CHAPTER 694: CHAPTER 88: TAKING THE INITIATIVE IN CHESS, POSITION OF MOUNTAIN GATE OFFICER - PART 2

Zhang Yan knew what he said was true. Su YiAng is now in his True Demon form and does not rely on physical cultivation. The act of body possession would be easy for him. However, he shook his head with a smile and said, "Although your elder brother’s body is in my hands, your current cultivation level is insufficient. If you were to possess it now, this body might be mostly destroyed, making it not worth the gain."

Su YiAng sighed and said, "Ah, what you say is indeed correct, Lord."

Su Yihong and he were twins, and their bodies were most compatible, much closer than any other familial relations within the Su Family. As long as he could possess it, and if luck favored him, he could inherit most of its legacies.

But indeed, his cultivation level was insufficient. At his current stage, he was merely a Xuan Guang Practitioner. He needed to advance one more step to completely seize this body; otherwise, it would be a futile waste of cultivation.

Zhang Yan tapped the Beautiful Jade with his fingers and said, "I’m inclined to release you. If you cultivate diligently for a few more years, would you be willing?"

Su YiAng, being extremely clever, cautiously asked, "May I know what the Lord wishes for me to accomplish?"

Zhang Yan lifted his head, as though gazing into endless depths. After a moment, he slowly said, "You are now in a demonic form. Do not linger within the territory of the Ten Great Sects. You may head to the domain of the Demon Sect. If possible, become an apprentice and seek the Dao, gather intelligence. Should there be any movement from the Demon Sect, inform me via Soul Splitting."

The thousand-year-old demon calamity in East Splendor Continent is about to begin. Although he had contact with those of the Demon Sect before, the Six Paths Demon Sect had been dormant for a long time, and their true strength remained as veiled as clouds and mists.

Since he was one of the Top Ten Disciples of the Mingcang Sect, he would inevitably face the Demon Sect in the future. If, by that time, he still knew nothing of them, it would be undesirable. Thus, he decided to make preparations in advance, secretly placing a pawn among them, aiming to know both the enemy and himself, so as to be better prepared and avoid chaos at the critical moment.

Su YiAng calculated rapidly in his mind, and in an instant, he felt heading to the territory of the Demon Sect was undoubtedly the best choice.

He had diligently practiced the "Seeking Origin Scripture" for over twenty years and was now in True Demon form. So long as he discreetly found a suitable body, he was very confident in becoming an apprentice. Thus, he quickly said, "Whatever the Lord commands, how would I dare not comply? I am willing to go, willing to go."

Zhang Yan nodded and said, "Very well, then I shall bestow upon you a Dharma Treasure. When you use it, not only can you fly and harm enemies, but you can also use it to fly and escape, blocking the light of the sun and moon."

He took out an item and pointed with a finger, and a point of Treasure Light flew into Su Yihong’s body, disappearing from sight.

This was one of the Spiritual Artifacts left by Gui Congyao, named "Sincere Flying Illusion Shuttle." This artifact is peculiar, shapeless, and invisible, refined from a wisp of clear light. With the aid of this item, Su YiAng could fly about unimpeded even in broad daylight.

Su YiAng slightly circulated his power and found the artifact to be as he willed, bringing great joy to him, and he bowed, saying, "Thank you, Lord, for the bestowed treasure."

While the two talked, the Mirror Spirit stood silently like a statue. Suddenly, its expression moved, and it said, "Lord, a female cultivator has come to visit. She claims to be Qi Mengjiao under Qi Yuntian, here to pay respects by order."

Zhang Yan pondered, knowing Qi Mengjiao’s visit was undoubtedly under Qi Yuntian’s command, he decided to go out to meet her and said, "Have Yanyi accompany her first; I will meet her shortly."

After a few more instructions, Zhang Yan arranged things for Su YiAng and stepped across the Array Gate into the grand hall.

Liu Yan Yi was conversing joyfully with Qi Mengjiao. Upon seeing Zhang Yan emerge, both women quickly stood to greet him.

Qi Mengjiao stepped forward with a polite gesture of respect and said, "Nephew Qi Mengjiao pays respects to Junior Master Zhang."

