Zhang Jian nodded, gradually clarifying the cause and effect, and at the same time realizing the key within.
He couldn't help but say:
"Since senior has insight into the cause and effect, surely you must have a mysterious technique to relieve this great disaster for the people around Fengyang County!"
Xuan Jiu shook his head and said, "It's not a mysterious technique, it's merely a method that harms others without benefiting oneself!"
Zhang Jian only furrowed his brow, but still played along, "As long as it can resolve the great calamity in Phoenix Nest Mountain, that would save countless lives and result in immeasurable merit!"
Xuan Jiu laughed, "Perhaps so!"
"Please enlighten us, senior!"
Xuan Jiu nodded and said.
"It's quite simple; it's to use the configuration of the Double Phoenix Two Principles, connect with a noble lady nurtured by this configuration, as long as she's willing to sacrifice her own body to allow the phoenix to be reborn, naturally the resentment on the phoenix can be dissolved. Once the resentment is gone, she won't seek destruction anymore!"
Upon hearing, Zhang Jian's expression changed.
"Isn't this a substitution of plum in place of peach?"
It really was a bad idea.
Xuan Jiu laughed, "How about it?"
"It's hardly acceptable; after all, we are all living beings. How can we bear to let an innocent person suffer in someone else's stead?"
Zhang Jian shook his head.
This hardly counts as purification.
More like sending a lamb into the tiger's den to temporarily satisfy its hunger, at the cost of having the tiger calm for a while, but possibly rising again to devour people.
Zhang Jian kept shaking his head, and a faint smile appeared in the depths of Xuan Jiu's eyes.
He then picked up the wine cup from the table and took a sip.
Seeing Zhang Jian's attitude, he felt assured to associate with him.
Strong individuals aren't necessarily pure, but they usually prefer friends or allies with some principles so they can trust them.
Zhang Jian leaned more towards using force for purification.
Since he knew the background of the Feng Ling Ghost King, he could find a way to bring the Feng Ling Ghost King to the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall; no matter how tough she was, under the Stone Mirror Divine Light, she was guaranteed to meet her end.
Noticing Xuan Jiu's serene demeanor, Zhang Jian's gaze shifted, and he said, "Senior, surely you have other mysterious techniques!"
Xuan Jiu shook his head and said, "Actually, that was the easiest method, and also the most hopeful one!"
"But I do have one more difficult method!"
"Young Master holds half of the Phoenix Soul, and this half has not been tainted by resentment. Once its origin enters the body, there is still a chance to awaken the true nature of the phoenix!"
Seeing Zhang Jian's gaze, Xuan Jiu continued, "The phoenix's nature is noble, even if it's a dead fetus. If Young Master can awaken its nature, it may be possible to reform it, allowing it to abandon its current foundation of resentment and start anew on the path of cultivation."
"However, how to awaken its nature is up to Young Master to figure out!"
Zhang Jian's gaze fluctuated, shaking his head, "That is likely too difficult!"
Zhang Jian sighed.
Hearing this, Xuan Jiu smiled without speaking.
At this moment, a tender voice rang out in the air, with a hint of mischief.
"Why is this challenging, Little Master? Our Divine Mountain Lineage has several special magics that can purify the soul and lead it to reincarnation!"
"Hmm?"
Zhang Jian looked over and saw a petite little girl appear in the Spiritual Mechanism, leaping lightly from the air. She looked only five or six years old, with two hair buns, a wind bell on her hand, dressed in white, with a charming and delicate face.
Her bright black and white eyes twirled as she gazed at Zhang Jian.
"Fairy Bai!"
Seeing the little girl, Xuan Jiu smiled slightly, rising to greet her with a slight bow.
The little girl puffed her cheeks at Xuan Jiu, "You bad old man, you said that just for me to hear, right? Our Divine Mountain Dao Lineage has numerous magics, and there are indeed secret techniques for purifying the soul and reincarnating into a Pure Land!"
She paused slightly, looked at Zhang Jian, and said, "But Little Master, you haven't passed the sect's three trials yet, so I can't teach you magic, nor can I violate the rules of the Divine Mountain Dao Lineage!"
She glanced at Xuan Jiu, who still smiled silently. She huffed lightly.
Zhang Jian furrowed his brow, asking:
"Might I ask why this Little Immortal calls me Little Master?"
The little girl's eyes lit up as she saw Zhang Jian, her smile blossoming, and she said brightly, "Little Master may not know, I am the First Protector under True Monarch Zhanmo, and Little Master is the future disciple of my master, so naturally, you are Little Master!"
"I was also sent by my master to be the sect's guide for Little Master!"
She pouted slightly, saying.
"Moreover, Little Master, don't call Yin'Er an Immortal, for Immortal Sound does not deserve it!"
Seeing this lively and genuine little girl, Zhang Jian found her interesting and said, "Calling you Little Immortal feels more intimate!"
Upon hearing this, the little girl looked troubled.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian decided not to tease her anymore, "How about calling you Xianyin?"
Upon hearing, the little girl beamed at Zhang Jian, "Immortal Sound greets Little Master!"
Seeing Xuan Jiu standing beside with a perpetual light smile, the little girl huffed lightly at him.
"Although Little Master cannot practice the advanced magics of the sect yet, I have a way to assist Little Master!"
Seeing Xuan Jiu still on the side, Bai Xianyin huffed lightly.
Feeling a bit deflated.
"Furthermore, I know there's a naturally nurtured treasure in Phoenix Nest Mountain that might aid Little Master!"
She puffed her small chest, seeming to prove herself.
Yet her expression was a bit frustrated, for this news she had painstakingly extracted from her master, initially planning to share it at a crucial moment to earn favor with Zhang Jian.
But saying it now felt as if Xuan Jiu compelled her to reveal it.
Clearly her effort, yet the old man shares the credit, making her heart dissatisfied.
Xuan Jiu saw this as an opportunity to flatter her, "Still, Fairy Bai is well-informed, while I, an old man, wasted much effort to no avail, yet Fairy Bai needed but a word!"
"If this calamity of the phoenix can be resolved, Fairy Bai shall take the lead in merit!"
Hearing this, the little girl's expression visibly improved, and she glanced at Xuan Jiu, finding him more agreeable, and nodded.
"Finally, you bad old man said something true!"
Zhang Jian saw this, his expression slightly amused.
This Bai Xianyin, though very young, and seemed sincere, truly was a bundle of joy.
From Xuan Jiu's mouth, Zhang Jian gained unexpected information, which gave him some confidence. With a bit of preparation, he set out from Fengxi County.
Since it was an entry to Phoenix Nest Mountain, it was best to act soon to prevent unexpected developments.
Xuan Jiu did not accompany this time; after giving Zhang Jian guidance, he left with his grandson.
Moreover, Zhang Jian had some questions about the appearance of Bai Xianyin as the guide.
Along the way, Zhang Jian couldn't help but ask,
"Xianyin, in our Tongshan Dao Lineage, does every loose cultivator who enters get assigned a guide from the sect?!"
Upon hearing, Bai Xianyin shook her head vigorously, like a rattle.
"Little Master, of course not. Even disciples on the main list don't each get a guide like Xianyin!"