In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Especially the An family; other merchant families along the sea route, once they see through the Zhang family's scheme, they might not even be able to gain an advantage.

"I know, I'll wait for you to come back."

Also, Hongxiao and the others won't be going with you; you'll be traveling alone.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Return to Xiangyang, Pusiqu Snake

"Take care, young master!"

Leading a fine steed, carrying a specially made leather backpack, and with a three-foot-long 'short sword' at his waist...

Along the ancient road, in the west wind, and on a slender horse, Zhang Xiaoshan left Lin'an Bianjing City amidst the reluctance of the two women, Hongxiao and Jiangxue.

As for Tina and Shana, the two oriental women, Zhang Xiaoshan arranged for them to be relocated to other places.

After confirming that the two Hu girls were safe, Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't possibly keep two pretty faces around him. Moreover, their physiques and aptitudes were excellent, and it would be a waste not to train them in leg techniques.

Age is not an issue at all when it comes to the Yi Jin Duan Gu Chapter.

"Young Master Zhang left alone?"

Zhang Xiaoshan's open and aboveboard departure surprised all the forces in Lin'an Prefecture.

Dressed as if he were traveling alone, Zhang Xiaoshan was clearly about to 'run away from home,' and they hadn't heard a word from him before.

Moreover, the Zhang family made no attempt to hide anything, which made them even more perplexed.

After leaving Bianjing, Zhang Xiaoshan's first stop was Qixia Temple.

Besides being on the way, Zhang Xiaoshan's destination was also Zen Master Xianxia.

The Zhang family had a good relationship with this old monk, and Zhang Xiaoshan had other purposes besides visiting him.

Along the way, Zhang Xiaoshan made no attempt to conceal anything. As long as it wasn't about Huang Rong, there was basically nothing for him to hide.

Hiding things only makes things more suspicious.

"Junior Zhang Xiaoshan has come to pay respects to Zen Master Xianxia."

"Amitabha Buddha, please wait a moment, benefactor!"

Qixia Temple is not a grand temple, but an ancient temple full of charm, which has been in disrepair for many years.

Given Master Xianxia's reputation, it would have been easy for him to embezzle some gold to embellish the Buddha statues. However, in reality, most of the incense offerings for Qixia Temple were used to purchase medicinal herbs and provide free medical consultations, which led to the ancient temple falling into disrepair and becoming somewhat desolate.

However, this only highlights the noble character of Zen Master Xianxia.

Ninety-nine percent of Buddhist monks are fake, but there are also one in ten thousand truly eminent monks and virtuous individuals.

Just like Taoist priests and literati, among the masses, there is always a pure stream that cleanses the world and leaves a lasting legacy.

···

"This junior greets the Zen Master!"

Inside the main hall, besides Zen Master Xianxia, ​​there was a bright young man of seventeen or eighteen standing to one side of Zen Master Xianxia, ​​clearly a lay disciple.

At this moment, the boy was also looking at Zhang Xiaoshan, a hint of envy in his eyes.

Standing at nine feet tall, in ancient times when a man was seven feet tall and 1.7 meters tall, he was definitely a towering figure.

In particular, Zhang Xiaoshan has a well-proportioned figure, without the ruggedness of a burly man or the 'gracefulness' of a pretty boy; he is elegant and refined, with a free and easy temperament.

“Amitabha Buddha, it has been several years since I last saw you. Young benefactor Zhang has become so extraordinary. Benefactor Zhang has a worthy successor.”

"Master, you flatter me. I am ashamed. Is this your disciple?"

"I am Lu Guanying from Taihu Lake. Greetings, Young Master Zhang!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoshan looked surprised.

Lu Guanying is considered a disciple of Peach Blossom Island, so shouldn't his master be Kumu of the Xianxia Sect? How did he become the Old Monk of Xianxia?

"So it's Young Master Lu. I am honored to greet you!"

Zhang Xiaoshan clasped his hands in a fist salute and nodded, then took out an ancient book and said with a faint smile:

“Master, this is a Buddhist scripture from the Great Zhou Dynasty, along with a letter. My father asked me to deliver it to you personally.”

"Amitabha, thank you for your trouble, young benefactor."

Zen Master Xianxia did not refuse. He and Zhang Yuan had been good friends over the years, so there was no need for formalities.

"Master, you are too kind. I am just passing through Qixia Temple and am heading north to look for someone."

If there's anything the master needs me to do for him, I'll do it on my way.

"Going north to find someone?"

With such a large family business, does the young master of the Zhang family, who is the only son in the Zhang lineage, need to search for people?

Not to mention Zen Master Xianxia, ​​even the young Lu Guanying was not convinced. However, they also understood that the person Zhang Xiaoshan was looking for was definitely not an ordinary person.

The more impossible something is, the more likely it is to happen.

"Then thank you very much, young benefactor."

That night, Zhang Xiaoshan spent the night at Qixia Temple. The next day, he continued his journey alone on horseback.

Zhang Xiaoshan had no intention of staying in the city; he spent several days camping in the wilderness without any fixed itinerary.

However, as Zhang Xiaoshan took a detour, the route gradually became clear.

Because Zhang Xiaoshan soon arrived near Xiangyang City, which was the place where he had been in seclusion before, this was a return to his old haunts.

And now that we've arrived, it's impossible to just pass by quietly like before.

Take at least a few local specialties with you when you leave.

Zhang Xiaoshan had previously searched for the Bodhi snake, but unfortunately, after a period of time without any results, he stopped searching extensively.

After all, the fact that no news of the Bosqu snake has been reported here for so long shows how rare it is.

But things are different now; the meteorite copper in Zhang Xiaoshan's hands has a special function.

