Daoist Competition

After narrowly escaping, Quan Yangxin could not swallow this humiliation. Since Zhao Yang’s techniques were clearly from the Nether Spring Sect, he didn’t doubt Zhao Yang’s identity, assuming instead that Zhao Yang intended to eliminate him and seize the Spirit Grass for himself.

Under normal circumstances, as long as he had a legitimate reason, he could report the incident, and the sect elders would stand up for him.

However, to his dismay, he had secretly gone out against his teacher’s knowledge to gain benefits, leaving him in a difficult position. Enraged, he used a secret technique to track the Qi Mechanism all the way, seeking an opportunity to ambush Zhao Yang out of spite.

Upon seeing the Flying Boat of Dragon Country, he suspected that Zhao Yang’s mentor had arrived and dared not get too close, hesitating whether to leave.

Before he could make a decision, a sudden rush of spiritual mechanism overwhelmed him, spinning the world around him. He then felt himself falling heavily to the ground. It was only after recovering his senses that he was shocked to find himself on the boat.

He was greatly astonished that the opponent could transport him from over ten miles away by pure air, a divine skill not possessed by ordinary people. Could it be he really encountered a predecessor from the Nether Spring Sect?

He was instantly terrified, trembling like a sieve, and before he could get a clear look at the other person, he knelt with a bang, repeatedly slamming his head, "Forgive me, Senior. This humble one had no intention of prying into the Dharma Boat, but was merely curious and took a few more glances."

Zhao Yang glanced at him and said, pointing, "True Master Zhang, this is the person I was just talking about."

Quan Yangxin’s heart skipped a beat.

Zhang Yan’s gaze descended, "I am Mingcang Zhang Yan, and I have a few questions for you."

Quan Yangxin felt as if struck by lightning, his body trembled violently, and his face turned deathly pale as he exclaimed, "Ming, Mingcang Zhang Yan?"

During the past century of Zhang Yan’s absence, there had been several fierce battles between the paths of Xuan and Mo, with both sides suffering the loss of many disciples.

However, the majority of these skirmishes involved only Xuan Guang and Hua Dan cultivators. Nascent Soul cultivator conflicts were rare, and on the few occasions they arose, the Demon Sect would retreat after minor engagements.

This was largely because the Eighteen Sects’ swordfight resulted in Xuanmen’s victory, giving the Six Great Demon Sects a severe blow, indicating it was not yet time to challenge Xuanmen completely, prompting conservation of strength.

Being the top in the Eighteen Sects’ swordfight, Zhang Yan not only completely annihilated the elder attending the meeting from the Demon Sect but also slayed Feng Haiyang, who had advanced to the Nascent Soul Third Realm. This deeply intimidated various Demon Sect factions, all warning their disciples to avoid him, lest they lose strength unnecessarily without a major cultivator to support them.

While this approach was understandable, over time it enhanced his reputation. Among younger disciples of the Demon Sect today, the Xuanmen Practitioners most feared, besides Zhang Yan, were none.

Quan Yangxin was no exception. He had heard of Zhang Yan’s name since entering the mountain gate and was immensely afraid, breaking into a sweat, stuttering, "If True Master Zhang has questions, junior will respond truthfully."

Zhao Yang looked at the almost paralyzed figure on the ground, then at Zhang Yan, marveling, "Who would have thought True Master Zhang holds such a reputation in East Splendor?"

Zhang Yan said indifferently, "Even if you don’t speak the truth, it doesn’t matter, for I have means to make you confess."

Quan Yangxin repeatedly kowtowed, "I dare not, I dare not."

Zhang Yan did not believe Hua Dan cultivators could know much, so he did not inquire about any secrets, only roughly inquiring about the Demon Sect’s deployments in the East Sea.

How could Quan Yangxin dare to deceive him? Besides, the questions were not about confidential matters, so he divulged everything he knew.

The East Sea, not being valued by the Ten Sects of Xuanmen, had indeed fallen into the hands of the Demon Sect.

Decades ago, several sects, led by the Peng Yuan Sect, opposed the Demon Sect practitioners. However, now, only their sect remains unfallen.

Not because Peng Yuan cultivators were exceptional, but because their Mountain Guarding Formation was laid by their founding ancestor. Without a Grotto Heaven cultivator’s attack, it is difficult to break.

Nonetheless, they could only shrink behind their mountain gate, closing off from the outside.

This may suffice for three to five decades, but if the siege continues, the depletion of cultivation external objects inside will delay the disciples’ training, ultimately shaking the sect’s foundation. Hence, they have sent disciples to connect with friendly sects in the continent to break the siege.

The Demon Sect leader here is extremely malicious, not obstructing the message-carrying disciples but rather letting them go, only to set up ambushes, waiting to intercept and kill the aid upon arrival.