Daoist Competition

As Overcoming Primordial Monarch aggressively attacked the Fengxiang Sword Sect simultaneously, a grand spiritual mechanism descended upon Divine House Mountain, causing all cultivators in the mountain to almost instinctively sense the presence.

Though unable to discern if the newcomers were enemies or friends, and unsure of their purpose, facing this nearly irresistible vast momentum, almost everyone was seized with fear and unease.

Chu Muran and three elders sensed something amiss, urgently hurried to the peak to seek Zhang Yan, but upon reaching the mountaintop, they saw Song Chuyuan and Tang Jin, two True Masters, already there, with similarly troubled expressions.

They quickly stepped forward to greet them, Chu Muran, with sweat streaming down his forehead, whispered: "Do the two True Masters know who the incoming person is?"

Song and Tang both shook their heads.

At this moment, a rumbling sound was heard, and the Stone Gate of the Cave Mansion slowly opened. Zhang Yan stepped out leisurely from within, his demeanor calm and composed. He glanced around, capturing everyone’s expressions in his eyes, and smiled: "No need to panic, the person outside the mountain is an honored guest I have invited. You all should return to guard your own gates."

Chu Muran and others exchanged astonished glances. If there was no mistake, the person outside the mountain should be a Cave Heaven True Master. Unexpectedly, even such a figure could be invited by the Sect Leader, yet thinking about Zhang Yan’s background, they suddenly felt relieved, all bowing and retreating obediently.

After they left, Zhang Yan flicked his sleeves and drove the Gang Wind upwards, heading into Heaven. Reaching the sky, he paused and clasped his hands in salute, saying: "Sect Leader Tao, greetings."

In front of him, the Cloud Mist slowly opened, revealing a young Daoist with the appearance of a maiden and eyes like bright stars, riding a green phoenix in the sky, with sleeves fluttering, ethereal like an immortal, with dharma forms faintly appearing behind, resembling Flood Dragons and Heavenly Cranes, soaring and flying. Spiritual energy converged into streams of silver flowing like jade rivers, hanging like drips, and sounded like streams flowing gently in a quiet valley.

He returned the salute with a smile, saying: "Greetings, Daoist Zhang. After receiving your letter, Tao immediately hastened here, not knowing if I arrived late?"

Zhang Yan laughed heartily: "Not late, it’s just right. I have prepared water wine in the cool pavilion, and I invite True Master to grace us with your presence."

True Master Tao waved the Ruyi in his hand, causing the green phoenix to flutter down, and he descended with Zhang Yan to Cangzhu Peak, reaching a cool pavilion where they took seats as host and guest.

After settling down, the two initially discussed events since their last meeting, and Zhang Yan then briefly described the current situation in East Victory Continent.

True Master Tao nodded and said: "Before I came the other day, I used the Qi Observation Method and saw the Southern Land of this continent filled with demon energy soaring to the sky. What Daoist friend said appears true; there is a Great Demon born here. However, when I observed again yesterday, I saw that this demon did not come to you but headed east instead. Just now, I see a substantial amount of Clear Qi entangled with it, clearly in intense contention."

Zhang Yan was slightly surprised. Holding four Lifebound Primordial Pearls with the Overcoming Origin Bead, he expected that after being freed, it would surely come to seek him out. Thus, upon its departure day, he sent a Flying Book to the Qingyu Sect, inviting True Master Tao to come to safeguard the situation for complete assurance.

However, judging by the current circumstances, it seems somewhat unexpected that instead of seeking him, the opposing side went to trouble the Fengxiang Sword Sect first.

True Master Tao laughed: "Do not doubt, fellow Daoist. This may be due to my presence."

Seeing Zhang Yan casting a searching look, he then explained: "Among us exists the Qi Observation Method, making it extremely difficult to obscure our tracks during travels. However, although I have concealed my presence with spells, listening to your words, that demon possesses an extraordinary origin, perhaps having other means to discern my whereabouts here."

Zhang Yan contemplated for a moment, believing this to be highly likely.

If Overcoming Primordial Monarch discovered True Master Tao here, then facing a Cave Heaven True Master no matter where he went, it would be better just to seize the pearls nearby.

True Master Tao suddenly turned his head, focusing toward the south, and said: "Just now, two more strands of Qi Mechanism not weaker than this person moved there."

Zhang Yan pondered briefly and understood, saying: "The Southern Three Sects are close allies, facing difficulties together; with the Fengxiang Sword Sect attacked, it seems the True Masters from the other two sects went to assist."

True Master Tao, however, expressed skepticism, shaking his head: "If Overcoming Primordial Monarch truly is that Heavenly Demon, one more person or less makes little difference."

Zhang Yan asked in surprise: "Why is that?"

True Master Tao replied: "Daoist friend knows Tao initially was a Nanhua Disciple. This sect excels in subduing demons, and numerous literature records that Heavenly Demons have robust bodies, difficult to destroy, and with Primordial Pearls for Avoiding Tribulation, without Supreme Treasures, they are genuinely hard to subdue."

Zhang Yan knew little about Heavenly Demons, and upon hearing this, he inquired in detail, and True Master Tao answered openly. After listening, Zhang Yan seemed thoughtful, stood up, and gazed at the boundless mountain ranges, contemplatively.

True Master Tao, thinking he worried about the difficulty in taming this demon, said: "Daoist Zhang need not worry. On this journey, I brought the Essence Prisoning Pot, and with your Mountain Gate Formation as a reliance, though there is no guarantee to destroy this demon, defeating it is also not difficult."