The little Xiaodouding rambled on, but Zhang Chen only caught the main points:
Three thousand soldiers?
And Martial Dao masters who have cultivated Qi Blood?
Hearing this, Zhang Chen immediately perked up, his eyes shining: Isn’t this just delivering experience to me?
If you put it like that, he wasn’t sleepy anymore.
He wasn’t afraid of the enemy sending a large army; as long as he quietly shot his gun, no matter how many people the other side had, they would end up dead, dead, dead.
Even if the Martial Dao masters had cultivated Qi Blood, Zhang Chen wasn’t afraid. He had the Invisibility Technique and the Body-Stabilizing Rune, and most importantly, he had the ability of Limb Regeneration. As long as he was willing to be wounded, even the strongest Martial Dao master couldn’t kill him unless they smashed his head or shattered his Crystal Core. He would complete the counter-kill.
"It’s a pity I can’t control others’ blood, otherwise even a thousand horses would just be blood banks in my eyes," Zhang Chen muttered.
The familiar morning recitation resumed, Zhang Xiaohua stood there, reciting scripture with the senior brothers, but unexpectedly Wei Yingwu had returned to the Daoist Temple at some point, and was now buttering up to Zhang Xiaohua, standing next to her like a Dog Leg, squatting and saying something unknown.
"Many senior brothers have returned to the Daoist Temple," Zhang Chen noted with surprise as he saw several familiar faces in the temple.
"The sect competition is starting, those disciples who went down the mountain naturally want to hurry back to participate. It’s said that the sect is being very generous this time, the winner not only gets promoted but also receives a mystery and the blessing of the Water God, becoming a subordinate Priest of the Water God and ascending directly to a deity," Xiaodouding spoke with resentment, "Too bad I can’t participate."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen’s heart stirred. The sect competition seemed like an opportunity for him; if he could stand out and obtain a higher level Qi Cultivation Technique, wouldn’t that complete his objective?
After morning lessons, Zhang Chen was planning to sneak out of the Daoist Temple, find a secret place to set up the Nine Bends Yellow River Array and explore the bottom of the Wangchuan River. However, Observatory Master Liu Feng came out and called him, "Zhang Chen, a distinguished guest is coming to the temple today, prepare to welcome them."
The distinguished guest Liu Feng referred to was naturally Xie Lingyun. Hearing Liu Feng’s words, Zhang Chen nodded, "I understand, Master."
Liu Feng came up to Zhang Chen and reminded him, "You must remember to please Commander Xie. Find a way to join the Inspection and Supervision Department. If you can join, it’ll mark a great achievement for you."
Hearing Liu Feng’s words, Zhang Chen nodded, "I will remember, Master."
Liu Feng nodded in satisfaction, "There’s one more thing I need you to handle."
"Please instruct, Master," Zhang Chen said.
"Zhang Xiaohua wants to pursue Xie Lingyun, I hope you can create opportunities for her, speak well for Zhang Xiaohua in front of Xie Lingyun," Liu Feng said.
Hearing Liu Feng’s words, Zhang Chen’s pupils constricted, finally understanding why Zhang Xiaohua was willing to resolve past grievances with him. She was waiting for this opportunity.
Previously, he had been perplexed, knowing Zhang Xiaohua’s vengeful nature, how could she easily let it go with him? Especially since she had an absolute advantage, based on his understanding, she wouldn’t let him go. Now he knew she awaited this opportunity.
"Do you understand?" Liu Feng asked again.
"Master, aren’t you putting me in a difficult position? How do I have the standing to speak before Commander Xie, let alone on such a matrimonial matter," Zhang Chen replied irritably.
"Do your best, I see that Commander Xie values you highly, though I don’t know why," Liu Feng examined Zhang Chen, a note of perplexity in his eyes.
Facing Liu Feng’s scrutiny, Zhang Chen only gave a shy smile, "Maybe Commander Xie sees me as naive and thinks I am a good person."
The Observatory Master pursed his lips, thinking that if that were the reason, Commander Xie’s admired people would be scattered everywhere, countless in number.
After instructing, Liu Feng went off on his own, but mid-way, he encountered Zhang Xiaohua.
"Junior Brother Zhang," Liu Feng called from afar.
Zhang Xiaohua stopped, saluting Liu Feng, "Greetings, Senior Brother Master."
"Xie Lingyun has come, your chance has arrived," Liu Feng said in a low voice.
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes instantly sparkled, and he smiled, "Where is Xie Lingyun?"
"At Zhang Chen’s place," Liu Feng replied.
"I’ll go pay a visit then, and have a chance encounter with Xie Lingyun. After one encounter, the second will be easier, and things will work out," Zhang Xiaohua said with joy.
"Rest assured, Junior Brother, I’ve already informed Zhang Chen, and he will cooperate with you," Liu Feng assured.
Meanwhile, after parting with Liu Feng, Zhang Chen returned to his house, pondering over the Sand Merging Skill, considering where to find materials to cultivate it. He had a direction for the ’sand’ material but was missing the ’wind’ component.
As Zhang Chen was pondering, Xie Lingyun arrived.
Not just Xie Lingyun alone, but also over a thousand soldiers, accompanying her all the way into the mountain.
Whenever Xie Lingyun came, it was always a grand affair, those black-armored samurais continuously inspecting every corner of the Daoist Temple to prevent any foul play.
Zhang Chen and Xiaodouding had long been waiting at the gate. Upon seeing Xie Lingyun, they saluted, "Greetings, sister. Sister always travels in such grand style, it’s enviable."
Xie Lingyun chuckled helplessly, "I don’t want it this way either, but now with the emergence of Qi Blood Warriors, our days are more difficult. Once a Qi Blood Warrior gets within ten steps, anyone below the Yang God can’t react and would be killed instantly."