Chapter 41: Open and Aboveboard Eavesdropping

Qi Wan's mother thought to herself, but she was preparing to create some opportunities for her two daughters.

As someone who has been through it, she clearly understood that sometimes a few more 'chance encounters', a bit more contact, could indeed gradually change the feelings of those young men and women.

If there is fate, many originally difficult arranged marriages could soon proceed smoothly.

Of course, the premise is that neither side has any significant flaws.

There is no doubt that Zhang Jian and the two daughters of the second branch have no significant flaws.

……

Fengyang Commandery, West City Gu Clan

Gu Linlang's situation over the past month has been observed by the head of the Gu family, Gu Chengyan.

Gu Chengyan is of medium stature, not particularly tall, with a gloomy visage, narrow and elongated eye corners, but his eyes are exceptionally deep; he appears to be a silent and taciturn person, yet among the powerful clans of Fengyang Commandery, no one dares to underestimate Gu Chengyan.

He is nicknamed the Sly Fox, and he is certainly not an ordinary difficult person to deal with.

At this time, Gu Xiu'er was also standing nearby.

Actually, regarding the Zhang family alliance through marriage, the family tends more toward having this Gu clan legitimate daughter personally take the lead.

But Gu Xiu'er recommended Gu Linlang.

Because Gu Xiu'er knows that although Zhang Jian has been frivolous in his words toward her, he actually does not have much thought for her.

But now Zhang Jian's various actions indicate that the marriage alliance has basically failed.

Only hearing Gu Chengyan let out a light snort and say:

"These two father and son of the Zhang family are truly ungrateful, thinking that with two left-path cultivators in the clan, they can stand equal to us prominent families of the commandery; one must know that even extraordinary individuals have their ranks and grades!"

Beside him, another figure's gaze was thoughtful—this was Ji Ming, whose eyes held a hint of gloom.

If one were to speak of distinguishing the three-six-nine grades, then this extraordinary person placed in the opponent's hands—what grade would he be listed in?

"Master, since they refuse the toast and choose to drink the penalty, why don't we simply take matters into our own hands?"

Gu Chengyan's eyes flickered; this time the Gu family had obtained advance news: someone plans to act against the Iron Immortal Observatory before the 60th birthday of General Qi Wei of Wei Yuan, possibly the Commandery Governor Yu Tongguang might simultaneously take the opportunity to provoke the Qi family, forcing them to pick a side.

The master of the Iron Immortal Observatory and General Qi Wei of Wei Yuan are close friends; if the Iron Immortal Observatory is eradicated, it would be a significant blow to the Qi family.

Although Gu Chengyan was annoyed that Zhang Jian refused the Gu family's goodwill, he still restrained himself.

He merely nodded slightly.

"Go, you have Linlang try to secretly convey the news to that eldest son of the Zhang family!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Ming glanced at Gu Chengyan in surprise—this Gu family head not only did not fall into disfavor, but actually went to show goodwill to the Zhang family?

Gu Chengyan absorbed Ji Ming's surprise into his eyes, feeling somewhat helpless; he also had no other choice.

Nowadays, the Commandery Governor's methods are becoming increasingly brutal; Gu Chengyan knows the governor's patience has reached its limit, and he fears that soon he will act against the three prominent clans of the commandery; the time may be near, so he can only try to win over these surrounding forces, attempting to increase his chances by one or two points.

But he knows that compared to the Commandery Governor who holds great power, even if the three prominent clans unite, they actually do not have much advantage, and are even in an absolute disadvantage.

But even a cornered rabbit will bite!

Not to mention these deeply rooted great clans!

……

Zhang Jian returned to the Qi family, but he already had an idea.

He wandered through several old streets, found that there were indeed many good items there, but to say he could outdo several aunts, it was still insufficient.

But Zhang Jian soon had another idea.

Some things do not necessarily need to be priceless to be precious; as long as this maternal grandfather Qi Wei finds them precious, then they possess extraordinary value.

After completing everything, Zhang Jian began his daily routine.

His daily routine includes sitting in meditation to temper his spiritual power, and trying to comprehend the mysteries of the Life Palace.

However, this point, Zhang Jian currently has no direction.

Although the《Tongshan Qingjing Nine Chapters》mentions that foundation establishment requires condensing the spiritual power of the three treasures of essence, qi, and spirit and combining it with the Life Palace to forge the supreme Dao foundation, it does not elaborate much on how to manifest one's fate or condense magical power.

