Chapter 739

Pan Yun looked baffled: "It's only five years total—do you think I'm aiming to master some dazzling art? This is just basic Daoist knowledge. A teacher leads you through the gate, but cultivation depends on the individual; now it's up to your own ability. And in Daoist transmission, a method never passes beyond three ears…"

Pan Yun shook her head, ready to spout scholarly quotes, but seeing Zhang Liuzhen's blank expression, she stopped mid-gesture and widened her eyes: "Big Brother, you don't seriously think everyone in this world should be like us—changing every year, mastering refined Daoist arts in five years?"

Zhang Liuzhen: …

Pan Yun spoke with solemn earnestness: "Big Brother, you must learn to accept it: there are intelligent people, and there are those with average talent. How many people in this world are like us? We can't be too harsh on students, let alone on teachers or the Academy…"

"Enough, enough," Zhang Liuzhen snapped back to himself, rubbing his forehead. "It's not about those issues. Don't spread this around."

He paused, then said: "What you swapped from my father is the most advanced technique available within the Academy."

Pan Yun fell silent.

Zhang Liuzhen said: "That's the technique taught to Fourth and Fifth Hour disciples. You've already broken through First Marquis. You have your own cultivation method, your own path—it depends on your understanding of the Dao. As for techniques, you're still learning the basic arts and talismans of First through Third Hour. Later, once you've mastered the secret manual you swapped for, if you want new techniques, you'll have to rely on exchanges with others and your own research. The Academy won't open higher techniques to you."

Pan Yun: "What if I use my credits? What if I pay?"

Zhang Liuzhen shook his head: "If you remain in this state—only recognizing Mount Sanqing—then no. In the Academy, Master Xue has spent his entire life serving the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion. Lin Jingle is an orphan, one of my father's disciples, and even he hasn't managed to swap for new technique manuals these past few years."

"Advanced manuals are hard to exchange, and core manuals are passed only to Zhang men—never to disciples, never to women," Zhang Liuzhen said. "The most core cultivation methods, techniques, and talismans are passed only to legitimate sons."

"That's understandable—you're a big family, being cautious is normal," Pan Yun stroked her chin in thought. "But suppose my Fourth Sister and Lin Jingle both break through First Marquis and need new cultivation methods—will the Academy teach them both, or just one?"

Zhang Liuzhen sneered: "Zhang Li isn't even in the equation. Zhang women don't cultivate Dao. Except for Zhang Li, all other women merely pick up a bit of Wu Gong and technique by osmosis, and at eighteen they're arranged to marry."

"Zhang Li cultivates Dao for two reasons: first, her talent is extraordinary—her mother is a Dao cultivator from Emei Mountain, who taught her the sect's methods since childhood."

"Second, her parents dote on her. After she insisted on cultivation, they couldn't bear to let her suffer, so they forcefully sent her to the Academy."

When Zhang Li entered the Academy, she encountered more female cultivators—outsiders seeking study, and her own cousins—but not a single Zhang sister.

Moreover, she faced constant restrictions. Zhang elders frequently quarreled with her parents over this, and Zhang Li refused to accept it.

So she acted with iron will within the Academy—seen by others as tyrannical.

Speaking of her aunt, just one year older than herself, Zhang Liuzhen couldn't help smiling: "After Zhang Li, the Academy finally admitted Zhang women. In fact, it was only after Zhang Li that female disciples were allowed to reside in Phoenix Perch Courtyard. Otherwise, you'd all have to live together in the women's dormitory."

Pan Yun frowned: "Our Dao teaches Yin-Yang harmony. Whether male or female cultivators, we follow nature. Why adopt the vulgar, patriarchal customs of the common folk?"

"That's knowledge-action separation," Zhang Liuzhen said. "Human desires interfere, causing behavior to deviate from cognition—even contradict it. This harms cultivation and impedes Daoist tradition."

Pan Yun understood: "You want reform. My Fourth Sister and you are allies—you're going to rattle the Zhang elders' lungs~~"

Pan Yun slammed the table: "I finally get it! Your struggle isn't just about the Zhang family's thousand-year wealth—it's a struggle over Daoist tradition!"

Zhang Liuzhen: "It's not about wealth…"

Pan Yun waved her hand: "Don't say that. You think it's not about wealth—but to me, it's the biggest issue! Do you really think your enemies in the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion are fighting you over Daoist tradition?"

"Wrong!" Pan Yun placed her hands on her hips and shouted: "They're fighting for wealth, for power! Those who truly fight over Daoist tradition? There are hardly any!"

