Daoist Competition

As Elder Jin fled towards the Jade Plate, he heard another loud noise behind him, causing his body to tremble involuntarily. He didn’t need to look to know that those left behind would not be fortunate.

Yet, his tunneling light showed no signs of stopping, and soon he re-entered the Jade Plate, his face full of guilt as he came before He Yizhu. He knelt down and confessed, "Sect Leader, Shang Qingjun somehow found a powerful Dharma Treasure. I was ineffective and no match for him."

Having lost two elders consecutively, and with Elder Jin fleeing without a fight, He Yizhu’s expression was unpleasant. Yet, this was not the time for blame. He helped Elder Jin up and consoled him, "I saw it myself; it’s not the elder’s fault."

Elder Jin stood up and cupped his hands, "Sect Leader, this person is truly difficult to contend with, not to mention he might have hidden allies. This location is merely two days away from the Mountain Gate. Perhaps we should return and discuss our strategy then."

He Yizhu was already thinking the same, but due to his position, he couldn’t voice it. At this moment, upon hearing Jin’s suggestion, he had a pretext to act. He slammed the table and declared, "Damn it! If only I had brought the Mixed Sky Elixir, I wouldn’t fear him!"

This was no exaggeration. The Mixed Sky Elixir was the sect’s treasure, crafted by the founding ancestor master himself. With this treasure, he dared to fight Shang Qingjun. But for this journey, an elder had borrowed it to suppress a Pill Furnace, so he hadn’t brought it with him.

Suddenly, both felt a tremor underfoot, accompanied by rumbling sounds. The Four Seas Jade Plate shook again—clearly, Shang Qingjun was launching another assault.

He Yizhu snorted, moving his spell, which caused star constellation figures to appear on the Four Seas Jade Plate, evolving into a Forbidden Array. Layers of dense, light clouds surged forth, quickly enveloping everything, stabilizing shortly after.

He brandished the Jade Ruler, about to steer the Jade Plate away, when he heard a voice from below, "Sect Leader He, come out to meet me, or I’ll kill all your disciples."

He Yizhu froze for a moment, then his eyes were filled with rage.

Accompanying him weren’t just three elders but also hundreds of disciples. Generally, even when East Victory Sect’s factions clashed, low-level disciples weren’t troubled. Unexpectedly, Shang Qingjun used them as a threat. At this juncture, He Yizhu had no choice but to face him. In a cold voice, he said, "Elder Jin, you take charge of the Array Pivot, while I go meet him personally."

Elder Jin was frantic, grabbed his sleeve, and tried to dissuade him, "Sect Leader, you mustn’t!"

He Yizhu shook him off impatiently, "No need to say more; hundreds of disciples are at risk here. How can I sit by idly?"

If it were anyone else, faced with a sudden formidable enemy, they might choose to preserve themselves and retreat. But as a sect master, knowing his disciples were in danger, he’d lose face and credibility if not addressing it—he couldn’t remain in his position further.

Elder Jin understood this, and reluctantly offered, "Sect Leader, be extremely cautious of his Dharma Treasure."

He Yizhu nodded, "Elder Jin, you’re overly worried. I have the Shanxiang Elixir for protection. Even if I’m overpowered, I can escape."

He raised his finger, sending forth an elixir pill resembling a pearl, enshrining it above.

The elixir emerged, rapidly spinning, cascading streams of jade-colored light that enveloped him fully. Brandishing the Jade Ruler, he soared downwards from the Jade Plate.

Upon reaching below, He Yizhu turned and looked, seeing those disciples enveloped in a yellow mist, resembling insects in cocoons. Suppressing his rage, he voiced gravely, "Shang Qingjun, why do you attack my carriage, kill my disciples? Do you intend to provoke war between our sects?"

Shang Qingjun, confronted, remained calm, extending his hand with a gesture of wanting, "Hand over the Primordial Pearl, and I’ll spare your disciples."

He Yizhu tightened his gaze at Shang Qingjun, "So that’s why. You came for the Treasure Bead. If I refuse to hand it over?"

While speaking, he discreetly took a Copper Vase from his Sleeve Bag and concealed it within.

Shang Qingjun raised his hand, and the distant yellow mist convulsed. In an instant, several disciples were churned into bloody paste.

He Yizhu, in shock and fury, shouted, "Stop it!"

Shang Qingjun, expressionless, retorted, "If you don’t hand over the Primordial Pearl, this is what will happen."

He Yizhu inhaled, finally gritting his teeth, "If it’s like that... then prepare to die!"

Suddenly, he shouted, quickly revealing the Copper Vase, removing its lid, and shaking it towards Shang Qingjun. Immediately, a flood of Clear Light spilled forth.

Shang Qingjun seemed unprepared for this sudden move, standing still and frozen, instantly caught by the Clear Light.

Seeing this, He Yizhu rejoiced immensely. This treasure could sever the spiritual mechanism; once a cultivator was caught by its light, they could no longer use their Dharma Treasure and Skills.