Chapter 61

After closing himself off, Zhang Yan would, every night at midnight when the yang energy returns, condense the clear and turbid qi, making them merge and return to their origin. With the help of the "Moon Seizing Jade Pendant," his progress was extremely rapid.

In addition to this, he would set aside one hour each day to condense the "Fate Stabilizing Jade Gu," which could withstand three attacks from magical treasures each time it was refined. In Zhang Yan's view, its value was even higher than that of ordinary magical treasures. As for the remaining time, he used it all to cultivate the Inner Acupoint Technique.

Once this technique was cultivated, even without the broken jade, he could identify various medicinal properties and principles. Not only that, even if immortal herbs and spiritual roots were deeply planted underground, he could identify them as long as he passed by nearby, making it extremely useful.

He secretly thought that if one day he was no longer in the Jingcang Sect, he could rely on this skill to refine elixirs and medicines himself, without having to rely on others.

After cultivating for about a hundred days, he had already merged seventy-five breaths of clear and turbid qi into one. Adding to what he had previously refined, he now had seventy-eight breaths of spiritual qi in his body. He only needed to refine three more to break through the barrier and reach the third level of the Bright Qi stage.

Just as he was about to continue refining, he suddenly heard the sound of a golden bell outside, so he came out of his meditation.

Opening the door of his meditation room and walking out, Luo Xiao, who was waiting in the corridor, said, "The young son of the ruler of Ji, Prince Zhen, Ji Zhang, has sent a messenger. He is now waiting in the Biyun Pavilion."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yan hadn't expected that Ji Zhang would come to find him, and his expression showed a hint of surprise.

Everyone knew that the ruler of the Water Kingdom, Ji Jiushang, intended to depose the Eastern Palace and establish Prince Zhen as the crown prince. If nothing went wrong, he would surely be the next ruler, and he was the main character of this alchemy conference. It would not be wise to offend him and leave him waiting outside.

Luo Xiao clearly understood the urgency of the situation, so she specially reported it to him. He then gave her an approving look and took out a token to lift the island's restrictions.

On the lake surface, more than fifty people stood on a large lotus leaf. The person at the front was dressed in the official attire of the Water Kingdom of the Dang region, with a face like a peach blossom and a graceful figure.

It was actually a female official!

Zhang Yan's expression changed. The Jingcang Sect's sect leader liked to use female cultivators, and this Ji Jiushang also favored female officials, causing the entire Water Kingdom to follow suit. It seemed that Prince Zhen was no exception.

Seeing the restrictions lifted, the female official and her group stepped onto the island. Behind her were four female attendants carrying trays, walking gracefully to the front. She first looked at Zhang Yan, then smiled and said, "Prince Zhen has a message. Hearing that the Jingcang Sect's envoy, Zhang Yan, is skilled in alchemy, he specially grants you a Xuan Luo Daoist Robe."

Her pronunciation was clear, her voice loud but not muddled, slightly hoarse, but very pleasant to the ear.

She had one of her attendants bring a deep purple daoist robe to Zhang Yan and said, "This robe can repel water and fire, block metal, gather qi, and calm the mind. Please accept it, Daoist Friend Zhang."

Zhang Yan waved his hand, indicating that Luo Xiao should accept it. Since almost every alchemist and member of the Water Kingdom's royal family who came here had a gift, he was not surprised.

He then had Luo Xiao follow the rules and present a hundred spirit shells as a gesture of respect.

To his surprise, the female official smiled and refused to accept them. Zhang Yan initially thought she found them insufficient, but heard one of the attendants say, "Our master doesn't care for these few spirit shells."

The female official's phoenix eyes flickered, and she scolded her, "Wan'er, don't be impolite. Daoist Friend Zhang is a direct descendant of Master Zhou. How can you be disrespectful?"

The attendant softly said, "Yes."

Zhang Yan could tell that the female official had other matters to discuss. He clasped his hands and said, "May I ask the name of this official?"

The female official also clasped her hands in return and said, "Daoist Friend Zhang, there's no need for formalities. I am Zhen Ming. The title of official is too much for me. You can call me Daoist Friend."

