From within the palace came a weak voice, "Who is the unfortunate fool coming to suffer here this time?"
Just as these words were spoken, there was a sudden clattering inside the palace. The main door swung open, and a disheveled old Daoist, with hair a mess and clothes untidy, flew out. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan felt a slight chill in his heart; this Elder Yuan indeed was also a Nascent Soul True Master.
Elder Yuan sniffed a few times before glaring at Zhang Yan, saying irritably, "Just how much wine did you drink with that old fool Gong?"
Zhang Yan smiled, "Not much, but Elder Gong did entrust me with sending over half a jar..."
As soon as he said this, Elder Yuan’s eyes lit up, anxiously scratching his ears and circling Zhang Yan, rubbing his hands continuously, "Where’s the wine, the wine, quickly take it out!"
Zhang Yan shook his sleeve, and half a jar of fine wine floated out. Elder Yuan couldn’t wait and reached out to grab it, with a face full of greed. He took a deep breath and then raised his head, gulping down several large mouthfuls. Cold air began to emit from the top of his head, rising up, and a layer of frost quickly formed on the pine branch above.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Yan understood that Elder Yuan was using the strength from the wine to expel the cold air from his body.
After a while, Elder Yuan exhaled a long breath, looking extremely comfortable. He wiped his mouth and chuckled, "Just as the Flying Book came, I was waiting for Daoist Gong’s Rejuvenation Wine to save my life, didn’t expect it was thanks to your fortune." The rıghtful source is 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝗇𝗲𝘵
Zhang Yan cupped his hands and said, "Elder Yuan, I came here to view the insights and understandings of predecessors in the Small Cold Realm. I wonder if you could accommodate that?"
Elder Yuan had just consumed the Rejuvenation Wine, making it difficult for him to refuse someone who had fed him. With a wave of his sleeve, he smiled, "Come with me."
As he spoke, a strong wind rose from the ground. Zhang Yan did not resist, allowing the wind to carry him forward. In just a few breaths, they arrived before a tall one-zhang black stone gate. On either side of the door lay two immobile Mystical Turtles, bound by chains, showing no reaction to the visitors.
Above the entrance hung a dim Bright Pearl, its light faded after who knows how many years, emitting a faint glow. Nearby was a path, where Elder Yuan beckoned Zhang Yan, saying, "Come." and led the way.
After about fifty steps, they reached a cave no wider than three or four zhang. Here, a Changming Lamp was lit, the candlelight like a bean. In the center was a large stone table, and bundles of Jade Scrolls were placed on niches carved into the stone walls. Due to the presence of an array, there was no dust or cobwebs, and everything remained crystal clear.
Elder Yuan said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Zhang, before entering this realm, I must inform you that the Small Cold Realm is vast, spanning thousands of miles, with countless caves, deep ravines, cold ponds, and ghost waters. To seek the insights of predecessors without a clue might take years without results. It would be best for you to tell me which scripture or Dao Technique you are cultivating. Having guarded this place for over three hundred years, I do not know each detail like the back of my hand, but I know it quite well."
Zhang Yan said frankly, "The Cultivation Technique I practice is one of the Five Skills and Three Scriptures of the school, the ’Nine-Numbered Taishi Lingbao Xuanming Scripture.’"
"So it’s this cultivation technique..."
Elder Yuan looked at Zhang Yan with surprise, frowning tightly, and after pondering for a while, stroking his beard a few times, he said, "In the past hundred years, no one has practiced this cultivation technique. Let me think carefully."
He took a few steps, then retrieved and untied bundles of Jade Scrolls from the niches for inspection, before putting them back. Going to the other end, he retrieved and examined more, repeating this process several times. Finally, he finished and went to the stone table. Taking out a map made of some unknown exotic bird’s pelt from his sleeve, he also took a vermillion pen, marking ten-odd spots on it. Then handed it to Zhang Yan, saying, "You can explore these caves; you likely won’t go wrong."
Zhang Yan reached out and took it, glanced over it, then stowed it in his bosom, cupping his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Elder Yuan, for your guidance."
He had clearly seen that the marked dozen cave mansions were scattered in various directions, without any connection. Without Elder Yuan’s diligent guidance, he would never have found them, making the half-jar of Rejuvenation Wine well worth it.
Elder Yuan chuckled, "Don’t thank me too soon. I can tell you have a close relationship with Daoist Gong. Should you acquire more good wine in the future, don’t forget this old man."