Daoist Competition

Quan Cong, the old Daoist, took out a golden mirror and reflected it against a seal, then begged forgiveness before entering the rear hall. He said to a disciple, "Go and tell Lady Lian that someone is carrying the Sect Leader’s personal seal and wants to enter the treasury to retrieve something. Ask her how to handle this?"

The Zhongtai Sect went to Mianxing for a battle**, all Nascent Soul cultivators have left the mountain gate, leaving only the second-generation disciples to guard it. However, with Master Zheng presiding here, no one dares to provoke trouble.

In the sect, everything mundane is left to Sect Leader Qiao’s favorite concubines, and among those concubines, Lian Murong’s cultivation is the highest. Recently, she broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm. Quan Cong knew she is shrewd and wanted to please her, so he sent a disciple to inquire.

Xisheng Mountain, Warm Stove Pavilion, melodious music drifted out from within; its sound was pleasing to the ear, layered like jade waves piling snow, soothing and comforting the heart.

After the piece ended, Elder You clapped and said, "Lady Lian has entered the Nascent Soul Realm this time, I did not expect even her musical skills to have greatly improved."

Lady Lian was exceedingly pleased by his praise. She waved her hand and smiled lightly, saying, "That was all thanks to the excellent Gang Ying Elder You sent on the ship. Elder You, your kindness, I will remember in my heart."

Elder You looked at her but intentionally sighed, saying, "It’s a pity, a pity."

Lady Lian asked curiously, "What is a pity?"

Elder You said, "I pity that if Lady Lian had reached the Nascent Soul earlier, she could have aided Mrs. Zhao in the Dragon Pillar Battle, offering Sect Leader Qiao some relief."

At the mention of Mrs. Zhao, Lady Lian hummed softly, "Zhao Ru is not from our Chu Kingdom. She won favor from the master simply by having a good son. But now I’ve achieved the Nascent Soul; I’m not inferior to her."

While the two were talking, a maid entered to report, "Lady, Daoist Quan Cong sent a disciple to see you on urgent matters."

Quan Cong is Sect Leader Qiao’s second apprentice, yet his talent is poor; after hundreds of years, he is still only in the first realm of Hua Dan. But being from a great clan of the Chu Kingdom, and owing to familial ties, Lady Lian chose not to offend him, saying, "Let that person come in."

After a short while, the disciple entered the hall, saluted, and without waiting for a question, he explained his purpose.

Lady Lian was surprised and said, "The master’s personal token? Your master must not make a mistake."

The disciple said, "The sect leader’s token has been verified by my master; it is authentic."

Lady Lian questioned, "Since it’s to retrieve something from the treasury, why not send our sect’s disciple? Who is that person? Have you found out?"

Quan Congzi replied, "When the disciple came, I had inquired. That person’s name is Zhang, he’s the master from Cangzhu Peak’s Han Yuan Sect in West Divine House, and for this Dragon Pillar Meeting, he was recruited by True Master Du."

"You’re saying that person is Zhang Daoist from Divine House Mountain?"

Lady Lian first showed surprise, then a cold glint appeared in her beautiful eyes, and she laughed coldly in her heart, thinking: "That Zhang Daoist once disrespected me, and now he happens to fall into my hands. It’s better to find a reason and teach him a lesson, to vent my anger!"

But the token is Sect Leader Qiao’s personal item; she was without reason to obstruct it. After considering long and hard, she couldn’t find a way, so she looked towards Elder You under the seat, saying, "Elder You, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

Elder You knew her intention but said, "I’m just an outsider; how can I discuss matters of your sect?"

Lady Lian said displeased, "When I ask you to speak, you speak."

Elder You spoke profoundly, "Now is the Dragon Pillar Ceremony, an extraordinary time. Lady should inquire more for a few days, lest a mistake occurs in the future, making it difficult to explain to the sect."

Lady Lian’s eyes brightened and instructed the disciple, "You return to Quan Cong and tell him whatever Zhang Daoist wants, you evade by saying it’s hard to find today and tomorrow, then from tomorrow on, indefinitely, so he never gets his hands on it. Do you understand?"

The disciple agreed and left the pavilion.

Lady Lian started feeling uneasy, holding the Sect Leader’s token as if Sect Leader personally visited. Engaging in such manipulation carried significant consequences.

But then she thought again; now that she achieved Nascent Soul cultivation, Sect Leader would only protect her, not care about trivial matters. Even if questioned later, she could insist she knew nothing about it.

The disciple soon returned to Rhinoceros Peak, relayed Lady Lian’s words in their entirety to Quan Cong. The old Daoist understood immediately.

He paced out and reached Zhang Yan outside the hall, respectfully saying, "Daoist, the token has been verified, indeed Sect Leader’s token. Previously, there was neglect; I beg your forgiveness. But may I know what Daoist intends to retrieve this time?"

Zhang Yan smiled and pulled out the list of gifts he carried.

Quan Cong took the list and examined it, his brow deeply furrowed, sighing incessantly.

Zhang Yan glanced at him and asked, "Why, does fellow Daoist Quan Cong face difficulty?"

Quan Cong shook the list and explained apologetically, "For Daoist’s information, the treasury is extensive, these Spiritual Medicines usually aren’t retrieved, and their whereabouts are unknown. They can’t be located immediately and might require Daoist to wait several days."

Zhang Yan asked, "How many days might it take?"

Quan Cong shook his head and replied, "Impossible to say, impossible to say. As soon as one or two days, at most five or six days, if they can’t be found, perhaps ten days to half a month."

Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "When I set out, Sect Leader Qiao said, relying on this token, anything in the treasury is accessible to me. Since Spiritual Medicines are difficult to find, there’s no need for fellow Daoist to worry; I shall retrieve everything myself."

After saying that, he shook the token, instantly suppressing all prohibitions in the hall.

Then he shrugged his shoulder, and a light emerged from behind him, suddenly torrents flowed, waves surged, the entire Bull Horn Palace was engulfed, and with a leap, he transformed into a brilliant rainbow, flying out to the heavens, disappearing in an instant.

Quan Cong, the old Daoist, stared dumbfounded at the empty mountain, and after a long moment, he screamed loudly, falling backward onto the ground.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)