Jingming Daoist and Dong Jue Daoist's Dao Hearts were fluctuating intensely.
Zhang Jian's expression was calm, exuding an ancient coldness.
The fusion of the All Heaven Star Soul brought him not only a substantial enhancement of his Yang Spirit essence.
Having experienced the origin of the stars, he seemed to have been born alongside the stars of the Celestial Sphere, witnessing the impermanence of life and death, the passage of time, and personally observing the turmoil of earth, water, wind, and fire, where countless Heaven and Earth Laws laid bare.
These Heaven and Earth Law origins fully manifested and were deeply engraved in his memory, etched into his Yang Spirit's essence.
At this moment, encountering this Rune Forbidden Technique, it was only natural to comprehend and study it.
The formation of this Life and Death Forbidden Technique materialized, as a portion of the cultivation magic projected by the Life and Death Law in Zhang Jian's sea of consciousness condensed immediately, converging into a peculiar black and white Life and Death Mark in the depths of Zhang Jian's sea of consciousness.
The formation of the Life and Death Mark signified that he had preliminarily grasped a portion of the authority of the Life and Death Law.
He was indifferent to this change, knowing that some powerful Yang Shen Masters inevitably, like him, grasped multiple potent cultivation techniques or held authority of various kinds.
His Yang Spirit continued to delve into the deeper Rune Ban within the Little All Heavens Reincarnation Law Ban.
The Divine-Demon Remnant Soul within served as the perfect medium.
Zhang Jian utilized Cyan Lotus Soul Control, allowing them to roam slowly within the Forbidden Technique, probing various rune structures.
Jingming Daoist and Dong Jue Daoist exchanged glances, watching this scene and continued waiting.
Jingming Daoist thought secretly: "This Scholar Zhang's comprehension is truly bewildering; even though I'm considered a genius, I'm merely unique in physique. However, such comprehension is indeed most suited for studying Talismanic Literature..."
His eyes showed envy.
The wonders of runes pertain to one's own cultivation. Most cultivators cannot bypass them, and the deeper one's attainments in Talismanic Literature, the greater the benefits.
Whether it's cultivating various spells or Forbidden Techniques, or Artifact Refining, it's very convenient.
...
Inside Haojing City
Meanwhile, Zhang Fu still made his rounds at the tavern daily, noting Zhao Qingshan hadn't appeared at the tavern for four or five days.
But Zhang Fu continued to wait as instructed by Zhang Jian each day, also gathering information.
During this time, Haojing City was in turmoil, with tension and worry permeating both the imperial court and the marketplace.
Rumors said the Grandmaster of Beichu, Tuoba Zhenwu, led a hundred thousand troops, joining with many Rong Di Tribes to invade, while the Divine Strategy Army stationed at Dingyuan County had been defending the city for four or five days.
The main general of the Divine Strategy Army, An Ruming, had consistently refused to leave the city to confront the enemy, yet the forces of Beichu had launched several sieges, resulting in significant losses for the Divine Strategy Army each time.
Dingyuan County urgently needed reinforcements.
In the imperial court, the Emperor and ministers were discussing which general to send to reinforce, though it hadn't been heard yet, it was said they had already departed.
As the war approached, the situation inside and outside Haojing City turned restless.
Zhang Fu noticed some unidentified people appeared around Zhang Family Mansion.
This made Zhang Fu quite worried.
Just as Zhang Fu was contemplating, he lifted his head and saw Zhao Qingshan coming in from outside, though this time his hair was withered, and his face was pale.
Zhang Fu, being well-versed in martial arts and often listening to Zhang Jian's explanations of martial arts mysteries and Daoist techniques, had far greater insight than ordinary people, immediately noticing Zhao Qingshan's deficiency in essence blood.
It seemed that the old Daoist had not solved Zhao Qingshan's issues but rather caused him to suffer backlash.
Just as Zhang Fu had anticipated.
Zhao Qingshan's recent experiences were like a roller coaster; he had a good night's sleep after encountering the old Daoist, but the next day he found his time in the dream had lengthened, and he often couldn't wake up voluntarily, losing vitality every time he did wake.
The old Daoist tried to help him with Yin Spirit Emergence but ended up having his own Yin Spirit trapped inside, losing his life.
