Chapter 389 - 297: The Zhang Clan of Qianlang
Chapter 389: Chapter 297: The Zhang Clan of Qianlang
And the commotion in the hall was still continuing.
"Silence!"
"All this noise, what decorum is this!"
After a brief consideration, the middle-aged cultivator’s face darkened, and he shouted sternly.
Upon hearing this, the hall immediately quieted down.
He was the first among the Thousand Waves Sect’s mid-stage Golden Core cultivators and was in charge of all sect affairs in the absence of Senior Brother Ren. When he put on a stern face, no one in the hall dared to act out of line.
"Since no decision can be made, let’s discuss it another day!"
"Everyone, return to your cultivation!"
The middle-aged cultivator waved his sleeve, then his figure blurred and vanished from the hall.
The Golden Core cultivators in the hall looked at each other in dismay.
Yet the person from Cyan Peak Daoist School who was to exchange positions was about to arrive. Discuss it another day? Where was the time for that?
But in the next moment, everyone understood that Senior Brother Zhu was not taking sides and was washing his hands of the matter.
Yet this seemed more advantageous for the Zhang Family?
The few in the hall exchanged a glance, deep in thought.
...
...
"Truly a Cave-Heaven Blessed Land!"
At this moment, a young man, extremely handsome and dressed in a brand-new indigo Daoist robe woven with gold and silver threads, approached from beyond the heavens and landed before this vast Great Marsh.
This person was, naturally, Gu Yuan.
He looked up and saw this Great Marsh. The Spiritual Qi was like the sea, surging endlessly. It was indeed a Tier Four Spiritual Vein!
The massive lotus leaves floating above the Great Marsh were distributed across various nodes of the spiritual vein, creating palaces with varying concentrations of Spiritual Qi.
But the entire Great Marsh was undoubtedly a massive Tier Four Spiritual Vein, with a Spiritual Qi concentration even superior to that of the Cyan Peak Daoist School.
Gu Yuan, having flown from the Cyan Peak Treasure Pavilion via the Teleportation Array, had traversed tens of thousands of miles, witnessing numerous spirit peaks and streams, all with Spiritual Qi concentrations surpassing those of the South Mountain Domain.
The reputation of the East Mountain Realm was indeed well-deserved!
"What Golden Core cultivator dares intrude upon my Celestial Water Marsh?"
At this moment, a golden-armored Daoist soldier, standing atop a massive lotus leaf within the marsh and riding a colossal gray whale, rose skyward and questioned Gu Yuan.
Behind him, on the Great Marsh, countless clouds and fog rolled, converging into the form of wind and thunder, roaring fiercely.
Although this Daoist soldier only had Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could utilize a portion of the Thousand Waves Sect’s Mountain Protection Array’s power. Imposing and confident, he showed no fear before Gu Yuan, this unfamiliar Golden Core cultivator.
"Cyan Peak Daoist School, Gu Yuan, here for sect exchange cultivation. Requesting an audience with your sect’s True Person!"
Gu Yuan did not take offense but instead announced his affiliation and requested to see Master Cangming.
After all, he was a Golden Core cultivator, and his status was far from ordinary. The only one who could receive him with the courtesy of a disciple would be a Daoist Embryo Realm True Person.
"A predecessor from the Cyan Peak Daoist School?"
Although the Daoist soldier showed no fear when facing a Golden Core cultivator, he relied on the sect’s prestige, presuming Gu Yuan to be an independent Golden Core cultivator, thus questioning him boldly.
But upon hearing Gu Yuan announce his affiliation, his expression immediately changed. He leapt off the gray whale and respectfully saluted Gu Yuan.
"Greetings, Master Donghua!"
The Thousand Waves Sect had long received the news, knowing that Gu Yuan would arrive soon. As a gatekeeper Daoist soldier, he naturally understood all related details about Gu Yuan.
"No need for formalities!"
Gu Yuan waved his sleeve gently, and a soft surge of mana helped the Daoist soldier to his feet.
"Please wait a moment, True Person. I will immediately report to the sect and ring the Jade Plate Golden Bell to welcome you into the sect!"
The Daoist soldier respectfully said this, then immediately issued a Command Token, sending it into the Great Marsh.
In the East Mountain Realm, Golden Core cultivators were not ordinary cultivators and held a high status. Such figures coming for sect exchange cultivation required due respect from the Thousand Waves Sect.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
The grand bell rang immediately, its sound resonating throughout the marsh, melodious and profound.
Golden carp leapt into the sky, immortal cranes flew together, and waves of auspicious clouds appeared. One by one, golden lotuses emerged from the marsh, and the world was filled with golden light, as if welcoming Gu Yuan.
"Hahaha, how it brightens our humble sect to have a friend visit from afar!"
