This Jade Pool is an unparalleled magical artifact of the Tongshan Dao Lineage.
It is also an item that suppresses destiny.
The ethereal destiny of the Tongshan Dao Lineage is invisibly gathered here, and as the changes occur, several lotuses with cyan bases and golden buds take shape within the radiant glow.
The lotuses are tender and dewy, with golden light flowing across them, exceptionally divine and profound.
The Daoist by the Lotus Pool slightly nods at this scene.
The destiny of the Tongshan Lineage has seen considerable growth.
Usually, only when the growth of destiny reaches a certain extent will a cyan lotus bloom within the Fortune Pool.
His gaze flickers, and he turns to transmit the recorded phenomena to the cultivators outside the hall for documentation.
The fluctuations in this Fortune Pool are meticulously recorded for the sect's reference, forming invaluable experiences for the sect's operation.
...
Zhang Family in Fengxi County, deep in Vermilion Phoenix Mountain
As Zhang Jian assisted the Feng Ling Ghost King in discarding his ghostly form to return to divine form, wisps of invisible Qi mechanism flowed and integrated into the depths of Vermilion Phoenix Mountain.
As this invisible Qi mechanism flowed in, the mountain range of Vermilion Phoenix Mountain seemed to grow more majestic, and the surrounding mountain peaks subtly transformed, with one peak gradually evolving into a peculiar form.
In the Zhang Family Mansion, Zhang Jian sat with closed eyes, reflecting on the gains and losses of this journey while waiting for news from the Tongshan Dao Lineage.
Having passed the three trials of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, news should arrive soon.
However, Zhang Jian also noticed that after removing the ticking time bomb of the Feng Ling Ghost King, which originated from Phoenix Nest Mountain, an invisible Qi mechanism continuously poured from the void into his Life Palace, causing subtle changes in his two Life Plates.
Inside his boundless Divine Thought, he observed the Dragon Robe and Phoenix Attitude Life Plate, originally composed of azure and gold. Now, as the invisible destiny poured into it, the entire Life Plate pattern became more unique, as if achieving a transformation, turning purely cyan.
Meanwhile, inside the other Life Plate, named Red Virtue True King, originally its outer glow was primarily azure with a hint of pale purple, the purple glow now intensified.
Despite the changes in the two Life Plates, Zhang Jian did not feel any change in his strength, yet he noticed an increase in the speed at which he absorbed Heaven and Earth's Spiritual Mechanism.
At this moment, the vast and surging magical power coagulated deep within his dantian, with a Dharma Spring gradually taking form within.
This Dharma Spring is the core of cultivating the Divination Foundation Establishment.
Now, the Dharma Spring became seemingly more intimate with the omnipresent Heaven and Earth's Spiritual Mechanism.
The capacity for breathing techniques significantly enhanced.
The casting ability tends toward strengthening!
For Zhang Jian, such changes are rather palpable.
...
After resolving the hidden dangers within Phoenix Nest Mountain, the Zhang Family rapidly embarked on a swift path of expansion, with everything progressing smoothly.
From Fengyang County, the clan leader Zhang Yi sent news that through negotiations, they swiftly settled matters with County Inspector Yao He.
Additionally, their expansion in the Commandery City proceeded very smoothly. After allying with the Qi and Gu families, the Zhang Family secured several key official positions both inside and outside the Commandery City, allowing them to appoint a few 'of their own' into these roles.
Although the ranks of these positions are not high, they wield considerable power.
Fixed clerks, transient officials!
Many ranked officials in the Daqian Court's system require frequent transfers, but these clerks are different, serving long terms and controlling crucial departments like grain, prisons, documents, accounting, and theft investigation.
Placing their people in these positions greatly benefits a noble family's development.
Moreover, in the County Captain's Connections in the Commandery City, the Zhang Family was also actively helping Zhang Kui to transfer to the Commandery City.
County Captain Wang Shao maintained a neutral stance during the recent shifts in Fengyang County, often playing both sides, causing dissatisfaction among the Four Great Families. Now, he was directly sidelined by Qi Yuansi, the Chief Patrol Officer second only to the County Captain, leaving him practically deprived of much authority.
The Zhang Family seeks to transfer Zhang Kui from his position as County Captain to the Commandery City to serve as Marshal, a maneuver still feasible, with Zhang Yi's letters expressing optimism.
In some county towns directly under Fengyang County, the Zhang Family was also planting personnel to expand their influence.
Everything seemed to be heading in a positive direction.
At this juncture, Zhang Jian had completely merged the Wind Walking Technique with the Thunder Walking Technique to coalesce the Wind and Thunder Talisman.
In the suburban separate courtyard, Zhang Jian stood on the ground, enveloped by magical power, with crimson electric filaments and rays of crimson thunder light flickering around him. At a mere wave of his hand, a streak of crimson thunder directly pierced the void, striking a piece of rock and reducing it to dust.
Thunderlight flared vastly.
At this time, the speed of Zhang Jian's magic application markedly increased, not only breaking new ground in the area covered and the controllable distance.
Moreover, evolving from a singular lightning structure to multiple variations.
This brought a smile to Zhang Jian's face; compared to other external powers, he trusted more in these techniques he mastered.
"It's just not as expected; I did not anticipate that the unification of the Wind Thunder Technique would result in merely a single directional enhancement, rather than a full Wind and Thunder integration!"
Zhang Jian mused internally.
The power formed by the unification of the Wind Thunder Technique wasn't a weave of wind and thunder but centered primarily on the Thunder Walking Technique, with the Wind Walking Technique merged within, merely doubling the speed of Thunder Walking Technique's movement.
After mastering the Wind Thunder Technique, Zhang Jian immediately shifted his attention to the Flying Sword Technique.
This Flying Sword Technique proved its worth during the Phoenix Nest Mountain journey, and Zhang Jian valued it highly; it's also the foundation of his swordsmanship, not to be underestimated.
Only a firm foundation allows for elevation, with hopes to reach higher-tier swordsmanship in the future!
As for the Vajra Spell and Soul Purification Talisman, he set them aside for now; the defensive Vajra Spell hadn't shown its worth yet, and after acquiring the main cultivation Dharma Artifact's Magic from the Tongshan Dao Lineage, this technique could be set aside temporarily.
The Soul Purification Spell, although potent, requires special conditions for cultivation, necessitating ongoing purification of fierce ghosts; otherwise, even with painstaking cultivation, its effectiveness is limited.
...
Meanwhile, as the Zhang Family expanded rapidly, the Yu Family within the Commandery City appeared loose outside but tense internally.
Sitting in the position of Patriarch, Yu You felt a mix of emotions.
He rubbed his aching temples.
The situation both inside and outside Fengyang County was highly unfavorable for the Yu Family. As the acting Governor, substituting for the absent Governor, and presiding over the Commandery Governor's Mansion, he seemed to have endless glory, reputed as the leading noble family in Fengyang County, but only he knew the hardships involved.
Not only did he have to face the pressure from the other three County-Honored Clans united, but he also had a constant worry weighing on his mind.
The relationship between Yu Tongguang and the Yu Family is a massive potential hazard.
If it exploded, the other three County-Honored Clans would certainly not spare the Yu Family.
For this reason, Yu You was actively strategizing.
"Strike first to gain the advantage!"
Sitting on his seat, Yu You adhered to this idea with a cold demeanor. In his view, Yu Tongguang lost because he hesitated and dreaded too many factors, ultimately allowing the Zhang Family to seize the opportunity to reverse the situation completely.
He would not make the same mistake.
No matter how turbulent it becomes inside and outside Fengyang County, preserving the Yu Family is the utmost priority.