Pure Yang!

Chapter 456 Northern Qianxuan, Southern Lingzong! Zhang Fan's Spirit

A remote mountain village, a small tavern.

Zhang Fan felt as if he had just woken from a long dream; the long night seemed to pass in an instant.

Ancient temple, altar, Taoist ancestor, three corpses, bronze mirror, magic sword...

Everything I've seen, heard, touched, thought about, and imagined... is as real as it is, without a trace of falsehood.

However, when he regained his senses, he was still in that deserted village tavern, with Zhang Suxin beside him and the old man with a full head of white hair in front of him.

There was a dish of leftover peanuts and half a plate of pig's head meat on the table.

"You've broken the [Floating Life Dream]!"

A deep solemnity appeared on Zhang Suxin's beautiful face as she stared intently at Zhang Fan.

The Floating Life Dream is a unique technique developed after the "Investiture of the Gods and the Establishment of Statues." Such a dream, if it were real, would be almost identical to reality.

Because everything in the dream is real and true, reflecting back into reality.

Ordinary masters, once trapped in a dream, not only cannot wake up, but over time, they will become a part of that dream, their primordial spirit reaching a state of perfection, and there will be no more reality.

"Young man, you are truly extraordinary, to have seen through this fleeting dream."

The elderly man with gray hair stared coldly at Zhang Fan, his voice punctuated and rhythmic, resonating with an unusual frequency.

"Life is but a fleeting dream, like water flowing by..."

Zhang Fan whispered, "Back then, Lu Zu had a dream of the Yellow Millet, using the false to cultivate the true, which led to that mysterious and wondrous realm, and the likes of terrestrial immortals."

"What seems real may be false, and what seems real may be false; one is in a dream, and the dream is in one's body."

Zhang Fan's experience was real, but it was also a dream.

A person is in a dream, and the dream is in the person; it is mysterious and wonderful.

It is a great technique for taking life and death, but it is also a wonderful method for cultivating longevity.

As soon as he finished speaking, the old man with a full head of white hair narrowed his eyes to a slit, his surprise mixed with a hint of solemnity.

"To have such cultivation and composure at such a young age, and to have comprehended the principles to this extent..."

"The younger generation is truly formidable."

"So, you already know who I am?"

Zhang Fan's gaze sharpened as he looked at Zhang Suxin and then at the elderly man with a full head of white hair.

"Who are you? Aren't you Zhao Jiexuan?" Zhang Suxin said calmly.

“You came to me first, instead of Zhang Wuming, which means you came with answers,” Zhang Fan said calmly.

"Quick-witted and insightful." The white-haired old man sighed softly, "Zhao Jiexuan..."

"So, you really are a disciple of the Southern Zhang Sect!?"

"My name is Zhang Fan!"

"Zhang Lingzong is my father!"

Upon hearing this, the elderly man with a full head of white hair fell silent.

Zhang Suxin's eyes lit up as she looked at Zhang Fan again.

"The Great Spirit Sect King... the Great Spirit Sect King who was on par with Uncle Qianxuan!?"

Leaving aside the feud between the northern and southern branches of the Zhang family, the mere mention of the name "Zhang Lingzong" is enough to make him a household name throughout the northern Zhang region.

If we were to say that Zhang Lingzong was the strongest among the three generations of disciples of the Southern Zhang School, then...

Therefore, Zhang Qianxuan was the first among the three generations of disciples of the Northern Zhang.

Northern Qianxuan, Southern Lingzong.

The two men met when they were young. That year, the Zhang family from both the north and south gathered to perform the "Investiture of the Gods Grand Ritual".

At that grand gathering, only two members of the Zhang family's northern and southern branches received superior Daoist titles: one was "Lingzong" and the other was "Qianxuan".

From that day on, their fates, like those of sworn enemies, began.

Even later, when the Southern Zhang clan was destroyed and Zhang Lingzong wandered the world with Zhang Nanfeng and Zhang Sheng, Zhang Qianxuan followed him closely, fighting them repeatedly in life-or-death battles.

Those bloody and brutal trials transformed these two third-generation disciples of the Zhang family, allowing them to evolve rapidly to this day.

"The embers of Nan Zhang... He's the son of the Great Spirit Sect's king!?"

Zhang Suxin stared at Zhang Fan, a look of curiosity on her beautiful face.

