After a moment’s hesitation, he cautiously asked, "I wonder... how does Daoist Zhang address my Master Guo?"
Zhang Yan waved his hand and smiled, "Daoist Guo and I are just acquaintances. We each walk our own paths, so there’s no need to discuss seniority or age."
Dai Huan’s expression relaxed, becoming much more natural than before. It was clear that, seeing Zhang Yan’s age and cultivation level not much different from his own, he was unwilling to treat him with the courtesy of a senior. Upon hearing this, Dai Huan straightened his posture and said, "Earlier, Master Guo invited you to assist us, but I wonder if you’ve ever heard of someone named Shen Minggu?"
Zhang Yan shook his head and smiled, "Before meeting all of you, I had never heard of him."
Dai Huan paused, furrowing his brows, "In this case, Daoist, you likely don’t know that Shen Minggu was once pursued by a Demon King for several days and still managed to escape?"
Zhang Yan replied calmly, "Indeed, I was unaware."
Dai Huan glanced at Zhang Yan, noting that his expression didn’t change in the slightest after hearing this. He wondered whether Zhang Yan truly had the ability to remain unfazed, or if he simply didn’t understand the terror of a Demon King.
Can this man really contend with Shen Minggu? Deep doubt sprouted in Dai Huan’s heart. He had been entrusted by several of his fellow disciples to probe Zhang Yan’s background, but Zhang Yan exuded an enigmatic aura, making him impossible to read.
After hesitating for a moment, he said, "My Junior Brother Shen is currently being held on Anhong Island. We don’t know what torture he might be enduring. We are anxious and distressed. I wonder when Daoist Zhang plans to set out for the rescue."
"Anhong Island? That place I do know," Zhang Yan said after thinking for a moment. "This trip, I am heading to the Deze Immortal Market at Chongyue True Temple, and it happens to be on the way. I will take my flying boat there shortly to look into the matter as it arises."
Hearing his confident tone, Dai Huan grew even more skeptical. He had no interest in continuing the conversation and, after exchanging a few pleasantries, quickly took his leave and went to the back courtyard.
Zhang Yan watched his retreating figure and pondered, "Though Dai Huan’s cultivation is on par with mine, he lacks the resolute mindset of Master Ning. Without the fierce aura tempered in life-and-death battles, his training is clearly insufficient. I’ve heard that True Master Tao was an orphan who begged for survival in his youth before gaining the fortune of becoming a disciple of the Nanhua Sect. Although not born into a Xuanmen Family, the methods he uses to train these Third Generation Disciples are very much in line with noble family practices."
When noble families within the Xuanmen nurture disciples, they select the most talented clan members from within their ranks. Then they provide them with cultivation techniques, elixirs, cave mansions, and magic artifacts, sparing no effort to cultivate them. Once their cultivation matures, they are sent out to gain experience under the protection of powerful cultivators, ensuring their safety.
In contrast, the master-apprentice lineage operates differently. Apart from a few disciples with established backgrounds, most are only given guidance on the fundamentals upon entry. Afterward, they are largely left to their own devices, with their success relying solely on their own fate and determination.
This "survival of the fittest" approach ensures that those who emerge from such an environment are far from ordinary. They possess an indomitable mindset and extraordinary willpower.
As a result, in the Mingcang Sect, cultivators with higher realms below the level of Hua Dan Cultivators are mostly from Xuanmen noble families.
Meanwhile, cultivators of the master-apprentice lineage, although fewer in number and slightly weaker in cultivation, tend to be formidable fighters. Individuals like Ning Chongxuan and Luo Qingyu, who started without any special attention from their mentors, clawed their way to prominence through sheer effort and triumph over their peers.
As Zhang Yan was walking, he suddenly heard a crack of thunder echo from the sky. A massive, ferocious serpent burst in, rolling on the ground three times before transforming into a grotesque man clad in armor. Upon seeing Zhang Yan, the man hurriedly prostrated himself, repeatedly kowtowing as he said, "Thank you, my lord, for your enlightenment. Only through your guidance was I able to awaken my spiritual wisdom and shed this vile shell, no longer living in ignorant confusion. I humbly request that you accept me into your service so that I may follow by your side."
Turns out, this demon was the strange serpent Zhang Yan had tossed a Transformation Elixir to that day. Upon successfully transforming, it had hidden in the flying boat’s prohibition to evade the heavenly tribulation, and was now overcome with gratitude.
Zhang Yan chuckled lightly and said, "Gratitude is rare. Since you wish to follow me, I shall give you a name..." After thinking for a moment, he said warmly, "Zhang Pan. What do you think?"
The demon was overjoyed and kowtowed again, exclaiming loudly, "Zhang Pan thanks my lord for bestowing a name!"
After Dai Huan returned to the courtyard, frowning, several of his fellow disciples quickly gathered around him. A burly male disciple anxiously asked, "Senior Brother, how did it go? Did you manage to find out anything?"
Dai Huan looked up at them and, after a moment of silence, said, "I couldn’t discern the depths of that Daoist, but his cultivation is merely at the Xuan Guang level. Even if he’s stronger than us..." He smiled bitterly and shook his head, "The four of us together are hardly a match for Shen Minggu. How can he possibly handle it alone?"
Another disciple sneered, "Didn’t I say so? Master Guo always does as he pleases. If he mentions something in passing, how can we take it seriously?"
Dai Huan shot him a glare and scolded, "Junior Brother, how can you speak ill of your elders behind their backs? See that you don’t do so again!"
The disciple hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to make another sound.
Among the group was a young woman dressed in a brightly colored feather robe. With a delicate mind, she thought to herself, "Earlier on the deck, I noticed that Master Guo seemed injured, as though reluctant to take action himself but unwilling to admit it due to pride. That’s likely why he brought that Daoist along as a shield. Although that Daoist doesn’t seem weak, if he’s going to face someone like Shen Minggu..."
She shook her head, clearly unimpressed with Zhang Yan’s prospects. After pondering further, she finally spoke up, "Senior Brother Dai, may I offer a suggestion?"
Dai Huan held this Junior Sister in high regard. He looked at her and said, "Junior Sister Wei, speak your mind."
Junior Sister Wei smiled and said, "Since Senior Brother is asking, I shall. Initially, our purpose was to find Brother Di and seek justice for ourselves. Encountering Master Guo was merely an unexpected surprise. Since he refuses to act personally and has only instructed this Daoist to assist, it must be for a reason. As juniors, we shouldn’t question it and should follow his instructions. However, it would be wise to leave ourselves a backup plan. How about we send out a token first? If Brother Di is nearby, he should arrive within three days. At that time, with his help, we won’t need to trouble the Daoist at all."
Dai Huan nodded repeatedly, "Junior Sister Wei speaks sense. That Daoist isn’t aware of Shen Minggu’s prowess, and even Master Guo has never truly bested him. If we send him forward, it would only be a pointless death. I shall discuss this with him. Let’s wait here for a few days. If Brother Fu still doesn’t arrive, we’ll depart then."
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, we welcome your recommendations and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)