Not only that, but several Escape Lights immediately flew out from within the Thousand Waves Sect, and even before the lights arrived, the sound of joyous laughter filled the air.
As the lights dissipated, three figures landed next to Gu Yuan.
Leading them was an elder in ceremonial garb, with hair like a crane and a youthful face, full of spirit, and with a profound aura, evidently already with mid-stage Golden Core cultivation.
Beside him were two younger early-stage Golden Core cultivators, both handsome, dressed in brocade robes with jade ornaments at their waists. Judging by their looks, they seemed about five to six parts similar.
"To meet three of the four renowned members of the Zhang Family today is truly as famous as it is impressive!"
Gu Yuan made a salutory gesture with his hand to the group in greeting.
Before heading to the Thousand Waves Sect, he had already reviewed this sect’s records and had a general understanding of its powers.
Within the Thousand Waves Sect, there were two top-tier noble families.
One, naturally, was the Cang Family, which had Daoist Embryo cultivators, and the sect leader, Master Cangming, originated from here. However, the Cang Family had few members, and Master Cangming had no offspring, so while the Cang Family’s status was exalted, its actual power in the sect was not significant.
The other was the Zhang Family!
The Zhang Family had four outstanding members, with four Golden Core cultivators from a single surname, reaching the pinnacle of prosperity.
In addition to this, the Zhang Family had many marital alliances. Of the eleven Golden Core cultivators within the Thousand Waves Sect, three were in-laws of the Zhang Family, representing extraordinary connections.
Thus, the Zhang Family was undoubtedly the premier noble family in the Thousand Waves Sect.
However, the exchange position was taken by the Ding Clan, another Golden Core family.
Now, with three members of the Zhang Family here to welcome him, Gu Yuan’s thoughts briefly stirred with an uneasy suspicion.
"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Donghua, you are too modest. You are a rare genius in the Cyan Peak Daoist School, renowned for hundreds of years. We have long heard of you, and today seeing you, your presence is indeed extraordinary, almost divine!"
"Come, come, let me introduce you. I am Zhang Guangcheng, and these two are my nephews, Zhang Zhengzhen and Zhang Zhengyang. In our Zhang Family, our cultivator titles and given names are the same, so you may call us by either!"
Zhang Guangcheng stroked his beard with a smile, introducing them to Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan made a greeting gesture, and they both returned the courtesy, maintaining a harmonious atmosphere.
"May I know if Master Cangming is available? Senior Brother Tiandou has sent me with gifts to congratulate the True Person on their thousand-year celebration!"
After some pleasantries, Gu Yuan asked.
Visiting and paying respects to the True Person was expected etiquette for sect exchange cultivations.
"The True Person is out on important business and is not currently in the sect. Otherwise, I would certainly introduce you!"
Zhang Guangcheng sighed.
"Is Brother Shenyi in the temple? Senior Brother Tiandou has sent me with a letter!"
Gu Yuan inquired again.
Master Shenyi was the current late-stage Golden Core Great Cultivator of the Thousand Waves Sect, Ren Boyang!
This person had reached the late-stage Golden Core for several centuries, with unfathomable cultivation. Senior Brother Tiandou had specifically advised Gu Yuan to meet this person.
As long as this person agreed, Gu Yuan would be at ease in the Thousand Waves Sect.
"You’ve arrived at a rather inopportune time. Senior Brother Ren is currently in seclusion and isn’t seeing any guests, and we have not seen Senior Brother in several years!"
Zhang Guangcheng smiled wryly once more.
Gu Yuan slightly frowned, but could only helplessly agree, stating that he would pay his respects later on.
"However, don’t worry, Fellow Daoist. We will certainly make proper arrangements for your exchange cultivation. We have already set up a place for you; please follow me!"
Zhang Guangcheng hurriedly added, then led Gu Yuan towards a massive lotus leaf spanning hundreds of acres in the depths of the marsh.
Atop the lotus leaf stood a magnificent palace, adorned with intricate beams and painted pillars, with curving eaves and corners, golden tiles, and glasswork, jade lamps, and agates, making it extraordinarily luxurious.
Before the palace, a row of charming mermaids and Daoist children stood waiting respectfully on either side.
Rich Spiritual Qi flowed from the palace like mist, spreading around, but on the lotus leaf, emerald patterns shimmered, creating an invisible wall that kept all the Spiritual Qi contained within the lotus leaf, without any leakage.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, all resources for cultivation have been arranged, and this palace is connected to one of the Great Marsh’s upper-class Tier Three spiritual veins, which should suffice for your cultivation."
Zhang Guangcheng led Gu Yuan to the palace, then explained with a smile.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist!"
Gu Yuan smiled as he bowed in gratitude.
"Then we shall not disturb your cultivation!"
Zhang Guangcheng and his two nephews exchanged glances, then mounted their Escape Light and departed from there.