Chapter 40

The Dragon Abyss Marsh, the location of the Jing沧 Sect, is one of the ten major spiritual sites in Donghua Continent. The cave dwellings built here are as numerous as stars in the sky, but the ebb and flow of spiritual energy follows the laws of nature, not human will. While there are many cave dwellings that suit cultivators, there are also some extreme cases where only cultivators practicing special techniques can adapt.

For example, the Lingye Island cave dwelling. Tang Yan and others could not endure the earth fire and evil qi here, so they had to build a cottage on a remote corner of the island. Even so, the group, accustomed to comfort, still complained bitterly.

Zhang Yan had no interest in Tang Yan. Since Ning Chongxuan had entrusted her to him, there must have been a purpose. He simply placed her there like an ornament, ignoring her completely.

This woman was proud and arrogant, not as easy to use as Luo Xiao. Moreover, he and Luo Xiao had a blood oath, which gave him the greatest peace of mind.

However, this time Luo Xiao went to find a place where the essence of the earth converged to settle the King of Beasts and heal his injuries. It would likely take one or two years before he could return. The Jing沧 Sect's important areas were not places where demon cultivators like her could enter at will. It seemed that in the future, she could only be used as a hidden pawn.

The Lingye Cave Dwelling was located in the mountain's belly, spacious and vast. After it was opened, few people had lived there, and it had not been decorated. Only a few wall lizards climbed around daily, polishing the cave walls until they were as smooth as glass.

This place had abundant water sources, with three rivers running through the entire island. There were often heavy rains brought by the marsh, and the island was filled with intense heat, with dust floating everywhere. As a result, the mountains were shrouded in mist and mud all year round.

As a true disciple, he received elixirs, spirit shells, grains, and various tokens every month. Not long after he arrived on Lingye Island, two Daoist boys were sent to deliver shoes, jade tokens, headbands, robes, and over ten spirit shells. Although the number was small, it was insignificant to him, who had a fortune of forty to fifty thousand. As for the elixirs, although they were of high quality, he had a large number of Danyuan Pills from Du You, enough to support his cultivation to the first level of the Bright Qi realm.

The only thing he lacked was a Dao book. Although he had the Taiyi Golden Book, he could not cultivate it directly and needed a cover to avoid revealing any flaws.

However, Dao books were extremely difficult to obtain. Disciples of the master-disciple lineage received Dao books from their teachers, while those from noble families relied on their families to gather and exchange them. Although the upper hall's scripture tower had Dao books, they were the most common, and precious texts were not included, making them useless.

As a true disciple, he should have been given a Dao book, but unfortunately, his pulse pattern was only a low-grade fog pattern, and there were few suitable Dao books for him. Moreover, he was not from a noble family, so even those who had Dao books would not easily hand them over.

However, although he could not cultivate the Taiyi Golden Book immediately, he could enter the broken jade to explore its secrets.

Zhang Yan picked up the cave dwelling token, made a hand seal, and instantly, the restrictions on Lingye Island were activated. Once the array was closed, the inside and outside were completely isolated, and even dozens of cultivators at the Mystic Light stage could not break in. He thought that if he had the time, he would study the array in depth.

He reached into his sleeve, grasped the broken jade, and his consciousness sank into it again.

This was the first time he had returned to the jade after opening his meridians. He felt as if he had been hit, as if a thick wall was blocking him from the outside. When he looked more closely, he saw that his avatar in the jade was standing in the air, with several floating golden etchings in front of him.

Apart from the one in the center, which he could see clearly, the others were indistinguishable in number and shape.

This strange change surprised him greatly, and he could not help but look at the most prominent etching.

This etching was very different from the usual ones, constantly changing and rotating. After a few glances, he felt dizzy and disoriented, which startled him. This situation only occurred when he first learned etchings, due to insufficient calculation power. However, since his two souls merged, he had never experienced this again.

This etching... seemed to be even more advanced than the ones on the Star Stele.

Zhang Yan's eyes gradually filled with enthusiasm. If he could decipher this character, his understanding of etchings would surely reach a new level!

He no longer thought about anything else, discarding everything and began to calculate and deduce.

After about twenty days in the jade, he suddenly trembled and burst out laughing, "This character is just like my name, it must be the character 'Yan'!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the etching in front of him shattered!

Zhang Yan's divine sense was momentarily dazed. When he regained consciousness, he was surprised to find that the surroundings were no longer vague and dark, but everything inside the cave dwelling was clearly reflected.

He took a few steps forward and touched the cave wall, which felt exactly the same as the outside. He became interested and walked a few more steps, only to discover that the things reflected in the broken jade only extended five steps away, and beyond that, it was still empty. He guessed it was due to his insufficient cultivation.

He thought for a moment, withdrew his consciousness from the broken jade, walked a dozen steps, and then entered the jade again. To his surprise, the scenery in the jade changed as he moved, reflecting everything within five steps without any omissions.

