Chapter 812: Chapter 34: The Mystery of the Nine Cauldrons
Xu Yingxia almost wanted to say that she didn’t care about anything, but when she saw Zhou Yan’s pure smile and eyes, devoid of the slightest evil thought, those words suddenly stuck in her throat.
An inexplicable sense of inferiority naturally arose.
It was the same for her, as for the woman named ’Nuonuo’.
"Yingxia, Nuonuo, you need not disgrace yourselves. This is a major taboo for cultivators. I have only advanced one step further in cultivation than you, and, moreover, it was the achievements built upon the hard work of countless people. I carry too much on my back. You are different; you both have potential. Later, I will help you refine your cultivation methods according to your constitution and teach you the Green Water Sword Dao, a near-divine technique suited for your constitutions."
Zhou Yan said sincerely.
His words warmed the hearts of the people. Even Zhao Xiaoxiao, Sect Master of the Pure Yang Sect, felt ashamed of her ’Beauty Trap’.
In truth, she only hoped that her two most outstanding female disciples could find a good Daoist couple, with no ulterior motives.
A person like Zhou Yan was like an overseas scholar of the old society, both talented and good-looking, charming and invincible. What female cultivator wouldn’t admire such a person?
Yet, her thoughts were seen through in an instant, making Zhao Xiaoxiao a bit embarrassed.
However, upon hearing Zhou Yan’s promise, all embarrassment vanished. Zhao Xiaoxiao was extremely excited and thrilled in that instant. A near-divine Dao in this suppressed world—what kind of Supreme Dao would it be outside of this world?
The Pure Yang Sect lacks neither talent nor vast spiritual energy, but it lacks a true Dao.
All inheritances are almost entirely broken, terribly fragmented. Now, once repaired, the rise of the Pure Yang Sect can be easily imagined.
"Senior Zhou, there’s no need to thank me. Please accept a formal bow from Xiaoxiao."
Zhao Xiaoxiao understood that Zhou Yan was doing this to reassure her that he didn’t look down on her disciples and to make her understand that in cultivation, one can only rely on oneself. It’s unwise to encourage female disciples to depend on the strong because even if a strong person has a conscience, it’s alright, but if they are heartless, the female disciples’ future could be fraught with disaster.
After all, it’s not uncommon for cultivators to use outstanding female cultivators as ding furnaces.
Although Zhou Yan did not explicitly say this, Song Xiaoxiao, not being ignorant, immediately understood Zhou Yan’s intentions and felt even more moved and grateful.
So, this bow was made with utmost sincerity and earnestness.
Zhou Yan spoke briefly, seeing Zhao Xiaoxiao understood his meaning, and couldn’t help but admire her intelligence.
After Zhao Xiaoxiao respectfully bowed, she led the way, saying: "Senior Zhou, knowing that you have a connection with the Jade Tripod, Xiaoxiao can represent the sect and help Senior Zhou open the Pure Yang Jade Cauldron. If you need anything, please say, and the entire Pure Yang Sect will do its utmost to support."
Zhou Yan remained silent, and Zhao Xiaoxiao instead took the initiative to bring up this matter.
"Indeed, I have studied an ancient land and obtained information pertinent to breaking through the barrier, pointing towards the Pure Yang Ancient Cauldron—if I’m not mistaken, it’s the Fu Xi Shen Nong Ding, also known as ’Yu King’s Nine Cauldrons’."
Zhou Yan said.
"Mm... Senior Zhou’s vision is indeed as sharp as a torch. That’s truly the case. From the first glance at the Jade Tripod, Xiaoxiao had some intuition. This Jade Tripod is connected with Xiaoxiao’s lifeblood, so Xiaoxiao can sense its inner charm. This is precisely why Xiaoxiao could become the sect master of the Pure Yang Sect."
Zhao Xiaoxiao disclosed all she knew without hiding anything.
This was truly treating others with sincerity and the wise approach.
In Zhao Xiaoxiao’s view, considering Zhou Yan demolished an enormous power like Yesa City with ease, if Zhou Yan had ulterior motives, even if the entire Pure Yang Sect acted, they wouldn’t be able to withstand a single glance from him, so there wasn’t any point in trying to guard against him!
Moreover, would Zhou Yan even covet it? Earlier, he had helped others freely restore items akin to the Shennong Ding, like the Sand Containing Sword, Red Blood Sword, Linglong Tower, Pangu Banner, etc., expending his own soul power. He didn’t covet others’ possessions, so why would he yearn for her Shennong Ding?
Even if he did fancy it, placing the Shennong Ding in Zhou Yan’s possession would just be pairing a treasured sword with a hero.
Not to mention Zhou Yan has the Xuanyuan Sword, a lifeblood-connected artifact. It seems highly unlikely he would need anything else.
In this regard, Zhao Xiaoxiao was quite open-minded, knowing Zhou Yan wouldn’t have the same attitude towards the Shennong Ding as other cultivators. So, she was extremely at ease.
She even felt that if the Shennong Ding was following her and she had no ability to wield it, thus burying it, giving it a better place to go would be a blessing.
It’s like caring for a person but hoping they don’t suffer with you and have a better life elsewhere.
...
In the Pure Yang Sect, within the valley forbidden land.
"Senior Zhou, the Pure Yang Jade Cauldron is within. Would you like to enter, or shall Xiaoxiao retrieve it for you?"
