Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan said, "Has Daoist Wei left Li Mountain?"

Jing You replied, "That Daoist Nun has a hasty nature; she returned the same day Master Zhang returned to the mountain."

At this moment, he bowed and said, "Elder Chu came by earlier, asking me to pass a message to you, sir: the E Mountain Sect wishes to return to Divine House Mountain. Would you allow this?"

On the day Primordial Monarch Guo attacked, everyone in the E Mountain Sect was terrified, except Bai Sect Leader and a few dozen disciples who were willing to stay, even surrendering the position of Sect Leader.

As a result, when a few of the elders saw that Divine House Mountain remained unscathed, they started clamoring to return.

Zhang Yan asked, "What is Sect Leader Bai’s opinion?"

Jing You said, "Elder Chu wanted to give them some face, but Sect Leader Bai was adamant. He said that once other sects leave the mountain, they are not allowed back in, so why should E Mountain be an exception? He was resolute in his refusal."

Zhang Yan thought it over and smiled, "Let’s reach a compromise. You can tell them that if they still consider themselves people of Divine House Mountain, they can first set up a Dharma Platform and Forbidden Array at East Divine House. If they do well, they may be allowed back into the mountain."

He knew their nature well, seeing that Han Yuan was now powerful and backed by Cave Heaven True Masters, even the Zhongtai Sect came to curry favor. Therefore, they were seeking protection, not because Divine House Mountain had any Cave Heaven Blessed Land compelling enough for them to force their way in.

Jing You chuckled, "Master, you’re being generous to them. I’ll go deliver the message immediately."

Zhang Yan nodded, "As you leave, call Caiwei and the others."

Jing You agreed, and with nimble steps, he exited the cave.

Zhang Yan lifted his head, looking out through a circular doorway carved into the rock wall on the eastern side. Shen Baishuang was his Junior Master, and as a junior in the sect, he ought to pay his respects before entering seclusion.

After a cup of tea’s time, the Wang Sisters and Fu Baoxing entered the cave together and knelt before him, paying their respects.

Zhang Yan raised his hand, signaling them to rise, then turned his gaze to Fu Baoxing. This disciple had better aptitude than the Wang Sisters and had recently made rapid progress in cultivation. Once entering the Xuan Guang Third Realm, he would need to refine apertures and open cavities.

He assessed that Fu Baoxing could likely enter the Hua Dan Realm between the ages of eighty to ninety. In the Mingcang Sect, the top ten disciples generally entered the Hua Dan Realm between fifty to sixty. Although Fu Baoxing was not quite there yet, he was not far behind and had surpassed Zhang Yan’s original expectations.

"This period of seclusion for your master may be lengthy. If you have questions during your cultivation, you can consult your two Senior Sisters."

Fu Baoxing bowed, "This disciple dares not slack off."

Zhang Yan nodded and then looked at the Wang Sisters. These two disciples recently broke through their shells, each receiving the True Imprint of Dharma Power he provided. Going forward, it was a matter of diligent effort, so he said, "After Junior Brother Chu and the others leave with Junior Master Shen, the sect will inevitably be short-handed. As you cultivate, you must also take on disciples to strengthen Han Yuan."

Wang Caiting pouted, "Master, I can’t even manage myself, how can I take on disciples? It would be best if my sister did it."

Zhang Yan laughed, "Don’t pass the buck. If you can’t manage them well, don’t claim to be my disciple when you leave."

Wang Caiting’s beautiful eyes turned cunningly, "Then Master should grant some elixirs and treasures. Otherwise, if I take on disciples and have no token gifts to present, it would be a disgrace to Master."

Zhang Yan chuckled, "So that’s what you were waiting for. But what you say is reasonable."

He pondered for a moment, then waved his sleeve. A Spirit Light descended, "In this bag, there are many treasures I acquired externally and some elixirs. They are now useless to me, you two can take them. Just remember not to distribute them recklessly, or it might diminish the drive for progress among the disciples."

The Wang Sisters solemnly accepted the command.

Zhang Yan waved his sleeve, "You may go."

After the three disciples left, he sat for a while, then stepped out of the cave, looked at the sky, tapped his foot, and rose with the wind, heading towards East Divine House.

In just an hour, he arrived before the Earth Fire Sky Furnace and looked down to see Shen Baishuang sitting on a rock, talking with two Daoists. One of them he recognized as Han Wangke, the other was tall and imposing, vibrant in spirit, standing like a stalwart pine.

Noticing Zhang Yan observing him, the Daoist looked up and upon seeing Zhang Yan, his eyes narrowed, hinting at vigilance.

Han Wangke also noticed Zhang Yan, hurriedly whispering something to the other Daoist, who then appeared surprised but quickly showed respect and made a gesture of salutation towards the sky.

Zhang Yan parted the wind and clouds, descending. He first greeted Shen Baishuang, nodded a greeting to Han Wangke, and finally looked at the other Daoist.

Han Wangke said, "Junior Brother Zhang, let me introduce. This is Cai Rongju, a fellow disciple. We once cultivated under Li’s Sect."

Zhang Yan smiled lightly, "Ah, a disciple of the White Sun Cave Heaven lineage."

Han Wangke was full of vigor, "This time, we also intend to return to the mountain with Junior Master Shen. We’ll likely be dealing with each other often in the future."

Zhang Yan was surprised, glanced at Shen Baishuang, and clasped his hands, "Then I must congratulate both senior brothers."

Han Wangke returned the gesture, "We have Junior Master Shen to thank for enabling our return to the Mountain Gate."

Shen Baishuang said flatly, "There’s no need to thank me. Once you are back in the sect, whether you can establish yourself is up to you; I won’t be there to support you."

Han Wangke and his companion quickly agreed in affirmation.

Zhang Yan said, "Junior Master Shen, I have recently felt an opportunity arising, hence I need to enter seclusion. I am uncertain of when I will emerge. I’ve left all matters to my two disciples and Junior Brother Zhao. Should you need to leave, I fear I won’t be able to see you off."

Shen Baishuang waved his sleeve with a smile, "As cultivators, we dispense with many formalities. Focus on your cultivation; you may go."

Zhang Yan said nothing more, bowed to Shen Baishuang, greeted Han and Cai, and then rode the wind back to Cangzhu Peak.

Your journey back was smooth, and you returned to Han Yuan Sect before sunset.

Once inside the cave mansion, he settled on the couch, first activating all prohibitions around, sealing the inner and outer doors. After verifying no omissions, he reached into his sleeve, grasped the Broken Jade, and immersed his heart and spirit into it.

...

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