"Three hundred taels of silver, five hundred catties of rice, twenty catties of fresh meat, three hundred catties of cured meat and all kinds of vegetables and fruits, three sets of a good wide-sleeved Taoist robe, a headband, shoes, and socks, a copper Qi Cultivating Furnace …"
Zhang Yan looked at the list in his hand. Aside from these things, there were also some scattered daily necessities that were not on the list. He sighed inwardly at Min Lou's generosity. Even if he ate as much as he wanted, it would be enough for him to eat for a whole year. It could be said that it had completely solved his urgent need.
In all fairness, if he were to look at the value of the Taoist book today, it would not be worth this much. Even if he were to ask the master in the temple, it would not cost so much.
However, considering the fact that Min Lou was deliberately trying to befriend him, Zhang Yan did not act pretentiously and accepted all of it. However, he firmly accepted this favor.
After pondering for a while, he wrote a letter and found a Daoist boy who was in charge of chores. He asked him to send the letter down the mountain when he went shopping.
After arranging everything, Zhang Yan closed his door and meditated. Although the Yiqi Clear Scripture was only an entry-level mental cultivation method, the path of cultivation was like rowing a boat against the current. If one did not advance, one would fall behind. He knew the importance of the foundation. After transmigrating here for so many days, he did not relax for even a moment.
The night passed uneventfully.
At dawn the next day, he went to the pavilion at the Thousand Zhang Cliff. To his surprise, he found that someone was already waiting there.
This person was in his early thirties, but his temples were slightly white. He looked haggard and held a nanmu book box in his hand. From afar, he saw Zhang Yan walking over with a bamboo banner in his hand. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Are you Zhang Yan, Senior Brother Zhang?"
Zhang Yan stood still and modestly returned the greeting. "Indeed."
"I am Zhao Yuan from Virtue Cultivation Temple. I heard that Senior Brother Zhang is good at deciphering Eroded Scripts, so I came here to ask for advice."
Zhaoyuan opened the wooden box in his hand, revealing a thin Daoist book. As if afraid of damaging the Daoist book, he gently took it out and presented it to Zhang Yan. He respectfully said, "If you can resolve the doubts in my heart, I will not mistreat you."
Zhang Yan looked at the way Zhao Yuan treated the book as if it were a treasure, and then glanced at the meticulously crafted nanmu box. He smiled faintly and set aside the bamboo banner in his hand. He took out a white handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped his hands. Only then did he receive the Daoist book.
Seeing Zhang Yan's actions, Zhao Yuan couldn't help but have a good impression of him.
As soon as the book was in his hands, Zhang Yan flipped through it and found that there was only the first half of the Daoist book. It was obvious that Zhao Yuan didn't want him to read the whole thing. This was also reasonable. He smiled and returned the Daoist book to Zhao Yuan.
Zhao Yuan's expression changed and he hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Zhang, is there something wrong? Or … "He paused and looked suspiciously at Zhang Yan. Could it be that Min Lou had exaggerated Zhang Yan's ability and that he couldn't actually decipher this Daoist book?
Zhang Yan shook his head and smiled, "Senior Brother, don't worry. This book is in my heart."
The first half of the Daoist book was only a few hundred words. His memory was getting better and better, and he had studied Eroded Scripts for several years. Naturally, he could remember it after reading it once. Moreover, he wanted to use it to promote his reputation and put on the airs of an expert.
"Oh?" Zhao Yuan was taken aback, but there was still some doubt in his expression.
Zhang Yan walked into the pavilion and placed the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone in the bamboo basket on his back on the stone table. After sitting down calmly, he picked up the brush and began to write.
He had just seen that this Daoist book named 'Yongchuan Traversing Water Book' was actually just a miscellaneous book of immortal travel. It wasn't difficult for him to decipher this half of the Daoist book.
Without waiting for the ink to dry, Zhao Yuan hurriedly grabbed those pages of paper and impatiently read them. At first, he was filled with hope, but not long after, his complexion became worse and worse. After reading it a few times, he dejectedly let out a long sigh and said, "I didn't believe it at first, but I didn't expect it to be true. I spent so much effort in vain … That's right, how can people of my generation casually look at the True Scriptures of Wonderful Techniques? I've been blinded this time!"
Zhang Yan was surprised, "Senior Brother, why do you say that?"
Zhao Yuan revealed a bitter expression and said, "Junior Brother, you also know that it's difficult for us nominal disciples to cultivate. Even those rich and wealthy families have to give some offerings to those evil slaves from time to time in order to obtain some methods. I won't hide it from Junior Brother Zhang. A few days ago, Senior Brother Bian said that if I find a pound of Glittering Sinks Into Sand, he will give me a Daoist book. Who knew … Alas!"
Zhang Yan suddenly understood. Whether it was the Good Abyss Temple, the Virtue Cultivation Temple, or the Peace Temple, there were only a dozen or so real disciples. They usually concentrated on cultivation, and the daily chores were handled by the stewards around them. Although these people were stewards, they shouldn't be underestimated. They also carried the title of nominal disciples. After reading the Daoist book, the disciples would always leave behind some handwritten copies. These servants secretly copied some and sold them to nominal disciples or some rich families who yearned for cultivation.
