Zhang Yan used his two fingers to firmly clamp down on the white light. The object continued to struggle incessantly, sometimes releasing a radiance about three feet long, and other times retracting into a light dot as narrow as two fingers. Yet no matter how much it transformed, it could not escape.
This Dharma Treasure possessed such spiritual nature that both Yu Consort and Brother Feng looked on with greedy eyes. However, seeing that Zhang Yan paid them no heed whatsoever, Yu Consort’s heart filled with anger. Her expression hardened as she barked, "You, Daoist, did you not hear me asking you a question?"
Seated cross-legged amidst the cloud, Zhang Yan turned to Yu Consort and said calmly, "This fellow Daoist must be confused. This place was formed by True Master Tao using Great Dharma Power to gather earth into a mountain. Counting back, it has only been twenty years. How could there be talk of treasure emerging here?"
Yu Consort’s delicate face flushed red in an instant. Treasures emerging might as well refer to those buried underground or hidden deep beneath the sea for centuries or millennia. If there were truly treasures concealed here, they would either have long freed themselves or been collected by True Master Tao. There could be no third possibility.
She had only become inflamed with greed upon seeing the extraordinary and agile nature of the Dharma Treasure, causing her to speak impulsively without thinking.
But having lived in the palace where she was endlessly flattered and pampered, she had developed a domineering temperament and would not tolerate being contradicted. She immediately argued forcefully, saying, "Ridiculous! You claim it is yours just because you say so? Then why couldn’t you control it and let it escape? It’s possible that a high cultivator once stayed in this Cave Mansion and purposely left behind this Dharma Treasure for someone destined to find it. Now that I’ve arrived and this object hastened to appear, it is clearly destined for me. Yet you, a petty thief, have seized it. Aren’t you going to hand it over now?"
Zhang Yan scoffed, "This treasure is wild and unruly. It slipped through my control once, and for that, I admit negligence. But for you to glance at it and then claim it’s yours—how overbearing and unreasonable!"
Yu Consort was about to retort, but Brother Feng shook his head upon seeing the situation and thought to himself, "Although Yu Consort excels in charming arts, enough to leave Demon King Xuan Tong bewitched and disoriented, her mind is not the sharpest. Why did she start bickering with this man? Right now, she should be leveraging power and oppression—what use is there in reasoning?"
He coughed softly and said in a low voice beside her, "Lady Yu, why bother wasting breath with this man? This man killed Tong Bing, your servant. No matter the circumstances, how could this matter be overlooked? You must demand justice for this!"
Receiving this reminder, Yu Consort immediately realized and screamed enchantingly, "You, Daoist, killed my house slave! Tell me, what punishment do you deserve for this?"
Zhang Yan showed a trace of cold laughter on his face and replied, "Your house slave trespassed into another’s Cave Mansion without permission. Being killed was his own fault. I could even accuse you of negligence in your discipline!"
Yu Consort, always favored by Demon King Xuan Tong and having never encountered anyone who dared defy her will, grew chest-tight with anger and short of breath upon being countered with a single remark from Zhang Yan. Her lips trembled uncontrollably.
Brother Feng chuckled and stepped forward, saying, "Fellow Daoist, you should think carefully. Do you even know who Lady Yu is? She is Daoist couple to Demon King Xuan Tong. Right now, she is condescending to speak with you. I advise you to bow your head early and hand over that treasure. Otherwise, should the Demon King’s wrath descend, regret will come too late for you!"
Zhang Yan had no intention of entertaining them. The only reason he had exchanged words for a while was to prevent the trapped Dharma Treasure in his hand from seizing the chance to escape once again.
Now, with the treasure entirely subdued and unable to move, he shouted aloud, wrapped it within Xuan Guang, and flung it into his Sleeve Bag. No longer burdened with concerns, he said indifferently, "No matter who you are or what background you have, if you wish to seize my Dharma Treasure, come and confront the sword ball in my hand!"
Yu Consort suddenly shrieked in fury, "Are you all dead? Seize this Daoist for me. Rip out his sinews and bones, carve out his heart and liver, and bring them back to the master as appetizers!"
At her command, two Daoists with mouse-like whiskers stepped forward from behind. Each carried a sword on their respective backs—one on the left and the other on the right. Their appearances were strikingly identical.
These two were twin brothers and Loose Cultivators from the East Sea. They had received teachings from Alien People during their youth. Later, they became guests under Prince Xuan Tong’s court. Noticing their formidable Flying Sword Skills in joint attacks and their status as Xuan Guang Practitioners, the prince specifically assigned them to escort Yu Consort.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, the two fixed their gaze on Zhang Yan. Each slit open a finger, formed a spell with their hands, and began chanting indistinctively. With two sharp sword cries, their flying swords simultaneously unsheathed, transforming into beams of light in mid-air. They released a mournful resonance and hurtled towards Zhang Yan like a bolt of lightning.
Zhang Yan observed the impure and chaotic sword light. Moreover, the brothers relied on Essence Blood for sacrifice during their sword release process, demonstrating their depraved techniques. It was apparent they had not received orthodox teachings and had merely practiced heterodox methods and side paths.