Daoist Competition

Shen Chuyu was taken aback and stopped in his tracks, saying, "The time has not arrived, why are they here first? Can you see who has arrived?"

The disciple said, "I saw him, it’s that Shang Junqing, Master Shang."

Shen Chuyu’s body trembled; Shang Junqing is the Sword Master of the ’Absolute Light Sword’ of the Fengxiang Sword Sect. He is a solitary and arrogant person, the most difficult to deal with, and has a taste for luxury and beauty. Whenever he comes, Gantang Temple is in torment.

He took a deep breath to steady his heart and spirit and said, "Where has the envoy arrived?"

The disciple replied, "He has reached the Main Hall; the Dean has personally gone to welcome him and asks Master to hurry over."

Shen Chuyu’s thoughts turned over several times; since this person has arrived, he must handle it well. Anxious, he made his way to the Main Hall.

Before long, he arrived at the Main Hall. Upon entering, he saw Dean Wu Suquan and another Pavilion Master already there, while a young cultivator was casually seated at the main seat, holding a wine jug, pouring and drinking by himself.

This person’s stature was long, and his appearance was handsome and elegant, except for his brows like sharp swords, a haughty air during his glances, exposed edges and angles.

Shen Chuyu hurried a few steps up, bowed, and said, "Welcome Upper Sect Envoy."

Shang Junqing glanced over, tossed the wine jug aside, and coldly said, "Master Shen, why so late?"

Shen Chuyu quickly said, "Just now, I was in the Elixir Room brewing potions, unaware of the envoy’s arrival."

Shang Junqing glanced around again and said, "Where is Zeng Guozhi? Why is he nowhere to be seen?"

Shen Chuyu said, "Senior brother should be in the Golden Pool brewing potions."

Shang Junqing mocked, "You brew potions, he brews potions. Could it be that Gantang Temple has become the Lower Court of Kuxin Sect?"

Shen Chuyu smiled bitterly and said, "Envoy, please allow explanation. Recently, miasma poison is rampant throughout the sect, harming many disciples, we have no choice but to brew potions for protection."

Shang Junqing took the Dharma Sword from his waist and placed it on the table, speaking coldly, "I heard at the Mountain Gate about your mishap here, thus delaying the matter of breaking the prohibition. Is this true?"

Wu Suquan cupped his hand and said, "Envoy, there is miasma poison beneath the sealing, within half a month, over dozens of disciples died, thus we had no choice but to act like this. I plead with the envoy for leniency, sparing a month so we can rescue the disciples back."

Shang Junqing looked at him sidelong and said, "Aren’t you brewing the antidote? With a good formula, why stop?"

Shen Chuyu said, "The envoy does not know, brewing a furnace of elixir takes a month’s time, and a furnace of potion only yields..."

Before he could finish, Shang Junqing interrupted, "Don’t tell me these matters, if I didn’t come here to take care, the Sect Leader ordered that by the year’s end, Gantang Temple must break the sealing. If not, you bear the blame."

He said this and stood to leave.

The Zhongtai celebratory feast is scheduled for next month; Chen Yuan wants to personally attend the banquet, and the sealing at Gantang Temple is important too. Fearing no one here to oversee, if anything goes amiss, it would be improper. Thus, he was sent here to supervise.

As for the lives of Gantang Temple disciples, if it were Fan Yinghui, perhaps he would try to win them over, but Shang Junqing was utterly indifferent; they are not disciples of his sect, dead or alive, it matters not to him.

Wu Suquan looked at his demeanor, knowing he couldn’t refuse, and sighed inwardly.

Shang Junqing had no intention of helping, reinforcing his previous thoughts. In fact, he was more worried that Fengxiang Sword Sect, to hide the news, would push Gantang Temple to such a position; who knows what will happen after breaking the sealing? He must find a way to send disciples elsewhere; if anything happens, at least the Daoist Inheritance won’t be severed.

Shen Chuyu looked outside the hall, then set a prohibition to isolate inside and outside, afterward said, "Dean, junior Fang Chang and Daoist Zhang have discussed it; he has agreed but fears helping Gantang Temple might draw Fengxiang’s anger. Thus, he requires a written edict from the Dean."

Wu Suquan, upon hearing, felt slightly encouraged and nodded, saying, "I will pen the edict shortly, but with Shang Junqing here, the matter requires utmost caution."

A golden light flew over the barren ridge of Da Yang City West Suburb, circling in the air above the mountains. Below, a shadow flashed; Qu Changzhi emerged from the cave, lightly beckoning it into his hand, opened it to look, and his face immediately beamed with joy. Turning, he entered back into the cave, walking briskly, calling out, "Master, Zhao Ru’s letter has arrived."

Ancestor Hui Xuan, inside his Cave Mansion sipping tea with Daoist Ji, upon seeing him enter, set down the tea cup, took the letter, scanned it swiftly with a gleam flashing in his eyes.

After a brief ponder, he folded the letter paper and stored it in his sleeve, then turned to Daoist Ji and said, "Zhao Ru says she has invited Daoist Zhang to descend the mountain, and the Zhongtai celebratory feast is set for the third of next month. At that time, the Southern Continent Three Sects’ Leaders will also arrive."

Daoist Ji glanced at him, sneering, "Let’s make things clear first; if the item isn’t secured, I won’t act against Daoist Zhang."

Ancestor Hui Xuan replied seriously, "This is what I promised you before, naturally, I won’t break the promise. Besides, since this person has already gone into retreat, my previous arrangements can proceed. After taking the items inside Stone Mansion, we will leave immediately and find another chance to deal with him later."

Daoist Ji looked pleased and said, "But Qiao Huanjuan dares to ask you to steal the item, surely he’s prepared a backup plan to cut ties after crossing the river. Have you thought about how to deal with it?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan chuckled, "I was the one who offered the plan, how could I not have prepared for defense?"

Daoist Ji responded with an "oh," casting a sidelong glance, asking, "Would love to hear the details."

Ancestor Hui Xuan coldly smiled, "This time, Qiao Huanjuan invites me to act to clear himself of responsibility, but how could I let him succeed? This time, I plan to invite one more person to join, making it hard for him to explain afterward. Let’s see how he handles the Southern Continent Three Sects then."

Daoist Ji heard that another person was involved, suddenly furrowing his brow, looked at him with suspicion, and asked, "Who?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan replied indifferently, "Qiao Huanjuan’s concubine, Lian Murong."

...

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