Zhang Chen was pleased in his heart. With this talisman array, as long as it was arranged well by himself, he could lure even a Yang God expert into it and weaken their cultivation.
"Although the Nine Bends Yellow River Array is only at the second tier, the power it can exert depends entirely on the person using it. If the person using the talisman array is formidable, even a twelfth-tier anomaly can be brought down to earth. But if it falls into the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to use it, Yang God experts aren’t fools; they certainly won’t recklessly enter the talisman array." Zhang Chen pondered secretly, "The application of the Nine Bends Yellow River Array Talisman relies on one’s focus."
As Zhang Chen’s mind shifted, the 360 talismans converged into one, transforming instantly into a bright yellow rune that fell into the Cyan Lotus evolved by Zhang Chen’s magical power.
"Interesting. I wonder if there might be a chance to test the might of the Nine Bends Yellow River Talisman Array." Zhang Chen mused to himself.
The next moment, as his magical power was exhausted, Zhang Chen exited the Meditation Realm and then glanced at the sky outside, "It’s still early today, so there’s time to delve into some studies."
Zhang Chen took out the books Xie Lingyun had sent and began to read and learn.
At this time, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon saw Zhang Chen abandon his research to read, approached with curiosity, and said, "You finally understand reason and realize that I wasn’t trying to harm you. I said that the talisman array isn’t something you can study; it’s good that you gave up early, lest you become mired in it."
Zhang Chen glanced at the Great Freedom Celestial Demon, disinclined to pay attention, and lowered his head to continue reading.
Seeing Zhang Chen ignore him, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon felt awkward, walked to the threshold, and basked in the sun.
Zhang Chen held a book in his hand but was worried about the matter of the Empress Tomb in his heart, "I have now mastered various means; I should be able to explore the Empress Tomb, right? However, breaking the Feng Shui of that Empress Tomb is troublesome. Plus, I don’t know if Xie Xuan has marked me. If Xie Xuan has marked me, it would be a bit of trouble."
After pondering for a moment, Zhang Chen thought to himself, "But now I have the Nine Bends Yellow River Talisman Array, so even if there really is a mark from Xie Xuan, I may not be unable to trick him."
Just as various thoughts were swirling in Zhang Chen’s mind, suddenly a bell rang, chiming nine times. This was unprecedented since Zhang Chen joined the Daoist Temple.
Zhang Chen swiftly pulled the sleepy Xiaodouding from the bed and headed towards the square.
"Zhang Chen, what’s happening? Why did you drag me up in such a hurry?" Xiaodouding mumbled, filled with dissatisfaction.
She had slept so deeply that she had forgotten the time.
Zhang Chen patted Xiaodouding’s head, "The bell rang nine times; if we go late, our butts might blossom."
"The bell rang nine times?" Xiaodouding was startled upon hearing this, the sleepiness vanished as she became immediately alert, "This shouldn’t be; something big is going to happen."
As the two reached the square, they saw all the disciples gathered together, discussing something in a serious and low tone.
Xiaodouding and Zhang Chen squeezed in, and they saw dozens of blood-soaked corpses lying quietly on the ground.
"Those are... Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Brother..."
Chengyu looked at the dozens of corpses on the ground, his face turned pale, showing a hint of shock in his eyes.
"Zhang Chen, these senior brothers were the pillars of our Daoist Temple, and now they have all died tragically; something big is going to happen." Xiaodouding’s voice was full of seriousness.
"Is there still someone in the Martial World daring to lay hands on Yellow Heaven Dao?" Zhang Chen asked curiously.
Xiaodouding’s expression was grave, "Different border armies, vassal kings, and nobles do not really hold the Yellow Heaven Dao in high regard."
Zhang Chen was surprised at the apparent low status of the Yellow Heaven Dao, and then comforted, "If the sky falls, the tall ones will prop it up; don’t be afraid! The Observatory Master and Master will make things right for us."
Shortly, Liu Feng arrived with several elders. At the moment, Liu Feng looked as gloomy as water, and seeing the corpses on the ground, he was heartbroken.
"Such a bloody feud cannot go unresolved! Daring to ambush the disciples of Huangli Temple, the Yellow Heaven Dao will not rest until this is avenged." Liu Feng’s voice was cold.
