On the other side, True Monarch Zhanmo asked Liu Rui to send a message to the Golden Radiance Saint Mother.
Beside the Grand Canal, at an ancient pavilion.
True Monarch Zhanmo donned in a teal silk robe, her hair adorned with an ink jade hairpin, flowing down her shoulders. Her jade-like face exuded elegance, and she stood with her hands behind her back, not far from the magnificent Grand Canal.
The river surface of the canal was wide, yet currently calm and tranquil.
On this expansive stretch of water, numerous official and passenger boats busily traversed, with voices of boatmen occasionally echoing. Shrewd merchants, seizing the opportunity, navigated small boats selling various pastries and fruits on the water.
True Monarch Zhanmo's expression was calm, resembling a stone statue within the ancient pavilion.
Before long, from a distance, a noblewoman in golden attire appeared alongside the official road. She leaned on a cane, her gaze falling on Liu Rui and Ziyuan Daoist, who were immobilized on the stone bench in the pavilion.
Liu Rui and Ziyuan Daoist also saw the noblewoman, first filled with joy, then faces flushing with embarrassment.
Golden Radiance Saint Mother first glanced at Liu Rui and Ziyuan Daoist, her expression somewhat sullen.
She had been strategizing on the frontline and had finally managed to acquire a treasure, only to have the two behind her fall into the hands of another.
Golden Radiance Saint Mother could imagine that True Monarch Zhanmo, with whom she already had discord, would not release them easily. This time, they would surely demand a hefty price.
Golden Radiance Saint Mother glanced at True Monarch Zhanmo and spoke.
"Fellow Daoist Zhanmo, I wonder what offense these two juniors have given to True Monarch. If there is any offense, I hope you can overlook it and spare them considering their youth!"
True Monarch Zhanmo glanced at the Golden Radiance Saint Mother.
This Saint Mother attempted to morally coerce her right from the start.
True Monarch Zhanmo wasn't buying it, waving her hand dismissively.
"Fellow Daoist Jin Guang, your cherished disciple should have clarified everything when she contacted you. This treasured disciple of yours tried to provoke my disciple, fighting two against one, yet was captured. By rights, we could dispose of these two at will. However, since the Golden Maiden Sect is not a heterodox sect, I am willing to give you some face, but you should also show some sincerity!"
Golden Radiance Saint Mother pondered for a moment, then said: "A million top-grade spirit crystals, plus a Heaven and Earth Divine Object, the Heart of Cyan Nether, how about that?"
A million top-grade spirit crystals is no small fortune.
Sufficient to purchase a top-notch Primordial Spirit Immortal Technique in the trade associations of major sects.
The Heart of Cyan Nether is formed by the Nine Heavens Pure Qi, produced in some unique remnants, and is also considered a Heaven and Earth Divine Object.
True Monarch Zhanmo waved her hand without thinking.
"Your offer lacks sincerity. If so, I will take them back to the Tongshan Dao Lineage for further questioning before making a decision!"
Upon hearing this, Golden Radiance Saint Mother's expression grew cold. She knew exactly what True Monarch Zhanmo wanted.
She glanced at Liu Rui.
Aside from the mentor-student relationship, Liu Rui had attained the Primordial Spirit realm in over four hundred years, achieving longevity; her talent alone was not something she could abandon.
Moreover, there was also Ziyuan Master.
Golden Radiance Saint Mother glanced at True Monarch Zhanmo, gripping the golden staff slightly. True Monarch Zhanmo remained expressionless, simply gazing at the vast ocean ahead.
"If you feel you can take them back from me, Fellow Daoist Jin Guang, feel free to try!"
True Monarch Zhanmo's face was cold.
Golden Radiance Saint Mother's hand on the golden staff paused slightly, her eyes flashing with a sharp gleam, and she responded after a moment.
"Fellow Daoist Zhanmo, you jest!"
"Fine. I sought to obtain half of King Jun's Remnant Spirit for my disciple. Now, I'll give it to you!"
Golden Radiance Saint Mother waved her hand, and a streak of golden light flew out, landing in True Monarch Zhanmo's hand in an instant. She was not worried about True Monarch Zhanmo going back on her word.
