Daoist Competition

After a day, Ancestor Hui Xuan bid farewell to the green-faced Daoist and set out southward with Qu Changzhi.

Half a month later, the terrain beneath them gradually transformed from undulating mountains to vast plains. After a few more days, a towering strange cliff appeared before them. On the shadowy side, water cascaded down vigorously, crashing into the deep gorge below, with mist billowing and gurgling out. On the sunny side, it looked as if it were chiseled with an ax, flat and straight. Dozens of giant eagles with wingspans of seven to eight zhang nested on the cliff, while below, trees flourished and weeds thrived. Thick snakes and pythons slithered along the ground.

Looking into the distance, a white line floated at the edge of the sky, blue and clear as if washed. The sound of waves crashing against the shore echoed in their ears.

Ancestor Hui Xuan halted his tunneling light, identified the location with a few glances, and pointed, saying: "This is the place. Further south is the South Guanghai Realm."

Qu Changzhi focused and observed the aura, suddenly his expression changed, and he said: "Master, the demon energy here is heavy."

Ancestor Hui Xuan said solemnly, "This place is called White Flood Dragon Stream. In the deep pool below, there is a Flood Dragon. Back when I first achieved Nascent Soul, I came here with some fellow Daoists to slay the dragon to refine a Dharma Treasure. Unfortunately, this demon was too cunning, with muscles and bones too tough. Our Dharma treasures and swords couldn’t harm it, and we couldn’t capture it several times. Now, several hundred years have passed, and this old Flood Dragon has likely deepened its Daoist cultivation. However, as long as we don’t provoke it, it won’t trouble us."

Qu Changzhi asked in surprise, "The person you mentioned, Master, did he reside here because of this Flood Dragon?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan shook his head, "No, after the Fu Yang Sect fell, this person feared being pursued by our Five Major Sects, so he hid here, intending to use the Flood Dragon’s divine skills to avert disaster. The White Flood Dragon also intended to use him to fend off external threats. This person and dragon mutually aided each other, thus avoiding several calamities. However, it’s been over a hundred years since I’ve seen him, and I don’t know if he’s still here. Fortunately, he has two disciples who are locals here, so even if he left, we can find leads."

The two of them bypassed the waterfall and turned to the eastern foot of the cliff. Here, a hilltop appeared as if it had been cleaved flat, with deep ravines seeming to be slashed in threes by a giant sword, connected by three rope bridges. Clinging to one side of the cliff wall, there was a neatly renovated grass hut.

Seeing this scene, Ancestor Hui Xuan’s expression relaxed slightly and he said, "The person is still here."

Qu Changzhi gazed around. He saw hanging on the ropes were several green gourds, unsure if they were some exotic fruits, their luster smooth, glistening with vibrant hues, occasionally emitting the pleasant sound of stone striking. He could not help but look curiously.

Upon closer inspection, a chill ran through him. The gourds bore human faces, some joyful, others sad, some worried, others troubled, some angry, others confused, and more with varied expressions.

Ancestor Hui Xuan frowned, rapping him on the back with the Ruyi, reminding, "Disciple, don’t look too much. That’s the Nine Heart Six Desire Gourd. If you gaze too long, it will draw your soul away. Even if saved, your mind will be unclear, like a walking corpse."

Hearing the warning, Qu Changzhi shuddered, exclaiming in his heart how dangerous it was.

In just this short moment, he already felt his heart and spirit swaying. He quickly circulated his inner qi to gather his mind, refraining from glancing at the gourds any more.

Ancestor Hui Xuan sighed internally. His master had been a Loose Cultivator, and the cultivation techniques he passed down weren’t effective against sinister and ghostly objects.

If he had learned the true dharma of the Xuanmen, he would consistently maintain his heart and spirit, unafraid of this object. At most, a moment of daze would quickly pass.

From the beginning of his cultivation journey, he aspired to achieve the Great Dao. However, this path was exceedingly arduous. From being an Alchemy Child to now a Nascent Soul Third Realm Cultivator, he endured countless hardships and trials to reach his current cultivation. With thousands of years of hard work, he couldn’t bear for it to turn to dust. Even if there was the slightest chance, he would strive to seize it.

Seeing Qu Changzhi safe now, he said, "There are many vile Forbidden Arrays in this valley. Your Daoist cultivation is insufficient, so you need not go. I will meet this person alone."

Qu Changzhi quickly agreed.

Ancestor Hui Xuan sank his tunneling light and slowly descended.

The prohibitions set up here were very rudimentary. He gently swept with the Ruyi, clearing the way. Arriving below, he saw a grotesque giant man, his clothes open, hiding his face with a fan, his limbs enlarged, lying on a smooth boulder, snoring.

Ancestor Hui Xuan tapped his head twice with the Ruyi, waking him up, and said, "Stone Slave, is your master here?"