As a fourth-generation disciple, she did not experience the years when the North and South coexisted, nor did she know about the grudges of the older generation.

However, in a sense, she should be considered Zhang Fan's distant cousin.

“Zhang Fan…you are the grandson of Second Master Zhang.” The old man with gray hair looked at Zhang Fan, his eyes unfocused, and murmured softly.

"You know my grandfather?" Zhang Fan asked, a thought suddenly striking him.

“My name is Zhang Mengsheng. I met your grandfather before your father was even born,” Zhang Mengsheng said in a deep voice.

Although the Zhang family branched out to the north and south, they lived in harmony for a long time. In particular, the second-generation disciples had frequent interactions. They shared the same dream: to one day reopen Longhu Mountain and continue the glory and honor of this thousand-year-old immortal sect.

"Those were peaceful and tranquil years. Although there was a division between North and South, there was no distinction between North and South..." Zhang Mengsheng said in a daze.

"We are all from the same root, how can one stroke write two Zhangs?"

"We're all from the same root?" Zhang Fan laughed. "We can't write two Zhang characters with the same stroke, so you stab me in the back, killing my Southern Zhang disciples and wiping out my Southern Zhang clan?"

"What a wonderful statement about being born of the same root."

A cold voice echoed in the tavern.

Zhang Suxin remained silent; in Beizhang, this history was rarely mentioned.

For the fourth-generation disciples, this was a taboo topic. Their understanding of it was extremely limited. They only knew that the Southern Zhang lineage had gone astray, practiced rebellious methods, and was not tolerated by the world. The Northern Zhang lineage was there to cleanse the sect and eliminate evil forces on behalf of their ancestor.

“What happened back then… caused a great deal of controversy within the clan…” Zhang Mengsheng sighed.

Back then, there were many dissenting voices among the Northern Zhang, who did not advocate rashly taking action and killing. They knew that since ancient times, fighting among kin has always brought misfortune.

However, these voices were ultimately suppressed by the pro-war faction with a tough stance and ruthless methods.

At that time, Zhang Mengsheng also opposed it.

"In the end, an individual's will cannot overcome the overwhelming force of the times," Zhang Mengsheng sighed.

"What a powerful trend!" Zhang Fan sneered. "Isn't it just that they have ambitions within and powerful allies without?"

In Zhang Fan's view, the Northern Zhang wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to seize the rightful place of Longhu Mountain, and coincidentally, Baihe Temple extended a helping hand at this time.

He could never forget that the white crane had said it had ripped out Zhang Tiansheng's heart.

"Were you there when you destroyed the Southern Zhang?" Zhang Fan asked the old man in front of him coldly.

"I'm here."

Zhang Mengsheng nodded, seemingly unwilling to recall this past event.

"That night... no one wants to remember... blood flowed like a river, staining Zhuhu Lake red..."

“I was seriously injured in that battle, but in the end, your grandfather spared me,” Zhang Mengsheng sighed.

The Zhang family of the South had many experts, and he thought he was doomed, but in the end, Zhang Tiansheng did not take his life.

Perhaps, by then, this unconventional genius of the Nan Zhang lineage will still remember the kindness shown to him in the past.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Suxin looked up.

She knew that Zhang Mengsheng had a hidden ailment that had caused his cultivation to regress over the years; otherwise, given his seniority, why would she have made him make this trip?

"Grandpa is truly kind," Zhang Fan said indifferently, but his words carried a sharp edge.

"Your grandfather was a pure idealist...actually..."

Zhang Mengsheng hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "If it weren't for him, the Nan Zhang lineage might not have gone down this path."

The Nan Zhang lineage wants to use the full strength of the clan to create a master who has mastered the "Three Corpses Illuminating Fate" technique and will sit on the throne of the Wuwei Sect Master.

This plan had been stalled for many years and could not be advanced. However, the sudden emergence of Zhang Tiansheng gave the Southern Zhang clan hope, thus sowing the seeds of their extermination.

"He was willing to give up everything to achieve this ideal; he was extremely crazy," Zhang Mengsheng sighed deeply.

"Old man, are you still trying to trap me?"

Suddenly, Zhang Fan raised an eyebrow, his eyes flashing like cold stars, and the surrounding scenery seemed to unfold like ink painting.

Looking around, there were no more taverns, not even the lonely village.

A chilly mountain wind blows through the wilderness.

