CHAPTER 710: CHAPTER 96: THE PERILS OF THE PAST TO BE ELIMINATED TODAY_2

The child in the temple immediately struck the gong once, and amidst the lingering sound, the disciples hurriedly paid their respects and took their leave. The noble family disciples all left with worried expressions, but the four master-disciple pairs departed with vigor, lagging slightly behind the others. After bowing once more to Zhang Yan, they finally left.

The Wang Sisters exchanged a glance. Once the disciples on this peak had dispersed, they stepped forward to pay their respects, bowing deeply together and saying in unison, "Disciple greets Master."

The two were both equally graceful in appearance, their voices as pleasant as orioles singing in the valley. Even the young attendants brought by the three temple masters couldn’t help but sneak a few glances at them.

Zhang Yan nodded with a smile and said, "During the eight years of my absence, you two sisters had no one to supervise you. Yet it seems to me now that you have not neglected your studies. Your cultivation is not lacking. As your master, I now permit you both to return to the residence and seek out a Jade Liquid Pool for Opening Meridians."

The Jade Liquid Pool was not something originally found in the Zhao You Heavenly Pond. When Liu Yan Yi opened her meridians, it had been specifically sourced by Zhou Chongju.

As for Tian Kun, his method of Opening Meridians was different from others. Gui Congyao had prepared a jar of Jade Medicine in advance for himself. When the time came, he simply drank it and achieved the breakthrough, thus saving the effort of searching for a pool.

However, after annihilating the Su Family, Zhang Yan acquired a patch of land on the continent. Not only did it contain Earth Evil substances, but it also held several high-grade Jade Liquid Pools, which were perfectly suited for the two sisters.

Hearing this, the Wang Sisters were overjoyed. Wang Caiwei, being reserved and introspective by nature, merely allowed a subtle delight to surface at the corners of her eyes and brows.

Wang Caiting, on the other hand, being more spirited, clapped her hands repeatedly and cheered aloud.

Seeing her open display of genuine emotions, Zhang Yan did not scold her. Instead, he smiled faintly and said, "I have important matters to take care of. You must behave yourselves and take care."

With a leap, he soared into the air, flying toward the north.

Watching Zhang Yan ascend into the sky, his form like a plume of snow-white smoke, rolling and drifting, Wang Caiting’s bright eyes widened with awe, and she couldn’t help but exclaim, "Elder Sister, I wonder when we will be able to soar as freely as Master, as if we were birds."

Wang Caiwei, also lost in thought as she gazed up, snapped out of her reverie upon hearing this. Casting a chastising glance at her younger sister, she said, "Sister, mind your words. How could you compare Master to a mere bird? If you cultivate diligently, after Opening Meridians, Master will surely pass down a Superior Skill. I imagine in just a few more years of hard work, you too will be able to fly to the icy azure skies."

Wang Caiting stuck out her delicately pink tongue and then took Wang Caiwei’s arm, giggling mischievously.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yan headed toward the Cave Mansion of True Master Peng, arriving at Shouming Palace.

Upon reaching the area, he unexpectedly saw hundreds of disciples loitering outside the palace gates. Puzzled, he couldn’t help but feel curious.

At that moment, a Daoist Nun approached to greet him. Zhang Yan had met her twice before, so they could be considered acquaintances. Pointing below, he asked, "Fellow Daoist, why are there so many people outside the palace gates?"

Glancing downward, the Daoist Nun curled her lips disparagingly and said in a disdainful tone, "They’re all here to seek apprenticeship. A few of the senior sisters are getting on in years, so they’re looking to take in some disciples to pass on their teachings. Once word of this spread, these people swarmed over, all trying to push their way into the gates. Hmph, as if becoming a disciple of Shouming Palace could be so easily achieved."

Zhang Yan nodded in understanding, thinking to himself that this explained it.

The disciples of True Master Peng, aside from Qin Nan, had originally been maids brought from her family lineage. After hundreds of years, their lifespans were naturally nearing their end. Taking in a few capable disciples now would allow them to reincarnate into new bodies and re-enter the Immortal Gate a few years down the line after their soldier transitions.

In the past, True Master Peng had always conducted herself with low profile, and Shouming Palace was a secluded place. Thus, no one dared to rashly seek apprenticeship here. But now the situation had changed. After her high-profile alignment with the Master-Disciple faction following the Grand Competition, True Master Peng’s status within the sect had risen significantly, naturally attracting countless disciples seeking her mentorship.

After all, in the minds of those disciples, even if they couldn’t become True Master Peng’s direct disciples, being the grand-disciple of a Cave Heaven True Master would still be a significant opportunity.

After leading Zhang Yan into the main hall, the Daoist Nun excused herself and withdrew. A short while later, True Master Peng entered the hall, accompanied by a dozen maids, moving gracefully toward the central seat.

However, before she even sat down, her phoenix-like eyes swept across the hall and landed on Zhang Yan. Looking at him intently, she curiously asked, "Have you managed to break through the Shell Barrier?"

Zhang Yan rose and saluted, smiling as he said, "Reporting to True Master, I was fortunate enough to pass through this barrier."

True Master Peng regarded him for a long moment before raising her hand to motion for him to sit. Her tone softened as she said, "No need to stand, sit and speak."

Zhang Yan’s Elixir Formation had achieved First Grade. According to her expectations, breaking through the Shell Barrier within two to three decades would already have been exceedingly fast.

She had not anticipated that Zhang Yan would achieve it in just eight years, an astonishing pace that, unknowingly, elevated her opinion of him further.

Seating herself at the central position, True Master Peng rested her delicate jade-like hand on the armrest of the phoenix-head chair. Her crimson lips parted as she spoke, "A few days from now, on the first of next month, there will be about a dozen disciples wanting to enter the small demon cave for cultivation. However, ever since Nephew Zhuang returned from that cave, no one has been there for many years, leaving the demons inside unchecked. They must now be cleared out once again. Yet, among my disciples, few are capable. Qin Nan’s cultivation is still too shallow, so I must ask you to go and escort them for their safety."

Zhang Yan pondered inwardly. If it were merely a matter of escorting disciples, it wouldn’t require a Top Ten Disciple of the sect like him to step in. Any random Hua Dan Cultivator could suffice.

Given True Master Peng’s current alignment with the Master-Disciple faction, there were undoubtedly many who would willingly assist her. Clearly, there was another reason behind this. Smiling slightly, he asked, "Does True Master have additional instructions?"

True Master Peng waved her hand, and the maids behind her immediately understood. They quietly retreated, leaving only the two of them in the hall. Her expression grew solemn as she said, "Years ago, in the small demon cave, you once encountered members of the Blood Essence Sect. Later, Nephew Yun Tian dispatched several elders to investigate, but they failed to find the entry point or exit of their hidden gate. Now, with the Demon Tribulation imminent, this matter poses a latent threat. This time, though your official task is to escort the disciples, if possible, you must find a way to locate the cave entrance and eradicate the danger."

She looked at Zhang Yan again and added, "This matter was specifically assigned by the Sect Leader to you. I hope you will not disappoint their trust."

Zhang Yan’s gaze flickered as he resolved, saying firmly, "I vividly remember the events from back then—so perilous that only Brother Xie, Junior Brother Feng, and I barely escaped. How could I allow the Blood Essence Sect to act so brazenly within the territory of our Mingcang Sect? Since this is an instruction from the Sect Leader and yourself, I will naturally take it upon myself. Rest assured, I will investigate thoroughly and leave no loose ends!"

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