Zhang Yan didn't leave any leeway in his words, so Shen Jingyue couldn't continue. However, he wasn't angry. He smiled faintly and said, "Junior Zhang, you're on your own."
He turned around and left the stage. Not long after, the chubby Zhang Zhen slowly walked up to the stage. However, he wasn't good with words, so after bowing politely, he and Zhang Yan took their respective seats.
Zhang Zhen looked at the first Star Stele. The first Star Stele was divided into nine sections and three chapters, with more than ten thousand words. He had secretly glanced at it a few times during the spell gathering.
Now that he looked at it again, he realized that the words looked like ants crawling on them. After a few glances, he felt a sense of nausea. He hurriedly took a few deep breaths and tried to calm his mind. He took out a set of bamboo chips from his sleeves and prepared to decipher it. He inadvertently glanced at Zhang Yan and couldn't help but be startled.
He saw that Zhang Yan was already writing at a rapid speed on the table. He couldn't help but feel puzzled. What was he doing?
Not only was he puzzled, but the disciples sitting below the stage, including Shen Jingyue, were also puzzled. They didn't know what Zhang Yan was trying to do.
No one would believe that Zhang Yan had already started deciphering the eroded text. Not only did he not use the bamboo chips, but he was also writing so quickly. It didn't seem like he was deducing the eroded text, but copying it.
In fact, Zhang Yan's deduction of the Star Stele was not much different from copying an article.
This time, he challenged the Guangyuan Sect alone. On the surface, he looked relaxed, as if everything was under his control, but in reality, how could he relax at all? He used all his strength right from the start, sinking his consciousness into the broken jade clone and deducing at an extremely fast speed.
The broken jade had just gained something, but the content immediately flowed out from his pen. Thus, in the eyes of outsiders, Zhang Yan's actions were simply inconceivable.
Zhang Zhen didn't dare to look at Zhang Yan's actions anymore after a few glances. He suddenly thought that perhaps this was Zhang Yan's strategy to mess with his mind? Thus, he decided not to pay attention to it anymore. After calming his mind and adjusting his breathing, he began to calculate according to the Guangyuan Sect's calculation method.
At this moment, Zhang Yan had no time to pay attention to this side. After writing the first sentence, the Qi in his body inexplicably moved, and then it flowed through his limbs and bones. This kind of feeling was very strange, as if he had become one with the heavens. His body reflected the circulation of the stars, and the universe changed. Zhang Yan's expression became serious, and he became even more careful.
However, it wasn't long before his reverence towards the Star Stele decreased greatly. He was freed from his original state of fear and trepidation, and a feeling of "it's nothing special" arose in his heart.
This wasn't because Zhang Yan was arrogant and conceited, but because after this deduction, he had already glimpsed some of the profundities within.
When deducing the Star Stele, the Qi would circulate and change along with one's interpretation of the Star Stele. Once one's Inner Qi moved, it would be extremely difficult for one to control it. However, there was a difficulty here. If one's Qi had already flowed through the previous step, but the corresponding next step was not deduced in time, then the Qi would be at a loss and fall into disorder.
This was like a galloping horse that was being driven forward at a high speed, and one had to constantly pave the way for it. Moreover, one could not stop at will.
This was extremely dangerous for those who didn't have a high level of attainment in the Star Stele, but for those who could decipher the Star Stele quickly, it was not a problem.
However, this was exactly what Zhang Yan was good at. Moreover, with the remnant of the jade, it was almost impossible for him to miscalculate, and his deduction time was more than ten times that of an ordinary person. Even when there were difficulties, he would leap over them without any hesitation.
Under these circumstances, he could relax his mind and experience the wonderful feeling brought about by the circulation of Qi. As he gradually familiarized himself with the circulation of the Qi, he also slowly gained his own understanding.
It was said that the inscriptions on the Star Stele corresponded to the orbit of the stars, but in his opinion, this was not the case.
In his interpretation, there were a few Star Steles that repeatedly appeared, and every time they appeared, the circulation of the Qi would repeat itself.
According to this, it seemed that as long as he visualized and read these specific Star Steles, he would be able to drive the Qi to move on its own.
Just as he was thinking about this, a few of the Star Stele's densely packed Star Stele gradually lit up in his eyes! He suddenly understood something. This was not the orbit of the stars; it was clearly a narrative used by the ancient moral scholars to explain the connection between the Star Stele and the Way of Heaven!
Didn't this mean that the legends were true, that a person could climb the Way of Heaven and ascend the Gate of Heaven as long as he studied the Star Stele thoroughly?
With this thought in mind, Zhang Yan became even more focused. He wholeheartedly memorized the Qi that corresponded with the Star Stele, preparing to study it in depth when he had the time.
About two hours later, he had finished reading the first chapter of the Star Stele, which was about three thousand words long. The surging Qi in his body suddenly stopped and automatically returned to his Dantian. It was obvious that one cycle had ended, and if he moved again, it would be the beginning of another cycle. At this point, Zhang Yan still wanted to continue.
Only then did he remember that his opponent, Zhang Zhen, was Zhang Zhen. When he looked up, he found that his opponent's face was pale and his breathing was rapid. His fat body was trembling non-stop, and his grip on the bamboo chips was unstable, as if they could fall at any time. It was obvious that he was trapped in the Star Stele, unable to extricate himself.
However, what surprised Zhang Yan was that although this fat young cultivator seemed to be on the verge of collapse, he did not actually collapse. Instead, he persisted and passed the first stage.
Zhang Zhen stood up, panting heavily. He raised his sleeve and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He wanted to exchange the Star Stele with Zhang Yan, but he found that the first part of the Star Stele had been soaked in his own sweat, and the words had become blurred and indistinct. He could not help but feel embarrassed.
