Daoist Competition

As the voice rose, a handsome young Daoist gathered his wide sleeves and stepped inside from outside, and on his head, the Gang Cloud blended light and gathered energy, seemingly separating and merging, radiating five colors, while the Gang Qi surging all over him was like tides and sea.

Zhang Boyant was startled and stood up, saying, "Pavilion Master?"

He quickly reacted, glancing outside, and lowered his voice, saying, "Is the True Master outside a senior from the Pavilion Master’s sect?"

Zhang Yan smiled and nodded.

Zhang Boyant’s expression changed slightly, and he retreated two steps.

Though he had taken refuge under Zhang Yan’s sect, he was originally from the Demon Sect’s Nether Spring. If he inadvertently offended that Cave Heaven True Master, providing an excuse to be dealt with, he would have no place to argue. Thus, he quietly retreated to the side, no longer speaking.

Upon hearing that the master of Han Yuan Sect had arrived, Wu Suquan’s face involuntarily broke into a smile.

Just now, he had clearly heard that the Cave Heaven True Master outside was a respected elder of this master’s sect, so protecting them would presumably not be difficult. He stood up, bowed, and said, "This must be Sect Leader Zhang, I am Wu Suquan, greetings."

Zhang Yan raised his hand in return greeting and smiled, "So Your Excellency is Dean Wu. Some time ago, I received a letter from Daoist Zhang, mentioning that Daoist Wu wishes to submit your sect under Han Yuan Sect, is that correct?"

Wu Suquan shook his head and sighed, full of sorrow, "Our disciples are incompetent and unable to protect the Mountain Gate, ashamed before the Ancestor Master, and now have nowhere to go. Fortunately, with Daoist Zhang’s recommendation, we wish to seek protection under fellow Daoist’s sect. Yet I’m aware this matter involves the Fengxiang Sword Sect; if Sect Leader Zhang is unwilling to accept us, I would have no complaints."

Zhang Yan thought slightly and asked, "Currently, how many Gantang Academy disciples are there with Daoist Wu?"

Wu Suquan deeply sighed and said, "We are a group of nineteen; one is my junior brother, also with Nascent Soul Cultivation, there are twelve disciples, and the rest are children and maids."

Zhang Yan nodded slightly, smiling, "I am here on no other matter, but to assist fellow Daoists."

Wu Suquan raised his head, somewhat disbelievingly looking at Zhang Yan, and said tremblingly, "Sect Leader Zhang is saying you are willing to accept us?"

He hesitated for a moment and carefully asked, "Then... if Gantang Academy enters your sect, can we still establish an academy and accept disciples?"

His greatest fear was that after entering Han Yuan Sect, he would no longer be able to pass on his sect’s Daoist inheritance. If true, he would have to find another way.

Zhang Yan waved his hand and said, "Your Gantang Academy will be considered one of Han Yuan’s Lower Sects, and Daoist Wu with your junior brother can be Guest Elders in our sect, choosing a place to dwell on Divine House Mountain, establishing doors and passing the Dao, without restriction, as if you were on Southern Martial Mountain."

Wu Suquan listened, and couldn’t help but be full of joy. This clearly was sheltering Gantang Academy under the wings of Han Yuan. He felt gratefully moved and lifted his robes, bowing down, saying, "Sect Leader Zhang’s great grace, Wu has no hope to repay in this life. In the future, as long as Gantang Academy has disciples, Han Yuan will be the master and will never betray!"

Zhang Yan stepped forward and helped him up, saying, "In the future, we are of the same sect, Dean Wu need not be formal."

Initially, Zhang Yan paid attention to Gantang Academy for convenience in handling the sealing matter and had not thought of incorporating them into the sect. But now, since they are willing to rely on him, he will not push them away, especially as the academy has two Nascent Soul cultivators, worth his effort to draw them in.

As for how Fengxiang Sword Sect would think, he did not care. The purpose of this visit was precisely to seek turmoil with the Kuxin and Fengxiang sects.

At this moment, Shen Dong, standing aside, stepped forward, imitating adults’ manners and bowed to Zhang Yan, with eyes wide open and head raised, asking, "Daoist, did you just say there’s a great method inheritance to be passed on to the child? Is that true?"

Wu Suquan quickly said, "This is the son of my junior brother Shen, named Shen Dong. If my junior brother hadn’t been willing to stay behind for me at the time, we would never have escaped successfully. Alas, indeed, I let them father and son down."

Zhang Yan turned his gaze, saying, "Do you truly wish to learn?"

Shen Dong nodded vigorously, saying, "The child will."

Zhang Yan’s voice softened, saying, "You are the nephew of Dean Wu and a descendant of Gantang Academy’s elders, thus you can inherit the academy’s Mysterious Skills and Dao Techniques. With your aptitude, if well cultivated, your future achievement might surpass even Dean Wu. Although this inheritance has notable origins, it has been disconnected for thousands of years, and there are few who can guide you. You might face great consequences. Have you thought clearly about this?"

Having taken the Nine-Life Primordial Pearl, it is necessary to find a successor for Gui Ling Sect. Though whether Gui Ling Sect possesses the path to the Great Dao is unknown, it at least offers the method of achieving Cave Heaven. If someone with deep root nature and firm resolve obtained it, opening a sect and becoming a local hero might not be difficult.