But how could there be a problem with the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror?
The Innate Peacock was trapped within the mirror, unless that Old Peacock had a chance to escape.
Thinking of this, the Ancestral Master of Longevity immediately became uneasy and directed his magical power into the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror. The next moment, the mirror opened, displaying the scene of the Land of Return. But by then, the Innate Peacock had already taken the opportunity to escape, and there was no trace of it.
"This is big trouble!"
Looking at the empty scene of the Land of Return, the Ancestral Master of Longevity felt as if a thunderclap exploded in his mind, cold sweat flowing down his back. This was the only thought he had at the moment.
The strength of that Innate Peacock was formidable, having once killed a Supreme Immortal. Even if its physical body was destroyed, leaving only a sliver of True Spirit, it would eventually restore its strength. By that time, what would become of himself?
Although he had reached the 'Fruit' realm, he knew all too well that he was still tens of thousands of miles away from the realm of that Immortal from back then. Moreover, how could he compare to the Innate Peacock who could reduce celestial beings to homeless dogs?
Coming to his senses, the Ancestral Master of Longevity had a second thought: "What should I do?"
What should he do? He must find a way to recapture the True Spirit of that Old Peacock before its power is restored.
At this moment, the Ancestral Master of Longevity's face turned pale, his fists clenched tightly within his sleeves. If Xuanji Ancestor hadn't brought up 'borrowing people,' he could naturally have summoned his allies to discuss countermeasures. But now, he felt he had lost control of the situation, not knowing what his allies were thinking.
Moreover, the Innate Peacock had been confined here for tens of thousands of years, its strength only growing weaker. It hadn't escaped back then, so why would it suddenly manage to escape now?
"Could it be that those few old folks are secretly manipulating, releasing the Innate Peacock just to create trouble for me and scatter my focus, so they could seize the Grass Returning Pill and the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror?" The Ancestral Master felt anxious, his mind filled with ominous thoughts.
"Difficult indeed! But I must give advance notice. The True Spirit of the Innate Peacock is not something I can retrieve on my own. Even if I truly found it, I couldn't subdue it by myself." The Longevity Ancestor cursed under his breath: "It's truly a troublesome season."
Over there, Xu Erniu watched the Longevity Ancestor's expression cautiously. She had spent her childhood among the common folk and was adept at reading faces. From the slight expressions of the Ancestral Master, she already knew things were getting complicated.
"Ancestor, did I do something wrong?" Xu Erniu asked anxiously.
Upon hearing Xu Erniu's words, the Ancestral Master extended a hand and touched her head: "Don't worry, it's not because of you. Go and focus on your cultivation."
After saying this, the Ancestral Master of Longevity paused: "By the way, if someone tries to persuade you to join another Daoist Temple to study under another master, what would you do?"
"The Ancestor treats me with great kindness, like a second set of parents. In the future, I want to serve the Ancestor devotedly; how could I betray my teacher?" Xu Erniu replied.
Hearing Xu Erniu's words, the Ancestral Master of Longevity smiled slightly, feeling as though the words he hadn't spoken were unnecessary.
"Good! You are a good child. Cultivate well in the future, do not disappoint the Ancestor's expectations." The Ancestral Master praised her, then hurriedly left to gather his peers for a discussion.
Meanwhile, Zhang Chen initially wanted to seize the opportunity to demonstrate himself before Monk Hai Chan, using the Innate Peacock's five feathers to stir Hai Chan's greed. But upon reaching the small abode where Monk Hai Chan rested, he found that the monk had already been summoned by the Ancestral Master.
Zhang Chen wasn't in a hurry; he had plenty of time to wait. If it didn't work this time, there would be a next.
With his free time, Zhang Chen began to study the Five Elements Escape Technique, striving to master the Water Escape Technique soon. Once he grasped the Five Elements Escape Technique, there would be almost nowhere in the world that could trap him.
While the Ancestral Master of Longevity gathered his allies to discuss the matter of the Innate Peacock, Zhang Chen waited for half a day before being summoned by his senior brother, who said that the Ancestral Master was asking for him.
Zhang Chen quickly tidied his attire and went to where the Ancestral Master rested, seeing him sitting cross-legged on a mat, gently polishing the treasure sword in his hand.
"Disciple pays respects to the Ancestral Master." Zhang Chen respectfully bowed to the Longevity Ancestor.
The Longevity Ancestor stopped polishing the treasure sword upon hearing this and glanced at Zhang Chen: "Stand up."
Zhang Chen stood up and heard the Ancestral Master ask: "Did you notice anything unusual while serving tea to the various ancestors today?"
Zhang Chen, being a clever person, had a thought upon hearing the Ancestral Master's words: "Could it be that the Ancestral Master has grown suspicious, and my schemes have succeeded?"
"Disciple did not notice anything unusual." Zhang Chen paused for a moment, as if remembering something, but then shook his head.
The Ancestral Master, seeing this, probed further: "If you noticed anything unusual, just tell me."
"Perhaps I overthought it, disciple dares not comment on the venerable ancestors." Zhang Chen quickly knelt down, his voice filled with fear and trembling.
Observing Zhang Chen's performance, the Ancestral Master knew that Zhang Chen had indeed noticed something unusual, so he urged: "I told you to speak, so just speak. I'll pardon you."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen pondered for a moment before continuing: "Earlier, when I went to Ancestor Hai Chan's dwelling, I accidentally overheard him and Xuanji Ancestor discussing something about Returning Pill and Treasure Sword. Monk Hai Chan showed a fierce look upon realizing I'd heard, as if intending harm, but Xuanji Ancestor stopped him, saying they wanted to take me as a disciple..."