Daoist Competition

On the second day, Zhang Yan went to the peak to seek Shen Baishuang. After paying respects, he said, "Although the Great Demon has been destroyed, I still need to go to the Forbidden Land once more to see if there’s anything overlooked. I hope Uncle can fulfill this."

The Heavenly Demon is already dead, so whether to go to the Sealing place is actually of little importance. This is just an excuse to borrow Shen Baishuang’s influence to intimidate the Southern Continent a bit, ensuring that the two sects do not act recklessly in the future.

Shen Baishuang said nothing more. With a gesture of his hand, a Refined Hut rose from the flat ground. Once he opened the door, he stepped inside.

Zhang Yan followed him inside. From the outside, the Refined Hut seemed to occupy only about a yard of land, yet inside it was quite spacious. Streams gently gurgled, and nothing was lacking in the way of pavilions and terraces. Not far away, there was a pond with many Golden Carps leaping within.

Shen Baishuang didn’t concern himself with him, instead casually heading to the pond, finding a green stone, sitting cross-legged atop it, and casting his fishing line with a flick of his rod’s tip, beginning to fish leisurely.

After scanning his surroundings, Zhang Yan strolled onto a stone bridge. At the end, he found himself on a winding corridor. Following this path, he was soon blocked by a strange stone surrounded by bamboo shoots. Just then, a charming woman appeared from inside. Seeing him approach, she gave a friendly smile and slyly pointed in a direction with her slender finger before turning and disappearing from sight.

Zhang Yan discerned that she was a stone spirit, laughed without taking it seriously, and walked in the direction she indicated. After passing through a gourd-shaped doorway, the scenery opened up. Ahead was a bamboo grove several acres in size, imbued with a misty and serene atmosphere, with birds chirping one after another.

After less than a hundred steps, he discovered a small pavilion perched on a high spot. From the thick bamboo branches, an eave peeked out stealthily. Following a gravel path that circled around, he reached a set of crumbling stone steps and began slowly ascending. Shortly, he found himself inside the pavilion.

Inside were stone benches and tables, separated by a toppled book chest, with several scroll paintings scattered about in apparent disarray, as if casually tossed there by someone.

He stepped forward and picked up a scroll painting, only to find the woman from earlier present within. She offered him a graceful bow, a look of petition flashing in her eyes.

Zhang Yan thought for a moment and roughly guessed the cause and effect, laughing as he said, "As long as the master of this place is willing, I can help you out of your predicament."

He put away the scroll and was about to return the way he had come when the scene before his eyes suddenly shifted, finding that he had already returned to where he had initially arrived. To the side, he saw Shen Baishuang still there, now clad in a white Daoist robe, slowly savoring a cup of tea with an air of tranquil ease. In front of him was a small red clay stove, steam rising, the fire roaring. A plump white rabbit, wielding a large palm fan, was energetically fanning it. Nearby in the pavilion, a graceful young girl was playing the zither and softly singing, her voice lilting and clear, reminiscent of water flowing under a bridge.

Zhang Yan approached, about to speak, when Shen Baishuang waved his hand, saying, "If you’ve obtained something, take it without having to inform me."

Zhang Yan smiled, opened the scroll, and put it into his sleeve. After glancing around, he asked, "May I ask, Uncle, what is this place?"

Shen Baishuang replied, "This is a Cave Mansion I inadvertently stumbled upon while traveling across other continents, named the ’Three Green Bamboo Mansion.’ After becoming a Grotto Heaven, I refined it into this Refined Hut. However, although this Cave Mansion has come into my possession, I have yet to fully explore its entirety. Thus, I am unaware of what might be inside."

Zhang Yan became interested and said, "Uncle, is there a reasoning behind your actions?"

Shen Baishuang laughed and said, "Leaving a bit undiscovered, so that when the mood strikes, I can seek out secluded spots and hidden treasures. That is truly enjoyable. To know everything clearly makes life too boring."

At that moment, he suddenly reacted, shook his sleeves, and stood up, saying, "We have arrived at the boundary. Come with me down now."

Zhang Yan was slightly surprised; a round trip had merely taken him an hour. This Magic Artifact’s flight was incredibly swift.

Shen Baishuang glanced at him and laughed, "Nephew, this Cave Mansion holds its own mysteries. Although you felt only moments had passed upon entering, in truth, ten days have passed. There are advantages within, which I won’t explain in detail. You’ll understand in the future."

With a wave of his hand, the sound of a bamboo curtain fluttering and the Cave Mansion’s grand doors swung open. Streams of water flowed out from all directions, reaching their feet, and the clear currents gently propelled them out of the Cave Mansion.

Following the refreshing spring, Zhang Yan exited, finding himself still in Heaven. Looking at the clouds, he saw a valley below, connected by several peaks, remnants of former palaces and towers visible, yet now everywhere lay broken bricks and rubble. For a hundred miles around, a layer of greenish-yellow toxic mist enveloped it, and its momentum only grew stronger.