Chapter 74

Two days later, at the Feng Cang Sect, the Wu Ya Hall.

The hall was filled with auspicious mist and a clear atmosphere, and four figures sat on the jade platform, each being the master of one of the four major grotto heavens of the master-disciple lineage: the four immortals Meng, Yan, Zhu, and Sun.

However, at this moment, the appearance of each person was indistinct, as if their figures were flickering, appearing both real and illusory, and it turned out that they were all light projections of their true selves.

Meng, the immortal sitting in the center, lowered his gaze to a disciple standing below the platform and said in a solemn voice, "Zhuang Bufan, have all the disciples returned safely?"

Zhuang Bufan bowed and replied, "Reporting to the immortal, they have all been brought back."

"Any injuries?"

"None."

Meng continued, "I heard that a disciple named Zhang Yan led the monsters away, thus preventing our disciples from being massacred. Is this true?"

Zhuang Bufan replied, "After investigation, this is indeed true."

At this moment, Sun, the immortal sitting at the end, suddenly interjected, "So it was Zhang Yan. I wonder what level of cultivation he has reached?"

This question was deeply meaningful, clearly indicating that he and Zhang Yan had a past. Immortals Yan and Zhu exchanged glances, both seeing the cold smiles in each other's eyes.

Zhuang Bufan thought for a moment and said, "He should be at the third level of Ming Qi, and has not yet condensed the seed of Xuan Guang."

Meng nodded and said, "Bufan, you have handled this matter well. You may leave now."

"Yes." Zhuang Bufan bowed and retreated.

After he left, Meng, without looking at anyone else, said, "Our disciples were attacked this time. Fang Zhen, though talented, has an unstable character and only cares about his own interests, disregarding the safety of his fellow disciples. Junior Brother Yan, how do you plan to deal with your disciple?"

To his left, Immortal Yan replied in a cold tone, "Senior Brother, I have already reclaimed the Five Fire Divine Weapon Circle I granted him and ordered him to reflect on his actions in seclusion."

Meng nodded and did not mention it again. He continued, "It seems that the demons of San Po Lake are causing trouble again. All of you should inform your disciples to be on guard."

On his right, Immortal Zhu snorted and said, "Until San Po is completely eradicated, our Feng Cang Sect will always feel a thorn in its back."

Meng nodded in agreement, "Previously, our sect leader was restrained by the support of the Shui Guo from the Dang Yu Water Kingdom, so he did not take drastic action. Now that our sect has obtained the Golden Book of the Water Kingdom, although the situation within the Water Kingdom is unstable, we have a righteous cause in our hands, giving us ample time to act. If they make the first move, it will be best. The sect leader's intention is to eliminate San Po within half a year."

Immortal Zhu was surprised, "Within half a year? Isn't that too hasty?"

Meng sighed, "In the land of Dong Hua, the Xuanmen cultivators occupy ten spiritual sites, while the six major demon sects occupy six demon sites. Although they have been relatively peaceful in recent years, they remain a significant threat. The sect leader has predicted that the thousand-year demon calamity of Dong Hua is approaching, and the power of the six major demon sects will increase. If our sect can eliminate San Po early and expand our strength, we will have a better chance of surviving the calamity."

The other three immortals were all startled by this and said, "If so, we have no objections."

At this moment, Immortal Sun spoke up, "Speaking of the Golden Book of the Water Kingdom, it was brought back by Zhang Yan after his mission to the Water Kingdom. In my opinion, he should be credited with a great deed."

Immortal Zhu looked displeased and said, "Junior Brother, that is not correct. Ji Jiu Shang presented the golden book, which was part of the sect leader's plan. How can it be considered Zhang Yan's achievement?"

Immortal Sun smiled slightly, "If Zhang Yan had not acted decisively and brought back the golden book early, how could we have planned the attack on San Po? How can this not be considered a great deed?"

Immortal Zhu countered, "Even if he is credited, it should only be a minor deed."

Seeing the argument, Immortal Yan first looked at Immortal Meng and then said, "Let's not argue. The attack on San Po is still a secret. It would be inappropriate to reward him now. I suggest we wait until San Po is eliminated before making a decision."

Immortal Sun smiled faintly, "Fine, I won't mention it. However, Zhang Yan's initiative in leading the monsters away, saving over a hundred disciples from harm, and his courage in taking responsibility should also be considered a great deed."

Immortal Zhu said coldly, "Zhang Yan is a disciple of Zhou Zhangyuan. Why are you so concerned about him, Junior Brother?"

Immortal Meng, who had been silent, now spoke, "Not so. Although Zhang Yan is a disciple of Zhou Zhangyuan, he cultivates the 'Lan Yun Mi Ce' of Junior Brother Sun, so he can also be considered part of our lineage."

Immortal Zhu snorted and said nothing.

Immortal Yan looked around and said, "This time, my disciple has failed in his conduct. Zhang Yan has now reached the third level of Ming Qi and is about to condense the seed of Xuan Guang. I will grant him a high-quality cloud sand to assist him. What do you think?"

Immortal Sun nodded, "Agreed."

Immortal Meng looked at Immortal Zhu, seeing that he did not object, and nodded, "If so, Junior Brother, please make the arrangements."

Immortal Yan stood up, bowed, and disappeared from the lotus platform in a flash of light.

