Chapter 47

"Clear and pure, top grade!"

The white-haired Daoist wrote down the results of this inspection on a jade tablet and then left without saying much more to Zhang Yan, his expression unchanged.

Every three months, the Upper Academy would send a senior master to inspect the progress of the true disciples. If a disciple's cultivation stagnated or progressed slowly, they would be rated as a lower grade. Three consecutive lower grades would result in the confiscation of half their rewards, six lower grades would strip them of all rewards, and nine lower grades would demote them from their position as a true disciple.

Zhang Yan naturally would not expel the pure spirit energy. Instead, he released a breath of Yunlan Clear Qi for the inspection. This breath of clear qi was only average in purity, but the initial step was the most difficult. He had only been a disciple for three months and could already condense clear qi, showing significant progress. Therefore, receiving a top grade was justified.

As he watched the Daoist depart, Zhang Yan was about to turn and return to his cave abode when he looked up and saw someone standing before him. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Ning."

"You have clear and pure spirit energy, condensed and not dispersed, showing that you have put in effort." Ning Chongxuan, still in his white robes, spoke with a hint of melancholy.

He knew that the cultivation method in the *Lanyun Secret Manual* was not advanced, and Zhang Yan had to rush his cultivation during the few hours of the night in this place where malevolent qi surged. Zhang Yan had average talent and no assistance, yet he had achieved this level in just three months, demonstrating a well-rounded Dao heart and a strong will, far exceeding his initial expectations.

It was indeed a pity that such a disciple with such good character could not be brought into his lineage.

He looked at Zhang Yan and said in a solemn voice, "I am here to inform you of something. Your master has been decided; it is Zhou Chongju, the head of the Alchemy Hall. This person has a unique identity and personally came to my master to request to take you as a disciple. My master has already agreed, and I cannot stop it. However, this person is not from a lineage, so you can rest assured."

At this, he sighed slightly and said, "The future is unpredictable. It seems you and Senior Brother Qi do not have the karmic connection of a master and disciple."

A glint of insight flashed in Zhang Yan's eyes, and he said, "From what Senior Brother says, there seems to be more to this. I wonder why this Senior Zhou wants to take me as a disciple?"

Ning Chongxuan shook his head and said, "Knowing more about this now would not benefit you." He extended his hand and said, "Hand over the Ruyi Divine Dart to me."

Zhang Yan's expression did not change, and he unhesitatingly took out the divine dart. Ning Chongxuan pointed at it, and the dart returned to his sleeve. He looked at Zhang Yan and said, "I will take you to meet this person. Remember, no matter how good external objects are, they are only aids, not dependencies. As long as you are devoted to the Dao, you may still have a chance to achieve it. Remember, remember!"

He stepped forward, placed a hand on Zhang Yan's shoulder, and Zhang Yan felt a sudden blur, as if the world was spinning. When he steadied himself and looked up, he found himself in front of a grand hall with the sign "Alchemy Hall" above it. Ning Chongxuan was nowhere to be seen.

Just as he was about to step forward, his expression changed. He opened his palm and found the Ruyi Divine Dart sitting there!

Zhang Yan put the dart away and thought for a moment, understanding Ning Chongxuan's intentions.

"Today, Senior Brother Ning first took the Ruyi Divine Dart and then returned it, likely to make me feel a sense of gain and loss. From his final words, he wanted to tell me that no matter how good external objects are, they are still others' possessions, which can be given and taken away. Before coming to the Alchemy Hall, he probably wanted to hint that alchemy is also an external object, and only cultivating profound techniques is the right path, reminding me not to forget the fundamentals."

Thinking of this, he bowed deeply in the direction Ning Chongxuan had left. Regardless of Ning Chongxuan's intentions, he had helped him several times and even left the dart behind, showing great kindness. He would repay this favor in the future.

However...

Zhang Yan smiled. Both Ning Chongxuan and the person behind the scenes were wrong, and they were greatly mistaken! He shook out his sleeves and strode into the hall.

The main hall was supported by two golden wooden pillars, each as thick as two people could embrace, with lotus bases. The arch beams were grand, and there was a large double-necked bronze furnace in the center. The air was filled with the faint scent of medicine. A Daoist attendant saw him and greeted him with a bow, "What brings you here, Senior Brother? Are you here to request a pill?"

Zhang Yan stood firm and said in a deep voice, "My name is Zhang Yan, and I have been ordered to meet Head Zhou."

"You are Uncle Zhang?"

The attendant was taken aback and quickly smiled, "Uncle Zhang, this way, this way. I will inform the Ancestor." He hurriedly ran to the back hall.

The other attendants, who usually looked down on others, had not paid much attention. They would not take new disciples seriously, even the true disciples of the Grotto Heavens would be treated politely. When they heard Zhang Yan's name, they were startled, realizing he was the disciple the head was about to take. They quickly came over to greet him, some even offering tea, regretting not standing up earlier and missing the opportunity.

