Daoist Competition

He was just about to leap out, when suddenly ten or so sword lights burst from the yellow fog, assaulting from various directions with a speed as swift as lightning arrows, reaching before him in the blink of an eye.

He was caught off guard as well, and in his haste, exerted force to release an Elixir Pearl from his skull, which emitted a mass of yellow light that enveloped his entire body, completely blocking the sword lights.

Before he could draw his hand back to counterattack, a sudden immense force pressed upon him, as if a mountain was crushing down, immediately realizing he was caught by divine skill. Fortunately, Shang Qingjun had mentioned the opponent might have a Forbidden Locking Heaven and Earth technique, hence he was already prepared. He turned his Lifebound Primordial Pearl, disturbing the spiritual mechanism, then stirred up a Gang Wind to attempt escaping to the distance, but at that moment, the ten sword lights twined around him again.

Guo Monarch had no choice but to again sacrifice the Elixir Pearl, but was therefore detained on the spot, seeing the yellow fog above converging from all sides, the massive hand about to form again, he was deeply troubled, pondering, "It’s indeed my miscalculation, this person’s divine powers and spells are far beyond that of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators; my current corporeal form is unable to overcome him. This is in front of his mountain gate, it’s unwise to linger, better to leave quickly."

Being astute, though the clash was brief, he realized he couldn’t even see the opponent’s face, clearly unable to win, hence he released the Primordial Pearl, shook off the Flying Sword, and swiftly descended a thousand feet to the ground, then transformed into a yellow smoke and drilled downward, disappearing in an instant.

Not long after he fled, the spiritual mechanism in heaven dissipated, the yellow smoke and sword lights all retracted, Zhang Yan emerged, using full eyesight to scan below.

The opponent was apparently no ordinary foe; perceiving things weren’t right, immediately retreated and fled.

If the person fled from Heaven, he had confidence catching up, but once underground was different; although he possessed Earth Escape Technique, many methods couldn’t be used, not knowing the opponent’s details; therefore couldn’t recklessly pursue.

This brief battle nonetheless alerted all sects of Divine House Mountain, with some already sent word back to the gates.

Song Chuyuan and Tang Jin had been brought back by Zhang Yan from the immortal city these past few days, hearing the news, immediately flew out with tunneling light to assist, upon arrival only saw Zhang Yan alone floating in the air, the attacking enemy had vanished without a trace. The two approached and asked, "Pavilion Master, do you know who the assailant was?"

Zhang Yan said solemnly, "The enemy was a demon, capable of possessing bodies; you both spread the word, these days be on guard. No cultivator of our Divine House Mountain may leave the mountain freely, if outsiders arrive without verified identity, don’t allow entrance."

Seeing his serious words, the two were fully alert, accepted the orders with a bow, then went back to arrange.

A hundred miles away, a thin yellow smoke rose from the surface, and when it reached three feet high, Guo Monarch emerged from it, disheveled, waved his sleeve to disperse the smoke, and looked back north at the towering mountains, eyes somewhat dark.

He originally thought Zhang Yan, no matter how fierce, was merely akin to He Yizhu, the Kuxin Sect Leader, believing four Lifebound Primordial Pearls enough to restrain, but when the fight commenced, realized it wasn’t right; during the entanglement, he couldn’t even glimpse the opponent’s figure, instead consumed considerable Essence, truly fruitless.

He calculated inwardly, "This path is closed, better seek the Lifebound Pearl held by Fengxiang Sword Sect. But Sect Leader Chen Yuan hides in the mountain gate, guarded by Cave Heaven True Master, if I go close, surely detected."

Thinking further, suddenly came up with a plan, eyes flickered, then flew back with tunneling light, shortly arrived before Divine House Mountain, loudly declared, "Earlier caught off guard, you had the upper hand, wait until a month later when I recover, I shall return to confront you!" Then flung his sleeve, ascended to the Gang Clouds.

Zhang Yan had just settled back in the Cave Mansion, when his disciple relayed the words, Jing You cursed,

"This man is shameless, going against master earlier fled in panic, now returns boasting."

Zhang Yan thought briefly, and said, "It’s not that simple, he may have fled earlier but wasn’t injured, saying this surely for another purpose."

Jing You said, "Setting a month, perhaps he intends to acquire some Dharma Treasure within this time?"

Zhang Yan smiled slightly, shook head, "No, the drunken intention isn’t for wine; his words weren’t said for me."

Jing You puzzled, "Then for whom?"

Zhang Yan gently tapped the desk with his finger, suddenly asked, "How long does it take Southern Three Sects to reach our Divine House from Southern Continent?"

Jing You responded without thinking, "For Nascent Soul cultivators, twenty to thirty days is sufficient." He then realized, "Master means..."

Zhang Yan nodded, smiled, "Let’s see if it’s true or not in a few days."

Only ten days later, news of Zhang Yan’s battle with Shang Qingjun spread out, even the one-month challenge became widely known. Upon receiving the news, Fengxiang Sect Leader Chen Yuan promptly summoned Great Elder Long Jingcheng for discussion.

"Elder Long, no wonder we couldn’t find Brother Shang, he went to Divine House Mountain, likely for Daoist Zhang’s Treasure Bead."

Long Jingcheng appeared grave, "Sect Leader, just now an agent from Kuxin Sect reported that He Yizhu is rallying forces, seemingly intending to attack Brother Shang."

Chen Yuan’s face grew stern, firmly stated, "Brother Shang knows many secrets, absolutely can’t fall into Kuxin Sect’s hands, and besides, our Fengxiang Sword Sect’s disciple falls under no other jurisdiction!"

Pointing outside the hall, "Quickly issue orders, summon all Immortal City Masters, Lower Sect leaders to see me; no excuses accepted, within three days, they must come, failure will be treated as disobedience!"

...

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