Chapter 79

Donghua Continent, Zhaoyou Mountain.

This towering and peculiar mountain rises alone, piercing the clouds, resembling a black pillar supporting the sky, and is known as "Little Buzhou" in Donghua Continent.

The Zhaoyou Heavenly Pool is located at the summit of this mountain. At night, the stars of the Milky Way are reflected in it, creating a magnificent sight. Due to the unknown depth of the pool, there is a rumor that it connects directly to the Netherworld, hence it is described as "reaching the Heavenly River above and connecting to the Netherworld below."

This time, Zhang Yan smoothly crossed Xiaolang Mountain without any trouble and arrived here.

This is the territory of the great demon Gui Congyao. Standing at a high vantage point, one can see the surrounding scenery at a glance. The demon lord enjoys tranquility, so there are usually few cultivators visiting.

To be on the safe side, Zhang Yan summoned Luo Xiao to accompany him, and they ascended the mountain along its slope.

After flying for a day and night, around midday of the second day, the two finally reached the summit.

Before them appeared a vast expanse of blue water, stretching for thousands of miles.

The lake surface was calm and clear, like a mirror, making it difficult for birds to cross. The air was fresh, and the clouds around the lake billowed like the sea, creating a grand and profound scene.

Just standing there, Zhang Yan noticed that the spiritual energy here was abundant, not inferior to his Lingye Island. The clouds around him surged, giving him the illusion that he could touch the sky with a single reach, making him want to open his arms and embrace this vast world.

Inspired, he recited: "Reaching the sky and playing with the clouds, absorbing the air and swallowing the immortal hall, the vast northern wind, and the opening of the Heavenly Gate!"

Luo Xiao, hearing this, covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "Master has great spirit. I believe you already have a plan for finding the cloud sand."

Zhang Yan shook his head. If the Zhaoyou Heavenly Pool was only a hundred miles in diameter, it would be easier, but this place was boundless. Zhou Chongju only said that the water cloud sand was a hundred fathoms underwater, but when asked for more details, he remained silent. Who knew where it was exactly?

So, he would have to search for it himself. He thought that this convenient senior brother wouldn't just fool him.

However, since this was the territory of the great demon Gui Congyao, they dared not fly around carelessly, lest they alarm the demon. After discussing with Luo Xiao, they decided to search separately. With the essence blood oath, they wouldn't worry about losing each other.

In the water, Luo Xiao transformed into her original form, a giant python about ten feet long, and searched along the western shore of the lake.

As soon as Zhang Yan entered the water, he used a small wave-parting technique from the Lan Yun Secret Manual, which allowed him to move quickly underwater.

Slowly descending to a hundred fathoms, he encountered various large and strange fish. The lake water was icy cold, but his cultivation allowed him to endure it.

After searching eastward for about three to five days, he suddenly felt a sense of presence, as if the object he was looking for was nearby.

After a thorough search, he indeed found a blue patch on a cliff near the shore. Upon closer inspection, his eyes lit up with joy. It turned out to be a vein of blue wave sand, like a colorful ribbon winding through the cracks in the rocks. There were many cloud sands, as clear and lustrous as crystals, clearly of high quality.

He scanned the area a few times and finally focused on one of the cloud sands.

This cloud sand was not large, but it was full of spiritual energy, smooth and plump, almost giving him the illusion that it had a life of its own. Compared to it, the others seemed like ordinary objects.

Finding it so easily, Zhang Yan was delighted. He looked around to ensure there was no danger before approaching and carefully picking up the cloud sand. He didn't put it away immediately but paused to check for any unusual activity.

After a long while, he found nothing out of the ordinary and breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to leave, suddenly, countless waves surged around him, carrying him deeper into the Heavenly Pool.

Zhang Yan was startled and tried to react, but he found the force irresistible. The world before his eyes darkened, and he felt a drowsy sensation.

After an unknown amount of time, when he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a cave made of white jade, with smoke and mist outside the window. The walls were inlaid with pearls, shells, and colorful stones, creating a dazzling and colorful scene.

He was sitting on a jade chair, and opposite him was a jade bed, on which sat an old Taoist in a feather robe and a star crown.

The old Taoist had white hair and a youthful face, with a full moon-like complexion. He held a duster and, upon seeing Zhang Yan awake, looked at him with a gentle gaze and asked, "From your attire, are you a disciple of the Mingcang Sect?"

Zhang Yan straightened his robe, stood up, and bowed, saying, "Yes, I am. May I ask for your name, Senior?"

The old Taoist chuckled and said, "I am Gui Congyao."

Gui Congyao? One of the three demon kings? The master of the Zhaoyou Heavenly Pool? A demon who has practiced for thousands of years?

Zhang Yan was surprised to find that the old Taoist had no trace of demonic aura and instead looked like a cultivated sage.

