Chapter 61: Divine Law, Achieved

In the annex.

Zhang Jian held a thin book in his hands.

Beside him was a cup of fragrant tea; seeing the teacup empty, Zhang Lu nearby rose to refill it.

On the book at this moment were three large characters.

《Golden Talisman Sutra》

"This Diamond Mantra is not difficult to understand; its requirements are simple—cultivation requires only diligent effort and a bit of insight, relying on insight to continually grasp the method of drawing the Diamond Talisman, using the Diamond Talisman to draw upon the power of heaven and earth!

But like other talismans, it is easy to learn but hard to master; if one wishes to cast without a medium, one must comprehend the Diamond Divine Rhythm within and imprint it deep in the divine mind..."

Several days passed in a flash.

These days Zhang Jian was quite leisurely; he spent most of his time refining his surging Yang spiritual power, practicing swordsmanship, and studying techniques.

His schedule was tightly arranged.

Even busier than enjoying blessings.

Yet Zhang Jian still found joy in it.

Occasionally, when he had time, he would visit the Qi residence to gather news about the two Dragon Kings of the Well, to avoid misjudgment.

Of course, on the surface, he merely grew close to several cousins of the Qi family.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jian also studied the 《Golden Talisman Sutra》 and part of the notes from the Iron Immortal Observatory.

This yielded him considerable gains.

The 《Golden Talisman Sutra》 records several metal-element talismans; undoubtedly the most valuable is the Diamond Mantra, followed by the Golden Sword Talisman, Golden Spirit Mantra, and several other minor talismans.

But the power of these talismans clearly cannot compare to sword-flying techniques, and there is overlap among them, so Zhang Jian simply ignored them; however, the Diamond Power condensed by the Diamond Mantra is quite impressive, and Zhang Jian is quite interested, deciding to find time to practice it.

Secondly, from the few travelogues given by Daoist Tianxu, he also gained much, at least supplementing some deficiencies in his cultivation experience.

Among them were also what he had long thought about—part of the records concerning the Dao of Gods.

This gave Zhang Jian greater confidence in facing cooperation with the White Water Dragon Palace.

At this moment, before the annex, a layer of intense water mist rose from the deep pool; the surrounding spiritual energy field began to show a faint fluctuation, but this fluctuation was immediately caught by Zhang Jian.

He gazed ahead, yet within the mist, a graceful and exquisite figure appeared out of nowhere, flying from the snow waves in an instant and landing in the annex.

The figure of the Dragon Maiden Bai Liying emerged from within.

At this moment, her body was spotless, her form proudly extraordinary, and she naturally bore an invisible noble aura.

The injuries on her body had completely healed.

But as she gazed at the figure within the annex, a hint of hesitation appeared in the Dragon Maiden's eyes; yet after pursing her lips, she still stepped inside.

Facing the Dragon Maiden's affectionate eyes, Zhang Jian's heart stirred; the words on his lips were swallowed instead, and he wished to hear the Dragon Maiden's inner thoughts.

After all, he held the initiative in this matter.

Bai Liying pondered for a moment, then broke the silence first.

"This humble maiden pays her respects to her benefactor!"

Zhang Jian waved his hand and smiled: "No need to call me benefactor anymore; when I saved you that day, I had my own motives—you may directly address me by my full name; your princess surely already knows my origins."

Bai Liying nodded; during this time she had not appeared, aside from healing her wounds, she had naturally been investigating Zhang Jian's identity.

This is also what the White Water Dragon King wishes to know.

Bai Liying hesitated slightly, then said: "Dao brother, then Liying shall be so bold as to address you thus!"

"The condition of the dao brother concerns marriage..."

Zhang Jian directly interrupted, smiling.

"The marriage matter is merely a test of the princess's sincerity; the princess need not worry about it!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Liying's jade countenance showed slight surprise; she looked at Zhang Jian, and her heart eased at this moment.

In fact, after the White Water Dragon King examined the Zhang family, especially after inquiring into the life of this Zhang family youth, he had already agreed.

The White Water Dragon King has always loved such intelligent and agile scholars, cherishing their virtue and character—let alone that Zhang Jian also cultivates techniques, possibly making him a orthodox cultivator.

But deep in her heart, Bai Liying longs even more for the Great Dao of Longevity.

If possible, she herself would not readily consent.

She still harbors the ambition to transform into a dragon and the wish for longevity.