Zhang Liuzhen frowned.

Pan Yun shook her head at him: "Big Brother, you're naive. If they truly cared about Daoist tradition, who would dare cripple you—a person born with the Daoist constitution? Since the Tang Dynasty, Daoist tradition has declined. How many years have passed without a single accomplished Daoist Priest? And your Zhang family—eight hundred years, you've gained political power, but have you advanced in Daoist cultivation?"

Zhang Liuzhen fell silent.

Pan Yun took his hand, speaking with solemn earnestness: "If I were a Zhang elder, even if I cursed you as a disloyal son, even if I wanted to beat you daily, I'd never cripple you. You may want to give away what Laozu left behind, but you're a true genius. No matter how angry I am, I'd never destroy you. Instead, I'd curse you while protecting you."

Zhang Liuzhen: "... Sister, which side are you on?"

"Of course I'm on your side. I'm trying to help you see your enemies clearly. You've idealized them—that won't help your future struggle."

Zhang Liuzhen couldn't help smiling, pulling his hand away: "I'm already crippled. How could I possibly romanticize my enemies? I kept you out of this because I feared for your safety."

He said: "Keep what my father gave you. As for his words—you don't have to listen. After this, avoid returning to the Academy if you can. Try to distance yourself from me as much as possible…"

"No, no, no," Pan Yun waved her finger, looking smug: "My thinking is the opposite of yours. Since my Fourth Sister is with you, I'm naturally on your side. If I don't use your status and reputation to pave my own path now, wouldn't I be wasting my reputation?"

Zhang Liuzhen looked helpless: "After Zhang Li switched to Mount Sanqing, she even changed her name. She rarely returns to Long Hushan. Her struggle with the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion is over."

Pan Yun: "Do you believe that yourself?"

Zhang Liuzhen frowned, silent.

"That's the consequence of misjudging your enemies," Pan Yun said. "You haven't realized—they're not fighting over Daoist tradition. Or rather, tradition has never been their main target. It's inheritance of wealth."

"Think about it: thirteen hundred years of accumulated wealth, the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's power—doesn't the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi hold a noble title? Doesn't he sit at the very front during court banquets, looking up to see the Emperor's little beard?"

Zhang Liuzhen: …

Pan Yun continued: "You think it's nothing because you don't crave power. But they do. For them, the supreme glory brought by money, power, and influence brings endless joy. To achieve that joy, they'll do anything—even destroy the Zhang family's only person born with the Daoist constitution in eight hundred years!"

Zhang Liuzhen's pupils shrank slightly.

"Master Zhang is already formidable—he's called the reincarnation of Chongyang True Person, able to summon lightning at age three. But you? You're a person born with the Daoist constitution. If they truly cared about Daoist succession, you'd never have been crippled."

Zhang Liuzhen breathed heavily, then forced her words out of his mind, speaking painfully: "No… it shouldn't be just about wealth and power…" Pan Yun sighed, patting his shoulder: "Big Brother, you're too naive. But it's fine—you've got me. I'm clear-headed. Don't worry—I'll help you!"

Zhang Liuzhen: "... How will you help me?"

"Hehehe, Master Zhang wants me deeply tied to you, to help you secure your position as heir, right?" Pan Yun patted her chest. "I promise you—I'm here. Rest easy!"

"Just don't forget your original Daoist purpose," Pan Yun said. "When you become Zhang Zhang Tian Shi, remember to spread the techniques, so the Daoist tradition endures."

Zhang Liuzhen sighed: "You really aren't afraid of death."

Pan Yun: "My life isn't easy to take."

Pan Yun rummaged through her spiritual realm space, finally pulling out a handful of talismans and shoving them into his hands: "If anything happens, send me a message immediately—I'll come back to protect you."

"The Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's succession requires the Emperor's decree. You were born heir. As long as you don't commit a grave offense, they can't get the Emperor to remove you. So they can only kill you. We just need to find a way to protect your life."

Zhang Liuzhen laughed bitterly: "You want me to cling to life?"

"Hey, don't put it like that. My Big Brother and Fourth Sister have been treating your injuries all along. Master Zhang has never given up. As long as you stay within Long Hushan, under Master Zhang's protection, you still enjoy the heir's treatment…" Pan Yun paused, frowning. "Have you ever been assassinated while on Long Hushan?"

Zhang Liuzhen looked at her with a half-smile.

Pan Yun gasped: "Wait—you mean they've dared to act even on Long Hushan?"

