Chapter 1359: Chapter 66: Flying Peak and Mianxing—A Familiar Sight (2)
That day, Luo Dongchuan came, claiming he could assist Zhongtai in dealing with Xuanyue, as long as afterwards they carve out a place in East Victory Continent for the Python Tribe to set foot. Not only that, he could also help Zhongtai form alliances to resist the three sects from the south.
She was tempted at the time, but having been married to Sect Leader Qiao for hundreds of years, she knew he wouldn’t agree to such terms unless they were at their wit’s end. However, she didn’t want to cut off this avenue, so after some discussion, the Python Tribe sent this girl over, saying that if she made up her mind, she could inform them at any time.
Moments ago, her concern had clouded her judgment, but now she gradually calmed down. She hesitated for a while and apologized, "Miss Luo, I’m sorry, let me think about it carefully."
The young girl had a good temper, smiled sweetly, and said, "No problem, madam. Whenever you have made up your mind, just call on me again."
Mrs. Zhao waved the Bright Pearl in her hand, and the young girl turned into a wisp of smoke and returned into the pearl.
A few miles away from Sect Leader Qiao and his wife’s carriage, there was a large boat with seven wings and a dragon head, which was Du Shixun’s vehicle. At this time, Zhang Yan was also sitting on this boat.
Du Shixun seemed extremely interested, pointing downward and saying, "This boat is called the Time-shocking Prison Cow Boat, it flies swiftly, and every hour, it plays a grand melody that can disturb the cultivators’ senses, causing their heart and spirit to be unsettled. Moreover, there are twelve banners, which can be deployed to form a set of forbidden arrays in the blink of an eye. Even if multiple Nascent Soul cultivators attack together, it remains unshaken. I asked my father for it several times before, but he never allowed it, and yet today I’ve obtained it."
Sitting below, there was a handsome Daoist with a jade-like face and eyebrows like drawn ink strokes, who flattered, "With this boat, Junior Sect Leader is like a tiger with wings. How can Rong Junzhong be a match?"
The words of flattery were rather clumsy, but Du Shixun seemed to take them as a matter of course and burst into hearty laughter, saying, "Well said, someone, give Daoist Xing a jar of Life-Saving Wine."
The Daoist was first stunned, then overjoyed, hurriedly stood up and thanked profusely.
This Life-Saving Wine was not an ordinary worldly item. It was brewed from the dew accumulated daily in the White Elephant Tripod, combined with a hundred kinds of spiritual medicines. There was only one jar per year, and even if a cultivator drank it, it had the effect of nourishing and consolidating one’s source, prolonging life, and adding blessings. In the Zhongtai Sect, it was usually only bestowed for great contributions. He never expected to receive it just by saying a few words, feeling proud, he glanced provocatively at Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan smiled slightly and paid no mind.
This Daoist was named Xing Fuli. When he signed the contract that day, he was originally under Elder Yan. However, it was later rumored that he had an affair with a concubine of Elder Lin, which led him to switch allegiance to Du Shixun.
Although this person’s Daoist cultivation wasn’t very profound, Du Shixun originally didn’t get along with many elders. Upon hearing this matter and with the intention to disgust Elder Lin, he not only took Xing Fuli in but also bestowed lavish rewards upon him repeatedly.
Xing Fuli thought to himself, "With Du Shixun being so generous, Zhang Daoist who came before me might have received many benefits. What is this one jar compared to that?"
As he thought about it, he became dissatisfied again. With a turn of his eyes, he said, "Daoist Zhang, I’ve heard you are the master of the Divine House Mountain Immortal City. I’ve been to many famous mountains and rivers in East Victory, but never had the fortune to visit there. How does Divine House Mountain compare to other places?"
Zhang Yan smiled calmly and said, "I, a humble Daoist, came from the Outer Continent and have been managing within the sect for a long time, yet I haven’t had the opportunity to visit other places."
Upon hearing he was originally an Outer Continent cultivator, Xing Fuli felt disdainful, laughed, and purposely showed a surprised look, saying, "Our East Victory is quite far from other continents. I wonder why True Master Zhang crossed the oceans to come here?"
As he said this, he suddenly slapped his forehead and made an apologetic face, saying, "That was my mistake. If it’s inconvenient for you, True Master, you don’t have to explain."
Upon hearing this, Du Shixun seemed to remember something, suddenly turned his head towards Zhang Yan, and with radiant eyes said, "I heard from subordinates that Master Shen Baishuang who traveled to East Victory Continent hundreds of years ago is True Master Zhang’s martial uncle?"
After making Zhang Yan his subordinate, Du Shixun told Mrs. Zhao, who then instructed people to investigate Zhang Yan’s background, learning that this person had quite an extraordinary origin. She thus advised her son to treat him well.
Zhang Yan did not conceal anything and confessed, "Indeed."
Du Shixun couldn’t help but nod. When Shen Baishuang traveled East Victory, if anyone came to trouble him, he would kill without a word, which was quite to Du Shixun’s liking. With a serious expression, he said, "I’ve heard of Master Shen’s formidable reputation in the past, so I’m sure True Master Zhang has some of his skills. I hope you, fellow Daoist, will join forces with me to defeat the enemy."
Zhang Yan made a perfunctory bow and said, "It is only proper."
Du Shixun laughed aloud and said, "Someone, give True Master Zhang three jars of thousand-year Life-Saving Wine."
Xing Fuli’s face changed slightly. From the wine bestowed, one could see the disparity in status between him and Zhang Yan in Du Shixun’s eyes. He couldn’t help but curse silently, "Just reliant on an ancestor’s shade, what’s the big deal? In a few days’ fight, don’t show timidity."
Zhongtai Sect traveled southeast for five days and arrived at Mianxing Mountain on the sixth day.
Du Shixun stood up from his seat, walked proudly to the prow, pointed forward, and said, "Fellow Daoist, look, that is the Southern Dragon Pillar, rumored to be the place where Da Mi Ancestor practiced cultivation."
Zhang Yan gazed ahead and saw a massive pillar in the clouds. The pillar’s body was faintly visible, seemingly formed from mist, with a coiling dragon clinging to the top, its claws and fangs bared. Amid the clear sky of ten thousand miles, this white pillar, snow-like and solid, stretched to the heavens, never dissipating. Surrounding it were dozens of floating peaks of various sizes, extraordinarily grand and magnificent. Not to mention the Ruined Palace beneath; just this sight was one of the great wonders.
Zhang Yan looked for a few moments, felt a sense of déjà vu, and upon further thought, realized that these floating peaks closely resembled what he had encountered with the Star Stones. He pondered, "I’ve heard these things were left by the Ancient Immortals. It seems now, this might well be possible."
...
...(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) or on mobile at m.qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
