Zhang Jian gazed at the magnificent Yin Spirit, his expression somewhat shaken.
He knew that after Divination Foundation Establishment, the path ahead led to stages like Golden Core and Yin Spirit cultivation.
That the Dragon Monarch had already condensed a Yin Spirit was truly terrifying.
Of course, he wasn’t sure about the Dragon Monarch’s Dao Practice.
But being associated with the term ’Divine’, it surely possessed unfathomable Divine Power.
"Junior Zhang Jian greets the Bai Shui Dragon Monarch!"
Zhang Jian slightly bowed and stepped aside to allow the Dragon Monarch to enter the depths of the Separate Courtyard.
The Bai Shui Dragon Monarch wore a scholar’s robe, his appearance like a middle-aged man, with a ghostly figure surrounded by a layer of rich majesty. His temples were flecked with gray, yet his eyes were tranquil.
He nodded with a smile.
"No need for formalities, Young Master. It’s just as well that this old man wanted to meet the young hero my daughter spoke of!"
Beside him, Bai Liying paused, a hint of red appearing on her pristine jade-like face. Meeting Zhang Jian’s surprised gaze, she seemed bolder and more composed.
Zhang Jian’s thoughts shifted, but he respectfully said, "The Princess flatters me!"
The three sat in the host and guest positions. The Dragon Monarch slightly raised a jade cup nearby but did not drink. Instead, he gently smelled it, displaying a look of enjoyment on his face.
"This is green tea from the Ten Thousand Years Mountain in Dongling County. I haven’t tasted it for centuries!"
Zhang Jian laughed, "If the senior Dragon Monarch likes it, I have some more here, which I can send to you later!"
The Bai Shui Dragon Monarch put down the jade cup and waved his hand.
"No need. These indulgent things are but poison that rots bones for us cultivators who yearn for Longevity!"
In his heart, Zhang Jian did not quite agree but still said, "Diligence leads to skill, idleness to decay; reflection leads to success, negligence to failure!"
"What the senior Dragon Monarch says is not wrong, but the path of cultivation also requires both tension and relaxation!"
The Bai Shui Dragon Monarch nodded, then shook his head, and praised.
"Such self-discipline at a young age explains your remarkable Dao Practice!"
Seeing the Dragon Monarch’s keen interest in conversation, Zhang Jian indulged in a few lines, as he had ample patience!
Although the Old Dragon Monarch had come with the Yin Spirit, he didn’t feel much fear!
In this Separate Courtyard hung the ancestor’s portrait!
The Old Dragon Monarch was also slightly surprised at Zhang Jian, guessing he had some reliance in his heart!
He intended to probe, but Zhang Jian didn’t "take the bait," so he had to give up!
At this point, he didn’t want any unexpected complications!
Nor did he intend to delay any longer!
Shortly, the two formally approached the main topic.
The Old Dragon Monarch wore a solemn look and decisively pledged a Divine Law oath in front of Zhang Jian.
"Young Master, today I, Bai Shui Dragon Monarch, am willing to swear before the Divine Law!"
"If I, Bai Shui Dragon Monarch Bai Nu, am reborn, I will abide by the Divine Law to protect the people around Bai Shui, ensuring favorable weather. Moreover, if reborn, I will not maliciously retaliate against Zhang Jian and his clan. If this oath is broken, the Divine Law shall punish me!"
As he made the oath, a distinct layer of divine power from the void descended, merging into the depths of the Dragon Monarch’s brow.
After making the oath, he smiled at Zhang Jian and said, "Are you satisfied now, Young Master?"
"You speak too highly, senior!"
Seeing this, Zhang Jian also kept his promise, taking out the Dragon Pearl in his hand.
The golden Dragon Pearl transformed into a ray of golden light in his hand, merging into the Bai Shui Dragon Monarch’s ethereal Yin Spirit body. Instantly, the Old Dragon Monarch’s Yin Spirit was coated in a rich golden glow.
The heavy sacred and magnificent divinity was extraordinarily intense, spilling outwards like waves.
The Dragon Monarch slowly condensed the Dragon Pearl from his body, sensing the recovered Dao Practice, and a trace of relief appeared in his eyes.
But instantly, a strong look of loathing flashed in his eyes.
Looking at the Dragon Pearl in his hand, he mocked.
"Yu Qing, laughable how you disregarded our brotherhood to forcibly seize this pearl. Yet, even with the Dragon Pearl in hand, you failed to extend your life or achieve the Dragon Phoenix Replenishing Essence Golden Core. Your meticulous plans ended in mere futility!"
"Now I still exist, and even if you possess all the authority, you are ultimately just a mound of yellow earth!"
Bai Nu made no attempt to conceal the exhilaration in his heart, yet there was still a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
Even if he retrieved the Dragon Pearl, so what? In the end, he couldn’t personally exact revenge, which left him somewhat regretful.
Ultimately, he found it rather tasteless.
The smile on his face gradually faded, yet his eyes, fixed upon Zhang Jian, still held a look of satisfaction. The ordinary old man’s demeanor gradually disappeared, and his presence was now full of divine majesty.