However, there were also different levels. If it wasn't a real rich family, they wouldn't give you face and would only give you some miscellaneous books.
Most of the Daoist books circulated among the three Lower Houses came in this way.
Although Zhao Yuan's family had been doing business for generations and could be considered a well-to-do family, it was still far from those nobles.
Zhang Yan's previous targets were precisely these 'rich slaves'. These people had great power, and most of them had colluded with the inner disciples. Ordinary disciples absolutely couldn't afford to provoke them. Even if they tricked them, it would be a waste.
This time, Zhao Yuan was eager to seek the Dao. He heard that a certain nominal disciple was searching everywhere for the Five Elements Divine Sand and was willing to take out a few authentic Daoist books for his senior and junior brothers to study. He steeled his heart and approached this person's steward. Not only did he offer a catty of Water Moon Gem Sinks Into Sand, he also sent a large amount of money in exchange for an authentic book.
Zhao Yuan had originally thought that this "Daoist book" would definitely be an Immortal technique. He didn't expect to find that it was only a travel journal, even worse than ordinary Qi cultivation techniques. He couldn't help but feel regret, but he was also afraid that he had made a mistake in deducing the Eroded Runes. Within a few months, he spent a large amount of money to consult a few of the nominal disciples, but the results were all the same. Just as he was in despair, he heard from Min Lou that Zhang Yan was quite good at deciphering the Eroded Runes. In his desperation, he took out another half of the Daoist book to consult Zhang Yan.
"I've been on the mountain for six years, and today my plan has failed. It seems that I have no fate with the Xuanmen. I might as well go back to my hometown to do business."
Zhao Yuan was already thirty-eight years old. Seeing the difficulties of cultivation and the repeated setbacks, he couldn't help but feel discouraged and wanted to leave the mountain. Looking at the other half of the Daoist book, he couldn't help but feel angry. He grabbed the book in his hand and was about to tear it in half.
Hearing this, Zhang Yan's eyes flashed. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Zhao Yuan's wrist, saying, "Senior Brother, wait."
Zhao Yuan looked up in surprise.
Zhang Yan looked at Zhao Yuan and said in a low voice, "If Senior Brother trusts me, can you let me have a look at the second half of the book?"
Zhao Yuan heard the hidden meaning in Zhang Yan's words. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "What does Senior Brother mean?"
Zhang Yan said sincerely, "Forgive me for being blunt, but the Eroded Runes Daoist Book is all about unity, reflecting the front and the back. If I hastily separated it, I wouldn't be able to understand its meaning. Just Now that I've read this book, there are some places that are quite mysterious. Perhaps …"
"Oh?" Zhao Yuan's eyes widened as he looked at Zhang Yan. He seemed to understand the meaning of Zhang Yan's words. His whole body unconsciously trembled, "Could it be …"
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I'll do my best and leave the rest to Heaven."
Zhao Yuan clenched his teeth, stood up and stamped his feet, saying, "Fine, I'll read it with Senior Brother!" He had originally given up on this idea, but Zhang Yan's words gave him a glimmer of hope. Although it was still very uncertain, how could he easily let it go?
Watching Zhao Yuan hurriedly leave, Zhang Yan got up and paced back and forth, saying slowly, "In ancient times, there was Yong County, also known as Chuande. The terrain was high, and rivers converged. It was like a crouching tiger, looking south at the Dongzhou, and like a hidden dragon looking down at the beach, wanting to enter the North Sea …" The more he read these words, the more he felt that it was likely to be a hidden meaning. Originally, he had only thought of this book as a travel book, but when Zhao Yuan said that it was fate and not fate, he suddenly remembered that the predecessors of Taoism always liked to play with mysteries and add obstacles to one's heart. Perhaps there were some mysteries that he had not discovered.
In less than an hour, Zhao Yuan rushed back, panting. He did not say a word, but pulled out a Daoist book from his bosom and stuffed it into Zhang Yan's hands.
Zhang Yan nodded and calmly sat down to read. Zhao Yuan nervously looked at his face, worried about his gains and losses. However, Zhang Yan's expression remained calm, not giving the slightest clue.
After he finished reading the entire book, Zhang Yan thought in his heart, "Sure enough!"
This time he was very sure, there were dragons and tigers, it was clearly about the intersection of water and fire, and the eight rivers referred to the eight meridians, and the water was the meridians!
The entire Dao Book's etchings were extremely shallow, even a person with a dull aptitude would be able to understand one or two of them. Moreover, the Essence Building Secret Art was written in the form of a travelogue, but if one did not study it with sincerity, or if one's Dao Heart was always there, then they would really miss it. This Immortal Master could be said to have far-reaching intentions.
But now he was thinking about another issue.
Should he tell Zhao Yuan?
It was reasonable to say that even if he said that this was a travel book, Zhao Yuan would not be able to do anything about it, and would not attract the attention of others.
But thinking about it, this was only an Essence Building Daoist book, although it was rare, but compared to the long road of cultivation, it was nothing. Doing such a thing would not bring him any benefits, and would also hinder him from walking on the Dao, he would not do such a thing.
