Daoist Competition

What Zhao Ge worries about is indeed reasonable. Although the Han Yuan Sect currently has Nascent Soul cultivators like Tang Jin, Song Chuyuan, and Zhang Boyant, in actuality, these individuals can only be considered as Zhang Yan’s guests, not disciples under the Han Yuan Sect. If these three were to take their disciples along, the sect would lose at least half its members.

Shen Baishuang pondered for a moment, then said, "If they all leave, it certainly is not good. Since you are willing, I will allow you to cultivate here for a century before returning to the sect."

Back then, when he traveled, he placed a piece on the Cangzhu Peak by the sect’s order, but to say he was very attentive might not be true.

It was only after Zhang Yan came to this place, reclaimed the immortal city, established the sect, gathered disciples extensively, and made alliances with others that the Han Yuan Sect gradually thrived and prospered.

Now that the three men are taken under the sect, staying here any longer may seem like competing for credit with the juniors. Therefore, he decided to take his disciples back to the sect, removing the traces he left before and leaving the Han Yuan Sect entirely to Zhang Yan.

Hearing Shen Baishuang’s nearly commanding tone, Zhao Ge immediately bowed and said, "Disciple obeys."

Shen Baishuang said, "I now bestow upon you three Divine Skills and Spells, which you can pass on to the sect. Go back and carefully comprehend them."

After saying this, he gently raised his hand, and three talismans flew out, entering their foreheads. Before they could realize it, they felt a breeze, and they were sent out involuntarily. When they woke from their stupor, they found themselves at the foot of the mountain.

The three of them looked at each other, all feeling a sense of "the clouds have cleared to reveal the moon."

They had thought they would spend their lives cultivating on Cangzhu Peak until their days ended, but unexpectedly, they could be accepted back into the sect.

Though they had never heard Shen Baishuang and Zhang Yan speak in detail about the Upper Sect, they could infer from glimpses that it certainly surpassed any sect in the East Victory Continent. Even in future reincarnations, it would likely be easier to attain enlightenment than here.

After their reflections, the three each bowed and returned to their respective places to comprehend the Dao Techniques.

At this moment, Zhang Yan was standing hands behind his back in the pavilion at the mountain’s peak, watching the distant tides rise and fall. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned his head and smiled, saying, "Uncle-Master, have you given your instructions?"

Shen Baishuang came to stand beside him and said, "Zhao Ge wishes to stay here a bit longer, and I have granted him that."

Zhang Yan nodded and said, "Junior Brother Zhao has a steady temperament, and his talent surpasses Junior Brothers Chu and Wen. Considering his cultivation, he could achieve Nascent Soul status within twenty years. By then, I will naturally persuade him to return to the sect early to serve."

Shen Baishuang, indifferent to either Hua Dan or Nascent Soul, saw no difference between them as a Cave Heaven Cultivator. He calmly said, "They are far from that level, but the disciples received under the sect at least have decent aptitude."

Having just formed his Grotto Heaven, he was still accumulating strength and had no intention of involving himself in the Top Ten Disciples’ competition, so he didn’t expect much from his disciples now.

In those days, True Master Peng managed to step in because he encountered Zhang Yan, a unique case, and leveraged the aftereffects of Sect Leader Qin Mobai’s suppressing of the Su Clan to succeed.

But such opportunities are rare, and now the sect’s structure has stabilized. It’s not good to break it hastily, so he can only patiently wait.

Then Zhang Yan asked, "Uncle-Master, on your way, did the Sect Leader give any other instructions?"

Shen Baishuang glanced at him and chuckled, "You managed to handle the sealing here using only your methods without seeking help from the sect. It’s already a great achievement rarely seen in the sect. Few of your peers can compare to you; what else could press down on you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan merely smiled, then asked, "I’ve been away from the sect for decades, how are things in the Unknown Continent now?"

Shen Baishuang replied, "Before I came here, signs of a Demon Cave’s manifestation had appeared. The sect has already sent several reliable disciples and elders, and the other Nine Sects have also taken action. This time, conflict with Demon Sect disciples is inevitable."

The manifestation of the Demon Cave is the result of the turning of fate, an unstoppable trend. However, the Xuanmen is not without solutions. The Demon Sect has been suppressed by the Xuanmen for thousands of years, and truly outstanding disciples are few. These individuals are the future pillars of the Six Great Demon Sects. If they can be cut down before they mature, it could at least slightly impede their rise.

Shen Baishuang continued, "A momentary victory or defeat is irrelevant to the bigger picture. For now, pay no heed to these matters. Just take advantage of the peace here to cultivate with the right mindset. After reaching the Third Realm, return to the sect, and you will naturally receive benefits."

Zhang Yan nodded, saluted, and said, "Thank you, Uncle-Master, for the guidance."

He also understood the key point within. In the coming centuries, the struggle between Xuanmen and the Demon Sect for the Demon Cave would undoubtedly intensify. Both sides would attempt to weaken the other’s junior disciples. However, it was far from the time to truly decide the victor. Perhaps after the Three Great Calamities had passed, it would be time to redraw the chessboard. If he didn’t want to turn to dust beneath the calamity, he would have to strive to enhance his cultivation.