Zhang Yan, however, did not mind. He smiled and took the Star Stele, then handed his own Star Stele to his opponent.
Zhang Zhen took a closer look and found that whether it was in terms of comprehension of the Star Stele or the calmness that flowed between the lines, Zhang Zhen could not compare to him. The outcome of the battle was obvious. Moreover, he was shocked that Zhang Yan could decipher the Star Stele's Star Stele without using the bamboo chips. This point convinced him of his loss. He bowed to Zhang Yan in admiration and said, "Senior Brother is truly talented. I am ashamed of my inferiority."
At the end of his speech, Zhang Zhen felt that he did not have the face to stay on the stage any longer. He staggered down from the stage, but after a few steps, he staggered and almost fell. Qi Xuan rushed over to support him and said, "Senior Brother, be careful."
Zhang Zhen struggled to stand up. When he raised his head, he saw Wen Jun and Shen Jingyue looking at him with concern. He apologized, "Senior Brother, I have failed you two. I am ashamed."
Wen Jun comforted him, "Junior Brother, you have done nothing wrong. You only need to rest and recuperate. In the next round, let me see just how good this Zhang Yan is."
Shen Jingyue was shocked when he heard this. This was not the arrangement they had agreed on. He was just about to speak when Wen Jun interrupted him. "Junior Brother, Junior Brother Zhang originally planned to exhaust Zhang Yan's mental energy, but I see that he is still full of energy. It is obvious that he still has energy to spare. You may not be his match if you go up now. It won't be too late for you to go up after I've fought."
Shen Jingyue still wanted to say something, but Wen Jun's face darkened and he said, "I have already made up my mind. It's settled then!" He gave Qi Xuan a look, and the latter understood and came forward to stop Shen Jingyue.
Shen Jingyue had never seen Wen Jun use his status as the Head Disciple to suppress him. He could not think of a solution and could only watch helplessly as Wen Jun went up the stage. However, his eyes gradually revealed a trace of determination.
"Junior Brother Zhang, Guangyuan Wen Jun greets you."
Wen Jun had long since entered the Profound Gate. He wore a black Taoist robe and a five-rimmed crown on his head. He stood tall and straight with a beautiful beard. He had the bearing of a Head Disciple of the Lower House.
Zhang Yan solemnly returned the greeting and said, "Please!"
The second chapter of the Star Stele was even more difficult to decipher than the previous one. Wen Jun's mastery of the Eroding Runes was not as good as Zhang Zhen's, but he had already reached the stage of "Yuan Cheng Entering Truth". It was just that he had not yet opened his meridians. The Yuan Qi in his body was full and condensed, and it would not be easily triggered by the Qi. Even if his Qi moved independently, he relied on his profound cultivation to suppress it.
This was also the method that ordinary disciples used to derive the Eroding Runes. Although they could not increase their speed in deciphering the Eroding Runes, they could suppress the Qi movement so that it would not escape their control. Although this was more strenuous and did not bring them any benefits, it was still a good method to use in a battle.
Therefore, in a battle of deduction, if both sides' understanding of the Eroding Runes was similar, then it would be a battle of cultivation. This was also the reason why so many disciples did not think highly of Zhang Yan. Unfortunately, he had a divine tool in his hands and could not be judged by common sense.
After Wen Jun sat down to deduce, he appeared calm and composed, showing the demeanor of a Head Disciple.
However, Zhang Yan did not pay any attention to him and continued to lift his brush. The disciples below the stage had already noticed that Zhang Yan did not need to rely on bamboo sticks to deduce the Eroding Runes. Now that they saw him again, they were amazed. Moreover, Zhang Yan's brush was like flowing water, moving clouds and floating clouds. He was able to slow down in a rush, and he had a good balance. His appearance and demeanor were both excellent, giving off a wonderful feeling of comfort. This caused the audience to be even more amazed.
However, at this moment, more people were looking at Wen Jun. They did not know if this Head Disciple of the Guangyuan Sect would be able to defeat Zhang Yan in this battle.
Unknowingly, the audience had already placed Zhang Yan in a strong position in their hearts. They no longer looked down on him just because he was a mere Head Disciple.
Another two hours passed by in a hurry. Wen Jun's head was also faintly covered in sweat, but he was much stronger than Zhang Zhen from before. He still sat upright on the stage, and the hand that held the brush in his hand was firm and steady as he smoothly finished reading the second chapter.
At this time, he also realized that his ability had reached its limit. He did not dare to advance rashly anymore. He sighed slightly and put down the brush in his hand.
When he raised his head, he found that Zhang Yan had already finished deciphering the second chapter. The ink on the paper had already dried a long time ago. He shook his head, stood up and said, "This round, Junior Zhang has won."
This extremely graceful and self-restrained Head Disciple of the Guangyuan Sect also made Zhang Yan feel a sense of respect. He solemnly cupped his hands and watched Wen Jun leave the stage.
The scene was completely opposite of what the disciples had expected. It was not that Zhang Yan had overestimated himself and left in a sorry state. Instead, it was that he had easily won two rounds in a row and left Guangyuan Sect with a smile. They could not help but wonder.
Below the stage, Shen Jingyue's expression was solemn. He thought to himself, "It seems that I have underestimated this person."
Thinking of this, he could not help but feel regret. With Zhang Yan's ability, it was no wonder that he was unwilling to join the Guangyuan Sect. At the same time, he could not help but wonder, could it be that the information from the Lin clan was false? Could it be that Zhang Yan was a Head Disciple in name, but was actually a Head Disciple secretly cultivated by the Ying Cang Sect?
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