Zhang Yan smiled and nodded, saying, "Nephew Qi, there’s no need for formalities, please sit."

After Qi Mengjiao rose, she took her seat. Although she had met Zhang Yan before, she couldn’t help but pay close attention to him this time.

Previously, she didn’t think highly of Zhang Yan, but the outcome was far beyond her expectations, and after her amazement, she felt a genuine admiration.

That day in the Merit Institute, they hadn’t conversed deeply. Now, Zhang Yan exchanged pleasantries with her and found her thoughts clear and speech orderly, and he silently reasoned, "No wonder Brother Qi appointed her to manage the mundane affairs of the Merit Institute; truly a case of the right person for the job."

Eventually, Qi Mengjiao brought up the main matter, saying: "Today, on my master’s orders, I come with three matters."

Zhang Yan’s expression turned solemn, and he said, "Nephew, please go ahead."

Qi Mengjiao took out a Jade Box, handed it over with a gentle smile, and said, "The first matter is that my master instructed me to lend this treasure for your use for twenty-four years. This item is extraordinarily useful, aiding in breaking through the Shell Barrier. Junior Master Ning also relied on this item to successfully pass this threshold."

Zhang Yan was always forthcoming about gifts sent to him. Without further look, he received it openly and said, "And what is the second matter?"

Seeing him receive the treasure with utmost composure and elegance, showing an absence of thrill, Qi Mengjiao’s eyes gleamed with admiration.

She cleared her throat and continued, "The second matter is to inform you that last night, Huo Xuan has achieved Nascent Soul."

Zhang Yan’s eyebrows raised immediately, and countless thoughts swept through his mind.

Qi Yuntian had just stepped down not long ago, and now Huo Xuan achieved Nascent Soul, which clearly indicated the maneuverings of a noble family, targeting the lineage of master and disciple.

This is indeed interesting. No wonder Qi Yuntian lent me the Dharma Treasure, seemingly for forming an alliance, and also hoping to maximize my strength to offset some disadvantages.

Actually, that wasn’t the main cause. Instead, it was because he and Du De, Xiao Tang battled to a draw that day. Qi Yuntian saw his boundless potential. If he could break the Shell Barrier before the next big competition, his strength could vastly leap forward, even securing a leading position. With this consideration, he lent the treasure to him.

Qi Mengjiao continued, "And the last matter, which is the most important, is that every Top Ten Disciple must hold an official duty within the sect, and Junior Master Zhang is no exception. Now, my master has already arranged this for you."

Zhang Yan curiously asked, "Oh, what is my duty?"

The nine institutes of Mingcang Sect are the Merit Institute, Zhengqing Institute, Shangming Institute, Elixir Cauldron Institute, Jingluo Courtyard, Baoyang Institute, Spirit Mechanism Institute, Fang Chen Courtyard, and the Purple Light Institute.

Among them, the Merit, Zhengqing, and Shangming institutes are all under the control of the master and disciple line, whereas the Elixir Cauldron Institute naturally requires no further explanation, as Zhou Chongju’s daily dealings remain fair.

The Jingluo Courtyard and Purple Light Institute are under the elders of Du Zhen Hall, with no one intervening. As for Baoyang Institute, Spirit Mechanism Institute, and Fang Chen Courtyard, they are in the hands of the noble families.

Zhang Yan suspected the place he might go was likely the Elixir Cauldron Institute.

Qi Mengjiao pursed her lips with a smile and handed a scroll of Dharma Decree to Zhang Yan, saying: "Junior Master, please see for yourself."

Zhang Yan took the Dharma Decree and opened it, and what he found was unexpected. His position was not one of the nine institutes but somewhere else, as he murmured, "Lower Court?"

Qi Mengjiao gazed at him intently and said, "Yes, from today onward, Junior Master Zhang is the Master of Three Daoist Temples at the Lower Court of Mingcang Sect, overseeing Yue Tian Pavilion. Henceforth, whoever becomes a True Disciple or enters the Upper Court must have your seal of approval; otherwise, none shall proceed."

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)