Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow. He was well aware that True Master Tao was deliberately speaking up to help him this time.

Shen Baishuang scattered Zheng Weixing’s dharma form, causing the Han Yuan Sect and Zhongtai to be at odds, unable to maintain their past friendship, let alone harmony with the Southern Three Sects. As such, he had to find another way to seek medicine.

If he explained the circumstances to Shen Baishuang, it would seem like he was blaming her for meddling, but since True Master Tao pointed it out, Shen Baishuang, as his elder, would not ignore it for the sake of face and would definitely plan for him.

Shen Baishuang looked at Zhang Yan with a gentle expression and said, "Nephew Zhang, this time you did well by not relying on the Mountain Gate to refine the Heavenly Demon. If the Sect Leader knows, he will surely be pleased."

In recent days, Zhang Yan, talking with True Master Tao, had vaguely thought that a Cave Heaven True Master would come here, which was not difficult to predict. If the prohibition of the Guo Monarch was broken, Sect Leader Qin Mobai would certainly notice. This place is different from the prohibition in East Splendor Continent, and likely will send people to investigate. To prevent any mishaps, he said, "Several days ago, a natural phenomenon occurred. I suppose it was Uncle’s doing?"

Shen Baishuang replied lightly, "Exactly, they seemed to have ill intentions. How could the Mingcang Disciples be bullied by others?"

Initially, when he saw Zheng Weixing behaving strangely and wandering around, he only watched coldly without any intention to act. After all, Cave Heaven True Masters were not mortal enemies, and unless it was a dead-end situation, they rarely fought.

But later, when Gan Shouting and Hang Yu Yan both came, once the three joined forces, the threat would increase significantly, so he decisively struck, knocking Zheng Weixing down, which also served to intimidate the two from Southern Continent.

As he anticipated, Gan and Hang retreated when the situation turned unfavorable, and they did not venture northward again.

Zhang Yan understood that when Shen Baishuang referred to the Mingcang Disciples, he was really only talking about the Top Ten Disciples, including himself.

Perhaps in his eyes, only these ten were truly considered disciples of the sect, and if ordinary juniors were present, they might not even warrant a glance, let alone have him stand up for them.

At this moment, a thought crossed his mind, and he intentionally asked, "Uncle, since you have fought with the Cave Heaven Cultivators of this continent, how do they compare with our Mingcang?"

Shen Baishuang replied casually, "Their accomplishments cannot be compared with our Mingcang."

He glanced at Zhang Yan and added, "Right now, you just need to cultivate patiently. Someday, you will understand."

Zhang Yan’s eyes flashed slightly, and he stepped back with a bow, saying, "Thank you, Uncle, for your guidance."

He was now certain that Sect Leader Qin had set this challenge for him, likely with a mind to test him, and it might even involve a position in the Cave Heaven. Shen Baishuang also seemed to have grasped his idea and thus gave him a vague response.

Shen Baishuang looked at the Earth Fire Sky Furnace and said, "This Earth Furnace connects directly to the Earth Lungs, with few places like it in the East Splendor Continent. Unfortunately, your Daoist Cultivation is still shallow, and you can’t yet draw up the Kunyuan True Fire. I traveled to East Victory Continent hundreds of years ago and am returning to old places this time, so I will stay in your Cave Mansion for a few days to help you tidy up here."

Zhang Yan was overjoyed, stepping back and bowing, saying, "In that case, nephew will thank Uncle in advance."

Shen Baishuang laughed, raised his sleeve, and a Clear Qi lifted them both, flying west.

Earlier, their battle with the Guo Monarch left many ruins in Divine House Mountain, with ridges overturned and mountains collapsed. As there was still miasma poison outside, original sect mountain gates there were devoid of beasts and birds, vegetation rotted.

Fortunately, all sects had received early notice, either hid or stayed at Han Yuan Sect, and True Master Tao deliberately avoided these places while setting arrays, so they were not affected.

However, everyone was unsure of the outcome of this battle, and vigilance remained high everywhere, with prohibitions not lifted.

On a Dharma Platform, Chu Muran paced anxiously, worriedly saying, "The Sect Leader has been away for so many days and still hasn’t returned. I wonder what the outcome is."

Zhao Ge said, "Since there’s no disturbance outside, perhaps everything is fine."

Wen Liang added loudly, "Since Sect Leader managed to invite Cave Heaven True Masters for help, what is there to worry about? Moreover, wherever that Great Demon passes, all creatures perish. I don’t believe the Cave Heaven True Masters of East Victory Continent would let it rampage."

Chu Muran said, "The junior brother speaks reasonably."

Suddenly, a Flying Talisman floated slowly from Heaven. He received it in shock, glanced at it, and excitedly said, "It’s the Sect Leader’s talismanic script, summoning me to meet him."

Wen Liang, excited, said, "Has the Sect Leader returned to the mountain? Then surely he has defeated the Heavenly Demon. But why hasn’t the prohibition been lifted?"

Chu Muran put away the talismanic script and said, "I suppose the senior brother has other arrangements, no need to say more. Both junior brothers, follow me to the peak."

The three did not alarm anyone else and, after leaving the Dharma Platform, went up to the peak, seeing the cave entrance open but no one standing to the side, feeling puzzled.

When they entered, they raised their heads but saw someone standing in the Cave Mansion, eyes bright as stars, spirit clear and handsome, looking quite familiar.

Chu Muran stood stunned, then his body trembled with emotion uncontrollable, rushed forward, fell in front of him, and kowtowed desperately, crying, "What fortune for this disciple, never thought to see Master’s face again in my lifetime."

His voice choked, unable to speak clearly, while Wen Liang and Zhao Ge also knelt, continuously kowtowing, tears streaming, losing their usual composure.

Shen Baishuang sighed and said, "Get up, it’s been hard on you all."

The three respectfully kowtowed three times before standing up as instructed.

Shen Baishuang said, "I came by the order of the sect and can’t stay long. Originally, my disciples were few, would you three like to take disciples and return with me?"

Chu Muran and Zhao Ge were overjoyed, nodding repeatedly, "Willing, willing."

Only Zhao Ge hesitated, saying, "Master, Brother Zhang initially came alone. If younger brothers and I leave, isn’t it inappropriate for the sect to suddenly lose so many useful hands?"

...

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