Zhang Yan flipped the Xuanhuang Great Hand, causing the earth and stones to surge, and casually buried Hou Sanlang’s corpse.
Although this person understood the key to taming the "Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle," Zhang Yan honestly did not hold it in high regard.
Since this artifact belongs to the Xiao Family, how could it truly be entrusted to the Hou Family? It was highly likely they had left some hidden contingencies, so even obtaining it would be of no use.
As for defeating the green-clothed youth, Zhang Yan was confident in his strategy and did not need this artifact’s assistance, hence he did not covet it.
Regarding the Xiao Family, he saw no reason for concern.
From Hou Sanlang’s words, the Xiao Family seemed to be apprehensive of something and dared not openly seek him out, instead outsourcing these matters to the Hou Family to act in secret.
It appeared the Hou Family, bound by their lesser influence and limited capabilities, did not actually know his exact whereabouts. This encounter likely only occurred due to the Baozhi Conference drawing attention.
Zhang Yan understood that as long as he remained cautious and concealed his identity, the Xiao Family would likely fail in tracking him down.
For now, the only sensible course of action was to advance his cultivation further.
Once he achieved the level of a Hua Dan Cultivator and returned to the sect, his status as a True Disciple would elevate his position dramatically compared to before. Even if he said nothing, his master and lineage would actively intervene to defend him, ensuring noble families within the sect could not trouble him. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on NoveIꜰire.net
After a brief contemplation, he cleared his mind, meditating in the cave for another day and night. At the break of dawn, the agreed time arrived. He rose, exited the Cave Mansion, flicked his robe, and stepped onto gathering clouds, breaking through the skies in flight.
Before long, he arrived at the battlefield where he had confronted the green-clothed youth half a month ago. After circling the area and finding no sign of him, he chose a scenic mountain peak and landed there.
The location featured cascading waterfalls and mountain springs, with streams gurgling amidst the morning mist. Water droplets splashed like icy shards emerging from valleys, exuding abundant spiritual energy. Sitting motionlessly atop a large stone on the mountain summit, he patiently awaited the green-clothed youth.
Time passed, and near midday, a glowing green tunneling light pierced the sky.
Without rising, Zhang Yan casually employed a spell, lifting himself with a wisp of breeze onto a cloud high above, blocking the path of the approaching light. With a faint smile, he said, "Fellow Daoist, you’re quite late."
The green-clothed youth’s face darkened slightly. He snorted and replied, "I ran into some irritating pests along the way."
Zhang Yan did not pursue the matter further and instead offered a faint smile, saying, "After several bouts, I still do not know how to address Fellow Daoist."
The green-clothed youth straightened his posture, crossing his hands behind his back, and declared loudly, "My name might not mean much to you, but the title I use when traveling is Dong Jinzi."
"So it is Fellow Daoist Dong Jinzi," Zhang Yan said, forming a seal with his spell. Two golden hammers shot out, hovering before him as he remarked, "Today, I shall once again experience your esteemed techniques."
Dong Jinzi let out a cold laugh and revealed the Green Cloud above him.
The cloud had grown to over a hundred zhang in size, seemingly double the size it was before. Jade-green energy danced freely, veiling the moon and draping the skies. Thunderous rumblings accompanied its presence as countless green leaves, silken threads, and electrical currents surged in and out, exuding an imposing aura.
With a pointed gesture, Dong Jinzi stirred the Cloud Light, propelling what seemed to be an endless cascade of radiant flower-like flying leaves, which carried surging tides of spiritual energy downward.
Zhang Yan did not back away, instead exclaiming, "Good timing!" He gripped the dual hammers firmly and charged forward, quickly engaging the opponent in combat once again.
This round of fighting was free from interference, and neither of them held back. Zhang Yan’s fists and kicks thundered like rolling stones and crashing lightning, while Dong Jinzi extended the Green Light ten li outward, his swirling mist and chaotic brilliance creating a bewildering and grandiose scene.
Five days later, Zhang Yan let out a thunderous roar, breaking free from the confines of the Green Cloud.
Dong Jinzi withdrew his Cloud Light and flew westward, resulting in yet another impasse as both parties parted ways.
Zhang Yan rode the wind back to his Cave Mansion, sealed the entrance, and resumed meditative practices, reigniting the True Fire to refine his acupoints.
This time, he remained in seclusion for over a month. Awakening from meditation, he joyfully discovered that he had opened an additional twelve acupoints.
Although the duration of cultivation and absorption of abnormal Qi exceeded previous attempts, the number of opened acupoints fell slightly short of expectations.
As the Essence Qi absorbed within his body increased, the invigorating effect of the True Fire had diminished compared to its earlier potency.
This phenomenon, however, was within Zhang Yan’s expectations. Compared to other cultivators, his progress was extraordinarily swift.
Ordinary cultivators struggled to open all thirty-six acupoints due to the gradual hardening of acupoints over time, compounded by the inability of their True Fire to grow adequately in strength.