The War of the Gods in the Great Void God King

Jiang Fan felt a chill run down his spine: "Zhang Tao? Why did that elder in charge of menial tasks suddenly summon me? He had no prior dealings with the higher-ups of the Daoist sect."

"Could it be because of Sun Li?"

In recent days, Sun Li has been secretly monitoring him too many times. He noticed it several times, but he didn't expose it.

Sun Li is in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and as a steward disciple of the Miscellaneous Affairs Department, he wields considerable power. If a conflict were to break out, I would undoubtedly be the one to suffer.

Thinking about this, his doubts deepened, but he didn't show it, simply nodding calmly: "Understood."

He arrived at Zhang Tao's residence in no time.

The environment is serene and the spiritual energy it possesses far surpasses that of the back mountain.

Jiang Fan was led into an elegant side hall, where Zhang Tao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at a landscape painting hanging on the wall.

"Disciple Jiang Fan greets Elder Zhang."

Upon seeing Elder Zhang, Jiang Fan immediately bowed respectfully, neither servile nor arrogant.

Zhang Tao slowly turned around, a warm smile spreading across his face, a far cry from the coldness he displayed in the tea room just a few days ago.

"No need for formalities, Jiang Fan.

"I heard that there was an accident in the mine behind the mountain a few days ago, but you acted bravely, killing that monstrous python with a single punch and protecting your fellow disciples. Very good, well done."

Jiang Fan respectfully said:

"Elder, you flatter me. I was just lucky. The situation was critical, and I had no choice but to do it."

"By sheer luck..."

Zhang Tao stroked his beard and smiled, then strolled closer to Jiang Fan, scrutinizing him closely.

"You have no spiritual root and no cultivation, yet you killed a demonic python in the early stage of Qi Refining with a single punch. This is not something that can be done by luck."

"Judging from your physical attributes, although you lack spiritual roots, the strength of your physical body is truly exceptional."

"You must have cultivated some special body-refining technique since childhood, right?"

Jiang Fan had anticipated this question and calmly replied:

"Reporting to the elder, this disciple comes from a common martial arts family and has been training his strength since childhood, so he does have some rudimentary body-strengthening skills."

"Basic skills?"

A flicker of disbelief crossed Zhang Tao's eyes, but he didn't expose it. Instead, he changed the subject, "Jiang Fan, do you know why I summoned you here?"

"This disciple does not know," Jiang Fan replied, feigning respect.

"I have seen your resolute character and your hard work and dedication in the mine, which is truly commendable."

Zhang Tao's tone became solemn, carrying a hint of bestowing favor: "Although you lack spiritual roots and are unlikely to ascend to the Great Dao, with your physique, if carefully nurtured, you may well achieve something in the mortal martial arts world. I have decided to make an exception and accept you as my personal disciple. Are you willing?"

To be accepted as a personal disciple despite the usual circumstances? Alarm bells rang in Jiang Fan's mind.

According to Taoist rules, there is a world of difference between registered disciples and formal disciples.

Registered disciples are mostly menial servants, while only formal disciples can be taught martial arts techniques and enjoy resources.

Moreover, as an elder, Zhang Tao's personal disciple holds a higher status than a formal disciple.

And Sun Li, who frequently monitored him, happened to be Zhang Tao's personal disciple. This sudden favor must have something fishy about it.

Jiang Fan's mind raced, but a look of surprise appeared on his face as he said:

"Elder, your kindness is too much for me... I am unworthy and unworthy to presume to receive your personal guidance."

There's no need to belittle yourself.

Zhang Tao watched Jiang Fan's reaction with satisfaction, feeling that everything was under control, and said:

"I have a good eye for people. Rest assured, now that you've joined my sect, I will impart some common martial arts techniques to you to help you hone your physical body."

"From now on, you will no longer need to go down into the mines. Move to the residence of my personal disciples next to my residence."

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder!" Jiang Fan bowed again, but his heart was filled with coldness.

"Cultivation, or rather, captive breeding, is more accurate."

Zhang Tao's purpose was clearly to control himself and slowly explore the secrets of the Golden Dragon King within him.

If you refuse, within the other party's sphere of influence, refusing is tantamount to courting death.

"Very good, it's good that you have this intention."

Seeing that Jiang Fan accepted, Zhang Tao's smile widened. He said, "Go and settle in first. Come to me tomorrow to receive your opportunity. Remember, behave yourself, cultivate diligently, and don't disappoint me."

"Your disciple obeys."

As Jiang Fan left the side hall, Zhang Tao's smile vanished instantly, replaced by his usual gloomy expression.

He summoned Sun Li and whispered the instructions:

"Li'er, keep an eye on him. Now that he's my personal disciple, things will be easier for him."

"I need to know his every move, especially his cultivation. Also, send someone to investigate his companion, what's his name, Li Yang, and see if we can pry anything out of him."

"Master, rest assured, your disciple understands."

A fierce glint flashed in Sun Li's eyes as he said, "However, Master, if we can't find any clues about that opportunity, or if he's just creating a charade..."

Zhang Tao snorted coldly: "If it's really just a charade, or if we can't find any clues to that opportunity, then we'll just have to kill him and steal the treasure... We'll just kill him somewhere where no one's around."

"You are now at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, so killing Jiang Fan should not be a problem. But you must be careful to ensure that nothing goes wrong and that you do not leave any trace."

Sun Li felt a chill run down his spine, but it was quickly replaced by excitement. He bowed and said, "Disciple understands! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

……

Jiang Fan moved to a simple stone house on the outskirts of Zhang Tao's residence, seemingly escaping the misery of the mine, but in reality, he had fallen into a carefully woven net by Zhang Tao.

He knew all too well that his peaceful days were coming to an end.

Sun Li and Zhang Tao will be his biggest crisis going forward.

He must be more careful to conceal all traces of the Golden Dragon King, and at the same time, improve his strength as soon as possible to have more security.

Beneath the surface of calm, undercurrents were surging.

Jiang Fan went to Zhang Tao's place for training every day, but in reality he only did some chores. Occasionally, he would receive some common martial arts manuals from Zhang Tao, which were all rudimentary body-refining methods and low-level techniques.

Jiang Fan accepted all offers without hesitation, but during his cultivation, he perfectly simulated the power circulation path of these techniques, without revealing the slightest flaw.

Sun Li's surveillance never loosened, but Jiang Fan's actions were watertight, and apart from his physical strength seemingly increasing, there were no other abnormalities.

Zhang Tao's patience gradually wore thin.

For a period of time, Sun Li made no progress; Jiang Fan was like a stubborn rock, impossible to crack or understand.

Jiang Fan's physical body became increasingly powerful, and Sun Li even suspected that if he did not use spiritual power and relied solely on his physical body, he might not be his match.

This infuriated Zhang Tao, as the opportunity remained elusive.

That day, Sun Li reported back to Zhang Tao again, his tone anxious:

"Master, I really can't see anything wrong with him. Apart from being stronger, Jiang Fan is no different from an ordinary martial artist."

"The techniques he cultivates are indeed the rudimentary ones you bestowed upon him. Could it be... that's truly his innate talent?"

"Exceptional talent? Hmph!"

Zhang Tao slammed his hand on the table, knocking over the teacup, and said, "To possess such power without spiritual roots is the greatest anomaly in itself. I don't believe such a coincidence could exist in this world! That opportunity must have allowed that kid to hide it too well."