"Young Master Zhang, I greatly admire your courage and spirit. If you have the time, you are welcome to come to the Bai Shui Dragon Palace at any time. Consider this a favor I owe you. Whenever you need it, just call, and I will definitely return this favor!"
After a slight pause, Bai Nu added, "Of course, the matter of bestowing a gentle rain awaits my own release from captivity!"
Zhang Jian said, "Of course!"
Now that the deal was made, and seeing the divine oath manifesting anomalous signs between heaven and earth, Zhang Jian also breathed a sigh of relief.
To alleviate the drought in Fengyang County and the surrounding counties was a tremendous boon.
Countless citizens would be saved.
And Zhang Jian himself would gain the destiny reflected back, which would lay an incredibly solid foundation for his breakthrough in Divination Foundation Establishment.
It was indeed a double blessing.
At this moment, the Old Dragon Monarch turned to Bai Liying beside him and laughed, "Daughter, your father must first return to the depths of the Water Eye to prepare to break free from the shackles. You can exchange insights on cultivation here, and also kindly thank Young Master Zhang on behalf of your father!"
After the Dragon Monarch left, the two ’people’ in the separate courtyard exchanged a glance, and a hint of joy appeared on the Dragon Maiden’s jade face.
After a moment of silence, she brought the topic to cultivation!
"Brother Dao, your Dao practice should also be nearing the peak of the Nourishing Spirit Stage. Have you ever explored the mysteries of the Life Palace?!"
She had long been puzzled. Zhang Jian appeared not much different, but why was he so much stronger?
Zhang Jian’s expression shifted slightly, and he replied.
"The mapping of the Life Palace is exceedingly mysterious, and I have little mastery of it!"
Upon seeing this, the Dragon Maiden said, "The concept of the Life Palace is indeed profound. Initially, every cultivator’s Life Seal is indeterminate and without form. It’s only through acquiring the corresponding position and adding the Life Seal that a Life Plate is formed. Moreover, our cultivators’ Life Plates are constantly subject to change!"
Zhang Jian nodded. The "Nine Chapters of Pure Tongshan" indeed alludes to the capriciousness of fate.
The primary focus of divination is not the current type of Life Plate one possesses, which is merely an ancillary aspect. If one can possess a special Life Plate, it naturally provides additional benefits to cultivation. But even if one lacks a special Life Plate, it doesn’t matter, as long as one can map out one’s own Life Seal.
The Life Seal is engraved in the Three Thrones and Five Mountain Ranges, inscribed upon the Life Pillar.
As for how to map out the location of one’s Life Seal, Zhang Jian currently had no clues. But looking at the Dragon Maiden in front of him, Zhang Jian’s eyes flickered, and he asked.
"Princess, your Dao practice isn’t weak. You must be nearing the completion of the accumulation of the Nourishing Spirit Stage. Have you already mapped out the location of your own Life Seal?"
Originally, Zhang Jian shouldn’t have asked this question, as it pertained to the mysteries of personal cultivation.
However, since the Dragon Maiden had brought it up, Zhang Jian seized the opportunity to understand a bit more of the divine profundity, as the "Nine Chapters of Pure Tongshan" inheritance was too sparse.
The Dragon Maiden, with her bright eyes, looked at Zhang Jian and said, "I’m sure Brother Dao knows that mapping the Life Palace usually requires timing, waiting for one’s own destiny to have dramatic fluctuations. Whether it soars abruptly or plummets drastically to the point of life and death, one might gain enlightenment and discover a trace of spiritual mechanism, thus deducing the location of one’s Life Seal!"
"Aside from that, one can only rely on personal comprehension, forcefully breaking open the Life Acupoint, but the latter is extremely difficult. Although I’ve cultivated for centuries, the opportunity to forge the Dao Foundation has been elusive!"
Bai Liying sighed somewhat wistfully.
Most spirit monsters, as well as heterodox sects, are limited by this.
Of course, some are limited by their own lack of pure essence, even when the opportunity arrives, they cannot establish a foundation, and if they forcefully attempt it, they end up with disturbed divine intent, declining essence and spirit, and perish from exhaustion.
The Dragon Maiden sighed at this time:
"Even though I am a Dragon Palace Princess, I haven’t had much opportunity over the years either!"
The Dragon Maiden lamented, in truth, being the daughter of the Bai Shui Dragon Monarch, if the Dragon Monarch were in power, there would be many ways to help her establish a Dao Foundation or bestow a Divine Position. Having a Divine Position would cause the Life Seal to reveal itself through merit and destiny!
Either that or overcoming evil with elders safeguarding her, her survival rate would naturally be much higher.
Or by accomplishing a significant achievement, the Life Seal might manifest.
"I don’t know..." Zhang Jian thought to himself, feeling a bit awkward.
However, after exchanging insights on the mystery of divination with the Dragon Maiden, he vaguely realized that his opportunity for divination would soon arrive.
When the Dragon Monarch emerges!
Zhang Jian also glanced at the clever Dragon Maiden before him, unsure if she was purposefully assisting him or genuinely just wanted to exchange knowledge with him.