Daoist Competition

Mrs. Zhao’s expression remained unchanged as she spoke confidently, "Sister, you should also know that after the fall of Xuanyue, its Daoist Books have come into my possession. The previous deficiencies are now able to be remedied, so why should I worry about Zhongtai’s prosperity?"

Fan Yinghui wanted to say more, but at this moment, a commotion was heard from the foot of the mountain. Mrs. Zhao also noticed it and called for the maid, asking, "Go see what’s happening down there."

The maid was brought from Zhongtai by her, not someone from the Han Yuan Sect, so she had to go out to inquire. After a while, she returned and said, "Madam, Zhang True Master’s two disciples who have been traveling for several decades have returned to the mountain."

Fan Yinghui chuckled lightly, "Sister, how timely you have come. With True Master Zhang’s two disciples returning to the mountain, they must be going to pay respects to their mentor. This is a perfect opportunity to ask them to appear."

Mrs. Zhao agreed, "Sister speaks wisely."

She instructed her personal maid, "Choose a few treasures from my Jade Box, and wait to accompany me to visit True Master’s two outstanding disciples."

In the Great Chen Kingdom, Southern Martial Mountain.

A Taoist with a full face of anxiety held a child as he flew back and forth in the mountain, seemingly searching for something.

After circling a few times, he saw a seven-story tall tower below, with colorful light and Treasure Qi faintly emanating, but it was obscured by a prohibition, not clearly visible. If it weren’t for his prior knowledge of its position, it would have been difficult to detect amidst the mountains.

His face lit up, thinking to himself, "What Junior Brother Feng mentioned must be here."

He quickly descended and raised his voice loudly in the mountain valley, "Is Master Zhang present? I am Shen Chuyu from Gantang Temple, specially here because my child has been poisoned by miasma. I seek Master Zhang’s help."

He repeated his request several times, yet there was no response from the mountain, causing him to become anxious. He looked at the child’s bluish face in his arms, with weakening breath, evidently unable to wait any longer. Gritting his teeth, he drew his Dharma Sword, intending to force his way in.

However, just at this moment, the Forbidden Array before him suddenly rippled like waves and after a moment dispersed its barrier, revealing the tower within. He was overjoyed, quickly leaping inside, and after just several dozen feet, saw a Taoist with a fierce appearance, green eyes, and a yellow robe standing before him. The Taoist’s eyes bore a hidden viciousness, appearing far from friendly, causing him to instinctively pause. Hesitant, he tentatively asked, "Are you Master Zhang?"

Zhang Boyant glanced at the child in his arms and scoffed, "Yet another poisoned by the miasma; at most an hour, and this child might not survive."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuyu could no longer care about anything else. He urgently said, "As long as you can save my child’s life, I will offer great rewards in gratitude."

Zhang Boyant gave a peculiar smile, cast a spell, and summoned a yellow smoke that enveloped the child, then turned to enter the tower, leaving behind a sentence, "Wait here; within an hour, Zhang will send him out."

Shen Chuyu, filled with gratitude, repeatedly bowed, "Thank you, Daoist, thank you!"

Inside the tower, Zhang Boyant took out a recently refined Elixir Pill, fed it to the child’s mouth, then infused a stream of Spiritual Energy. Shortly, the child expelled thread after thread of black gas from his mouth and nose, and as the gas was released, his complexion gradually returned to normal.

He flicked his sleeve, transforming the room’s filthy air into a drop of black water, holding it in his palm for careful inspection, pondering, "This poison isn’t Nether River Qi, nor the Earth Lungs Poison Smoke. What exactly is hidden beneath Gantang Temple?"

Zhang Yan had previously investigated, confirming that Taiming Ancestor’s sealing was beneath Gantang Temple, thus instructed Zhang Boyant to monitor any movements there. Yet, upon arriving, he noticed a sinister aura emanating within a hundred-mile radius.

Being an elder of the Nether Spring Sect, he had profound knowledge of the Nether River Qi, yet any Earth Lungs Poison Smoke emerging would dissipate under the blazing sun, none possessing such potency. Currently, aside from the vicinity of Gantang Temple, the mountain is devoid of life.

It so coincidentally happened, as he wished to clarify what this foul air was, half a month ago he rescued a passing disciple from Gantang Temple. This event led cultivators within the temple to learn of a True Master outside able to cure the poison, leading many to seek him out.

An hour later, he walked out of the tower, flicked his sleeve, and sent the child out, enveloped in yellow smoke.

Shen Chuyu hurriedly received the child, looked down, and saw that the child was breathing evenly, sweetly asleep, with a slightly rosy face, and heaved a huge sigh of relief. He beamed a grateful smile at Zhang Boyant, saying, "Thank you, True Master, for your assistance."

Zhang Boyant asked, "May I ask, where does the miasma originate?"

Shen Chuyu hesitated for a moment, "Logically, since the True Master saved my child’s life, I should not conceal anything. However, this matter involves a secret of our sect that cannot be divulged to outsiders..."

Zhang Boyant interrupted him with a wave, dismissively, "Your sect’s business doesn’t interest me. However, this miasma, if the average cultivator inhales just a bit, poses a life threat within one or two days. Even those with deep cultivation cannot withstand it over time. According to my observation, the poison increases daily, and if not eradicated, before long you’ll be back seeking assistance."

Shen Chuyu was shocked, but after considering, he raised his head with a determined gaze, and suspiciously asked, "If this miasma is so potent, why does the True Master remain here instead of leaving?"

Zhang Boyant replied, "My cultivation technique is peculiar; underground poisons which would act as malevolent substances to others serve as excellent refinement materials for me."

Shen Chuyu sensed that his Qi Mechanism was obscured, deep and shadowed, differing from common Xuanmen Technique, and believed most of it. He sighed, "If I could leave, I would have long ago; why wait until now..."

At this point, a thought struck him, he looked at Zhang Boyant with anticipation, "How about inviting Master Zhang to visit my Mountain Gate?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Boyant’s eyes flashed with faint eerie Green Light, chuckled sinisterly, "Then I shall graciously accept your invitation."

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit qidian.com to recommend votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)