Only a few extremely obscure lines of oral instruction.

Zhang Jian has no reference; he finds it hard to grasp, estimates he still needs to accumulate further on this path, so Zhang Jian does not rush; he still needs time to rebalance the three treasures of essence, qi, and spirit, and to strengthen his spiritual power to a limit.

Only after passing through the Nurturing Spirit stage can he barely break through; during this stage of cultivation, he can still be of great use, able to conduct deeper accumulation.

The more substantial the accumulation before foundation establishment, the more solid the forged Dao foundation.

Besides this, he has taken up the practice of eavesdropping.

Actually, it is not really "eavesdropping"; this is open and aboveboard listening.

At the bottom of the well, the two Well Dragon Kings probably have stayed too long in this enclosed place, and they greatly enjoy communication.

Although most of it is gossip, only a small part concerns cultivation secrets, but Zhang Jian still listens with relish.

At the same time, it has supplemented him with much of the 'knowledge' he has long lacked.

Although he has encountered some left-path cultivators before, most are enemies, and few are approachable due to special reasons.

Therefore, his understanding of the path of cultivation is limited to the《Tongshan Qingjing Nine Chapters》, but from the two Well Dragon Kings, he has supplemented part of the 'social deficiency' and broadened his horizons.

Some obscure knowledge, such as the dragons' preferences, will be set aside for now, but some common matters of cultivators have opened Zhang Jian's eyes.

Originally, it was not that every cultivator's internal spiritual power is as pure as his; many left-path cultivators merely obtained a cultivation method by chance, taking technique as their foundation, ultimately their internal spiritual mechanism is mixed and impure, making breakthroughs nearly impossible.

There is also the distinction between left-path cultivators and those who have truly obtained the Great Dao and cultivate as immortals.

Most left-path cultivators merely obtained a cultivation method transmission by chance, thus cultivating some spiritual power; although their techniques may be formidable, their future is bleak.

Taking technique as the foundation, although fierce, they cannot achieve longevity, let alone endure long.

Only those who have truly obtained the Great Dao and cultivate as immortals can continually strengthen their spiritual power and gradually walk the path of longevity and far-sighted vision.

Moreover, those who have truly obtained the Great Dao and cultivate as immortals also have greater adaptability to the court, such as himself.

Facing the Tiger and Dragon Qi, although he was suppressed, the existence of the Dao within his body means his foundation is solid; although many technique operations are interfered with, the circulation of his pure and unmatched spiritual power has not been greatly affected, and he still retains the ability to resist.

This is because orthodox cultivators have grasped the true principles, have deeply analyzed the profound mysteries of the Heaven and Earth Dao, are no longer merely knowing the 'what' without knowing the 'why', and possess a part of the ability to actively resolve the mysteries of Heaven and Earth Dao; and as one goes further, it may become even more terrifying.

Most left-path practitioners are like water without a source and trees without roots.

Lacking a foundation is equivalent to lacking a basis; they cannot deeply study the subtleties of the great Dao of heaven and earth, but instead can only delve deeply into ferocity and slaughter.

Zhang Jian recalled the Daoist Tianxu of the Tiexian Temple; among the many extraordinary people he had encountered, Tianxu Daoist's methods appeared the most orthodox, possibly possessing part of the Daoist lineage inheritance.

However, cultivators who truly obtain orthodox great Dao methods in the folk are still extremely rare, aside from those who truly come from prestigious sects.

Furthermore, Zhang Jian also learned from the discussion of the two Well Dragon Kings that these two Well Dragon Kings had already determined to contend for the White Water Divine Office, but now that Dragon Lord is trapped in a crustal water eye, with the court's Dragon-Tiger Qi blockade outside, the two Well Dragon Kings have not yet clarified the situation within and dare not act rashly.

Their strength is sufficient to break through the outer Dragon-Tiger Qi, but they cannot determine the condition of the inner White Water Dragon Lord; if that White Water Dragon Lord is not like the rumored 'dragon trapped in shallow shoals,' they also fear inviting disaster upon themselves.

This made Zhang Jian feel a sense of urgency.

He currently holds limited trump cards; besides the Dragon Pearl, he relies on operating in the dark while these two are in the open.

To complete the layout, he still needs to do something more.

For example, truly understanding one or two about that White Water Dragon Lord.