CHAPTER 709: CHAPTER 96: THE PERILS OF THE PAST TO BE ELIMINATED TODAY

After Zhang Yan emerged from the Little Pot Mirror, a surge of Elixir Evil rolled forth, his flight stirring the winds and clouds. Once he seated himself in the Main Mansion and gathered his aura, a thunderous sound resonated outwards, reverberating through the Zhao You Heavenly Pond. Everyone within felt the trembling beneath their feet and the echoes from the surrounding walls. Only then did they awaken to the realization that the Pavilion Master had emerged from seclusion.

Raising his fingers to form a seal, Zhang Yan summoned the Mirror Spirit and asked, "During my closed-door seclusion, was there any matter of significance?"

The Mirror Spirit bowed and replied, "Master, there were no major matters. Only Miss Luo left the mansion three years ago, instructing me to inform you that she was seeking worthy disciples, and you need not worry about her."

Seeing Zhang Yan nod slightly, the Mirror Spirit cautiously added, "Additionally, there is a minor matter: the disciples under Elder Zhu, Yuan Yan Hui and Weng Zhiyuan, have arrived at the mansion. I’ve already settled them in. Shall I arrange for you to meet them?"

Zhang Yan considered briefly before saying, "No hurry. Let them wait for now."

Turning his head, he waved his sleeve, and the surface of the Little Pot Mirror rippled instantly, displaying scenes from various places within the mansion before his eyes.

His gaze swept over and fell upon the door of the cave mansions belonging to Lu Mei Niang, Jing Miaojun, and the Jun Yue Demon King. All were silent, suggesting they were deeply engaged in cultivation. Nodding approvingly, Zhang Yan thought to himself—these three Demon Kings, Lu Mei Niang and Jing Miaojun, were both Third Realm Hua Dan cultivators. If any among them could break through to the Nascent Soul Realm in the coming years, it would benefit him greatly.

He then shifted the mirror’s light and focused it on Tian Kun.

From the mirror, he saw Tian Kun buried in cultivation inside his cave mansion, seemingly oblivious to the outside world.

Observing Tian Kun’s progression, Zhang Yan noted a steady but neither rushed nor stalled advancement. Over the past eight years, he had reached the Ming Qi Second Realm and stood on the cusp of a breakthrough. Judging by his demeanor, it seemed as though he could continue cultivating uninterrupted, provided no one disturbed him.

Zhang Yan chuckled softly. Out of his four disciples, Liu Yan Yi was sharp and endowed with spiritual wisdom. Her independence left him worry-free, yet she upheld respect for her teacher and tradition. Tian Kun, on the other hand, was dull and introverted, seemingly unmoved by anything beyond cultivation.

As for the Wang Sisters, they had joined the ranks of Lower Court Disciples but had not returned to the mansion since. Their current progress was unknown.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yan suddenly realized there was one task he needed to attend to.

He had served as the Lower House Master for eight years now. Calculating the time, the sixteen-year cycle for the Lower Court disciples was approaching completion. Those whose Yuan Condensation had reached perfection at the Third Realm were eligible to break through their meridians and ascend to the Upper Court as True Disciples.

Today’s circumstances were different, however. During his tenure, Zhang Yan had instituted a rule: Lower Court disciples were strictly prohibited from opening their meridians without permission. Even if they managed to break through, they would not be allowed to enter the Upper Court without his official seal and approval. At this moment, he imagined all the disciples eagerly awaiting his appearance.

Thinking of this, he smiled lightly, issued a command to the Mirror Spirit, and strode out of the Array Gate. Exiting his cave mansion, he soared into the sky, transforming into a trail of smoke as he flew toward the Lower Court.

His flight was swift, and within moments, he arrived at Dangyun Peak. Sending forth a Dharma Decree, it wasn’t long before three temple masters hurried forward to pay their respects.

Engaging in brief conversation with these three, Zhang Yan quickly gained an understanding of the Lower Court’s affairs over the past eight years. He then instructed the temple attendants to strike the gong. Soon, the sound cascaded across the eighteen peaks of Cangwu Mountain, summoning the disciples to assemble.

Although Zhang Yan hadn’t shown himself for eight years, the sudden sound of the gong sent a chill through everyone’s hearts.

Scenes of the bloody events from eight years ago flashed once more before the Lower Court disciples’ eyes. No one dared be careless; they immediately abandoned their tasks and rushed toward Dangyun Peak, terrified of being late and losing their heads.

Within half an hour of the gong’s sounding, all thirty-six disciples of the Lower Court were gathered.

Among the noble family disciples, unease filled their hearts. They didn’t know if Zhang Yan planned another round of torment for them.

Scanning the crowd, Zhang Yan’s gaze briefly lingered on the Wang Sisters. He then moved on, carefully observing each disciple before speaking in a sonorous voice: "Most of you have spent sixteen years in the Lower Court. Today, several among you shall be chosen and elevated as True Disciples."

The disciples below stirred slightly upon hearing this—not everyone could be a True Disciple. Yet the moment Zhang Yan’s gaze swept over them, they all fell silent, bowing their heads in fear and not daring to make a sound.

Just as Zhang Yan prepared to speak further, a streak of golden light suddenly flew from the horizon. It wove through the sky before heading directly toward him.

Turning his gaze, Zhang Yan reached out to catch it. It was a Flying Book. After opening it and taking a quick glance, he slipped it into his sleeve.

After pondering for a moment, he addressed the assembled disciples: "You may each return to open your meridians first. In three months, I shall examine your meridian signs and select the True Disciples to be sent to the Upper Court. For now, you are dismissed."