Daoist Competition

After Zhang Yan had discussed matters with Ning Chongxuan and Luo Qingyu that day, he returned to his residence and shut himself in, not stepping out again. At this moment there was nothing that required his personal intervention; the lineage of master and disciple would naturally exert pressure upon the noble families. Only if the other side stubbornly refused to yield would he need to come forward and challenge Du De to a duel.

In the days that followed, he merely instructed the Disciples of his line in their cultivation, and in between he took another turn deep within Zhao You Heavenly Pond.

The Divine Beast Embryo showed no activity for the time being, still at that spot swallowing Spiritual Energy. It seemed unlikely to hatch in the short term, so he did not bother paying it any further heed.

On the morning of the fifth day, a letter suddenly arrived. After reading it, he smiled slightly, then set the letter aside. His body gave a gentle shudder as his Dharma Body emerged, leaving his fleshly body behind. A clear and limpid Rainbow Light then rose of itself, and he soared toward Dragon Abyss Marsh.

Though Flying with the Dharma Body was a shade slower than sword escape, to the eye Dao Qi overflowed, rosy clouds accompanied him and clustered around, lacking somewhat in sharp edge.

Before long, he arrived at the Elixir Cauldron Institute. On the lake surface, smooth as a polished mirror, Zhou Chongju was standing outside the cabin, already urging the boat forward to greet his guest. Zhang Yan thus transformed into light and descended; once he had landed and stood firm, he bowed with clasped hands and said, "We parted more than a hundred years ago. I wonder how you have been, Senior Brother?"

Zhou Chongju laughed and said, "Your senior brother is nothing but an Old Daoist tending the furnace, wandering about with no achievements for several centuries. What could possibly be amiss?"

At this moment he looked at Zhang Yan a few times, then suddenly gave a soft exclamation. Circling around him several times, his gaze showed much puzzlement, along with a trace of astonishment. At last he asked uncertainly, "Junior Brother, have you succeeded?"

Zhang Yan cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Thanks to the Secret Technique bestowed by Senior Brother, your junior has already achieved a First Grade Primordial True Dharma Body."

Zhou Chongju was immensely astonished and said, "Now that is strange indeed. Though I myself have never seen a Primordial True Dharma Body, within ten thousand years there have been two or three cultivators in Yuxiao who attained this method. Yet the various outward signs recorded in the books are greatly different from this Dharma Body of yours..."

He stroked his beard and pondered for a while, then asked a few more questions, but still could not grasp the key. In the end he could only ascribe this to the effect of First-class Elixir Formation.

The two exchanged a few words outside, then entered the cabin and sat down for a detailed conversation.

Zhang Yan roughly recounted his experiences in East Splendor Continent. Zhou Chongju listened, nodding repeatedly, and in the end lightly slapped the table, his expression stirred as he said, "Back then, after Master Shen returned from East Victory Continent, he made certain arrangements. Yet in your senior brother’s view, the setback suffered by the noble families this time is not due to anyone else’s merit, but rather that they were defeated at your hands, Junior Brother!"

Inwardly he was filled with emotion. This junior brother of his had formed his Nascent Soul within a hundred years, and then again, after some hundred years more, achieved the Nascent Soul. Now his lifespan had yet to reach three hundred; perhaps within his own lifetime he truly might see the day when the Zhou Clan is annihilated.

Thinking of this, he rose in excitement and took two steps before coming to a halt. Slowly turning his head, he looked toward Zhang Yan and said, "Yesterday Du De has already relinquished the seat of Ten Disciples Leader. Junior Brother, riding the wind to soar into the heavens—now is the time!"

Zhang Yan’s gaze flickered. After achieving the Nascent Soul Third Realm, he had already been pondering how he should go about attaining a Grotto Heaven.

Only, as to how he should proceed, he still understood but half of it. Now that he had reached this step, Zhou Chongju was no longer able to assist him; he could only rely upon the Mountain Gate.

Within the sect, for those ascending to the Ten Great Heads, great effort was always expended to support them, far surpassing what was given to the other nine. If he could make some achievements while in this position, or further earn great merit for the sect, that would be something beyond the ordinary.

And now that the Demon Tribulation had begun, opportunity lay right before his eyes. So long as he seized it, he would surely be able to soar up in one flight!

Just then the voice of an attendant came from outside the door, saying, "Dean, someone has come from Mystic Water Zhen Palace, saying they request True Master Zhang to come over for a talk."

Zhou Chongju said hurriedly, "It must be regarding the matter of the Ten Great Heads. Junior Brother, you should go quickly."

Zhang Yan pondered for a brief moment, then took out an item and set it upon the table, saying, "This was obtained from East Victory Continent. I ask Senior Brother to accept it."

Having spoken, he transformed into tunneling light and flew out of the Fish Boat, heading into the clouds.

Zhou Chongju picked it up for a look; it was a piece of Beautiful Jade, warm and smooth, shaped like a turtle shell, but with deep patterns on its back, appearing Mysterious to the eye. As an Alchemy Grandmaster, well-versed in the rare treasures of the Nine Provinces, he could naturally guess what this was. He could not help but sigh and say, "Junior Brother is thoughtful indeed.

Zhang Yan’s Flying took but a quarter of an hour before he arrived at Mystic Water Zhen Palace, where a Child came out to lead him to an inner room.

Qi Yuntian, robed in a Fu Bo Xuanqing Daoist Robe, sleeves fluttering, was standing upon the back of a ferocious and savage Unihorn Dragon Carp. Beneath his feet surged vast rivers and seas, and behind him stood two Maids bearing trays. Seeing Zhang Yan arrive, he smiled and said, "Junior Brother Zhang, at this moment the Demon Tribulation is upon us. The post of Ten Great Heads should be held by one who is capable. For it to be you is the most fitting."

He raised his hand, and the Maid behind him stepped down from the carp’s back, treading upon lotus blossoms as she drifted over, both hands bearing a Jade Plate. Upon it were placed a golden book and Jade Seal, the Xuan Robe Ruyi—these are tokens, and also formidable Dharma Treasures, which only the Ten Disciples Leader may employ.