Zhang Yan was inwardly shaken but showed no panic, bowing respectfully and saying, "I am Zhang Yan of the Mingcang Sect. It's an honor to meet you, Senior."

Gui Congyao looked at Zhang Yan and asked, "I want to ask you, did you take the water cloud sand outside my mountain gate?"

Zhang Yan did not hesitate and answered truthfully, "Yes, it was I who took it."

In front of such a powerful demon, hiding his actions with his current cultivation was meaningless. It was better to be straightforward.

To his surprise, Gui Congyao did not get angry but was overjoyed, saying, "Fortune has come, fortune has come."

Zhang Yan was taken aback but then felt a slight stirring in his heart, sensing a clue.

Gui Congyao smiled and said, "Do not be puzzled, friend. The cloud sand you took was left by a high-ranking person who passed by 150 years ago. He said that if someone came to take it 150 years later, that person would be my destined benefactor. I have been waiting in my cave for several years, and today, I finally have you here."

Zhang Yan's eyes flickered, thinking that Zhou Chongju must have sent him here for this reason. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so confident about coming to this demon lord's territory.

So, the high-ranking person Gui Congyao mentioned must be the old Taoist who guided him to the Mingcang Sect.

As he pondered, Gui Congyao looked at him for a long time and then sighed, shaking his head, "I didn't expect you to be the one who would kill me."

Zhang Yan was startled. Looking at Gui Congyao's expression, he didn't seem to be joking. He cautiously said, "I am of low cultivation. Even after practicing for a hundred years, I would not be a match for you."

Gui Congyao laughed, "Don't be afraid. I have a reason for saying this. I have practiced for over two thousand years since I gained intelligence, living for 3,649 years. However, due to my innate limitations, my cultivation has not advanced in the past few hundred years. When the high-ranking person passed by, I asked him how long I would live. He said that my lifespan would end at 3,650 years, and at that time, my thousand years of hard work would turn into a pile of dry bones."

After saying this, he sighed repeatedly, feeling melancholic.

Zhang Yan also felt a sense of empathy.

He was currently at the Ming Qi stage, with a lifespan of about 300 years. Without any extraordinary encounters, his lifespan would not increase before reaching the Core Formation stage. Even at the Nascent Soul stage, one's lifespan would only be a thousand years, which, though long, was still short for cultivators who often meditate for decades or even centuries.

Perhaps, only by reaching the Supreme Being stage and ascending to the heavens to become a Great Luo Immortal could one achieve eternal existence.

Gui Congyao continued, "I asked the high-ranking person if there was a way to extend my life. He said that my foundation was not strong enough, and there was no hope in this life. The only way was to find a person with great fortune to help me undergo a military dissolution, allowing me to be reborn and have a chance to achieve the Dao. I asked where to find such a person, and he left the cloud sand, saying that when it was picked up, that person would be here."

Zhang Yan nodded slowly. He knew that being reborn and re-cultivating was not easy. Without special Dao artifacts and supreme powers, one would lose all memories of their previous life. However, this was still better than dying and dissipating after reaching the end of one's lifespan.

Gui Congyao looked at Zhang Yan with a smile, "Friend, there are still six months before my military dissolution. It's not the right time yet. Why don't you stay here and help me with the military dissolution?"

Zhang Yan thought carefully and then slowly shook his head.

Gui Congyao, seeing his refusal, was not angry but tried to persuade him, "I have practiced for thousands of years and have many treasures. What do you think of my cave? I will give it to you after my military dissolution. My body after death will also be yours. I even know a few unknown immortal caves that I can guide you to. What do you think?"

Zhang Yan still shook his head.

Gui Congyao was surprised, "Is it because you are prejudiced against me being a demon and unwilling to help me?"

Zhang Yan thought for a moment and decided to be honest, "Senior, you misunderstand. It's not that I am unwilling to help you, but in a few months, the Mingcang Sect will gather disciples to completely eliminate the three demon sects. Before that, I need to go to the Sea Eye Demon Hole to enhance my cultivation, so I cannot stay here."

He was not afraid of Gui Congyao knowing this information. The three demon sects and the Mingcang Sect had been in conflict for many years, and the Mingcang Sect had ways to monitor the demon sects. Once they made up their mind, they could destroy the three demon sects within half a year.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Gui Congyao's expression remained unchanged. He stroked his beard and pondered, "The Sea Eye Demon Hole, I have heard of it but never been there. It is said to be extremely dangerous. A slight mistake could cost one's life. Since you are going there, I will give you something to help you."

He waved his duster, and a grayish token flew into Zhang Yan's arms.

"This 'Zai He Qi Chun Zao' is made from the fragments of my body after I survived a calamity. It can protect against disasters and avoid supernatural powers. I will give it to you today."

He smiled, "I know the Mingcang Sect's Merit Hall has a bounty on my head. When the three demon sects are attacked, you can come back here and kill me, and it will be a great achievement for you."

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