Chapter 240: Zhang Jian

Xishan Temple, located halfway up the western mountain, is heavily guarded. Zhang Jian, dressed in the fourth-rank uniform of a Grand Agrarian Commissioner, appears on the steps.

There are many Daoist temples around.

Many noble ladies come here to burn incense and make wishes.

In front of the mountain, carriages line up like dragons, with numerous vendors, strong hunters, porters, and peddlers carrying leather goods and handicrafts doing business nearby.

Zhang Jian has already found what he needs for this trip.

Looking ahead, wild tomatoes grow everywhere in the flower beds in front of Xishan Temple, seemingly planted as ornamental flowers.

Zhang Jian sent someone ahead to find the temple's abbot—a cold and icy Kun Daoist, plump in figure, holding a horsetail whisk, her cloud-like black hair bound by a hairpin, named Jingyue Daoist.

Upon learning Zhang Jian's purpose, she greeted the nearby imperial guards, allowing him to freely pick these "wild flowers" fruits.

She then departed calmly; this Kun Daoist appears quite unique in temperament, exuding a transcendent aura of detachment from fame and fortune!

Zhang Jian was not polite either—he picked some wild cherry tomatoes, saved the seeds, and prepared to find a plot to test cultivation using techniques, from easy to difficult. If he could succeed with these wild tomatoes, he believed other crop problems would soon be solved one by one.

However, Zhang Jian did not intend to do this alone—expertise requires specialization, so he planned to bring Feng Ling as his assistant.

Many techniques of the Mountain God lineage are highly beneficial for stimulating crop growth and expanding fruits; as mountain deities, they excel in this area.

Of course, Zhang Jian did not underestimate this small matter—he believed that if he could grasp its key principles, he could progress from small to great, even glimpse the divine power of those who manipulate creation in myth.

But as he left Xishan Temple, Zhang Jian suddenly felt something—his eyes showed a hint of surprise.

Yet he sensed a familiar figure appearing at the mountain's base. Without actively investigating, after gathering some ripe wild cherry tomatoes, he led his party straight away.

"How could he be here?"

In the corner, a tall figure dressed as an ordinary wealthy idler gazed into the distance at Zhang Jian's entourage.

This is a handsome man with a tiger back and bear waist, his bearing stern, his qi and blood deeply concealed—clearly no ordinary person.

He showed some hesitation in his eyes.

Zhang Jian's appearance made him somewhat wary.

Yet he did not retreat; instead, he remained composed, stepping openly from hiding and walking straight into a nearby Daoist temple named Xuan Yang Guan, where he made wishes and fulfilled vows—just an ordinary mortal in the mundane world.

But this scene could not escape Zhang Jian's gaze.

In the small sedan at the mountain's base, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.

It was An Ruoming!

Commander of the Shen Ce Army!

I've seen him several times before!

An Ruoming's purpose is clearly the Xishan Temple.

What is inside Xishan Temple?

Besides a few princesses and commanderies with hearts like dried straw, there are only consorts.

Given An Ruoming's status, if he fancied any princess or commandery, he would not need to sneak around—he could appear openly and honestly.

"This General An is playing with fire!"

This thought flashed through Zhang Jian's mind.

Whether a guilty consort or a voluntary nun, they are the emperor's women—how could the emperor's women be trifled with?

Zhang Jian could imagine: once this matter erupts, it will become a time bomb—one misstep could turn the entire Chang'an city upside down.

An Ruoming now commands the entire Shen Ce Army, said to number 150,000 elite troops!

……

Zhuangyuan Mansion—after returning home, Zhang Jian personally took a plow for land reclamation and began digging in a corner beside the mansion. His actions immediately drew attention from everyone in the household.

Qi Yuhua heard the news and brought her young daughter over, wearing a red dress, looking like a blooming peony at that moment. Her lovely eyes showed some astonishment as she stared at Zhang Jian, unable to help but say:

"Husband, what are you doing?"

"Planting some special melons and fruits!"

Zhang Jian raised his head and smiled.

Seeing this, Qi Yuhua said: "Husband, you are the Literary Star incarnate—gentlemen should stay away from the kitchen. Let the steward order people to do such things!"

Nearby, young family members quickly nodded in agreement.

"Master, if you have anything, just order the servant to do it!"

This is Zhang Fu, younger brother of Zhang Lu, same build—clearly from the same stock, though his face is much more refined than Zhang Lu's.

After Zhang Lu joined the army, Zhang Fu came from their ancestral home in Fengyang to join the Zhuangyuan Mansion, replacing Zhang Lu.

"Just a small matter!"

Zhang Jian refused him.

He casually took out some mature wild tomato seeds—each a shriveled, pale yellow seed—then slightly used the Spring Return Technique to stimulate partial vitality, skipping the soaking process, and placed them into the black soil beneath his feet.

This small patch of land under his feet is fertile black soil, facing the sun, with suitable temperature—Zhang Jian believes he should still be able to grow a batch of wild cherry tomatoes.