Zhao Qingshan was left with no choice but to rely on strong liquor and medicinal baths to boost his vitality and fight against this strange condition.
"The time has come!"
Seeing this scene, Zhang Fu let out a breath of relief.
After Zhao Qingshan left, he stood up to settle the bill and followed him.
He took a shortcut and soon blocked Zhao Qingshan in front of an alley.
Upon seeing Zhang Fu, Zhao Qingshan frowned slightly and said coldly, "Who are you and why do you block my way?"
Zhang Fu turned around, with a slight smile on his face, said, "Zhao Qingshan, General Zhao, do you know your life is nearing its end?!"
"Presumptuous!"
Zhao Qingshan's expression darkened. Anger flashed in his eyes, his whole body's vitality surged; the void resounded instantly as if a blood shadow charged towards Zhang Fu.
Zhang Fu, with a smile, had a dragon and snake-like Qi Force entwined around him.
Vitality soared to the sky, and in an instant, a hand lightly grasped the blazing Grandmaster's Qi Force from Zhao Qingshan.
Without moving, but surrounded by blazing blood energy, it seemed a dragon python rose high and coiled tightly around Zhao Qingshan.
Countless Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanisms were drawn into the void, suppressing it.
"Celestial Human Resonance, Celestial Martial General?"
Zhao Qingshan's expression changed greatly seeing this.
However, Zhang Fu promptly withdrew his hand and released Zhao Qingshan.
Zhao Qingshan's demeanor turned solemn as he looked at Zhang Fu, speaking in a deep voice.
"What do you mean by this?"
Zhang Fu tucked his hand behind his back, feeling a tingling numbness in his palm and feeling somewhat surprised.
He had followed Zhang Jian in cultivation for over a decade, receiving numerous martial arts teachings, with countless exquisite martial arts, yet he had never encountered such profoundly powerful martial arts.
It resembled the cultivation of the Vajra Invulnerability.
Even some Celestial Martial Artists practicing Body Refining Techniques may not have such a strong Vajra Body.
Zhang Fu's eyes showed surprise, his expression peaceful as he spoke:
"General Zhao, what you have is not an illness, but rather a great opportunity. Did you, in your youth, receive an iron order made from Cold Iron?
On the iron order, you discovered an exceptional cultivation technique, which you used to forged your magnificent vitality and Vajra Invulnerability!"
Zhang Fu's mouth curved slightly into a smile.
Zhao Qingshan was momentarily stunned, then coldly laughed, "Nonsense?"
Yet behind his back, his five fingers clenched tightly; this was the deepest secret in his heart.
His eyes revealed a hint of killing intent!
Zhang Fu smiled and said, "No need to deny it. What I wish to know is not difficult!"
He glanced at Zhao Qingshan and said, "No need to speculate, that iron order isn't an evil object, but a Foundation Establishment Chapter of an ancient technique. Once your cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Chapter is perfect, you naturally can activate the other inheritances within the iron order!
But such inheritance conditions are harsh, and due to age, some core Forbidden Techniques were damaged. While you have succeeded in cultivating the Body Refining Technique, it is no longer enough to obtain the core inheritance within, and it can only draw on your vitality as a supplement for a long time. Once mature, the Daoist Technique inheritance will resume opening…"
"This..."
Zhao Qingshan looked at Zhang Fu, his eyes flickering intensely.
What the other party said indeed matched his current situation.
He was inclined to inquire, yet still harboring doubts.
Hearing this, Zhang Fu shook his head.
"It's only natural for the general to have doubts, though I can continue to wait; you have at most only two weeks, after half a month, even I won't be able to save you!"
Finally, he looked at Zhao Qingshan and said.
"If the general wishes to save himself, you may go to the Hundred Families Tavern inside Haojing City; I'll be waiting there for you!"
Zhang Fu got up, didn't hesitate, and left directly.
Zhang Jian had mentioned, Zhao Qingshan is truly a stubborn man, with a firm disposition.
The type that won't cry until seeing the coffin.
Such a person can't be subdued by sheer power.
Only by letting him offer himself willingly would he genuinely work for Madam Zhang!
...
In the ruins, half a month passed.
Zhang Jian's comprehension rate was rapid, having already successively comprehended Life and Death, Reincarnation, and Conservation—several Rune Forbidden Techniques, and behind him at the moment emerged a great pure white circular hole...