Looking up, the bright moon hung high in the sky, surrounded only by weeds and pebbles, with a dim lamp hanging on a crooked tree.

puff...

Zhang Mengsheng's face was ashen, and blood was even spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Uncle Master."

Zhang Suxin's expression changed drastically, and she quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"The younger generation is truly formidable; indeed, the younger generation is formidable."

Zhang Mengsheng's face was ashen, his eyes dimmed, and he stared intently at Zhang Fan, shaking his head and sighing softly.

Rumble... Suddenly, Zhang Suxin's eyes narrowed, as if facing a formidable enemy, and a terrifying aura surged from her body.

Zhang Fan saw that there was a phantom flickering on the woman's mind platform, with crimson clouds like fairy robes wrapped around it, white clouds like a canopy hanging above it, the scent of incense rising suddenly, and a mysterious and ethereal scene surging forth.

"Erecting statues of gods!?" Zhang Fan chuckled. "You want to fight me?"

"Regardless of the grudges of the older generation, you should call me 'elder sister'."

Zhang Suxin's aura grew ever more magnificent; she was like a beam of white light stretching across the wilderness, causing the moonlight in the sky to fall and dissolve.

Before the primordial spirit could move, an extraordinary phenomenon appeared: the bright moon was half-rolled into the western mountains, like celestial light entering the mortal world.

This aura alone is far more powerful than Zhang Huntian's in the Ten Thousand Mountains back then.

"My sister wants to learn a thing or two from you. Dear brother, you won't hesitate to teach me, will you?"

As she spoke, Zhang Suxin's eyes shone brightly, revealing an unprecedented fighting spirit.

call……

However, before Zhang Fan could respond, a withered, large hand grabbed him.

"Grandmaster Uncle!?" Zhang Suxin turned around in astonishment.

"He has already broken my [Great Dream True Monarch], you are no match for him."

The divine title bestowed upon Zhang Mengsheng was "Great Dream True Lord." From the moment Zhang Fan stepped into that village, he had already fallen under the power of "Great Dream True Lord."

Unfortunately, his repeated awakenings had already broken the spell of the Great Dream True Lord and damaged Zhang Mengsheng's primordial spirit.

Such ability is clearly beyond Zhang Suxin's ability to handle.

“I underestimated the remaining flame of the Southern Zhang clan, and I also underestimated the descendants of the Second Master,” Zhang Mengsheng sighed.

“Senior, there’s no need to belittle yourself,” Zhang Fan said softly.

He could see that Zhang Mengsheng's primordial spirit was like a candle flickering in the wind, broken and dilapidated. In recent years, his cultivation had not only failed to advance but had regressed, and he was almost at the point of exhaustion. Otherwise, if the power of the [Great Dream True Monarch] were truly unearthed, it would be quite terrifying.

That is a void power that can almost influence reality.

“It’s not important anymore…it’s not important anymore…” Zhang Mengsheng waved his hand: “You can do it now.”

hum...

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Suxin's expression changed drastically. Without saying a word, she stood in front of Zhang Mengsheng, her sharp aura burning like a raging fire.

Such a sight startled the wilderness, causing cracks to appear and extend across the ground.

"Heaven has bestowed true fire... The Northern Zhang region is truly teeming with talent," Zhang Fan sighed softly.

He could see that Zhang Suxin had already condensed the nine layers of primordial light into one, comprehending the secrets of life cultivation, and was only one step away from refining her inner core.

"Not in a hurry!"

Zhang Fan showed no intention of making a move, waved his hand, and looked at Zhang Mengsheng.

"I have a question I'd like to ask you."

"Go ahead," Zhang Mengsheng said in a low voice.

"Senior, what do you hope to gain from me through such elaborate schemes?" Zhang Fan asked. "I can tell that this is not just a test of my abilities."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mengsheng pondered for a moment before saying, "Your grandfather is dead, but the Northern Zhang are very worried about him."

"How so?" Zhang Fan asked.

“It’s precisely because he’s dead, and Nan Zhang is gone, that people feel uneasy…” Zhang Mengsheng said in a deep voice.

"Your grandfather was known as a diviner, his predictions were always right. How could he have gained nothing after paying such a high price?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan fell silent, lost in thought.

"Back then, he mingled with bandits, befriended powerful figures, established the Coffin-Carrying Society, and even went so far as to exhaust the resources of the entire Nan Zhang clan..."

