Chapter 101

He kept two divine arts, so he could naturally find chances to return to Divine Mountain at any time to ask the True Monarch Slaying Demons for advice.

Bai Xianyin also held this supportive idea.

"Young master, this is also fine; the basic method and two auxiliary arts you have obtained are profound and extensive, naturally requiring time to comprehend!"

"However, young master, you really aren't considering staying on Divine Mountain to cultivate; the cultivation atmosphere here is completely different from the mundane world, and if you stay in the mundane world you might lack everything!"

Bai Xianyin persuaded Zhang Jian and gave him an analysis.

Cultivating in the mundane world has many drawbacks.

First, cultivators need many resources for their practice; for example, after the Testing Fate Foundation Establishment stage, they can try to concoct some elixirs to speed up the absorption of spiritual energy.

Moreover, refining a personal magic artifact also requires many special spiritual materials, which only gestate in certain specific places, and the mundane world has even fewer trading venues for them.

"However, young master, your physique is special, so breath regulation shouldn't be a worry; you can be self-sufficient!"

"But other aspects will still be greatly affected!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian was speechless.

He certainly won't be slow.

There is that ancestor in the clan shrine who can often shear wool, using heavenly treasury rare treasures as elixirs, and the effect will definitely be no weaker, only stronger.

As for gathering materials for forging artifacts, it indeed requires some effort.

However, since he has placed his path in the mundane world, he naturally has a way to proceed.

For example, he could completely use the method of making friends with the White Water Dragon Palace, asking the deities to help gather materials, which is no slower than painstakingly running around everywhere.

Secondly, he deliberately left the two divine arts unclaimed, also hoping to have a chance to return later and figure out the way.

Although he will walk the path of the red dust, it does not mean he will sever ties with the Divine Mountain lineage's Dao tradition.

Rather, the two proceed side by side, distinguishing primary from secondary.

Seeing Bai Xianyin still wanting to persuade, he shook his head and smiled.

"Since there are difficulties, there naturally exists a way to resolve them!"

"When the boat reaches the bridge, it naturally goes straight!"

Bai Xianyin felt helpless, and Zhang Jian's figure subsequently turned into a stream of light and vanished.

And after Zhang Jian left, beside Bai Xianyin an additional tall, weather-beaten figure appeared out of nowhere.

"Tiexin Senior Uncle!"

Upon seeing this elderly-faced Daoist, Bai Xianyin hastily performed a salute.

This old man is called Tiexin Daoist, a fellow Daoist of the same generation as the True Monarch Slaying Demons, and also a guardian of the Slaying Demon Lineage.

Tiexin Daoist smiled slightly, his gaze following Zhang Jian's departing direction, and said: "Xiaoxianyin, you need not urge further; this disciple's fate is special—I observe that the two kinds of fate he has condensed are both those of kings and marquises, and above his head he also possesses the aura of a hidden dragon, so he may yet have to participate in the contest for the dragon!"

"Moreover, his selection of the 'Paulownia Mountain Purity Treasure Record' instead of the 'Nine Qi Nurturing Origin True Classic', along with that special personal magic artifact, all indicate that he does not intend to walk the ordinary cultivation path!"

Tiexin Daoist stroked his beard and gave a light laugh, he actually held Zhang Jian in high esteem.

"But the path of contending for the dragon itself is completely opposed to the way we orthodox cultivators walk; perhaps it will waste the young master's talents?"

Bai Xianyin still felt regretful.

Two innate constitutions, such extraordinary talent, yet to be mixed into the mundane red dust, clear as flawless jade, yet to be forced into the mire—especially the True Monarch Slaying Demons and this Tiexin Elder still support it so.

Tiexin Daoist laughed heartily: "Xianyin, you have it wrong—the turning of mountains and rivers naturally gives birth to splendid spiritual energy!"

The state Dao tradition harmonizes the yin and yang of heaven and earth, transforms the primordial qi; that position actually bears more spiritual energy than that found in a cave heaven blessed land, yet that spiritual energy carries the marvel of the turning of heaven and earth—if not for a unique fate and secret transmission of techniques, one might not be able to withstand that heavy state spiritual energy, nor extract its subtle essence from it.