Since the female official did not mention her Water Kingdom position, Zhang Yan was happy to comply. He stepped aside and said, "Daoist Friend Zhen, please come inside the pavilion for a chat."

Zhen Ming extended her slender hand and gently waved it, saying, "No need. I came today for two reasons: one is official business, and the other is a private request."

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Please speak, Daoist Friend."

Zhen Ming sighed and said, "I have a younger brother who, due to overexertion in cultivating a profound technique a month ago, caused evil fire to surge and damage his internal organs. He needs the Lu Yu Pill to regulate his condition. Although this pill is easy to refine, only the one with the strongest medicinal power in a batch is effective. The rest are useless. I heard that Master Ren highly recommended Daoist Friend Zhang, praising your ability to identify medicinal properties and principles, so I came to seek your help."

Zhang Yan nodded, understanding her purpose. It was due to Ren Cai's promotion of his reputation.

The Lu Yu Pill was very famous in alchemy, capable of reducing heart fire, removing toxins, and purifying the meridians. Those who practiced "Force Dao" sometimes became overly aggressive, leading to internal and external fires attacking them, causing dullness, irritability, and a tendency to kill, making them hard to control. If not properly regulated, they could lose their sanity.

However, he found it strange. With so many alchemists in the Water Kingdom, why did they need to seek his help? There must be another reason.

Zhang Yan thought, "I heard that this Prince Zhen is fond of alchemy, almost to the point of obsession. Could he have heard of my reputation and is testing me?"

Thinking this, he became more alert and asked, "Where is the pill?"

Zhen Ming said, "I brought it with me. Wan'er, bring it up."

Wan'er responded and brought up a crane-shaped copper furnace.

Luo Xiao stepped forward to take it, but Wan'er suddenly pouted and said, "Once the furnace is opened, the pill must be taken within an hour. Don't pretend to be skilled and ruin this batch of pills, causing my brother to suffer in vain."

Zhang Yan's expression remained unchanged, but he withdrew his hand and stood silently.

Zhen Ming's eyebrows arched, and her phoenix eyes flashed with authority. She coldly said, "Wan'er, slap yourself ten times."

Wan'er was taken aback, looking aggrieved, but dared not resist. She raised her white hand and repeatedly slapped her own face. When she stopped, a trace of blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Zhen Ming turned to Zhang Yan and said, "My subordinate lacks discipline, causing you to see this. I apologize."

Zhang Yan smiled and then reached out to take the medicine furnace. He lifted the lid, and a white vapor rose, filling the air with a fragrant aroma. He squinted and looked for a moment, then pointed to one of the pills and said, "This one."

Zhen Ming looked at Zhang Yan in surprise and instructed an attendant, "Take it to my brother. Go quickly and return quickly."

The attendant did not dare to delay, took the pill with a prepared silk handkerchief, and hurriedly returned to the lotus leaf on the lake. In the distance, a young man could be seen surrounded, his ankles and wrists shackled. Upon seeing someone feed him the pill, he struggled.

This must be Zhen Ming's brother. Zhang Yan did not want to watch further and stood there chatting with Zhen Ming.

As they talked, Zhen Ming was greatly surprised. She had initially thought Zhang Yan was just an alchemist, but he was not only well-versed in classics but also knowledgeable about various anecdotes and stories. Talking to him was not at all boring. After a few more words, the attendant returned and reported, "My brother has taken the pill and is now calm and asleep."

Zhen Ming's face showed joy, "Daoist Friend Zhang is indeed a genius of this generation."

Zhang Yan smiled faintly, "I wouldn't dare to say that. It was just a stroke of luck."

Zhen Ming pondered for a moment and looked at Zhang Yan, "With your intelligence, you must understand the ruler's intentions for this alchemy conference."

Zhang Yan glanced at her and nodded slightly.

Zhen Ming seemed relieved and said, "However, Prince Zhen will not let any of you down. This time, he agrees that the Yingyun Shell Field will belong to the Jingcang Sect, and the three lakes will not cause any more trouble. Additionally, as a fellow practitioner, Daoist Friend, what do you want? The prince will try to fulfill your request."

