Volume 1, Chapter 36 Meridians Grade Appraisal, The Beginning Journey to the Future

In the past few months, shocking news was spreading throughout Azurewood Mountain. It was said that the son of Du Luo or Lady Du from the Du FamilyDu Youhad borrowed the Spirit Shellfish King belonging to the sect to open his meridians. But then, he was killed and robbed by his attendant, Du Bo. Pf whom has now disappeared without a trace. It was suspected that he had met the worst possibilities.

Although the Du Family has tried everything they had to cover up this matter, but how would they conceal the truth from all the ancient familys eyes and ears?

On the other hand, everyone in the Lower Court was taken for quite a pleasure from this misfortune. The Du Family had always been arrogant and took the Lower Courts head disciple position nonchalantly, breaking the common customs. So they really deserved this disaster. And now, since the Du Familys plans and arrangements had completely failed, they would no longer meddle with the Lower Courts affairs anymore.

After the Lin Family did some bargaining, Lin Yuan obtained his wish to be the Lower Courts head disciple, and he was really satisfied in achieving this. He had the thoughts that Zhang Yan who was driven down the mountain by Du You would come back again to the mountain. And since Du You had died, it would be strange for Zhang Yan to not = come back to the mountain. But then came another astonishing news

Having gone for two months, Zhang Yan actually had broken his mortals restrictions and successfully opened his meridians and finally stepped onto the Great Dao in one fell swoop. This news was even more shocking than the missing Du You. Suddenly, upon hearing this news, Lin Yuan was dumbfounded for a long time as the previous joy vanished and turned into an ashen and grim feeling

He had been painstakingly worked to assume the Lower Courts head disciple position, and thought that he was one step ahead of him, but how could Zhang Yan advance so far as to step ahead in front of him? Then, wasnt his head disciple status just a joke?

Lin Yuan couldnt help but hate the ancient familys customs for the first time. Should it not be for the custom to stay in the Lower Court for 16 years, he could have had his meridians opened earlier and went straight to the Upper Court. If it were like this, how would he fall before the younger one, Zhang Yan?

The news also made many disciples from the ancient families dumbfounded for a while, as the Azurewood Mountain didnt speak anything about it.

But, how many years had it been?

Zhang Yan had gone up in the mountain for about 3 years and was an outer disciple for only half a year. He just descended from the mountain for two months, so how could he successfully open his meridians? Wasnt Zhang Yans aptitude said to be mediocre and could only be a warrior? On the contrary, the one that vowed to take Zhang Yans life, the potentially brighter talent Du You, who had gone to the Shellfish Field to open his meridians was actually missing and disappeared. The contrast between the two was really obvious.

Grand Consciousness Peak, the True Crossing Hall.

When Zhang Yan was entering the Hall once again, Shi Shoujing, He Shouxuan, and Chen Shouzhong did not dare to sit on the stone platform, as they walked forward to send respectful gestures.

The Lower Courts grandmasters positions had always been taken by people who were assumed by the sect to not have any big advancement in their cultivation path. To silently manage any mundane daily affairs with ordinary people.

However, once the disciples from the Lower Court had opened their meridians, he could directly enter the Upper Court and become the Sects backbone as true disciples. They would be bestowed an immortal cave mansion, concocted pills, Dao manuals, and would naturally have a smooth cultivation path with a future far above theirs. Therefore, they were not just respecting Zhang Yan personally, but rather due to his would be achievement in the future.

Seen the three grandmasters.

Although he had successfully opened his meridians, Zhang Yans manner didnt become rude and insolent. He was still respectful and courteous just like in the past. No matter what kind of thoughts these three people had in their minds right now, he indeed got accepted into the Lower Court by them. Therefore, he wasnt respecting these peoples status, but rather respecting their previous assistance to himself.

Upon seeing Zhang Yan respectful attitude, a good impression grew in Shi Shoujings heart.

The three of them were seemingly powerful, but in reality, their authority was not big. They could only suppress the Lower Courts head disciple due to their cultivation level and had been usually thinking about how to preserve themselves and could only occasionally use the Sects rules to discipline the Lower Courts disciples one or two times. And since Zhang Yan had broken open his immortal meridians at the moment, the Lower Courts regulations could not even be applied to him. So, he could have ignored them and didnt place them in his eyes. But after seeing such respectful manners, Shi Shoujing couldnt help but reply in a benign manner, Junior Brother Zhang, you have broken open your immortal meridians, hence, from now on you should call us fellow brothers.

