Daoist Competition

"This..."

Elder Bai was somewhat confused. Despite having cultivated to the Nascent Soul Second Realm, why had he become so useless? Yet thinking about the great calamity facing Zhongtai this time, which could only be averted thanks to an Outer Practitioner, he was disheartened by his inability to help at all.

The cultivators on the scene surrounded Zhang Yan, seeing the opportunity arise, the Xuanyue disciple who spoke earlier shouted, "Make your move!" and tossed down his Dharma Treasure.

With this person taking the lead, everyone followed suit and acted, dozens of Dharma Treasures fell at once—light and brilliance glimmering, filling the sky in all directions.

Zhang Yan remained calm and composed, stepping forward, suddenly hearing the sound of waves surging, as if a torrent of water had suddenly flooded into the valley. A boundless water light soared from beneath his feet, spiraled upward around him. Any Dharma Treasure that flew towards him silently disappeared into it, vanishing without trace.

Upon making their move, the cultivators found their Dharma Treasures had instantly lost connection with their Heart and Spirit, and were all shocked and dismayed. No matter how they called, they couldn’t summon them back.

At that moment, amidst the vast water waves, a cloud of fiery red slowly spread out, accompanied by a rustling sound.

In just a moment, a humming noise resounded, loud and chaotic, like needles piercing, unsettling everyone. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the red cloud was actually formed from countless insects as red as blood.

Many saw its vicious appearance, deeming it no good, unable to collect their treasures, they hurriedly retreated.

The Blood Line Golden Worm, rarely seen, usually relied on Zhang Yan occasionally infusing Spiritual Energy to nourish them, was already starving. At this moment, smelling living human flesh, their jaws moved, crackling noisily, they dispersed with a roar, flying everywhere, devouring anyone they encountered.

A few people couldn’t escape in time, their Protective Treasure Light was bitten through within a few bites, even if they summoned a Dharma Treasure it could only last a few breaths. In the blink of an eye, one person was devoured to nothing but bones.

The crowd was terrified seeing this, never having seen such vicious and ferocious evil insects, immediately chaos ensued.

Zhang Yan, seeing his goal to disrupt had succeeded, his eyes flashed, flicking his robe sleeves, initiating the Sword Escape Technique, Body and Sword as One, transforming into a soaring sword light, fiercely charging into the crowd.

This action incited a violent and bloody storm. The cultivators from both factions saw a sword light rampaging through the scene, radiant like a rainbow flashing back and forth, wherever the blade went, shattered flesh would fall.

The Flying Sword Skill was originally adept at confronting many with few, coupled with the Blood Line Golden Worm’s interference, in mere moments, he had slain twelve under his sword!

In less than a moment of battle, over twenty cultivators had directly or indirectly died by his hand, no one could withstand him for even a round. The crowd was killed into panic and fear, intimidated beyond measure, not knowing who initiated a shout first, turned around and fled, and the rest, caring little for Dharma Contracts, scattered and ran in all directions.

Yang Shuyong watched everyone retreat one by one, startled and angry, seeing Zhongtai about to be crushed, realizing the ambition of uniting the two factions, but Zhang Yan had stepped in halfway, single-handedly causing the defeat of dozens of peer cultivators.

He couldn’t vent his anger at Rong Junzhong, instead, he yelled at the protector beside him, "Mo Shitong, lead your men, capture him, don’t say that you so many people can’t deal with one, if it fails, don’t return to see me."

Mo Shitong was calling bitterly inwardly, but was ordered by the Sect Leader to fight, he couldn’t refuse, so he stepped forward to accept the command.

At this moment, Rong Junzhong’s eyes flickered, stopping him, saying, "Mo Guardian, take this treasure, it might achieve extraordinary results."

Mo Shitong looked, it was the Hundred Refinement Heart-locking Stake.

Rong Junzhong walked a few steps closer, secretly instructing, "This treasure is unique, refined from Four-colored Gang Sand, unless a Cave Heaven True Master can take it head on, I reckon Zhang Daoist’s water-light brilliance, though peculiar, may not be able to suppress this treasure, if you get close, you can severely injure him, taking advantage of this moment when he’s conceited, make your move promptly."

Mo Shitong understood, saying, "Sect Leader, Master Rong, watch the small one achieve merit."

He leapt into tunneling light; summoned the Protective Dharma Treasure, and didn’t leave far from the mountain top, ready to escape if anything seemed awry, after a few glances, he seized the moment, first casting three Flying Sabers, aiming to disperse Zhang Yan’s Heart and Spirit; then he conjured Spirit Light, wrapped the Hundred Refinement Heart-locking Stake, hidden behind, and hurled them together.

Zhang Yan suddenly heard a sword hum within, instantly alert, sweeping his eyes, sneering with a flick, starting the Five Elements Escape Technique, the three Flying Sabers and the Hundred Refinement Stake had just gotten close, they were immediately escaped to another side, then he pointed his two fingers, releasing a dazzling electric light, flashing forth.

Mo Shitong didn’t even have time to escape, he was struck by Divine Thunder, with a booming explosion, both he and his treasure shattered into pieces.

Zhang Yan flicked his sleeves again, the water light swayed, and when it vanished, the Hundred Refinement Stake and Flying Sabers were nowhere to be seen.

Rong Junzhong observed all this, his expression grave, speaking in a deep voice, "Although this person’s Daoist Skill and Divine Powers haven’t exceeded the Nascent Soul Second Realm, his powers are overwhelmingly strong, we cannot fight him head-on, retreat and defend is the only option."

Yang Shuyong suddenly turned his head, with a sharp gaze and a questioning tone, "What? Retreat and defend?"

Rong Junzhong candidly replied, "Has the Sect Leader forgotten that we have a Great Array for protection? Our sect is already in an invincible position, why fight to the bitter end with him? Just trap him here, let’s see what chaos he can stir."

He wasn’t one to lose composure from losing face, still thinking calmly despite the intense fight this battle had turned into, with nearly half wounded or dead, but Xuanyue had arranged security beforehand, as long as Zhang Yan reached their mountain top, they could resist using the Forbidden Array.

Yang Shuyong’s expression changed several times, he pondered, finding Zhang Yan indeed too formidable, without a method to deal with him momentarily, he begrudgingly said, "Let it be as you suggest."

The disciple immediately passed commands, and shortly after, clouds rose from mountain tops in every direction, activating the Forbidden Array, decisively opting for guarding without moving.

Zhang Yan glanced around, sneering coldly, "Do you think such actions mean you can escape?"

As he initiated the spell, the Gang Cloud above suddenly quaked, as a Yellow Smoke slowly rose, reaching the sky’s apex, gradually coagulating into a giant hand covering the sky, thunderous sounds filled the air endlessly.

Below, everyone stared dumbfounded at the Yellow Smoke hand almost occupying the heavens, unsure how to respond.

Zhang Yan, waiting until his Mana was infused to its peak, increasing continuously, suddenly shouted, fiercely striking down toward the mountain peak before him!

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)