Ji Jiushang was using the alchemy conference to build momentum and legitimacy for Prince Zhen, making it clear to the world that he was the next ruler. The "Yuanjin Mingguo Book" was a method for practicing "Force Dao," and any discerning person could see that only Ji Zhang could win it.

However, since it was an alchemy conference, they couldn't be too overbearing. Others came to support, and they needed to give something in return. It was also a good opportunity to win the hearts of fellow practitioners. After this conference, Prince Zhen's position as crown prince would be secure.

Zhang Yan thought for a moment and said solemnly, "If possible, I would like to borrow the 'Yuanjin Mingguo Book' to read."

Zhen Ming was surprised by Zhang Yan's request. She was taken aback and then said, "Daoist Friend is a human cultivator. To be frank, reading this book would be of no use to you."

Zhang Yan shook his head, "I am not reading it for cultivation, but to resolve a doubt in my heart. I will not take it for free. My master has a bottle of elixirs called 'Transformation Pills.' Any demon or beast, once their cultivation is complete, can transform and shed their form after taking this pill."

"Ah?" Zhen Ming's eyes lit up. In the Water Kingdom, even the direct descendants of the royal family might not all be able to transform. Only after transforming could they practice advanced techniques, similar to human cultivators opening their meridians. If this bottle of Transformation Pills was as Zhang Yan described, its value to the royal family would be immeasurable.

She hesitated for a moment and said, "I cannot make this decision. I need to report to Prince Zhen."

Zhang Yan nodded, "That is reasonable."

Zhen Ming seemed quite eager, said a few more words, and then hurriedly took her leave.

Zhang Yan, however, seemed to be thinking of something. He whispered a few words to Luo Xiao, stood there in deep thought for a while, and then returned to the water pavilion to meditate.

He had thought that exchanging the elixir for the book would take at least ten to fifteen days, with several rounds of negotiation. However, that night, Zhen Ming visited again.

After leading her to the inner room, Zhen Ming took out a golden book and said seriously, "Prince Zhen was delighted to hear about this elixir and urged me to bring this book for Daoist Friend to read. Please swear that you will not reveal any content of this book to anyone else after reading it."

Zhang Yan looked at the book in his hand, surprised that it had already reached Prince Zhen. Could it be that it was so easily given to him?

Even he felt a sense of disbelief.

No wonder they said Prince Zhen was whimsical and valued elixirs as much as his life. It seemed that when he was interested, he would do anything.

From Zhen Ming's actions, it seemed that she had brought the book secretly. However, this was a good thing for him.

He immediately took an oath. Zhen Ming's expression relaxed, and she handed the book to Zhang Yan, "Please read it quickly. I need to return it as soon as possible."

Zhang Yan nodded and began to read. With his memory, he could remember the content after one reading.

After a short while, he put down the book and took out a bottle of elixirs from his sleeve, handing it to Zhen Ming, "Prince Zhen is also an expert in this field. He will know if it's genuine."

Zhen Ming took it and left happily.

After the woman left the island, Zhang Yan stood by the railing of the water pavilion, looking at the vast misty waves, "Daoist Friend Luo, has there been any unusual activity in the city recently?"

Luo Xiao replied, "I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it. I investigated during the day and found that, in addition to the disciples of various sects and overseas demons, there are also many high-level cultivators gathered in one place, and their actions are quite suspicious."

Zhang Yan shook his head and sighed, "Prince Zhen acts rashly and impulsively, not a suitable ruler. I fear there will be changes at the alchemy conference."

He had heard that the original crown prince of the Water Kingdom had been in place for a hundred years. Now, to suddenly depose him, if he did not fight back now, he might never have another chance. Whether Ji Jiushang intended to use this opportunity to sweep away the Eastern Palace's forces or the Eastern Palace was unwilling to accept defeat and was making a last stand, this place was not safe to stay.

However, since his goal had been achieved and the Water Kingdom was on the verge of internal strife, with the inconvenience of travel, it was best to leave as soon as possible.

Zhang Yan said solemnly, "The storm is coming. Daoist Friend Luo, we should leave quickly."

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