After Guo Lie said this, he seemed extremely impatient, waved his hand, and without looking back, turned around and left these juniors, heading back to the Treasure Pavilion. However, on the way, he glanced at Zhang Yan, intentionally or unintentionally.
The four disciples looked at each other, not understanding why, and turned to look at Zhang Yan. Seeing that his cultivation level was at most similar to their own, they thought Guo Lie was joking.
Zhang Yan found it amusing and didn’t expect someone as seemingly rough as Guo Lie would give a secret signal. It seemed there was something he wanted to say. He told the four of them, "Fellow Daoists, this boat is spacious. You may choose a secluded courtyard to stay in at your leisure."
With these words, he also initiated the tunneling light and went straight into the Treasure Pavilion. Sure enough, he hadn’t gone far before he saw Guo Lie waiting for him in front of a bright hall.
When Guo Lie saw him, he widened his eyes and said unceremoniously, "Brother Zhang, I, Old Guo, do have a matter where I need your help this time. You mustn’t refuse."
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Daoist Guo, you’re joking. You have helped me many times. Whatever the matter, feel free to tell me. Is it about those juniors of yours?"
Guo Lie was immediately pleased upon hearing this and said, "Exactly, these juniors are all disciples of my second brother, Zhao Zhengcheng. You heard earlier that they have a fellow disciple who was captured. Now they have come to me for help. As a senior of the sect, I cannot turn a blind eye. However, lacking the Demon Spirit Essence in my hand, I’m afraid that going to fight Shen Minggu would result in more defeats than victories. Therefore, I want to ask you, Brother, to help me deal with this person. As long as you agree, it will be considered a repayment of my favor. Whenever the Han Ye Xuanzhen Grass is refined into Elixir Water, come to give it to me. What do you think?"
Zhang Yan, upon hearing this, became interested. Guo Lie was someone who did not accept defeat easily; even he said Shen Minggu was difficult to deal with, so he must be truly skilled. He then asked, "What is this Shen Minggu’s cultivation?"
Guo Lie sneered and said, "That Shen’s cultivation isn’t high, just at Xuan Guang Third Realm. But his talent is outstanding, having mastered the Yin Yang Separation Flying Saber to perfection. I’ve fought him several times, and though both of us were cautious, it ended up being a draw. However, I observed this person being completely at ease. Even if I, Old Guo, used my true skills, I wouldn’t dare say I could surely defeat him."
Zhang Yan’s eyes flickered as he smiled lightly and said, "Daoist friend speaks in such a manner, clearly indicating that this Daoist Shen is an extremely formidable person. Now that you have truthfully informed me, aren’t you afraid I might give up?"
Guo Lie laughed heartily and looked at him meaningfully, saying, "Brother Zhang, there’s no need for modesty. I know of your skills too. Even if you truly cannot defeat that person, you can still protect yourself without any worries."
That day, he had fought against Zhang Yan and had assessed that even if he hadn’t fainted from exhaustion, nine out of ten chances, he would still have lost.
Moreover, the most important thing is that Zhang Yan is a Sword Cultivator. A Sword Cultivator’s strength isn’t in the sword’s sharpness or speed, but in the swiftness of the tunneling light. Even if they can’t win, they can leave instantly, and no one can stop them.
Furthermore, that day, Xiao Mousui inexplicably disappeared, and what finally happened, Zhang Yan never mentioned directly. Guo Lie also understood that it must be that Xiao Mousui didn’t come to a good end. He judged that Zhang Yan still had formidable methods hidden, which gave him full confidence in him.
Zhang Yan pondered slightly, then said, "Okay, I’ll take on this matter. However, the prohibition on Lu Daoist and Demon King Jing, when we meet True Master Tao, I’ll need you to put in more effort."
Seeing Zhang Yan agree, Guo Lie breathed a sigh of relief and patted his chest, saying, "As long as Brother helps me seek justice for these juniors and rescue my nephew Shen, this matter is on Old Guo."
Zhang Yan nodded. Although Guo Lie was rough, he took promises very seriously. Seeing that after being beaten off by Xiao Mousui that day, he still dared to come back, it was evident.
The two exchanged a few more words before Zhang Yan bid farewell to Guo Lie and stepped out. By this time, there was no one on the deck, presumably because they had entered the Treasure Pavilion.
He took out the Prohibition Token from his sleeve, quietly observed it, and then knew that those four had entered the second level of the Treasure Pavilion, settling in a courtyard on the southeast side. He was about to move toward that place when he sensed something and paused.
He saw a tunneling light fly out from inside, and upon seeing him, it swirled to the ground. It was the young cultivator with a square turban on his head. He took a few steps forward, smiled, and cupped his hands towards Zhang Yan, saying, "I was just about to look for you, fellow Daoist. My name is Dai Huan. May I ask your esteemed surname and name?"
Zhang Yan cupped his hands in return and said, "I am Zhang Yan."
Dai Huan uttered an "Oh," thought for a moment, and having never heard of this name, maintained his smile and said, "Pleasure to meet you, pleasure to meet you."