Chapter 927: The Fruit of Victory

She, Zhang Li, didn't have to learn the Zhang family's inner sect cultivation method.

She could join Mount Sanqing, or any other sect—the world's cultivation methods weren't all held by the Zhangs.

She was just resentful: why, when they were all Zhang children, did they have choices while she didn't?

And the Zhangs still used the excuse that they didn't want their daughters to toil, that it was for their daughters' own good.

She simply needed fair choice.

Zhang Shangde met her gaze and asked: "If you learn the Zhang family's inner heart method, will you truly never marry, or take a husband-in-law?"

Master Xuanmiao: "Laozu, you've been mistaken all along. The essence of this matter isn't you asking me what to do—it's that I can choose whether to learn or not. All consequences, whatever I choose, I will bear myself."

Zhang Shangde understood—this child was sincere.

In the end, they still agreed.

What else could they do if they refused?

Zhang Liuzhen had long stood with Zhang Li; he's now the patriarch. Even if they refuse now, once they enter seclusion and he takes control of the Zhang family, won't he reform while they're away?

Especially these past three days, they listened carefully—many clan members supported this method.

The Zhang family is different from other clans.

Though some in the Zhang family have concubines, they're rare; most are monogamous.

Cultivators generally recognize only one partner for life, unlike mortals who drown in sensual desires.

Even the main branch, though sparse in descendants, has always been monogamous.

Because of the deep affection between husband and wife, their love extends to their children, making them more loving.

Children, of course, include daughters.

Someone like Zhang Xuefang, who treats daughters like commodities, is an outlier in the Zhang family; most, like the Zhang Liu couple, hope their daughters live safe, healthy, happy, and prosperous lives.

Learning Daoist arts at least ensures they won't be bullied after marriage.

Not to mention the distant: if they learn the Zhang family's face-reading technique, after marriage they'll at least have a general judgment, avoiding constant missteps—enduring one setback, then another, then another.

So during the three days Master Xuanmiao took Pan Yun to meet the Great Beast, the Zhang clan buzzed with talk, everyone hoping Zhang Li would once again wield her iron fist to abolish the rule that cultivation methods pass only to sons, not daughters.

Until sunset, Zhang Li stepped out of the study; Pan Yun, waiting outside, immediately rushed forward, and at that moment, a voice rang through the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion.

From today onward, the Zhang family abolishes the rule that cultivation methods are passed only to sons, not daughters. Specific details will be announced after the ancestral hall ceremony tomorrow at noon; all household heads must attend the ancestral hall tomorrow to receive orders.

The entire Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion fell silent, then erupted in cheers that filled the sky.

The cheers reached beyond the walls; on both sides of the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion stood the homes of Zhang clan members, who rushed out of their doors, listening intently. When they heard the news from within the mansion, their eyes lit up, and they turned to embrace their daughters, tears streaming down their faces.

Their futures would be different—their horizons, wider.

Zhang Li watched quietly, Pan Yun beaming beside her, feeling the joy in the air.

She had reached an agreement with the Zhang family: they would support her as State Preceptor, and she, in turn, would ensure the Zhang family's status as leader of the Daoist lineage remained unchanged.

She couldn't stay long—otherwise, the two Laozu wouldn't be able to rest easy entering seclusion.

Pan Yun immediately went to Fengqi Courtyard, dug out Xiao Hong, and carried her along; then, carefully placing Sister Hong Yan and her entire nest into the Spirit Realm space, arranging arrays inside for them, she descended the mountain with one person, one sword, and one cat.

Master Xuanmiao and Tao Ji waited at the town gate for her; once she arrived, they would send her off, as twenty-eight disciples were already waiting there.

Master Xuanmiao handed her a token and said: "The True Person and the Laozu are entering seclusion together; they won't emerge for several more days. He asked me to give you this—anyone you want, you may summon from any Dao Record Office using this token. The Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion has already issued summonses, but they're not mandatory orders; whether they comply or not is uncertain."

Pan Yun reached out and took it, smiling: "That's enough."

She glanced at the twenty-eight waiting nearby and asked: "Are they willing?"

Master Xuanmiao replied: "Most are non-clan disciples; only six hold official licenses. The rest haven't obtained licenses, but it's not their fault—you know well that in recent years, the imperial court has issued fewer and fewer licenses. No matter how well they perform, without slots, there's nothing they can do."

Pan Yun nodded—after all, she herself had scored the same as another candidate, but was rejected simply because her name came later.

She understood—same misfortune, same sympathy.

Master Xuanmiao said: "Without licenses, they can't travel freely, can't secure positions, and must still pay taxes. After years of training, they can't even support a family—let alone themselves. As State Preceptor, following you is better than lingering in Shangqing Town doing odd jobs."

They can also draw talismans, some with excellent craftsmanship, and know face-reading and medicine.

But ninety percent of Shangqing Town's population can do these things—they hold no advantage here.

Outside, without licenses, they can't enter major cities; at best, they barely survive as wandering healers or wandering Daoists.

Master Xuanmiao said solemnly: "I entrust them to you. I hope you treat them well."

Pan Yun accepted.

She turned to Tao Ji, standing nearby, her eyes flickered, then she pulled him aside: "Third Senior Brother, if your cultivation doesn't improve, Sister will still be a young girl of sixteen, but you'll be an old man. When you go out, people won't call you Senior Brother—they'll think you're Senior Uncle, or even Senior Ancestor. What then?"

Tao Ji startled, his heart leaping: "No, no way?"

He touched his face and whispered: "Am I really looking old now?"

Pan Yun pulled his hand away: "You're still a young talent now, but Sister has broken through the First Marquis, while you haven't. Over time, this gap widens…"

She whispered: "Don't we see enough of this in the world? When a couple's abilities diverge too far—one pushing forward, the other standing still—big problems will arise."

Tao Ji's face flushed slightly; he murmured: "What nonsense—what couple?"

Yet despite this, he seriously considered it, and secretly resolved to add two extra hours of cultivation each day.

Pan Yun whispered: "Third Senior Brother, the Zhang family is too solemn—how can it compare to the freedom of Mount Sanqing? I fully support you keeping Fourth Senior Sister. That way, if you have any cultivation-enhancing pills, list the formula for me—I'll find the herbs for you later."

Tao Ji looked at her with deep gratitude: "Thank you, Junior Sister."

"We're fellow disciples—no need for formalities. But you must work hard too; don't just rely on pills without practice."

Tao Ji nodded solemnly: "Rest assured—I'll start cultivating hard from tomorrow, no—from today."

"I believe in you!" Pan Yun slapped his shoulder hard: "If you can't keep going, just stare at Fourth Senior Sister—you'll regain your strength again."

Tao Ji nodded firmly.