Daoist Competition

He lifted himself upwards, reaching the Extreme Sky, ready to risk using Demon Storage to chase, yet upon looking, he felt a slight surprise.

Although the opponent had initiated the Returning to Origin Technique, at this moment had not gone far, only slightly faster than his Sword Escape Technique. This was far from the swift speed he initially judged, comparing with the Feng Haiyang of Nether Spring Sect that day, it was clearly inferior.

Thinking again, he couldn’t help but chuckle; earlier he had preconceived notions. The Returning to the Origin and Merging the Truth method varies in proficiency, and due to differences in sect’s Cultivation Techniques, many Nascent Soul Third Realm Cultivators might not even use this method.

Zhang Yan slightly squinted, aside from his Sword Escape Technique, he also had the Five Elements Escape Technique as support, if he chased with all his might, it might not be impossible to catch up.

Moreover, the Returning to Origin Technique consumed Essence significantly, his True Body very likely is not far from here. Following now would be the perfect opportunity to cut the grass and remove the roots, eliminating future troubles!

Having resolved his decision, he shouted a clear command, riding a Clear Light forward, following closely behind.

Daoist Ji focused solely on escaping, not realizing Zhang Yan was chasing behind. But once the Returning to the Origin and Merging the Truth method was initiated, it couldn’t be withdrawn from the body midway. Even if he discovered, he would be helpless.

Zhang Yan pursued him southward flying, after half a day, the Spirit Light ahead suddenly paused, turned to break through the Gang Cloud, and flew downwards to the ground, soon entering a rarely visited, overgrown valley.

He waved his sleeve to clear the Gang Cloud, looking down; the valley was surrounded by mountains, cliffs steep, and amidst the grass were vaguely scattered stones.

These stones were not randomly placed but formed an array. The one setting the formation had been mindful, using vegetation to conceal it, preventing attention. Without careful examination, it would be difficult to discern.

Zhang Yan nodded; it seemed this was where the person hid the shell. He circled the valley, discovering many hidden ravines. If attacked from the front, the person might escape through underground, hence, precautions were needed.

After brief contemplation, he pointed his finger, a curtain of yellow light descended, drawing a circle around the valley, instantly Gathering Soil into Steel and transforming it into a deadlock.

Upon completing this task, ensuring no omissions, he cast the "Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle" towards the Heaven, striking the Forbidden Array.

Daoist Ji returned to his body, exhaustion written on his face. Not only had the battle failed to retrieve the Dragon Ball, but his life-preserving Dharma Treasure was sacrificed; he was greatly saddened, especially the Chengyang Talisman, almost akin to cutting his heart. He gasped heavily, tearing off his topknot, letting his hair scatter, swearing: "I, Ji Gaoshang, swear this humiliation today shall be repaid a hundredfold!"

While swearing, he suddenly detected a sound outside, like someone attacking the Array Gate, his heart tightened, rushing out to see, spotting the figure above, instantly filled with shock and fear, his form trembling uncontrollably.

He never expected Zhang Yan to not let him go and could chase here; the oath he just made seemed now like a joke.

Currently, his Primordial Qi was severely depleted, if the array were broken, the consequences were imaginable.

His expression changed several times; realizing he couldn’t sit idly and await death, he hurriedly pulled a few Magic Artifacts from his sleeve, placing them at the corners of the Forbidden Array. This was not meant to obstruct the enemy, only to buy a moment of delay.

After completing this, he moved to a pre-prepared tunnel; these paths were secret exits left before setting the formation, allowing him to bypass the array, directly leading to the side Mountain Realm, enabling him to escape silently.

Inside the pit, he moved forward. But reaching the end, his hands and feet turned icy; the way up the tunnel had been moved via Great Dharma Power, unbeknownst to him; the surrounding mud soil turned as hard as iron, forcing through would cause significant commotion.

Had it been anyone else it would be manageable, but he knew the opponent’s Escape Skill above, if attempted like this, even if escaping, sooner or later he’d be caught.

This path was blocked, but he didn’t give up hope, checking elsewhere. However, everywhere was the same, leaving no gap, his face turned ashen, slumping down, feeling what Hui Xuan felt.

Listening to the continuous sound of the array outside, Daoist Ji’s eyes were bloodshot, standing abruptly, gritting his teeth, "Just worth a fight to the death."

He pulled the Ancestor Master Tablet from his sleeve, placing it on the ground, and then took his Daoist Books beside, respectfully bowing thrice, lamenting: "Ancestor master above, forgive disciple’s inadequacy, unable to restore the Mountain Gate."

Upon saying this, he adhered a Jade Bi to his chest, this item could store Primordial Spirit, preparing, if crucial, to abandon his body; the Dharma Body could hide within the Jade Bi, seeking a chance to reincarnate.

The noise outside grew louder, louder with each sound, signaling the imminent breaking of the array; he stood still, not attempting to stop it.

Unknown to him how long had passed, a loud noise akin to mountain crumbling occurred, shaking under his feet, followed by sensing a spiritual mechanism rapidly approaching his hideout.

Daoist Ji finally moved, shouting, burst open the soil above, shot into the sky, fleeing westward.

But barely a mere ten miles out when hearing sword ringing from behind, cold air seemed to approach his neck, panic-stricken, he hastily dodged sideways, a cold light passed where half his face and one ear were sheared off.

He dared not turn back, clutching his blood-soaked cheek, desperately fleeing, but merely a futile effort. Suddenly tens of sword lights scattered around his body, paused momentarily, then converged inward, instantly slicing him into dozens of segments, transforming into a rain of blood spraying down.

...

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