Chapter 48

For the grand plan ahead, Zhang Yan and Zhou Chongju deliberated for a long time in a secret room. Out of certain considerations, Zhou Chongju detailed the distribution of power within the sect and the major events that had occurred in recent years to him.

This was like unfolding a scroll before Zhang Yan, revealing all the strokes and details of the current situation of the Lingcang Sect. In the past, constrained by his position and status, what he saw was only a glimpse. Even if he obtained some valuable information, it was like seeing flowers through a mist. Now, however, it gave him a completely new and clear understanding of the sect.

To ensure safety, Zhou Chongju suggested that Zhang Yan stay in the Dan Ding Hall for a few days to avoid being targeted by the Feng family. He could return to his cave dwelling after the heat died down. Zhang Yan readily agreed, knowing that Feng Shang would surely send people to check on his movements in secret, and returning to his cave dwelling immediately would only make the old fox suspicious.

However, he also realized that this place was not suitable for cultivating profound techniques.

The Dan Ding Hall had no shortage of spiritual lands, but they were all suppressed by formations, with the spiritual energy directed underground to nourish medicinal herbs.

Cultivating alchemy was the most difficult path, and only those who knew they had no hope in cultivation would choose this route. Therefore, most of the cave dwellings here were just for show. They might be usable for ordinary cultivators, but for Zhang Yan, they were not worth a second glance.

With nothing to do, Zhang Yan flipped through the alchemy techniques Zhou Chongju had given him. He became engrossed, spending a whole month in the jade fragment before stopping.

After finishing, he couldn't help but marvel. No wonder the senior who guided him here told him to rely on Zhou Chongju. This person's alchemy skills were truly exceptional. The original "Three Apertures Technique" had been meticulously improved by him into the "Inner Apertures Technique."

The "Three Apertures Technique" involved training the tongue, nose, and eyes to become excellent instruments for identifying the degree of fire and efficacy. This was the foundation of being an alchemist.

The "Inner Apertures Technique," although derived from the original Three Apertures Technique, was far superior. It involved creating a new qi aperture in the body, then consuming several special pills to refine this aperture into something comparable to a regular magical tool. When using the aperture technique to observe herbs, one only needed to extract qi from the aperture and circulate it through the three apertures, replacing the original Three Apertures Technique. This not only greatly shortened the cultivation time but also required less innate talent. Most importantly, as long as one had those few pills, anyone could practice it.

If this method were to be revealed, it would surely change the current landscape of the sixteen major sects.

Zhang Yan immediately recognized the value of this alchemy technique and carefully stored it in his sleeve. He planned to find those few herbs and try it out himself. With this in mind, he straightened his clothes and went out, releasing his flying boat and heading for the De Tan Pavilion.

In theory, one should not ride a flying boat随意 in the Dan Ding Hall, but Zhou Chongju had given him the position of supervisor, responsible for overseeing all the halls and gardens. This position had significant power, allowing him to investigate any irregularities in the Dan Ding Hall. No one objected to this arrangement.

To outsiders, Zhang Yan was now Zhou Chongju's indoor disciple, a true lineage member, and the most trustworthy person, not worth offending. Moreover, the affairs of the Dan Ding Hall were complex, and Zhang Yan, being new, was unfamiliar with the accounts, unable to refine pills, and unable to identify herbs or distinguish the quality of pills. Even if the people below did something underhanded, he wouldn't notice. Therefore, even the two deputy heads of the pavilion tacitly approved.

The Dan Ding Hall covered a vast area, another continent outside the main hall. Most of the continent was filled with medicinal fields and spiritual peaks, and even the edges of the marshes were planted with various aquatic spiritual herbs. As Zhang Yan flew, he noticed that there were also river force warriors, sea force warriors, and mountain-moving force warriors patrolling the continent.

He couldn't help but be moved, touching the sleeve where he kept a life-summoning jade talisman. The talisman contained a thread of the force warrior's essence blood and spirit. With a command, he could temporarily summon thirty sea force warriors and five mountain-moving force warriors.

At this moment, the roof of the De Tan Pavilion was in sight, but he suddenly heard a loud "boom." A white light streaked through the air, almost brushing past him. He quickly maneuvered the boat to avoid it, but a voice from the white light shouted, "Get out of the way!"

A red light then slashed down. Zhang Yan's eyes flashed, and he decisively abandoned the boat. With a "crack," the flying boat was cut in half. He turned the clear qi in his body and slowly floated down. Someone in the white light exclaimed, "Huh," and the red light circled back, aiming at Zhang Yan as if ready to strike him down.

Zhang Yan's face darkened, and he reached into his sleeve, ready to act. At that moment, another voice from the white light said, "Stop playing around, Xiao Yun's life is important."

The person in the air laughed, "You got lucky." The white light turned and landed in the courtyard of the De Tan Pavilion.