After he left, Immortal Zhu also left without saying goodbye.

Now, only Immortal Meng and Immortal Sun remained in the hall.

Immortal Meng looked at Immortal Sun and said slowly, "Junior Brother Sun, I know you intended to cultivate Zhang Yan. Why did you later ignore him? And when Zhou Chongju wanted to take him as a disciple, if you had come to me, it might not have been his will."

Immortal Sun replied solemnly, "Senior Brother, in the past hundred years, our master-disciple lineage has not produced a true disciple. After Zhang Yan entered the upper academy, he became too conspicuous. So I deliberately left him alone to see what kind of character he has and to prevent the major families from focusing too much on him, which could have been detrimental. Being a disciple of Zhou Zhangyuan was a natural progression."

In the Duzhen Hall, only true disciples can succeed to the position of elder or sect leader. If the master-disciple lineage were to pay too much attention to Zhang Yan, the Xuanmen families would become wary and would surely try to suppress him. By placing him under Zhou Chongju, it would reassure the families.

Immortal Meng nodded and sighed, "Junior Brother, your efforts are truly well-intentioned."

Immortal Sun smiled, "However, it seems that a needle in a bag cannot be hidden."

Immortal Meng chuckled, "Since it cannot be hidden, let him stand out. But will he be able to bear the responsibility?"

Immortal Sun said calmly, "If Zhang Yan can pass this test, why should we hesitate to support him?"

At the same time, in the Weiguang Huadingsheng Cave Heaven.

Fang Zhen, standing below, was anxiously looking at Immortal Yan, who was sitting above with his eyes closed. A beam of light flashed, and the light projection returned to his body, his eyes slowly opening.

Fang Zhen, seeing this, hurriedly asked, "Father, how did it go?"

Immortal Yan frowned and looked at him, displeased, "Didn't I tell you not to call me father here?"

Fang Zhen quickly lowered his head, "Yes, Master."

"Um." Immortal Yan nodded, "If it weren't for what Zhang Yan said, this would have been a minor matter. Now that Senior Brother Meng has intervened, I cannot be too lenient. For the next few months, you must stay in the cave and focus on cultivating the 'Kun Yu Wei Chen Gong' I taught you."

The Feng Cang Sect has five major techniques, three scriptures, and twelve great abilities, which are only taught to those who have earned sufficient merit for the sect.

In the Merit Hall, fifteen minor deeds accumulate to one major deed, and six major deeds to one supreme deed. The 'Kun Yu Wei Chen Gong' requires three supreme deeds to be taught, but to cultivate Fang Zhen, Immortal Yan had already secretly taught him.

Fang Zhen, thinking of the words Zhang Yan had said, said with hatred, "Zhang Yan truly deserves to die!"

Immortal Yan said sternly, "Zhang Yan is an exceptional talent. Senior Brother Meng and Junior Brother Sun seem to have intentions to support him. Do not meddle."

Fang Zhen said anxiously, "Master, are you going to let this go?"

Immortal Yan waved his拂尘 and a sharp light flashed in his eyes, "Do not be hasty. How can I allow him to meddle in my affairs? I will handle this for you. Moreover, with his status as a true disciple, once he reaches a certain level of cultivation, he will disrupt my plans."

In the master-disciple lineage, disciples are divided into different ranks. Outstanding disciples are given full resources, including elixirs, magical treasures, and techniques. However, among the junior disciples, there is no one particularly outstanding. Immortal Yan had originally planned to promote Fang Zhen, but this time, he made a mistake. For Fang Zhen to rise, he must suppress Zhang Yan.

Fang Zhen was delighted, "How will you deal with him, Master?"

Immortal Yan smiled faintly, "I will grant him a cloud sand to help him form the seed of Xuan Guang."

Fang Zhen exclaimed, "Father, you are going to help him?"

Immortal Yan was displeased, "What do you understand? As a true disciple, he can refuse any missions or deeds until he reaches the Xuan Guang realm. How can I let him cultivate peacefully until the sect competition?"

Fang Zhen was stunned for a moment and then realized, "Father, you mean to let him reach the Xuan Guang realm quickly and then order him to perform deeds for the sect, so you can control him?"

Immortal Yan glanced at him, "You finally understand."

A skilled swimmer drowns in water. Just like martial artists in the mortal world, ordinary people who do not know martial arts can live a stable life, but once they learn martial arts and have a place to use them, they are more likely to die unexpectedly.

Immortal Yan smiled coldly, "Even if Junior Brothers Meng and Sun know my intentions, they will not stop me."

This method is a grand strategy, and there is no worry that Zhang Yan will not comply. Then, by arranging for him to kill a few demons or monsters, even if he survives, repeated failures will prevent him from rising again.

It is important to note that even if Xuan Guang realm cultivators have the same level of cultivation, without superior techniques and guidance from a master, they are vastly inferior to those who have been cultivated from a young age.

Fang Zhen thought for a moment, "What if Immortal Sun secretly teaches him a secret technique?"

Immortal Yan sneered, "Even if he is a genius, how long does it take to master any technique in the sect? The 'Kun Yu Wei Chen Gong' I taught you took you fourteen years to achieve a small success, even with the help of elixirs and external techniques. Zhang Yan, with his inferior fog phase, has very few techniques to cultivate. How can he succeed?"

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