Zou Wenlong patted Zhang Chen on the shoulder after speaking: "Rest assured, when I become an immortal, I will take good care of you."
After speaking, Zou Wenlong hurriedly left without waiting for Zhang Chen to respond. Chores are a nuisance to all disciples as they take up too much time for cultivation.
After Zou Wenlong left, Zhang Chen continued reading in the Library Pavilion. This pavilion contains numerous records that, although not containing cultivation techniques, still provided some inspiration for his cultivation.
Seven days later, Zou Wenlong stormed into the Library Pavilion and confronted Zhang Chen with glaring eyes: "Zhang Chen, why did you stand me up, causing me to be punished by the Ancestral Master?"
Because Zou Wenlong did not work for seven days, dozens of herbs in the medicine field died, resulting in him being whipped seven times by the Ancestral Master, leaving his skin torn and bleeding profusely.
Zhang Chen looked up at Zou Wenlong, noticing his sweat pouring down like rain, and his clothing drenched with blood. His eyes were filled with bewilderment: "When did I ever agree to work for you?"
"How dare you deny it? You clearly agreed to it back then." Zou Wenlong's hand trembled with anger.
"How did I agree?" Zhang Chen asked. "Tell me what exactly I said at the time."
"You said thank you," Zou Wenlong replied.
"Yes, I was just thanking you for your kindness. I never said I'd help you work," Zhang Chen replied smugly.
Zou Wenlong rolled his eyes in exasperation and fainted right there in the Library Pavilion. Seeing this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but find it amusing. Some disciples who were stationed to guard the Library Pavilion hurried over to drag Zou Wenlong away for treatment.
Zhang Chen continued reading, as Zou Wenlong was insignificant and completely beneath his notice.
Three years passed swiftly.
In those three years, Zhang Chen didn't advance to the entry-level, becoming the laughing stock of the entire Daoist Temple. Even the Ancestral Master of Longevity shook his head at him.
None of the disciples interacted with Zhang Chen, isolating him, though Zhang Chen enjoyed the peace and freedom.
In three years, Zhang Chen read all the books in the Library Pavilion, yet he still had no clue on how to transform the Innate Five Elements and the Innate Yin Yang.
One day, while Zhang Chen was weeding in the medicine field, the Qi mechanism around him flickered slightly, and the Great Freedom Celestial Demon appeared beside him: "Zhang Chen, here I come!"
"Where have you been these three years?" Zhang Chen asked.
"I accomplished something major!" The Great Freedom Celestial Demon slyly moved closer to Zhang Chen: "Who would have thought that you would study under the Five Villages Temple, entering into it—this temple holds great secrets."
Zhang Chen cast a wary glance at the Great Freedom Celestial Demon, for he knew that whenever this old bastard spoke in such a tone, trouble was sure to follow.
So Zhang Chen didn't respond to the celestial demon's words but instead asked, "About my Innate Yin Yang Qi and Innate Five Elements Qi, do you truly have no solution?"
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon hesitated briefly before speaking, "As the saying goes, different paths lead to different outcomes. We do not walk the same path, so how could I have a solution?"
He then elongated his words, "However, I do have a certain idea."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen was overjoyed. He knew this sneaky being had been holding out, so he quickly pursued, "What idea do you have?"
"To untie the bell, you must first find the person who tied it. If you wish to understand the transformation between Innate Yin Yang and Innate Five Elements, you might need to find someone. If all goes well, that person should be able to assist you," said the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.
"Who?" Zhang Chen eyed the celestial demon.
"It's naturally that featherless peacock," replied the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.
At this, Zhang Chen furrowed his eyebrows: "This is the second layer of the Spiritual World. Where can I find that Innate Peacock? Even if you tell me the method, I can't achieve it."
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon chuckled oddly: "Isn't it a coincidence? I just happen to know the whereabouts of that featherless peacock, and it's right here in the second layer of the Spiritual World."
Zhang Chen's eyes lit up, yet he soon found it problematic: "Even so, that featherless bird is powerful. For me to approach it would be nothing short of a death sentence. He probably hates me deeply, so how could he help me?"
After all, I snatched away his Innate Origin and the Golden Scissors. It would be a miracle if he didn't destroy me on sight, let alone help me.
"You don't know—times have changed for that featherless bird. In the past, a great calamity occurred and destroyed his physical body. Even his True Spirit is barely intact. With your Golden Scissors and Five-Colored Divine Light, keeping yourself safe is feasible. At worst, we could strike a deal with him, couldn't we? Moreover, I planted a seed in his psyche long ago, and now it has taken root. Don't worry about anything—I'll take care of it. What are you afraid of?"
Zhang Chen paused upon hearing this: "That Innate Peacock really survived from the age of creation until now?"
"That old creature holds the Authority of the Innate Five Elements, the foundational Law for world operation. I am not surprised he has lived until now," remarked the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.
"Where is its remaining soul?" Zhang Chen asked.
"It's within this Five Villages Temple," replied the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.
Hearing this, Zhang Chen's heart skipped a beat: "Really? How could it be such a coincidence?"
"It wasn't exactly a coincidence. That featherless bird made a mistake during his possession and rebirth, and was tricked by the Observatory Master of the Five Villages Temple, getting suppressed right here," the Great Freedom Celestial Demon whispered.
"What realm is the Observatory Master at?" Zhang Chen inquired.
He found that he couldn't perceive the cultivation level of the Observatory Master.
"Fruit Realm." A hint of caution appeared in the Great Freedom Celestial Demon's voice.
"You're sending me to cause trouble—isn't that a death sentence?" Zhang Chen said irritably.
"What's the big deal about the Fruit Realm? It's not like it's invincible!" Seeing Zhang Chen's hesitation, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon cursed in annoyance: "Kid, show some spirit. If we pull off something big, you'll soar instantly. What's there to be scared of? Just don't come back here afterward. Otherwise, with your current state suppressed by the Yin Yang Qi, your future might be wasted. Moreover, if the Observatory Master captures the Innate Five Elements Qi, they will undoubtedly sense the Innate Yin Yang Qi within you. Do you think you can escape then? Remember, the Innate Yin Yang Qi is already fused with your soul. Unless you die, there's no way to separate it."
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon's words rendered Zhang Chen silent. There was some logic to what the celestial demon said; this issue was tied to him, and unless he took a chance, it would be difficult to resolve.
"Besides, what's there to fear? I've already planted a Demon Seed in the Observatory Master long ago, and I foresee his calamity approaching soon. Once it arrives, I'll have a way to block his perception and disrupt his Spiritual Mechanism. By then, we execute our plan and escape. Who would track us down?" explained the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.