Ai Zhongwen was greatly shocked. He had considered various possibilities beforehand, but he never expected that Zhang Yan and Zhou Zishang would turn out to be related as brothers-in-law!
The Dingyang Zhou Family was incredibly prominent in East Splendor Continent. As far as he knew, in the past hundred years alone, there had been no fewer than ten cultivators from the family reaching the Nascent Soul stage or higher. To marry the daughter of the Zhou Family, Zhang Yan's own background was evidently extraordinary as well!
However, since Zhang Yan did not disclose his origins, Ai Zhongwen wisely refrained from probing further.
At this point, Ai Zhongwen's gaze toward Zhang Yan had shifted notably compared to earlier. Although he had shown great politeness during their initial meeting, there had been an innate restraint emanating from him, which was now noticeably absent. At present, he clearly regarded Zhang Yan as an equal among the noble sons of Xuanmen families—perhaps even placing him slightly above.
Zhang Yan observed coldly, feeling a quiet sense of regret in his heart. In the cultivation world, people were often judged by the heights of their cultivation, but lineage was no less important. Nowadays, noble Xuanmen families dominated the upper paths of cultivation, firmly controlling access to superior opportunities. For disciples without noble backgrounds—even those with outstanding talent—success was nearly impossible without extraordinary encounters and luck.
With this in mind, he silently resolved that, should he ever become accomplished in his cultivation, he would find a way to change this status quo.
As the two exchanged pleasantries, both evidently intent on fostering a connection, the conversation grew increasingly amicable. Ai Zhongwen then shifted the topic and said, "Does Senior Brother know about the Xuanwen Conference?"
Zhang Yan's expression remained neutral as he placed down the tea cup in his hand. He nodded and replied, "How could I not know? Such a grand event occurs merely once every three years. This junior originally wanted to observe it, but alas, since ascending to the mountain three years ago, I've focused solely on cultivation and haven't forged connections with fellow Daoists, leaving me no way to gain entry."
In East Splendor Continent, there were sixteen major sects, and countless minor ones. Every three years, the lower courts of each sect jointly held the Xuanwen Conference. At that time, distinguished cultivators from all sects' lower courts, whether they were official disciples or registered disciples, would gather to exchange cultivation insights.
This year, it happened to be Cangwu Mountain hosting the conference.
The conference bore the name "Xuanwen" due to the Erosion Texts.
Since the creation of heaven and earth, the mountains and the earth's surface had undergone eons of natural evolution, weathering from sunlight and wind erosion. Over time, this formed vast and intricate patterns, containing hidden mysteries of heaven and earth. After the calculative efforts of ancient Daoists, these patterns gradually evolved into a unique textual scripture for cultivators.
According to legend, in ancient times, cultivators relied solely on comprehending the Erosion Texts to probe the Great Dao and ascend to immortality in broad daylight.
Although this was merely folklore, it still underscored the foundational importance of the Erosion Texts. If one could fully decode them, then the gates of the Immortal Sect were within reach.
In ancient times, cultivators always learned the Erosion Texts before proceeding to mystical skills.
However, not only was this approach of cultivation exceedingly slow, but whether one succeeded hinged entirely on their innate aptitude for understanding the Erosion Texts.
Thus, as Xuanmen families gradually rose to prominence, their disciples ceased to follow this method. For unlike others, they received guidance from elders within their families and sects upon first embarking on the Dao. This not only allowed them to avoid detours but also freed them from painstakingly deciphering the Erosion Texts on their own. By merely following step-by-step teachings, their foundations would be solid, and their paths unerring. Once their cultivation progressed, they could then revisit the Erosion Texts with ease, tackling them effortlessly from a position of strength.
This was one of the reasons Ai Zhongwen believed Zhang Yan's origins were extraordinary. Those cultivators from ordinary backgrounds struggled even to find time to cultivate, let alone spare extra effort for learning the Erosion Texts, akin to studying celestial tomes.
It could be said that Zhang Yan's previous accomplishments of meticulously studying the Erosion Texts were virtually unparalleled.
These days, contests of Erosion Text comprehension at the Xuanwen Conference had become a means for Xuanmen families to showcase their family's heritage and strength, no longer serving its original purpose of aiding cultivation.
Ai Zhongwen glanced furtively at Zhang Yan's expression. Although Zhang Yan lamented his inability to attend the conference, he seemed indifferent to it, leaving Ai Zhongwen uncertain of his thoughts. Tentatively, he said, "To be honest, I came here today with the intention of inviting you to the conference. With your knowledge of the Erosion Texts, how could you not make a mark there?"
Zhang Yan gave Ai Zhongwen a measured glance and smiled, "Since Brother Ai has extended an invitation, how could this junior possibly decline?"
Ai Zhongwen let out a sigh of relief. He took out a copper token and respectfully offered it with both hands, saying, "This is the conference pass; possessing it grants entry to the mountain gate." After hesitating briefly, he then produced a bottle of elixir pills, placing them on the table, and clasped his hands in a bow, "This bottle of 'True Origin Elixir' is meant for regulating qi and harmonizing meridians. Inside are pills imbued with Heavenly Gang energy; it's compensation from Senior Brother Bian. I hope you'll accept it."