Daoist Competition

Jing You exclaimed in shock, "Master, if they leave, wouldn’t the Dharma Platform Forbidden Array on Divine House Mountain become just a decoration without anyone to guard it?"

Zhang Yan replied, "Those Forbidden Arrays are sufficient to handle Nascent Soul Masters, but they cannot contend with Great Demons like Guo Monarch. I have already received assistance from True Master Tao with the Array Diagram, with or without them it’s the same, just go and deliver the orders."

Jing You pondered for a moment, his eyes rolled, and he leaned forward, "I will make a record of the names of those from the Human Sect who depart and present it for your review afterwards, Master."

Zhang Yan was noncommittal, waved his hand and said, "Go now."

Jing You bowed deeply and retreated.

At E Mountain Sect, within Yellow Flower Hall, Sect Leader Bai Jiyin was surrounded by several elders, one of them urgently stated, "Sect Leader, it is rumored that this demon is an Ancient Sky Demon, immensely difficult to defeat, we must leave quickly."

Bai Jiyin frowned, speaking in a grave tone, "Since True Master Zhang took over the immortal city, he has not held against our two sects’ prior disagreements, and has shown much favor to our E Mountain Sect. With a great enemy approaching, if not assisting is acceptable, then abandoning is unconscionable. Where is the morality?"

Master Mo sighed, speaking earnestly, "Sect Leader, the foundation of our E Mountain Sect was not easily established, it cannot be buried here."

Another elder echoed, "There isn’t even a single Nascent Soul cultivator in our sect, how can we assist Sect Leader Zhang? Staying here is useless!"

Bai Jiyin said, "The Dharma Platform and Array Gate on Divine House Mountain need people to guard them. Even if it’s minimal help, it still can assist in defending the Mountain Gate. How can it be useless? Moreover, True Master Zhang has also invited Cave Heaven True Masters to aid, the situation isn’t as dire as the elders believe."

Elder Mo stomped his feet in frustration, saying, "Sect Leader, you are so muddleheaded! Even the three Cave Heaven True Masters of the Southern Three Sects couldn’t stop that Heavenly Demon, how could a single Cave Heaven True Master do it? True Master Zhang needs to protect the immortal city, what does our E Mountain have?"

"Indeed, Sect Leader, he occupies the immortal city for Han Yuan, what does our E Mountain have? Why linger here?"

"Sect Leader, that demon could arrive at any moment. For the lives of all the disciples, please make a swift decision."

Bai Jiyin glanced coldly at everyone, secretly sighed, "All short-sighted people. Since True Master Zhang came to the mountain, when has he ever miscalculated? If he was uncertain, how could he linger and not leave? Fine, if they wish to go, let them go."

He took a deep breath and slowly said, "Then how about this, Master Mo, you lead the elders and disciples to take shelter outside, I will stay to guard the mountain. If any accident occurs, Master Mo will succeed as Sect Leader."

"This..." Several elders looked at each other, all hesitating.

Bai Jiyin did not wish to say more, flicked his sleeve and stated, "It’s decided then." Saying this, he turned and returned to the Cave Mansion.

Elder Mo hesitated for a while, then sighed deeply, "Since the Sect Leader is willing to stay, it cannot be forced. Our E Mountain Sect’s Daoist inheritance cannot break in our hands, fellow disciples, quickly pack up and follow me out."

At Zhongtai Sect, on Xisheng Mountain.

Sect Leader Qiao was speaking with Mrs. Zhao when suddenly there was a loud exclamation from the hall doors followed by a boom, as Du Shixun stormed in angrily, saying, "Father, why do you not see your child?"

Sect Leader Qiao frowned and said, "Insolence! Is this how you speak to your father?"

Du Shixun stepped back, knelt, and said, "Father, please forgive your child’s rudeness. I heard Han Yuan Sect sent a request for aid days ago, why has there been no action from our sect?"

Sect Leader Qiao rebuked him, "What do you know? That Guo Monarch is a ten-thousand-year-old Heavenly Demon, not something we can contend with!"

Du Shixun retorted emphatically, "Then please urge Master Zheng to leave the mountain."

Sect Leader Qiao snorted, "Master Zheng cannot be moved with mere words. True Master Zhang has already invited a Cave Heaven True Master to assist; he has confidence in dealing with that Heavenly Demon. Why do you meddle?"

Du Shixun was dissatisfied, his tone questioning, "During the Dragon Pillar Meeting, if True Master Zhang hadn’t acted in time, would Zhongtai be as it is today? How can we sit back and watch as Han Yuan faces difficulty, isn’t that ungrateful?"

Sect Leader Qiao’s face darkened, "True Master Zhang’s efforts were under a signed contract. Subsequently, our Zhongtai treated him generously, offering Spirit Pills and Spiritual Medicine, never refusing any request. We owe him nothing, any rivalry has been repaid long ago."

Du Shixun persisted, "Zhongtai cannot merely stand by! Would that not show we fear the Heavenly Demon? Father may not send assistance, but I’ll go alone!"

With that, he turned, launched his tunneling light like a comet, and with a boom, exited the Cave Mansion.

Sect Leader Qiao rose from his seat, chased a few steps, and shouted angrily, "If you go, you are no longer a Zhongtai Disciple!"

Mrs. Zhao consoled, "Husband, Shixun’s words have merit, everyone knows of Zhongtai’s close ties with Divine House. If nobody is sent, it will reflect poorly."

Sect Leader Qiao sighed, "You are unaware, it’s not that I am unwilling, but Master Zheng has ordered disciples not to leave the mountain. Though I find this decree imprudent, the True Master’s orders cannot be defied. What can be done? However, Shixun’s departure may prove beneficial; if Han Yuan Sect repels the Heavenly Demon, we’ll have leeway with the sect relationships."

Twenty days later.

A ferocious sword light emerged from the south, circled Five Dragon River several times, leaving behind more than a hundred demon turtle corpses, then soaring as sword light directed towards Divine House Mountain.

Meanwhile, a sudden rift opened in the thunder clouds outside East Victory Continent, revealing a towering mountain that appeared from the void. With bright white light shining and dispersing clouds within a thousand-mile radius, Clear Qi gathered, and a round-faced youth in plain attire emerged. After sensing the surroundings for a moment, his eyes brightened with an intriguing smile, he adjusted his hat, and disappeared without a trace.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please consider voting for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)