Daoist Competition

He circled around Gantang Temple, finally found a hall, landed on the roof ridge, and sat cross-legged, patiently waiting for the seal to be lifted.

Soon seven days passed, and at midnight on the eighth day, he felt a sensation and quickly sent a spiritual mechanism down to investigate.

Originally, he entered and exited like threading through a narrow well, cramped and hard to proceed. But this time, there was no obstruction, clearly showing that the prohibition had dissipated, dissolved away. He couldn’t help but laugh wildly, and a wisp of white smoke flew out from the top of his head, abandoning Shang Qingjun’s physical body, then plunged underground.

Deep below Gantang Temple, not knowing how deep it was, a demon creature over a thousand zhang long suddenly opened its fierce eyes. Two dim lights pierced directly through the ground, illuminating the mountains in a blink. Under its belly, densely packed long legs moved, climbing slowly upwards, as it arched through the earth and stones, causing landslides and earthquakes within a hundred li radius, shaking incessantly.

After a short while, a thunderous rumble was heard, and rubble flew, dust and sand billowed, the entire Gantang Temple on the surface had vanished.

Amidst the black mist of evil qi, a hideous centipede drilled out from beneath the ground, its head was like a mound, its tail like a hooked shear, with a body segmented like armor, comprising three thousand six hundred and fifty sections, each segment having a pair of hook-like feet, colored like jade, and under its mandibles was a pair of pincers that clashed and separated. As soon as it emerged, demon energy surged to the sky, mountains and rivers trembled, black clouds enveloped the heavens, dimming the sun and moon.

The centipede shook its body, its jointed limbs cracking like thunder, the surrounding mountains and rivers vibrated in unison. With a strange shriek, a mass of sky-shrouding black mist surged from under its belly, soared up, wrapped in boundless momentum, and flew east.

At this moment, thousands of li away, within Fengxiang Sword Sect’s mountain gate, a Daoist with a square face and large ears was suddenly alarmed. He glanced west, his expression grave, pondered for a moment, and instructed the nearby child: "A great enemy is approaching, quickly send the order, instruct Chen Yuan to take the disciples to Cangfeng Immortal City to temporarily evade. No matter what, without my Dharma Decree, do not emerge."

The child beside him heard the seriousness of his words, dared not ask more, bowed and hurried away.

The Daoist thought briefly, then used his mana to conjure two rescue talismans, sent them into the heavens, flying towards Qingxuan Sect and Kuxin Sect.

East Splendor Continent, Mingcang Sect.

Shen Baishuang surged upward with the wind, soon arriving outside a secluded hall of the Floating Heavenly Palace, then landed. A child emerged from within the hall, respectfully greeted, "Master Shen, the Sect Leader invites you inside."

Shen Baishuang flicked his sleeve and casually entered the hall.

Three months ago, he broke and comprehended the profound barrier, finally stepping into the Phenomenon Realm. After achieving the rank of Cave Heaven True Master this time, Sect Leader Qin Mobai summoned him for the first time.

During these critical three major calamities, Mingcang Sect has added another Cave Heaven True Master, causing a stir across all sects. The Six Great Demon Sects had been quite active since the swordfight decades ago, but upon hearing this, they restrained themselves somewhat.

Entering inside, he saw Qin Mobai sitting upright on the Jade Platform, with mighty waves surging above him, seemingly endless. With just one glance, Shen Baishuang felt his body heavy, hurriedly lowered his head and saluted, "Greetings, Sect Leader Brother."

Qin Mobai smiled, "Brother, no need for formalities, sit down and talk."

Shen Baishuang bowed again and sat down to the side.

After exchanging pleasantries and sharing insights on cultivation, Qin Mobai then shifted the topic, "The day before yesterday, within the Ancestor Hall, the Prohibition Stele sounded by itself, indicating another seal has been broken."

Shen Baishuang’s expression remained calm; today being summoned, he had already anticipated a task to be assigned, then asked, "Sect Leader Brother, do you know where that seal is?"

Qin Mobai replied, "East Victory Continent."

Shen Baishuang pondered briefly, "Is it the place Nephew Zhang went?"

Qin Mobai nodded and smiled, "Indeed, I sent him there to find a way to remove the hidden threat. But now, with the seal broken, the Heavenly Mechanism has shifted, and the demon below seems to have signs of escaping disaster."

Shen Baishuang’s expression turned serious, "I’ve heard the ancestor master’s sealed demons are all ancient and fierce. Though Nephew Zhang’s cultivation is outstanding among his peers, I fear he might not be a match for such a Great Demon."

Qin Mobai said softly, "That’s precisely why I called you here for this matter."

Shen Baishuang asked, "Does Brother intend for me to go to East Splendor to assist?"

Qin Mobai smiled lightly, "I gave him this task with an intention to secretly assess. After you go, if he’s not in danger, you don’t need to reveal yourself, just observe how he resolves it. If he cannot cope, then you can intervene to save him."

Shen Baishuang’s expression slightly shifted, then he slowly nodded.

Currently, among the Sect’s Top Ten Disciples, those who reach the Nascent Soul Realm are all out experiencing, yet upon reviewing, Zhang Yan’s location is the most challenging.

But instead of feeling neglected, Shen Baishuang perceives the Sect Leader’s great regard for him.

Those who can attain the rank of Cave Heaven True Master are all selected from the Top Ten Disciples, yet truly few are cultivated by the Sect with full strength.

For example, regarding Shen Baishuang himself, despite being the Senior Disciple of Zhuo Yuming, his path has been fraught with difficulties.

This generation of disciples facing the three major calamities is both a trial and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, thus the elders behind them exert all their strength, creating a fierce competition.

Whoever can make great contributions to the Sect at this moment stands a chance to enter the Heavenly Gate first.

An hour later, Shen Baishuang exited Floating Heavenly Palace, glanced at the horizon, then shook his body. With a rumbling sound, a towering dharma form resembling a mountain arose, towering in the Heavenly Vault, resting atop the peaks, water swirling, clouds weaving, energy growing pure and majestic, with white rainbows floating across, thundering loudly in the sky.

When he achieved this dharma form, Qin Yu praised, "Clear as heavenly frost, echoed by the splendor of cloud and jade," hence its dharma form is named "Frost Sky Cloud Mountain." Now, only seeing this dharma form surge upward, a deafening thunder was heard as it soared beyond the clouds, majestically flying beyond the heavens.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)