Zhang Jian stared in shock at the water pond ahead, noticing a massive creature suddenly emerging from the giant wave.
It was a colossal Spirit Turtle.
Its presence seemed to merge with the countless splashes of water, shaking the heavens and earth.
"So enormous..."
Seeing the terrifying ink jade turtle shell that was as massive as a skyscraper, Zhang Jian's expression shifted.
He was somewhat puzzled because this was the core area of Fengyang County, surrounded by the power of the City God Divine Realm and the permanent garrison army of the Commandery City, yet such a terrifying entity had appeared.
The turtle's shell emitted a faint clear light, seemingly shielding against the power of the City God Divine Department.
Nevertheless, Zhang Jian instinctively grasped the Dragon Roar Sword in his hand, even though he hadn't sensed any malice from the giant creature.
Then, from within the water mist, came a leisurely elderly voice.
"Old Xuan Jiu greets Young Master Zhang! Please do not worry, young gentleman; my visit today is merely to repay a favor!"
Zhang Jian was taken aback that this massive Spirit Turtle had come to repay a kindness.
Zhang Jian pondered in his mind.
He then spoke.
"To repay a favor? Senior, do I know you?"
From the depths of the water mist, the Spirit Turtle's gentle eyes appeared, carrying a hint of playfulness, and it said with a smile, "No, you don't! But young gentleman once saved my young grandchild, the white turtle you saved at the fish market!"
"I was passing by Fengyang, and my playful grandchild accidentally got caught in a net, almost falling victim to the fishermen!"
Understanding flashed in Zhang Jian's eyes, and he cupped his hands with a smile, "I see, no need for such formalities, elder. It was just a casual act by a junior, regardless of it being a white turtle or another creature, I might have done the same then!"
The giant jade turtle nodded slightly and then let out a deep howl, dispersing boundless water mist. A moment later, an elderly man in an ink jade robe, holding a cane, emerged.
"Perhaps this form is more pleasing to young gentleman!"
"...Another Yin Spirit!"
Zhang Jian's face slightly stiffened.
He couldn't tell if he was too unlucky or too lucky.
He thought he should perhaps increase the frequency of ancestor worship...
But the old turtle smiled warmly, cupping his hands, and said, "Young gentleman's kindness to my grandchild is a great favor!"
"I have no way to repay young gentleman, initially thought of using my skill in divination to predict your fortune, but young gentleman's life plate is special, and my Dao Practice is insufficient, so I instead divined the people around you. I discovered that the Qi Mansion has looming calamities, and I advise young gentleman to handle it cautiously to avoid disaster!"
"The Qi Mansion has calamities?"
Zhang Jian reacted and furrowed his brows.
He looked at the old turtle with surprise but didn't doubt much.
After all, a Yin Spirit stage practitioner wouldn't come all this way to deceive a newcomer in the Great Daoist Court like him.
But what disaster could the Qi family face?
The Commandery Governor's Mansion was already overwhelmed, and the Qi family was on high alert; nothing should happen!
"Could it be a cornered beast's desperate struggle?"
Zhang Jian temporarily had no other ideas, but he planned to warn Qi Yi after returning just to be safe.
"Thank you, senior, for the information! Zhang Jian thanks you on behalf of the Qi family's elders!"
The old turtle shook his head and said, "No need, young gentleman! Whether this comes to fruition is still unknown!"
His words were vague, leaving Zhang Jian somewhat puzzled.
Thinking to himself, this old turtle is just here to sell anxiety.
With a slight pause, the old turtle seemed to see through Zhang Jian's inner thoughts, his aged brows twitching, he added, "Besides, there's a fortuitous opportunity for young gentleman. If you can seize it, it could greatly benefit your future cultivation!"
The old turtle hesitated, seemingly weighing something, then made a decision moments later.
He said softly, "This opportunity is in the Commandery Governor's Mansion. If young gentleman can obtain it before the mansion collapses, it will be beneficial for forging the life plate in the future!"
