Avoidance

Yao Yuanguang possessed the early warning abilities of a physiognomist.

As Jinxia Yuanjun looked down through the Heavenly Gate, she also saw small black dot figures.

As Yao Yuanguang suggested, the timing was just right.

A top-tier fortune teller's ability to bring good fortune and avert misfortune is always perfectly timed.

No one would consider it a great achievement if this was done well, since the fortune teller didn't turn the tide but instead nipped the crisis in the bud.

But Jinxia Yuanjun seemed to be deep in thought.

He usually didn't think much of Yao Yuanguang's abilities, believing he didn't need physiognomy or divination, but after this experience, he became more polite to this Jieyin the Eastern Heavenly Gate and even considered taking care of him.

Leaving aside the distant future, he wanted Yao Yuanguang to live for at least another twenty years, rather than dying before Nezha's time was up.

It won't take too long; just two or three times of helping Yao Yuanguang extend his lifespan would be enough.

This would result in some losses for him, but Jinxia Yuanjun felt that the investment was worthwhile.

The more insurance you have now, the more secure your future will be.

"Lord Yuanjun, their mission is now complete. Shall we send them back to the mortal realm from the Eastern Heavenly Gate?"

Upon returning to the Western Heavenly Gate, Yao Yuanguang's initiative in speaking earned him a nod of approval from Jinxia Yuanjun.

The ancestral dragon Essence Blood of Rong Tianding has been extracted, and the answer that Zhang Xuezhou needed to confirm has also been given. These two are indeed of no use following them.

Do you live in Chang'an City?

Knowing that Zhang Xuezhou was knowledgeable in some medical theories and was one of the few kindred spirits in his field of biology, and that the other party's body had various strange phenomena, seemingly indicating a deep separation between the soul and the body, Jinxia Yuanjun couldn't help but ask him about it.

"Yes, we are now living in Chang'an City," Zhang Xuezhou replied.

"That's good!"

Jinxia Yuanjun nodded, and then flew away with Nezha.

"Let's go, we'll borrow a celestial horse from the Western Heavenly Gate to pull the carriage, and then send you down to the mortal realm," Yao Yuanguang said. "This is a longevity elixir given by the Primordial Lord. Your cousin forcibly took it, but I retrieved it. This one is yours!"

"How stingy! I was just speaking up for you!"

"Well, I helped you too, so I didn't hold you back!"

The bickering between Zhang Xuezhou and Yao Yuanguang was just right, only Rong Tianding was still somewhat confused.

Yao Yuanguang's support was naturally aimed at ensuring Zhang Xuezhou and the others' safe descent to the mortal realm, thus avoiding any entanglement in subsequent matters. Zhang Xuezhou, on the other hand, was involved in the year Nezha's incident and did not hinder Yao Yuanguang in this regard.

This period was slightly longer than the lifespan Yao Yuanguang gained after consuming the elixir.

Zhang Xuezhou neither refuted, nor exposed, nor corrected.

He knew very well that Yao Yuanguang had used this incident to bind himself to Jinxia Yuanjun, and the next golden elixir was likely already reserved.

If he interferes, it will be difficult for Yao Yuanguang to influence Jinxia Yuanjun's thoughts.

"Excuse my frankness, but it seems that you were not influenced by Buddhism or led to a virtuous heart while in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool?"

After obtaining the heavenly horse from the stable master of the Imperial Stables, Yao Yuanguang couldn't help but ask Zhang Xuezhou about it.

"The Eight Treasures Merit Pool?" Zhang Xuezhou asked in surprise, "You mean I regained my senses in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool?"

"That's right," Yao Yuanguang said. "In order to obtain the information you mentioned about the Third Prince, Yuanjun specially exchanged a precious treasure for a chance to use the Eight Treasures Merit Pool. This is a treasure of the Great Master of the Western Sect, which can cleanse one's karmic roots and bring clarity of mind. Most people who wash in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool may develop Buddhist thoughts and join the Western Sect."

