Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "No matter, I have my means to subdue it."

The demon turtle had been here for thousands of years, and Daoist Ji was curious how he intended to deal with it. He cupped his hands and said, "May I be allowed to observe?"

Zhang Yan nodded slightly and released his grip, allowing the Jade Bi to float several yards away. He then spread his five fingers and aimed at one of the demon turtles, grasping downwards, causing a surge of immense spiritual power.

The demon turtle had no Dharma Treasure or the like to shield it, unable to resist his Five Elements Escape Technique. With a turn of his divine skill, it was teleported from the river onto the shore.

Daoist Ji was greatly amazed. He had heard that Zhang Yan had once moved mountains at the Dragon Pillar Ceremony and had been somewhat skeptical. Now, seeing him casually teleport a demon turtle onto the shore, he couldn’t help but sigh in secret, "Me losing to this person seems to be not unjustified after all."

The demon turtle was difficult to deal with in the river, but once out of the water, even an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator could easily subdue it. Now, with its belly facing upwards, it couldn’t flip over for a while and wailed miserably in place.

The largest demon turtle turned its head upon hearing the sound and quickly discovered Zhang Yan as the culprit. It then opened its mouth and sprayed a foul smoke towards him.

Zhang Yan stood with his hands behind his back, remained still as a circle of Gang Wind swirled around him, sweeping away the smoke. He calmly said, "I understand you can comprehend human speech. I need to borrow the turtle shell; if you possess it, bring it forward, and I shall release your kin back."

The demon turtle had already awakened its spiritual wisdom and stared at Zhang Yan with ferocity for a while before speaking in a coarse human voice, "Hope you keep your promise."

It slowly sank its large body beneath the water, and after two hours, emerged with a white shell merely a yard wide, tossing it ashore, and fixed its gaze on Zhang Yan, speaking crudely, "Brought it, release."

Daoist Ji’s expression changed upon seeing the shell, displaying a strange look.

Zhang Yan summoned the white shell to his hand, observing it, finding it as beautiful jade, crystal clear, smooth and delicate, with deeply engraved patterns resembling Erosion Text, seemingly containing subtle principles and mysteries. Although it appeared different from other turtles, its Qi Mechanism was of the same origin and wasn’t a deceit. He nodded, activated his mana, and a big hand from the Gang Cloud reached out, grabbing the demon turtle and tossing it back into the river.

The leading turtle seemed to realize the person before them was formidable, and once the demon turtle entered the water, it led its kin into hiding, never to appear again.

Daoist Ji’s Jade Bi approached, circling around the white shell in Zhang Yan’s hand, making noises of admiration.

Zhang Yan looked up and asked, "Could it be, fellow Daoist, that you recognize the origin of this item?"

Daoist Ji cupped his hands and said, "I do not recognize it, only rumors say that among the demon turtles there exists a Jade Turtle, the ancestor of all turtles, whose size is unknown, but it lies in the heart of the river, suppressing the Five Dragon Earth Spirits. When it moves, mountains shake, and the earth trembles, flooding the land. This ancient turtle sheds its shell once every thousand years; obtaining it can extend life by a hundred years, but no one has ever seen it. This item resembles white jade and might be left by it."

Zhang Yan said, "Since no one has seen it, how can we know this is left by the Jade Turtle? The saying about extending life might also be a mere rumor."

Daoist Ji quickly responded, "Indeed, True Master, what you say makes sense."

Zhang Yan chuckled, retrieving the Jade Bi and placing it along with the turtle shell into his sleeve, preparing to return to the Divine House.

At that moment, a Flying Book came from a distance, reaching him shortly. He caught it, removed the seal, and unfolded the letter, furrowing his brow slightly, his expression revealing a hint of gravity.

The matter mentioned in the letter could not be ignored. After pondering for some time, he made his decision, soared into the sky, flying toward the Li Nan Dragon Pillar.

Chen Kingdom Nanwu Mountain, Gantang Temple.

Dean Wu Suquan sat in the great hall, looking at the three young disciples standing below the steps, and said, "As you head north to the Li Sect, you must remember to act cautiously, avoid trouble, and even if wronged, endure it, don’t disappoint the hopes of your teachers and elders."

The leading disciple bowed and said, "The dean’s decree, disciples would not dare forget."

Wu Suquan was very satisfied and after some commendation, said, "Then all of you go back and prepare."

The three disciples knelt and kowtowed before exiting the hall.

Wu Suquan sighed, "Wu Song has a steady temperament and good aptitude, very hard to come by, and the other two aren’t bad either. It wasn’t easy to find these three in such a short time, it must have been tough for you, junior brother."

Shen Chuyu didn’t dare take credit, and slightly bowed, saying, "Aside from not accounting for the Hua Dan disciples, only these three possess the temperament and aptitude suitable to inherit the sect’s Daoist inheritance."

Wu Suquan was extremely pleased and said, "What does Master Zhang say?"

Shen Chuyu quickly replied, "It’s all arranged; Master Zhang will depart north tomorrow."

Wu Suquan pondered and said, "Too hasty."

Shen Chuyu smiled and said, "Master Zhang isn’t of our temple, he came to collect the poison miasma, which has now dissipated. Master Zhang naturally has no desire to linger here."

Wu Suquan sighed, "Leaving early is good; although the envoy hasn’t stated it explicitly, I feel he harbors ill intent when looking at Master Zhang."

Shen Chuyu was stunned, standing up, "Could it be the envoy intends harm to Master Zhang?"

Wu Suquan smiled bitterly and said, "The upper sect will not allow the sealing matter to be leaked in the slightest. Master Zhang has stayed here so long; it’s fine if he doesn’t leave. If he does leave, the envoy will undoubtedly obstruct him."

Shen Chuyu panicked and said, "Then what to do? If the envoy orders against Master Zhang..." He shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, Master Zhang has graced our entire sect; harming him is not an option."

Wu Suquan, usually soft-spoken, was very composed now and said, "Junior brother, tomorrow I’ll host a banquet for the envoy to keep him occupied. That would give Master Zhang a chance to escape. Once out of Gantang Temple, Shang Qingjun is stationed here and where could they seek him? Just perform the act well and it’ll be fine."

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)