"It seems I’ve come at the wrong time today."

Yuan Zishan sighed, "Senior Brother Zhang, your prejudice against me is too deep!"

Though her words were accusatory, they carried a hint of coquettishness and grievance.

Honestly speaking, Zhang Yuan quite admired this Cyan Mist Peak true disciple.

If he hadn’t lived two lives, with a firm mind far beyond his peers, he might not have been able to resist her charm.

"Hmph!"

At this moment, a cold snort suddenly sounded.

The next moment, a petite figure flashed into the room.

It was none other than Su Jingyao!

Zhang Yuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Earlier, he had specifically sent Su Jingyao a talisman message, waiting for her arrival.

Su Jingyao indeed did not disappoint him.

"Yuan Zishan!"

Su Jingyao rebuked aggressively, "Have you run out of men to seduce? Junior Brother Zhang is the Daoist protector I’ve chosen. If you keep entangling, don’t blame me for being rude!"

"Junior Sister Su..."

Yuan Zishan said dejectedly, "You and Senior Brother Zhang misunderstand me. Forget it, I don’t want to explain anything. I’ll just pretend I wasn’t here today!"

Saying this, she gracefully bowed to Zhang Yuan: "Senior Brother Zhang, sorry for disturbing you, see you around."

Zhang Yuan nodded calmly, "Goodbye."

To be fair, Yuan Zishan’s tactics with men were at least several stories higher than Su Jingyao’s.

Her every word, every move was filled with grievance, with a sense of repressed anger and bitterness that could easily evoke sympathy in others.

In comparison, Su Jingyao’s demeanor of holding someone accountable was not so endearing.

Unfortunately, although Yuan Zishan’s methods were extremely clever, they were ineffective on Zhang Yuan.

Without receiving any response from Zhang Yuan, she could only leave sulkily.

As she left, she even glanced back at Zhang Yuan, her beautiful eyes seemed to speak volumes, as if holding hooks.

Her bewitching gaze pierced straight to the heart!

After Yuan Zishan left, Su Jingyao said with irritation, "Did you see that? Isn’t this demoness formidable?"

Zhang Yuan laughed, "She’s indeed formidable."

"Luckily you didn’t fall for it."

Su Jingyao praised, "Very few men don’t fall for her tricks!"

"Let’s not talk about her."

Zhang Yuan asked, "Is the matter of the Daoist protector settled?"

Previously, Su Jingyao had mentioned that the procedure for this year’s Nine Peaks Grand Competition had yet to be decided, and it was unknown if a Daoist protector would be needed.

The sudden appearance of Yuan Zishan today was definitely not without reason.

"Yes."

Su Jingyao pulled out a Dao Contract and handed it to Zhang Yuan, "It was just decided this morning, this time the sect’s grand competition will be held in the Cyan Profound Secret Realm, a month from now."

Zhang Yuan took it and carefully reviewed the contents of the Dao Contract.

There was not much difference from what the two of them had previously discussed, only a few additional detailed regulations.

This way, both parties’ rights and responsibilities were clear and unambiguous.

Zhang Yuan immediately signed his name and affixed his handprint.

Although the binding power of a Dao Contract wasn’t strong.

But if Zhang Yuan wanted to continue mingling in Upper Scenic Celestial, he couldn’t breach this Dao Contract.

Of course, he had no intentions to back out, otherwise he simply wouldn’t have signed it.

"It’s going to be hard on you, Junior Brother."

As soon as the Dao Contract was established, the relationship between the two parties became much closer. Su Jingyao said happily, "Let’s strive to break into the top ten and show that demoness Yuan Zishan a lesson!"

Her resentment towards Yuan Zishan was really not ordinary!

Then, this Mingxiu Peak disciple took out a "signing fee" for Zhang Yuan.

A protective talisman.

"This is the Golden Body Protection Talisman."

Su Jingyao earnestly introduced, "It’s personally crafted by my grandmaster. Wearing it can block a full-strength attack from Martial Artists or strange beings below Tier Seven!"

And this precious talisman was not included in their agreed remuneration.

