Chapter 64

Zhang Yan had once heard that in the past, the Guangyuan Sect was skilled in making talismans and was arrogant and overbearing, offending many sects. A thousand years ago, after a great upheaval, several of the sect’s top elders passed away, and the sect leader also disappeared. The successors lacked outstanding individuals, so the sect was attacked by several hostile sects, leading to a significant decline in strength.

Since then, the sect, which was once a first-rate major sect, fell to a second-rate one. It was only with the help of the Nanhua Sect that it was preserved, but every ten years, it had to offer a large batch of secret talismans to the Nanhua Sect, including the Essence Talisman.

With the Essence Talisman in hand, one could usually absorb spiritual energy and essence, and in a struggle, there would be no fear of running out of power. It was indeed a good thing.

Zhang Yan tidied up the items in his hand and gathered the over a hundred fish demon beauties again. Seeing that they were not far from the range of the geomagnetic force, he decided to proceed by treading the waves. After less than twenty miles, he felt the binding sensation on his body gradually weaken. He then released three flying boats, loaded all the fish demon beauties, and took off into the sky, heading west back to the Jingcang Sect.

After more than a month of travel, the Longyuan Great Marsh was clearly in sight.

During this return journey, Zhang Yan successively refined two more spiritual energies, leaving only the last one unrefined. This was because when he was about to break through to the third level of the Bright Qi realm, he suddenly had a feeling that the time was not right. Since breaking through the barrier was imminent, he did not rush and decided to return to the sect to make further plans.

So, he spent the remaining time immersing his mind in the broken jade, focusing on how to refine the Yin-Yang Heavy Water.

It should be known that the reason this technique is called a "method" is that besides requiring Yin-Yang cold energy, it also involves a complex process of refinement. The energy must circulate through the meridians, moving up and down, extracting the impurities and refining the essence. The complexity of this process is almost comparable to the Xuan Yuan Miao Lu he used when opening his meridians.

According to the "Lan Yun Secret Manual," refining one drop of Yin-Yang Heavy Water takes 108 days. From his perspective, unless a cultivator is familiar with this method to a certain extent, even if they spend several more days, they might not succeed. Fortunately, he had the broken jade, and a month's effort could match almost two years, so even if it took time, it would eventually be accomplished.

After the flying boat entered the Longyuan Great Marsh, the patrolling disciples came to check. Seeing that it was the true disciple who had been sent to the Dangyu Water Kingdom, they were all very respectful. Zhang Yan proceeded without any obstacles, first returning to Spirit Page Island to open the restrictions and settle Luo Xiao and the fish demon beauties. After a brief stay, he flew to the Alchemy Hall.

Since he had already returned to the sect, he was not in a hurry and slowly sailed, enjoying the scenery along the way. By midday, he finally entered the Alchemy Hall.

After flying over three halls, he saw Zhou Chongju's fishing boat floating in the middle of the lake. He headed there, and as soon as he landed on the boat, a young Taoist boy exclaimed in surprise, "Ancestor, Disciple Zhang has returned."

Zhang Yan straightened his clothes at the door and then stepped into the pavilion.

Seeing him enter, Zhou Chongju put down his book, his face showing a slight surprise, and said, "Brother, you have only been gone for five months, how have you already returned?"

Zhang Yan found a round stool and sat down, sighing, "It's a long story. In the Water Kingdom, I met a pill master named Ren Cai. He is very familiar with the internal situation of the Water Kingdom and has deep connections with several tribal leaders. From his words, I learned that all the tribes are now buying large quantities of gold and iron divine weapons and sharp teeth. At first, I did not take it seriously, but later, I noticed that King Zhen's actions were not secretive and did not seem like those of a ruler. The city was also filled with a growing sense of danger, so I decided to leave early. Fortunately, the seal book promised to our sect has already been obtained."

Zhou Chongju's spirit was lifted, and he said, "The seal book has been obtained, bring it here for me to see."

Zhang Yan took out a golden seal book from his sleeve and handed it over.

Zhou Chongju took it and flipped through it. Seeing that it only had the King Zhen's seal and not the seals of the tribal leaders, he shook his head and said, "It seems your prediction was correct. The tribal leaders and Ji Jushang are only united in appearance, and internal strife is imminent. Otherwise, they would not have hastily handed over this seal book. Once the Water Kingdom falls into internal strife, we will inevitably have to fight the Three Ponds Lake demons again. This seal book is almost useless, but it gives us a moral high ground. You have done a good job."

This seal book was originally included in the Xuan Luo Dao robe and sent to Zhang Yan. At first, he was somewhat puzzled by the other party's intentions, but later, he gradually understood.

It seems that some of the tribal leaders in the Water Kingdom did not agree to dividing the Yingyun Shell Field with the Jingcang Sect, but Ji Jushang was preparing to support King Zhen. He was afraid that the Jingcang Sect would turn against him at this time, so he bypassed the tribal leaders and took this step to give the Jingcang Sect a reassurance. Once he dealt with the internal affairs, he would not fear any opposition.

