Guo Lie stood steadily at the door, staring intently into Zhang Yan’s eyes, and asked in a deep voice, "What method?"
Zhang Yan merely smiled faintly and replied, "Han Ye Xuanzhen Grass. I believe fellow Daoist has heard of it."
Upon hearing this, Guo Lie’s chest heaved violently, and he exclaimed in disbelief, "You have it?"
Han Ye Xuanzhen Grass is extremely precious. Once it appears, it is quickly snatched away. Even if found in an Immortal Market, it is sold off promptly to avoid attracting calamity. Its price is exorbitant and obtaining it depends entirely on luck.
Although Guo Lie is Tao Zhenhong’s disciple, he is not merely a loose cultivator. But even so, upon seeing this Han Ye Xuanzhen Grass, he wouldn’t be able to gather enough Spiritual Shells to purchase it. Even Great Sect disciples seldom possess such wealth like Zhang Yan does.
The reason Guo Lie roams around fighting and seeking enemies is partly due to his hopelessness in the path of cultivation, using it as an outlet for his frustrations. If he could refine a Small Golden Core, even if its grade isn’t high, it wouldn’t completely sever his path to the Great Dao; there would still be a glimmer of hope.
Zhang Yan said nothing further, retrieved the Han Ye Xuanzhen Grass, opened the container, and allowed Guo Lie to examine it.
Guo Lie glanced at it. Despite his composure, his fingers trembled slightly, and he took a deep breath to steady himself. He then said in a rumbling voice, "Kid, you’re so generous. Aren’t you afraid I’ll seize this grass from you?"
Zhang Yan chuckled nonchalantly and replied, "Since I dared to show it to you, fellow Daoist, naturally, I have ways to ensure you won’t take it."
Guo Lie threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh, saying, "Very well, I’ll agree to this matter."
Zhang Yan put away the Han Ye Xuanzhen Grass, looked at Guo Lie with a faint smile, and said, "However, I must remind fellow Daoist, Xiao Han has a Nascent Soul cultivator by his side. You should consider this carefully."
Guo Lie sneered, "If this matter were easy, why would you come seeking Grandpa Guo? No need for lengthy words. Since I’ve agreed, I won’t go back on it. If I die, it’s none of your concern. My master will avenge me."
Zhang Yan nodded and said with a smile, "Then, fellow Daoist, please recuperate well."
Guo Lie responded with a scoff.
Zhang Yan cupped his hands, turned, and left. He returned to the Treasure Pavilion, sat down, picked up the token, and guided Dragon Country’s Ship toward the reef Lu Junbai had mentioned.
The reef was over a hundred miles away. Shaped like a fish’s spine, a segment protruded above the sea surface, making it easily recognizable. Zhang Yan suspended Dragon Country’s Ship above the reef and entered meditation.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, two tunneling lights—one white and one red—flew toward this location from the sky. Before they reached the sea boat, Zhang Yan sensed them and called out to Guo Lie, coming out together.
Lu Junbai peered down from within the tunneling light. Initially, he had doubts about Zhang Yan. But now, seeing Guo Lie standing like an iron tower with his arms bare—a man he had previously encountered at sea—he instantly felt reassured. He shouted, and his tunneling light descended like a wisp of white smoke.
On the other side, the red radiance softly and gracefully landed on the deck, revealing a strikingly beautiful woman without the sound of a footfall.
The woman had cherry lips and a delicate nose, her features noble and elegant. Her hair, devoid of golden hairpins or adornments, was tied with an embroidered scarf, cascading down to her feet. She wore a bright silver armor robe, lined with red gauze and cloaked in Xia Pei. Her slender waist was cinched, her Soft Cloud Boots adorned her feet, and she held a Silver Spear in her hand, its gun tassel crimson as blood.
Lu Junbai quickly introduced them, "Daoist Zhang, Daoist Guo, this is Jun Yue Demon King, Jing Miaojun."
Zhang Yan greeted her warmly, cupping his hands and saying, "I am Zhang Yan. Greetings to Demon King Jing."
Jing Miaojun’s clear and water-like eyes swept over Guo Lie briefly before focusing on Zhang Yan. She paused for an extra moment when their gazes met, and as Zhang Yan looked back at her, she quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks slightly reddened. With a shy and reserved demeanor, she performed a polite Wan Fu bow and said, "Greetings, Daoist. This humble one offers her respects."
Guo Lie impatiently asked, "Now that everyone is here, when do we set off?"
Jing Miaojun had originally intended to greet Guo Lie but was startled by his booming voice. She covered her chest in alarm and took a step back.
Zhang Yan glanced at her but did not underestimate her because of her timid actions. To become a Demon King in the East Sea, how could she be as simple as she appeared on the surface?
He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Guo, please be patient. We shall depart immediately. This sea boat has ample space; everyone may choose a quiet room to rest temporarily."
With that, he returned to the main pavilion, retrieved the token, and drove the sea boat forward, breaking through the waves as they headed toward Crane Island.
The journey was calm and uneventful. After a dozen days, an island enveloped in verdant trees and blooming flowers, with birds chirping in harmony, came into view from afar.