"Do you know what he's doing?" Zhang Mengsheng asked.

Zhang Fan looked up, a bright light flashing in his eyes.

"He not only wanted to create a master who could refine the Three Corpses and Life, but also wanted to find the legendary Ninth Law."

"He's dead, and Nan Zhang is gone too..."

"But there are voices inside Beizhang saying..."

"He did it!"

"An unseen fruit is waiting for the day it ripens and falls from the tree."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan's brow twitched.

"I see!" Zhang Fan exclaimed in realization.

"Thank you for your explanation, senior."

Zhang Mengsheng looked at Zhang Fan with a complicated expression, then his somber gaze slowly lowered: "Go ahead and do it."

"elder sister?"

Just then, Zhang Fan looked at Zhang Suxin beside him and said with a gentle smile, "Didn't you just want to offer some pointers?"

"I will grant your wish."

"Great!" Zhang Suxin's eyes lit up.

Rumble…

Suddenly, her delicate body trembled violently, as if her brow and heart had split open, and a great terror arose spontaneously, almost tearing her mind apart.

Before my eyes, all was pitch black, the sky was indistinguishable from north to south, the earth from east to west, the universe was one, all things were in chaos, the sun and stars were hidden, the moon was sunk, all living beings were buried in the abyss, and all dharmas were in annihilation.

It was completely silent.

That is the end of the Dharma and its decline.

It was the dead of night, before dawn.

That is……

"The Holy Embryo of Gods and Demons..."

Zhang Mengsheng let out a startled roar, his aged face trembling uncontrollably. He looked at Zhang Fan, his expression extremely grim.

"You...you've mastered the Great Night Without Light...a technique that is unique in the world, second only to Zhang Lingzong, and you've achieved it..."

Zhang Mengsheng's voice trembled; he could hardly believe it.

Suddenly, all the strange phenomena in the world disappeared. Zhang Suxin came to her senses and looked at Zhang Fan, a trace of fear finally welling up in her eyes.

In front of this man, she couldn't even make a move; her primordial spirit was even unable to leave her body. She was caught between life and death, and for a moment, she was in a daze.

“Senior, and this…sister…” Zhang Fan said with a half-smile, “You may leave.”

"You're not going to kill us?" Zhang Suxin asked, stunned.

Logically speaking, given the grudges between the Southern Zhang and Northern Zhang, as well as the cultivation and temperament of this man before him, he shouldn't have such womanly compassion.

"I won't kill you."

"Please go back to Beizhang and tell them..."

Zhang Fan remained calm, his gaze fixed on Longhu Mountain in the vast night.

"The fire in Nanzhang is not yet extinguished; my son and I are waiting."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mengsheng's face trembled slightly, and he was somewhat dazed. He felt that the young man in front of him had a spirit greater than the sky. His posture gradually straightened up, and in his daze, he became one with Longhu Mountain in the night.

"Nan Zhang has such a successor." Zhang Mengsheng sighed inwardly.

"let's go."

As they spoke, he and Zhang Suxin walked into the vast night without turning their heads.

"Grandmaster Uncle, why did he..."

“The Way of Heaven is boundless, and everything, good or bad, is part of it… This young man has the spirit of the heavens and has a deep understanding of the principles. What he wants is not just to destroy the Northern Zhang…” Zhang Mengsheng said in a deep voice.

"The mountain is high, the moon rises small, the moon rises small, yet how bright it shines..."

Suddenly, a soft sound came from behind, like a soaring song or the chanting of scriptures, mysterious and ethereal—it was Zhang Fan's voice.

Zhang Mengsheng raised an eyebrow and stopped to listen.

"The bright moon shines, and people discuss right and wrong on Mount Longhu."

"A thousand years have passed, and the immortals have fallen beyond the Dragon and Tiger realms."

"This gate once stood at the pinnacle of martial prowess; who among the heroes of the world could rival it?"

"Who can rival us? Now the incense offerings have almost ceased to burn."

"How many times have I stopped? The long night stretches on and on, empty and desolate."

The voice was high-pitched and melodious, echoing between heaven and earth, as vast as mountains and rivers, as surging as the sea.

Zhang Mengsheng's face was solemn as he looked at the endless night. He could only hear the voices but could not see the people. After a long while, he finally uttered a sentence.

"In the not-too-distant future..."

"This boy must be the master of Nan Zhang!"

(End of this chapter)