"But if one can condense a special fate, one can enter the mundane world, harvest the spiritual energy of mountains, rivers, and the state, and make it one's own!"

"Just like the Cavern Spirit Sect! It's good to cultivate within officialdom!"

Upon hearing Tiexin Daoist's words, Bai Xianyin's eyes widened in surprise.

"However, if one day the fate backlashes, the price will be far worse than that of the orthodox cultivation path!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Xianyin's expression turned solemn.

This is only able to move forward, cannot retreat.

Only able to win, cannot lose!

……

Zhang Clan Ancestral Hall

The magnificent stone gate continuously radiated brilliance, enveloping Zhang Jian's surroundings, with layer upon layer of profound spiritual energy connecting to his flesh; at this moment a stream of light flew from the gate and, in an instant, fell deep into the spot between Zhang Jian's eyebrows.

Spiritual light flowed in the depths of his brow, countless threads of spiritual qi continuously rotating beneath his skin; Zhang Jian quickly opened his eyes.

"To travel to the Northern Sea in the morning and to Cangwu by evening—truly it makes the heart yearn and the spirit soar; no wonder so many people risk their lives to crowd into the Path of Longevity!"

His expression showed a hint of astonishment, and at the same time he noticed that the Heaven-Earth Mystic Gate linked above his head was dissipating.

He slowly walked out of the ancestral hall; outside, the sunlight was splendid, and in his keen spiritual sense lay a hue of mid-autumn.

The leaves were golden yellow, and even the ground was paved with golden yellow.

Outside, Zhang Lu and the others were patrolling around the ancestral hall, while the courtyard was filled with sentry posts.

Further away, one could see teams of guards conducting their daily drills, with the veteran squad leaders shouting commands and giving instructions.

Seeing Zhang Jian walk out, Zhang Lu couldn't help but be overjoyed.

「Young master, you've come out! 」

「」

「Mm! 」

Zhang Jian nodded.

「Young master, the kitchen has prepared the ingredients; I'll fix you something to eat! 」

Zhang Lu clasped his hands slightly, his eyes brightening as he hurried down; meanwhile, on the other side, several graceful maidservants stepped forward, offering a toothbrush made of boar bristles and a soft silk towel.

Zhang Jian took it casually, and at that moment he noticed that the maidservant before him had been replaced; originally his maidservants were all burly or noticeably old, but now they had been swapped for fresh-faced young ladies, each with a dignified and lovely appearance.

Zhang Jian took a look; without much thought he could be sure it was Zhang Yi's handiwork—no one else would lightly meddle to replace someone beside him.

Zhang Yi was extremely strict in raising the heir; even the matriarch, Lady Zhang Qi, could not intervene, and as a result she often complained about Zhang Yi.

"What are your names?"

Zhang Jian gazed at the two graceful girls leading the way; these two girls were pure, dignified, without a hint of allure, their demeanor also proper—one could tell at a glance they had been specially trained by a great clan to avoid flattering the master for favor.

The slightly older girl at the front spoke: "Eldest Young Master, this servant is Mei Zhu!"

"This servant is Tao Hua!"

The other pure girl also performed a proper salute.

Hu Shan stood beside Zhang Jian at that moment; seeing this, he spoke.

"Eldest Young Master, this was arranged by the master's message: it says you are already about fifteen, and since childhood you've been self-sufficient, so they have arranged these two maidservants to attend to your food and lodging!"

"These two girls were also trained from the Qi family; it is said they had been taught from childhood by a palace wet nurse specially, their conduct is proper and they will not flatter the master! Of course, if the young master wishes, after fifteen they can be taken into his chambers, but the frequency must be limited; if they violate the rules, these two girls will inevitably be sold off!"

At the end of his speech, Hu Shan gave a meaningful glance.

The two girls' faces turned slightly red, they lowered their heads a little, not daring to look up.