Daoist Competition

Shen Baishuang said in a low voice, "It’s inconvenient for me to stay here for long. After the Earth Fire Sky Furnace I promised you is refined, I must leave. If you have any requests, inform me, and I will address them before my departure."

Zhang Yan understood that although True Master Tao helped him before leaving, Shen Baishuang, as a Cave Heaven True Master, would not truly intervene in everything. The assistance he could offer was limited. The key was how to leverage his influence to stabilize the situation in the East Victory Continent, preventing further changes, and allowing him to cultivate peacefully.

However, he already had a plan in mind, so he said, "In a few days, Martial Uncle, I may have to trouble you."

Shen Baishuang replied, "I know you’re someone with your own ideas, so I won’t ask what you plan to do. I’ll be staying in the mountains these couple of days; make sure to seize the opportunity."

Zhang Yan bowed, then descended from the peak, heading towards a palace halfway up the mountain. As soon as he entered the hall, he felt a slight tremor in his sleeve. A young military officer with a short beard emerged, glaring at him, and said, "Are you a disciple of True Person Taiming?"

Zhang Yan asked with interest, "Oh? Your Excellency recognizes our sect’s Ancestor Master?"

The young officer seemed to recall something terrifying, shivered slightly, and said harshly, "So what if you’re a descendant of Taiming? I’m not afraid! Don’t expect me to serve you as my master, though I wouldn’t mind if it were that Shen fellow."

Zhang Yan laughed, "Our previous agreement still stands. If you’re willing to join Junior Master Shen, I won’t stop you."

The young officer seemed to struggle for a while, then said with a pursed lip, "Fine, even though your Daoist cultivation is lacking, I dislike being subjugated. At least, it’s more comfortable with you." With that, he transformed into a clear light and slipped into Zhang Yan’s sleeve, vanishing from sight.

Zhang Yan thought about it for a moment, shook his head with amusement, and strode towards the back of the temple. After a hundred steps, he reached a spacious Cave Mansion, cast a spell, and called Jing You from outside, saying, "Go invite True Master Du here."

Jing You bowed and departed immediately.

Shortly after, Du Shixun arrived in the Cave Mansion, walking briskly up to greet him loudly, "True Master Zhang."

Zhang Yan met him with a bow, "True Master Du, I must thank you for your support."

Du Shixun appeared slightly embarrassed, "Ashamed, I didn’t really provide much help."

He had arrived at Han Yuan Gate before the Guo Monarch’s arrival, but against such an Ancient Great Demon, he was powerless, so he assisted in protecting the Dharma Platform Forbidden Array without ever seeing even the silhouette of the Heavenly Demon.

Zhang Yan bowed earnestly, "I appreciate your willingness to stand with Han Yuan, regardless of the result. It’s already a great help."

Du Shixun felt his face flush even more, quickly returning the bow, "I don’t understand how my father thinks, refusing to send aid no matter what."

Zhang Yan laughed, "True Master misunderstood. I didn’t mean any irony. It’s human nature to seek good fortune and avoid calamity. After all, the Guo Monarch is an Ancient Sky Demon, even Cave Heaven True Masters have no guarantee against them. When you return, True Master Du, please convey to Sect Leader Qiao that I understand his difficulties as a sect leader."

Seeing this, Du Shixun breathed a sigh of relief, "As long as True Master Zhang doesn’t mind."

They exchanged a few more words, and seeing Zhang Yan intended to end the conversation, Du Shixun bade farewell and left. He glanced at the Cave Mansion and then at the peak, thinking to himself, "True Master Zhang isn’t cultivating in his own Cave Mansion. Perhaps True Master Tao hasn’t left yet?" Shaking his head, he thought, "I won’t bother with this anymore; better return to the sect and inform father of the situation."

With a lift of his body, a roaring sound, he transformed into a Star Fire and disappeared into the clouds.

Watching him leave, Zhang Yan thought that if nothing unexpected happened, this place at Zhongtai could hold steady for the time being.

With Zheng Weixing, the Cave Heaven True Master, gone, the sect should realize that facing the Southern Three Sects alone offers no chance of victory. The choices left are merely two: to join the Python Clan or to continue befriending Han Yuan.

However, the Python Clan is ultimately not of the same kind, and aligning with them could easily give the Southern Three Sects a pretext for attack, making this a poor choice.

Han Yuan, on the other hand, has the backing of a Cave Heaven True Master. A slight show of goodwill, indicating no grudge for their lack of aid, should guide them in making the right choice.

Zhang Yan’s eyes flickered with thought, "Next is the Southern Three Sects."

Unlike Han Yuan, each of the Southern Three Sects has a Cave Heaven True Master. If not handled well, once Shen Baishuang departs, they might become restless again or even incite the Python Clan against him.

However, from the Guo Monarch incident, it’s clear that these three sects aren’t as united as they seem.

Fengxiang and Kuxin Sects lost nearly twenty Nascent Soul cultivators to the Guo Monarch, drastically weakening them. If their Cave Heaven True Masters refuse to stand up for them, they would be powerless to advance north. Strategies could be devised to suppress them, while efforts could be made to win over the Qingxuan Sect.

Yet, these three sects have had no conflicts with Han Yuan in the past, and on the surface, relations are amicable. They even once secured a True Treasure together. Regardless of their intentions later, they have never acted against Han Yuan. Thus, attacking them directly would seem unreasonable, necessitating a suitable excuse.

Zhang Yan took out a letter from his sleeve with a slight smile. This was sent by Wu Suquan, the Dean of Gantang Temple, expressing the wish for his entire sect to join Han Yuan. However, due to fear of being hunted by the Fengxiang Sword Sect, he dared not show himself and is currently hiding with Zhang Boyant in the outer sea. This situation can be leveraged.

...

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