Zhang Yan slowly raised his head, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "Congratulations Brother Zhao, the 'Eternal River Traversing Water Book' is actually the 'Eternal River Traversing Meridian Method', it is really a rare Essence Building Daoist book!"
Zhao Yuan's eyes widened a little, and his whole body trembled as he said, "Really?"
Zhang Yan sighed and said, "If Senior Brother had read the two Daoist books together, perhaps someone would have already seen through it … …"
Zhao Yuan shook his head and said, "Otherwise, Senior Brother is a gentleman, if it was someone else, they may not tell the truth to this Zhao, Senior Brother is really this Zhao's benefactor! Please allow this Zhao to pay his respects. "
He bent down, and solemnly gave a big bow to Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan hurriedly helped him up, and said, "This Senior is using the water to describe his Qi, and his words are profound and profound, the entire Daoist book is like a fish scraped off its scales, it is really rare, this Junior Brother has the heart to try it, I don't know if Senior Brother Zhao would allow me to practice it or not?"
Zhao Yuan was startled, this Daoist book had obviously been completely memorized by Zhang Yan's memory, even if he secretly practiced it, he would still be helpless, but now he was still asking him, it was obvious that he respected him. Zhao Yuan was even more moved, and quickly said, "You are too kind, Senior Brother's words make this little brother feel ashamed, Senior Brother's great kindness cannot be repaid, this book can be learned."
He felt around his body, feeling that the bag of pearls he had originally prepared couldn't be taken out. After thinking for a moment, he took out a paper bag from his bosom and handed it to Zhang Yan with both hands, saying, "I was in a hurry today, so I didn't bring any treasures. This is the 'Jade Gui Sand' of the Five Elements Divine Sand, it is still worth a bit of silver. Please accept it, Senior Brother, I will repay you in the future."
Zhang Yan didn't refuse, calmly accepting it, and then reminded him, "Senior Brother's mood has been through ups and downs today, it is not suitable for you to cultivate." Since he had decided to be a good person, he might as well be a good person to the end.
Zhao Yuan hurriedly nodded in thanks. He looked at Zhang Yan, hesitated for a moment, and then took a step forward, saying in a small voice, "Senior Brother, deciphering the Eroding Runes is indeed a good thing, but it will incur the jealousy of others …"
Hearing this, Zhang Yan's expression became serious, and he earnestly said, "Don't worry, Senior Brother, I have my own plans."
Zhao Yuan nodded. Since they were both understanding people, it was fine to stop here. He cupped his hands, saying, "If Senior Brother needs any help, just say the word. I will do my best to help." He solemnly bowed again, then turned to leave.
Zhang Yan looked at the other's back, deep in thought. It seemed that Zhao Yuan was also confiding in him. If he didn't treat him as a good friend, he wouldn't have mentioned it.
Deciphering the Eroding Runes seemed normal, but in reality, it was like stealing food from the mouths of the new disciples. Originally, they would first sell the Daoist books, then sell the deciphered manuscripts, which would allow them to make a profit twice in a row. Now, it was the same as giving Zhang Yan a knife, cutting off their source of income. It was fine for now, but as time passed, it would inevitably cause them to be unhappy, and the consequences would be hard to predict.
This was the source of Zhao Yuan's worry.
Now that Zhang Yan had enough money and food, he didn't need to rely on deciphering the Eroding Runes to make a living.
However, his plan wasn't that simple!
He was a cultivator, so he naturally understood that cultivation was the foundation. Earning money was just a matter of convenience. His real goal was to attract the attention of the upper echelons of the Good Abyss Temple.
Zhang Yan had been in the apocalyptic world for seven years, and he had even entered the core of the survivor camp. He knew very well that there were only two essential differences between the upper and lower echelons: one was the control and distribution of resources, and the other was the asymmetry of information.
Although these were two different worlds, the principles were the same.
As a major Daoist sect, the Yue Cang Sect had more than three hundred registered disciples like him in the Good Abyss Temple, as well as more than a thousand Daoist apprentices who did chores. However, there were only more than ten true disciples.
However, these dozen or so people and the three gurus in the temple had all the cultivation books.
The new disciples of the Good Abyss Temple usually cultivated at the sixth peak of Azure Wu Mountain, Moon Seizing Peak. It was rare to see them unless one was familiar with them. The gurus in the temple would give lectures every month, but without 'offerings' all year round, it was impossible to obtain Daoist techniques.
Zhang Yan wasn't from a wealthy family, so this path was obviously not feasible. However, there was another path he could take.
That was to become famous!
Once he became famous, he would have the opportunity to make friends with new disciples even if he couldn't gain the appreciation of a guru. Once he entered their circle, the possibility of obtaining a superior technique would be much higher.
His ability to decipher the Eroding Runes was his stepping stone.
How could he possibly stop before these people noticed him?
As for the danger he might face, he smiled. Normally, he wouldn't take such a risk, but these days …
He narrowed his eyes and looked in the direction of Azure Wu Mountain's main peak, God Cometh Peak. This was a great opportunity!
…
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
