Chapter 337: Subjugation

Although the Cave Spirit Observatory is on the verge of collapse, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse.

There are not a few cultivators in the Great Qian, and even scholars, civil and military officials have received favors from the Cave Spirit Observatory; if we can take over some of them, this is a tremendous force.

"Scholar Zhang, please speak plainly?"

The Pure Bright Daoist's gaze fell upon him.

Zhang Jian said calmly: "The fate of the Great Qian state has harbored a fatal flaw since the founding emperor established the court, entrusting the sage king's reign to a single treasure—how unwise. The fall of Former Shu is a lesson, and the Great Qian has thus exhausted its dragon vein essence.

Now the dragon vein backlashes, and there is no escape!"

"This is a problem at the root!"

"What does Scholar Zhang mean……?"

The Pure Bright Daoist's expression changed slightly; he had already vaguely understood what Zhang Jian had in mind.

Yet, looking at Zhang Jian, he still found it hard to believe.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian remained composed.

"The Great Qian's dragon vein cannot be continued; a new dynasty must arise. If the Cave Spirit Observatory lineage gains recognition from the new dynasty, it may not be impossible for an old tree to sprout new shoots, to repress the evil vapors anew and burst forth with vitality!"

The Pure Bright Daoist furrowed his brows tightly and, at this moment, said in a deep voice: "Scholar Zhang, which faction do you represent as an envoy?"

He looked Zhang Jian up and down, as if reacquainting himself with him.

"I am truly curious—what faction could actually earn your endorsement, Scholar Zhang?"

Zhang Jian shook his head and merely smiled.

"The National Preceptor should know I am the inheritor of the Tongshan Dao lineage; do you know how many core transmissions the Tongshan Dao lineage possesses?"

Upon hearing this, the Pure Bright Daoist's heart stirred, and he immediately replied:

"I have indeed asked my master about this; my master said the Tongshan Dao lineage's transmission is complex, though not 'teaching without discrimination,' yet it involves an extremely broad scope, primarily based on the《Tongshan Purity Treasure Record》, also containing the《Nine Heavenly Jade Chambers Golden Chapters》, the《Nine Qi Nurturing Origin True Scripture》, with the core being the transmission of the Sage King's Great Dao. However, those who cultivate the Sage King's path are actually few; most instead use the fortune-secret methods of the Sage King's lineage in auxiliary roles to develop the sect, and most cultivators essentially still follow the orthodox immortal cultivator's path!"

Zhang Jian smiled faintly: "Then, National Preceptor, which path do you think I have been walking all along?"

The Pure Bright Daoist gave serious thought to this; he and the founder of the Cave Spirit Teaching, as well as many elders of the Cave Spirit Observatory, had discussed this matter thoroughly, and soon gave the answer for group deliberation: "Scholar Zhang possesses righteous and lofty spirit, quick wit, and should primarily cultivate using the《Treasure Record》, assisted by transforming his own righteous and lofty spirit through special fate patterns like 'Haoran,' to swiftly manifest the primordial spirit..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian smiled faintly.

This is probably not just the idea of the Cave Spirit Observatory alone; likely many immortal sects, after perusing 'ancient texts,' have arrived at such 'experiential talk.'

Zhang Jian raised his hand, and yet a strand of noble purple qi emanated from his entire body, gradually condensing behind him into form, transforming into a magnificent purple giant star.

The starlight blazed fiercely, like the sun at high noon.

Then the purple light shifted again, forming a magnificent, vast purple-wearing divine figure, clad in purple imperial robes, upon which countless silver lights traced patterns, countless celestial bodies and constellations mysteriously interwoven into shape, wide sleeves fluttering, as if a magnificent giant deity had stepped forth from the center of heaven and earth, gazing down upon the firmament.

"Purple Star Destiny?"

Gazing at this, the Pure Bright Daoist could not help but change expression, his pupils widened, and he stared in disbelief at this scene.

He could never have imagined that the Zhang Jian before him actually possessed Purple Star Destiny.

Could it not be that all the previous Purple Star omens should have appeared upon this 'Scholar Zhang' before our eyes?

But upon carefully examining that magnificent Purple Star Emperor deity's divine manifestation and sensing the surging, magnificent divine power,

he instantly raised his head again!

"No, it is the mandate of the Purple Star Emperor!"

His eyes showed some shock.

