Daoist Competition

A month later, on Cangzhu Peak, smoke curled in long threads from the Purple Copper Incense Burner, drifting into the clouds. The Dragon Country’s Ship lay crosswise before the mountain, clusters of brocaded cloud gathered into hanging steps, bridged to the Mountain Ridge. Looking from afar, a single white stream like silken cloth, cranes circled, their cries ringing one after another.

Zhang Yan wore a great cloak of Ink Cloud Heavenly Crane upon his shoulders, standing atop the mountain. The fierce wind blew past, his sleeves dancing. The Wang Sisters were each garbed in a scarlet rainbow-embroidered mantle, standing to his left and right, while several Third Generation Disciples of the sect clustered behind.

Today he was set to depart and return to East Splendor Continent, thus Nascent Soul cultivators Tang Jin, Song Yuan Chu, Wu Suquan, Master Qian and others all came to attend. Together with the various Sect Leaders of Divine House Mountain, they set out Dharma Platforms and incense tables here, preparing wine to see him off.

Fu Baoxing stepped forward a few paces and respectfully presented a cup of farewell wine.

Zhang Yan received it and drank, then said warmly, "Disciple, Han Yuan is my Mingcang Branch, and was personally founded by Master Shen, its foundations laid here for several hundred years. Now that it has been handed into the care of my Zhao You lineage, it is all the more impossible to allow any loss. You, as Han Yuan Sect Leader, must watch over it with utmost care."

Fu Baoxing knelt and said, "This disciple would not dare fail to give his whole heart and strength!"

Song Chuyuan spoke gravely, "True Master, the few of us will surely apply ourselves to assist Fu Sect Leader, keeping the Mountain Gate guarded and steady."

Tang Jin, Wu Suquan and the others all voiced their agreement.

Zhang Yan nodded with a smile, then further instructed Fu Baoxing, "In the Beimo Sea Realm there is a fellow Daoist, who likewise came with me from East Splendor Continent. His cultivation is profound, not beneath that of your teacher. Should you encounter matters difficult to decide, you may go to seek him."

Song Yuan Chu and Tang Jin were both taken aback and glanced at one another. They had never known that Divine House Mountain actually concealed such a Great Cultivator. They reckoned this must be a hidden piece left behind by this Pavilion Master.

Zhang Yan now has cultivated a Nascent Soul, able to come and go as he pleases. When facing great enemies he no longer has need of Dragon Carp Siren’s aid in battle, and thus leaves it here, to serve as Fu Baoxing’s arm and reliance.

Besides this Great Demon, there are also those hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers. They have dwelled and multiplied here over a hundred years and now number a million strong, not suitable to relocate again, so on this occasion they too are left behind.

Though the Mountain and River Map no longer suppresses this place, as long as the foe is not a Cave Heaven Cultivator, whoever comes here can still be resisted for a time.

While they were speaking thus, Wu Suquan at the side seemed also to wish to speak. Standing among the crowd he hesitated for quite some time before slowly moving forward, then cupped his hands and said, "True Master, my little nephew is intent on following your immortal carriage to East Splendor. This humble Daoist has been unable to dissuade him. Only, his temperament is obstinate and he is not adept at dealing with others. Should he offend in any regard, I beg True Master to show a measure of forbearance."

Shen Dong’s aptitude is not lacking, yet his relations with others are poor, and he prefers to go alone. Wu Suquan was worried that once he entered Mingcang Sect he would be ostracized.

If it were an ordinary time, this would not be much of a matter. Yet East Splendor Continent is presently beset by Demon Tribulation; should he thus be tripped up by someone, it might cost him his life.

Zhang Yan looked over and smiled, "Fellow Daoist, you likely have misjudged. In my view, Shen Dong harbors lofty Honghu aspirations, and thus does not flock with sparrows. This journey to East Splendor is precisely suited for him to receive a bout of tempering. Why bind him further?"

Wu Suquan was stunned, and stammered, "Sect Leader speaks rightly."

Zhang Yan’s brows knit, his voice turning faintly cold, "I am no longer Han Yuan Sect Leader. Has Daoist Wu perhaps forgotten this?"

Wu Suquan had not thought he would misspeak in a moment’s carelessness. Hearing Zhang Yan’s displeased tone, cold sweat sprang out upon him. He hastily bent his body, wanting to admit his fault.

Who would have thought Zhang Yan did not wait for his words, but said coldly, "I have heard that while you were Master of the immortal city, your dealings were partial and deeply unjust. You concerned yourself only with watching over Gantang Academy Disciples, while you imposed many harsh demands upon disciples of the other sects. I fine you sixty years of seclusion. Without a Sect Leader’s decree, you are not to be pardoned. My words end here—go back and reflect well."

With that said, he flicked his sleeve. Before Wu Suquan could even utter a word of defense, his vision went dark, and he had already been driven in flight beyond the mountain.

Tang Jin and Song Chuyuan, seeing this scene, both felt a chill in their hearts. For the moment neither dared be the first to speak.

Just then Jing You drew near and said, "Master, Elder Bai of Zhongtai Sect has come to see you off; he is already below the platform."

Zhang Yan said, "Invite him over to speak."

Not long after, Elder Bai came up from below the platform. Coming forward, he cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother, upon hearing that True Master Zhang is to return to East Splendor today, originally wished to come in person to see you off. Yet the borders of the East Sea have been quite unsettled these past months, and he cannot spare himself. He had no choice but to send this humble Daoist as proxy, to offer a slight gift and apology." As he spoke, he handed over a Jade Plate.

His words were no empty courtesy. During this recent period, the Xuanyue Python Clan’s harassment has continued. Seeing that the Southern Three Sects have yet to make an appearance, their actions have grown all the more bold, even to the point of building islands near the coastal waters. Zhongtai Sect has had no choice but to concentrate many elders to go deal with it, but this has left the sect empty within, such that Qiao Huanjuan must remain in town at all times.