Chapter 98

In Shouming Island, one could not easily escape by flying. Qi Yuntian and he left the Flying Crane Pavilion together and walked down the mountain path.

This was the highest point of the Shouming Palace. Looking out, one could take in the entire scenic view of the Shouming Palace. However, the main hall was shrouded in a misty haze, with a brilliant light that gave a sense of indescribable mystery, clearly indicating that it was the residence of the True Person Peng, making it impossible for others to peek.

After a few glances, Zhang Yan felt a faint dizziness, realizing that his cultivation was still insufficient, and quickly averted his gaze.

At this moment, a cultivator with a high hat and broad sash came forward, surrounded by a group of people. Seeing the two of them, he cupped his hands from a distance and said, "I wondered who it was, it turns out to be Senior Brother Qi. Greetings."

Seeing this person, Qi Yuntian slightly frowned, returned the greeting, and then turned his head, saying, "Junior Brother Zhang, let's go first. I will come back another day."

Zhang Yan knew that this person might have some background, so he did not linger. After cupping his hands, he walked down alone.

As he passed by the cultivator, the other person looked at him for a moment, a playful look flashing in his eyes, and said, "So you are the disciple that Senior Brother Qi saved from the demonic sect? I see that your aura is weak and feeble, yet it is worth Senior Brother Qi's personal effort? I wonder where all the talented disciples have gone?"

Zhang Yan ignored him, silently memorizing his face for future reference. He walked quickly, soon leaving the Shouming Palace. Looking around, he saw that more and more cultivators were gathering on the island, and many boats and carriages were flying in from the horizon. He couldn't help but sigh. When he arrived, the island was desolate, with only a few dozen disciples. Now that True Person Peng had become a Cave Heaven True Person, people were flocking to the island, afraid of not being able to curry favor.

However, after a few more glances, he felt that the coming and going of boats and carriages, the bustling figures, were like a dream, fleeting and insubstantial, just like the illusory light he had seen on the Flying Crane Pavilion. A sense of enlightenment arose in his heart, and he smiled, "Life is but a dream, I will focus on the path of Dao. What others do has nothing to do with me. In a hundred years... when I look back on today, it will be nothing more than a smile."

With that, he leaped up, a blue light of escape left Shouming Island, heading east.

With the power of the sword escape, his speed was incomparable to when he came. In less than a day, he returned to Lingye Island.

Luo Xiao, who was on guard on the island, clearly sensed his return. The restrictions dissipated, and Zhang Yan calmly descended from the clouds, landing on the mountain path. Lifting his eyes, he saw two female cultivators standing there. One was Luo Xiao, and the other was a palace lady.

Luo Xiao came forward, making a deep bow and said, "Master has entered the realm of Xuan Guang, I must congratulate you, Master."

Zhang Yan nodded slightly and smiled, "Luo Daoist, you are too polite."

The palace lady also came forward, her eyes full of joy, made a deep bow, and said with a smile, "Greetings, Master."

Zhang Yan looked at her and smiled, "Shang Daoist has successfully transformed, congratulations."

The palace lady bowed again, this time with tears in her eyes, "All thanks to Master. The restrictions on the island can block the heavenly tribulation, and with Luo Sister's help, I was able to successfully transcend the tribulation."

This woman was the fish demon beauty Shang Shang, whom Zhang Yan had given the transformation pill that day. Now she had shed her demon shell and transformed into a human, and her cultivation would advance much faster than before.

Luo Xiao covered her mouth and laughed, "Don't involve me. When the sisters transform, this matter should be left to Master. Go and ask Master yourself, I won't worry about it."

Shang Shang, her heart full of thoughts, a blush rose on her cheeks, and she lowered her head without speaking.

Zhang Yan smiled and walked into the cave, sat on the stone platform, and asked, "Luo Daoist, I have been away for two months. Is everything in the palace well?"

Luo Xiao bowed, "Master, everything in the palace is well-managed by Shang Sister. All the laborers are well-fed and clothed, and two new pavilions have been built on the island. Master can visit them in your free time... Ten days ago, someone sent a letter and a sleeve pouch. Apart from that, nothing else happened."

She lightly waved her hand, took out a letter from her sleeve, and presented it to Zhang Yan. Zhang Yan took it, not avoiding the two of them, and opened it. After a moment, he sighed, "Why does Senior Brother Xie have to do this?"

It turned out that Xie Zongyuan had not been able to timely convey the news of Zhang Yan being trapped in the demonic sect. Although it was not his fault, he felt guilty and ashamed to face Zhang Yan. Therefore, he sent an apology letter and a gift to make up for his guilt.

Luo Xiao rolled up her sleeve, revealing a white arm, and pointed to the table, "Master, the sleeve pouch is on the table. We have not peeked at it."

Zhang Yan smiled, "It's fine to look. It's just some things that Senior Brother Xie sent me. On this trip to the demonic sect, I obtained a few magical treasures. I can't use all of them, so I will share them with you."

Luo Xiao covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Master, did you encounter some powerful cultivators on this trip?"

Zhang Yan shook his head, "It's a long story. Take a look at these magical treasures and choose what you like."

He waved his sleeve, and three magical treasures appeared on the table: the Purple Star River Moon Silk, the Wind and Thunder Fork, and the Cloud-Filling Basin.

