Daoist Competition

The disciple received the order and left. Shortly after, he returned and said, "Sect Leader, I have found out clearly that most of those below are originally Xuanyue Sect members. The coming and going are mostly handled by them."

He Yizhu laughed and said to the dozen or so disciples on either side, "I mentioned when I arrived that these two sects have been at odds for a thousand years. Even though they now seem united, the grievances accumulated over centuries cannot be easily dispelled. Although Zhongtai appears strong, it actually harbors hidden worries, like a thousand-year-old decayed tree. The branches seem sturdy, but they are hollow inside and not to be feared."

The disciples under the sect all expressed agreement.

The elder did not speak up because he understood that these words were merely to boost morale among their own people.

In the East Victory Continent, if a sect has a Cave Heaven True Master holding fort, it can stand firmly, and judging the strength of a sect depends on two aspects: the size of its immortal city and the strength of its cultivation techniques.

The Daoist inheritance of Zhongtai was passed down by Da Mi Ancestor. Although the founding ancestor was just a child serving at his side and did not receive the complete legacy, it still surpasses many others. The only comparable in the continent is the Little Cang Realm.

Now that Zhongtai has obtained the Xuanyue Technique, who knows what it might become in a few hundred years?

The reason the three sects want to meddle with the Dragon Pillar is not solely due to hidden treasures below, but because it is rumored to hold handwritten scripts by Da Mi Ancestor. If Zhongtai obtains them and creates a Cave Heaven True Master, it could maintain its dominance for another two thousand years, suppressing the Southern Continent Three Sects. Therefore, they are trying to prevent it from happening.

At that moment, a disciple came forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Sect Leader, there are about ten people approaching from behind us—the Qingxuan Sect cultivators."

He Yizhu laughed, "Is Daoist Mao here too?"

He gently tapped, and the jade couch beneath him rose with smoke, in the blink of an eye reaching outside. He looked far away and saw a group of people approaching from ten miles away.

The leading person wore an Eight Beam Crown and a robe with eaves and elm patterns, his Cloud Shoes with square openings, with his facial features squeezed together comically. He rode on a Big Sparrow with colorful plumes. It was indeed Mao Wuwei, the Sect Leader of Qingxuan Sect.

Behind him were the sect’s three sages: Qianqing, Shan Cheng, and Master Chun Bai. Their clothes were stained and seemingly hadn’t been washed for years. They rode bald pigeons, and together with the accompanying disciples, there were only about ten people. They looked dispirited, quite shabby compared to Kuxin Sect, a miserable sight.

He Yizhu couldn’t help but find the scene amusing and said from afar, "Mao Sect Leader, what a coincidence to meet here. I have plenty of space, so why don’t you come up? It’ll shelter you from wind and rain, and we can travel together."

His words concealed a hint of ridicule, but Mao Wuwei responded with an "Oh my," and bowed, saying, "Since Sect Leader He is so enthusiastic, this Old Daoist will shamelessly comply."

Even though he said so, his face showed no embarrassment, and the three True Masters behind him happily followed suit.

The Qingxuan Sect cultivators never cared about appearances or pretenses, only practical benefits, and if they could conserve their own Qi Power, why not?

The group ascended onto the jade plate, Mao Wuwei leading the way. After landing, the Big Sparrow flapped its wings, transforming into a pretty, bashful red-dressed girl with lowered head, following closely beside him.

He Yizhu waved his sleeve, ordering the disciples to go and greet them.

After Mao Wuwei sat down, he saw various delicacies and fine wines on the table. He disregarded his status as the sect’s leader and grabbed a honey-glazed goose, devouring it heartily. After a few bites, he looked at the nearby disciples with bulging eyes and said unclearly, "What are you standing around for? The swift get, the slow don’t. Act quickly, or it’ll all be mine."

The three elders, upon hearing this, hurriedly sat down, seemingly afraid he’d eat everything, and they devoured the food ravenously. The few disciples behind them also followed suit, leaving Kuxin Sect disciples dumbfounded.

He Yizhu sneered, "Mao Sect Leader’s Daoist robe looks so fresh and sharp, it must have just been changed, right?"

Mao Wuwei laughed aloud, slammed the table, and said to the three elders behind him, "See? I said Sect Leader He would ask this. Pay up, pay up."

The three True Masters were speechless, each fumbling in their sleeve bags to take out a box of Spiritual Shells, dutifully placing them in his hands. However, when it was Master Chun Bai’s turn, he looked pained and pleaded, "Brother, can you leave me some for a coffin fund?"

Mao Wuwei snorted, reaching out without hesitation to grab it.

Then he wiped his mouth and said smugly to He Yizhu, "Just so Sect Leader He knows, this Old Daoist’s robe isn’t freshly changed."

He unwrapped his garment, revealing the inside drenched in grease, fanning it twice, which exuded a stench that made everyone cover their noses. He chuckled, "How about it? It’s just exchanged inside and out, still the same from thirty years ago when we played chess together, Sect Leader He!"

He Yizhu’s expression stiffened a bit. He now regretted inviting this Old Daoist up despite knowing his behavior, blaming himself for the only trouble he caused.

The Qingxuan Sect group ate for a whole day and night, piling dishes and cups on the table, only then slowing down.

Mao Wuwei contently patted his unchanged belly, glanced aside, and saw a disciple still gorging. He slapped him angrily and lamented, "Eat, eat, eat. With your Daoist Cultivation, how much can you eat? This was just a warm-up; there’s a grand feast coming, don’t overeat."

The disciple reluctantly put down his dishes.

Seeing them pause, He Yizhu finally breathed a sigh of relief, coughed, and said, "It’s already been so long; why haven’t we seen Sect Leader Chen yet? Mao Sect Leader, did you happen to see him on your way here?"

Mao Wuwei burped, grabbed a bamboo stick, and while picking his teeth, said, "Fellow Daoist shouldn’t forget that Mrs. Zhao is from Fengxiang Sword Sect. The two families have old ties; she has probably arrived earlier."

Upon hearing this, He Yizhu felt a sudden tightness in his heart. Although they said they were here to feast, it was actually about the Dragon Pillar. If the three sects could advance and retreat together, it would force Zhongtai to compromise. But if one sect was co-opted, it might not be good.

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)