Spring fades, autumn comes; in the blink of an eye, a decade of seasons has passed.
In the dim quiet room, Zhang Yan slowly opened his eyes. In that instant, a cold light flashed across, and a sharp gleam emerged from his gaze. Yet soon after, the radiance receded. He exhaled a strand of Clear Qi, stood up, and stepped out through the door.
Outside the cave mansion lay a valley encircled by emerald green. Beneath the shade of thick foliage, a winding stone path twisted and turned, extending to a stream cascading into a tranquil pool.
The valley was filled with towering pine and cypress trees, fragrant flowers, and fluttering butterflies. A crystal-clear brook babbled through, with young deer occasionally seen darting across rocks.
This serene haven was in fact located in a Spirit Cave three thousand fathoms beneath the sea. Access in and out required the protection of talismans. Though the Spiritual Energy here did not rival the Ten Great Spirit Caves of East Splendor Continent, with Immortal Mansion’s aid in gathering energy and nurturing essence, it was sufficient for the establishment of a sect.
Ten years ago, during the battle for the Immortal Mansion, the elders and disciples of the Nanhua Sect, Taihao Sect, and Wudang Spirit Hall were all captured in one fell swoop by True Master Tao. None managed to escape.
However, many loose cultivators were present as onlookers, and news of the event spread throughout the East Sea not long after, with its ripples continuing to linger.
In particular, Chongyue True Temple was infuriated upon hearing that their True Disciple, Shen Minggu, had been slain by Zhang Yan. They repeatedly dispatched Great Power Experts to search the outer sea, but since True Master Tao had used the power of the Purple Jade Immortal Mansion to relocate the Qingyu Sect to the far sea—taking Zhang Yan along as well—their search proved fruitless.
It is said that for several years following, Chongyue True Temple refused to relent, frequently sending cultivators to patrol the seas in search of Zhang Yan’s whereabouts.
Such actions made it evident to discerning individuals that this quest could not merely be for a single True Disciple. While conjectures abounded, none could discern the true reason; only Zhang Yan himself fully understood.
After Qingyu Sect was established, Zhang Yan gifted them over a dozen elixir recipes as a founding gift. Among them were one or two exceptionally rare formulations.
This came at a time when Qingyu Sect’s foundation was still fledgling, and many aspects were incomplete. These elixir recipes were enough to significantly prolong the sect’s vitality for a thousand years, making this gift invaluable. True Master Tao was deeply moved upon seeing them and promptly invited Zhang Yan to lecture within the sect for several months.
True Master Tao hailed from the Right Path of Xuanmen and had inherited knowledge from the Ancient Immortals. Zhang Yan seized the opportunity to consult him.
Whatever questions Zhang Yan posed, True Master Tao would patiently answer them with unwavering generosity, sparing no effort and even advising Zhang Yan that if he wished to achieve greater heights during the Solidifying Pill stage, he ought not to rush through a breakthrough but instead focus on fortifying his foundation.
Zhang Yan humbly accepted his counsel. Over the past ten years, he painstakingly cultivated the Xuan Guang refinement technique, diligently tempered his inner Essence, and meticulously adjusted his Qi Veins. Now, he sensed that in as little as a few months or as much as half a year, he would reach the Third Realm.
In truth, he had spent this decade thoroughly reviewing all his acquired knowledge, tackling numerous unresolved doubts, and gaining enlightenment through expert guidance. His understanding had reached a new level—his gains were immense.
Yet, now the moment to depart was at hand.
Walking leisurely along the mountain path, Zhang Yan enjoyed the scenery as he advanced. Before he knew it, he reached the end of the stone steps. Raising his gaze, he saw a massive green rock blocking the way.
He initially intended to leap over it. Suddenly, his heart and spirit stirred. With a shout, a large hand, entirely yellow, emerged from the crown of his head. Expanding swiftly in the wind to a size of ten zhang, it reached downward and with a muffled sound crushed the giant rock into powder.
Zhang Yan smiled faintly, shook his shoulders, and recalled the massive hand.
Back then, True Master Tao had promised that if Zhang Yan agreed to assist him, he not only would appoint him as a Guest Elder of Qingyu Sect and grant him three favors but also let him choose any cultivation technique within Qingyu Sect. Zhang Yan had opted for the "Xuanhuang Dragon Capturing Hand."
The Qingyu Sect disciples relied on True Master Tao’s interpretations of the original texts when practicing this technique. However, Zhang Yan had requested access to the original Erosion Text itself. Comparing the original to Tao’s interpretations brought him insights. He cultivated continuously over the years and achieved minor mastery.
He chose this Dao Technique not only for its advanced capability to move mountains and shift seas but also because its practice required the use of Earth Essence Qi, one of the Five Directions Essence Qi he sought to collect.
True Master Tao possessed a treasure known as the "Primordial Earth Essence," a gem capable of generating Earth Essence Qi, useful for creating islands and expanding land. Xuanling Island relied on this treasure for its formation. This treasure was managed in rotation by the four senior disciples under Tao.
Zhang Yan used the cultivation of the Xuanhuang Dragon Capturing Hand as an excuse to request considerable amounts of Earth Essence Qi from Guo Lie.