Luo Xiao's eyes lit up when she saw the Purple Star River Moon Silk. She took it and said happily, "It's a high-grade spirit tool. This silk will be mine. What do you think, Master?" Zhang Yan smiled, "It's a good match... I intended to give this to Luo Daoist."

Shang Shang's status was far below Luo Xiao's. Although the magical treasures were in front of her, she did not dare to make a decision on her own, just standing there with her head lowered.

Zhang Yan looked at her, "Shang Daoist, when I and Luo Daoist go out, the cave will need to be managed. Choose one of these treasures for protection."

Shang Shang softly replied, "Yes."

She did not hesitate, took the Wind and Thunder Fork, and stepped back.

Zhang Yan nodded, Shang Shang knew her place.

At this moment, Luo Xiao was a bit uneasy, biting her lip, "Master, when you said you would go out with me, did you mean... to go to the Three Ponds to exterminate them?"

Zhang Yan waved his hand, "Luo Daoist, I know the difficulties. You don't have to go. But you need to write down the familiar paths of the Three Ponds to help me."

Luo Xiao sighed in relief, it was hard for her to kill her own kind. She thought for a moment, "Although I am familiar with the paths of the Blood Pond, I don't know all the hidden water palaces. However, I know a fellow cultivator who can definitely help Master."

Zhang Yan was surprised, "Oh? Who is it?"

Luo Xiao had been guarding the cave for these days, and as a demon cultivator, it was impossible for her to have connections with the disciples of the Ming沧 Sect. Shang Shang was bought from the Water Kingdom and had never traveled far, so she couldn't know the details of the Three Ponds.

Luo Xiao smiled, "Master, have you forgotten the fellow cultivator waiting in the inner river to recognize you as its master? Its original residence is under the Three Ponds, and it knows all the hidden palaces."

Zhang Yan was enlightened, it was the golden dragon in the river. He had been focusing on improving his cultivation and had forgotten about this. He asked, "How did you know it was familiar with the paths of the Three Ponds?"

Luo Xiao said, "These two months, I followed Master's instructions and did not easily lift the restrictions. Out of boredom, I often went to talk to Fellow Cultivator Ao. Gradually, I learned many things from him."

Zhang Yan stood up, "Good, we shouldn't delay. I will go and subdue him now."

With that, he flashed a light and left the cave, quickly arriving at the inner river of the island. He called out, "Fellow Cultivator, please come out."

"Hey? How did he become a Xuan Guang cultivator in just over two months?" The waves churned, and the golden dragon raised its massive head, staring at Zhang Yan with its large eyes, its body floating in the water.

Zhang Yan hovered in the air, supported by a water-blue light, and said from above, "Do you know why I am here today?"

The golden dragon's eyes darted around, but it remained silent.

Zhang Yan's gaze turned cold, "You agreed to recognize me as your master last time. Do you want to go back on your word today?"

Luo Xiao came up to Zhang Yan's side, seeing this, she smiled seductively, "Master, don't be in a hurry. Please step aside, I will persuade Fellow Cultivator Ao."

Zhang Yan knew she had a plan, so he waved his sleeve, "Fine, I will give you the chance to persuade him."

He turned and walked away.

When Zhang Yan left, Luo Xiao took two steps to the golden dragon and said, "Fellow Cultivator Ao, have you forgotten all the conversations we had these days? Don't assume Master will definitely make you a servant. Now he just finds you interesting because you are an ancient species. But as you can see, Zhang Daoist's cultivation is advancing rapidly. In the future, when his cultivation is higher, his horizons will broaden. Do you think he will still care about you? If I were you, I would submit to Master early and might gain some benefits."

She took out the Purple Star River Moon Silk and waved it, "Look, this is what Master just gave me."

The demon race was always poor. Only when they gathered in a tribe did they have some possessions, and not everyone could share. Usually, they had nothing but their own bodies. Now, seeing Luo Xiao casually take out a high-grade spirit tool, the golden dragon's eyes widened.

"I have talked to you so much. Do you think you can escape? It's better to submit early. As you can see, has Master ever treated me poorly? He became a Xuan Guang cultivator in just one year. In the future, he will surely become a immortal. If your transformation fails, others will just skin you and take your bones, and you won't be of much use. Only Master still wants to keep you. If I were you, I would have eaten you long ago to purify my blood and improve my cultivation. Isn't that better?"

Luo Xiao explained the benefits and drawbacks to him. The golden dragon had already had this thought for the past two months, and now it was gradually being reinforced. Its massive head nodded like a chicken pecking, "Thank you for enlightening me. Ao Tong is willing to recognize Master."

Seeing that the golden dragon was willing to give up its name, Luo Xiao knew it was genuinely submitting. She immediately turned to bring Zhang Yan back. The golden dragon immediately forced out a thread of primordial essence blood and made a vow in front of Zhang Yan.

When the essence blood dissipated, Zhang Yan felt a connection in his heart. He immediately took out a talisman, lifted the restrictions, and smiled, "Fellow Cultivator Ao, if you are bored, you can go to the Dragon Abyss Marsh."

Ao Tong was overjoyed. For over two months, he had been confined in the inner river of the island, like a strong man in a narrow room, unable to move freely. Now, he was free to leave the shallow waters. He let out a long roar, stirred up a huge wave, and a golden dragon over twenty feet long leaped into the marsh.