Yao Yuanguang took what he said, "No matter who enters the Eight Treasures Merit Pool and washes themselves, they will..." and forcefully changed it to "Most people who wash in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool may...".

He wasn't sure if Zhang Xuezhou was the only one unaffected by the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, but Zhang Xuezhou was certainly the only one he had heard of.

Compared to the Buddhist monk Shi Gong's reckless words and his inability to retaliate, Zhang Xuezhou remained clear-headed and did not speak carelessly. He was not simply enduring insults, but rather still prepared to engage in a battle of wits with Shi Gong.

Yao Yuanguang's thoughts were one thing, while Zhang Xuezhou's thoughts were another.

He had heard about the Eight Treasures Merit Pool from Wu Chao, but he never imagined that he would actually take a stroll around it, even though he was so far away.

This is undoubtedly an important place for cultivating spiritual power, and the effects it brings are far stronger than those of X432.

Given a suitable method of mental cultivation, this treasure would be a top-notch aid.

Moreover, the Great Leader of the Western Sect not only possessed the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, but also the Seven Treasures Thousand-Petaled Golden Lotus. Consuming lotus seeds could calm the mind and soothe the spirit, and there was also the White Lotus Method to temper the soul.

According to Wu Chao, the Grand Master is the strongest in the world when it comes to the art of soul manipulation.

In other words, this great master is likely the strongest in spiritual power in the Three Realms.

"How did you do that?" Yao Yuanguang asked, puzzled.

"Perhaps it's because I've been influenced by the passage of time that I have some unique characteristics," Zhang Xuezhou replied casually.

But you don't seem to have been affected by the passage of time, do you?

If Zhang Xuezhou showed some unusual behavior in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, Yao Yuanguang couldn't understand why Zhang Xuezhou, who had suffered the consequences of the spell, seemed perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened.

Normally, Zhang Xuezhou travels along the river of time, which means he is rapidly using his future lifespan to explore.

Once Zhang Xuezhou returns to his body, Zhang Xuezhou vitality and spirit will inevitably show signs of aging, which will gradually affect his physical health, leading to premature graying of hair and other phenomena. Even taking longevity pills will hardly alleviate this effect.

However, Yao Yuanguang could not see anything unusual about Zhang Xuezhou; he believed that Zhang Xuezhou had avoided the consequences of this spell.

If there are any tricks to be used, this would be a major leap forward in physiognomy, allowing physiognomists to freely glimpse the future and have various opportunities to take advantage of.

"You should know that I only just woke up a moment ago, so I can't answer your questions accurately," Zhang Xuezhou said, shrugging.

"What a pity!"

Yao Yuanguang sighed deeply.

This time, Zhang Xuezhou didn't try to outwit him; it was simply the truth of the matter.

He didn't even understand why Zhang Xuezhou's soul had broken free from the influence of the river of time and descended from the sky after he used Yuan Gu's treasure.

"Perhaps your spiritual journey produced some special effects," Yao Yuanguang concluded. "Yuan Gu once mentioned your spiritual journey. If you don't need this golden elixir, you can go to Xi'an County and find that old scholar; he might be able to offer you some assistance!"

"Then I thank you very much for your guidance!"

Zhang Xuezhou bowed and thanked him.

He and Yao Yuanguang had a history of mutual exploitation and conflict, but ultimately it all came to an end.

Yao Yuanguang achieved what he wanted, and there were no more conflicts between them.

This made Yao Yuanguang's suggestion more well-intentioned, and it also served as guidance or a reminder.

This time, Yao Yuanguang did not blindfold Zhang Rong Tianding and Rong Tianding, allowing Zhang Xuezhou's gaze to sweep across the vast, empty area.

The gate to the Immortal Court's secret realm is extremely grand, but that's all there is to it. The development inside is very similar to that of a village, with few places that are truly magnificent.

Occasionally, some immortals would go out, carrying tools to work, and there were also many farmers in various places.

Thinking of Yuan Gu's mention of the fairyland in his dream, Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but feel that this fairyland was not as good as Chang'an City.