About half an hour later, the attendant rushed out and bowed, "Uncle Zhang, the Ancestor is calling for you."

Zhang Yan said, "Lead the way."

The attendant stepped aside and said, "Uncle, follow me."

Following the attendant, they passed through several halls and arrived at the foot of a mountain. In front of them was a colorful lake, and a corridor bridge extended from the shore to the center of the lake, where a three-story boat pavilion floated. A Daoist stood by the railing, occasionally throwing down white, fragmented pills.

Zhang Yan looked closely and saw that the pavilion was supported by a huge, winged fish greedily eating the pills and making grunting sounds.

The attendant pointed ahead and said, "The Ancestor is on the fish pavilion. Uncle, please go ahead."

Zhang Yan nodded, crossed the bridge, and stepped onto the fish pavilion. Once inside, he felt no swaying or instability. He straightened his clothes, climbed the stairs to the third floor, and saw the Daoist already seated in the main hall.

He had black hair and a black beard, regular features, and held a scroll of alchemy. A half-empty wine pot was on the table. Without looking up, he waved his sleeve and said coldly, "Who told you to come up? Go down."

Zhang Yan ignored him, walked to the bookshelves, and took a book to read.

The Daoist snorted, put down his scroll, and said coldly, "Don't think that by doing this, I won't take you as a disciple. I am taking you to repay an old friend. Whether you want it or not, you are my disciple."

Zhang Yan smiled, put down the book, and turned around, "Uncle, if I become your disciple, won't you be at a loss?"

"Who are you calling Uncle? You... You are from the Zhou family...?"

Zhou Chongju's expression changed dramatically, from anger to confusion, then surprise, excitement, and finally, he stood up and said in a low voice, "Follow me." He pulled a bookshelf aside and entered a secret room.

Zhang Yan smiled, followed without hesitation, and entered the secret room.

Once the door closed, Zhou Chongju looked at Zhang Yan intently and said, "Who are you?"

Zhang Yan bowed respectfully and recounted his background and origins. He concluded, "The senior who guided me up the mountain said that an elder of the Zhou family left the family two hundred years ago and vowed to destroy it. He told me to come and seek refuge. He said if I couldn't reach the Upper Academy, it would be pointless, but if I did, I would have a chance to meet you."

Zhou Chongju asked, "What else did the senior say?"

Zhang Yan replied, "The senior said that after meeting you, I should ask if you remember the old Daoist who patted you three times on the back with a duster."

Zhou Chongju stood in silence, and when Zhang Yan was puzzled, he suddenly laughed loudly, pounding his chest, "Indeed, indeed, the senior did not deceive me, did not deceive me."

"Back then, I was betrayed by the old scoundrel of the Zhou family and was expelled. I had thoughts of revenge, but the senior said my foundation was ruined. Even if he taught me profound techniques, I would have no hope of achieving the Dao, at most living a thousand years in leisure. I asked what to do, and he said he would travel the world to find someone with great fortune and the power to overturn the heavens. This person would fulfill my wish, and I should wait patiently. After more than two hundred years, I have finally waited!"

His voice was filled with emotion. After sighing, he smiled warmly at Zhang Yan, "Little friend Zhang, rest assured, no one will harm you as long as you do not violate the rules. I will protect you."

Zhang Yan bowed, "Thank you, Uncle."

Zhou Chongju shook his head, "I am no longer part of the Zhou family. We are both helped by the senior, so you can call me Master in public and Senior Brother in private." He looked at Zhang Yan again and asked, "From what you said, are you the only one left in your clan?"

"Yes."

Zhou Chongju paced around the room and finally sat down, saying, "The Zhou family's actions are never simple. I suspect they had plans even before your birth. Your parents and clan members died, but you survived and even married into the Zhou family. There must be something suspicious. Don't you have any doubts?"

Zhang Yan frowned. He had thought about it, but he didn't take it seriously, especially since he had no cultivation at the time. Now, with Zhou Chongju mentioning it, he decided to play along, "Yes, there are many suspicious points, but the Zhou family is powerful. What can I do?"

Zhou Chongju slapped the table, "The death of one's parents is an unforgivable grudge. Rest assured, I will help you. One day, we will overturn the Zhou family!"

Zhang Yan immediately said, "I will follow Senior Brother's lead."

Zhou Chongju nodded in satisfaction. Then, he seemed to remember something and stood up, pointing at Zhang Yan, "There is one thing you must be cautious about."

Zhang Yan bowed, "Please instruct, Senior Brother."

"Your coming here was the idea of an old friend. I agreed to repay him, but this person is skilled in strategy, and his plans are intricate. This matter is not simple, and I cannot see his true intentions yet, but it likely involves alchemy."

Zhou Chongju walked to a bookshelf, took out several scrolls, and handed them to Zhang Yan, saying, "These scrolls are the alchemy techniques I have revised over a hundred years. They are hard to find in this world and in Donghua Continent. Take them and study them. I don't expect you to master them, but knowing a little will be useful for your defense."

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