Chapter 70

Chao, the head of the pavilion, spoke with a hint of flattery, showing even more respect than when Zhang Yan visited last time.

In the Alchemy Hall, Zhou Chongju enjoyed writing books and refining medicines, and did not bother with miscellaneous matters, so the affairs of the hall were usually decided by the two deputy heads.

However, the two deputy heads had very different personalities. The ancient deputy head only managed the medicinal fields. This person had few thoughts and did not inquire about anything outside his jurisdiction.

Duo Ming, on the other hand, was very selfish. To have a few clan members join the Qingcang Sect, he flattered several noble families, even offering rare elixirs, and was ruthless in exploiting those below him. Now that he was gone, Chao, the head of the pavilion, felt as if the clouds had cleared.

Zhang Yan stepped through the gate, nodded to Chao, the head of the pavilion, and scanned the surroundings.

Qin Nan, who had thought the person Chao hurried to greet was a senior, was pleasantly surprised to see Zhang Yan and said, "Senior Brother, why is it you?"

Zhang Yan smiled and nodded, saying, "What a coincidence, is Junior Sister Qin here to exchange for elixirs?"

Qin Nan nodded vigorously, pulling the woman beside her and said, "Yes, I came with Senior Sister Wang today to exchange for a few Great Yuan Pills."

"Did you get them?"

Qin Nan shook her head and said, "We didn't bring enough spirit beads, so we couldn't afford them."

The woman beside her, Senior Sister Wang, glanced at Zhang Yan a few times. Seeing his high status but unsure of their relationship, she wanted to speak but hesitated.

Chao, the head of the pavilion, felt a jolt in his heart. He was quick-witted and, before Qin Nan could speak, immediately asked the steward, "Has a batch of Great Yuan Pills been sent from the medicinal garden recently?"

The steward, accustomed to reading people's expressions, understood immediately and replied, "Yes, it was just sent by the ancient head of the pavilion and hasn't been recorded yet."

Chao, the head of the pavilion, said, "Go and fetch a hundred Great Yuan Pills for these two Dao friends."

The steward understood and hurriedly entered the back room's elixir storage, quickly taking out five porcelain bottles from the drawer and handing them to Qin Nan.

Qin Nan widened her eyes and said, "I only have a hundred spirit beads, which might not be enough to exchange for so many Great Yuan Pills."

Chao, the head of the pavilion, secretly glanced at Zhang Yan, seeing his indifferent expression, and coughed, stepping forward and said seriously, "That's correct, a hundred spirit beads for a hundred pills. Dao friend, please keep them well."

As alchemists like them, the elixirs they refined each year, apart from those submitted to the sect, the rest belonged to themselves, so they had a certain status within the sect.

In Chao's view, Zhang Yan was a direct disciple of Zhou Chongju and held a supervisory position in the sect, capable of finding his faults and removing his position at any time. How could he dare not flatter him?

In the past, when Duo Ming was around, most of the elixirs were swallowed by him, used to curry favor with noble family disciples. Now that he was dead, the alchemists' purses had become fuller again. Giving fifty Great Yuan Pills to curry favor with Zhang Yan was a very good deal.

Qin Nan, however, was at a loss. Being just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, she didn't know if she should accept them, so she looked to Senior Sister Wang for help.

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Junior Sister Qin, since Chao, the head of the pavilion, says it's correct, you should take them."

"Yes, yes," Senior Sister Wang said hurriedly, quickly stuffing the hundred spirit beads into the steward's hand, as if afraid he would change his mind.

Qin Nan, being clever, understood that she was getting a good deal. She stuck out her tongue and happily put away the five bottles of Great Yuan Pills.

Zhang Yan, recognizing Qin Nan's unique talent, believed she would shine in the future, so he didn't mind helping her at this time. Seeing that the matter was settled, he walked out of the hall with the two of them, and Chao, the head of the pavilion, hurriedly saw them off.

Outside, Senior Sister Wang immediately noticed the flying boat in the courtyard and her eyes lit up. She said in a flirtatious tone, "Is this flying boat, Senior Brother Zhang's?"

Zhang Yan replied, "Yes, it is."

Senior Sister Wang couldn't help but look at Zhang Yan a few more times, thinking, "This senior brother has a flying boat and seems to have a high status in the Alchemy Hall. Could he be a disciple of a noble family?"

In the Qingcang Sect, cultivators who reached the Mingqi realm could ride flying boats, but not all cultivators could afford it. A flying boat required a lot of materials, and only those from noble families or elite disciples of a master could use one.

For example, Wang Pan's nine flying boats were all his personal property, and the other clan members who practiced with him did not share them.

Seeing that the two of them didn't have any means of flying, Zhang Yan politely said, "Where are you two going? Do you need me to give you a ride?"

Senior Sister Wang sighed, "To be honest, Senior Brother, we are going to Xiaoluo Sea to meet up with other senior brothers and sisters. Our master will take us to the Sea Eye True Palace for cultivation. It takes seven days and nights by ferry."

The Qingcang Sect was about to hold a major competition, and all the caves and spirit peaks were urging disciples to improve their cultivation. Therefore, some high-level caves were now open to disciples. She and Qin Nan were going to the ancestral master for cultivation.

