Daoist Competition

The giant man shook his head, opened his eyes in confusion, and stared at the person in front of him. After a while, he realized it was someone he knew, and said, "He’s here, he’s here. Yesterday, Master ruined a batch of Elixir Pills, he’s in a very foul mood, Old Daoist, you’d best not provoke him."

Ancestor Hui Xuan grumbled and ignored him. He walked straight to the thatched hut but dared not get too close. Keeping a distance of ten or so zhang, he called out loudly, "Is Ji Daoist here?"

After a short while, a ghastly white chilly wind blew out from inside, condensing into a gray-robed scholar. This person appeared to be in his forties, with a cold expression and slightly frosty sideburns. He glanced at Ancestor Hui Xuan with an extremely unfriendly look and said, "What do you want?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan bowed and said, "How have you been lately, fellow Daoist?"

Daoist Ji sneered and said, "What’s good? Just waiting to die." He sized him up and stepped aside, "Come in and sit."

Ancestor Hui Xuan bowed again, entered the thatched hut, glanced around, and sat down on a clean rattan chair.

Two expressionless white-clad women emerged from the inner room, bringing a steaming cup of fragrant tea.

Daoist Ji said impatiently, "Speak, what is it? I’m still busy refining medicine, I have no time for idle chatter."

Ancestor Hui Xuan paused for a moment and said, "I wish to ask fellow Daoist to help me deal with someone."

Daoist Ji asked, "Who?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan did not conceal anything and recounted everything Zhang Yan had done since arriving in East Victory Continent. Finally, he formally clasped his hands and said, "This person poses a hindrance to my path, he must be eliminated. I implore fellow Daoist to assist me."

Master Ji’s face grew solemn and he asked, "Who is this person?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan replied, "This person is not originally from our East Victory Continent, but a visitor from the Outer Continent. Master Ji need not worry about vengeance. This person possesses many Mystical Artifacts; it’s said he has three to four of them. If fellow Daoist could..."

Before he could finish, Daoist Ji interrupted with a wave of his hand, "These tales might deceive the young, but there’s no need to flatter me. Speak plainly, what benefit do I gain by helping you this time?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan remained silent for a moment before saying, "At our stage, one seeks a Dharma technique to achieve a Grotto Heaven. Though I’ve found an opportunity, I cannot disclose it to fellow Daoist, but I can point you in a clear direction, should you choose to take it."

Daoist Ji said, "Speak, let me hear it."

Ancestor Hui Xuan gravely said, "Under the Dragon Pillar in the Northern East Victory lies a volume of Daoist Books recorded by the Da Mi Ancestor. Currently, Zhongtai is in the process of breaking its Prohibition, I can assist you in acquiring it ahead of them."

Ji Ren snickered and said, "The Da Mi Daoist Books, if the matter is this easy, why not take it yourself? Why inform me?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan seriously responded, "I am the State Preceptor of the Chu Kingdom, having roots and obligations, and indebted to True Master He’s kindness. It’s not my wish to fall out with Zhongtai."

But Daoist Ji stared at him, chuckling, "No, it’s not that you can’t take it, but rather that you can’t be certain whether there is a Daoist Book under the Dragon Pillar, am I right?" Without waiting for Hui Xuan to reply, he smiled mysteriously, "Even so, I can agree to it."

Hearing this, Ancestor Hui Xuan was full of suspicion. Could there really be something unknown to him beneath the Dragon Pillar?

At this time, Daoist Ji asked again, "You say the two of us are not certain to win, where will you find the other person?"

Even though East Victory Continent is vast, there are but a handful of Nascent Soul Third Realm Cultivators, all notable and renowned. He knows a few, all are in the Southern Three Sects, none would side with them.

Ancestor Hui Xuan tapped his Ruyi on the table, and three words floated out. Daoist Ji glanced at them, squinting his eyes, and said, "Little Cang Realm."

Divine House Mountain, Cangzhu Peak.

More than ten days after Zhang Yan returned to the Mountain Gate, Song Chuyuan and the Limping Daoist also returned to the Han Yuan Sect, while Zhang Boyant’s whereabouts remained unknown.

After entering the Mountain Gate, they went to the peak to visit Zhang Yan.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Yan invited the two to sit and said, "In a few days, I will be going into seclusion for cultivation. I’ll have to rely on you two fellow Daoists to take care of guarding the Mountain Gate."

Song Chuyuan hurriedly said, "We wouldn’t dare fail such important trust from the True Master."

The Limping Daoist also said, "Divine House Mountain stands unyielding in the north, possessing daunting mountains and turbulent rivers, now further shielded by prohibitions. If we fail in our guard, we dare not face the True Master again."

Zhang Yan nodded. With these two guarding the Mountain Gate, and with the help of the Forbidden Array, even if an enemy came, they would be able to handle it.

He spent three days settling the sect’s affairs, then summoned Fu Baoxing to teach him the method of Opening Meridians and Breaking Through. Afterward, he sealed the Cave Mansion to begin secluded cultivation.

First, he checked his stock of Spiritual Medicine, carefully inspecting each portion. After verifying them, with a flick of his sleeve, he threw them all into the furnace in front of him, then used Mana to ignite the furnace flames.

This round of refining medicine took quite a while, approximately thirty days later, the furnace roiled and boiled violently, turbulent Qi Waves surged like tides.

Zhang Yan’s expression was solemn. This was an extremely crucial step before refining pill. A mistake wouldn’t render previous efforts wasted, but the efficacy of the medicine would be greatly reduced. He calmed his mind, stabilizing the furnace flames.

After another six days, a great crashing sound erupted within the Cave Mansion. The furnace lid shattered into pieces, and a surge of pure Mystical Qi burst forth, carrying with it dozens of Elixir Pills.

Zhang Yan’s eyes gleamed with brilliance. With a commanding voice and a flick of his sleeve, he captured them all. Opening his palm, he saw dozens of pristine jade-like fruits suspended in midair, totaling sixty-six.

Not counting previous acquisitions, these White Moon Ying Fruits could sustain his cultivation for sixty-six years.

To achieve the Primordial True Dharma Body, the amount was still insufficient. However, given Zhongtai’s willingness to search for the Three-flavor Spirit Medicine for him, he could spare much effort.

Without hesitation, he nudged a White Moon Ying Fruit into the Gang Cloud, drew in the Junyang Essence, allowing the two energies to merge and gently imbibe into his body.

After refining the first one, he continued without pause, refining the second, then the third, and the fourth. After refining twenty-five, golden radiance surged within his body, lavishly shining, with golden light emanating from every facial orifice. An ethereal mist hovered above his head, with three clusters of Gang Cloud gradually converging, faintly exhibiting signs of merging into one.

...

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