He had good reason to think this way. As long as the divination skill is advanced enough, even if one has mediocre comprehension, deciphering Daoist Books wouldn't be too difficult. However, such skills aren't something ordinary people can obtain. Nowadays, they're mostly in the hands of the noble Xuanmen Families, each possessing their unique methods of deciphering Erosion Text. The deeper the heritage and the richer the background, the more advanced the skill.
He didn't know, although Zhang Yan lacked profound skills, firstly, he had exceedingly high talent in deciphering Erosion Text, and secondly, he spent ten times the time of ordinary people calculating, even if the skill was slightly inferior, he could still bridge the gap.
In Ai Zhongwen's view, if Zhang Yan came from a Xuanmen family, even if it was a declining one, his achievements wouldn't be surprising.
But what if the earlier assumption proved true?
"An expert within..."
Ai Zhongwen's heart stirred, an idea suddenly arose, could it be that the teacher, after a period of calmness, wants to take in another entry-level disciple?
Zhang Yan had been unremarkable in the three years on the mountain, but now he surprised everyone. The more Ai Zhongwen thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
As he pondered, he lagged behind, gradually falling behind the eager Lin Tong.
Lin Tong was just about to walk up the bridge leading to Zhang Yan's Cave Mansion when he looked up and saw someone coming towards him. Impatiently, he said, "Who dares block my way? Good dogs don't block the road! Get out of Master Lin's way!"
The person opposite gave a cold snort.
Ai Zhongwen suddenly felt palpitations, quickly halted his steps, and saw Lin Tong already lying on the ground. Shocked, he called out, "Fellow Daoist, please show mercy."
The person coldly glanced at Ai Zhongwen, and he felt as if a bucket of cold water was poured over his head, chilling his lungs and freezing his limbs.
Thankfully, the person said nothing more, walking straight past him.
Ai Zhongwen stared blankly at the person's back, and after a while, he stepped forward to help Lin Tong up and asked, "Brother Lin, are you alright?"
Lin Tong sat up dazedly; he had just felt a bout of dizziness, and when he came to, he was inexplicably lying on the mountain path. He patted his head, his eyes filled with astonishment, "Brother Ai, who was that? Such high cultivation?"
Although arrogant, he now realized he had encountered a fellow Daoist with profound cultivation.
Ai Zhongwen's face was solemn; the person earlier had clouds swirling faintly around him, a phenomenon only seen after Opening Meridians, already placing them beyond the mundane realm. The thought gave him a shiver. Yet, the person's face looked familiar; he thought to himself, "Judging by his features, could it be Zhou Zishang from the Dingyang Zhou Family?"
Last year, while accompanying his grandfather to the East Splendor Continent's sect assembly, he had caught a glimpse of Zhou Zishang from afar. The Yuxiao Sect, after all, is no lesser than the Mingcang Sect, but the difference in their positions was vast. Zhou Zishang is a direct disciple of an elder, and the Zhou Family is a noble Xuanmen Family. Ai Zhongwen, although from the Anfeng Ai Clan, was just a minor branch, not qualified to approach him.
He looked forward, wondering why Zhou Zishang would appear here. Could he be visiting Zhang Yan?
This thought made him jump; just who is Zhang Yan, that even Zhou Zishang would pay him a visit?
Could his previous assumptions be wrong, and Zhang Yan was hiding his true strength?
Taking a breath, Ai Zhongwen composed himself, "Brother Lin, although the fellow Daoist did not use heavy hands just now, it can't be guaranteed there are no hidden injuries. It's better to go back early to check it out. As for Brother Bian's matter, I'll handle it, how about that?"
Lin Tong hesitated for a moment, even though he had boasted before Bian Qiao, his life was more important. He forced a smile and said, "Then I'll trouble Junior Brother to take a trip."
Ai Zhongwen cupped his hands, said no more, watched Lin Tong leave, then headed along the bridge towards Zhang Yan's place.
Soon, he heard a deep voice ask:
"Who is it outside?"
Zhou Zishang had left not long ago, and Zhang Yan had been paying attention to any movement outside, wary that Zhou Zishang might have left someone to watch him. Hearing the steady and unhidden footsteps, he proactively asked.
Ai Zhongwen adjusted his robe, but before he could speak, a figure flashed, and someone had already walked out from inside.
"Is that Brother Zhang?" Ai Zhongwen stepped back, looked him up and down, and couldn't help but praise, "Brother really is as handsome as the rumors say."
Zhang Yan, although wearing ordinary coarse clothes, had a physique and appearance unmatched by most Ai Zhongwen had seen. Moreover, Zhang Yan's eyes shone with intensity, with a subtle sense of oppression, making him nearly step back.
It's said that the Zhou family, when selecting a son-in-law, first looks at destiny and fortune, then at appearance. Choosing Zhang Yan from a million demonstrates he has considerable natural advantages.
Zhang Yan smiled slightly, "Brother praises generously, I am Zhang Yan. How may I address this brother?"
Ai Zhongwen laughed heartily, cupping his hands, "Ai Zhongwen, at your service."
"Oh?" Zhang Yan's expression shifted slightly, observing him with care, he cupped his hands and said, "I've long heard of Brother Ai's name."
He had indeed heard of Ai Zhongwen, known for his extensive connections, often generous to disciples seeking help, highly regarded on Cangwu Mountain, yet notably different from Bian Qiao, though they seemed to share some connections.
This person didn't stand out much in appearance, of moderate build, yet robust. At first glance, he might be taken as an ordinary passerby, but his deep, magnetic voice inadvertently made people feel favorably disposed. His skin, warm like jade, and his eyes occasionally flashing a light, clearly indicated Foundation Establishment Cultivation.
Zhang Yan subtly guessed Ai Zhongwen's intentions and said, "Brother Ai, please come inside. My Cave Mansion is damp and chilly, please don't mind."
Ai Zhongwen chuckled, waving his hand, "We cultivators lie with rocks and springs, sleep with sun and moon. No need for such formalities."
He entered boldly, but halfway through, he suddenly turned back and said, "I heard Brother is adept at deciphering Erosion Text. Recently, I acquired a book, 'Lin Yao Inquiry Method,' and would like to ask you to have a look. If you have any insights, please do advise."
He offered a Daoist Book to Zhang Yan, "I know that Brother has been in seclusion these days, so I wouldn't dare insist. This book is left here, and when you have time, do take a look."
Zhang Yan's expression shifted slightly, a hint of a smile on his lips. Ai Zhongwen's courteous words actually meant offering him the book to read under the guise of deciphering it. This was a way to build connections, yet Ai Zhongwen was straightforward and candid, not stirring any displeasure.
Moreover, he indeed seemed worth associating with.
He didn't hesitate, immediately reaching out to take the book, exchanged a polite word, and gestured to invite him inside.
Once inside, after exchanging some pleasantries, Ai Zhongwen suddenly asked, "When I arrived earlier, I saw someone familiar. Could he also be here to visit Brother Zhang?"
Zhang Yan realized; no wonder Ai Zhongwen treated him so politely; this was the reason.
However, on second thought, becoming friends with someone like Ai Zhongwen might require entering their circle in the future. Lacking a solid identity would put him at a disadvantage. Since the Zhou family was using him, why not temporarily borrow their name? Consider it collecting some interest.
"Is Brother referring to Zhou Zishang?"
"Brother knows San Lang of the Zhou Family?" Despite his prior speculation, Ai Zhongwen couldn't help but be surprised.
Zhang Yan remained calm, "How could I not? San Lang's elder sister is indeed my official wife."
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