Qin Nan felt embarrassed and said softly, "We shouldn't trouble Senior Brother Zhang."

Zhang Yan thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I feel a connection with Junior Sister Qin. I'll help you once." He took out another flying boat from his sleeve and handed the token to Qin Nan, saying, "This flying boat is lent to Junior Sister Qin. I'll come back for it when I have time."

Without waiting for Qin Nan to refuse, he boarded the flying boat and took off, disappearing in a moment.

Senior Sister Wang nudged the dazed Qin Nan and whispered, "Junior Sister Qin, where did you meet this Senior Brother Zhang?"

Qin Nan replied, "This senior brother... I met him at the Qingshi Wall that day... Oh, and he is very powerful. In the sword competition that day, even Senior Brother Feng couldn't match him."

Senior Sister Wang widened her eyes, "Senior Brother Feng lost to this person that day?"

Qin Nan nodded. She fiddled with the token in her hand and waved it, and the flying boat instantly enlarged before her. She couldn't hide her joy, jumped onto the flying boat, and waved, "Senior Sister, come on. With this flying boat, we can reach Xiaoluo Sea earlier and surprise the other senior brothers and sisters."

After Senior Sister Wang boarded, Qin Nan activated the token, and the flying boat slowly rose from the ground, soon reaching the clouds. After a brief pause, it sped toward their destination like a bolt of lightning.

After a while, Senior Sister Wang looked at the enthusiastic Qin Nan and walked a few steps, seemingly casually asking, "Junior Sister, do you know this senior brother's name? We can thank him if we meet him again."

Qin Nan shook her head, "I don't know. I only learned that this senior brother's surname is Zhang today."

Senior Sister Wang pouted, not believing her, thinking Qin Nan was just not telling her.

Looking at the flying boat, she felt both envy and jealousy. Cheng Jialang, who usually looked impressive and spoke boldly, didn't have such a grand gesture.

To lend a flying boat so easily, it seemed that this Senior Brother Zhang didn't intend to ask for it back. She never thought this young lady, who usually kept a low profile, had such a powerful backer in the sect. She couldn't underestimate her in the future.

Leaving the two of them to their thoughts, Zhang Yan returned to Lingye Island.

Since he was going to the Zhaoyou Heavenly Pool, no matter what mysteries it held, he needed to be fully prepared.

He closed his cave and picked up the star, bit his tongue, and spat a drop of essence blood on it. Then he silently recited the incantation and slowly refined it according to the method recorded in the sword scripture.

It took him sixteen days to complete the process.

Now, this sword pill was connected to his heart and blood. Even from miles away, he could summon it with a wave of his hand. However, he couldn't yet fully utilize its power. If he condensed the Xuanlight seed, he could use this sword to fly, much faster than a flying boat.

Thinking of this, his desire to find Yunsha became even more urgent.

He brought all his magical treasures, ordered Luo Xiao to transform into a small snake and hide in his sleeve, and left the cave, taking the flying boat north.

After several hours, a range of mountains appeared ahead, undulating across the plain. This place was called Xiaolang Mountain. After passing this mountain and traveling another hundred miles, they would reach the territory of Zhaoyou Mountain.

However, at this moment, he glanced to the side and saw another flying boat flying in the clouds about a mile away, with about five or six people pointing and discussing.

Upon closer inspection, he was surprised to see Feng Ming, who had competed with him at the Qingshi Wall that day, among them.

The people on the flying boat were also looking in his direction. When Feng Ming saw Zhang Yan, his face changed slightly, and he turned his head away.

The leader of the group asked, "Junior Brother Feng, do you know that senior brother over there?"

Hearing this, Feng Ming dared not not answer and said, "Reporting to Senior Brother Fang, that person is Zhang Yan, the one who defeated me at the Qingshi Wall that day."

"Oh, that person is Zhang Yan, a true disciple?"

Hearing this, Senior Brother Fang became interested, turned his head, and scanned Zhang Yan's face. His eyes suddenly became sharper. After a moment, he smiled and said, "I see that Zhang Yan, apart from his cultivation being somewhat mysterious, there's nothing special about him. But to understand the sword scripture in ten days and defeat you, I should have a chance to test his skills."

Feng Ming shook his head and said, "That day, Elder Chen said not to provoke Zhang Yan. Moreover, he is a disciple of Head Zhou, with a special status and higher seniority than us. It's better not to meet him if possible."

Senior Brother Fang thought for a moment and said, "That's true, but after I retrieve the skin of that loach and earn fifteen minor merits, I can get a position in the Merit Hall. Then, even when I meet senior members of the sect, I won't have to follow so many rules."

Feng Ming glanced at Zhang Yan a few more times and said, "It seems Zhang Yan is also heading to Xiaolang Mountain. Could he be there for the same reason?"

Senior Brother Fang was unconcerned and said, "Not surprising. The demon crocodile failed to transform, losing much of its power. Many senior brothers and sisters must be heading there upon hearing the news. What's to fear? When the time comes, we'll each use our own means. It's not as if he can force us to give up just because he's a true disciple."

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