"Elder Wu, you shall lead three hundred disciples to descend the mountain immediately and find all clues to discover who is behind this attack on our Huangli Temple." Liu Feng’s voice was icy.
A nondescript middle-aged man stepped out from among the elders, selected three hundred disciples, and immediately headed down the mountain.
Then followed the exorcism rites at Huangli Temple; even Zhang Chen couldn’t find leisure and had to follow the disciples of Huangli Temple to partake in the funeral. Fortunately, Zhang Chen had already studied the talismans; otherwise, it might have delayed his cultivation.
After a busy day, late at night Zhang Chen and Xiaodouding returned to their room, Chengyu appearing puzzled, "These senior brothers were the pillars of our Huangli Temple. Who could ruthlessly kill them all without regard for sentiment? Logically, when senior brothers went down the mountain to spread the Dao, they always prioritized stability and would not easily offend people."
Xiaodouding’s voice was full of disbelief.
Zhang Chen, sitting under the lamp, shook his head, "We don’t know the situation outside the mountain, so it’s hard to judge, but with Yellow Heaven Dao being such a huge organization, it’s not surprising to have some enemies. Perhaps it infringed on someone else’s interests."
Xiaodouding sighed, "With those senior brothers dead, now it’s much easier for us to compete for those twelve true transmission spots in our Daoist Temple; only Second Senior Brother remains as a competitor, and the rest are no threat. As long as you defeat Second Senior Brother, the competition will be decided."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s pupils contracted, looking at Xiaodouding, "How does the Martial Dao cultivation of Second Senior Brother compare to that of Third Senior Brother and the others?"
"It’s hard to say who would win." Xiaodouding replied.
"How could it be such a coincidence? Just before the competition, all the competitive true transmission senior brothers died?" Zhang Chen questioned with suspicion.
"You don’t mean...?" Xiaodouding wasn’t foolish; upon hearing this, she shuddered.
"Isn’t it too coincidental?" Zhang Chen remarked.
"Impossible, Second Senior Brother’s legs were broken by me; how could he have such ability?" Xiaodouding said.
"What about Elder Chuan Wu? And the forces behind Elder Chuan Wu?" Zhang Chen asked.
Chengyu remained silent upon hearing this, then sighed after a long pause, "These are just your speculations, not definitive."
The entanglements with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion were too great.
Zhang Chen fell silent upon hearing this, then began to meditate and cultivate silently. The world is too dark.
On the second day, Xie Lingyun arrived, three days earlier than agreed.
"Sister, why did you come three days early?" Zhang Chen asked.
In a white dress, Xie Lingyun walked into the hall and sat down, signaling Zhang Chen to sit down after ensuring no one was eavesdropping around, "The area below the mountain is in chaos. Many Yellow Heaven Dao people died yesterday, including over three hundred of your Huangli Temple people, and even an elder. I came to ensure you weren’t involved."
"What?" Zhang Chen was shocked upon hearing this; Elder Wu had just taken three hundred disciples down the mountain yesterday, and all of them perished in one night?
"This is a major case, and the perpetrator’s methods are very mysterious; I haven’t found any leads either." Xie Lingyun said.
"Is someone targeting Yellow Heaven Dao?" Zhang Chen asked.
"Quite likely." Xie Lingyun replied, "However, it’s not clear who exactly is targeting Yellow Heaven Dao at this moment. But in the Northern Land, there aren’t many forces capable of such covert action without being detected by the Inspection and Supervision Department. The most likely suspect is Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, though there’s no reason for them to do so."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t say more, instead taking out the Upper Pure Handwriting, looking somewhat troubled as he said, "There is something I’m not sure how to discuss with Sister."
"What can’t we say as siblings? Here in the Northern Land, even if you were to poke a hole in the sky, I would cover for you." Xie Lingyun expressed nonchalantly.
Zhang Chen’s eyes were fixed on Xie Lingyun, his expression a bit tangled, "It’s that there’s been an issue with the Upper Pure Handwriting."
"The Upper Pure Handwriting is damaged?" Xie Lingyun’s gaze fell on the Upper Pure Handwriting.
"No, it’s not."
"As long as the Upper Pure Handwriting isn’t damaged or lost, no matter how big the problem is, it’s not a problem for me. You can rest assured; I’ll cover it for you." Xie Lingyun guaranteed, patting her chest with confidence.