Chapter 887 - 289: Gamesmanship in the Immortal Mansion (6)

Seeing that Shen Yuan didn’t speak, Zhang Zeduan spoke again: "There are some techniques left by others inside this Immortal Mansion. If Fellow Daoist can find a way to eliminate those techniques, I can swear to fulfill one request for you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan thought briefly, then snickered and shook his head.

He simply didn’t want to bother with such matters.

To him, this Immortal Mansion’s greatest function was providing access to the Nine Elements Exiled Immortal Temple, and as for other uses, he really hadn’t discovered any.

The fellow outside the Immortal Mansion had previously attempted to forcibly intercept his Divine Soul Avatar with Nascent Soul techniques, and now he was begging for help.

No way.

Seeing him remain silent, Zhang Zeduan became anxious.

"Fellow Daoist!"

"I’m not alarmist!"

"If Fellow Daoist is unwilling to help, once this Immortal Mansion is taken back by that old fellow, you will definitely no longer be able to reach the Void Immortal Realm through this Mansion!"

"The old fellow’s techniques are far superior to mine; he can even open the Immortal Mansion and ambush your Divine Spirit!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan frowned swiftly.

He didn’t know the exact power of the presence outside the Immortal Mansion.

However, his Divine Spirit being intercepted by someone using Nascent Soul techniques amidst the journey enveloped in golden light towards the Nine Elements Exiled Immortal Temple proved the adversary’s power was at least that of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Thus, the "old fellow" from the other party’s mouth should be even stronger.

Otherwise, the person wouldn’t be so fearful and ask for help.

Given the characteristics of the Immortal Mansion and the Nine Elements Exiled Immortal Temple, Shen Yuan wasn’t particularly worried about the power of the opponents, including the "old fellow" mentioned.

But the comment that the so-called "old fellow" could enter the grand hall of the mansion and ambush him did make Shen Yuan apprehensive.

If everything said by the presence outside the Immortal Mansion were true,

Then he would indeed be in danger next time the Nine Elements Exiled Immortal Temple opened.

Strategies among cultivators can be peculiar, and some powerful cultivators might attempt to cross time and space to slay his Divine Spirit body based on merely a strand of Divine Soul Avatar, or even launch more terrifying attacks, which is not too difficult.

But... what if the presence outside of the Immortal Mansion was deceitful?

Shen Yuan frowned and pondered.

The other party clearly had no way of dealing with him alone in the mansion’s hall.

Yet if he believed the words and then destroyed certain restrictions inside the Immortal Mansion, allowing this person to open it from the outside, the result would be the same.

Even so, the other party might similarly ambush his Divine Spirit and follow the link between the Divine Soul Avatar and main body, eradicating him completely, along with the entire Shen Family.

After contemplation, Shen Yuan realized the safest approach was to return and never come back again.

This way, whether the other party’s words were true or false, there would be no danger.

However, if he didn’t return, he wouldn’t gain access to the Nine Elements Exiled Immortal Temple.

Having entered the Nine Elements Exiled Immortal Temple three times consecutively, Shen Yuan had already realized that the Temple was a grand opportunity.

The chime of the Dao Bell could enhance his understanding of the Dao.

Beside him, Jin Xiao and Chi Yuan Ascendant were akin to two wise elders, capable of providing substantial benefits in cultivation knowledge and understanding of the Cultivation Realm.

Not to mention the rewards of the century examination in the Immortal Temple.

All these advantages were associated with the Immortal Mansion he was currently in.

"How should I help you?"

Struggling internally for a while, Shen Yuan finally spoke.

He couldn’t give up the opportunity to go to the Nine Elements Exiled Immortal Temple.

Outside, Zhang Zeduan was racking his brain, trying to think of persuasive arguments, when suddenly he heard Shen Yuan’s voice, and his expression initially froze, then he joyously replied: "The means left by the old fellow must conflict with the entire Immortal Mansion."

"Fellow Daoist need only search carefully; you will surely discover them."

