CHAPTER 702: CHAPTER 92: ELIXIR EVIL’S PINNACLE, SHAOQING SECT DISCIPLE_2

There was a flash of light in his eyes as he slowly exhaled a long breath, knowing that he had reached that pinnacle.

However, it was not yet over.

He reached into his sleeve and took out the "Source Separation Essence Jade."

This was what he acquired during the Elixir Tasting Ceremony. It’s a rare treasure in the world that can enhance the Elixir Evil. He had already achieved a First-grade Elixir Formation, gaining an ancient and rare abundance of Elixir Evil. If aided by this item, who knows how much more he could increase.

However, he also needed to consider that after refining this item, his Shell Barrier might become even more robust.

But since this item could augment his strength, how could he abandon it for fear of not breaking through the Shell Barrier?

Thinking of this, he summoned the "Su Lan Cloth" and attempted to grind the "Source Separation Essence Jade" with it, only to find it remained motionless.

Zhang Yan was surprised, not expecting the item to be so solid. He thought carefully for a moment, then smiled slightly, raised his hand, and swallowed the piece of "Source Separation Essence Jade," placing it into his abdomen to refine.

He circulated the Elixir Evil, slowly grinding and dissolving the essence jade, then refining it into his body, converting it into his own essence qi.

This process of grinding took about a hundred days before he completely refined it.

At this moment, he felt his body as if both heavy and light, shouted loudly, shrugged his shoulders, and instantly set the entire Little Pot Mirror to vibrate. At this moment, the Elixir Evil in his abdomen was vast as the sea and boundless like clouds, much stronger than before.

Looking again at the shell membrane, it appeared like a transparent glazed tile and golden jade, firmly enveloping the Golden Core, with only wisps of Elixir Evil swirling and spinning within the nine apertures.

Reaching this step, he needed to consider how to break through this blockage.

As he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a clock sound ringing loudly outside, echoing clearly into his ears.

He couldn’t help but startle, knowing that someone had urgent business outside the Cave Mansion, hence striking the clock, and he sternly asked, "Where is the Mirror Spirit?"

As soon as he paused, a black-clothed scholar appeared, respectfully bowed, and said, "Master, I am here."

Zhang Yan pointed outside and asked, "What happened outside the mansion?"

The Mirror Spirit bowed and said, "In reply to Master, it is Fan Changqing who has come to the mansion, seemingly having an important matter to see Master."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yan considered in his mind, since Fan Changqing came here, he should know that he was in seclusion and would not disturb him for a trivial matter. There must be something important to discuss.

He thought for a moment and decided that since he had just finished cultivating, he might as well go out.

With this thought, he flicked his sleeves and exited the Little Pot Mirror. Entering the Array Gate, he instantly arrived in the grand hall.

Fan Changqing was pacing back and forth in the hall, frowning, seemingly troubled. He suddenly noticed movement behind him, turned around, and breathed a sigh of relief, cupping his hands with an apologetic expression, "Junior Brother Zhang, I’ve disturbed your seclusion, it was my fault."

Zhang Yan laughed, returned the gesture, and said, "It’s no trouble. It seems Senior Brother is anxious for a reason, what is it about?"

Fan Changqing "heh"-ed and said, "Since Junior Brother has come out of seclusion, there is no rush. This matter needs to be made clear to you; otherwise, it is truly difficult to make heads or tails."

Zhang Yan smiled, gestured for the maids to bring tea, and then said, "Come, let Senior Brother sit down first and talk slowly."

After they took their seats as host and guest, Fan Changqing turned his head, suddenly smirked, and said, "Junior Brother, do you know that Fang Zhenlu nearly had an arm chopped off in a sparring bet?"

Zhang Yan was surprised and asked, "What happened? Who made the move?"

Fang Zhenlu was among the Top Ten Disciples of the sect, and Zhang Yan had seen his skills. Though not as good as Du De or Xiao Tang, he was still well above the ordinary disciples.

If someone sparred with him, they should be of relatively equal cultivation, and among peers, few could surpass him. Even those who could, considering the Chen Family, wouldn’t be so ruthless.

Fan Changqing looked at Zhang Yan and sighed, "Speaking of which, this matter has some connection with Junior Brother Zhang."

Zhang Yan raised his eyebrows and curiously asked, "How so?"

Fan Changqing said solemnly, "The one who injured Fang Zhenlu is a disciple of the Shaoqing Sect; he reportedly has connections with several upper elders in the sect. His name is Ying Minzhang. He came with his Senior Brother Chou Kun, originally planning to visit you for being one of the Top Ten Disciples after hearing about it. Hearing that you are a First-grade Elixir Formation, he wanted to challenge you to a spar, but..."

He revealed a bitter smile, "Unexpectedly, Junior Brother Zhang, you happened to be in seclusion. Ying Minzhang couldn’t find an opponent, so he thought since you are ranked ninth, he would seek Brother Ning. But Brother Ning happened to have left the Mountain Gate to condense the True Imprint of Dharma Power. Perhaps assuming he couldn’t match Senior Brother Luo and Han Suyi, he then turned to Fang Zhenlu."

Zhang Yan’s eyes flickered, fingers moved slightly, and he said, "Is the Shaoqing Sect disciple really so formidable?"

Fan Changqing shook his head with a mocking smile, "Not at all, Ying Minzhang is merely fourteen years old and by cultivation, far from being Fang Zhenlu’s match. He merely relied on a True Artifact Flying Sword gifted by an elder. Fang Zhenlu did not realize this and took his actions as childish mischief. During the duel, he did not take it seriously, intending to deal with it casually, but unexpectedly, underestimated, and lost a great deal of face."

Zhang Yan shook his head repeatedly, thinking that the fault also lay with Fang Zhenlu himself. How many cultivators have suffered due to underestimating their opponents?

He then slightly frowned, puzzled, and asked, "Senior Brother Fan, since it’s about Fang Zhenlu and Ying Minzhang, how does it involve me?"

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)