Daoist Competition

Shang Qingjun was somewhat surprised and said, "Is that so?"

He waved his hand, "This, however, is of no concern. I am acquainted with several elders of the Kuxin Sect, obtaining some elixir pills that stabilize and nourish the foundation is no difficult task. In my view, there’s no need to reschedule this ceremony. With everyone gathered here, summon your child and perform the formalities right here."

Shen Chuyu inwardly lamented. He never expected Shang Qingjun to make such a move. Bringing his beloved child to the hall would be akin to sending him into a tiger’s maw, inevitably binding him to this person’s control in the future.

Seeing him hesitate, Shang Qingjun’s face fell, and he said coldly, "What is it? Does Master Shen believe I am unworthy?"

Wu Suquan hurriedly said, "Envoy, my junior brother means no such thing." He gestured to Shen Chuyu and said, "Junior brother, as the envoy suggests, go and bring your nephew here."

Shang Qingjun waved his sleeve, saying, "There’s no need for that. I’ve already sent someone to fetch him."

He clapped his hands, and a beautiful maid led a seven- or eight-year-old boy into the hall. The child’s eyes were bright and lively, without a trace of dullness. Upon seeing Shen Chuyu, he called out "Father" and broke free from the maid’s hand, running over.

Shen Chuyu shot a glance at the maid, who awkwardly avoided his gaze. He let out a heavy sigh, reached out to embrace the oncoming child, and sighed inwardly, knowing the other party had planned this all along. Turning around, he pointed to Shang Qingjun, and with a bitter voice, he said, "Hong’er, this is your master. Go forth and pay your respects."

The young boy responded with an "Oh," obediently stepped forward, kowtowed, and offered tea, completing the disciple ceremony.

Initially, Shang Qingjun merely intended to hold a hostage to control Gantang Temple, at least until the sealing was lifted. But upon seeing this gifted child, far surpassing his other disciples, he truly desired to take him on as a disciple. After a brief moment of consideration, he tossed down a jade horse and said, "Take it, this is your master’s gift to you."

The child thought for a moment, then removed the golden ring from his neck and offered it, saying, "Master, this is the disciple’s offering."

Shang Qingjun was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily and accepted it, saying, "Good disciple, your master accepts it."

Meanwhile, Zhang Boyant followed the predetermined plan, raised a cluster of yellow clouds, and led Wu Song and three other disciples in flight outside the mountain.

Just as they exited the mountain gate, a tunneling light followed from behind, with someone loudly asking, "Master Zhang, where are you headed to?"

Zhang Boyant had expected this journey wouldn’t be smooth. Turning back, he saw an old Daoist dressed in a gray-feathered crane robe, with a demon frog perched on his shoulder. Although he hadn’t met Zeng Guozhi, he had heard Shen Chuyu mention him during conversations, so he sneered, "This is no concern of Master Zeng."

He paused and added, "If I were you, I would return home to rest. Observing your condition now, living three to four more years would be optimistic."

Zeng Guozhi was startled. When he went to South Cliff Continent a century ago to collect herbs, he was bitten by a poisonous mountain creature, knowing he wouldn’t live long. Later, he used elixir pills to mask his Qi Mechanism, even deceiving Shang Qingjun. He didn’t expect to be exposed by Zhang Boyant.

He gave a self-deprecating smile and candidly admitted, "Master Zhang has good eye power."

Glancing at the three disciples on the cloud, Tai Xiu took out an item and tossed it to a young disciple, saying, "Hua Zhong, though you aren’t my disciple, your talent in alchemy is exceptional. This is the elixir recipe I’ve meticulously developed over a lifetime. I now pass it on to you. If you join another sect, do not tarnish the name of Gantang Temple."

The disciple accepted it, bowed towards Zeng Guozhi on the cloud.

Zhang Boyant squinted and asked, "Did you know from the start that Zhang intended to leave?"

Zeng Guozhi snorted, "Those two foolish junior brothers of mine thought they had arranged everything flawlessly. In truth, their every move was watched. If I hadn’t played along, temporarily stabilizing Shang Qingjun, he would have acted harshly long ago."

At this point, he waved his sleeve again and said, "Hurry along, Daoist Zhang. If I’m gone for too long, Shang Qingjun will surely become suspicious. If they pursue us, I will block them."

Zhang Boyant chuckled, hastily saluted him with cupped hands, and initiated the escape skill, setting off north with the three disciples enveloped in a yellow cloud.

Seeing him depart, Zeng Guozhi pointed downward. The One-Horned Frog croaked and sprang suddenly into the ground.

After completing this task, he sat where he was, closing his eyes to rest.

About a quarter-hour passed when suddenly a sword’s scream was heard. He opened his eyes and saw a streak of sword light rising from the mountain peak, speeding towards him like a shooting star.

Soon, the sword light approached, and Shang Qingjun appeared from within, angrily demanding, "Zeng Guozhi, where are they, where are the people?"

Zeng Guozhi said slowly, "They have left."

As he spoke, he secretly formed a spell. With a thunderous crash, the One-Horned Frog suddenly burst from beneath, now several meters in size, swallowing the unprepared Shang Qingjun in one gulp.

He continued casting, and the One-Horned Frog’s figure rapidly shrunk until it was only about a meter tall. Yet, despite his efforts, he couldn’t shrink it any further, sweat soon beading on his brow.

Suddenly, there was a sound of wind beside him, and he looked in surprise to see who had arrived, exclaiming, "Daoist Zhang, you, why have you returned?"

In Zhang Boyant’s eyes, green fire flickered ominously, and he smiled deeply, "If I simply left, Shang Qingjun would certainly take it out on Gantang Temple. Thus, after careful thought, I’ve decided to join your sect in eliminating this person."

Zeng Guozhi’s body trembled, his face showing shock and anger, "You..."

The Fengxiang Sword Sect intended to lift the sealing, and Gantang Temple feared betrayal once their purpose was served. Thus, they decided to send disciples to the Northern Continent, leaving a retreat in case of unforeseen events. Yet, he secretly hoped for the best, reluctant to completely sever ties with the Upper Sect.

He had stopped Shang Qingjun here, ready to take all the blame upon himself, as he wouldn’t live much longer anyway. But if he joined with outsiders to kill the envoy, there would truly be no turning back.

Before he could react, the demon frog let out a mournful cry, and amid a sky filled with blood and flesh, a hundred beams of sword light burst forth, rushing straight toward their location.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)