Daoist Competition

The Wang Sisters quickly arrived at the peak, and Jiang Rou, not wishing to linger, gave a quick nod of farewell and retreated just as the cave door opened. Jing You emerged from within, made a bow, and with a laugh said, "Have the two ladies returned to the mountain?"

Wang Caiting stepped forward and asked, "Big Head, did our master say when he would exit seclusion?"

Jing You shook his head, saying, "That was not mentioned."

Wang Caiwei pondered for a moment before speaking, "Sister, today we find ourselves unprepared. Let us first pay our respects at the gate, and after we burn incense and bathe, return tomorrow to formally greet our master."

Wang Caiting agreed with delight.

Just as the two were about to perform their salutations, there was a loud rumble from the cave mansion, as if a door had opened. A clear voice came from inside, "Caiwei, Caiting, since you’ve returned to the mountain, come inside."

Wang Caiting gasped softly with joy, "Our master has exited seclusion."

Wang Caiwei gently pulled at her sister, shaking her head slightly to remind her not to be disrespectful.

The two sisters adjusted their clothes and entered the cave mansion. After just a few steps, they found themselves in a thick mist with a fierce wind howling around them. Suddenly, a sense of imminent peril and the presence of killing intent filled their hearts, causing them to halt in their tracks.

Just then, Zhang Yan’s voice echoed in their ears, "This is a new protective cave forbidden array I set up a month ago, not yet perfected. You two can continue forward without worry."

Following his instructions, the sisters walked a hundred steps forward. The mist suddenly dissipated, revealing a spacious cave hall. Raising their eyes, they saw Zhang Yan sitting upright on a jade couch, his appearance radiant with spirit light, with three swirling gang clouds above his head, shifting like mist and radiating with five colors, a phenomenon distinct from other Second Realm cultivators.

The Wang Sisters hurriedly went forward to kneel, saying, "Disciple pays respects to Master."

Zhang Yan smiled warmly, "Rise. I see great progress in your cultivation, and some changes within your elixir evil. Did you encounter some fortuitous adventure?"

The sisters exchanged a glance but did not rise. Wang Caiwei said, "We encountered Daoist Wang of the Qingyu Sect while at the East Sea. We unexpectedly met True Master Tao, who proclaimed that we might not return for twenty or thirty years. He then taught each of us a divine skill, bidding us to practice well before returning."

She then prostrated herself again, saying, "Without permission from our sect, we privately practiced another sect’s divine skills. I ask for Master’s punishment, but the decision was mine alone and not related to Caiting."

Wang Caiting protested urgently, "Sister, why say such things? We learned the divine skills together, so if punished, it should be together."

Wang Caiwei shot her a glance, whispering, "Stop being foolish."

In truth, neither the Mingcang Sect nor Zhang Yan’s Zhao You Sect forbade disciples from practicing other sects’ cultivation techniques. However, she sensed that True Master Tao might have ulterior motives, possibly scheming something. Yet faced with the gift of divine skills from a Cave Heaven True Master, they could not refuse; they had no choice but to accept it.

Zhang Yan, aware of True Master Tao’s skill in divination and array formation, did not find it odd that he would foresee the sisters’ fortunes. Yet, upon reaching True Master Tao’s level, one does not act without reason. This gesture clearly had deeper significance.

After some thought, Zhang Yan guessed the reason, smiling.

Years ago, he had assisted True Master Tao in achieving Grotto Heaven, and in return, the latter agreed to help him with three things.

Zhang Yan always believed that the favor of a Cave Heaven True Master should not be used on trivial matters, so he never sought anything in return.

But as his cultivation advanced and great tribulations arose in East Splendor Continent, needing a Cave Heaven True Master to intervene was something even True Master Tao couldn’t bear. Thus, by granting the Wang Sisters divine skills, he subtly reminded Zhang Yan that some favors should be used when the time is right.

He looked at the Wang Sisters and smiled, "When did I ever say I’d punish you two? Rise. True Master Tao, who established his own sect and founded its legacy, must have passed on exceptional divine skills. You two should practice diligently. Yet remember, cultivation of Dao skill is the root of achieving the Dao."

The Wang Sisters, seeing their master’s usual demeanor and kind tone, realized there was no taboo violated in this matter, and thus they finally let go of their concerns and rose.

Wang Caiwei carefully took out a wooden box from her sachet, holding it in her palm. She took a few steps forward, placing it onto the jade table before Zhang Yan, saying, "Master, this is the item my sister and I retrieved from the Guangyuan Sect. Elder Shen solemnly entrusted me to deliver it personally to you when I departed."

Zhang Yan’s gaze shifted to the wooden box, showing a solemn expression before he reached out to open the lid, revealing the content inside.

The topmost layer was a letter, marked for his eyes only, signed by Guangyuan’s Shen Yinfeng.

Zhang Yan took the letter, opened it, and read. It was Elder Shen’s narration, focusing on the aftermath of the fighting among the Sixteen Sects. He borrowed Junyang Essence and went into seclusion for cultivation, expecting to reach the Third Realm after thirty years but needed an additional twenty years beyond his estimate to succeed.

With his Nascent Soul, he delved into the underground palace and discovered the remnant left by True Master Shen Chong after his ascension, finding two missing talismanic magics. Besides these, there was something else...

Zhang Yan set the letter aside and reached for the thin booklet in the box, lifting it gently. The four words on the cover read:

Shen Chong’s Legacy!

True Master Shen Chong had once roamed the Nine Provinces, seldom meeting his match, and had ascended on a Golden Talisman. This was his recorded insights left before departure!

Zhang Yan felt deeply moved, for when he first requested this from Elder Shen, it was merely speculative, but he had not expected it to actually remain within the Guangyuan Sect.

The legacy of an Ascension Great Power Expert is of immense value. Even though Mingcang Sect had several great powers who ascended, he was not their direct disciple and had not reached such a realm, so he was not able to view such insights.

He always believed that one must plan in advance, and procrastination leads to failure. Waiting until action is necessary to scheme is too late, especially when the three great tribulations come, affecting all cultivators, and the future is unpredictable. To glimpse these mysteries beforehand can only be beneficial.

Holding the thin booklet, he focused intently before slowly turning the page.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)