Daoist Competition

Rong Junzhong’s mana was originally binding the mountain peak, but this mountain suddenly vanished from in front of him, as if all his strength had hit empty space. Aggrieved to the extreme, he couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan, a line of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

At that moment, he immediately realized he had shown a flaw. Having previously suffered a loss at Zhang Yan’s hands, he was now extremely vigilant. Without raising his head, he lifted his hand and summoned a colorful, magnificent Treasure Tree, adorned with jade branches and crystal leaves, golden flowers, and silver fruits. Spirit Light shimmered around, unfolding a ten-zhang Treasure Qi to protect his body within.

Just as he executed this action, a fierce sword light attacked out of nowhere, flashing swiftly into view and striking the Treasure Qi with a clang. The branches of the Treasure Tree swayed, trembling slightly, but ultimately remained unbroken.

Although he was prepared, Rong Junzhong still broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, he responded in time; had he been a moment slower, he might have been killed by the sword.

Looking at the empty space ahead, he was both amazed and secretly alarmed. With the peak moved elsewhere, the barrier blocking Zhongtai was now useless. His choices were to engage in a life-or-death battle or retreat to the back mountain to devise another plan.

His mind raced, realizing he was not yet fully prepared, and it was not the opportune moment to fight Zhang Yan with True Skill. So he decisively pulled out a Tunneling Talisman, turned his mana, and with a flash of Spirit Light, he fled back to the Mountain Realm like a shooting star.

Zhang Yan saw him retreat back into the array, and with the mountain path before him cleared, he did not pursue relentlessly. After a brief consideration, he flicked his sleeve and returned to the Pu Lao Flying Carriage.

As soon as he reached the carriage, Sect Leader Qiao led the cultivators of the sect to welcome him.

Now facing Zhang Yan, they dared not treat him as before, all being intimidated by the Divine Power he displayed.

Sect Leader Qiao cautiously flattered him with a few words and invited him to sit down before daring to sit himself. Then he cautiously asked, "True Master Zhang, I wonder what plans should be made for Zhongtai at this moment?"

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "This is a matter between your sect and Xuanyue. If Sect Leader Qiao wishes to return to Zhongtai, this humble one will safeguard everyone’s safety."

Sect Leader Qiao hesitated for a moment. To be honest, after witnessing Zhang Yan’s Divine Skills and Daoist Cultivation, he was eager to rely on his abilities to completely defeat Xuanyue. However, Zhongtai had been in a precarious situation, and thinking of defeating the opponent at this moment seemed somewhat like overreaching. He really found it hard to speak.

Elder Yan, knowing his difficulty, stepped forward and gave a deep bow to Zhang Yan, saying, "I apologize for my rudeness, but may I ask, True Master, if you could assist us at Zhongtai in defeating Xuanyue?"

Zhang Yan smiled slightly and said, "Though I have signed a Dharma Contract, having destroyed more than twenty Xuanyue Xuan Warriors, I feel no shame in accepting the offerings listed. If you wish to win this Dharma Assembly, what offerings do you plan to give me?"

He implied his willingness to continue serving as a sharp weapon for Zhongtai, but he was here with a purpose and could not exert effort in vain.

Sect Leader Qiao and his wife heard this, both revealing expressions of joy.

Since the person seeks something, it makes things easier. Zhongtai’s accumulation over thousands of years should certainly satisfy him. He immediately stood up, solemnly saying, "As long as True Master Zhang can help Zhongtai defeat Xuanyue, we will commit our entire sect’s resources to fulfill any demands."

Zhang Yan glanced at him; it was clear that Sect Leader Qiao intended to bind him to Zhongtai, but this did not contradict his own goals.

To successfully cultivate the Primordial True Dharma Body, he needed numerous Three-flavor Spirit Medicines. Relying solely on himself to gather them would barely sustain, and he sometimes found himself constrained due to unfamiliarity with East Victory’s situation. Having a Great Sect like Zhongtai present to handle matters was evidently more suitable than himself, so he nodded and said, "In that case, I accept."

Outside Mianxing Mountain.

Luo Dongchuan paced back and forth, puzzled, asking, "Why hasn’t Aunt sent out any token yet? Could something unexpected have happened?"

In his mind, with Xuanyue’s strength, Zhongtai should have long been driven to the brink of collapse, yet there was still no sign of any tokens, making him uneasy. Furthermore, with the internal and external routes sealed by the Forbidden Array, he had no way to investigate.

He wasn’t worried about his aunt’s safety but was concerned that Zhongtai might be utterly destroyed by Xuanyue, ruining the Python Clan’s grand plan.

Ancestor Hui Xuan, however, was not anxious and said in a deep voice, "Since your sect’s Dharma Talisman, regardless of Qiao Huanjuan’s plans, can still wrap her out, why be so worried, Brother Daoist?"

Luo Dongchuan curled his lips and said, "Perhaps the time is not yet ripe. Well, let’s wait a bit longer."

Ancestor Hui Xuan gazed at Mianxing Mountain, thirty miles away. For some reason, he felt he had overlooked something, but he couldn’t figure out where the problem lay. Shaking his head, he thought, "Perhaps I’m overthinking it."