"As long as Fellow Daoist finds his means, you should be able to easily destroy them."

Listening to the other’s urgent speech, Shen Yuan pondered for a few seconds but didn’t rush back.

The Divine Soul Body continued searching around the grand hall inside the Immortal Mansion.

Soon, he noticed the statue on the Divine Platform in the center of the mansion’s hall.

If not for Zhang Zeduan’s reminder, he really hadn’t thought that the statue could be the means left by the old fellow mentioned.

Upon carefully observing, it became apparent that the statue had been placed there later, with material and aura distinctively different from the entire Immortal Mansion hall.

Looking up at the towering statue, Shen Yuan frowned slightly.

"Strange..."

"Why does the divine charm between the statue’s brows and eyes feel oddly familiar?"

Murmuring to himself, Zhang Zeduan’s urging voice came from above again.

"How is it?"

"Fellow Daoist, did you find anything?"

Shen Yuan glanced at the statue, turned around, and returned to the center of the hall: "Found something."

"Yet, how can you make me believe that your previous words are true?"

"I swear!" Zhang Zeduan said eagerly, "I can swear that if Fellow Daoist helps eliminate the means left by that person, I can agree to one request from you."

"As long as it doesn’t endanger my life later, feel free to ask anything!"

Hearing this, Shen Yuan shook his head slightly: "Not enough."

"This Immortal Mansion must be very important to you, right?"

Zhang Zeduan did not reply to this.

Shen Yuan continued: "Besides that one request, I also need you to agree that whether you can open the Immortal Mansion in the future or not, you mustn’t interfere with my use of its contents."

"You could regard it as though the Immortal Mansion will be jointly possessed by both of us, and neither can act against the other or seize the Immortal Mansion for themselves."

Upon hearing this, a sinister gleam flashed in Zhang Zeduan’s one remaining eye.

He hadn’t thought Shen Yuan would propose such a request.

According to his previous plan, he intended to use Shen Yuan’s skill in freely entering and exiting the Immortal Mansion to destroy Xu Xiu’s backup tricks left inside the mansion.

Having done so, relying on his own cultivation in "Heavenly Secret Concealment," he’d have absolute confidence that Xu Xiu could never find him, thus allowing him to study the Immortal Mansion at ease.

If the Immortal Mansion could be opened in the future, his plans included setting up a trap to imprison Shen Yuan’s Divine Spirit, taking advantage of the opportunity to eliminate him and everyone related to him, eradicating all hidden threats.

Yet he underestimated the other’s meticulous thinking; this request clearly blocked his scheme.

"If you don’t agree, then forget it."

"Regardless of whether the person you mentioned obtains the Immortal Mansion or not, he won’t necessarily be able to stop me from entering the Immortal Realm."

"Even if he indeed can stop me, I can simply choose not to go, which isn’t a big loss."

"As for you..."

Deliberately drawing out his tone, he counted on Zhang Zeduan to be unable to bear the consequence of losing the Immortal Mansion.

Knowing someone is stronger than oneself and still daring to conceive taking possession of the Immortal Mansion showed such ambition was quite strong.

It also proved the Immortal Mansion was extremely important to him.

In terms of combat, Zhang Zeduan could extinguish him with a mere breath.

But in mental battles, Shen Yuan was fearless.

"Alright!"

"I agree with you!"

Sure enough, Zhang Zeduan finally compromised.

"Then take your oath."

"I advise you not to try any tricks when making your oath."

"If there’s anything that feels off to me, then the matter is off the table."

Shen Yuan spoke sternly, fearing Zhang Zeduan would attempt to circumvent the constraint of the oath with some trick.

Zhang Zeduan clenched his fists secretly, struggling internally for a while, but ultimately abandoned the sly thoughts and began to take his oath.

Inside the mansion’s hall, Shen Yuan discovered the other party’s name for the first time.

"Zhang Zeduan..."

Memorizing this name in his heart, Shen Yuan carefully contemplated and found no issue with Zhang Zeduan’s oath, then turned to face the statue on the Divine Platform.