Daoist Competition

After Sect Leader Qiao and his wife sent out the Nine Yellow Star Bead in their hands, they earnestly invited Zhang Yan to visit their sect.

Zhang Yan couldn’t refuse their warm hospitality and stayed at Xisheng Mountain for three days before taking his leave and embarking on his return journey with the Wang Sisters and a hundred Divine House disciples.

A few days later, he returned to Cangzhu Peak. However, unlike before, he did not close himself off for cultivation. Instead, he took his disciple Fu Baoxing to the Beimo Sea Realm.

Fu Baoxing, now having cultivated to the Xuan Guang Second Realm, was already capable of traveling with Xuan Guang. However, with the Python Clan posing a threat in the Northern Beimo Sea after the Vortex Tribulation, the sealing arrays were established in the Divine House Mountain, and no cultivator from the Divine House Mountain had ventured here since. Even Fu himself was making his first visit, and he couldn’t help but survey the surroundings.

He saw waves rolling, jade waves surging, and many beautiful girls riding sharks, laughing and singing, chasing and frolicking. Yet, in his eyes, he could discern the demon energy permeating, indicating these girls were not humans but demon cultivators from the sea.

His expression slightly tensed, and he said, "Master, could these girls be affiliated with the Python Department?"

Zhang Yan smiled and replied, "No, they’re not."

He produced a banner and handed it to Fu Baoxing, saying, "My dear disciple, go speak with them and summon Lu Changsu to see me."

Fu Baoxing bowed respectfully, took the banner, and descended from the sky.

The girls, seeing a beam of Xuan Guang approaching, remained unperturbed. Among them, a tall girl with charming eyes jumped out of the water and said politely yet proudly, "This is the Divine House Mountain Realm, not a land without a master. May I know which Immortal arrives here and what the purpose of your visit is?"

Fu Baoxing shook the banner and called loudly, "I am here by my master’s order to summon Lu Changsu for a conversation."

The female demon, seeing the banner in his hand moving, involuntarily wanted to bow down, vaguely guessing his identity. She forced herself to maintain composure and respectfully greeted, "Ah, it’s the Envoy who’s here; I’ll immediately call for General Lu."

After Zhang Yan appointed Lu Changsu to command the Demon Tribe on the sea, he became very successful. Over the decades, many of the original twenty thousand demons died of old age, but aside from the Python Clan, there were no major enemies nearby. After proliferating on the sea for many years, the tribe’s numbers not only did not decrease but showed signs of prosperity.

Every few years, he selects talented tribe members to be sent to the Divine House Mountain Gate as servants and stewards, to show respect.

At the moment, he was training the demon soldiers in the sea when he received a report that a cultivator had come holding a banner. He immediately set out for the sea.

Upon rising from the water, he saw a young, handsome, and wise-looking cultivator whom he had never seen before. However, he recognized the banner in his hand as the Ten Thousand Beasts Sleeping Moon Banner.

Even though the opponent was only in the Xuan Guang Realm, he dared not be negligent. He stepped forward and cupped his fists, asking, "May I ask how you know True Master Zhang?"

Fu Baoxing returned the salute and said, "I am Fu Baoxing, the eighth disciple of my master."

Lu Changsu hurriedly bowed again, expressing warmly, "Ah, I did not properly welcome the Pavilion Master here; I apologize for the oversight."

Ever since arriving at Divine House Mountain, Zhang Yan had never sent disciples to greet Lu Changsu. Now entrusting this disciple with the task indicates Fu is of significant importance, so Lu dared not offend him and approached with some flattering gestures.

Fu Baoxing said, "My master is just in the clouds above, please, General Lu, follow me to see him." After saying this, he turned towards the sky.

Upon hearing Zhang Yan’s presence, Lu Changsu was greatly shocked and quickly tidied his robes before following along.

Upon reaching Cloud Peak, he saw a dignified Daoist standing on the Gang Cloud, causing his body to tremble. He hurried forward and knelt, bowing his head, saying, "Lu Changsu pays respect to the Pavilion Master."

Zhang Yan lifted his sleeve and said, "Please rise."

Lu Changsu then stood up but kept his head lowered respectfully.

Zhang Yan pointed to Fu Baoxing, saying, "You have already met my disciple. In the future, if he comes to issue orders, you are not to defy them.

Lu Changsu glanced at Fu Baoxing and thought to himself, "The Pavilion Master is a Mingcang disciple and will eventually return to his sect. Could this young one be our future overseer? Better to serve him carefully."

He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "I will follow without fail."

Zhang Yan nodded and said, "Over these decades, commanding tens of thousands of demons without troubling the mortals and managing strictly yet effectively, you have also opened over ten shell fields, contributing millions of sea shells for me, truly rare merits; you deserve a reward. What do you think I should grant you?"

Lu Changsu hurriedly expressed loyalty and said, "Pavilion Master, this is not the merit of one sole demon. Without the help of the tribal chiefs of the various demon tribes, how could we have achieved such a situation..."

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "There’s no need to say this. Tell me what you want. If today passes, I might not address you again."