Chapter 623: Chapter 304: Nearing the Dao! God Sealing Statue, Chaotic Heaven Great Saint (Part 2)

After all, they were originally animals that became spirits and possessed demonic ghosts.

"Appointed? Appointed by whom?" Zhang Fan raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, it’s someone from the Zong family." Zhang Wuming said with a firm voice.

Within the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family, status is not determined by bloodline. Regardless of birth, anyone who gains the Ancestral Master’s approval and is appointed a divine title becomes a blood heir of the Zong family.

The able rise, the weak retreat, survival of the fittest.

"People from Beizhang..." Zhang Fan’s eyes focused.

Everything was indeed as Lin Jianyue said; the Beizhang people have really arrived, and they are not of the same ilk as Zhang Wuming—these are true disciples of Beizhang, appointed with divine titles and possessing profound Dao practices.

The Beizhang people have entangled themselves with Li Changgeng. This man doesn’t just want to encircle and kill Zhao Jie Xuan; he also wants to take over Yellow Skin Cave.

Zhang Fan speculated that Yellow Skin Cave was merely a stepping stone for Li Changgeng. This heir of the White Crane Temple has great ambition; perhaps he wants to seize control of all the demons, ghosts, and spirits in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

"Li Changgeng has grand ambitions."

Zhang Fan whispered in his heart, his eyes scrutinizing the girl in front of him.

"What’s your name?"

"Shut up."

Before Zhang Wuming could speak, Zhang Fan shot him a look that made him swallow his words.

"My name is Huang Jiu."

"Is what he’s saying true?" Zhang Fan asked again.

"Basically true." Huang Jiu nodded.

"You’re quite stubborn. Since there are experts in the cave with a backing, why do you still choose to resist to the death?" Zhang Fan said blandly.

Huang Jiu’s expression changed repeatedly. She bit her lip and said firmly, "Relying on external forces is like a rootless duckweed..."

"You humans say that profit blinds wisdom. I see that my Brother San is already blinded by immediate benefits, not realizing that he is inviting a wolf into the house. Even if he becomes the master of a cave, he will only be used as a tool by others in the future. And pity for my entire clan in the cave will be doomed eternally."

"Oh? I didn’t expect you, a little yellow-skinned rat, to have such uncommon insight despite being in the deep mountains." Zhang Fan remarked in surprise, rather looking down on this girl.

"You humans have a saying, ’One should learn from past events to become a teacher for future events...’"

"Years ago, the struggle between the Daoist Sect and the Wuwei Sect swept across the land, affecting the mountains and seas. The demons, ghosts, and spirits of my Hundred Thousand Mountains were almost wiped out, taking a century to recuperate and regain their primordial qi..."

Huang Jiu sighed, "Since ancient times, when war breaks out, regardless of victory or defeat, it’s always the weak who suffer."

"I’ve always believed that we should not get involved in human conflicts, but cultivate good outcomes externally and understand Daoist skills internally to strengthen and survive."

"Unfortunately, I am insignificant and my words carry no weight."

Upon saying this, a hint of melancholy appeared on Huang Jiu’s face.

"You indeed have some insight. If in the future, a crisis arises and you must choose between the Daoist Sect and the Wuwei Sect, whom would you choose?" Zhang Fan asked with great interest.

"Choose? Let me choose?" Huang Jiu was taken aback and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

"I’m just a little demon; how could I have the right to choose?"

Choice requires status and power. Most can only go with the flow, driven by fate.

"If you had the right to choose, if you sat in the position of Yellow Skin Cave Master," Zhang Fan spoke softly.

Upon these words, not only Li Miaoyin but even Zhang Wuming beside her showed surprise, deeply glancing at Zhang Fan.

"Me?" Huang Jiu was stunned for a moment, then shook her head.

"I don’t know."

"Don’t know?"

"You humans say that situations arise among people, and people are trained in situations. Anything still depends on people..." Huang Jiu gritted her teeth and said.

"If among humans, there is someone worthy of trust, then I’m willing to entrust the life of an entire cave to him."

"What kind of person would you entrust the life and death of a cave to?" Zhang Fan asked.

"Someone close to the Dao."

"Do you know what the Dao is?" Zhang Fan unintentionally laughed.

A trace of bewilderment appeared in Huang Jiu’s eyes as she murmured softly.

"Life is the Dao, death is the Dao, success is the Dao, failure is the Dao...

The Heavenly Dao is vast and boundless because it is natural."

"Hmm!?" Zhang Fan’s eyes brightened, revealing an unusual expression.

