Chapter 338

On the other side, Zhanmo Zhenjun had Liu Xin send a message to Jinguang Shengmu.

By the canal, at the ancient pavilion.

Zhanmo Zhenjun wore a blue silk robe, her head adorned with a black jade hairpin, her black hair flowing over her shoulders, her jade-like face clear and beautiful, she stood with her hands behind her back, not far away was the grand Grand Canal.

The canal surface was broad, yet at this time it was calm and waveless.

On this broad expanse of water, at this time many official ships and passenger ships shuttled busily, and from time to time the boatmen's shouts came from the water, while shrewd vendors also took the opportunity to paddle small boats on the water selling various pastries and fruits.

Zhanmo Zhenjun's expression was calm, like a stone statue in the ancient pavilion.

Not long after, a noblewoman in golden robes appeared in the distance by the official road, she leaned on a cane, her gaze then fell upon Liu Xin and Ziyuan Daoist, who were unable to move on the stone bench of the pavilion.

Liu Xin and Ziyuan Daoist also saw this noblewoman, they were first delighted, then their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Jinguang Shengmu first glanced at Liu Xin and Ziyuan Daoist, her expression somewhat unpleasant.

She had planned on the front lines, with great difficulty obtained the treasure, yet the two behind her had fallen into the enemy's hands like this.

Jinguang Shengmu could imagine that Zhanmo Zhenjun, who already had disagreements with her, would surely not release them easily, and this time would certainly have to pay a heavy price.

Jinguang Shengmu glanced at Zhanmo Zhenjun, and at this time still said.

"Fellow Daoist Zhanmo, I do not know where these two juniors have offended you; if there has been any offense, I hope you will be tolerant, and I ask Fellow Daoist, considering these two juniors are unaware, to show mercy and raise your hand!"

Zhanmo Zhenjun glanced at Jinguang Shengmu.

This holy mother, as soon as she came up, was trying to 'morally bind' her.

Zhanmo Zhenjun would not accept this, she waved her hand and said.

"Fellow Daoist Jinguang, when your beloved disciple sent you the message earlier, you should have already made it clear; your precious disciple tried to provoke my disciple, fighting two against one, yet was still captured by my disciple; according to the rules, we may dispose of these two as we wish, however, the Jindao Sect is not an evil heretical path, and this true sovereign is also willing to give Fellow Daoist a thin favor, but Fellow Daoist should also show some sincerity!"

Jinguang Shengmu pondered for a moment, then said: "One million top-grade spirit crystals, plus a heavenly-earth divine object, the Qingming Heart—how about that?"

One million top-grade spirit crystals is a considerable fortune.

Enough to purchase a top-tier Primordial Spirit Immortal Law from the merchant guilds of the major sects.

The Qingming Heart is condensed from the pure qi of the Nine Heavens, produced in some special relics, and also belongs to the heavenly-earth divine objects.

Zhanmo Zhenjun, however, waved her hand without even thinking.

"Fellow Daoist, your words lack sincerity; if so, I will still first take them back to the Tongshan Dao Tong for thorough interrogation, then settle accounts!"

Upon hearing this, Jinguang Shengmu's expression turned somewhat cold; Zhanmo Zhenjun wanted what she wanted, she understood clearly.

She glanced at Liu Xin.

Not to mention the master-disciple bond, Liu Xin could prove the Primordial Spirit in over four hundred years, achieve immortality through the Dao—just this talent alone, she could not abandon.

Moreover, there is also a Ziyuan Zhenren beside her.

Jinguang Shengmu glanced at Zhanmo Zhenjun, her golden staff tightened slightly in her hand, Zhanmo Zhenjun's expression remained unmoving, she simply gazed ahead at the vast expanse of water.

"Fellow Daoist Jinguang, if you think you can take them all back from my hands, you may try!"

Zhanmo Zhenjun's face was cold.

Upon hearing this, Jinguang Shengmu's golden staff paused slightly in her hand, a sharp light flickered in her eyes, then after a moment she said.

"Fellow Daoist Zhanmo, you jest!"

"Never mind, I sought that half of the Junwang's remnant soul originally for this disciple of mine; now I shall give it to Fellow Daoist!"

With a wave of her hand, Jinguang Shengmu sent forth a golden light that instantly fell into Zhanmo Zhenjun's hand; she did not worry that Zhanmo Zhenjun would play tricks.

