Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan and Rong Junzhong were embroiled in a duel concealed by fog. No one could see what was happening inside; only the booming sounds and the brilliance of Dharma Treasures emanating from there revealed the fierce nature of the battle.

Yang Shuyong paced anxiously on the Dharma Platform, repeatedly murmuring to himself, "What is the outcome? What is the outcome?"

Chunyu Ji remarked nearby, "Master Rong has a plan in mind. He’s entered the battle well-prepared. That Zhang Daoist, after all, is somewhat inferior in Daoist Cultivation. Although his Divine Skills are sharp, he may not necessarily be a match for Master Rong. Sect Leader, do not worry."

Yang Shuyong felt slightly relieved upon hearing this and said, "Chunyu Protector speaks well. Our Xuanyue Sect has strived for a hundred years to rejuvenate and cast off the millenia-old decline. How could we..."

Before he could finish his sentence, there was suddenly a thunderous sound akin to Earth Splitting and Mountain Collapse. The Dharma Platform shook violently, causing his feet to tremble. His heart tightened as he turned to look; yet, owing to the thick fog, still nothing was visible. After a moment, a sword light resembling a white streak flew out of the fog, heading straight for Zhongtai.

Yang Shuyong’s expression changed dramatically, and he exclaimed, "Was it a victory? Could it be that Master Rong has..."

Being the Sect Leader, he lost his composure first; below him, the disciples also felt as if the sky were falling, leading to immediate chaos.

Chunyu Ji sensed trouble and hurriedly shouted, "What are you doing? The situation isn’t clear yet, do not disrupt the formation!"

Then he turned to Yang Shuyong, gave him a respectful gesture, and said, "Sect Leader, Master Rong’s True Body is behind the mountain; I’ll go first to check the situation."

Yang Shuyong quickly replied, "Go and return swiftly."

Xing Fuli, watching the sword light fly away, regretted deeply and cursed inwardly, "If I had known this would be the outcome, I wouldn’t have bothered coming here."

During the earlier battle, he had been cautious, hiding at the back and escaping unscathed, becoming one of the few Outer Practitioners to survive.

At that moment, as he pondered over the matter, he realized he couldn’t stay there any longer. After his gaze flickered around for a while, he approached a female cultivator and whispered, "Lady Che, perhaps we should leave earlier."

Lady Che was dumbfounded and said, "Master Xing, we have signed the Dharma Contract, and the Dharma Assembly isn’t over yet. How can we leave?"

Xing Fuli stamped his foot and said, "Fellow Daoist, you’re confused. Didn’t you see that sword light? Zhang True Master must have won. Xuanyue, being defeated in this way, will soon be consumed by Zhongtai, and they won’t be able to worry about us. Besides, since we joined Xuanyue earlier, we might likely be resented by Zhongtai. If we don’t leave now, we might not have a chance to leave at all."

Lady Che, not one to make decisions, was scared by his words, nodding in agreement, "Master Xing is right; we should leave earlier."

The two quietly discussed for some time. Taking advantage of the current neglect, they stealthily descended the mountain and then drove their tunneling light, flying away from the mountain.

After exiting Mianxing Mountain, they finally exhaled a sigh of relief as they were about to part ways. Suddenly, they felt their bodies heavily weighed down, unable to move. Then, a figure flickered before them—a middle-aged cultivator with a scholarly appearance, a mustache, stood before them. He glanced at the pair and said in a deep voice, "Tell me, what is the situation in the mountain now?"

Chunyu Ji drove his tunneling light to the back mountain and arrived at a cave. He waved away the Child at the door and stepped inside; not ten steps in, he saw a motionless figure sitting serenely on a cushion, his face pale and eyes closed. Chunyu Ji’s gut tightened as he tentatively asked, "Master Rong?"

Rong Junzhong lifted his eyelids with effort and spoke weakly, "Chunyu Protector, that Zhang Daoist’s tactics are not something we can resist. This battle... I have lost."

Chunyu Ji stood there for a while, then said, "Master, victory and defeat are common affairs. Please rest and recover carefully; the sect still needs you."

Rong Junzhong shook his head, "My Nascent Soul was shattered by this man, and my Dao Foundation is destroyed. In this life, I have no hope of achieving Dao. Shortly, I will drive the Dharma Talisman and seek rebirth."

Chunyu Ji was greatly shocked and exclaimed urgently, "If Master leaves, Xuanyue would lose a pillar. Please reconsider, Master."

Rong Junzhong sighed, "My Primordial Qi is exhausted. Even if I don’t leave, I won’t live many days. Before I go, there are some words I wish to entrust to you, which might salvage a part of Xuanyue’s defeat."

With a heavy heart, Chunyu Ji leaned down, adopting a posture of listening, and said, "Please speak, Master."

Rong Junzhong’s lips moved slightly, whispering a few words to him. Chunyu Ji listened, nodding repeatedly until Rong waved his hand and said, "Chunyu Protector, you may go. If you return to the sect and see True Master He, tell them I’ve done my best, but destiny is beyond control, and sigh endlessly."

As Chunyu Ji departed, he had only taken a few steps out of the cave when a thunderous sound erupted behind him. A puff of white smoke flew out of the Grotto Heaven, vanishing in an instant. Turning once more, he saw that Rong Junzhong in the depths of the cave had lost all breath, deceased and the Dao perished.