Ao Tong frolicked joyfully in the Dragon Abyss Marsh, twisting and turning as its movements stirred up monstrous waves and rolling Demon Clouds.
Fortunately, the Spirit Paper Island was located in the southwest of the marsh, where only a few small volcanic islands lay scattered within a radius of three hundred miles. These islands, scorched by eternal flames and suffused with turbulent Evil Qi, were unbearable for Cultivators, leaving the area desolate and rarely visited.
Even the largest nearby island, Red Cloud Island, had been quiet and undisturbed. Since Wang Pan’s demise, the Wang Family clansmen had been instructed not to leave the island casually. Thus, even the most raucous commotion failed to draw attention.
With Ao Tong now recognizing its master, Zhang Yan had no fear of it running away. Should it wander too far, he needed only to summon it back in his mind. Thinking thus, he allowed it to revel freely and returned to his Cave Mansion without concern.
As soon as Zhang Yan stepped into the Cave Mansion, he heard a sound akin to a frog’s croak. Following the noise, he found the Five-Colored Lizard that often tidied the cave. It hadn’t shown itself earlier when others were present, but now with Zhang Yan alone, it emerged, chirping excitedly.
Zhang Yan chuckled lightly and said, "I almost forgot about you."
He took a Shell Pearl from his Sleeve Bag, flicked it with a finger, and sent a white streak through the air. The lizard lashed out its agile tongue, caught the pearl, and swallowed it.
Its belly bulged slightly and emitted two more croaks. From a crack in the cave wall behind it, two more lizards appeared, poking their heads out timidly. These were smaller than the original lizard by at least two sizes, their patterns less vivid.
"Oh? I didn’t expect you’ve propagated here," Zhang Yan remarked with delight. His face lit up as he continued, "This aligns perfectly with my refined Cultivation and upcoming breakthrough. You having offspring now is indeed a sign of great fortune."
In the world of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects, the ability to reproduce symbolized harmony with cosmic fate. The Five-Colored Lizard was known to guard households, and in the Mortal World, it was often depicted and affixed above doorways as a charm. Its offspring born within a Cave Mansion indicated the owner’s stable foundation and expansion potential—a truly auspicious omen.
Seeing the favorable sign, Zhang Yan could not help but feel joyous. He tossed a few more Shell Pearls on the ground, which the Five-Colored Lizard eagerly scooped up while chirping in excitement. It then crouched on the ground, bowing repeatedly like a human before wagging its tail, collecting the pearls, and leading its two younglings into the fissures of the rocky peaks, disappearing from sight.
Zhang Yan returned to the Stone Platform and settled down. As his gaze lifted, he noticed the Sleeve Bag gifted by Xie Zongyuan resting on the desk. With curiosity, he pondered what might be inside.
Picking it up and opening it, he found a Jade Token alongside a bamboo scroll. Unfurling the scroll for a glance, he couldn’t help but comment, "Brother Xie was truly considerate."
It turned out Xie Zongyuan had gifted him a Taming Beast Saddle—classified as a low-grade Spirit Artifact. Knowing Zhang Yan’s difficulty in riding and controlling the Golden Flood Dragon, Xie had thoughtfully sent this item to assist him in taming and rearing the beast.
As for the bamboo scroll, it contained instructions on how to use this artifact.
Zhang Yan skimmed through the densely packed, insect-like characters on the scroll and soon fully grasped the technique described. He set down the scroll and mused, "I still vividly recall the moonlit nights drinking with Senior Brothers Liu and Xie, yet in a blink, Senior Brother Liu has perished without a trace, not even his Primordial Spirit breaking free."
If a Cultivator managed to preserve their Primordial Spirit, they could reincarnate as humans. With the guidance of comrades and kin, they might still embark on the path to Immortality. However, Liu Tao had suffered soul scattering—leaving no trace of his existence in the world.
Zhang Yan lowered the Taming Beast Saddle and clasped his hands behind his back, pacing leisurely. "We Xuanmen disciples emphasize refined and independent cultivation, striving for self-reliance. But one misstep can mean irreversible failure. Senior Brother Zhou once mentioned a Divine Skill within the sect called ’Divine Splitting and Cutting.’ It allows the separation of the soul to be imbued into an object, permitting revival even if the flesh is destroyed. Yet, how much Merit must one accumulate to practice such a skill?"
The Mingcang Sect’s Dharma techniques largely required service to the sect to earn access. However, certain techniques were known only to the Sect Leader and a few elders of Du Zhen Hall, granted solely to disciples deemed "predestined." No amount of Merit could secure such techniques otherwise.
This "predestination" relied on closeness with those holding knowledge of the spells. By aligning himself with Qi Yuntian’s faction, Zhang Yan had significantly increased his chances of accessing rare techniques.
Still, opportunities for service were scarce during ordinary times. Now, with the Mingcang Sect’s impending conflict with the Three Pools Lake Demon, disciples eagerly awaited their chance to accumulate Merit. It was little wonder they were so impatient.
Taking a few more steps, Zhang Yan reached into his sleeve and withdrew the Seven Heart Dragon Pendant Liu Tao had entrusted him with. He contemplated, "Originally, Senior Brother Liu had asked me to deliver this jade to his descendants upon leaving the Demon Cave. However, Brother Qi mentioned he’d visit me in several days, making travel inconvenient. Now that my Xuan Guang Cultivation is newly stabilized and my advancements demand deeper subterranean exploration, I must harness Evil Qi for refinement. I wonder if the Evil Qi beneath Spirit Paper Island will meet my expectations. With this idle moment, I should descend and take a look."