Chapter 799: Chapter 493: Homecoming, Firearms, the Monarch and Minister Admire Paintings by Lamplight (6k)
You haven’t been there... have you?
The Old Heavenly Master held the green porcelain cup with two fingers, his narrow eyes suddenly sweeping sideways to Zhao Douan, as if trying to spy on his true inner reaction from the subtle expressions on his face.
However, he was disappointed; Zhao Douan’s face showed a student-like clarity and foolishness when faced with a sudden question.
As if there were two big words written across it:
Dumbstruck!
"What? Me?" Zhao Douan raised his right hand suspiciously, twisting his wrist and pointing his middle finger at himself: "Old Zhang, are you sure you’re not teasing me?"
He retorted grumpily:
"I know you’re jealous of my world-shaking talent, but there’s no need to add some non-existent background. Speaking of which, why can’t you guys get in? Is it dangerous there?"
Zhang Yan Yi scrutinized him for a moment, slowly withdrew his gaze, and disappointedly blew at the porcelain bowl:
"Just joking. As for why it’s not possible, well, it is indeed a bit dangerous... uh, that region is somewhat special, the deeper you go, the more a cultivator’s power is suppressed.
Ha, don’t give me that look, old man. The world is vast and full of wonders. Not only in the north, but even south of Yu Country, from Yunfu Road entering the territory of the Liao Clan, passing through dense miasma, there is also an isolated and unknown place.
As for the eastern and western directions, the sea and desert, even with Heavenly Human cultivation, it is still hard to explore...
Ha, most cultivator’s power comes from the Divine, and the more remote the place, the less the Divine can radiate, naturally cultivators will weaken to mere humans like fish out of water.
Only the Martial Artists are slightly stronger, but even they can’t go too far on foot."
Is that so? No wonder I haven’t found a "world map" in this world, the existing charts only extend to the Eastern Sea Thousand Islands and Western Regions Snow Mountains...
I mean, if there were no restrictions, strong people in this world would surely have gone out to explore over generations...
Zhao Douan secretly noted down these key pieces of information, while he had no desire for great voyages or to trek through deserts and explore the boundaries of the world.
But the Mubei Forest and the unknown lands of the "Liao Clan" south of Yunfu, did indeed pique his interest.
"Ha, but the extraordinary talent you’ve shown does indeed rival that of those legendary figures who’ve gone to Mubei.
Your Majesty chose you back then, probably seeing your uniqueness too, nothing strange about ol’ me wanting to take on a disciple, eh?
Including Xuan Yin... Ha, that bald donkey surely has had his eye on you for a while, but be careful, he likely wants you dead more."
Zhang Yan Yi shot him a glance, his tone teasing:
"Back then, during the Debating Scripture Conference, you actually drew the Worldly Venerate to manifest, which is undoubtedly a threat to Xuan Yin, who plots to replace the Worldly Venerate’s Divine Position. In contrast, defeating Tianhai at that time didn’t attract Xuan Yin’s notice at all."
Zhao Douan’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at the Old Heavenly Master.
He met the latter’s smiling eyes.
He was "marked"!
With his intellect, he easily understood Zhang Yan Yi was warning him to be wary of Xuan Yin.
Indeed!
At that moment, Zhao Douan suddenly recalled the hunt by "Magic God" within Jianning Prefecture, if Zhenbao hadn’t arrived timely, he might have died back then.
Coupled with the pursuit by Buddhist sect in the Baihua Village battle... Zhao Douan was abruptly and chillingly shocked.
He previously always thought Xuan Yin’s target was Zhenbao, and he was implicated merely due to working for Zhenbao.
But Zhang Yan Yi unveiled today the "Heavenly Hunting and Destruction of Buddha" event from six hundred years ago, and the ancient tales of Moya Practitioners from a thousand years ago, further mentioning the secrets of Mubei Forest...
All of these are "hinting" to him:
"Could it be that Xuan Yin truly wants to kill me!? Could that be possible? After all... as a competent court official, I might not have caught Xuan Yin’s eye, but being favored by the Worldly Venerate, pushing the Divine Dragon Temple incident forward... and also..."
Zhao Douan suddenly recalled that the Red Sect Master in the Western Regions once encountered him in the west, claiming he was supposedly the "Worldly Venerate’s avatar in the mortal world."
At that time, he found it absurd, strange.
But clearly, there are indeed too many "extraordinary" aspects about him.
Or rather, his crossing over into this world was inherently the greatest extraordinary thing.
Throughout his year-long growth, becoming a rising star by the Empress’s side, many of his "extraordinary" traits gradually gained attention.
Zhang Yan Yi’s suspicion of his ties to Mubei Forest was a proof.
Thinking further...
His cultivation path via the "Martial God" was different from others right from the start.
Be it the lifelike Grand Ancestor Xu of Yu Country within the "Martial God Map," or the "Dragon Essence" entering him under its guidance, acknowledging him as master.
Or himself unlocking the hidden character "Pei Niannu" in "Six Chapters Scripture"...
All of these are shrouded in mist, combined with the "foresight" of the Red Sect Master... unknowingly, he’s grown to a level where Heavenly Human experts are paying attention, conjecturing about him.
"Even if Xuan Yin doesn’t necessarily want to kill me, he certainly wants to capture me for study... just like Old Zhang’s focused ’care’ and multiple tests towards me... except, fearing Zhenbao and Old Zhang’s presence, Xuan Yin dares not target me openly..."
Zhao Douan suddenly felt a strong sense of urgency.
The joy of recently advancing in the "World" vanished completely.
Initially, upon crossing over, he intended merely to rely on the court’s resources, and once his cultivation grew enough for self-preservation, he would withdraw.
But now, due to his binding with Zhenbao, he no longer thinks of escaping, treating the "Eight Princes’ Rebellion" as his own affair.
And due to his own uniqueness, it’s highly probable he’s landed on Xuan Yin’s "kill list"...