Daoist Competition

The party of Prince Ying rode the flying carriage into the mountain, and two days later they arrived at a large hill, where the carriage halted beneath a towering archway reaching into the clouds.

Even before entering Divine House Mountain, Han Yuan Sect had already received the news. Therefore, a disciple was already waiting under the archway. He stepped forward leisurely, bowed, and asked, "Might you be the Prince of Chu Kingdom?"

Prince Ying exited the carriage, tidied his robes, and approached, saying, "Indeed, it is I, the young prince. May I dare ask how the Immortal Master is addressed?"

The disciple smiled and said, "I am but a Mountain Guarding Disciple, unworthy of the title of Immortal Master."

Prince Ying cupped his hands and said, "I have come per the command of the Zhongtai Sect Leader, specifically to pay respects to True Master Zhang, and kindly request that you inform the Daoist."

Only then did the disciple understand. He took out a Dharma Talisman, initiated a spiritual mechanism, and drew it mid-air. With a flick of his finger, the talisman shot into the sky with a whoosh. Afterwards, he said, "Prince Ying, please wait a moment; I’ve already sent a message into the mountain, and a reply will arrive shortly."

Prince Ying repeatedly agreed, then turned his head to see a lake at the foot of the hill, its waters a clear azure mirror, bordered by rows of purple bamboo swaying gently in the breeze.

Next to the grove, there were several palace-like buildings, warm scenic towers veiled in clouds and mist, like a fairyland. But the highest palace there was grand and imposing, exuding a solemn aura, which led him to inquire, "Daoist, is that True Master Zhang’s Cave Mansion?"

The Deacon Disciple smiled and said, "Prince Ying mistakes it; that place is the territory of the Lower Court, where Elder Zhao resides. The Sect Leader’s Cave Mansion is on Cangzhu Peak, a hundred miles beyond the cliff path behind this small trail."

Prince Ying listened and nodded non-stop. It was the same in Zhongtai Sect; Xisheng Mountain’s main peak was for the Sect Leader and several elders, while all other disciples resided across the flanking mountain screens and could not venture without a decree.

He further asked, pointing at the ground, "Does this mountain have a name?"

The Deacon Disciple was slightly taken aback, then shook his head and replied, "This large hill was formed by the Sect Leader gathering earth through Great Dharma Power; it has not been given a name."

Hearing that this mighty mountain beneath him was formed from gathered earth, Prince Ying was startled, taking two steps back for a closer look, gradually feeling a sense of awe.

Though he had not attained Enlightenment, he was frequently surrounded by Mystic Cultivators, having an unusual insight. He naturally realized that such a feat was beyond anyone in the Zhongtai Sect and pondered to himself, "No wonder Mrs. Zhao painstakingly instructed me to befriend True Master Zhang at this opportunity; this Immortal Master indeed possesses Great Divine Power."

Just then, a whistle sounded from the sky, and a green shadow flew from afar. The Deacon Disciple reached out effortlessly and grabbed it; it turned out to be a slender bamboo arrow with a delicate copper tip no larger than a thumb. He drew out a roll of silk from within, glanced at it, and said, "Prince Ying, the Sect Leader instructs to invite you into the mountain."

Prince Ying responded approvingly and was about to return to the carriage when the Deacon Disciple stopped him. Bewildered, he watched as the disciple took out a bell, shook it towards the sky, and immediately a clear crane cry resounded, and a bright-feathered red-crowned giant crane flew swiftly towards them. The disciple approached to calm it and said, "Please ride this crane, Prince Ying."

Prince Ying glanced at it, hesitating slightly, as the crane, though majestic, lacked saddle and reins, causing him to fear an accidental fall midway.

Noticing his concern, the Deacon Disciple laughed and said, "This crane is spiritually enlightened; rest assured and ride it, Prince Ying."

With trepidation, Prince Ying mounted the crane’s back, but before he could settle, the White Crane flapped its wings, and with the sound of rushing wind, they suddenly soared into the blue sky.

Seeing the people below like tiny ants and the mountains like overturned bowls, he was immediately dizzy with vertigo, unconsciously reaching out to tightly clasp the crane’s neck.

Just then, a silvery laugh like ringing bells echoed by his ears, "You are such a timid person."

The voice was akin to a maiden’s, which startled Prince Ying, who then discovered after searching that it came from the crane itself. Astonished, he asked, "You can speak?"

The White Crane chuckled and replied, "This humble servant was enlightened by the Sect Leader and had the horizontal bone in my throat removed, only then could I speak like a person."

Prince Ying marveled, saying, "Such Divine Skills are wonderfully mysterious and unimaginable."

Though he knew all things under heaven had spiritual nature, and spirit monsters and demons were not rare to hear of, having never seen one himself he curiously observed it several times.

After contemplating, he asked, "I’ve heard that a Great Demon giant python resides in Beimo Sea; how do you compare to the Fairy Crane?"

The White Crane snickered and replied, "This humble servant is far from deserving the title ’Fairy’. The Beihai Luo Family is among the Eight Great Tribes under our Demon Race Ancestral Court, descendants of an Ancient Sky Demon. Before my Transformation, I was merely a wild crane that slightly understood absorbing Sun and Moon Essence Qi. How can a firefly compare to the bright moon?"