Zhao Xiaoxiao brought Zhou Yan to the Pure Yang Sect’s forbidden land, where the Treasure Pavilion housed the Pure Yang Jade Cauldron, respectfully inquiring.
"Let’s go in and take a look."
Zhou Yan thought for a moment and said.
The interior of the Forbidden Land is fine; it has great shielding effects. Outside of the Forbidden Land, Zhou Yan can clearly see the condition of the Jade Tripod, but it requires using other means.
Going in to take a look would save a lot of trouble. Moreover, entering the Treasure Pavilion of the Pure Yang Sect, though somewhat inappropriate, is precisely what Zhao Xiaoxiao and others wish to see.
"Alright, Senior Zhou, please go ahead."
Zhao Xiaoxiao remained extremely respectful.
Although Zhou Yan had mentioned several times that there was no need for such courtesy, she persisted, and Zhou Yan was too lazy to argue, letting her follow her wishes.
Under Zhao Xiaoxiao’s guidance, Zhou Yan arrived at the entrance of an ancient restricted cave dwelling, where two ancient elderly women stood guard as if they were wooden carvings, motionless.
As Zhao Xiaoxiao approached, they suddenly shifted and simultaneously opened their eyes.
Their eyes were already cloudy, yet still flashed with bright light, and upon seeing Zhou Yan, they almost simultaneously moved and bowed respectfully.
Though no words were spoken, their actions expressed their respect.
Zhou Yan looked at these two elderly women, suddenly thinking of his brother, and couldn’t help but feel inexplicable sympathy for a moment.
He sensed dense death qi from their bodies and atop their heads, indicating that they were about to die, corrupt, and deteriorate.
If the Protecting Pavilion Ancestor of Pure Yang Sect passes away, the sect’s treasure could open its gates to cultivators from all around.
By then, Pure Yang Sect would likely be devastated, unable to safeguard its treasured collections.
A sect with two ancestral guardians passing away simultaneously is a sign of sect collapse. This might be why many sects dared to target Pure Yang Sect earlier.
Zhou Yan couldn’t bear it and, after pondering, took out two Soul Pills, flicked them with his fingers, directly hitting the foreheads of the two elderly women. At the same time, Zhou Yan performed two Nirvana Rebirth Techniques with his hands, instantly reversing Heaven and Earth.
With two strands of Soul Path Vast Qi, the elderly women suddenly transformed as if withered wood in spring, rejuvenating instantly, their bodies bursting with vitality as vast as the ocean.
In an instant, the decrepit elderly women transformed into two beautiful and divine fairies.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye.
...
Even though Zhao Xiaoxiao had known from Hua Qiudao’s transformation that Zhou Yan possessed such miraculous rejuvenation methods, witnessing the two Protecting Pavilion Ancestors turn into fairies still shocked her into speechlessness, her beautiful eyes almost bulging from her face.
For quite some time, she was extremely moved, nearly bowing down to thank Zhou Yan.
Not only Zhao Xiaoxiao, but the two elderly women, who were prepared for Sitting Death, found themselves rejuvenated, their bodies brimming with life, terrifyingly akin to their peak period, as if Zhou Yan’s soul energy granted them over a thousand extra years of life.
Experiencing this transformation firsthand, the two Protecting Pavilion Ancestors were extremely shocked, their hearts pounding, feeling as if it was a dream.
After a while, they came to themselves, yet only bowed respectfully, their expressions unusually shocked and complicated.
It seemed not only due to their rejuvenation but also due to other unknown reasons.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou Yan, we are truly grateful."
Their expressions were complex and unreadable, pausing momentarily but, coming back to reality, immediately bowed to express gratitude.
"Two senior ancestors, you are true elders, there’s no need for such. I, junior Zhou Yan, along with Lee Yi, did merely a small favor; our visit here is also quite disturbing..."
Zhou Yan said sincerely.
The two Protecting Pavilion Ancestors were deeply moved and nodded one after another. One of them said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou Yan, we know your affairs very well. Your brother wasn’t easy either; however, seeing you like this, he should be relieved."
Her voice was clear and pleasant, no longer the prior rough and hoarse tone, everything restored to optimal condition.
The other ancestor nodded slightly, saying, "Your affairs, in detail, sect disciples have reported to us. Previously, while our bodies were nearly decaying, we still bore heavy responsibilities, having to constantly grasp major matters of the cultivation world. These days, your name is mentioned frequently without pause. I also know your brother’s prediction will soon become reality. You must be very curious about your brother’s matters, but in this world, aside from us two, perhaps only those hidden old monsters would have contact with your brother.
Your brother went to Yesa City, then returned, but upon returning, he was severely injured, leaving one of the Nine Cauldrons, the Shennong Ding, in our sect and setting an array to guard it, which is also the origin of our sect’s Pure Yang Jade Tripod. Concurrently, he left words stating that if you actively sought us out and treated us well, then we could explain this matter to you. If something wasn’t right, like disregarding our life and death, even if you took away the Shennong Ding, you’d still achieve nothing."
"Hm, now you’ve saved our lives, doing better than Senior Lee Ran anticipated. This proves that you’re a person of great sentiment rather than an emotionless machine. With this confirmed, the secrets among the Nine Cauldrons can be unlocked. Now, I believe you’ve obtained Senior Lee Ran’s avatar’s skull. Later, when you get the Nine Cauldrons, refining this skull within them will naturally reveal the secrets."
The two spoke candidly, revealing all they knew to Zhou Yan without reservation.