeng Mountain Range!"
At this moment, Zhang Yi's demeanor was immensely dignified.
Zhang Jian's rising status in Haojing City and the Zhang Family caravan's smooth expansion in the Southern Provinces had minimized resistance.
His presence was increasingly imposing.
Zhang Yi, dressed in black robes, stood aside, his aura subtly brimming with spiritual mechanism fluctuations. After cultivating the Soul Implantation Technique for over a decade, he had gained proficiency.
Yet, he increasingly exuded a chilling, unapproachable aura.
After receiving the letter, his gaze revealed some surprise, but he still nodded.
"Since the Young Master entrusted it, I should naturally comply!"
Zhang Jian's request was simple: go to the Shuangfeng Mountain Range and wait a few days, as a spirit beast was expected to enter seeking the Way. He just needed to find a way to give it a creation.
Twin Peaks Mountain Range, before the Phoenix Nest mountain.
Zhang Yi, following Zhang Jian's instructions, stood firmly before a tall rock outcrop on the mountainside. From there, he could overlook the valley below, occasionally seeing caravans passing through.
But before long, Zhang Yi's expression changed, seeing how suddenly the forests and surroundings fell silent, as if some horrific beast had arrived, silencing all birds.
Watching this scene, Zhang Yi grew slightly alert but still followed Zhang Jian's instructions, calling out aloud.
"Has anyone come seeking the Way?"
His voice rang out, yet the mountains and forests remained silent!
Seeing this, Zhang Yi scanned the area and, per Zhang Jian's prompting, shouted again:
"You vile beast, having remembered the twelve-year promise of transforming the myriad souls, why do you waver now?"
This time, deep in the woods, there was movement, a rustling sound echoed!
From the shadows, a raspy, heavy voice spoke.
"Who are you? How do you know of my promise with the esteemed one?"
Amidst whistling winds, a spirit light appeared, revealing a very thick demon creature.
Yet its entire form glowed with spirit light, its demon qi exceedingly sparse, with its pitch-black snake scales exuding an unusual pure and holy aura.
A large snake it was, stretching over ten yards long as a black serpent.
Its surrounding demon qi was alarming. Zhang Yi, sensing its presence, felt chilled but still spoke as instructed by Zhang Jian.
"I have been entrusted by my family lord, saying three days hence, at noon, before the Shuangfeng Mountain Range, fated ones will arrive to be imparted with spells, granted secrets, and devotedly follow the heart to achieve the Great Dao!"
"You are the fated one?"
"At noon between Goat and Horse, a fated one arrives… that's right, it's me!"
Upon hearing this, the black snake's eyes sparkled with delight.
It was the black snake that had agreed on the battlefield years ago with Zhang Jian to transform ten thousand souls.
After arduous cultivation over a dozen years, it traversed between ancient battlefields and mysterious sites, enduring hardships and near-death experiences, with several close calls where it was almost slain.
Yet it still found some opportunities, managing to condense the Soul Purification Spell.
Having seen the Soul Purification Spell take shape, the black snake adhered to the agreement with Zhang Jian, heading to the Shuangfeng Mountain Range.
Arriving just in time, it encountered Zhang Yi, who was already waiting.
Seeing the large snake's joyous expression, Zhang Yi's eyes showed some emotion.
As a cultivator, he understood the black snake well.
Without a Great Dao Lineage, even if one enters the cultivation realm, it's like watching the moon reflect on water or dreaming of flowers.
He took out a talisman, casually activating it with a touch of spiritual mechanism, instantly embedding it into the black snake's brow.
When the talisman descended, the inner two Great Dao Techniques were also perceived by the black snake.
"Taiyin Refining Form Technique"
"Cyan Lotus Soul Purification Spell"!
Additionally, it carried supplementary cultivation techniques such as Mirror Moon Capturing Form, Taiyin Evasion Technique, God-Catching Spell, and more.
Just after a brief overview, the black snake was overjoyed, as these were Great Dao Techniques.
Sincerely, it bowed to Zhang Yi.
"Black Hemp thanks the esteemed one for the imparted magic!"
"Please convey to the esteemed one, Black Hemp will never forget the master's teachings, will cultivate diligently, pursue the Great Dao, and stay true to the original aspiration!"
Zhang Yi understood, this bow was not directed at him, but was a worship toward Zhang Jian.
Promptly, he stood back up.
The black snake instantly vanished as a black wind into the forest.
At that moment, within the Phoenix Nest Mountain Range, Feng Ling Mountain God's Divine Sense also witnessed this scene, its expression slightly moved.
This black snake was a promising prospect, though lacking bloodline, its demon qi was pure, comprehension, perseverance, and opportunity were all superb, bound for notable achievements in the future.
...
In the tavern, Zhang Fu now awaited the target's arrival.