Zhang Liuzhen: "Why not? As long as they aren't caught, even if my father knows it's them, he can't do anything. Do you really think my father's title of True Person makes him invincible?"

Pan Yun recalled her brief glimpse of Master Zhang—his face pale as jade, long beard flowing, appearing ethereal and composed, yet with a deep aura of decay, far older than she'd imagined.

Pan Yun sighed, patting Zhang Liuzhen's shoulder: "Big Brother, when you become True Person, you'll have a hard time too. While you're still not in power, enjoy yourself now. Take good care of that face."

Zhang Liuzhen, tired of her banter, waved her off irritably: "Just go already."

Pan Yun beamed and said, "Senior brother, we're partners now—I'm about to travel far away; don't you have something to give me?"

Zhang Liuzhen paused, then rose and said, "Wait a moment."

He turned and entered a room filled with yellow talismans; soon after, he emerged holding a box sealed with yellow talismans and handed it to her: "You're already First Marquis. The sword I gave you before, you may name it—but to cultivate it as your True Life Sword, you still lack something. Here is a piece of Jiao dragon bone. If you have the ability, refine it into the sword and nurture it."

Pan Yun gasped in astonishment: "That's too much! This is Jiao dragon bone! Senior brother, this thing is exceedingly rare—let alone extracting dragon bone. You've already given me a fine sword; how could I take your Jiao dragon bone too?"

Zhang Liuzhen's gaze dropped: "Then let go?"

Pan Yun clutched the box and grinned at him.

Zhang Liuzhen shook his head with a wry smile and released his grip: "This Jiao dragon died in its prime, its resentment deep. Keep it safe—don't use it until you've left Long Hushan."

Pan Yun's eyes darted: "Was this Jiao dragon the beast that attacked you back then?"

Zhang Liuzhen nodded slightly and smiled faintly: "That's why I say I didn't lose. Jiao dragons haven't appeared in nearly a hundred years—and the moment one showed up, we slew it. It cultivated for centuries; I was barely over ten. In the end, I lived, and it died. So I came out ahead, didn't I?"

Pan Yun asked: "Why did my fourth senior sister resent leaving Long Hushan? Did someone die among your group back then?"

Zhang Liuzhen's eyes darkened with sorrow; after a long silence, he said: "Nine went, three returned. Only I, Zhang Li, and Tao Ji came back alive. Back then, both she and I were one step away from First Marquis. My cultivation was shattered; she suffered meridian damage and her cultivation plummeted."

Pan Yun frowned: "But isn't there a legend that after her training, my senior sister came back alone with her sword and stormed Long Hushan, dismantling the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion? Her cultivation plummeted…"

"Oh," Zhang Liuzhen said calmly, "she drank a vial of pills that temporarily held her at Fifth Stage. But even with her plummeting cultivation, given her temperament, slaughtering her way through the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion wasn't hard. Among her peers, no one could match her—after all, she didn't care about her life."

It's the barefoot who fear nothing.

Every time she fought, she adopted a death-defying stance; others lost the battle just from her aura.

Had the elders not intervened back then, she would have killed that father and son for sure.

Pan Yun now understood roughly what had happened. She placed the box inside her Spirit Realm and solemnly told Zhang Liuzhen: "Senior brother, we could have one more ally."

Zhang Liuzhen: "... Your friend Xue Shao?"

Pan Yun widened her eyes: "How did you know?"

"Xue Taixu has a remarkably talented nephew-grandson—it's no secret on Long Hushan. You brought him in, specifically secluded yourself on Si Guo Cliff for two days, then descended the mountain together. I couldn't help but notice."

Pan Yun listed the advantages of allying with Xue Shao: "He has talent; once he cultivates successfully, he'll become a major asset. Best of all, he holds official rank—he can enter the imperial court anytime and serve as a bridge between us and the Emperor and the imperial court."

She said: "Officials are full of cunning, especially scholars—they're easier to deal with than us. Such an ally—we won't pursue him?"

Zhang Liuzhen: "Xue Taixu is my father's loyalist; anyone he brings in is naturally on my side."

"His being with your father isn't the same as being with you," Pan Yun said. "Are the Emperor's faction and the Crown Prince's faction the same?"

Zhang Liuzhen was once again speechless; after a long pause, he said: "Don't compare me to your royal succession schemes."

"It's the same," Pan Yun said. "It's only a difference in scale of inheritance. Don't be embarrassed." (End of chapter)