Daoist Competition

The crowd speculated that even if the hidden treasure within the mansion wasn’t the Da Mi Ancestor’s writings, it was likely an Ancient Immortal Cave Mansion.

This matter was originally a secret, but who would have expected it to be discovered by the Southern Three Sects, who sent a messenger saying that if there were Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasures, they would not belong solely to Zhongtai.

Sect Leader Qiao knew well that Zhongtai was currently strong on the outside but weak on the inside. It appeared prosperous, but was actually frail. The combined forces of the Three Sects were truly beyond what could be resisted at the moment. If given an excuse, it would be no good, so he could only delay and not open the forbidden array.

Du Shixun said, "Why not invite Uncle and True Master Zhang together, I can join forces with the two of them, even if the Three Sects attack, we won’t be afraid."

Sect Leader Qiao sighed, "True Master Zhang has been in seclusion for over twenty years, hasn’t appeared, and several times we’ve sent gifts, but haven’t learned when he’ll come out of seclusion. As for your uncle, I can’t trust him."

Previously, due to the Python Clan matter, he suspected Ancestor Hui Xuan had other plans, thus not dealing with him for the past twenty years. Hui Xuan also hasn’t returned to the mountain, so rumors of discord between them spread wildly, known by all.

Mrs. Zhao advised, "Husband, Hui Xuan originally had Zhongtai’s interests in mind, without ill intention. Besides, he’s at the point of being old and nearing the end of his life, what plans could he have? It’s better to invite him back, offer him more benefits, dispel past grievances, and make him of use to us."

Sect Leader Qiao pondered silently.

Just then, a disciple hurriedly reported, "Sect Leader, yesterday two people broke into the Dragon Pillar’s forbidden area, attempting to open the forbidden array and enter the Stone Mansion."

Sect Leader Qiao was startled, stood up, and said, "What, how is the Stone Mansion?"

The day before, it was Du Shixun leading the attack on Chunyu Ji. To ensure victory, almost all the Nascent Soul cultivators in the sect had been sent out, leaving only one elder guarding the Dragon Pillar, which could be said to be extremely vulnerable.

The disciple said, "The Stone Mansion is well, Elder Wei fought them off and drove them away, they didn’t succeed."

Sect Leader Qiao said solemnly, "Have you identified who they are?"

The disciple said, "Elder Wei said one of them looked like Master Xing Fuli who once appeared atop the Dragon Pillar."

"Is it him?"

Sect Leader Qiao heard that it wasn’t someone from the Southern Three Sects, his heart eased a bit, but then he angrily said, "Such thieves dare to bully Zhongtai?"

Mrs. Zhao said, "Husband, assigning people to guard the Dragon Pillar is not a long-term plan, it’s better to set up a forbidden array to prevent outsiders from coveting."

Sect Leader Qiao shook his head repeatedly and said, "Of course I understand this principle, but if we set up the forbidden array, it would just give grounds for the Southern Three Sects to start trouble, which would be hard to handle."

Mrs. Zhao lowered her head in thought, and after a while, her beautiful eyes brightened as if she had gained insight, she said, "I have an idea that may solve this problem for you."

Sect Leader Qiao said, "Oh," with a smile, "It’s rare for the lady to have an idea, I must hear it."

Mrs. Zhao pouted, "Husband, don’t make fun, this plan came about from the recent event."

Sect Leader Qiao said, "Please speak, lady."

Mrs. Zhao pointed her delicate finger and said, "Husband, after the two factions became one, because Daoist Zhang is in seclusion, there hasn’t been a celebration feast yet. Now that Chunyu Ji and others have been driven overseas, why not use this as an excuse to host a banquet, inviting the Three Sects Practitioners as guests, during which we can discuss how to handle the Immortal Mansion there."

Sect Leader Qiao said displeased, "What kind of idea is this, the Dragon Pillar might hold the Da Mi Ancestor’s Daoist Books, they must not be given to outsiders."

Mrs. Zhao pulled his sleeve, annoyed, and said, "Husband, why are you in such a hurry, I haven’t finished speaking. There’s a rationale behind my plan. Since the discord between you and Hui Xuan is known even outside the sect, why not go with the flow, and during the banquet, have Hui Xuan secretly steal the Daoist Books?"

Sect Leader Qiao’s body shuddered as he seemed to realize something, quickly sat upright, and said, "Continue."

Mrs. Zhao had a trace of pride on her face, and said, "Then, all our Zhongtai cultivators would be at the banquet, with the Daoist Books stolen, the Three Sects Practitioners couldn’t blame us. Afterwards, Hui Xuan can hide the books away when he escapes overseas, making a big commotion if possible, ideally leading the Three Sects Practitioners to chase him, clearing Zhongtai of suspicion."

Sect Leader Qiao turned the idea over in his mind, finding it quite feasible, and said, "Would Hui Xuan follow my intention?"

Mrs. Zhao said, "He hasn’t much time left, the day of rebirth is near, and he only has one disciple. Compared to our Zhongtai, could he really not fear that we might find his rebirth place and prevent his Enlightenment in the next life? He will have to comply."

Sect Leader Qiao got up and walked a few steps with hands behind his back, seemingly weighing the situation, and after a while, he paused abruptly and said, "Lady, in a moment, you personally go to the Han Yuan Sect, make sure to invite True Master Zhang down the mountain."

Mrs. Zhao was taken aback and said, "Is inviting True Master Zhang to guard against Hui Xuan?"

Sect Leader Qiao said solemnly, "The matter is significant, precautions are necessary, and with True Master Zhang coming, he can also deter the Three Sects Practitioners, preventing them from having strange ideas."

Mrs. Zhao nodded, "Alright, I happened to gather a good amount of the Spiritual Medicine True Master Zhang needs, I’ll depart for Han Yuan tomorrow morning."

Du Shixun said, "I wish to accompany Mum."

Sect Leader Qiao laughed, "With both mother and child going, the sincerity will surely be enough."

Then he turned to Mrs. Zhao and said, "The Dragon Pillar cannot afford any more lapses these days, I need to inspect again now, and this matter will trouble you, lady."

Mrs. Zhao gave a ceremonial bow and escorted Sect Leader Qiao out. After a few words with Du Shixun, she excused herself as the time for practicing and casting had arrived, and returned to the inner hall. Once on the couch, she told the maid, "Go and call Qu Changzhi."

Not long after, Qu Changzhi came to the couch, bowed deeply, and said, "Greetings, lady."

Mrs. Zhao said, "You go back and tell your master, I’m helping him this time for the sake of our late second sister, and hope he won’t make any more foolish moves."

...

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