If not, he'll just have to increase costs, build a small rune formation to control temperature, and find a way to produce sunlight.

Actually, for a Yin God Venerable, this is no problem—once penetrated, it can be solved. The only issue is how to amplify the recessive trait representing size within the wild cherry tomatoes.

If he could see through their mysterious creation, he wouldn't need generations of crossbreeding.

In Zhang Jian's view, this is the beginning of manipulating creation.

After finishing everything, Zhang Jian slightly used the Spring Return Technique to draw some rainwater to moisten this small plot. Feeling some seeds begin to sprout and take root, he stopped the technique—he did not force them to mature instantly, but gave them a chance to grow naturally.

Yet seeing Qi Yuhua still observe, green tender shoots had emerged from this small plot—most gratifying.

This scene also brought joy to her beautiful face.

Witnessing the sprouting of life always brings joy to the heart.

Zhang Jian then put down the shovel and handed it to Zhang Fu, then walked forward to pick up the somewhat dazed Zhang Chang'an, laughing:

"Come on, let's go make something delicious!"

Hearing Zhang Jian mention something delicious, Zhang Chang'an also let out a childish, milky voice.

"Daddy, I want something delicious too!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian laughed heartily.

Seeing this, Qi Yuhua's gentle jade-like face also showed a faint smile.

The two maidservants, Yuyao and Qu Lian, standing nearby also hurriedly followed.

Under the jujube tree in the courtyard, several clean bamboo baskets were placed on the stone table.

The bamboo baskets were filled entirely with wild small tomatoes that Zhang Jian had previously picked in front of the West Mountain View.

"Husband, are you referring to these?"

At this moment, Qi Yuhua directed her gaze toward these scarlet wild small tomatoes.

They looked excellent; Qi Yuhua had even tried them when she first saw them, but after eating one, she was unwilling to try again.

Because they were truly very sour.

The sourness overwhelmed the sweetness, and there was also a strange flavor.

Qi Yuhua was not accustomed to this taste.

Seeing Qi Yuhua's expression, Zhang Jian smiled slightly; in fact, these wild small tomatoes had never undergone selective breeding or optimization, and were indeed extremely sour, with only a small portion being purely sweet.

However, when made into tomato sauce, this becomes a delicious dish.

Especially when added to some special dishes, such as hot pot.

"It's a pity that tomato sauce lacks chili peppers, lacking soul!"

Zhang Jian felt regretful; he did not like plain tomato sauce, but preferred to stir-fry it with some red chili peppers.

Making this dish is actually simple: after peeling and washing clean, add some scallions, garlic, and white sugar, then stir-fry over low heat first, then simmer for a while, and finally dry it out.

However, because the fruits are too small, Zhang Jian could only achieve this using magic.

After that pot of fiery red tomato sauce came out, Qi Yuhua gazed at this scene with some astonishment, but upon seeing the pot of red tomato sauce, she still hurriedly shook her head.

She had never become accustomed to this taste.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian chuckled, then turned his gaze to Zhang Chang'an beside him, seeing Zhang Chang'an's milky voice uttering "yi ya" as he reached toward the tomato sauce in the pot; his eyes flickered, and he immediately picked up a bamboo slip, lightly dipped some, and sent it into her mouth, but saw Zhang Chang'an slightly smack her lips, and soon began to fuss.

It seemed she did not particularly like this taste either.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian secretly shook his head; this unimproved variety of wild small tomato was still too sour, and if not especially liked, it was difficult to get used to.

Later that day, Zhang Yi and Zhang Zhao returned from Xihua Academy; to Zhang Jian's surprise, Zhang Yi actually liked this kind of sour dipping sauce, especially when used as a minced meat filling in some coarse grains.

This made Zhang Jian feel somewhat strange.

"It seems he has indeed inherited some fish-like traits, naturally fond of sour flavors!"

After planting the wild small tomatoes, Zhang Jian subsequently opened several vegetable plots in the corners of the mansion, planting some bok choy and other seasonal vegetables, attempting to improve their varieties, at least to enhance their resistance to pests and diseases.

Zhang Jian also took the opportunity to enter Tongshan, to see if there were any marvelous methods deep within Tongshan that could assist him in accomplishing this undertaking.

……

Tongshan

Majestic Tongshan towers into the sky, its foothills adorned with wondrous beauty.

In the Slay Demon Peak, Zhang Jian led Zhang Yi forward into it; Zhang Jian was already familiar with the path, while Zhang Yi was entering for the first time.

Two divine lights emerged from a grand stone gate, one large and one small.

Zhang Jian remained composed; although Zhang Yi had always been bold, he still instinctively leaned on Zhang Jian.

"Daddy!"

Seeing this, Zhang Jian merely smiled slightly, indicating he need not be nervous.

On this trip, he prepared to bring Zhang Yi to visit Yunzi Chu, and also to finalize the matter of entry.

However, even as his offspring, if Zhang Yi wished to attain the status of a true disciple within the Tongshan Dao lineage, he still needed to rely on his own efforts.

