Yan Xiyue hastily said, "My brother and I have come to see True Master Huo. We were directed by the Deacon Daoist earlier to seek an Elder Chen."
The old Daoist replied indifferently, "I am Elder Chen. Since youâre looking for True Master Huo, I presume itâs for that important matter. However, True Master Huo is currently entertaining external guests and may not have time. You can go and see Senior Brother Fang Zhenlu, who is the Deputy Director of the Spirit Mechanism Institute. He can also oversee this matter."
The siblings had no suspicion and first inquired about the route. After expressing their gratitude, they went off on their own.
The old Daoist watched their backs, coldly laughed a few times, retrieved the Xuan Guang, and went back to the temple.
After arriving at the Spirit Mechanism Institute, the Yan siblings reported their names and were soon invited inside. They saw a young Daoist in a white robe and high crown, with a handsome appearance, sitting in the hall and went forward to pay their respects.
Fang Zhenlu glanced at the two and didnât ask them to sit. He just frowned and said, "Are you disciples of Bi Yu Xuan?"
Yan Xiyue replied cautiously, "Yes, the Sect Leader is my mother."
In Fang Zhenluâs view, even if the Sect Leader of these small sects came personally, he wouldnât regard them with importance, let alone two mere disciples. He said coldly, "From what I know, the ancestor who founded Bi Yu Xuan was a disciple of the Nanhua Sect. To deal with the thousand-year-old demon calamity, why donât you seek the help of the Nanhua Sect instead of coming to our Mingcang Sect?"
Earlier, he was defeated by a child from the Shaoqing Sect, causing him to lose face, and it was thanks to Zhang Yan that he escaped the trouble.
Later, Huo Xuan received orders from the Chen clan to try to restore his reputation. Thatâs why he was sent to Yao Yin Mountain, believing there would be no problem this time. But he ended up with a poor result, even using the Protective Talisman given by Master Chen, unable to explain how he managed to escape, thus facing criticism from the Chen clan.
Fortunately, he and Huo Xuan were both son-in-laws of the Chen clan, and under their protection, the support for the small sects included his part.
However, recently, with Chen Fengâs cultivation becoming increasingly deep, there were rumors that the Chen clan wanted to replace him in the next competition. Plus, Mrs. Chen scolded him at home every day, putting him in a depressed mood. Facing these two, he didnât show a pleasant face and spoke quite rudely.
Yan Xiaoyang showed slight annoyance, but Yan Xiyueâs expression remained unchanged. She said with neither arrogance nor humility, "Allow me to explain, Senior Brother Fang. Although my sectâs ancestor was from Nanhua Sect, itâs been hundreds of years since we broke away. Even if there was some past friendship, it has long vanished with the predecessors. Moreover, my mother has corresponded with True Master Huo, which is why we are here."
Fang Zhenlu wasnât satisfied with this explanation. If Bi Yu Xuan was supported only to make wedding clothes for the Nanhua Sect later, what would that lead to?
He would inevitably face criticism from the Chen clan, so he thought, "Brother Huo has been busy lately and doesnât have time to see you. Please come back in a few days."
After speaking, he didnât give them a chance to speak further and stood up, leaving them behind.
At this time, someone from the Spirit Mechanism Institute gestured for the two siblings to leave, saying, "Please go."
The Yan siblings had no choice but to leave.
After leaving the Spirit Mechanism Institute, Yan Xiaoyang had nowhere to vent his anger. He sensed Fang Zhenluâs perfunctory manner and clenched his fist, saying, "That person is too rude. Though Bi Yu Xuan is a small sect, we are not to be ordered around by the Mingcang Sect!"
Yan Xiyue sighed. Whether they succeeded or not, if they returned without seeing Huo Xuan, it would not be acceptable. Her mind turned several times, and suddenly her eyes brightened. She turned around, grabbed Yan Xiaoyangâs hand, and resolutely said, "Brother, letâs go."
Yan Xiaoyang asked puzzled, "Sister, are we just going back like this? How can we explain to mother?"
Yan Xiyueâs eyes sparkled with determination, "Who said we are going back? I do not believe that in such a large Mingcang Sect, we canât find a suitable person to talk to. Weâll seek out our own Brother Zhang Yan. His ranking in the Mingcang Sect is higher than Fang Zhenluâs."
Yan Xiaoyang was taken aback and suddenly understood, happily saying, "Yes, yes, Brother Zhang Yan is so capable, he will surely help us."
At the same time, there was a succession of thunderous sounds in the Zhao You Heavenly Pool Main Hall, echoing through the cave mansion. In Zhang Yanâs palm, a purple electric radiance that was as thick as a finger sparkled and flickered erratically, shooting several zhangs away, twisting back and forth as if trying to fly out, occasionally emitting crackling sounds, leaving scorched marks wherever it passed.
Over half a year had passed, and through repeated transformations in the Broken Jade, the obstacles in the spellâs operation were no longer a problem for him.
Within one year, the essence qi under his abdomen was scattered and reunited twelve times. Now, he could slightly use some Thunder Power, but it was still insufficient for fighting.
Practicing divine skills wasnât easy, needing thirty-six transitions to display the power of Divine Thunder, so he would need at least three more years.
He grasped his fist, making a sound, and the Thunder Radiance dispersed. Then he stood up and turned to check the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll, seeing that although the mist was still tangled, it had become much smaller.
He focused his heart and spirit for a moment, noticing a small piece of broken bone remained untransformed inside, but it seemed like it wouldnât take much longer.
He smiled slightly and returned to the couch to sit, intending to continue quietly operating the cultivation technique. At this moment, a flash of light appeared, and the Mirror Spirit emerged from the doorway, saying, "Master, outside the cave mansion there is a man and a woman claiming to be old acquaintances of yours, wishing to enter and pay their respects."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan waved his hand over the Little Pot Mirror, immediately reflecting the scene outside the mansion. He glanced and first showed a trace of surprise, then calculated silently in his heart, revealing a meaningful smile, saying, "Indeed, theyâre old friends. Zhang Jing, go and welcome them inside, and remember not to neglect them."
...
...(To be continued. If you like this work, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)