Zhang Chen, upon hearing this, hesitantly reached out to retrieve the Wind Stabilizing Pill, and indeed saw the bag calm without a trace of disturbance. Unwilling to accept this outcome, Zhang Chen hurriedly untied the bag’s binding ropes, only to find it empty—just an ordinary small cloth bag without any formidable power.
"Could it be that all my efforts have gone to waste?" Zhang Chen’s eyes showed a trace of unwillingness.
"It’s fate as well as timing, so there’s no need to worry. You can’t expect to take all the benefits for yourself, can you? You’ve already obtained the Six-Word Mantra and grasped the Technique to cultivate it. What more could you want? Be aware that the monks in the temple, despite having the Celestial Book of the Six-Word Mantra, have pondered for countless years yet still haven’t mastered it," the Great Freedom Celestial Demon comforted with kind words.
"How do you know the monks in the temple haven’t mastered the Six-Word Mantra?" Zhang Chen asked curiously.
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon said, "The Six-Word Mantra should be the kind of power that only those who have attained enlightenment can comprehend. No one knows how you managed to master the Six-Word Mantra so perfectly, otherwise, how could you have discovered my methods?"
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s voice was filled with regret and unwillingness.
He was so close to possessing Zhang Chen, truly just a tad short.
Although Zhang Chen was unwilling, he carefully put away the small cloth bag, thinking it might still have some use in the future.
Then Zhang Chen looked at the skill value that had fallen on the ground, his eyes filled with anticipation. With the bag being so mystical, the skill that dropped must be extraordinary.
[Skill discovered, would you like to pick it up?]
"Pick it up!"
[New Skill: Sand Merging Strange Book]
[Type: Composite Skill]
Suddenly, Zhang Chen had a mysterious book in his hand, beautifully crafted from golden paper, exceeding thirty pages, seemingly remarkable.
"This is the Golden Book! Where did you get the Golden Book?" the Great Freedom Celestial Demon, upon seeing the Golden Book in Zhang Chen’s hand, was utterly filled with disbelief. He had been following Zhang Chen closely, and if there was a Golden Book, there was no way he could have missed it. Yet now he saw a complete Golden Book!
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon appeared bewildered, his face looked as if he had seen a ghost—where did this Golden Book suddenly come from?
Zhang Chen held the Golden Book in his hand but didn’t open it. Instead, he gazed at the surrounding mountains and rivers, as the black wind dissipated, revealing the beautiful scenery of the land.
Yet before he could see clearly, his magical power was exhausted, and in the next moment, Zhang Chen’s consciousness returned to the real world.
In the dark night, Zhang Chen couldn’t sleep. Glancing at the sleeping Xiaodouding, he forcefully suppressed the extreme thirst within him, tiptoeing to the table, lighting an oil lamp, and with a thought, the Golden Book appeared in his hands.
The Golden Book consisted of eighteen pages, looking indistinguishable from the West Ascension Scripture he obtained back then, with the front page engraved with overwhelming wind and sand, which obscure the sky, amidst which countless runes flashed, appearing remarkable.
After scrutinizing for a moment, Zhang Chen opened the first page. The mysterious characters of the Golden Book were in some tadpole script Zhang Chen had never seen before, but as the Golden Finger interface flickered in his mind, Zhang Chen actually understood the text on the Golden Book. Then he saw the entire Golden Book transform into countless tadpole scripts, pouring into his mind through his eyesight.
All the text seemed imprinted in his mind, clear and unmistakable, unable to be forgotten.
Meanwhile, the Golden Book in Zhang Chen’s hand transformed into golden light, dissipating into the air, leaving countless tadpole scripts flashing in Zhang Chen’s eyes.
Massive information swept in, and an indescribable sleepiness and fatigue surged in his heart, making Zhang Chen feel his brain muddled, his thoughts chaotic. He promptly extinguished the oil lamp and went to bed.
Under the impact of the massive flow of information, the thirst within Zhang Chen’s body was momentarily suppressed and scattered.
Holding Xiaodouding, Zhang Chen fell asleep, feeling content as he cuddled her like a soft and plump doll.
The morning bell of the temple sounded the next day, and Xiaodouding opened her sleepy eyes, looking at Zhang Chen sleeping soundly. She pushed Zhang Chen’s head vigorously, "Zhang Chen, get up for morning class."
Though treated well at the Daoist Temple because of Xie Lingyun, the morning class was still mandatory.
"Don’t disturb me, let me sleep a little longer," Zhang Chen said, feeling his brain foggy, unable to digest the massive information from the Sand Merging Strange Book quickly, he must rely on sleep to break it down gradually.
"I tell you, if you are late for class, I won’t stay with you and get scolded," Xiaodouding stood up, her feet kicked Zhang Chen’s face: "Zhang Chen, wake up! Stop sleeping, or you will be late."
Xiaodouding’s kicking finally woke Zhang Chen up, but his mind remained muddled, feeling somewhat sluggish.
Following Xiaodouding for the morning class, Zhang Chen was about to eat after class when Zhang Xiaohua blocked their path.
"Nephew Zhang Chen, please stop," Zhang Xiaohua said with a smile.
Upon hearing Zhang Xiaohua’s words, Zhang Chen’s eyes appeared dull, forcing himself to gather his spirits, "What does Uncle want to discuss?"
Examining Zhang Chen, who seemed exhausted and spiritless, Zhang Xiaohua was tempted: "This boy’s state seems a bit off, what if I get him drunk, won’t my plan be successful then?"
"Previously, it was my fault. Because of the Fox Spirit, you were nearly pushed to ruin. Today, I wish to host a banquet to apologize, please, nephew, grant me the honor, don’t refuse," Zhang Xiaohua earnestly held Zhang Chen’s arm, ready to drag him to the feast.
Alarmed by Zhang Xiaohua’s intentions, Zhang Chen thought of her as ill-intentioned, how could she truly want to invite him for a feast?
"This is like a weasel paying New Year’s greetings to a chicken," Zhang Chen muttered to himself, unable to refuse, forcing himself to gather his spirits and resist the sleepiness while following Zhang Xiaohua out.
Yet, half-way, when reaching a small path by a pavilion, Liu Feng walked in from outside with a somber face, his steps hurried and disordered. Upon seeing Zhang Xiaohua, his eyes lit up, "Crown Prince, I’ve found you. Something major happened last night!"
Seeing Liu Feng so panicked, Zhang Xiaohua felt an ominous foreboding, knowing whatever panicked Liu Feng could not be trivial.
Zhang Xiaohua released Zhang Chen, looking at Liu Feng, "Senior brother, what happened to make you so frantic?"
"The scout just reported, all the thousand guards at the Prince’s Mansion downhill died mysteriously, every living being within the camp perished inexplicably. It’s likely the work of something strange, or the court has secretly acted. They are targeting you, should something happen to you within the Daoist Temple, Huangli Temple cannot bear the responsibility," Liu Feng said gravely.
"What???" Zhang Xiaohua was shocked, immediately abandoning Zhang Chen, she hurriedly questioned, "Has my father been notified?"
"I dare not act on my own, I’ve sent someone to notify the Prince’s Mansion privately, awaiting their decision," Liu Feng said seriously, "During this period, you must not leave the Daoist Temple. No, even here isn’t safe. It’s better to move to the Ancestral Master’s hall; with the Ancestral Master’s protective power, bizarre things will not dare to intrude. Stay there until the Prince’s Mansion’s masters arrive and you can come out."