Daoist Competition

On the third day of September, the Zhongtai Sect held a grand banquet at the southwestern Dragon Pillar, inviting all sects in East Victory.

After receiving the invitation, Sect Leader He Yizhu of the Kuxin Sect selected a hundred plus disciples and elders, departed from the land of Wu Country in the southwest on Flying Disks and Cloud Boats, heading north. Over twenty days later, they arrived by the surging waters of the Great River.

The Great River flows from west to east, intersecting with four other major waters at the navel of the midstream, known collectively as the "Five Dragon Rivers." Its shape is like a "大" character, dividing the East Victory Continent into five, thus forming the world’s structure.

The water of the Great River rushes rapidly, and in the middle of the river, there are patches of large black reefs densely covering the entire river flow.

On closer inspection, one can discern that these are not stone blocks, but massive Demon Turtles. With feet planted on the riverbed, their bodies are coiled like grindstones, with only a dark black shell exposed above the water’s surface. There, they receive the Sun and Moon Essence Qi, numbering in the thousands as far as the eye can see.

Among them are a dozen or so that are particularly enormous, raising their heads almost level with mountains, now facing the scorching sun, Swallowing Cloud and spewing mist.

An elder driving in front raised his hand to signal a halt and cautiously said, "Disciples in the rear, be careful. Follow closely behind the teachers while crossing the river, and don’t become the food of the demon turtles."

Everyone agreed in unison.

These demon turtles usually reside in the river, finding ways to snatch and swallow any cultivators crossing the river. Only Nascent Soul cultivators can escape by fleeing above Extreme Sky. Others trying to cross must seize the one or two hours when they are submerged and resting. Even then, a moment of inattention could cost their lives.

In the past, the Five Major Sects had considered annihilating them, but it was not their territory. The cultivators who came here had no intention of exerting effort. Moreover, the demon turtles’ shells are sturdy, ordinary Dharma Treasures, and swords cannot penetrate them. Even if they cannot defeat attackers, they can retract and hide in the depths of the riverbed, rendering ordinary methods ineffective.

And those dozen demon turtles are even more formidable, nearly capable of contending with Nascent Soul cultivators. The Kuxin Sect members had no intention of provoking them and carefully bypassed, taking half a day to cross the river.

Upon reaching the other bank, a disciple pointed below and said, "Zhongtai disciples have built lodges by the riverbank in welcome."

The leading elder responded with an "oh," saying, "They’ve actually greeted us at the riverbank. Sect Leader Qiao is indeed considerate."

He originally was unconcerned, but after traveling forward for another ten days, he was moved.

Throughout their journey of tens of thousands of miles, there were pavilion stops every ten miles, platforms every hundred miles, and hills every thousand miles, all with Zhongtai disciples welcoming them. Every thousand miles, towers of a thousand Bright Pearls were piled on mountain ridges, radiating with dazzling brilliance.

Along the sides of the road, golden ships sailed gracefully. On each ship stood beautiful maids in colorful attire, pouring flowing wine to form rivers in the water channels.

There were also Demon Carps holding pearls, swimming playfully. From time to time, a maid tossed bait, which they swallowed, the pearls inside their bellies glowing, dotted star points appearing faintly beneath the clear water. At night, the ground glowed with wonder, the water resembling a river of stars, truly accentuating the magnificent scenery of the mountains and rivers, with limitless splendor.

The Kuxin Sect disciples were greatly amazed upon seeing this. The distance to the southwestern Dragon Pillar was still over ten thousand miles. If the arrangements along the way were all like this, a rough calculation would suggest at least the reserves of twenty or thirty immortal cities would be needed. Under the Southern Continent’s Three Sects, each sect’s immortal city count was merely such a number.

However, Zhongtai is different. Since acquiring the family assets of the Xuanyue Sect, they have nearly a hundred immortal cities at their disposal. Although the expenditure is large, it doesn’t hurt their foundation, indicating vast power and strength. Realizing this, everyone felt a sense of awe in their hearts.

The elder frowned deeply, pondering for a moment, then flew toward a jade plate spanning several miles in Heaven.

This plate, named the "Four Seas Jade Plate," contains mountains and waters, forming a Blessed Land of scenic beauty. Sect Leader He Yizhu lay comfortably on a Green Peak. He appeared around forty years old, in deep clothes with broad sleeves, his cloak like wings, his entire being exuding hidden spirit and contained energy, appearing ordinary. Apart from his attire, he did not resemble a cultivator.

Upon the elder’s arrival, he reported the situation below and, with clasped hands, said, "Sect Leader, Zhongtai has set up such an arrangement clearly for us to see, undoubtedly with a hint of show-off and intimidation."

After listening to the report, He Yizhu smiled and said, "Indeed, it is no small arrangement. With such a setup, wouldn’t it mean sending out thousands of disciples? Could it be that no one is left in Zhongtai?"

Thinking slightly, he summoned a disciple, saying, "Go down and investigate, and ask where those people come from."