Chapter 121: Progress

The Confucian scholar's fate transformed, and Zhang Jian felt as if he had acquired the refined aura of a learned scholar; his eyes shone with a warm, sharp glimmer, carrying a hint of clarity that sees through worldly truths.

Zhang Jian opened his palm, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

He sensed that the fate within his life palace had indeed been transformed by that piece of jade pendant into the Confucian scholar's fate.

Very miraculous!

He couldn't help exclaiming, 'I never expected there to be such an exquisite magical device in the world!'

Bai Xianyin laughed, 'No, this is a magical treasure, and moreover a special low-grade magical treasure!'

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered slightly; magical treasures are far higher in rank than magical devices.

In between, there is a full three levels of difference: low, middle, and high grades.

This is his first time coming into contact with a magical treasure.

Seeing Zhang Jian's expression, Bai Xianyin immediately said.

'Young master, although it is also a magical treasure, it differs from other magical treasures.'

She counted on her fingers and said, 'The production of this standard-type magical treasure has actually become scaled up; many elders in the Dao Lineage have long been accustomed to using this standard-type magical treasure.'

Originally it could only store a dozen or so fate models, but after generations of sect predecessors carefully added and refined it, it now stores dozens of fate models; whenever a cultivator's internal conditions match, it can be used automatically!

Bai Xianyin smiled smugly, with a hint of pride in her eyes.

Only a domineering Dao Lineage sect can possess such a foundation.

Zhang Jian's expression froze, and then turned somewhat unpleasant.

Mass-produced items usually have this or that problem.

'Being mass-produced, it likely has flaws and is easy to see through!'

Zhang Jian furrowed his brows.

If this magical treasure is unreliable and fails at a critical moment, he will be out of luck.

He felt that the treasure he had obtained was starting to lose its appeal!

Bai Xianyin's face, however, kept a smug smile.

'Young master, don't worry; although this magical treasure is mass-produced, it doesn't mean it's inferior—on the contrary, it's limited in quantity and exquisitely crafted, usually only given to disciples with special needs, especially those like you with a special status; in fact, every major orthodox sect possesses such magical treasures!'

'Moreover, the ways of inscribing the runes differ, making it extremely hard to see through!'

'I see! It seems to be encrypted after all!'

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's heart instantly relaxed, and he also gained an understanding of the abilities of the various immortal sects and the Dao Lineage.

Bai Xianyin then brought up the matter of imperial investiture.

'As for the matter of conferring godhood, young master, don't rush—Tie Xin Shushu has already gone to make contact; news will arrive soon!'

'Looks like Red Flower is also a fortunate one!'

Zhang Jian nodded slightly.

He wasn't in a hurry about this, and during this period he wasn't idle either; after confirming that Red Flower Lady had successfully attained the Fire God's divine post, he continually had the Zhang family secretly spread the worship of the Kitchen God, preparing for Red Flower Lady to attain the Kitchen God's divine post.

The Zhang family also hired renowned artists to paint the Kitchen God's likeness, while Red Flower Lady's followers actively invited the Kitchen God's divine image into their homes and repeatedly manifested divine power to spread the faith.

With the Zhang family and the Red Lotus Dao working together, spreading the Kitchen God's faith proceeded fairly smoothly.

Unexpectedly, they did not encounter any obstruction from the Prefectural City Emperor.

……

Peaceful time quietly slipped away.

Zhang Jian continued his regular cultivation, and during this period he also received several invitations: one from the Censorate's Imperial Envoy, Cai Hengxing, and another from the White Water Dragon Palace.

After Zhang Yi's deliberate training, Zhang Jian handled such banquets with ease.

Especially his contact with that Imperial Envoy Censor, which Zhang Jian valued greatly; he also went all out trying to rescue his future father‑in‑law!

The Qi family is now the Zhang family's staunch ally and strong support; naturally he also does not wish to see the Qi family fall.

Although this Censor Cai, who greatly appreciates him, takes a firm stance toward the Qi mansion, refusing to relent, insisting on severely punishing Yuan si of the Qi family and finding evidence that the Qi family plotted treason and framed Prefect Yu Tongguang.

Faced with Cai Hengxing's obstinacy, Zhang Jian temporarily had no recourse.

He could only enter the Qi mansion every few days, trying to comfort several cousins of the second branch and indicating he would seize an opportunity to rescue them.

In fact, Zhang Jian had earlier secretly infiltrated the Prefectural City Prison to meet Yuan si of the Qi family in person; after confirming Yuan si's safety, he withdrew again.

To rescue Yuan si, there is currently no method.

Unless Yuan si is willing to abandon his current prospects and become a rebel wanted by the Great Qian, Zhang Jian could naturally help break him out of prison.

But before the final stage, Yuan si obviously is not willing to give up everything just like that.

He also believes that the Great Qian court will ultimately clear his name.

Meanwhile, Cai Hengxing is actively searching for clues, trying to use Yuan si to completely condemn the Qi family.

……

Outskirts of Fengyang Prefecture City

In the farmstead outside the city, at this moment swirling wind and snow carried a strange chill, but before it could reach a certain figure, a slash of blazing sword light effortlessly split it in half.

The sword light sped forward, but in an instant it was blocked by a water‑colored vortex; the sword's gleam flowed around the vortex yet could never pierce through.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian's eyes held a hint of smile; his Dragon Chant Sword flew from his hand, transforming into a swimming dragon, while his magical power, like an invisible silk thread, drew the sword toward another graceful figure, chasing it swiftly.

'Brother Zhang, be careful!'

But as the words fell, suddenly a loud dragon's chant rang out in the void, like thunder exploding, completely disturbing the previously stable spiritual energy field in the void.

The Zhang family sensed that its bond with the Dragon Chant Sword was instantly severed by more than half, and a massive sound wave surged toward his soul's depths; in the depths of his sea of consciousness, a bronze‑colored light appeared, and the Three‑form State Altar Cauldron emerged to suppress this disturbance.

Having steadied against this impact, Zhang Jian drew the Dragon Chant Sword with his power, and in an instant it appeared behind Bai Li Ying.

'Princess, I accept your yield!'

Zhang Jian's calm voice emerged.

As he withdrew the Dragon Chant Sword, the outcome of the spar was decided; Bai Liying felt the piercing chill dissipate, and she glanced at the shards of ice scattering before her.

At the critical moment, her ice technique was torn apart by sword qi.

She couldn't help but sigh: "Brother Zhang, your progress is astonishing; even though I have learned part of the Flood Dragon Clan's techniques secretly taught by my father, I still can't withstand more than a few moves under your hand."

Hearing this, Zhang Jian smiled and said.

"Fourth Princess, you're being too modest; your progress is also great—whether it's the speed of condensing techniques or the casting speed of that Heavenly Dragon Divine Sound, both have improved greatly compared to before."

Bai Liying heard this and pressed her lips together.

She had obtained the position of Water Well Dragon King, her progress was extremely rapid, yet the progress of this Brother Zhang before her was even faster.

A few days ago she could still feel that several techniques in Zhang Jian's hand were not yet smooth; following Bai Nu's guidance, she had even thought of a method to turn defeat into victory, but the next day in their match, Zhang Jian had already made up his shortcomings.

Such progress truly is startling.

At this moment Zhang Jian's expression remained unchanged; he was not surprised, for this change was brought about by his Iron Bones and Jade Heart.