Dragon-subduing wood is the nemesis of snakes, so meteorite copper has the effect of gathering spiritual energy.

Its properties of making ancient trees immortal and corpses incorruptible, and even enhancing them to the point of eternal youth, make it somewhat attractive to the Bodhi Serpent.

After all, all these characteristics are either due to a special magnetic field or the ability to gather spiritual energy.

Upon arriving outside Xiangyang City, Zhang Xiaoshan found the ancient tree he had noticed earlier. Its trunk was so thick that it would take seven or eight people to encircle it, and its canopy, ten feet in diameter, stretched into the sky.

This is the largest ancient tree in the vicinity, probably several thousand years old.

Zhang Xiaoshan placed the meteorite into the crevice of the ancient wood and infused it with his innate primordial energy. Regardless of the effect, he returned directly to Xiangyang City.

Just like setting up a trap, once the trap is set, we'll see if any prey takes the bait tomorrow.

In any case, Zhang Xiaoshan wasn't worried about Huang Rong's safety.

That girl's quick wit means that, unless she encounters an older generation, almost no one can make her suffer.

The next morning, when Zhang Xiaoshan went to check, he indeed saw a three-zhang-long (approximately 10 meters) giant python, gleaming with gold and bearing a prominent fleshy growth on its head, coiled on the ancient tree.

On the ancient tree, Zhang Xiaoshan set up some simple mechanisms.

This mechanism wasn't for catching snakes, but rather to let Zhang Xiaoshan know if anything was hidden in the tree.

Otherwise, if he were caught off guard and ambushed, wouldn't he die an unjust death?

At this moment, the Bodhi Serpent also spotted Zhang Xiaoshan, coiled on the ancient tree, its tongue flicking in and out, ready to launch a fatal attack at any moment.

In the instant the golden light flashed and the attack was launched, a sword shadow moved even faster.

Pfft!

The snake's head flew into the sky, while its three-zhang-long (approximately 10 meters) body landed directly on the ground.

At the same time, Zhang Xiaoshan quickly took out the snake gall and soaked it in the strong liquor he had prepared beforehand.

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Deal on Mount Wudang

Once the first rule was established, the second, the third, and so on...

Zhang Xiaoshan stayed in Xiangyang City for half a month, carrying a leather bag filled with snake gallbladders.

At first, I could catch four or five fish a day, going once each in the morning, noon, evening, and midnight, and I always got something. But in the last three days, I haven't been able to catch even one fish a day.

Zhang Xiaoshan knew that the Bodhi Snake was almost finished.

After all, the Bodhi snake is rare and not found everywhere.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan only caught large snakes; small snakes generally couldn't sense the existence of the meteorite.

Therefore, the snake gall in this wine bag is enough for him to push the Golden Cauldron Iron Shirt technique a step further, reaching the mid-to-late stage of the Seven Cauldrons realm.

As for the peak of the Seven Cauldrons?

Even if he caught all the Bodhi snakes here, he might not be able to do it.

The peak is the ultimate state of being!

After putting away the meteorite pendant, Zhang Xiaoshan hung a long golden whip made of snakeskin at his waist.

This snakeskin whip is three zhang long, made by soaking it in strong liquor and medicinal water, and then adding silkworm silk and hemp.

Afterwards, Zhang Xiaoshan used one hundred merits to strengthen and perfect it, making it extremely powerful.

A single lash would likely tear the skin and flesh apart.

···

At the foot of Wudang Mountain!

Zhang Xiaoshan had received a message from Huang Rong, but he did not go there immediately.

Instead, he took a detour to Wudang Mountain. Zhang Xiaoshan's purpose this time was to learn the Pure Yang Wuji Gong of the Wudang Sect.

"Zhang Xiaoshan, a novice in martial arts, has come to pay his respects to Master Zhang!"

A loud shout resounded for miles!

This is Zhang Xiaoshan's confidence; his qi and blood are so strong that he is not afraid of Zhang Sanfeng at all.

After all, his level of physical cultivation far exceeded his actual strength.

The key is that there is no fatal weakness.

"who?"

A group of disciples guarding the mountain looked at Zhang Xiaoshan, and their expressions immediately changed.

That's so loud, it's obvious they're looking for trouble.

Inside the Zixiao Palace, Wudang Sect Leader Song Yuanqiao heard a thunderous voice transmission from afar, and his expression immediately turned solemn. He hurriedly descended the mountain.

He knew that a master had arrived this time.

Even separated by thousands of feet, they still possess such confidence, which speaks volumes.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaoshan, who was leaning against the Sword-Unraveling Pool at the foot of the mountain, saw a Taoist priest dressed in a purple robe coming and immediately stood up straight.

Wudang Mountain is known for its seventy-two temples, but it is not just one Wudang sect.

A Taoist who can wear a purple robe is someone even Zhang Sanfeng would treat with utmost respect; such a person is a superior figure of the direct lineage of Taoism, and it's not something just anyone can wear.

Most of them were real people who were officially appointed by the royal family!

At least the Seven Heroes of Wudang did not have this qualification, which shows their low status and position.

"Supreme Celestial Venerable, may I ask if you are Young Master Zhang from Lin'an?"

The visitor bowed respectfully, his hands clasped in greeting. Even Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't help but respond with utmost courtesy:

"It is indeed I, young man. May I ask who you are, Taoist Master?"

"The Supreme Celestial Venerable, the old Taoist Ziyang, is the abbot of the Pure Yang Dao."

"So it's Master Ziyang, this humble one greets you."

Pure Yang Dao?

It could be large or small, but as long as one wore a purple Taoist robe, even Zhang Xiaoshan wouldn't dare to be disrespectful.