The operation of the Heavenly Dao is chaotic and vast; success, failure, life, death, yin and yang, good and bad—all are within the Heavenly Dao. Precisely because it is natural, without human intervention, it adheres to the most fundamental, primordial rules and laws.

These words appear simple, but how many truly comprehend the mysterious essence within? How many can actually achieve it?

Such a person moves, speaks, and acts in accordance with the Dao, naturally, without thoughts or desires.

"I didn’t expect you, with such shallow Dao practice, to know these truths and speak such words." Zhang Fan couldn’t help but praise.

"I didn’t say this." Huang Jiu shook her head.

"It was my grandfather who told me. He said that many years ago, a guest came to the Hundred Thousand Mountains and discussed the Dao with the Demon Leader..."

"These were his words."

"Oh? What kind of guest?" Zhang Fan grew interested and asked.

"His Daoist title is Three Corpses!"

"Three Corpses Daoist!" Zhang Fan muttered quietly.

Li Miaoyin’s eyes shone with a peculiar brilliance, while an imperceptible look crossed Zhang Wuming’s face.

"Very well, we are fated. I will grant you a fortune." Zhang Fan nodded and helped Huang Jiu to her feet.

"What fortune?" Huang Jiu asked instinctively.

"I want you to sit in that cave’s grand position. From now on, no one could question you."

Zhang Fan’s words were astonishing, causing Huang Jiu’s expression to change slightly.

"Why are you helping me?"

She knew well that there is no free lunch in the world. So she had just said, relying on external forces is like a rootless duckweed, being elevated by someone naturally comes with strings attached, leading to ruin for the entire Yellow Skin Cave.

In this way, she would be no different from Huang Sanlang.

"Simply following my heart’s desire." Zhang Fan said calmly.

"Are you from the Daoist Sect or the Wuwei?" Huang Jiu hesitated.

"Don’t worry, I don’t need your repayment, nor do I need you to take sides. Just remember the words you’ve said today and don’t forget your true self." Zhang Fan said blandly.

The mountain wind blew gently, ruffling the girl’s hair. As she looked at the man before her, she felt his presence as towering as a mountain and as deep as the sea.

"If this succeeds, in the future... I am willing to repay this kindness with my life."

Huang Jiu, resolute by nature, made her decision and bowed deeply, prostrating herself three times before Zhang Fan.

"You..."

Beside them, Zhang Wuming watched in astonishment, realizing that Zhang Fan’s actions were undoubtedly a challenge to the Beizhang lineage, placing him firmly in opposition.

"Do you have any objections?" Zhang Fan noticed the subtle change in Zhang Wuming’s expression and said calmly.

"Of course, I support you, brother. Such feudal dregs of the Zhang family should have been thrown into the dustbin of history long ago." Zhang Wuming, standing close to Zhang Fan, showed unwavering determination in his eyes.

"I am irreconcilable with these feudal remnants."

Indeed, he was a victim and sufferer of the established order within the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family.

"Then let’s go together." Zhang Fan gestured in a welcoming manner.

"Brother, no need for announcements, I’ll lead the way."

Zhang Wuming understood the message and took the lead, with Huang Jiu following closely behind.

Just moments ago, they were hunter and hunted, and now they were comrades—such are the whims of fate.

"Why did you bring him along?" Li Miaoyin glared at Zhang Wuming and said, "I always felt he wasn’t trustworthy."

"I feel the same, but don’t you find him interesting? Let’s keep him for now, he might prove useful." Zhang Fan said casually.

Zhang Wuming was the first person from Beizhang he encountered, and through him, perhaps he could uncover the depth of the Beizhang lineage.

During the journey, Zhang Wuming remained docile. To the unknowing, it might seem as though he had been following Zhang Fan for many years.

"Brother, what’s your name?"

"Does it concern you?"

"Brother, you wouldn’t happen to be a disciple of the Pure Yang Family, right? Only such a background could produce someone as outstanding as you."

"Trying to pry information from me? Want to find out my background, is that it?"

"Brother, does your background even need to be uncovered? Wherever you stand, from now on, you’re my background."

"What’s the name of the master from Beizhang who came this time?"

At this moment, Zhang Fan shifted the conversation and suddenly asked.

Zhang Wuming was momentarily stunned but still replied.

"His name is Zhang Huntu!"

"Zhang Huntu!?" Zhang Fan’s gaze sharpened, remembering the name.

"Huntu is the Daoist title he received!" Zhang Wuming said with a serious tone.

He and Zhang Huntu were of the same sect and family, having even participated in the Divine Investiture Ceremony together, but the latter successfully gained divine status and a Daoist title, diverging their fates dramatically ever since.

"The divine statue he established is called the Chaotic Heaven Great Saint!" Zhang Wuming quietly spoke.