As the state religion of Great Qian, the Cave Spirit Observatory is also an expert in this matter; the Purple Star Destiny and the mandate of the Purple Star Emperor are still clearly distinguished.

The mandate of the Purple Star Emperor is the fate of the founding sage monarch, an extremely rare and special emperor's fate.

Zhang Jian actually uses such an emperor's fate as the foundation to manifest the primordial spirit?

At this moment, the Pure Bright Daoist's heart surged with waves; in shock, countless evil vapors atop his head suddenly burst through and collapsed, and countless evil vapors suddenly transformed into a black stream that rushed into the depths of his spiritual mind.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian's expression shifted slightly; with a wave of his hand, a strand of purple light talisman condensed into form and instantly struck into the depths of the Pure Bright Daoist's yin spirit.

This strand of purple light talisman instantly transformed into a peculiar purple-light flower that took root and sprouted in the depths of the Pure Bright Daoist's yin spirit; he only felt that at this moment his yin spirit suddenly became much lighter, and his magical power recovered by one or two points.

Petal after petal appeared, supporting countless evil vapors, preventing them from falling completely, guiding the calamity's descent.

This is Zhang Jian's condensed "Lesser Myriad Heavens Fortune-Cutting Tribulation Method"; with this yin spirit technique, it is sufficient to block the evil vapors for a time.

At this moment, the Pure Bright Daoist remained silent; he glanced at Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian looked at the Pure Bright Daoist and said: "Pure Bright Master, I have come this time with sincere invitation for the National Preceptor to join my Zhang family's camp. The Great Qian's dragon vein is shattered, already beyond recovery, while my Zhang family thrives day by day, its dragon vein fortune already sprouting, soaring. If the worthy sages of the Cave Spirit Observatory are willing to enter my Zhang family, then it shall be a strong union, a flying dragon in the heavens!"

"To reestablish a new dynasty in the future, I can also guarantee that the incense of the Cave Spirit Observatory's worthy ones will never be cut off, and their fortune will flow like a dragon!"

After a slight pause, seeing the Pure Bright Daoist silent, Zhang Jian continued on his own.

"After all, Zhao'er is also of the Cave Spirit Observatory lineage, sharing a fraction of incense affinity with the teaching ancestor and the master!"

Upon hearing this, the Pure Bright Daoist's expression finally changed slightly.

"Zhao'er?"

The Pure Bright Daoist's gaze wavered; Zhang Zhao, since entering the Cave Spirit Observatory, has always cultivated in the lower courtyard, but out of affection for the house and the crow, repaying kindness with kindness, he has occasionally given lectures, pointed out cultivation, and even once discussed with Zhang Jian the proposal to recommend Zhao'er as a disciple of the Cave Spirit Teaching Ancestor.

This incense affinity is indeed truly existent.

But after thinking, the Pure Bright Daoist asked another question that had been on his mind.

"Scholar Zhang…… oh, Zhang clan head, the humble daoist dares to ask one more question: since Scholar Zhang's intention from the very beginning upon entering Great Qian was to take over and replace, why has he repeatedly assisted His Majesty and my Cave Spirit Observatory? Let me say something unpleasant: if the Zhang clan head had not intervened, I fear His Majesty and I would have already……"

The Pure Bright Daoist gave a slight bitter smile.

Zhang Jian shook his head and said.

"Regardless of whether the Master believes it or not, I originally did not set out for the emperor's position; I merely sought to be a minister whose lineage would endure for ten thousand generations, to bring glory to my ancestors..."

This was indeed his original thought; when torn between being a sage and a rebel king, he had hesitated and wavered, but after obtaining the Red Dragon Pearl, the dragon vein nurtured into form, then the Hidden Dragon fate pattern nurtured, and as the dragon vein shattered, he ultimately made up his mind completely.

This fertile land of Eastern Prefecture, these beautiful rivers and mountains, shall ultimately belong to the virtuous!

If Great Qian cannot achieve it, then I will cast aside Great Qian and do it myself!

The reason I have repeatedly assisted the Pure Bright Daoist is, first, because there is indeed some affection; later, more so for the present moment, to bundle the Cave Spirit Observatory's entire force with principal and interest.

Jingming Daoist also didn't know whether he believed it or not, only solemnly looking at Zhang Jian.

"This matter is of great importance; I need to discuss it with my fellow uncles and elders, and no matter what, I will give Patriarch Zhang a reply as soon as possible!"

Even now, deep in Jingming Daoist's heart, he was still shaken, unable to calm down.