Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan and Rong Junzhong each raised dense mist and clouds, enveloping the heavens and earth. For a time, only turbid Qi filled the sky, resembling the Netherworld, dark and gloomy. The sun and moon were obscured, and apart from white haze, the cultivators of both sects couldn’t see anything clearly.

With the aid of the "Three Mountains Suppressing Qi Gu," Rong Junzhong seemingly immersed himself in a warm bath; not only was his energy fully restored, but he also felt his entire mana was more easily controlled. As long as he had this treasure in hand, he feared no peer as an adversary!

Despite his confidence, given the strength of his opponent, he dared not be careless in the slightest.

Looking around, the surroundings were shrouded in mist, making identification impossible, and naturally, he couldn’t see Zhang’s figure. However, he was not anxious. With the celestial phenomenon altered, the opponent also couldn’t locate him, and he had the ability to enact Forbidden Locking Heaven and Earth. Under the spread of mana, he could detect anyone within a five-mile radius.

The earlier impression left by Zhang Yan’s all-encompassing sword was profound. With the concealment of the mist, it could be said that his greatest advantage was now severely limited. In his heart, he thought, "I have the heavy treasures of my sect assisting me, my mana hasn’t decreased but increased, while you are weary from battle. As long as I prolong the encounter and gradually entangle you, I refuse to believe I can’t defeat you!"

He observed Zhang Yan’s tactics, discovering they were all immensely powerful Divine Passage Skills, nearly impossible to counter directly, making a head-on clash unwise. Thus, he decided on this strategy — to exhaust his opponent by any means necessary.

At this moment, roaring clouds surging with booming sounds approached. Countless electric snakes slithered within, crackling and flashing, shooting towards him. Instantly, dozens of golden lights struck against the treasure light, causing it to quiver and flicker.

Rong Junzhong held his breath and remained still. He was perceptive and saw that this Gate Dao Skill encompassed a wide range, unavoidable. Moreover, the path of escape was not his forte, so he relied on the protective Treasure Tree. He simply chose to stay motionless, preventing his opponent from detecting his position.

The intensity of this spell was tremendous, and he was convinced that Zhang Yan could not possibly sustain it indefinitely. Once Zhang’s spirit and power were exhausted, he could counterattack and defeat the enemy.

Zhang Yan’s Clouds of Waves skill could naturally generate Thunder Light, more than sufficient against ordinary cultivators. But he also knew it was still insufficient to capture a Nascent Soul Third Realm Cultivator.

Deploying this method served to confuse the opponent’s senses, conceal himself, and also discover the opponent’s hiding place.

After executing for a while and noting no activity in the mist, Zhang Yan reconsidered. Since this person refused to reveal himself, he would have to force him out.

He waved his sleeve, and the nearby Blood Line Golden Worms surged forth, darting in all directions.

These worms could sense the presence of living people’s flesh and blood, Essence, and Spiritual Energy. At this moment, they were perfect for locating Rong Junzhong’s current position.

After a short while, Rong Junzhong saw many Blood Worms approaching not far in front of him. He couldn’t help but snicker. Having witnessed the power of these worms earlier, he had been on guard since he chose to confront Zhang Yan. How could he not have planned for this?

From his Sleeve Bag, he took out half of a gourd, then a Sheep Fat Jade Bottle, pouring most of the wine within out. Instantly, an intoxicating aroma wafted forth. He recited a spell, then shook the "Three Mountains Suppressing Qi Gu," and saw the rich wine fly into the clouds, transforming into a torrential downpour.

Driven mainly by instinct, the Blood Worms sensed the rain was infused with spiritual mechanisms and desperately absorbed it. Before long, they appeared intoxicated, first spinning in place, then falling one by one.

This change was immediately noticed by Zhang Yan, who smiled indifferently. If this method didn’t work, he would simply try another.

Elevating himself, he stealthily ascended, waving his sleeve to summon the Xuanhuang Great Hand, expanding it to twenty miles in size. It nearly encompassed the valley. With a point downward, it drove the Gang Wind fiercely into the mist below.

Rong Junzhong immediately sensed the commotion above him. With his increased mana, he had no fear and calmly summoned the Three-fingered Fork, employing the techniques of Mountain, Cloud, and Shock. It also transformed into a massive hand of cloud smoke, boldly meeting it head-on.

With a booming clash, the two mighty hands of mana slammed into each other, sounding as though the heavens and earth were collapsing.

At the point of impact between the two, ripples instantly spread outward. Under the turbulent currents, the clouds roiled like a sea, boiling relentlessly in the sky.

Through his probing, Zhang Yan discerned that Rong Junzhong remained crouched within the mist, not fleeing to the surrounding Mountain Realm. Since this was the case, he could launch a subsequent offensive.