Daoist Competition

Based on his knowledge, it was not difficult for him to discern that the prohibition around the Dragon Pillars was dissipating. Seeing Zhongtai disciples patrolling everywhere, he speculated that there must be some arrangement in place. After weighing the situation, he decided to take the risk and sneak in.

After cautiously investigating for several days, he realized that each sect had sent people to guard a Dragon Pillar, which made his mind start to act up again, secretly thinking, "No wonder they didn’t chase after me, now it all makes sense. If this is the case, perhaps I might seize the opportunity to snatch another Nine Yellow Star Bead."

However, he couldn’t accomplish this alone, so after pondering for a long time, he withdrew and searched for a secluded valley.

He went deep into the heart of the mountain and created a Cave Mansion underground. After confirming there was no danger, he sent a Flying Book, then sat down, held his breath, and meditated.

This place was not far from the Dragon Pillars, less than three hundred miles away. Zhongtai disciples were patrolling nearby, never realizing that the previous thief was hiding so close.

A few days later, someone fell into the valley and, after searching for a while, whispered, "Is the True Master here? Qu Changzhi comes at the command of his mentor."

After repeating it several times, a white light emerged from a crack in the stone, soared five or six meters high, and then spread to the sides. Daoist Ji appeared from within, first glanced at him and then coldly said, "Brother Hui Xuan is still so cautious. I invited him in my letter, yet he only sent a disciple. Is he afraid his old friend might harm him?"

Qu Changzhi bowed deeply and said, "True Master, you misunderstand. My mentor must avoid the pursuit of the Four Sect Disciples, so he has no choice but to be cautious."

Daoist Ji sneered, "No need for that. Previously, both you and your teacher guessed wrong. Neither Zhongtai nor the Southern Continent Three Sects have sent anyone to chase."

Qu Changzhi seemed surprised. He clasped his hands and respectfully said, "My mentor instructed that if Master Ji had any demands, I should follow them."

Daoist Ji snorted, "I don’t need you to do anything, just go back and tell Brother Hui Xuan that the remaining seven Dragon Pillars also show signs of lifting prohibition. Now the Four Great Sects fear losing them, and all eyes are on that place. However, I have an idea that might allow Brother Hui Xuan to achieve his goal in one go."

Qu Changzhi asked, "Could the True Master clarify?"

Daoist Ji laughed coldly a few times, "You are not qualified enough; this matter requires Hui Xuan to come discuss it with me personally. Just report my words truthfully when you return."

With that, he swung his sleeve and returned to his Cave Mansion.

Qu Changzhi stood silently for a while, saluted him, and then transformed into tunneling light and flew away.

Daoist Ji waited, and about seven or eight days passed by. Just as he was about to lose patience, an inconspicuous haze floated in from outside the mountain.

He discerned the Qi Mechanism in the Cave Mansion and emerged from his hiding place, displeased, "Daoist Hui Xuan, why arrive so late?"

The haze gathered in the middle, revealing Ancestor Hui Xuan’s appearance. He bowed and said, "Daoist Ji, please don’t fault me. When I arrived, I saw Elder Yan of Zhongtai, so I had to divert outside for a few days to prevent him from noticing. But since we parted that day, did you manage to chase down the Nine Yellow Bead?"

Daoist Ji’s face stiffened, "That Treasure Bead must have been tampered with by the Gui Ling Sect, I couldn’t catch up, it ended up in failure."

Hui Xuan showed regret, "What a pity."

Daoist Ji waved his sleeve, "As for idle chatter, let’s skip it. This treasure is extremely important to me, and losing it is intolerable. I’ve invited you here today to help me seize another one."

Upon hearing this, Hui Xuan spoke solemnly, "Daoist Ji, isn’t this contrary to our previous agreement?"

Daoist Ji gazed at him, "Brother Hui Xuan, your purpose is solely to eliminate that Zhang Daoist. I have now discovered that the Dragon Pillar at the Qian Position watched by him alone is a rare opportunity. I’ll assist you in slaying him, and I can conveniently take the Treasure Bead; isn’t that achieving two goals at once?"

Hui Xuan hesitated. According to his original plan, he would first choose a location for fighting, then use the news of the Three-flavor Spirit Medicine to lure Zhang Yan out. This would mean occupying the advantage of timing, location, and human relations, maximizing the advantage of his side. Although Daoist Ji’s suggestion also had some feasibility, it was too risky.

After weighing it for a long time, he said, "There are two difficulties. First, the Divine Skills possessed by Zhang Daoist are extraordinary; just the two of us might not be able to subdue him, and sending a book now, the Realm Master of Little Cang Realm may not be willing to come. Second, the journey requires heading to the Northwest Dragon Pillar, and if we fail, we only have the option to travel northward."

Daoist Ji had anticipated these concerns and leisurely replied, "If we wait until that Zhang Daoist takes the Nine Yellow Bead away and figures out its mystery, it will be extremely difficult to kill him later. Furthermore, if we fail, the worst-case scenario would be to flee to the Python Clan; aren’t you on good terms with them?"

Hui Xuan furrowed his brows. Seeing this stance, the other party would not assist him without the Nine Emperor Pearl. Earlier, he hadn’t signed the Contract due to other motives, but now, it was proving to be a miscalculation.

Due to his limited lifespan, the other could afford to wait, but he could not. And the opportunity was rare. After considering it for a long time, he finally nodded, "Fine, it might not be without opportunity this time. The Old Daoist agrees, but we two are not enough; we need to find a few more people to help."

Daoist Ji asked, "Who might these be?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan replied, "Do you remember I mentioned that Lady Lian?"

Daoist Ji expressed surprise, "Didn’t she initially refuse to go with you? She already escaped, didn’t she? Why bring her up again?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan originally wanted to invite Lady Lian together to steal the treasure, using her identity as the concubine of Zhongtai Sect Leader to frame Qiao Huanjuan. However, this woman clearly wasn’t easy to deal with, seeing through his plan to use her as a pawn. Thus, while she agreed openly, she secretly fled.

Ancestor Hui Xuan said coldly, "That was just the Old Daoist letting her off deliberately to find out who was secretly helping her. Now I know exactly where her whereabouts are; this time, I won’t let her get away with not complying."

...

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