Zhang Clan Ancestral Hall
Zhang Jian led a group of people into this solemn ancestral land once again.
Zhang Yi was already waiting in front of the temple, feeling somewhat helpless at this moment.
However, he had already advised against it. There was nothing more he could do if they wouldn't listen.
"Uncle Yi!" Zhang Jian smiled cheerfully.
"We must serve our ancestors with diligence and devotion, without slacking off!"
"Come in!"
Zhang Yi was too tired to speak more and directly waved the duster in his hand. Zhang Jian then adopted a solemn expression, beckoning the strong men behind him to carry the loads of vermilion treasure notes and Ningshen Lotus inside.
In the venerable ancestral hall, the Divine Master Tablets of the ancestors were immaculately preserved, with incense smoke wafting year-round, and candles burning eternally, all of which showcased the Zhang Family's prosperity.
Zhang Jian's gaze fell on the central female golden statue. At this time, a faint crimson lightning fire swirled in his eyes, as if he could see the rich golden light flowing on the statue.
Holy, solemn.
Meanwhile, the ancient Stone Mirror seemed exceptionally heavy, as if a gigantic mirror covering the sky, enveloping the entire ancestral hall.
He dared not continue to focus his gaze.
There was something peculiar in his eyes; he hadn't had such an insight before.
He couldn't help but think of the effects of the Fire Apricot, strengthening the foundation and nourishing the essence, enhancing the spiritual soul.
This should be because his spiritual power had grown stronger, revealing such marvelous powers.
"I hope to have new gains this time!"
Zhang Jian thought silently to himself.
This time should be different from the last. Although there wasn't an advancement in position, he contributed the Large Water Wheel Diagram and earned merit with Sheji. Although it was through the Zhang Family's hand, it should somewhat increase his influence.
Zhang Jian himself didn't know if he could gain anything.
But it wouldn't hurt to try.
What if he could profit from it!
As the loads of vermilion treasure notes burned before him, Zhang Jian noticed some of them began to extinguish themselves.
His gaze flickered slightly; he had encountered this situation before.
For instance, when he first discovered the anomaly, he realized he could only offer part of the vermilion paper notes to this "ancestor." If he forcibly reignited them, he would fall gravely ill.
The first time, he spent more than half a month bedridden because of this, and afterward, he never forced it again.
Zhang Jian knew this might be somewhat related to his 'influence.'
With each success in the county, prefecture, and academy examinations, obtaining titles of child scholar and scholar, the amount of vermilion treasure notes he could burn had noticeably increased.
And after passing the provincial exam, it reached another level.
This time, the amount of vermilion treasure notes burned was slightly more than last time, suggesting that the benefits he could gain should be correspondingly greater.
Zhang Jian was in a good mood, making Zhang Yi's expression a bit peculiar as he watched Zhang Jian's suddenly improved mood.
Zhang Jian was becoming more and more unusual.
Zhang Yi shook his head and just watched Zhang Jian. Suddenly, he spoke up.
"Brother Jian, I noticed you've been searching through the library for Ancient Golden Script classics lately. Have you discovered anything new?"
His eyes were full of hope.
Zhang Jian had been studying the dozen rune scrolls in the dark room and didn't hide it from Zhang Yi.
Of course, this was also tacitly approved by Zhang Yi.
"Uncle Yi, you noticed? I wonder if you have any other classics that could help decipher the Ancient Golden Scripture?"
Zhang Yi's eyes brightened.
Zhang Yi nodded slightly, still waiting for Zhang Jian's answer with a meaningful gaze.
Zhang Jian smiled slightly and said.
"Uncle Yi, I have made quite a bit of progress. Those dozen scrolls contain a piece of writing beyond our imagination. It's a brand new Gate of the Great Dao, only I don't know much about the Ancient Golden Script, and I can't fully comprehend it!"
Zhang Jian too was quite expectant.
His progress on deciphering the Ancient Golden Script in those dozen scrolls was indeed going smoothly.
However, the chapters of golden text contained in the scrolls were understood heart to heart—it could be comprehended, but not spoken. If Zhang Yi were to grasp it, he must first understand it himself before he could teach it.
Zhang Jian didn't really mind teaching it, after all, he had benefited from Zhang Yi, and it was only right.
On hearing this, Zhang Yi, despite his shrewdness, couldn't help but be momentarily lost, his eyes gleaming with unprecedented brilliance: "Brother Jian, whatever you need next, just tell me, and I'll do my best to get it!"
Hearing this thrilling news, the joy in Zhang Yi's heart was unimaginable.
Those dozen scrolls were obtained from a Jianghu mythological powerhouse, a fate he encountered as a young man—a gift from an old senior nearing the end of his lifespan.
According to that senior, there was an Immortal fate contained within.
Therefore, he firmly believed in it.
Because he had verified that the dozen scrolls indeed contained a kind of power he couldn't understand.
To unravel this mystery, he had spent decades.
And even now, he was still alone.
This was no easy feat.
Seeing his long-cherished wish about to be fulfilled, how could he not be pleased?
...
Zhang Family Ancestral Hall, as the loads of vermilion treasure notes were burned, the blue smoke drifted straight into the skies.
In the vast Immortal Realm, the Nine-colored Scarlet Water roared within the Two Realms Pool, as streams of golden light flew out, manifesting as adorable Gold Yuanbao in the Immortal Realm.
Golden light shimmering, celestial music lingering.
In the blink of an eye, they all fell into a flawless jade palm.
"Five thousand superior incense burners!"
As this flawless incense entered her body, Qingxia Goddess finally felt her Dao Practice improve at a visibly rapid pace.
This was already starting to take effect.
Subsequently, Qingxia Goddess saw countless streams of golden light circulating within the Celestial Pool, whereupon she beheld ten or so streams of golden light exuding intense fragrance, surrounded by Merit Golden Light, and witnessed one after another Merit Golden Lotus floating towards her.
This time, the Merit Golden Lotus did not condense into form, but hovered between formless and tangible, emitting wisps of intense sacred light.
"Merit Treasure Lotus?"
Just a glance, and Qingxia Goddess's eyes revealed strands of wondrous radiance.
Such Merit Treasure Lotus, she had only seen on a few Great Divine Ability Users.
With such an auspicious sign accompanied, Outer Demons would find it hard to approach, and she wouldn't easily fall into outer tribulations.
Only some long-enlightened Great Powers, possessing marvelous Divine Profound techniques, bore the auspicious sign of Merit Golden Lotus.
The other party had given her another surprise!
Qingxia Goddess's ethereal, elegantly immortal face was adorned with a rare touch of brightness.
The sacrifice this time pleased her greatly.
This would aid her future cultivation and advance towards breaking through to Daoist Monarch. She slowly stood up, her ethereal figure moving gracefully amidst the clouds, her phoenix-like eyes contemplating.
Previously, when the other party offered sacrifices, she had only bestowed a cup of golden destiny.
This time, that wouldn't do, or it would dampen the other party's enthusiasm.
In an instant, she had an idea, withdrawing a golden, pearl-like lotus seed from her sleeve, radiating myriad incomparably profound innate patterns from afar, with natural Dao Rhythms.
Jade Pool Golden Lotus Seed!
That was an Immortal Seed brought back by a Fairy with Great Divine Might from the Jasper Pool. As a Yaochi Fairy, she could get quite a few every hundred years.
This thing wasn't lacking in the Jasper Pool, but it held immense value elsewhere.
Too precious things couldn't be thrown down at present, as it would be too violating.
Even this item might count as a violation.
However, with a few bribes and private means, it shouldn't be a problem!