Zhang Yan showed a faint smile and then cupped his hands again, saying, Three senior brothers are courteous.

The three people returned back the courtesy once more.

As they were standing, Shou Shoujing carefully looked at Zhang Yan, he could see that his breath produced a strong force of vigor and vitality and it was a clear sign that he had successfully completed his meridians opening process.He couldnt help but secretly praise in his heart. When he heard the news that Zhang Yan had opened his meridians, he thought that the news was false, and now it seemed that his previous judgment was wrong. It was no wonder that he was taken as son-in-law by the Zhou Family, it was because it seemed that they had already been aware for these reasons.

Also, he had looked into theExquisite Records of the Inner Qi Profound Origins Manual, of which he was perfectly aware of the bad risks it contained, because this manual was too profound, complicated, and had a plethora of things to tackle. Therefore, there were still a thousand kinds of manuals in the sects that would be fit for one. He also pondered, had it be him in his shoes, he absolutely would not take this step.

And this Zhang Yan, because his aptitude looked average, he had suggested that the most appropriate path for him was but only the warrior path. He had never thought that after having only left for a few months, this person had actually opened his meridians and ascended. Such a person, if he didnt have a big destiny, it should have a supreme expert that is guiding him in the back.

No matter which kind, he was sure that it was not a delusion.

Thinking up to there, Shi Shoujings complexion became more respectful, saying, Junior brother please wait for a moment, the senior brothers from the Upper Court will come to appraise you meridians type.

Half a month ago, when Zhang Yan just returned to the mountain, the news of him having opened his meridians spread. The Immortal Masters in the Upper Court should have immediately come to appraise his meridians type, however, it was unknown as to why they would be this late And today, the message then came, which was the reason why Zhang Yan was called out now.

After these four people waited for half an hour, a middle-aged man who wore a high ranked sects steward plume robe came. This man stepped into the hall with a cold expression as the three Shou generation Lower Courts deacons then greeted him. [1]

Upon seeing this person, Shi Shoujings heart couldnt help but feel surprised, but he did not reveal anything on his expression and as usual, bowed to this sects steward.

This sects steward then turned around, as his hands were crossed behind his back, sizing up and down at Zhang Yan, and then spoke whilst his brows knitted, Are you Zhang Yan? Quick, release your meridians type apparition, so this poor monk can see it.

Zhang Yan squinted his eyes but didnt even act.

Whats wrong, you cant do it? An impatient expression drawn on his face, saying, Circulate you qi, so your True Primordial Qi can enter the meridians and flow in the veins, it would be naturally come out.

Zhang Yan was still motionless and lightly asked, Who is several?

You

This sects steward suddenly choked and was speechless for quite a while. He was about to open his mouth and wanted to lecture Zhang Yan and blurted out a few words, but he feared that he would lose his status due to arguing and would be laughed at later. He hardly suppressed the rage in his heart, and coldly spoke, This poor monk is Wang Yixing, the Upper Courts evaluator, especially coming here to appraise your meridians type.

Originally, the evaluator must be from the Immortal Master from the Upper Court who was at least in the Profound Light Stage level and then confirmed by an elders evaluation from an ancient family in cooperation. However, since Zhang Yan was not from the ancient families, therefore, the Upper Courts officials who gave the evaluation based on ones statusno one was willing to come. This was the reason of it being repeatedly delayed, but since the Azure Ocean Sect couldnt afford to have a bad name outside. After having dawdled for half a month, then sent Wang Yixing, a Radiant Qi Stage cultivator to come over and do the evaluation.

But this Wang Yixing also came from an ancient family, the Wang Family. When the job fell to his shoulder, he felt that he lost face. But since he was forced down by several senior brothers, he couldnt shift this responsibility to others and was in a very bad mood. That was why he saw Zhang Yan not pleasing to his eyes.

Since several is the evaluator from the Upper Court, this one will comply and let senior brother see it.

Then, Zhang Yan directed his True Primordial Qi, as a mass of mist immediately diffused out from his body.

