The three, He Cheng and the others, were overjoyed upon hearing this and all knelt down to kowtow in gratitude.

Zhang Yan also offered them some encouraging words before instructing the three to leave. He then turned to Daoist Wen, saying, "Junior Brother Wen, I still have some words to exchange with Junior Brother Zhao, you should go first."

Daoist Wen, not minding at all, deftly stood up and was about to leave when something seemingly came to his mind. Turning back, he said, "Senior Brother, recently there have been many outsiders coming to seek apprenticeship. Among them there is a child, barely ten years old, who journeyed alone, traversing mountains and rivers for ten thousand miles. Previously, Brother Chu wanted to take him as a disciple, but who knew he would refuse, saying he would accept no one but the Sect Leader. From what I observed, not only does he have extraordinary talent, but his dedication to the Dao is truly rare. I wished to do him a favor by bringing it to your attention."

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Bring him to see me another day, Junior Brother."

Daoist Wen was overjoyed, saluted, then nodded at Zhao Ge before leaving the cave mansion.

Zhang Yan pondered for a moment, then turned to Zhao Ge and said, "Junior Brother Zhao, I can now entrust the Elixir Institute to He Cheng and the others, but we still lack one place within the sect for artifact refining. To guard against the unknown calamity that may descend at any time, we must plan early."

Among the three disciples, only Zhao Ge was informed by Zhang Yan of the impending great tribulation, and thus grasped the implication in his words. He bowed and asked, "May I ask Sect Leader Senior Brother, how should I proceed?"

Zhang Yan replied, "I wish to open an earth fire sky furnace for our mountain gate, but there is nowhere suitable within Cangzhu Peak. After careful consideration, I think we can set the location at the Divine House East Boundary."

Zhao Ge asked in surprise, "Why choose that place? While the Divine House East Boundary is vast, it is mostly desolate and the spirit veins are sparse."

Zhang Yan laughed and replied, "Precisely because no one goes there can it be for our use. Every time the heavenly furnace is activated, it consumes the earth vein’s fiery essence. Even disregarding the difficulty of drawing this essence, if it were established within the mountain gate, it would be overly conspicuous. Were our peers outside the mountain to hear of it, they’d all want to borrow it for treasure refining. Do you wish that or not?"

Zhao Ge suddenly realized, "Still, it is Senior Brother Sect Leader’s thorough consideration."

Zhang Yan said, "Junior Brother Zhao, I must stay at the mountain gate and cannot leave, Daoist Zhang is out searching for elixir materials, and this matter can only be entrusted to you. Please make every effort."

Zhao Ge solemnly clasped his hands and said, "How dare I not give it my all." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Zhang Yan smiled slightly and said, "I cannot remain long in East Victory Continent. Sooner or later, I must return to the Mingcang Mountain Gate. Before I leave, I still need to choose a person to take charge. However, as cultivators, cultivation is fundamental. Otherwise, it is hard to gain the trust of others. Junior Brother Zhao, remember to be diligent."

Listening to this, Zhao Ge stood silently for a moment and then bowed deeply to Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan nodded. Among Shen Baishuang’s three registered disciples, each had strengths and weaknesses. Chu Muran was indecisive but handled mundane affairs well, Daoist Wen had the highest mana among the three but was too overbearing in character. Only Zhao Ge was stable in temperament, had the best talent, and held the potential to achieve Nascent Soul. He was Zhang Yan’s favored candidate to take over the position of master.

As the two were speaking, suddenly a flying sword entered the hall and headed towards Zhao Ge. He caught it with a glance, apologized to Zhang Yan, and opened it to take a look. His expression suddenly froze, and he lifted his head, saying, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, it is a letter from the E Mountain Sect. It says that Master Yong fell in a dharma assembly confrontation with someone the other day and has passed away."

As he spoke, he handed over the letter. Zhang Yan raised his eyebrows, reached out to take it, and carefully read it to understand the details. Apparently, on the previous day, it was the Dragon Pillar Meeting between the Xuanyue Sect and the Zhongtai Sect. The Zhongtai Sect Leader brought sixteen Nascent Soul cultivators. Apart from nine Nascent Soul elders of their sect, seven others were summoned from the lower sects, including Gongsun Daoist of the Xianluo Sect, who had not emerged from seclusion for a long time.

Although the Zhongtai Sect was determined to reclaim their lost honor this battle, it ended in defeat once again. Three elders of the sect were lost, and not a single one of the seven lower sect practitioners, including Yong Fu and Gongsun Daoist, survived.

After reading, Zhang Yan folded the letter and sighed, "I never thought that after more than ten years, Daoist Yong would meet such an end."

Zhao Ge said in a deep voice, "Sect Leader Yong was also not free in his choices."

At that moment, another flash of white light appeared outside the cave, bringing another flying book, this time directly towards Zhang Yan. He caught it and brought it up to his eyes. By the imprint on it, he realized it was a letter from Zhang Boyant.

Over the past sixteen years, the three mystical artifacts remained untouched in the Floating Tower, so Zhang Boyant continued traveling outside, searching for spirit grass.

Zhang Yan thought it should be a clue, but upon opening it, he found it still related to the Dragon Pillar Meeting.

The Zhongtai Sect, contesting for the Dragon Pillar Palace against the Xuanyue Sect, had gone through seven Dragon Pillar Meetings in sixteen years. But after yet another battle, their effort was crucial. If the Zhongtai Sect won, they could tie the score; if not, there would be no future possibility. However, after two severe defeats, their primordial qi had suffered greatly. None of the elders in the sect were willing to fight, let alone the practitioners from the lower sects, who were all anxious.

Under such circumstances, the Zhongtai Sect Leader knew that excessive coercion would be ill-advised. Just fearing no one would be available for the final dharma assembly, he came up with an idea: to seek reclusive high talents with all manner of strange treasures, regardless of where those practitioners came from. Even if they were members of Evil Sects or Outer Sea Demon Cultivators, anyone who was willing to fight for the Zhongtai sect would be treated as an honored guest and granted what they desired.

Seeing this, Zhang Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. Over the years, Zhang Boyant had found many Ghost Sunflowers and Earth Hidden Lotus, but the Snake Ring Essence was still elusive. If the Zhongtai Sect were to have it, he wouldn’t mind partaking in the Dragon Pillar Meeting himself.

...

... (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)