Zhang Jian was invigorated and asked, "Could senior elaborate?"
"The item cannot be spoken of, or young gentleman's opportunity might slip away!"
Seeing Zhang Jian's helpless expression, a trace of smile appeared in the old turtle's eyes,
"Young friend will naturally know once you obtain it!"
"Thank you, senior!"
Zhang Jian silently shook his head, thinking this seemed like another half-told story, this old turtle enjoys being mysterious, but at least there's a clue.
Firstly, it's a fortuitous opportunity.
Secondly, it's an item!
He immediately invited the old turtle to visit the Separate Courtyard, preparing to entertain him well, as it is only right to warmly entertain a benefactor with genuine benefits, though it's to repay a favor.
Especially a senior who has cultivated for countless years, having such a visitor is a rare opportunity for guidance.
It would be a pity otherwise!
At that moment, the old turtle sensed something in the distance and looked towards it, with Zhang Jian's keen divine thought, he also sensed the change near the Commandery Governor's Mansion.
Rumble!!
In the depths of the clear sky, it was as if a muffled thunder exploded.
After the dry thunder in the clear sky reverberated, Zhang Jian faintly sensed a chaotic energy above the Commandery Governor's Mansion.
The old turtle subtly shook his head.
"Recklessly casting magic, it's too chaotic, but that old Flood Dragon has become a trapped beast, admittedly within reason!"
Seeing Fengyang County turning into a mire, the old turtle wished to avoid trouble and declined Zhang Jian's good intentions, preparing to leave.
Standing on the high cliff, watching the old turtle step into the water mist, Zhang Jian couldn't help but ask,
"Where is your immortal realm, senior?"
From the dense mist, the old turtle's voice slowly returned.
"My home is at the Li River. Young gentleman, if you have spare time, feel free to visit; my wife and I will undoubtedly welcome you..."
"Li River, where is that?"
Nothing special came to Zhang Jian's mind, so he shook his head.
It could be possible that this old turtle was just passing through Bai Shui, and luckily, the white turtle found its way to his hands, or Fengyang County might have faced its doom; the elder's grandson lost, who knows how he would retaliate.
...
After the old turtle departed, Zhang Jian couldn't stay put in the Separate Courtyard; after sending a message to the Qi Mansion, he decided to arrange the ancestor worship once again.
This time resolving the calamity for Fengyang County and several surrounding counties.
He believed the ancestor worship would make a difference.
Presently, he called upon Zhang Lu and a few veteran soldiers to head into several bustling streets in Fengyang County, seeking out a new concept paper horse shop.
Regarding the treasures within the Commandery Governor's Mansion, Zhang Jian wasn't in a hurry and thought to at least wait until the commandery governor was defeated before searching it out.
Liulin Street, one of the most bustling streets in Fengyang County, teeming with merchants and visitors.
Along the path, people came and went, with carriages flowing like water.
"Fresh fruits!"
"Pelts, white fox pelts from mountain hunts!"
"Top-notch detox cream, come see, everyone, specially for forest snake venom! Ancestral cream!"
As he entered the area, Zhang Jian couldn't help but be impressed by the street's extraordinary bustle.
Surrounding shops stood shoulder to shoulder, offering a plethora of goods, including tea houses, taverns, foot stores, butcher shops, temples, and government offices.
The shops sold everything from jewelry and spices to fine silks and satins!
There were even barbers and carriage repair shops!
The promotional tactics of the surrounding shops were also eye-opening, whether through colorful flags or directly pulling people into the street, creating a notably different atmosphere.
The corners of the street were dotted with small vendors selling a wide array of items.
Zhang Jian even noticed several followers blending into the street corners, subtly recruiting people, preaching about Lady Honghua, and some strange and peculiar doctrines of the Red Lotus Dao, but Zhang Jian merely glanced and paid it no mind.
He quickly found a spacious funeral supplies shop.
"Liu's Paper Horse Shop!"
This shop in front of a large willow tree surprised Zhang Jian as its style was quite familiar to him.