His eyes flashed, and he carefully examined, only to be even more surprised. Within five steps, even the golden fire spiritual energy was reflected!

It was important to know that the Bright Qi stage of cultivation was divided into three levels: "Initial Formation of Qi Sea," "Summoning Clouds and Mists," and "Heavenly Rain Descending." If cultivated in the usual way, it would be smooth and uneventful. However, the Taiyi Golden Book was different. This Dao book was both dangerous and profound. In the first step, "Initial Formation of Qi Sea," one needed to draw in golden light and fierce fire to temper the original essence and refine the Bright Qi. This qi was divided into two parts. The first step was to refine the clear Qi of the Heavenly Spirit, which, when completed, would be as light as clouds and mist, floating like a feather. The second step was to refine the turbid Qi of the Earthly Spirit, which, when completed, would be as dense as fine iron and as heavy as a thousand catties.

In the third step, the two qi would merge, ultimately condensing into Mystic Light and Golden Fire.

However, each step of cultivation required the introduction of external qi to temper and refine, not just internal cultivation.

Originally, Zhang Yan had no teacher to guide him and no senior cultivators to protect him, so he could only take one step at a time, which was very risky. He originally thought that the broken jade's effect would be limited, but he never expected it to change like this, eliminating the need to worry about making mistakes.

Zhang Yan withdrew from the broken jade and was surprised to find that only one day and night had passed outside! He was even more delighted, as one day outside was equivalent to twenty days inside the jade. This was truly a divine treasure!

He subconsciously touched the broken jade and felt it was different from usual. When he looked closely, he saw that the broken jade had become completely bright, and the originally hazy areas seemed to have been peeled off. In the center, the etching "Yan" appeared.

He thought that before, his cultivation was too low to understand the mysteries of the broken jade. Now that he had opened his meridians and broken through, the etchings were likely the restrictions in the jade. Deciphering one character had such a significant gain, he wondered what would happen when all the characters were deciphered?

After looking at the character a few more times, he could not help but smile and said, "This treasure is destined for me!"

At this moment, Zhang Yan suddenly sensed something and put away the broken jade. He picked up the token, waved his hand to release the restrictions, and stepped out of the cave dwelling. He looked up at the sky and saw a person standing in the air with his hands behind his back, his sleeves fluttering like a sword drawn from its sheath, exuding a powerful aura. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Senior Brother Ning."

"There's no need for formalities," Ning Chongxuan slowly descended from the air, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Yan. He nodded and said, "You're doing well. You've broken through to the Bright Qi stage in just two months, earlier than I expected."

Zhang Yan smiled, "But I only obtained a low-grade pulse pattern."

Ning Chongxuan's eyes glared at him like knives, "Do you think so yourself?"

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I entered the sect to seek the path of immortality. Although my pulse pattern is low-grade, it is still a thread of life left by heaven. This is my ladder to the heavens; how can I belittle it?"

"Good, you have the right understanding, and I haven't misjudged you," Ning Chongxuan walked a few steps to the cliff's edge, gazing into the distance. He said solemnly, "Zhang Yan, I originally intended to introduce you to a senior brother. His cultivation is ten times mine. If he could teach you, it would be a great blessing for you. Unfortunately, this senior brother is currently in seclusion, and it's unknown when he will come out. If you can endure and hone your skills, there will be a day when your fortunes will turn."

Zhang Yan remained calm, "If I gain it, it is my fortune; if I lose it, it is my fate. Instead of relying on others, I will strive on my own."

Ning Chongxuan turned around and looked at him approvingly, "The Divine Shuttle will remain with you for now. If you cause trouble in the sect using my name, I will not show mercy. But if you encounter powerful opponents, do not hesitate. When you should strike, strike; when you should kill, kill. Do not waver."

Zhang Yan said solemnly, "I will remember Senior Brother's teachings."

From Ning Chongxuan's words, he sensed that he might encounter many unexpected troubles. However, it seemed that unless some major figures intervened, Ning Chongxuan would not protect him.

Ning Chongxuan continued, "There are few cultivation techniques suitable for the fog pattern. Even in the sect's library, there are only a few, and they are the lowest quality, not worth reading." He waved his sleeve, and a soft jade leaf flew toward Zhang Yan, "Take it."

Zhang Yan caught the jade leaf, and a strange sensation immediately spread through his hand, as if something was trying to enter his mind.

Ning Chongxuan reminded him, "Keep it well. This Dao book is called the 'Lanyun Secret Manual.' My teacher found it in a cave on a cliff. He used this technique to achieve the 'Qi Sea Floating in the Sky' manifestation, earning a great reputation in Donghua Continent. However, cultivation techniques depend on individual aptitude. Even if a hundred people practice together, not one may be suitable. Whether you succeed or fail depends on your destiny."

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