After all, True Monarch Zhanmo had her own sect and disciples, and was by no means a Demon Dao lone wolf. If not abiding by the rules and breaking them, no one would fare well.
True Monarch Zhanmo briefly examined the item to ensure Golden Radiance Saint Mother hadn't tampered with it. Then, with a wave of her hand, a gray Sword Qi emerged from Liu Rui and Ziyuan Daoist, entering her hand. She stepped into the depths of the vast ocean, disappearing step by step.
"Master…"
Liu Rui showed an expression of shame, with a hint of defiance in her eyes.
In that battle, she hadn't even had the chance to activate her trump card before being subdued by Zhang Jian.
She was confident that, if prepared, the outcome was still uncertain!
Golden Radiance Saint Mother spoke irritably: "No need to say it, you have stayed too long among the mundane, forgetting a cultivator's innate instinct to kill!"
Beside her, Ziyuan Daoist also showed a somewhat disheartened expression. This time, following Liu Rui to make trouble had truly been a case of losing both their efforts and their assets.
It was likely they couldn't go out again for a long time.
...
In the restricted area of Dong Shen Temple
The three remaining elders of the Dong Generation in Dong Shen Temple gathered. Upon receiving news from Jingming Daoist, the three Dong Generation elders were astonished.
"Who would have thought Grand Scholar Zhang would be…"
At this moment, Dong Jue Daoist was at a loss for words.
Had it been before Daqian's collapse, regardless of how close Zhang Jian was to the Dong Shen Temple, upon discovering he possessed the Emperor's Fate, there would have been no letting it go.
But now the issue was that the opponent had successfully concealed it from everyone and had now strengthened their position.
More pressing, if the people of Dong Shen Temple refused to submit, how could the opponent allow Dong Shen Temple cultivators to seek refuge elsewhere?
The opponent was now a Primordial Spirit Master.
And within Haojing City, Dong Shen Temple currently had no resources to counter the opponent.
Dongzhen Daoist gazed at Jingming Daoist and asked, "Nephew, how strong is the Zhang Family now?"
Jingming Daoist pondered, "I once paid attention to intelligence concerning the Zhang Family. Their wealth is renowned in the Southern Provinces, making them one of the top families in the Southern Provinces. Especially in recent years, they have expanded immensely with official salt and iron, largely ignored due to Clan Leader Zhang's assistance to us. It seems Clan Leader Zhang was fully prepared all along…"
"Moreover, part of the Zhang Family has recruited a portion of talented generals and clear stream civil servants over the years!"
Upon hearing this, Dong Jue Daoist remarked, "If we add in the Dong Shen Temple line and the support of the Tongshan Dao Lineage…"
The expressions of the gathered Daoists changed.
The Zhang Family indeed stood a significant chance of emerging victorious.
Dongzhen Master's eyes brightened, and he spoke.
"Since that's the case, then what are we waiting for? If Clan Leader Zhang has a way to help us rejuvenate our Dao path, withstand the backlash, what does it matter if we hand over those mundane people to him? Our pursuit of longevity on the Dao path is what matters most!"
Jingming Daoist sat in the center, observing the eager expressions of the Dong Shen Temple elders, his eyes calm. He also knew that Dong Shen Temple actually had no other choice.
If they refused, even if Zhang Jian did not strike against them, other cultivators would not miss the opportunity to kick them while they were down.
Dong Shen Temple fortunately maintained a kinship with the Zhang Family, joining them should not result in marginalization.
Dong Shen Temple had to weather the present crisis.
It could not fall in his hands!
As for Daqian, though Dong Shen Temple had benefited from its destiny, they had also protected Daqian for hundreds of years from demon fiends and cultivator incursions, feeling no guilt whatsoever.
"I will continue to negotiate with Clan Leader Zhang, discussing the details!"
His words slightly relaxed the expressions of the three Dong Generation elders.
...
In the Yellow Court Blessed Land, Zhang Jian met True Monarch Zhanmo once more.
True Monarch Zhanmo smiled slightly, casually tossing a purple-golden Spirit Ball to him.
"Try refining it!"