After all, Zhanmo Zhenjun also has a sect and disciples, certainly not a lone demonic wanderer; if they do not follow the rules and turn hostile, no one will fare well.

Zhanmo Zhenjun seized it, checked briefly, confirmed Jinguang Shengmu had not tampered, then with a wave of her hand, Liu Xin and Ziyuan Daoist each had a strand of gray sword qi burst from their bodies and enter her hand; she stepped forward, her form treading into the surging depths of the vast ocean, step by step disappearing.

"Master..."

At this moment, Liu Xin's face showed shame, and deep in her eyes there was still some unwillingness.

In that battle, she had not even had time to activate her own trump card before being restrained by Zhang Jian, reduced to a prisoner.

She was confident that if she had been prepared, it would still be uncertain who would win the deer!

Jinguang Shengmu said angrily: "Don't say it—you've been too long in the mundane world, you've already forgotten the killer instinct of cultivators!"

Beside her, Ziyuan Daoist's expression was also somewhat gloomy; this time following Liu Xin to cause trouble, it could be said he lost his wife and his troops.

Probably for a long time to come, he cannot go out again.

……

Dongshen Guan, the forbidden ground within

The remaining three Dong-character-generation elders of Dongshen Guan gathered together; having received the news from Jingming Daoist, the three 'Dong'-character elders were also shocked.

"I did not expect this Zhang Xueshi to actually..."

Dongjue Daoist at this time also could not find words.

If it were before the collapse of the Great Qian, no matter how close Zhang Jian and Dongshen Guan were, upon learning he bore the Son of Heaven's destiny, it would certainly not be left alone.

But now the problem is, the other party successfully concealed it from everyone, and now their wings are full.

And now there is an even more serious problem: if the people of Dongshen Guan refuse to submit, can the other party allow so many cultivators of Dongshen Guan to fall into others' hands?

The other party is now a Primordial Spirit True Person.

And in Haojing City, Dongshen Guan's side currently has no trump cards to oppose them.

Dongzhen Daoist's gaze turned to Jingming Daoist: "Martial nephew, how is the Zhang family's strength now?"

Jingming Daoist's gaze sank in thought: "Earlier I had noticed some information about the Zhang family; the Zhang family's wealth fame shook the southern commanderies, truly one of the top families in the south, especially these years, they have also taken over the official salt and iron trade, their expansion has been tremendous; previously, due to the Zhang clan chief's help to us, I did not pay attention, but now it seems the Zhang clan chief had long prepared..."

"Moreover, part of the Zhang family's manpower, these years seem to have also drawn in some military talents and pure-stream officials!"

Dongjue Daoist, upon hearing this, said: "If we add our Dongshen Guan lineage's manpower, plus the support of the Tongshan Dao Tong..."

The assembled Daoists' expressions shifted.

The Zhang family indeed has great hope of becoming the final victor.

Dongzhen Zhenren's eyes brightened, and he spoke out.

Since it is so, what are we still waiting for? If Clan Leader Zhang already has a way to help us resume our Dao path and withstand the backlash, what harm is there in handing over those mundane people to him? Our path to longevity is what matters most!

Jingming Daoist sat in the center, seeing the anxious expressions of the Dongshen Guan elders, his eyes calm; he also knew that Dongshen Guan truly had no choice left.

If they refused, even if Zhang Jian did not act against them, other cultivators would certainly not let this opportunity of falling into the lower stone pass.

Dongshen Guan, after all, still shares some incense ties with the Zhang family; joining the Zhang family should not lead to marginalization.

Dongshen Guan must overcome this immediate crisis.

It cannot suffer defeat at his hands!

As for the Great Qian, although Dongshen Guan has received the qi fortune of Great Qian, it has also protected Great Qian for hundreds of years from demons and cultivators' disturbances; upon self-reflection, we owe nothing.

"This poor Daoist will continue to contact Clan Leader Zhang in the coming days to settle the details!"

His words eased the expressions of the three Dong-character generation elders slightly.

……

In the Huangting Blessed Land, Zhang Jian once again saw the Slaying Demon True Lord.

The Slaying Demon True Lord smiled faintly and casually tossed a purple-gold spirit sphere to him.

"Try refining it!"