Daoist Competition

His gaze did not stop, bypassing the crane and toad, and looked back, seeing a dragon-patterned soft couch laid across the inside, upon it sat a middle-aged Daoist with eyes tightly shut. His mouth was square, nose straight, body tall and strong, with a Pixiu Crown atop his head, wearing a Purple Cloud Sun Robe, exuding an air of authority and dignity, evidently the most venerable among those present.

Behind him, however, stood two slender women, both dressed in white, devoid of ornaments, hair covering their faces, making their appearances unclear. Their hands were clasped in front of their bellies, each holding a green-colored Treasure Bead, emitting a faint, gloomy light within the empty cave chamber.

Anyone arriving here could discern that these two Jade Beads were Supreme Treasures, yet Zhang Yan was not eager to retrieve them, instead scanning around several times until finally his gaze fell upon an inconspicuous Jade Scroll on the couch.

He gently raised a hand, causing the Jade Scroll to float up and fall into his palm, then infused it with a strand of Spiritual Energy, swiftly reviewing the contents inscribed within.

It was an entry-level mental method for Qi Cultivation, all written in Erosion Text, appearing quite profound and mysterious.

He could perceive that the scroll concealed even more advanced Dharma techniques, though without mastering this spell, it would be impossible to see the latter part.

However, he possessed the Supreme Mysterious True Method, making it unnecessary to switch and cultivate other methods, and practicing this would not necessarily result in a benefit. The immense karmic consequences entailed by this would inevitably be shouldered by him, though he was unafraid, he wouldn’t engage in such pointless actions.

After contemplating briefly, he stowed away the Jade Scroll, and with a salute to the middle-aged Daoist, said, "In the future, should fate lead me to someone suitable, I shall pass on this method to your esteemed sect, in exchange for the treasure taken from your sect. I apologize."

After speaking, with a wave of his hand, he remotely lifted the two Jade Beads.

He was five or six zhang away from the soft couch, those two beads initially obedient, yet midway they suddenly surged forward as if activated, emitting a mournful howl, revealing a fierce and poisonous nature.

Zhang Yan’s eyes flashed, his body motionless, projecting a vast Mana that pinned the two beads, unmovable despite their eerie wails, effortlessly drawing them into his sleeve. Having obtained the Treasure Beads, he refrained from touching anything else, leaping towards the surface to return.

Meanwhile, in front of the Qian Position Dragon Pillar, two tunnels of light arrived, cautiously circling above the pit, yet not approaching closer, retreating afar to a mountain ridge, revealing themselves — Daoist Ji and Ancestor Hui Xuan.

Daoist Ji pointed to the entrance ahead, saying, "Brother Hui Xuan, what do you think? Zhang Daoist descended into the underground palace, and when he rises shortly, he will undoubtedly pass through here. His reliance is on his mysterious Dao Techniques and Flying Sword Skill. If allowed to freely strike, he could escape us even if unable to defeat us, so we must ambush at the cave entrance, striking as he rises, ensuring a heavy blow."

Ancestor Hui Xuan could perceive the advantage, aware Zhang Yan excelled at Escape Skills, and the timing was right to weaken his advantage, but he wasn’t as optimistic as Daoist Ji, calmly reasoning, "This person wouldn’t dare descend alone without defenses. If we miss the chance, and he withdraws, are we to just guard here indefinitely?"

In bygone times, they wouldn’t fear such tactics, effortlessly imitating Da Mi Ancestor, sealing the area with a Forbidden Array, surely trapping those below.

Yet they dared not linger in Zhongtai Territory for long, secondly wanting to seize the Nine Yellow Star Bead Zhang Yan acquired, hence unable to act thus.

Daoist Ji said, "Of course I know your concerns, but we can first set Array Flags around, not seeking to harm him, but merely trapping him briefly, providing opportunity. Worse comes to worst, send someone to block his retreat, ensuring foolproof success."

Ancestor Hui Xuan still frowned, doubting they could harm Zhang Yan so easily, thus stroked his beard, remaining silent.

Daoist Ji glanced at him a few times, somewhat dissatisfied, said, "Brother Daoist, why be so overly cautious? Both of us are Dharma Bodies wandering, should things fail, we can simply perform the method to return to our shells. If successful, our long-held wish can be fulfilled."

Ancestor Hui Xuan, hearing this, recalled his limited life, sighed softly, reluctantly nodding, "Alright, as Fellow Daoist suggests, let’s proceed."

At the moment, three more rays of tunneling light flew in from Heaven, he looked up saying, "My disciples have arrived."

Three beams of light swiftly fell to the ground, dissipating to reveal Qu Changzhi stepping forward first, cupping his hands, "Master, your disciple has invited Lady Lian and Elder You."

Ancestor Hui Xuan asked, "Did you reveal any traces along the way?"

Qu Changzhi replied, "Fearing exposure, disciple deliberately circumvented, mostly guarding their Dragon Pillars at Zhongtai, the Northwest Dragon Pillar is deserted for a thousand miles, unnoticed."

Ancestor Hui Xuan nodded, looking behind him to see Lady Lian displaying an unpleasant expression, beside her stood a person with silver hair, a cloud of Gang Cloud hovering above, though lower in Daoist Cultivation, standing there exerting a presence equal to anyone at the place.

Daoist Ji examined him, smirking, "I wondered who it was, turns out to be You Bingyi. No wonder sheltering Qiao Huanjuan’s concubine went unchecked, ancestral influence indeed pays off."

The You Family were related to Da Mi Ancestor, their members spread across East Victory North. Due to this relation, Zhongtai outwardly respected but secretly guarded against them, yet it was precisely this that avoided the Dragon Pillar Battle, preserving their clan’s Primordial Qi.

Elder You glanced at him, retorting, "I heard Fu Yang Sect had a Ji Song True Master, among their revered Great Cultivators, yet on the day the Mountain Gate was breached by the Five Sects, left disciples and kinsfolk, never to return, today seeing the True Master at last."

The two exchanged sharp words upon meeting, Ancestor Hui Xuan intervened, "Brother Ji, joining forces this time, we are among allies."

Daoist Ji sneered, "I fail to see what skills he possesses."

Elder You snorted, "For dealing with Zhang Daoist this time, You has brought forth the Dharma Treasure bestowed by the Ancestor at the incense altar, wondering if this is sufficient weight?"

...

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