Holding the Daoist book in his hands and reading for about a quarter of an hour, Zhang Yan shook his head and set it aside.
Bian Qiao sneered coldly and said in an odd tone, "What's this? Could it be that Junior Brother encountered some difficulty?"
Zhang Yan sighed and said, "It's merely a pieced-together Breathing Technique, seemingly the playful work of a certain predecessor. It was deliberately written in Erosion Text for amusement, easily misleading those unaware. Manager Bian, if you intend to cultivate, I believe the 'One Qi Cleansing Scripture' might be a more suitable choice for beginners."
Bian Qiao froze, his face darkening slightly. Indeed, this Daoist book was just as Zhang Yan described—written in Erosion Text, but actually of poor quality. Anyone not well-versed in Erosion Text wouldn't easily discern its flaws. When he obtained the book, he had originally hoped to sell it for a good price. Today, he had merely brought it along to deal with Zhang Yan. Even if Zhang Yan were to decipher it, as long as he didn't uncover its true nature, Bian Qiao thought he could mock him and tarnish his reputation. Unexpectedly, the situation turned against him, giving Zhang Yan an opportunity to ridicule him instead. Worse still, he couldn't defend himself, leaving a bitter frustration in his heart.
At this moment, someone in the crowd exclaimed, "Zhang Yan deciphered Erosion Text without using the bamboo divination tool!"
As soon as this was said, most of those nearby started noticing this detail and were filled with confusion. Indeed, why didn't Zhang Yan use the bamboo divination tool?
It's not surprising they were unfamiliar, since only a minority could afford to consult a Master for guidance. Even for those fortunate enough to possess Daoist books, these were often transcriptions that had already been deciphered. No one had ever seen someone decipher Erosion Text without using a bamboo divination tool. However, those few who understood the reasoning behind this looked at Zhang Yan with eyes full of astonishment and admiration.
With composure and ease, Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Manager Bian, shall I transcribe another copy for you by hand?"
"That won't be necessary!"
Bian Qiao snorted and forcefully swept his hand, slapping the Daoist book onto the ground. With a dark face, he pulled out another Daoist book, slowly raised it, then released his fingers, letting it fall with a "thud" onto the stone table. With a crooked smile, he said faintly, "I trouble Junior Brother to take a look."
Bian Qiao sneered in his heart. He knew that Erosion Text varied in complexity. When Hu Shengyu first examined this Daoist book, even he had to use bamboo divination tools and carefully decipher it. Zhang Yan may be skilled in Erosion Text, but could he possibly surpass Hu Shengyu?
Even putting that aside, he held in his possession the correct transcription done by Hu Shengyu. Should Zhang Yan decipher it, it would surely be riddled with errors. With a comparison, he could immediately expose Zhang Yan's failure and undermine him!
From their prior exchange, Bian Qiao could tell Zhang Yan was sharp-tongued. Allowing the slightest slip would certainly leave him at a disadvantage. He resolved to pounce on Zhang Yan's mistakes at the first opportunity, shutting down his rebuttal before he could even start!
Seeing Bian Qiao's demeanor, Zhang Yan deduced that this Daoist book might prove tricky. However, rather than retreating in fear, his interest only grew. As he carefully read through the book, he indeed encountered some difficulty. Yet with his ability, he could manage, though he felt a tinge of disappointment.
Moments earlier, he had realized that as his cultivation level improved, his mind became clearer when deciphering Erosion Text, like the reflection of the moon in a pristine spring—untainted by the slightest speck of dust. This clarity even enhanced his speed compared to before, meaning he hadn't yet needed to resort to his trump card.
After turning a few more pages, Zhang Yan discerned that this was an excellent Daoist sect spell. A thought suddenly arose in his heart: Wasn't this a rare opportunity to make a name for himself?
Firmly resolved, he quickened his pace in flipping through the pages. Once finished, he promptly closed the book and sat upright with his eyes closed.
Seeing his actions, the crowd was momentarily stunned, speculating whether this Daoist book had stumped Zhang Yan.
Bian Qiao's eyelid twitched slightly. His sharp gaze, far keener than most present, instead gave him an ominous sense of unease.
After a long while, Zhang Yan opened his eyes and announced, "This book is titled 'Cleansing Diagram.' The spell states: 'Piercing through the Divine Barrier, cleansing the Spirit Pill...'"
Unbelievably, Zhang Yan didn't require the book anymore. Relying solely on his memory, he began reciting the text word-for-word. A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd. Zhang Yan's actions had clearly stunned them, but before long, as his clear and resonant voice continued, the scattered murmurs of the crowd gradually quieted. Each listener became captivated by the content of the Daoist book.
Bian Qiao stood dumbstruck. Trembling, he retrieved a transcription from his sleeve and compared it to Zhang Yan's recitation. Unwittingly, beads of sweat began forming on his forehead. The more he compared, the more his forehead grew damp.