After landing, Zhang Yan looked up and saw that there were not just one but over twenty beams of various colored lights rushing into the De Tan Pavilion. He patted his clothes, narrowed his eyes, and walked forward with a cold smile.

In the courtyard, he found that the lights were actually variously shaped flying boats. About twenty people, mostly children around thirteen or fourteen years old, the oldest being about sixteen, had landed. One of the boys was holding a spiritual beast in one hand, pounding on the counter and shouting, "This is Senior Brother Su's red-haired spirit mole, which was injured by the flying bear's dan sha. Old Cao, quickly bring out the 'Taihua Pill' so I can treat it."

The head of the De Tan Pavilion, surnamed Cao, was known for his smooth handling of affairs and never easily offended anyone. He now had a pained expression and said, "Little master, the Taihua Pill is only produced three times a year and must be distributed to the various immortal masters. It's already a blessing to get one pill. Where can I find a handful for you?"

The boy became impatient and shouted, "Stop talking nonsense, give me as many as you have!" The other boys and girls also started shouting, but Cao did not dare to retort, nodding and agreeing while not moving a step. He only gave a signal to the manager, who immediately ran out.

Zhang Yan stood at the door, looking at the spiritual beast. It looked like a dog and a sheep, with four spiral horns on its head and a fiery red coat. It was now barely alive, as if it had suffered a severe injury. Just then, the manager ran out and was pulled aside by Zhang Yan, who pointed to the inner room and asked, "I am Zhang Yan. Who are these people?"

The manager, who was in a hurry to find the heads of the halls, was about to lash out but froze when he heard "Zhang Yan." He immediately softened and said, "Reporting to Senior Uncle Zhang, they are all relatives of the true disciples from the Six Rivers and Four Islands."

The Six Rivers and Four Islands were also top-notch cultivation caves, but unlike Lingye Island, which was isolated and had dangerous qi, they were truly blessed lands. Not only were they rich in spiritual energy and beautiful, but the ten blessed lands were connected like pieces on a chessboard. The true disciples there were friendly with each other and formed a significant force within the sect.

Zhang Yan nodded, pondering for a moment. Since these people were relatives of the true disciples, and his boat had been cut, he should take the initiative to speak to them directly, rather than argue with these children, to avoid being laughed at.

Just as he was about to leave, the manager said, "The one leading them is named Feng Ji, and the one in red is named Zheng..."

Zhang Yan suddenly stopped and asked, "Wait, you said the leader is surnamed Feng?"

"Indeed, one of the twelve great families, the Feng family."

Zhang Yan's mind raced, carefully considering the situation. He immediately changed his mind and secretly sneered. Feng Shang, Feng Shang, your family's children have fallen into my hands today, and it's only your bad luck.

He had been looking for an opportunity to cause trouble for the Feng family, but it might not come for the next few decades. However, Feng Ji had delivered himself today, and he couldn't let this chance slip.

Moreover, he had another plan. If executed well, he might drag all the young disciples from the noble families into this.

Zhang Yan released the manager and strode into the inner hall, pointing at the spiritual beast on the ground and asked in a stern voice, "Head Cao, what's going on here?"

Head Cao did not recognize Zhang Yan and was taken aback. The manager hurriedly whispered in his ear, and his face changed slightly. He stepped forward and bowed, "It's Senior Uncle Zhang. Please come in and sit."

Zhang Yan waved his hand, "I'm asking you, what's going on here?"

Head Cao sighed repeatedly but remained silent.

Zhang Yan was not in a hurry. He stood there calmly.

Feng Ji, however, could not wait and shouted, "My little Yun was injured by dan sha and needs your 'Taihua Pill' to neutralize it. What's there to talk about, Old Cao, hurry up and get the medicine!"

Head Cao inwardly cursed. The pill was not supposed to be given to spiritual beasts, but this could be excused by saying it was needed by a true disciple. However, he could not say this himself, or he would be in trouble later. These young nobles, used to acting recklessly, would never think of such a solution.

Zhang Yan ignored Feng Ji and coldly said to Head Cao, "How can a pill meant for humans be given to an animal?"

"You, you dare not give it to me?" Feng Ji turned and glared at Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan ignored him, as if he didn't exist, and only reminded Head Cao, "Head Cao, each hall and workshop has a fixed number of pills. If any are missing, you will be held responsible."

With that, he turned and left.

"Don't go!" Feng Ji shouted, raising his hand and sending a red light toward Zhang Yan's back.

Zhang Yan's eyes flashed, and he swung his sleeve, releasing a green light. No one saw what it was, but the red light fell to the ground, revealing a small red axe, now dull.

He was pleased. Feng Ji, only thirteen or fourteen, was indeed easy to manipulate. He had simply dug a pit, and Feng Ji had fallen into it.

However, Zhang Yan pretended to be furious, brandishing the life-summoning jade talisman and shouting, "According to the sect rules, anyone who attacks a true disciple without cause shall be executed! Where are the sea force warriors? Arrest him!"