Daoist Competition

On that day, the Wang Sisters returned to East Splendor on Zhang Yan’s orders, and now they came to Han Yuan, discovering that the landscape and mountain appearance, the palaces and towers had undergone great changes, showing signs of prosperity. Their eyes were a bit overwhelmed by the sight.

News of two disciples returning had already reached the mountain. As they walked forward, they saw a woman in green descending from the peak, smiling as she approached, saying, "I haven’t seen you in over thirty years; at last, the two senior sisters have returned."

Wang Caiting recognized the woman as Jiang Rou, Zhao Ge’s disciple, her eyes lighting up as she said, "It’s Junior Sister Jiang, I haven’t seen you for a long time, and I didn’t expect you to have reached Hua Dan."

Wang Caiwei also approached, glancing at her a few times and said, "Congratulations, Junior Sister."

Jiang Rou smiled bashfully, shaking her head again and again, "It was mere luck, hardly comparable to my two sisters."

In terms of age, she was decades older than the Wang Sisters, and even the quality of her refined pill was a step behind, so she felt she was not on par with the two.

However, it was not due to poor talent but because Han Yuan Sect lacked external cultivation objects, causing her cultivation to stagnate. Later, when Zhang Yan took over the mountain gate and reclaimed the immortal city, it allowed her cultivation to continue and improve.

Aside from her, Han Yuan Sect also had another senior disciple, Lin Xuanchao, who similarly entered the Hua Dan Realm.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Caiwei asked, "Junior Sister, is our master in the sect?"

Jiang Rou replied, "Since the Dragon Pillar Meeting, the Sect Leader has been in seclusion, not having emerged for over twenty years."

After returning from the sea, the Wang Sisters flew to Cangzhu Peak, not stopping to gather news, hence they were unaware of changes in East Victory Continent over the years. Hearing of the Dragon Pillar Meeting, Wang Caiting was intrigued and intended to inquire further, but Wang Caiwei reminded her, "Sister, let’s first go to pay respects to our master, and discuss everything else later."

Wang Caiting quickly focused, earnestly saying, "I’ll follow my sister’s advice."

Jiang Rou said, "There have been many changes to the prohibition on the peak, quite different from the past; the two sisters are likely unaware, so please follow me."

The two sisters readily agreed, and the three ascended the peak amidst clouds and mist.

As they reached halfway up the mountain, they saw a beautiful woman with cloud-like hair, adorned with beads and jewels, with her head adorned with a cluster of Gang Clouds resembling golden flowers. An enchanting fragrance wafted around, accompanied by dozens of attendants, making quite an impressive display.

Wang Caiting asked with surprise, "Junior Sister, who is that person?"

Jiang Rou glanced over and replied, "That is Zhao Ru, Mrs. Zhao, Daoist couple of Sect Leader Qiao from Zhongtai. After the Dragon Pillar Ceremony, the majority of East Victory North came under this sect’s control. She returned to our sect to invite the Sect Leader to a banquet."

Wang Caiting’s beautiful eyes shone, she laughed playfully, clapping her hands, "Then the Dragon Pillar Meeting must have had our master’s assistance for Zhongtai to win; am I right or wrong?"

Jiang Rou nodded, "Senior Sister guessed correctly."

When the two sisters looked toward Mrs. Zhao, the latter was also observing the Wang Sisters. Seeing the two standing side by side atop the clouds, riding the wind gracefully with floating ropes, worldly like immortals, she couldn’t help but feel envy, thinking, "I wonder where True Master Zhang found disciples; this pair of sisters have such talent and appearance. If they were in Zhongtai Sect, they could equally inherit the Daoist lineage. If I had encountered them earlier, I would have accepted them as disciples by any means."

At that moment, Fan Yinghui was also looking outside, seeing the two women with beautiful appearances, cold skin, and beautiful bones, deeply talented. She couldn’t help but ponder, "From disciples, one can infer their master; Zhang Daoist’s background isn’t simple. If it was an ordinary sect, such excellent disciples would be hard to find."

Previously, she had reminded Mrs. Zhao to pay extra attention to Han Yuan Sect, not entirely out of instigation but more out of cautiousness toward this sect.

She always felt that a person like Zhang Yan, opening a sect in East Victory Continent surely had other intentions.

It wasn’t unfounded apprehension; currently, Python Clan, a guest from the Outer Continent, was perched atop North Sea. The Five Major Sects unanimously rejected them regardless of internal differences. If another sect like Python Clan appeared, the situation in East Victory would change drastically.

Mrs. Zhao intended to greet the Wang Sisters, but before she could approach, the two women saluted her from afar and continued up the mountain.

She was momentarily stunned, but then came to understand the reason, thinking, "I’m too impatient."

A disciple’s return calls first for paying respects to the master; it is a formality she was aware of. However, due to her honorable position within Zhongtai Sect, being accustomed to following her heart, and eager to invite Zhang Yan down the mountain, she momentarily forgot this etiquette.

After reconsidering for a moment, she instructed the maid beside her, "Find out where those two ladies are residing in the Cave Mansion, and later send gifts over."