Daoist Competition

But to learn the true transmission of Mysterious Skill in the Han Yuan Sect, one must apprentice under one of the two elders in the sect. This requires spending eight years in the Lower Court, necessitating not only outstanding aptitude but also achievements in the way of Erosion Text. The most stringent condition is that only one person is chosen every eight years.

A human life spans but a short century, with only a few cycles of eight years to waste. If one fails once, there’s a second chance. By the third attempt, however, one is likely over-aged, making it immensely difficult to train in Mysterious Skill, leading many to retreat in discouragement.

Thus they settle for less, merely seeking to join the sect and learn the Demon Extermination Technique, not hoping to master profound Dharma techniques, and as a result, the sect has amassed over ten thousand disciples in the past decades.

A youth named Xu hailed from a remote village and was chosen this time, allowing him to apprentice under the elders. Instantly, his stature skyrocketed, surrounded by junior brothers eager to curry favor. At this moment, someone outside asked, "Which junior brother has been granted a Jade Token this time? Please step forward for a meeting."

The youth named Xu felt a surge of excitement, offered a bow to the fellow Lower Court members surrounding him, then boldly stepped forward amid their envious gazes, responding, "Xu Congzhong is here."

Outside the entrance, a Flying Boat descended slowly, upon which stood a young cultivator with a pronounced forehead. He glanced at Xu Congzhong and smiled, "Junior brother, quickly follow me onto the Flying Boat."

With enthusiasm, Xu Congzhong responded loudly, yet upon approaching, he discovered the ship’s sides were towering and smooth, with no foothold to climb up. Momentarily bewildered on how to ascend, the young cultivator smiled, gently gestured, and enveloped him in Spiritual Energy, drawing him aboard. As he settled, he heard beside his ear, "Junior Brother Xu, steady yourself."

Holding onto the ship’s side firmly, Xu Congzhong felt a dizziness wash over him and before long, he reopened his eyes to find himself amidst clouds.

He was bold and not afraid, marveling aloud, and upon looking around, saw that within the sea of clouds stood four towering peaks, all piercing the heavens; he knew they housed the sect’s four elders. Casually turning his head, he spied another peak hidden deep within misty clouds, its majestic heights soaring well above the others.

Unaware of such a peak being among the mountains, he pointed curiously, asking, "Dare I ask senior brother, whose residence is that peak?"

The young cultivator glanced and laughed, "That is Cangzhu Peak, where the sect leader resides in seclusion." Turning back, he continued, "To prevent anyone from prying, the two elders concealed that peak with mana decades ago; few have seen it. Unexpectedly, junior brother’s first visit here has revealed it, a stroke of good fortune."

Xu Congzhong realized with awe, showing reverence in his eyes.

He heard that almost a century ago, a Heavenly Demon wreaked havoc wherever it went, leaving ruin from south to north with none able to subdue it. Finally, relying on the sect leader and several Great Power Experts, it was slain. It is said demon beasts only tread across the East Hao Sea, not daring approach Divine House Mountain, because of the sect leader’s presence.

The Flying Boat rushed onward, eventually landing before a grand hall on the eastern summit. The young cultivator said, "Junior brother, you may enter on your own; the two elders are inside the hall."

Xu Congzhong thanked him and stepped off the Flying Boat, adjusted his attire anxiously, and walked inside.

Soon, reaching the hall, he saw on the high Jade Lotus throne sat two women of celestial presence in white attire. Their surroundings radiated colorful halos, amidst drifting clouds and smoke, with a hint of wind and fire swirling behind, rising like tides.

The two women appeared identical, except for differing attire, making them difficult to distinguish, yet upon closer inspection, the woman to the left looked composed and dignified, while the right appeared lively and spirited, gazing with interest below.

Not daring to stare for long, Xu Congzhong hurriedly knelt and bowed.

Cai Ting observed for a moment and said, "Sister, how do you find this person?"

Cai Wei nodded, saying, "Divine House Mountain is ultimately not as famed as Nine Cities of Mingcang, there are rarely outstanding talents; Xu Congzhong is not bad, though."

Cai Ting asked, "Who will take a disciple this time?"

Cai Wei furrowed her brow, replying, "Sister, you haven’t forgotten, last disciple was taken by me. This time it should be your turn."

Cai Ting pouted, "This person looks very dull; taking him as a disciple would be deadly boring. Better let sister or Junior Brother Fu accept him instead."

Cai Wei’s eyes turned stern, chiding, "Sister, this matter of accepting disciples is no triviality. For years, you’ve taken just one disciple reluctantly. When the master emerges from seclusion, how will you explain?"

Cai Ting murmured, helplessly straightening herself and declared solemnly, "Xu Congzhong, from today forth, you will be my second disciple in the sect."

Her displeased tone left Xu Congzhong unsure how he’d offended the elder, yet the joy of becoming her disciple overshadowed all else, immediately bowing deeply, saying, "Disciple pays respect to the master, wishing the master’s eternal youth and lifespan akin to heaven and earth."

Cai Ting blinked beautifully, laughed, "You are quite eloquent; stand, no need to kneel."

Xu Congzhong offered another bow, then rose to stand.

Cai Ting was about to say something, but suddenly hearing a noise at her ear, she tilted her head slightly, puzzled, asking, "Sister, did you hear something?"

Cai Wei listened closely and realized too, frowning, "Is it thunder?"

Initially faint, the sound grew louder and resonated like drums, each boom outmatching the last, causing the five peaks to tremble, the waves spreading outward, affecting numerous mountains on Divine House Mountain.

In an instant, all disciples were frightened, unsure of what was happening.

Xu Congzhong, stunned, turned toward the sound’s origin, seeing on the towering peak newly visible, suddenly five-colored light burst upwards, illuminating the sky, filling it with auspicious hues, spreading spectacularly.

Cai Ting’s eyes lit up, exclaimed joyfully, "Sister, this is coming from Cangzhu Peak, could it be the master...?"

Cai Wei’s eyes too gleamed with excitement answering, "Indeed, it is master, surely master has emerged from seclusion!"

Cai Ting leaped from her seat, grabbed Cai Wei’s arm, and the two became streaks of colorful smoke, flying outward.

...

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