Chapter 492: Chapter 112: Cranes Fly Away Outside Qingcun Mountain (Part 1)
Within Nine-Headed Peak, Zhang Yan sat cross-legged atop the stone platform, a sphere of thick yellow mist rising behind him, hovering high above his head, slowly shifting and changing shape.
The mist was dense and heavy, like leaden clouds pressing down, boulders teetering on the brink, or mountains about to crumble, with a foreboding sense of imminent descent.
After circulating the light mist a few times, Zhang Yan seized a spell, slowly gathering it and drawing it back into his body, only then did he withdraw the spiritual mechanism and look up.
In what seemed like a flash, two years had passed. Due to various concerns, he had not ignited acupoints or refined apertures, focusing all his efforts on cultivating the Supreme Mysterious True Light.
Water is the source of the Five Elements, earth is the mother of the Five Elements. Without earth, nothing grows; without water, nothing flourishes. Previously, his cultivation of the Water Element True Light had seen minor success, but achieving further progress in a short period was impossible, so he chose to practice an Earth Element True Light instead.
Despite the assistance of the Broken Jade, over these two years, he could barely condense a single sphere of true light, far from being able to use it to harm others.
He calculated with his fingers; in just a few hours, it would be time for Qingcun Mountain to open its array. It was about time to set off, so he laughed aloud and said, "The array gate is about to open, and the child has yet to return?"
Outside the cave mansion, on a wheel-sized stone platform, a small child was playing with a brightly feathered mountain sparrow. Upon hearing the call, the child responded crisply, their small figure arching before turning into a stream of clear qi and darting into his sleeve.
Zhang Yan chuckled; Master Shi had passed away a year ago. Since he had promised to take this Zhi Tong to the mortal world for fun, he wouldn’t go against his word. On the day of the array’s opening, it was fitting to bring him along.
He rose and stepped out of the cave mansion, standing on a mountain cliff, gazing at distant peaks. Suddenly, clear qi reflected the sky, dyeing the heavy clouds emerald, as fluttering flying leaves drifted down, a mass of green clouds flew over, and a voice sounded from midair, "Li Daoist, we must depart today, are you prepared?"
With a tip of his toes, Zhang Yan caught the breeze and ascended the cloud, stopping not far from Daoist Dong Jin, smiling, "Since I have an agreement with Daoist Dong Jin, I will naturally comply. Rest assured, once I leave the array, I’ll find a chance to break away."
Daoist Dong Jin replied coldly, "Very well, the Ganoderma Ancestor’s shell must not be lost. In a moment, watch my methods; I shall carve out a path for you, fellow Daoist."
Zhang Yan nodded slightly; this matter had long been settled between them. After exchanging a few more words, they each took a seat on the cloud, waiting for the great array to open.
At this moment, outside the array gate, the Ruya Daoist and Daoist Qingyao had both arrived, bowing in salutation, exchanging words of admiration. Around them swirled clear qi, attracting fragrant flowers and exotic birds into a revolving dance, their feet resting on leaves of gourd, a tender green swaying gently in the wind.
Suddenly, a transformation light loomed nearby, accompanied by a cough. The two turned their heads to see, not far away, an elderly Daoist no taller than three feet appear.
Sitting atop a banana leaf, the figure was dry and frail, face full of wrinkles, holding a bamboo cane with a purple-red gourd hanging from it, drooping eyelids, presenting a half-asleep illusion, it was the same Han Guzi who had once met Zhang Yan at Purple Bamboo Mountain.
The Ruya Daoist exclaimed in surprise, "Senior Brother, where have you come from?"
This senior brother had long since had his Nascent Soul shattered by Yun Tian, clinging to life with a piece of Elixir Jade, it was surprising to see him here today, leaving one to wonder what method he used to come out of the mountain.
Han Guzi croaked, "No need for concern, Senior Brother. I’m here today because I have an unresolved grudge."
The Ruya Daoist nodded, asking no further questions. Since his junior brother’s foundation had been damaged, his temperament had turned peculiar, making it difficult to approach. However, out of respect for common sect courtesy, not greeting him was out of the question.
Han Guzi fixed his eyes on the array gate. On that day, he had sent Yue Hongzhang to probe Zhang Yan’s background, but Yue Hongzhang had acted with duplicity, outwardly respectful, inwardly disdainful.
Since his foundation broke, Han Guzi’s temperament had drastically changed, becoming hypersensitive. Even the secret whispers of his disciples made him suspect mockery, and now being treated contemptuously by the younger generation filled him with intense shame and anger.
Yet he knew he was no longer what he once was, and the Yue Family was beyond his reach. His seething resentment, however, found its way to Zhang Yan, the more he thought, the more Zhang Yan’s background seemed mysterious, driving him to vow to capture and question him. Hence he came on this day of the array’s opening, to show others he’s not just a recluse in the mountains.
Meanwhile, Daoist Qingyao and the Ruya Daoist were exchanging conversations with laughter. She cast a glance at a young cultivator behind the Ruya Daoist, noticing his handsome demeanor, eyes like deep ink, his hair bound under a long robe, exuding grace and strength, she remarked, "Brother Hao, is this your disciple?"