Wang Yixing couldnt help but shout, What! It took almost 15 minutes for others to show their meridians type but it took only seconds for Zhang Yan to reveal his meridians types apparition, which was not simple. But, after he looked at the apparitions form, he blurted in contempt, The Mist Phase, its only a low-grade type. He then waved his sleeves and cupped his hands, saying, Then, farewell.

The three deacons looked at each other in blank dismay, only a low-grade type? They also had the eyes to see that although Zhang Yans meridian type was not necessarily good, but saying such a tone and words after the evaluation, was actually extremely optional.

Since the evaluation has been completed, Zhang Yan no longer remained and immediately bid a farewell to the three deacons.

Shi Shoujing knew that with this meridians type evaluation, it would be related to the cultivation laws Zhang Yan would choose later. With this low-grade meridians type, the cultivation laws that could be chosen by Zhang Yan would be very few. He then walked along Zhang Yan toward the Main Halls and spoke some comforting words, Junior Brother Zhang, in my opinion, although your meridians type is but only a low grade. After you have a perfect apparition, you will have an infinite life force within your body. Even if its only a low grade, but youre still worthy to feel proud and still above this one. This one felt youve been really wronged.

Its alright, its just only a low-grade type, and only dividing between the high and low type. Zhang Yans expression was still his usual calm self, and not even the slightest unhappiness could be seen.

Shi Shoujing secretly nodded, regardless what qualification Zhang Yan had, his character was definitely first class. In the future, his achievement would not necessarily bad, therefore, he spoke some good words again, Tomorrow when someone takes Junior Brother to the Upper Court, if you have spare time, you can come to the Lower Court.

Of course I would, senior brother has walked me this far, this junior brother will leave now. Zhang Yan cupped his hand and then left.

All the way down the Grand Consciousness peak, he took a deep relieved breath. If Wang Yixing were able to see his beyond high grade meridians type, he must have been spent some time to explain it. But fortunately that man had neither enough experience nor insight and only did it perfunctorily, therefore, he couldnt see it.

He was perfectly aware that his identity was extremely special. His nonancient family status and able to open his meridians and enter the Upper Court from the Lower Court would certainly garner a lot of attention from many people. Moreover, most would not contain any good intentions, and it would be inconvenient for his conducts later. The Upper Court has deeper water than the Lower Court, so before he clearly grasped the situation there, he should not make himself widely known.

As for Shi Shoujings words about cultivation laws, he actually did not care. He had theTaiyi Golden Manualin his hand, of which if he could perfectly practice. He could use his qi to melt and fuse iron and gold into weapons which were comparable to the magical flying sword. The Du Family even had to desperately do everything possible to seek this ancient Dao manual. Could even a manual bestowed by the Sect be compared to this peerless manual?

But those which was originally bestowed to the true disciples such as concocted pills, he actually did not intend to give those up, even if he must fight to obtain it, then fight he will.

Everyone in the Lower Court was also waiting to know about Zhang Yans meridian type. Soon after, the news proliferated: After being evaluated by the masters, Zhang Yans meridian type was only the Mist Phase of the lower grade type.

When everyone heard this, their hearts and minds were a little bit eased. Most people thought that this was only natural. Zhang Yan neither had a family to support him nor was there any support bestowed by the sect. He was only a cultivator originating from ordinary mortals, and his achievement in being able to open his meridians was only a fortune given by the heavens. So, how would he even hope to obtain a higher level meridian grade?

But in any case, Zhang Yan was also the Lower Courts disciple, after he had opened his meridians, his promotion to the Upper Court was a foregone conclusion. There were also some occurrences that some disciples originated from a mediocre family background, and was able to enter the Lower Court. But those people were outstanding geniuses. Rare geniuses rarely to be seen for centuries, of whom the rich and powerful ancient families usually used marriages to win them over in the past and integrated those outstanding geniuses into their family. However, when those families heard that Zhang Yans meridian type was but only the lower grade type, those ancient families intentions to recruit him immediately vanished as they lost their interest in Zhang Yan.

[1] Shi Shoujing, He Shouxuan, and Chen Shouzhong, the three grandmasters in the Lower Court are the deacons from the Shou generation to manage the Lower Court. Shou here means as defender or manager. As the Shou name is added in their middle name. We can still find this custom from most of the priests name in the temple or monastery. Each generation of priests has their own generation name, which in this novel could be seen in these three peoples name, Shou.