In fact, even if she agreed to the White Water Dragon King's arrangement to marry Zhang Jian, she would never easily abandon it; indeed, she has already prepared to continue the Zhang family lineage, repay the kindness, and then return to the Dragon Palace to endure hardship in cultivation.

"I have a question I wish to ask the princess?"

"Dao brother, please ask?"

"Does the Dragon King possess the ability to command clouds and rain?" Zhang Jian fixed his bright, piercing gaze upon Bai Liying.

Bai Liying lightly nodded.

"Naturally, I do; though my father is not a true dragon, he holds the office of River God, ensuring the White Water River's banks enjoy favorable weather and timely rain—no problem at all; a thousand years ago, during his tenure, the banks of the White Water River were always abundantly rainy, and the people on both banks received the blessings of creation—how many living beings benefited, who can say!"

Speaking of this, her bright eyes revealed a sparkling luster.

Zhang Jian heard this, yet his heart remained noncommittal; if the White Water River could have regulated regional rainfall back then, why would Miao Wang have needed to build the four great dikes to form the Dragon-Trapping Bureau?

However, the flooding of the White Water River may indeed not have been the White Water Dragon King's intention.

As a deity, one may not necessarily fully control the inner and outer aspects of the White Water River; it may also relate to the mysteries of the Dao of Gods.

Zhang Jian's thoughts flashed like lightning; he calmly said:

"If the Dragon King manifests, can he resolve the drought in Fengyang Commandery and the surrounding commanderies?"

Bai Liying heard this, her eyes looking at Zhang Jian with a strange expression for a moment, then said:

"When the flood dragon manifests, it brings wind and rain, and can naturally resolve drought!"

Zhang Jian heard this, and his heart stirred slightly.

This matches his own thoughts closely; then only one question remains: if the White Water Dragon King manifests, will he act without restraint and trigger a new great disaster.

Bai Li Ying, at this moment, felt something in her heart and roughly understood what Zhang Jian had in mind.

She couldn't help but say.

"Is what Brother Dao seeks merely the favorable weather for the surrounding prefectures of Fengyang Commandery? Does Brother Dao have no other desires?"

Deep within Bai Li Ying's heart arose many ripples; when she came to meet Zhang Jian, she had already made many preparations. She knew the Zhang family was a major clan of Fengxi, and recently had been expanding rapidly. If they wished for the White Water Dragon Palace to lend aid to the Zhang family, even to attain the rank of marquis and minister, the White Water Dragon Palace could assist.

Yet she had never imagined that Zhang Jian sought only favorable weather for the surrounding prefectures' common folk; if that were the case, it would be even easier to handle.

Deep within Bai Li Ying's heart arose even greater admiration.

Zhang Jian nodded slightly and said: "If I can resolve this drought, then I have no other requests!"

Resolving the drought will inevitably bring great fortune, forge a supreme Dao foundation; as long as cultivation succeeds, the Zhang family will naturally rise with the tide, stabilize the commandery's prestige, and even dukes, marquises, and high officials may have hope.

There is no need to rely on outsiders.

The dragon girl's eyes flickered with a strange hue, and she said: "If Brother Dao harbors such intent, Li Ying will surely spare no effort to assist Brother Dao in fulfilling his wish!"

At this moment, she was exceptionally sincere.

Zhang Jian's sharp gaze swept over.

"But I still have one doubt: how can we ensure that after the Dragon Lord's birth, the surrounding areas of Fengyang Commandery will still enjoy favorable weather?"

"If the Dragon Lord runs rampant, causing the White Waters to flood again, would we not have labored in vain? I can return the dragon pearl to the Dragon Lord, but I require the Dragon Lord to swear a great divine oath before the gods of the state, ensuring that for a hundred years the surrounding areas of Fengyang Commandery will enjoy favorable weather and not act recklessly!"

Swearing such a divine oath is precisely the method Zhang Jian found in the inheritance of the Iron Immortal Observatory.

The Dao is lofty and distant; the gods themselves possess strict divine laws.

Especially the gods of the state, who are orthodox.

Swearing a divine oath before the gods of the state cannot be lightly violated; otherwise, one will inevitably invite inquiry from the gods of the state.

In travel records, many gods, after swearing such divine oaths, could only behave honestly and dare not act recklessly.

Zhang Jian only thought Bai Li Ying would oppose this, yet he did not expect that at this moment Bai Li Ying would smile broadly and readily agree: "This matter is naturally proper!"