Three days later, Zhou Chongju, the Dean of the Elixir Cauldron Institute, met with the Sect Leader and mentioned that the group of Demonesses raised by his disciple Zhang Yan was originally purchased from the Water Country as a gift for him. They had been temporarily placed with his disciple, and Zhuang Bufan acted rashly without investigating the matter thoroughly, handling it way too impetuously.
Master Sun also expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, "Every sect maintains Demonesses, which does not violate sect rules. Zhuang Bufan’s actions have unnecessarily disturbed the peace, stirring up trouble for no good reason."
With these two speaking up, the matter immediately blew up, with all sorts of criticisms rising to a crescendo. Zhuang Bufan was summoned by True Master Yan and reprimanded harshly, leaving him disgraced and mortified. Later, he went to the Sect Leader to plead for forgiveness, barely managing to retain his position as Deputy Director of Zhengqing Institute, but he dared not bring up the topic of cleansing the sect atmosphere anymore.
As for Zhang Yan, who had initiated the matter, he remained unnoticed and cultivated peacefully within his Cave Mansion.
In his view, Zhuang Bufan was still too impatient; almost immediately after assuming the role of Deputy Director, he hastily took action. Even if it wasn’t aimed directly at him, a minor oversight could easily provide others with an opportunity to attack.
In truth, sitting in Zhuang Bufan’s position, patience and restraint would have been the most prudent approach.
He looked out toward Spiritual Paper Island. At that moment, the setting sun bathed the horizon in vibrant hues, smearing the waters and sky as if painted heavily with cinnabar. With interest suddenly piqued, he remembered that today was the last day of his agreed meeting with the Demon Flood Dragon. Calling Luo Xiao along, he exited his Cave Mansion and headed toward the riverbank.
Following the winding stream on foot for the duration of a meal, he arrived at the turbulent inner river. After glancing around, he chuckled lightly and said, "No need to hide. I know you’re here. What have you decided about what I said three days ago?"
"I’m suffocating! Suffocating!" The Golden Flood Dragon suddenly raised its massive head with a splash, surfacing from the water. After a few days, it had gained the ability to speak, though it immediately began complaining incessantly. "This island of yours has no big fish or monstrous beasts, just bland and unsatisfying soup. Day in and day out, all I do is swallow tasteless Elixir Pills. And with such cramped and narrow surroundings, I can’t even stretch out. It’s utterly unbearable!"
Zhang Yan smirked playfully and said, "Letting you out is indeed possible. However, you must acknowledge me as your master."
The Golden Flood Dragon hunched its back defiantly and retorted, "Why should I acknowledge you as my master? Your cultivation isn’t even high! If I were to choose a master, I might as well pick a cultivator with profound cultivation—like the one who brought you back that day."
"Oh, you mean Zhuang Bufan? You certainly have lofty aspirations."
Despite being belittled for his cultivation, Zhang Yan did not take offense. Instead, a surge of ambition arose within him, and he declared boldly, "Although my cultivation is currently no match for his, it does not mean I won’t surpass him in the future. Within a hundred years, I guarantee I will outmatch him!"
The Golden Flood Dragon rolled its eyes and said slyly, "Then how about we make a wager? If you surpass him within a hundred years, I’ll acknowledge you as my master. How about that?"
Zhang Yan pointed a finger at it and laughed, "You cunning Demon Flood Dragon. Do you truly think I’d fall for that? Even if I do surpass him in the future, why should I raise you for a hundred years for free? With your shameless, opportunistic nature—always avoiding losses—you’re destined to fail at transformation."
The Golden Flood Dragon grumbled, "Had I not planned my retreat early, I would’ve been captured and faced certain death. What good would surviving this ordeal have done me then?"
Zhang Yan asked with interest, "Oh? Who tried to capture you?"
The Golden Flood Dragon seemed to realize it had misspoken and quickly clamped its mouth shut.
Zhang Yan merely chuckled and refrained from pressing further, instead pointing to Luo Xiao, who stood beside him, and said, "See this fellow Daoist next to me? She’s also a Demon Cultivator. Your Qi Blood Essence would greatly benefit her. If she were to consume you, I’m sure her cultivation would progress significantly."
The Golden Flood Dragon glanced at Luo Xiao, a trace of panic flashing through its eyes.
Zhang Yan observed the Golden Flood Dragon’s darting eyes but saw no response. He waved his sleeve and said, "Luo Daoist, since it won’t acknowledge me as its master, I’ll leave the matter to you." With that, he pretended to leave.
Luo Xiao gracefully offered a Wan Fu salute and replied, "Thank you, my lord, for granting me this opportunity."
Seeing Zhang Yan turn to leave and Luo Xiao casting a cold, piercing gaze at it, the Golden Flood Dragon grew alarmed and shouted hastily, "Don’t go! Don’t go! I’ll acknowledge you as my master! I’ll acknowledge you as my master!"
Zhang Yan stopped in his tracks, amused. This cunning Demon Flood Dragon turned out to be spineless—yielding to mere threats. Just as he was about to turn back, a voice called from the skies, "Brother Zhang, are you here? Xie has come to pay a visit."
Upon hearing this, the Golden Flood Dragon immediately plunged its head back into the water, disappearing from view. Seeing its antics, Zhang Yan scoffed, "You may evade me today, but you won’t escape forever."
The Golden Flood Dragon muttered under the water, "Live for the moment, drink for the day. Delay one moment if I can."