Chapter 1355: Chapter 64: Spiritual Treasure Awaits Its Predestined Owner (2)
Zhang Boyant let out a chuckle and said, "Even those from your sect are reluctant, how can I, as an outsider, help?"
Xiang Zhanfu was speechless, only bowing repeatedly, pleading earnestly.
Zhang Boyant allowed him to continue, and after a while, he gave a deep laugh and said, "Someone, take this person away and settle him properly."
Xiang Zhanfu couldn’t tell if he was agreeing or refusing, but since he wasn’t chased away, there was still a glimmer of hope. He was truly desperate, otherwise he wouldn’t have sought out Zhang Boyant. Before leaving, he suddenly turned back and said, "True Master, that maid beside your esteemed disciple has some entanglements with the imperial family of Chu Kingdom. It would be best to keep a low profile in Chu Capital."
Zhang Boyant paused slightly and, after a moment’s thought, realized the maid he was talking about was Qiao Ying, the Stone Spirit. He couldn’t help but squint his eyes, green sparks flickering in his gaze, pondering something unknown.
After a while, Zhao Yang stepped through the door and said, "Master, are you planning to assist this person?"
Zhang Boyant snorted and said, "What I want is irrelevant, ultimately it depends on the Pavilion Master’s opinion." He looked at him and said sternly, "Let me ask you, have you mastered that Spirit Exorcism Technique that I taught you?"
Zhao Yang quickly replied, "I have only glimpsed the basics."
Zhang Boyant said coldly, "You haven’t even mastered such a small technique? What use are you? I’ll give you another month, if you still haven’t mastered it, you’ll be sentenced to thirty years of seclusion."
Zhao Yang was startled. Ever since Zhang Boyant took him under his wing, he mostly just passed on cultivation method mnemonics to him, never inquiring whether he could master them. Since the Spirit Exorcism Technique wasn’t very useful in battle, he hadn’t rushed to master it, instead spending his energy polishing his cultivation skills. Now hearing his master’s ultimatum, he hurriedly agreed and retreated to his room to cultivate with a frustrated expression.
About an hour later, Zhang Boyant heard the faint sound of Gang Wind howling outside the pavilion, guessing Zhang Yan had returned. He then left the Elixir Room and went outside, seeing a familiar Rainbow Light flying over from afar.
Song Chuyuan and the Limping Daoist were playing chess inside when they sensed something, going out to greet him.
Within moments, the tunneling light fell in the courtyard, and the three quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.
Zhang Yan flicked his robe sleeve, gathering the surrounding Spirit Light, then gestured with one hand, saying: "Fellow Daoists, no need for formalities."
The Limping Daoist straightened up and said, "True Master, did the contract signing go smoothly?"
Zhang Yan smiled slightly and said, "The contract ceremony is complete, without any disturbances."
Song Chuyuan asked nervously, "May I ask who you were up against? Was it Rong Junzhong?"
Zhang Yan chuckled but did not answer, instead saying to Song and Tang, "On the sixth of next month is the Dragon Pillar Meeting at Mianxing Mountain, one month from now. With Zhongtai making such a big move, Xuanyue won’t stand idly by either. However, I am not well informed of the situation. Since you haven’t signed any contracts, it’s convenient for you to go check it out and report back to me."
The two quickly nodded and agreed.
Zhang Boyant stepped forward at this time and said, "Pavilion Master, I have something to report."
Zhang Yan nodded and said, "Daoist Zhang, please come with me to the alchemy room to speak."
After they entered the inner room and sat down, Zhang Boyant explained the situation involving Prince Ying.
Zhang Yan pondered slightly and said, "Prince Ying was imprisoned due to palace intrigues, it’s generally not advisable to get involved. However, I’ve benefited twice from his gift of Snake Ring Essence, which greatly aids my cultivation, owing a debt of karma. Since he has sought our help, we cannot ignore it."
Zhang Boyant understood how to proceed when he saw Zhang Yan’s intention to help and said, "Since you will be attending the Dragon Pillar Battle, you can’t spare any attention. I am available and can handle this matter for you."
Zhang Yan nodded and said, "With Daoist Zhang taking charge, it should be managed properly."
Seeing no further matters, Zhang Boyant excused himself and returned to his room, then summoned Xiang Zhanfu again and said, "You mentioned offering a valuable gift, what is it?"
Xiang Zhanfu hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "True Master Zhang should know. The ancestors who founded Zhongtai and Xuanyue were peers under Da Mi Ancestor. Before ascending, Da Mi Ancestor had a formidable rival, equally matched in cultivation, unable to prevail. Later, the ancestor sought out a capable individual from the Outer Continent and borrowed a Dharma Treasure, eventually overpowering the opponent."
"After ascending, Da Mi Ancestor intended to return the treasure but couldn’t find the person or their disciples. Unable to delay due to ascension, he placed the treasure in a secret marine location, instructing his disciples not to take it rashly. Should the disciples from Outer Continent come, they could attempt to retrieve it if fated with the treasure."
At this point, he knelt again and said, "Prince Ying said, if True Master Zhang is willing to assist, he will reveal the treasure’s location."
Zhang Boyant was surprised to learn the gift involved an Ascended True Master and asked, "The two sects have existed for thousands of years, has no one been able to take the treasure during this time?"
Xiang Zhanfu replied, "True Master Zhang, the two sects never needed the treasure themselves and wouldn’t let it fall into others’ hands, hence kept it a secret from outsiders. Over time, it faded from memory, until the An E Demon King stole the map from Chu Capital decades ago, reminding few of this matter."
Zhang Boyant’s expression shifted. He recalled hearing the Xianluo Sect mention this upon arriving in East Victory with Zhang Yan, suggesting Xiang Zhanfu’s words held some truth, thus said, "Perhaps the treasure has already been taken by the demon since the map was stolen."
Xiang Zhanfu hastily said, "True Master, rest assured the stolen map was false, or it wouldn’t have been taken by the demon king. Plus, the area is secured by a Forbidden Array; a map alone is useless. The true map is secretly held by Prince Ying, ready to be presented upon his rescue."
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...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
