Daoist Competition
Chapter 70 - 35 Achieving Success in Avoiding Tribulation, Plugging Holes and Repairing Deficiencies_2

Chapter 70: Chapter 35 Achieving Success in Avoiding Tribulation, Plugging Holes and Repairing Deficiencies_2

However, this person was already dead, and a cultivator who has gone through Opening Meridians has one foot in the Immortal Gate; it is not something that can be located through deduction, so this matter would most likely end without resolution.

As for Zhang Yan, with his current strength, no one would ever associate such an incident with him. A mere cultivator who had not yet undergone Opening Meridians—if someone claimed he was responsible for it, they would only be treated as a laughingstock.

Once the discussion was concluded, the two immediately swept up all the Spiritual Shells in the vicinity of the Yang Shell, totaling no less than forty to fifty thousand. One Qiankun Sleeve Bag was far from sufficient to hold them all, so Luo Xiao made several trips to properly handle the matter. As for the Yang Shell itself, while it was still weak and powerless, she relocated it to another Earth Cave thousands of miles away.

Nonetheless, the Shell King was adept at moving and burrowing underground, so it could not be confined for long. She extracted a trace of its Essence Blood into her hand. No matter where it fled in the future, this Essence Blood would lead her to it. For now, this measure was merely to prevent the Yang Shell from reconvening with the Yin Shell.

After handling all the loose ends, Zhang Yan still could not immediately return to the sect’s Mountain Gate. For him, there was one more important matter to address: he needed a suitable explanation for how he had managed to open his meridians.

Jade Liquid Pools throughout the world were either controlled by major sects or privately hoarded by noble Xuanmen families.

Opening Meridians, however, was inseparable from the Jade Liquid Pool. From the perspective of sect elders and peers, Zhang Yan was not of noble blood; how could he have ventured out into the world and miraculously achieved Opening Meridians? Cultivation Techniques could be explained—granted by a Master, with others failing to learn them while he succeeded due to his special affinity. Such matters could only be attributed to his fortuitous destiny.

But the Jade Liquid Pool was not something that could be so easily circumvented. He had to come up with a foolproof plan to patch this hole and avoid exposing any flaws.

Fortunately, Zhang Yan already had a strategy in mind.

After Princess Lin Ya, Cao Ying, sent over a thousand pounds of Divine Sand, she mentioned that a disciple from the Beichen Sect who had once harassed her changed his attitude drastically upon hearing that Cao Ying was now aligned with Zhang Yan. The disciple became exceedingly polite and even paid a visit to her, imploring her to arrange a meeting with Zhang Yan at some future opportunity.

The Beichen Sect was at the bottom rung among second-class sects, utterly incomparable to the likes of Mingcang Sect. However, as this sect occupied a Cave Heaven Blessed Land and had been established for some time, they must have some foundation. Zhang Yan’s plan was to use this person as his tool.

Moreover, given this person’s eagerness to form a connection with him, there was undoubtedly something they sought in return. If Zhang Yan were to ask him to locate a Jade Liquid Pool, it seemed unlikely that the disciple would dare to refuse.

Now that he had achieved Opening Meridians, Zhang Yan was in no rush. Luo Xiao, being a demon cultivator, could travel via Xuan Guang during the day, but doing so outside the deep wilderness might attract unwanted attention. Thus, he chose to stay temporarily in a nearby county city and sent a letter to Princess Lin Ya, Cao Ying.

Only a few days later, the Beichen Sect disciple arrived in haste.

This person’s name was Yan Zhenping. He appeared to be about thirty-four or thirty-five years old, sporting a short beard on his chin and dressed in a crimson robe adorned with crane patterns. On his head, he wore a rectangular headscarf, and on his feet, black leather boots. His attire seemed more suited to a royal court official than a cultivator.

Upon seeing Zhang Yan, he immediately wore a fawning expression. Hearing Zhang Yan’s request, Yan Zhenping didn’t even bother to ask the reason; without a second thought, he replied, "In the vicinity of our Beichen Sect, there are several declining noble families with Jade Liquid Pools of such caliber. I shall immediately accompany my senior brother to identify a suitable one."

Zhang Yan said calmly, "There’s no need to trouble too many people."

Yan Zhenping, quick-witted, immediately understood and said, "I will ensure senior brother is satisfied."

About ten days later, Yan Zhenping brought a middle-aged man, who looked like an ordinary farmer, to meet Zhang Yan.

Sensible as ever, Yan Zhenping knew what matters were better left unheard and unspoken. After escorting the man over, he tactfully excused himself. Seeing his good sense, Zhang Yan secretly nodded, considering him someone worth utilizing.

"I am Zhang Yan, an entry-level disciple from Mingcang Sect’s Lower Court, and I need to borrow your family’s Jade Liquid Pool."

Upon hearing Zhang Yan’s identity, the middle-aged man was initially startled, and then his expression became even more deferential. However, beneath this deference, there was a hint of unease. He replied, "Since Immortal Master wishes to borrow it, how could we refuse? Please, feel free to make use of it. It’s just..."

Before arriving, Yan Zhenping had already informed him that this guest was from a Great Sect, but he hadn’t anticipated this guest being from the Mingcang Sect. The Mingcang Sect was among the Sixteen Great Sects of the East Splendor Continent, and this person was even an entry-level disciple of their Lower Court. He might even be a direct heir of some Xuanmen family and could one day become the backbone of the sect, presiding over Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands. How could he possibly afford to offend such a figure? Even his entire clan could be wiped out with a mere wave of the opponent’s hand.

Noticing the man’s hesitation, Zhang Yan asked, "What troubles you?"

The middle-aged man dared not raise his head and spoke in a low voice, "Our Han Clan once had many Great Cultivators in its lineage, and one of our ancestors even broke through the Void and ascended. Because of this, we retained a First Rank Jade Liquid Pool. However, in the past hundred years, our clan has failed to produce a single Foundation Establishment cultivator, and by my generation, the pool has degraded to Fourth Rank. I am not sure if it will meet the Immortal Master’s expectations."

Zhang Yan, however, was unfazed and said, "No matter. As long as it can be used, it is sufficient. In return for borrowing your clan’s Jade Liquid Pool, you may state your request, and I shall assist you once."

The stone fetus within a Jade Liquid Pool requires centuries, even millennia, to gradually upgrade its rank. The man claimed that despite a hundred years of disuse, it had only fallen to Fourth Rank. If true, it suggested that the original First Rank status was no exaggeration. Nonetheless, Zhang Yan paid this little heed; his aim this time was simply to fabricate a plausible backstory for his Opening Meridians, nothing more.

After some hesitation, the middle-aged man finally mustered the courage to say, "If there is ever a disciple in my clan who shows potential for cultivation, I humbly hope the Immortal Master might lend us your aid." After voicing his request, he grew apprehensive, unsure whether the other party might take offense.

Zhang Yan glanced at him. This man was clever—a future-oriented bargain. Should Zhang Yan succeed in his cultivation and the Han Clan produce a promising disciple, it would take little effort on his part to lift them into the Mingcang Sect’s ranks, effectively granting them meteoric advancement. This was indeed a shrewd deal.

"Very well!" Zhang Yan agreed at once. "I promise you this: within the next two Jiazi, I will recommend one person from your clan for entry. As for their destiny, that will depend on themselves."

The middle-aged man was overjoyed and solemnly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Immortal Master." Rising, he added, "Please, Immortal Master, travel with me. This Jade Liquid Pool is located within Yinluo Mountain, only two days’ journey from here."

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