Zhou Chongju put down the golden seal and asked, "I heard that the envoy was intercepted by the deep water demons in the Shenzhen Gorge, and the Su family sent people to save you, but they lost a disciple in the process. Is this true?"

Zhang Yan sneered, "The Su family put on a good show."

Zhou Chongju showed a look of having expected this. Seeing that Zhang Yan did not elaborate, he did not press further but patted the golden seal and said, "I will hand this book over to the sect leader. Since you have returned, you might as well go to the Qingyan Cliff on Yingluo Island to listen to the teachings. Today, Elder Chen is teaching the sect's flying sword technique, and all junior disciples can attend. It is a rare opportunity, and you should not miss it."

Junior disciples are divided into generations every sixteen years, and this generation does not refer to the master-disciple relationship but to the time of entry into the sect. Zhang Yan had been in the upper hall for less than a year, so he was indeed a "junior" by this calculation.

"Teaching the flying sword technique?"

Zhang Yan's expression changed, recalling how Shen Yuefeng had used a flying sword to force Luo Xiao to retreat step by step, almost unable to resist. If not for the various magical treasures and the advantage of the terrain, dealing with this person would have been extremely difficult.

He had heard that among the sixteen major sects of Donghua Continent, only five sects' disciples could control sword pills in the Bright Qi realm, and the Jingcang Sect was one of them. Now that he had just returned to the sect and someone was teaching the flying sword technique, he felt it was indeed worth going to observe.

After talking with Zhou Chongju for a while, he got up to take his leave. After leaving the fishing boat, he controlled the flying boat and headed straight for Yingluo Island.

Half an hour later, a large island surrounded by mountains and lush trees, shaped like a large basin, appeared ahead.

On the north side of the island, a ninety-zhang high, smooth-as-mirror giant green stone tablet lay horizontally. In front of this stone, there was a wide open area, and at a glance, there were tens of thousands of people.

The elders of the Jingcang Sect would open a lecture platform every year to teach various profound techniques. Now it was Elder Chen's turn to teach, and this elder would allow any junior disciple to attend, regardless of whether they had a master or were from a humble background.

Upon arriving, Zhang Yan did not dare to fly recklessly. He got off the flying boat from a distance and walked to the open area. He saw that each disciple had a stone stool, and most of them were already full. There were only two empty seats in the front. Just as he was about to go over, a female cultivator nearby stood up and called out, "Senior Brother, those are Senior Brother Yun and Senior Brother Meng's seats. There is an empty seat here."

Zhang Yan was taken aback and turned to look. He saw that the female cultivator was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a round face, cherry lips, and a clear and lovely appearance. Her bright eyes exuded a natural innocence. Seeing that there was indeed an empty stone stool next to her, as if someone had just left, he walked over and smiled, "Thank you, Senior Sister."

The female cultivator blushed slightly when she saw Zhang Yan's gaze and said, "Senior Brother is too polite. If I offended any senior disciples, it would not be good."

The seating arrangement was actually based on cultivation level, with the front rows being for disciples at the second and third levels of the Bright Qi realm, followed by those at the first level and those who had opened their meridians. Zhang Yan's practice of the Taiyi Golden Book concealed his true cultivation level, so it was normal for others to mistake him for a lower-level cultivator.

After sitting down, Zhang Yan bowed and said, "May I ask for Senior Sister's name?"

"My name is Qin Nan. May I ask for Senior Brother's name?"

Just as Qin Nan was about to ask Zhang Yan's name, a chime sound echoed throughout the area, and a young Taoist boy stood up and announced, "The time has come, the Ancestor is opening the lecture platform. All disciples must not make noise."

Everyone immediately fell silent and focused their attention on the front.

Zhang Yan looked up and saw a stone platform on the left side of the cliff. An old Taoist with a broad face and a long beard was sitting there, presumably Elder Chen. He waved his拂尘, and a disciple standing beside him stepped forward.

This disciple came to the green stone cliff, touched his forehead, and a white light immediately flew out, and a sword pill rose into the air, circling around him.

He looked at Elder Chen, who slowly nodded, and then turned to the crowd and loudly said, "This sword technique is called the True Source Sword Canon. After watching today, no disciple may privately teach it to others, or they will be punished according to the sect rules."

He paused and then said, "Watch carefully."

He pointed with his fingers, and the white sword pill shot out like an arrow, flying thirty zhang away, then circled in the air. For a moment, the light and shadow danced, like a hundred silver fish playing in the water, mesmerizing to watch.

Finally, he made a hand seal and said, "Return!" The sword pill returned to his forehead.

After completing the sword technique, he bowed to the crowd and returned to stand beside Elder Chen.

At this moment, a few exclamations of surprise rose from the crowd. On the nearly hundred-zhang high green stone cliff, ripples appeared, showing the trajectory of the sword technique. Upon closer inspection, it seemed as if an invisible immortal was