CHAPTER 697: CHAPTER 90: ACQUIRING ANOTHER RARE TREASURE AT JINGLUO ACADEMY

After Zhang Yan killed nine people in succession, he immediately established several strict rules, each severe enough that even a slight mistake could result in expulsion from the Lower Court. The Three Daoist Temples of Cangwu Mountain were filled with mourning cries.

It should be known that Zhang Yan is not only the Dean of the Three Daoist Temples but also the Pavilion Master of Yue Tian Pavilion. He controls all decrees personally, not to mention deciding the allocation of Cave Mansions for those who succeed in Opening Meridians within the Lower Court. In other words, he commands the path for True Disciples to progress from the top to the bottom, forcing them to adhere obediently to his authority.

When the noble families received this news a day later, they were still hesitating over their reaction when Zhang Yan made yet another move.

Twenty years ago, when he was in the Lower Court, there were only twenty-eight disciples allowed, with his inclusion barely raising the number to twenty-nine. Even so, the sect’s allocations were still stretched thin.

Now, perhaps due to the elimination of the Three Pools Lake Demon, the allocations have become a bit more generous, increasing the limit to thirty-six disciples.

Having removed nine individuals, it was necessary to fill the vacancies.

That same day, Zhang Yan wrote a Flying Book to Qi Mengjiao. The latter understood his intent implicitly and quietly sent over four disciples.

These four were carefully selected from the Nine Cities, each possessing exceptional talent and sharp features. Zhang Yan didn’t bother to ask about their mentors; instead, he arranged them alongside the Wang Sisters within the Lower Court, granting them the status of True Disciples.

Furthermore, he publicly announced that disciples from noble families, Great Clans, and the cold list would be permitted to cultivate in the Lower Court.

These smaller noble families, as opposed to the Five Great Clans or the Twelve Great Families, were often unable to compare. Especially among the three thousand cold list disciples, most hailed from declining households, and without rare opportunities, they were unlikely to emerge in prominence.

Previously, the Lower Court’s disciple quotas were entirely monopolized by the seventeen powerful families, leaving no space for these individuals. But Zhang Yan’s decision opened a precedent.

Upon hearing the news, many disciples born of small families were initially shocked, then deeply tempted to act.

Anyone could see that the revival of this mentorship lineage was now inevitable—it was an unstoppable trend. Given such an opportunity, why should they refuse?

With Zhang Yan in charge, he dared to make such bold moves. If someone else were to take his place as Dean, who could guarantee they would have the same courage?

Thus, despite concerns over the reactions of the powerful clans, some bold individuals ventured forward.

Zhang Yan selected from among them and filled three more slots, including one disciple from a prestigious background and two from the cold list. Within no time, the quota of thirty-six disciples was complete once again.

This act seemed like a thorn embedded in the throats of the Five Great Clans and the Twelve Great Families—neither swallowable nor spit-out, leaving them deeply uncomfortable.

After some deliberation, they chose to feign ignorance, letting the matter lie unresolved.

Three days quickly passed.

On this day, Zhang Yan was examining a disciple’s coursework, evaluating their mastery of Erosion Text. With just a few sharp questions, the disciple was left drenched in sweat, pale-faced and trembling.

Suddenly, Zhang Yan felt a peculiar sensation. He glanced outward, waved his sleeve lightly, granting the disciple reprieve. The latter fled hurriedly, relieved to escape.

Zhang Yan rose and walked out of the hall. Arriving in front of the palace, he noticed a gray-robed Daoist standing there, gazing at the lush greenery across the mountain.

His face changed slightly, yet he remained composed as he stepped forward to bow respectfully. "So it’s Brother Huo here. I apologize for failing to welcome you from afar."

Huo Xuan turned back with a gentle smile, returning the gesture and saying, "Junior Brother Zhang, you’re too gracious."

Zhang Yan noticed a wealth of emotions hidden in Huo Xuan’s gaze, yet these feelings carried an inexplicable sense of loneliness and boundless detachment—an intriguing contradiction.

During the sect’s grand competition, Huo Xuan did not give such an impression. Zhang Yan quickly connected this shift to the increase in cultivation following Huo Xuan’s breakthrough into the Nascent Soul Realm.

Huo Xuan turned his gaze toward the mountain base and sighed thoughtfully, "It’s been over two hundred years since I last came here. The scenery has remained unchanged. Seeing these familiar sights stirs memories, compelling me to linger longer. Junior Brother Zhang, I am also from the cold list myself. I understand how challenging cultivation is for these disciples. Your actions have provided them with a chance to rise, and this gladdens me deeply."

Zhang Yan smiled faintly and replied, "Brother Huo speaks warmly. Surely someone must be displeased with this."

Huo Xuan chuckled, his voice sinking in tone, "My wife, upon hearing your actions in the Lower Court, insisted I come to suppress you. How ridiculous. Someone of her trivial mindset could never grasp the aspirations in our hearts."

Zhang Yan noted the utter lack of regard Huo Xuan showed for his Daoist couple, even speaking of her indifferently when referencing "my wife."