The other Daoist boys initially paid little attention. Typically, they were arrogant and wouldn’t bother with disciples seeking elixirs. Even True Disciples from the Grotto Heaven received only polite treatment from them here. But when they heard Zhang Yan announce his affiliation, they were startled, immediately realizing that he was the soon-to-be disciple of the Dean. None dared to show neglect then, rushing over to greet him. Some clever ones even offered fragrant tea, regretting not stepping forward earlier and missing this opportunity.
About an hour later, a Daoist boy hurried out and bowed, saying, "Junior Master Zhang, the Ancestor Master invites you inside."
Zhang Yan said, "Lead the way then."
The Daoist boy stepped aside, saying, "Master, please follow me."
Following the Daoist boy through halls and rooms, they passed three grand halls and arrived at the foot of a mountain. Ahead was a stunningly vivid lake, with a gallery bridge extending from the shore into its heart. At the center, a three-story floating tower swayed lightly. A Daoist stood by the railing of the top floor’s pavilion, occasionally tossing some fragmented white elixir pills into the water.
Zhang Yan looked carefully and noticed that beneath the tower lurked a gigantic strange fish with wings on its belly, greedily devouring the elixir pills while letting out humming noises.
The Daoist boy pointed ahead, saying, "The Ancestor Master is on the Fish Tower. Please proceed, Master."
Zhang Yan nodded, crossed the gallery bridge, and stepped onto the Fish Tower. Upon entering, he felt none of the swaying and jolting he had seen from the outside. Straightening his robes, he ascended to the third floor. There he saw the Daoist already seated in the main hall.
The figure had black hair and beard, upright features. In his right hand, he held a roll of an alchemy book, and beside him on the table was half a pot of wine. Occasionally, he read and drank. Upon Zhang Yan’s entry, he didn’t even look at him. Waving his sleeve dismissively, he said coldly, "Who told you to come up? Leave."
Zhang Yan disregarded him. Seeing the Daoist books on the shelves on either side, he casually picked one up and flipped through it.
The Daoist snorted, set down the book in his hand, and said icily, "Don’t think your antics will sway me from the decision to take you as my disciple. I’m taking you as a favor to an old friend, whether you like it or not. You, disciple of mine, are already decided by Zhou Chongju."
Zhang Yan chuckled, placed the book back on the shelf, turned around, and said, "Second Uncle, wouldn’t you be at a disadvantage if you took me as your disciple?"
"What did you call me? You... Are you from the Zhou Family..."
Zhou Chongju’s face underwent dramatic changes—anger, confusion, surprise, then excitement. Suddenly standing up, he said in a low voice, "Follow me." He pulled open a nearby bookcase, revealing a secret chamber within.
Zhang Yan smiled but didn’t hesitate, following Zhou Chongju inside.
As the door to the secret chamber closed, Zhou Chongju stared at Zhang Yan intently and asked, "Who exactly are you?"
Zhang Yan bowed respectfully, then recounted his background and origins. Finally, he said, "The senior who guided me up the mountain mentioned there was an elder from the Zhou Family who broke ties with the clan two hundred years ago, vowing to bring its downfall. That senior instructed me to seek you out. If I couldn’t reach the Upper Court, then the matter was best left alone. But if I made it to the Upper Court, I would naturally have the chance to meet you."
Zhou Chongju asked further, "What else did that senior say?"
Zhang Yan replied, "That senior said that upon seeing you, I should ask if you still remember the old Daoist who struck you three times on the back with a horsetail whisk?"
At these words, Zhou Chongju stood motionless, silent. Just as Zhang Yan began to doubt, Zhou Chongju suddenly burst into laughter, pounding his chest and exclaiming, "It’s true! It’s true! The senior didn’t deceive me, he didn’t deceive me!"
"Back then, I was tricked and expelled from the Zhou Family by that old rogue. I originally had thoughts of revenge, but the senior said my cultivation foundation was damaged. Even if he taught me Divine Skills, I would have no hope of attaining the Great Dao. At most, I would enjoy a carefree life for a thousand years. Desperate, I asked him what else could be done. The senior promised to roam the world, searching for someone with great destiny who could overturn the heavens and earth. That person would surely help fulfill my wish. The senior told me to wait patiently. Two hundred years passed, two hundred years, and finally, finally, the day has come!"
His voice brimmed with emotion, and after lamenting, he smiled kindly at Zhang Yan and said, "Friend Zhang, rest assured while you are under my watch. No matter who intends to harm you, as long as you don’t break sect rules or stray from the righteous path, I will ensure your safety."
Zhang Yan bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Second Uncle."
Zhou Chongju shook his head, waved dismissively, and said, "I am no longer part of the Zhou Family. Moreover, both you and I owe our salvation to the senior’s guidance. In public, you may call me Master. In private, call me elder brother." After giving Zhang Yan a once-over, Zhou Chongju hesitated and added, "From what you’ve said earlier, are you the last remaining member of your clan?"
Zhou Chongju paced the chamber for a while before finally sitting down. In a solemn tone, he said, "The Zhou Family would never act so straightforwardly. From my perspective, they likely schemed this even before your birth. Then came the deaths of your parents and your clan, leaving you as the sole survivor and conveniently aligned with the Zhou Family through marriage. There’s certainly something deeply suspicious here. Can’t you say you’ve felt not the slightest doubt?"
Zhang Yan furrowed his brows. Truthfully, he had considered these things before but hadn’t paid much attention to events from his past life. Besides, he hadn’t cultivated much back then, so even if he knew, what could he do? Now, with Zhou Chongju raising the matter again, he followed along, saying, "Indeed, there are many questionable points. But the Zhou Family’s influence is vast, what can be done?"
Zhou Chongju slammed the table, saying, "The hatred of one’s parents is irreconcilable! Rest assured, I will do all in my power to help you. One day, the Zhou Family will surely be overturned!"
Zhang Yan immediately said, "I trust everything to elder brother’s judgment."
Zhou Chongju nodded in satisfaction, then as if remembering something, he pointed at Zhang Yan and said, "There’s one matter you must be wary of."
Zhang Yan cupped his hands and said, "I ask for elder brother’s guidance."
"Your coming here was at the behest of an old friend of mine. I agreed only to repay a debt of gratitude. However, this person is skilled at scheming; his plots are always a web of interconnected traps. This situation will undoubtedly be more complicated than it appears. As for his true intentions, I cannot yet discern. But likely the crux of it lies in the ’alchemy’ aspect."
Zhou Chongju walked to a side of the room and retrieved several scrolls from a shelf, handing them to Zhang Yan with a warning, "These scrolls are the fruits of my century-long re-compilation of alchemy techniques. They are unparalleled, not only rare in the current era but difficult to match even in all of East Splendor Continent. Take them back and study them. I don’t expect you to master these arts, but knowing a bit and being prepared is better than being caught off guard."