Just as Bai Xianyin had guided him initially, Zhang Jian also prepared to first bring Zhang Yi to conduct a specific spiritual root mapping.

But before that, Zhang Jian first brought Zhang Yi to visit the second senior brother, Yunzi Chu.

"Junior apprentice brother, is this your eldest son Zhang Yi?! He appears to have excellent aptitude!"

In the Quiet Abode, Yunzi Chu also saw Zhang Yi; merely glancing at him, his eyes instantly brightened slightly.

Father and son both relied on the talismans of the Heaven and Earth Mystic Gate, arriving as yin spirits and souls.

Zhang Yi's current state is no different from when Zhang Jian first entered the Heaven and Earth Mystic Gate.

The hazy soul emitted a unique clear radiance; at a glance, one could see his soul far stronger than that of the cultivator beside him—this is innate talent.

Yunzi Chu had originally learned from the Slay Demon True Lord that Zhang Jian's eldest son possessed extraordinary aptitude; now seeing it in person, he could not help but add a hint of smile to his expression.

At this moment, Zhang Jian patted Zhang Yi's shoulder; this mischievous little fellow was also somewhat nervous at this time; seeing this, he followed Zhang Jian's teachings, stepped forward, and performed a respectful salute, saying.

"Disciple Zhang Yi pays respects to his master!"

Yunzi Chu laughed heartily, then stepped forward and lifted him up: "Get up!"

Immediately afterward, he took out several small magical artifacts he had prepared earlier and gave them to Zhang Yi as a greeting gift.

Then, Yunzi Chu asked.

"Fifth apprentice brother, have you ever conducted a spiritual root mapping for Yi'er?!"

Zhang Jian slightly nodded and said: "His maternal grandfather tested him using the Dragon Clan secret method; he possesses wind, water, thunder, and ice spiritual roots, with the first three being upper-middle, and the ice spiritual root being upper-lower!"

Upon hearing this, Yunzi Chu also could not help but widen his eyes in some surprise and glanced at Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi's aptitude is already not inferior to those heaven-defying true disciples within the sect; such cultivators are born as seeds of immortality cultivation.

"Indeed, a tiger father has no dog son!"

Yunzi Chu also felt joy in his heart; although possessing spiritual roots does not represent everything, in cultivating the corresponding attribute cultivation methods, there is an advantage.

Any cultivator, naturally, likes to inherit the robe and bowl of disciples with deep roots and strong foundations, able to avoid many tribulations.

Unless one harbors ulterior motives, there is another thought.

Chuyunzi then asked another question.

"How are the spiritual roots?"

"The spiritual roots have not yet been examined; they need to be re-examined!"

Zhang Jian smiled faintly, knowing that Zhang Yi possessed strong innate qi within his body, possibly having inherited one of his innate Dao bodies, but since it had not undergone professional secret-method examination, there might be discrepancies.

Chuyunzi smiled faintly and proposed: "Then let us first go to the Spirit Testing Residence for a comprehensive examination!"

Zhang Jian nodded; this was appropriate.

The two then brought Zhang Yi into the Spirit Testing Mountain Residence.

This place, just as Zhang Jian had seen several years ago, remained just as lively.

Many disciples clad in azure-colored ceremonial robes were busy inside, the leader still being the steward named Yang Zhen; upon seeing Zhang Jian and Chuyunzi arrive, he was slightly startled, hurried forward to pay respects, then proceeded to summon disciples to assist with registration and arrange the queue.

Zhang Jian and Chuyunzi were not in a hurry, and at that moment paid no mind.

Not long after, it was Zhang Yi's turn.

Facing Zhang Jian's slightly encouraging expression, Zhang Yi stepped forward and entered the Spirit Testing Grand Formation.

The result was not beyond Zhang Jian's expectation; the dragon clan's spirit-testing marvel was indeed highly accurate.

Zhang Yi indeed possessed four spiritual roots, and their quality was quite remarkable.

Seeing this, Chuyunzi pondered slightly, then smiled: "It seems this point, Yi'er has inherited his aunt's constitution; the water-attributed spiritual root within his body is especially excellent—this is indeed very good, very suitable for cultivating our Tongshan lineage's Dao methods!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian nodded.

Although the Tongshan Dao lineage encompasses all kinds of techniques, in practice it excels in water-based techniques.

When engaging in combat, it is renowned in the cultivation world for its enduring magical power and resilient techniques.

Quite distinctive.

After the spiritual roots were examined, Zhang Yi then followed Yang Zhen into another room.

Soon after, good news arrived.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhang, Senior Brother Chuyunzi, Young Master Zhang has tested and revealed an innate Dao body—the Innate Pure Dao Body!"

Yang Zhen's face bore an undisguised look of flattery.

The Innate Pure Dao Body is not considered particularly strong; among innate Dao bodies, it can only be regarded as quite ordinary, but after all, it is still an innate Dao body, its foundation far surpassing that of other cultivators.

The future prospects are bright!