Daoist Competition

After Shen Baishuang had intimidated the True Masters of the three sects, he went to meet Zhang Yan. Zhang Yan thought that the purpose of this journey had been achieved, so he returned to the mountain gate with Shen.

Due to the refined hut’s fast travel, it only took them just over ten days to return to Divine House Mountain. The people from Gantang Temple, although they set off earlier, ended up falling behind.

Since Shen Baishuang had previously mentioned the re-forging of the Earth Fire Sky Furnace, he did not enter the mountain upon his return. After exchanging a few words with Zhang Yan, he floated alone to East Divine House.

Zhang Yan returned to Cangzhu Peak. This time, he had come to East Victory Continent on the Sect Leader’s order, openly to avoid the attention of all sects, but secretly to handle the sealing left by the ancestor master. After much effort, he had dealt with the Heavenly Demon, and thanks to Shen Baishuang’s mediation, the power dynamics in East Victory Continent, north to south, had been established. Without any unexpected changes, there should be no significant upheavals for at least one or two hundred years. From now on, he only needed to arrange internal affairs properly and could focus on his cultivation.

An hour later, he returned to his own cave mansion, and after sitting down, he routinely called Jing You and asked, "I was away for a few days, is everything well in the sect?"

Jing You reported, "Replying to the master, three elders managed the sect, and everything is in order. However, a few days ago, an Outer Practitioner from a sect unexpectedly came to the mountain, claiming to have important matters to discuss with the master. When asked for details, he refused to elaborate. I saw that he is also a True Master, so I took the liberty to arrange for him to stay in a pavilion on the mountain. Does the master wish to see him?"

Zhang Yan was slightly surprised, pondered for a moment, and said, "Go invite him up for a meeting."

Jing You bowed and went to carry out the order.

After about a quarter of an hour, a Daoist, graceful and radiant, with an imposing presence in every move, entered the cave mansion. He first glanced at Zhang Yan, then bowed and greeted, "Yang Xuanlong, an overseas Loose Cultivator, greets fellow Daoist Zhang."

Zhang Yan returned the greeting, saying, "So it is Master Yang. I was absent from the mountain these days, and my disciples did not understand the situation, thus neglecting fellow Daoist. It was truly discourteous."

Yang Xuanlong laughed heartily, "Sect Leader Zhang is too serious. Although the Heavenly Demon has been eliminated, the aftereffects are yet unresolved. Your sect’s caution is understandable."

Zhang Yan raised his hand slightly and gestured, "Please be seated, Master Yang."

Yang Xuanlong did not stand on ceremony. He casually bowed and sat down in the guest’s seat. After tidying his sleeves, he turned back, his eyes brightened, and said, "When I entered the mountain, I found many areas eroded by Miasma Poison. I also heard that many sects fled elsewhere. After this disaster, if Divine House Mountain doesn’t take centuries to recover, it will be difficult to relive its former glory."

These words were not false. Divine House originally had over thirty sects. Upon hearing of the Heavenly Demon’s attack, many of them deemed themselves unable to resist and fled early. Only a few who chose to weather the storm remained, thus losing nine out of ten.

Zhang Yan did not shy away but directly admitted, "Indeed, that’s true. However, Divine House Mountain was chaotic before, and this event has cleaned out many unruly elements, leaving the elite behind, which is actually greatly beneficial to Han Yuan Sect."

Yang Xuanlong suddenly sighed and said earnestly, "Sect Leader Zhang, forgive my bluntness. Your Divine House Mountain may self-preserve without external enemies, but North Sea harbors the Python Clan, and nearby is Zhongtai, a Great Sect. Your sect is caught between north and south, inherently weak. After such a serious blow, if it doesn’t strive for revival, the day of defeat is not far off."

Zhang Yan smiled faintly but did not reply.

Yang Xuanlong saw no reaction from Zhang Yan as expected and felt somewhat disappointed, though he outwardly appeared anxious and said, "I do not intend to exaggerate in alarm. Though fellow Daoist invited a Cave Heaven Cultivator for help, that True Master is ultimately not from East Victory and will inevitably leave. Your capability poses a major threat to other Cave Heaven True Masters in the continent, who will surely try to exclude you, openly or in secret. Then, the Han Yuan Sect is bound for disaster."

Zhang Yan subtly smiled; it was merely shocking language.

From his words, it was clear that Yang knew little about who arrived at Divine House Mountain or what had happened. Nonetheless, he casually asked, "According to Daoist, what would be the appropriate course of action?"

Yang Xuanlong’s spirit lifted, "I have a strategy here. If successful, it will not only help fellow Daoist through this crisis, but Han Yuan Sect will no longer need to bow to the Four Sects."

Zhang Yan, without a hint of emotion, said, "I would appreciate your advice."

Yang Xuanlong smiled mysteriously, "Do you know which sect holds the most abundant resources in East Victory Continent?"