Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan was rejected twice in succession, but he was not annoyed. He put away the porcelain bottle and said, "In that case, I won’t insist. I only hope Sect Leader He can protect this treasure and avoid losing it."

He Yizhu’s face darkened and he said, "What do you mean by those words, True Master Zhang?"

Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "I mean no harm. I only wish to inform Sect Leader He that this Treasure Bead is a malevolent thing. Your sect must have sensed something when you obtained the bead. Should any disaster come in the future, handle it with caution. I bid you farewell now."

He Yizhu considered this as a threat, gave a cold smile, and said, "Then there’s no need to trouble True Master Zhang any further. I won’t see you off!"

Zhang Yan leapt up, and in the blink of an eye, broke through the Gang Cloud and vanished into the sky beyond.

Only then did an elder speak, "Sect Leader, what use is this strange Treasure Bead? With that Elixir Recipe, our Kuxin Sect..."

He Yizhu snorted, interrupting him, "Brother, you must think carefully. If this Treasure Bead was truly inferior to those two items, why would he be willing to exchange for it?"

The elder was momentarily stunned, then he slapped his forehead and said, "Sect Leader thinks far ahead while I was muddled, nearly ruining things for short-term gain."

After Zhang Yan left, he continued eastward by sword, circled the Xun and Zhen Pillars, but did not find any disciples of the Fengxiang Sword Sect. So he summoned a Zhongtai Disciple nearby to inquire. He learned that several days ago, Chen Yuan had left with his disciples without saying goodbye, heading back to the West Ji Sea Realm, returning to the Southern Continent, and even if he chased now, he would not catch up.

He pondered for a while; aside from the Sect Leader, the Fengxiang Sect had five other Sword Masters, each controlling their own area, which amounted to considerable influence. Once Chen Yuan returned to his sect, he would have a Cave Heaven True Master overseeing and many elders restraining, far different from outside where one could independently make decisions. Even if Zhang Yan offered something of considerable weight, he feared he could not exchange for the Star Pearl; thus, the matter had to be abandoned.

He did not yet know who had lost the two Star Pearls that flew to the Gantang Temple. If the Zhongtai one was still in hand, he could guarantee acquiring it, having four Star Pearls in possession. If sealed demons truly escaped, they would certainly come to him, so preparations must be made early.

He looked deeply toward the south, flicked his sleeve, soared into the air, dashed on the wind, and returned to the Dharma Platform in the southwest half a day later.

At that moment, the banquet had concluded, the Three Sects Practitioners had left, and most of the Loose Cultivators attending the feast had departed as well, leaving only the hundred Divine House Mountain Cultivators not yet gone.

He glanced around and saw Sect Leader Qiao’s carriage still there. No need to seek out Xisheng Mountain, he landed his tunneling light and stood outside the main hall.

The Wang Sisters were joyful to see their master return safely and hurried forward to greet him.

Wang Caiwei handed over a long Wooden Box and said, "Master, as per your instructions, I have searched for this at the Qian Position Dragon Pillar."

Zhang Yan took a look, tucked it into his sleeve, and nodded, "Well done."

Footsteps sounded at this moment, Elder Bai came out of the hall, smiling as he approached and saluted, "True Master Zhang has returned. The Sect Leader and Mrs. Zhao have been waiting for you a long time. Please come inside and talk."

Zhang Yan returned the salute and said, "No need, I have urgent matters to attend to and must return to the mountain early. I just wish to ask Elder Bai to convey my request to Sect Leader Qiao, asking if he might part with the treasure from the Dragon Pillar?"

Elder Bai felt a chill in his heart; he dared not decide on such a significant matter. He said, "True Master, please wait. I will return soon."

He hurried back to the hall, met Sect Leader Qiao and his wife, and relayed the message word for word.

Qiao Huanjuan was stunned for a moment before saying, "Did True Master Zhang really say that?"

Elder Bai nodded solemnly.

Mrs. Zhao curiously said, "Previously, True Master Zhang seemed indifferent to this item. Why does he show interest now?"

Qiao Huanjuan rose, walked to look at the Sunrise Wave Painting on the screen behind him, and gained insight. After a while, he turned to face them again, his gaze firm, and said, "Give it to him!"

Elder Bai solemnly reminded, "Brother, that is a Dragon Pillar relic, perhaps left by the Ancestor Master. Each of the Southern Continent Three Sects has reaped a harvest from it. Is it appropriate to give it away?"

Mrs. Zhao also said, "My husband should think carefully about this."

Qiao Huanjuan waved his hand and said, "If it were handwritten by the Ancestor Master, then come what may, I would not give it away. But for a Treasure Bead of unknown origin, for which we lost two disciples’ lives, it is a hot potato even if kept. Perhaps giving it to True Master Zhang would be a good deed."

He carefully thought it over and felt that Zhang Yan asking straightforwardly for the bead indicated his willingness to owe him a favor.

The Zhongtai Sect faced threats from the three sects and Master Zheng could not intervene. At this moment, a powerful ally was most needed.

As long as they survive these hundred years, Zhongtai can absorb all of Xuanyue Sect’s cultivation techniques and divine skills, thus in his eyes, a peculiar Dharma Treasure is not as weighty as Zhang Yan.

Elder Bai hesitated and asked, "Sect Leader, should Brother Yan be informed?"

Qiao Huanjuan sat down and said, "I will decide this matter." Then he looked straight at Elder Bai and continued, "Junior Bai, I understand your concerns. However, Elder Yan always considers the bigger picture and will surely understand my choice."

Mrs. Zhao also said, "Since my husband has decided to give it away, it should be done quickly to avoid giving others a reason to look down upon us."

Qiao Huanjuan praised, "What my wife says is very true."

Mrs. Zhao took out a brass hand warmer engraved with a mythical beast from her sachet and placed it on the table, raised her sleeves and said, "The Treasure Bead is in this heater. Elder Bai, take it to him now."

...

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