Chapter 692 - 87 - Entering the Heavenly Gate, Clouds Stir in Eight Directions

Elder Yan knew Jiang Lin’s temperament well, and when he came here, he already had some certainty. At this moment, seeing the Sect Leader agree, while it was not unexpected, he still felt some delight. After a moment of thought, he said, "Previously, I’ve had a few encounters with Friend Zhang. This trip should not seem abrupt; however, now that he is one of Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples, we cannot offer a gift that appears too meager. We must go big. In this old man’s opinion, why not present him with some of that pot of ’Penglai Qi’?"

Jiang Lin was shocked and said, "Elder Yan, this item is a relic left behind by our Ancestor. Even among the Ten Sects of Xuanmen, it’s uncertain if any possess this treasure. Once a portion is used, it’s gone forever. Are you truly willing to give it away?"

This treasure also had a peculiar origin. It was accidentally discovered overseas by the Beichen Sect’s Ancestor and could generate six wisps of Immortal Spirit Qi every hundred years.

Inhaling just one wisp during a breakthrough greatly enhances one’s insights into the profound and significantly improves their chances of success. It could be said that Elder Yan’s ability to traverse the Nascent Soul Realm was largely due to this item’s assistance.

However, this item’s limited quantity made it incomparably precious. Within a hundred years, it could only be used by the sect’s elders or the Sect Leader. Ordinary disciples hadn’t even heard of it.

Elder Yan said, "I’ve already explained this clearly to my son, Da Lang. The wisp of Penglai Qi I originally reserved for him, we’ll now offer it to Daoist Zhang."

Jiang Lin stared at Elder Yan for a long while and solemnly said, "Elder, you’re absolutely right. Nothing less would move this person."

He stood up, pressing Elder Yan down when he tried to rise, and said, "Please wait for a moment, Elder. I will return shortly."

He went into the inner chamber, and not long after, he returned, carefully placing a golden pot on the table and said, "Adding my three wisps of Penglai Qi and my brother’s one wisp, we will send them all together with you to Elder."

Elder Yan was deeply moved and said, "Sect Leader, you are on the verge of a breakthrough. If you lack these three wisps of Immortal Spirit Qi, won’t it greatly reduce your chances of success?"

Jiang Lin laughed heartily and said, "Since Elder Yan can let go, how can I, Jiang Lin, as Sect Leader, hold on? For all the effort you’ve put into the sect, I’ve seen it all with my own eyes. My talent may be thin and virtue shallow, but as a disciple of this sect, I should advance and retreat alongside the rest."

Elder Yan was filled with emotion and said, "The Sect Leader’s magnanimity—how could our sect not prosper under your leadership!"

This time, Jiang Lin had truly made a heavy sacrifice. Setting aside the wisp of Penglai Qi previously used by Elder Yan, he took out the remaining five wisps of Immortal Spirit Qi. To generate more, they would have to wait over thirty years for the next century cycle. This essentially pushed back the day when he stood the greatest chance at breaking through his current realm by many years.

But in Elder Yan’s view, it was worth it.

Once a Mingcang Sect disciple ascended to one of the Top Ten Disciples, countless followers would inevitably flock to their banner. Moreover, Zhang Yan not only had Zhao You Heavenly Pond in his hands, but he also vaguely had the backing of a Cave Heaven True Master. In less than a hundred years, he would form a powerful force with Zhang Yan at the center, one that no one could belittle.

Rising, Elder Yan said, "This old man shall go prepare immediately and set off for Zhao You Heavenly Pond in no time."

Hai Zhen Temple, within Qilie Mountain.

Zhao Houzhou and She Yutang, upon receiving the news, were both extraordinarily surprised.

Zhao Houzhou solemnly said, "I’ve heard that Daoist Zhang has become one of the Top Ten Disciples. Both sentiment and reason call for us to offer our congratulations."

She Yutang’s eyes sparkled as she agreed, "Senior Brother speaks rightly. Back then, Daoist Zhang assisted us in refining the ’Nangeling Life Protecting Banner,’ enabling us to enter that Immortal Mansion and gain secret teachings. Unfortunately, when we returned to visit Daoist Zhang, he happened to be in seclusion, and we couldn’t meet him, which remains quite regrettable. In these past few years, our cultivation has improved greatly, all thanks to his help. With such joyous news now, how could we not go?"

Shaoqing Sect, Thunder Hall.

Chou Kun stared at the Flying Sword Transmission in his hand, contemplating deeply, and thought to himself, "It’s been over twenty years since I last saw Daoist Zhang at the Flying Boat Immortal Market. At that time, he was still in the Xuan Guang Realm. Now I’ve stepped into Elixir Formation, and I thought I’d surely surpass him when we met again, but who would’ve thought he’d already become one of Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples, one step ahead of me."

After much thought, he called out, "Someone, come."

A servant entered and knelt, saying, "I am here. What is your command, my lord?"

Chou Kun instructed, "Prepare a generous gift for me. Make sure it is not miserly. I shall personally visit Mingcang Sect in the coming days."

Ancient Dingyang County, present-day Nanliang Kingdom, Qi State.

Zhou Zishang’s expression was dark as he shook the letter in his hand. He turned to a young cultivator and said, "Junior Brother, is this rumor true?"

The young cultivator respectfully said, "Senior Brother, I wouldn’t dare fabricate such a thing."

Zhou Zishang shook the letter, reducing it to shreds, and gritted his teeth, saying, "A single misstep back then, and I never imagined he’d turn the tables and rise to such prominence today. His influence is now overwhelming and beyond control."

Back then, he had given Zhang Yan a copy of the ’Xuan Yuan Inner Secrets’ to sabotage his foundation and even boasted about it to his servants, confident that Zhang Yan would obediently leave. Yet the news that came later had him seething—Zhang Yan had made a name for himself at the Erosion Text Ceremony and subsequently became a Lower Court Disciple of Mingcang Sect. Zhou Zishang’s face was lost, forcing him to return to his mountain gate, where he was scolded by his elders.

Now, though he remained in the Xuan Guang Second Realm, Zhang Yan had already achieved a First-Class Elixir Formation and ascended to become one of Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples, his status and cultivation far surpassing Zhou Zishang’s. While deeply unsettled, Zhou Zishang also felt a growing sense of fear and frustration.

The young cultivator watched his expression and cautiously asked, "Senior Brother, should we inform Senior Sister?"

Zhou Zishang frowned, waved dismissively, and said, "No need. She’s currently cultivating in the South Sea. Telling her wouldn’t do any good. I’ll handle it myself. No one else is to speak of this—remember, or don’t blame me for being merciless."

The young cultivator whispered, "I just worry someone might talk."

Zhou Zishang snorted coldly and said, "Senior Sister won’t return unless her cultivation succeeds. If my calculations are correct, we won’t see her for decades. If you don’t speak, who else would know?"

The Yuxiao Sect, though no less prominent than Mingcang Sect, resided in the south whereas Mingcang Sect resided in the north, with few interactions between them. Although this news was currently attracting attention, it would gradually fade with time until no one mentioned it anymore.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)