It was Su Jingyao’s personal gift.

Zhang Yuan did not decline.

He had owned a similar protective talisman before, which was inadvertently used during battle.

At critical moments, it truly could save lives!

Considering that he would be accompanying Su Jingyao into the Secret Realm to participate in the sect’s grand competition, Zhang Yuan saw no reason to refuse.

After giving him the talisman, Su Jingyao was still worried and reminded, "Junior Brother Zhang, try not to go out recently, and definitely don’t go to Mo Yuan. I fear that demoness might play tricks."

Although Su Jingyao loathed Yuan Zishan to the core, she never underestimated the latter’s capabilities.

One must know that there were many of Yuan Zishan’s enthusiasts in Upper Scenic Celestial.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have failed repeatedly in recruiting a Daoist protector, and had to enlist Zhang Yuan’s help.

Su Jingyao was worried that Yuan Zishan’s admirers might cause trouble for Zhang Yuan.

Even though private fights were strictly forbidden in Upper Scenic Celestial.

If those people really wanted to deal with Zhang Yuan, they had plenty of ways to do so!

Thus, it was necessary to be cautious.

Zhang Yuan nodded, "I understand, I’ll be careful."

He suddenly thought of something and asked, "Junior Sister Su, do you know about..."

Zhang Yuan’s inquiry was precisely about the Guardian Platform. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

It was known that Mo Yuan spanned thousands of miles, and the area guarded by Upper Scenic Celestial was only a small part of it.

So once a Deceit Disaster Beast Tide broke out, what would happen to the defense of other places?

The deceitful monsters weren’t fools, surely they couldn’t be trying to break through the same place for thousands of years!

This question had been pressing on Zhang Yuan’s mind, and only now did he have the chance to ask.

Su Jingyao indeed knew the answer.

It turned out that after Upper Scenic Celestial established its court, powerful figures took action, gathering all of the sect’s strength to lay the "Eight Gates Profound Yang Thunder Annihilation Array" in the Grand Canyon.

To suppress the fierce beasts in Mo Yuan—at that time, deceitful monsters hadn’t yet appeared.

Later, the Celestial Masters of Upper Scenic Celestial continuously adjusted this great array, making it possess comprehensive suppression powers.

The section currently guarded by Upper Scenic Celestial, which is where the Guardian Platform is, is the location of the array’s Life Gate.

If the deceitful monsters and fierce beasts in Mo Yuan want to break out of the Grand Canyon, they can only do so through the Life Gate.

Otherwise, there’s no chance at all.

As for why the Profound Yang Thunder Annihilation Array has a Life Gate, it involves the mysteries of the Daoist magical lineage and cannot be explained in just a few words.

In short, the existence of the Life Gate is indispensable!

Additionally, Upper Scenic Celestial’s Eight Great Secret Realms are also closely related to Mo Yuan and the Eight Gates Profound Yang Thunder Annihilation Array.

This involves the secrets of the sect.

Even if Su Jingyao knew, she couldn’t possibly tell Zhang Yuan, an outsider Martial Artist.

Zhang Yuan, of course, did not probe further.

In fact, being able to learn this much information, he was already very satisfied.

The doubts in his heart had been answered.

After seeing off Su Jingyao, Zhang Yuan entered the Quiet Chamber.

He summoned the Divine Nest panel.

[Host: Zhang Yuan]

[Realm: Tier Five (True Essence)]

[Divine Nest: Level 5 (1%)]

[Host: Level 5 Black Giant Ant (1%) / 32x Strength]

[Host: Level 5 Jade Mantis (1%) / Intermediate Sword Technique Profound Communication]

[Host: Level 5 Golden Grasshopper (1%) / 32x Agility]

[Host: Level 5 White Dragon Loach (1%) / Intermediate Water Profound Communication]

[Host: Level 5 Red-eyed Crow (1%) / Intermediate Profound Spirit]

[Host: Level 4 Brocade Fur Rat (12%) / 64-space Storage Space]

[Qi Blood: 1248/1250]

[Source Material: 0]

[Luck: 9]