Zhang Chen only wished to engage in high-end competitions; if he could obtain profound mantras like the Eight-Nine Profound Skill, everything would be perfect, and there would be no need to painstakingly cultivate Martial Dao.
While countless thoughts flickered in Zhang Chen’s heart, a different scene was playing out inside Prince Pingbian’s Mansion.
There, Prince Pingbian, Zhang Xiaohua, bowed three times to Gu Mingyue, then brought forth tea and addressed him with a call of "Master."
"From today on, you are not only my direct disciple but also my closed-door disciple. Now that Yellow Heaven Dao seeks to confer the title of Star Monarch, preparing to anoint both the Southern Dipper and Beidou Seven Stars as Star Monarchs, I will certainly plan for you to ascend to the position of Star God, thereby fulfilling my agreement with the Prince." Gu Mingyue smiled as he helped Zhang Xiaohua to his feet.
This time he thoroughly dragged Prince Pingbian’s Mansion into the waters, and furthermore, secured for Yellow Heaven Dao an exceptional guardian Divine Dragon. The Grand Celestial Master has decided to reward him, intending to bestow a Creation Divine Position, thus securing him eligibility for the future Divine Positions of the Five Directions and Five Emperors.
The Five Directions and Five Emperors represent the supreme divine positions, and yet the Grand Celestial Master of Yellow Heaven Dao has twelve disciples, all contending for five slots, an intensely fierce competition indeed.
Ascending to the position of the Five Directions and Five Emperors, cultivation is not the primary requirement, for once you are in that position, under the vast Power of Incense, even a pig could achieve supreme cultivation.
Three decisive factors determine eligibility for a divine position: first, your power must be substantial; second, your contributions to the Daoist Temple must be significant; and third, you must have widespread support from fellow elders and disciples within the temple.
These three elements are all indispensable.
As for strength? Under the divine blessing, everyone is similar; even if there are differences, they aren’t significant.
Prince Pingbian laughed amicably as he took over the conversation: "Daoist, from now on, my Prince’s Mansion and your Yellow Heaven Dao are together, we are family now."
In response, Gu Mingyue said: "Naturally, with the return of the ancestor Zhang Shicheng, the mansion will become a stronghold within our Yellow Heaven Dao, and we will rely on the Prince’s further support."
After exchanging compliments, Gu Mingyue continued: "Yellow Heaven Dao intends to hold the Divine Enthronement at Huangli Temple, during which the Water God’s blessing can cleanse one’s heart and renew one’s face, allowing the Crown Prince to restore his previous handsome appearance."
Gu Mingyue looked at Zhang Xiaohua’s disfigured, monstrous visage, internally lamenting the cruelty of the perpetrator. If Zhang Xiaohua cannot restore his appearance, his life would be ruined, and how would he face people in the future? Fear lingers that Zhang Xiaohua might have already developed inner demons, twisting his nature.
"This humble Daoist wishes to lead you, young master, into the mountains, to plan for you to become an affiliated priest of the Water God, teaching you to sense the presence of divine power in advance. Would the Prince consent?" Gu Mingyue looked at Prince Pingbian.
Before Prince Pingbian could respond, Zhang Xiaohua, hearing of the possibility of restoring his face, couldn’t help but tremble with excitement and rushed forward to accept: "Master, is this true? Can my appearance really be restored?"
"Under the Water God’s blessing, even the resurrection of the dead and growing flesh on bones is possible." Gu Mingyue said.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua immediately knelt down in acceptance: "Disciple is willing to go."
Gu Mingyue turned to look at Prince Pingbian; after all, it was Prince Pingbian who had the final say.
Zhang Xiaohua also looked at Prince Pingbian with excitement, his eyes reddening, urging out: "Father!"
"The issue of appearance has already become Xiaohua’s obsession, can Yellow Heaven Dao truly heal this child’s wounds? I don’t want to see him having hope only to fall into despair again." Prince Pingbian looked at Gu Mingyue intently.
"I am tenfold confident." Gu Mingyue declared unequivocally.
Hearing this, Prince Pingbian nodded: "In that case, Xiaohua, you should go with your master up the mountain."
Meanwhile, Zhang Chen was temporarily residing in the mountains, either delving into talismans or reflecting on Martial Dao; now Xiaodouding persistently urged Zhang Chen to practice martial arts. Zhang Chen pondered it over and decided it’s better to hone skills early, to appease Xiaodouding.
Five days passed swiftly. During this period, Zhang Chen secretly descended the mountain to inspect the Eight Trigrams Furnace, seeing it was stable, felt at ease and returned to the Daoist Temple for secluded cultivation.
Xiaodouding was snacking and strolling around in the Daoist Temple when he suddenly turned a corner and was confronted by a horrifically disfigured face, with features twisted like tree roots, startling Xiaodouding to leap in fright, falling to the ground.
"Little Daoist..." Zhang Xiaohua, lost in the Daoist Temple, attempted to greet and ask for directions upon seeing Xiaodouding, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Xiaodouding, like a frightened rabbit, screamed ’A ghost! Don’t eat me!’ before quickly disappearing down the corridor.
Hearing Xiaodouding’s screams, Zhang Xiaohua was left standing in a daze, his facial muscles twitching, making him look even more hideous. A timid person seeing this might be scared to death at once.
Since being disfigured, his appearance had become Zhang Xiaohua’s obsession and taboo; he could not tolerate any mention of it. Even if the guards and maids in Prince Pingbian’s Mansion showed the slightest flicker in their gazes, it would result in severe punishment. Being screamed at by Xiaodouding in his presence ignited his anger.