Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan smiled faintly, raised his finger and pointed once. The Jade Scroll, receiving a surge of power, let out a joyful hum before transforming into a streak of refined light that dove straight into the space between his brows. As soon as it entered his body, it eagerly reversed its overflowing essence energy back into him.

Within Zhang Yan’s Shen Que, there was a long-dormant cluster of Qi. At this moment, nourished by the essence energy, it seemed as though a slumbering insect awakened. Instantly, it broke through its membrane, lightly trembled, and relentlessly absorbed the energy into itself, growing larger at an astounding speed.

Until it could no longer expand, the Qi cluster suddenly exhaled outward, sending vast streams of essence energy cascading into his limbs and Hundred Veins. After this exhalation, the Qi cluster contracted inward before ferociously inhaling again, pulling the essence energy back to itself, and then swelling anew.

In the cycle of inhale and exhale, the essence energy flowed continuously like a torrent, circulating throughout his entire body, brushing against his acupoints and apertures, massaging joints and ligaments. Every one of Zhang Yan’s acupoints across his body seemed to pulsate, and even his bones began to crackle audibly. First, he felt an exhilarating numbness that was hard to bear, followed by a rush of heat and swelling, as though boiling water had been injected into him. Later, even the pores of his skin and the tips of his hair radiated sensations akin to being scorched and smoked.

Moreover, his internal organs, as the essence energy coursed through them, seemed to have been repeatedly combed and refined by countless skilled, delicate hands.

After an extended period, his skin turned red as if aflame, his ears and face glowed like they had been painted with vermilion blood, and wisps of smoke rose from every pore across his body. Atop his head, steam swirled densely like a simmering steamer. These smoke clouds did not scatter but transformed into fine tendrils that wrapped around him. Before long, he was cloaked entirely in thick fog, appearing from afar like an enormous cocoon over ten feet tall. His actual appearance was indistinguishable.

Nine days passed in this manner before Zhang Yan let out a crisp shout and abruptly opened his eyes. Within his pitch-black pupils, a flash of light like a star fire flickered then vanished. He stretched out his finger and flicked it; with a deafening roar, the white vapor enveloping his body exploded outward.

He slowly stood from the rock he’d been sitting on and clenched his fist. As his spine trembled slightly, even the soles of his feet reverberated gently. Suddenly, the sound of a "crack" rang out. Glancing down, he realized that while exerting his strength, he had inadvertently shattered the rock beneath him.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, standing in place while calmly regulating his breathing for several moments before walking forward again, no longer displaying any abnormalities.

After pondering for a bit, he activated a spell and summoned two golden hammers, their surfaces full of pits and grooves. The hammers flew forth, circled once in the air, then howled downward toward his head.

Only two muffled bangs were heard. The golden hammers rebounded without even causing him to shift his stance.

Zhang Yan nodded faintly, his face revealing a trace of satisfaction.

With the help of the remnant essence blood of the Great Demon’s body, he had now entered the Third Realm of the God Contract. Comparing to others, his physical body at this moment was equivalent to a Power Dao Practitioner in the Hua Dan Realm. Not only were his flesh and sinews impervious to blades and axes, but even his internal organs had been tempered into an unbreakable whole. Inside and out were as one—seamlessly connected. Even Divine Weapons like hammer or mace smashing against him could cause no harm to his core.

Turning around, he raised his finger, and the turtle shell sank back into the water.

This substance was so extraordinarily dense and resilient that not even the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll could affect it. It could undoubtedly be refined into a treasure in the future, but for now, lacking the time to tend to it, he simply buried it deeply for safekeeping.

Despite all that had been accomplished, he still felt somewhat unsatisfied. After deliberating briefly, he mused to himself, "In casual conversation with Brother Qi in the past, he once mentioned that our sect has a few Dharma Treasures specializing in trapping enemies. If caught within their reach and unwilling to submit, one may be instantly refined into ashes. Among the Top Ten Disciples, it’s not impossible that one of them possesses such a treasure—this cannot go unguarded."

Thinking of this, he called out in a clear voice, "Mirror Spirit, where are you? Bring me the ’Jingluo Escape Treasure Protective Clothing.’"

The Mirror Spirit, hearing the command, immediately opened the treasury and personally presented the Treasure Robe upon a Jade Plate.

This Treasure Robe wasn’t simply a robe—it came with a crown, shoes, silken sash, and a duster Ruyi. It was one of two Mystical Artifacts left behind by Gui Congyao.

This old demon, by nature benevolent, never carried Dharma Treasures meant for harm. All his treasures were oriented towards defense.

Zhang Yan extended his hand to retrieve the crown and robe attire. Delving into its essence, he observed its True Recognition was as clear and pure as water, completely free from taint or impurities. This indicated it had never been meticulously refined—its state was pristine, akin to that of a newborn infant.

This, upon closer thought, was unsurprising. Gui Congyao was originally a Cave Heaven Demon, a Mystic Turtle who achieved enlightenment. Those capable of harming him in this world were exceedingly rare, rendering this item unnecessary to him. Likely, he had obtained it casually somewhere.

This made matters simpler. Zhang Yan asked the Mirror Spirit for the refining mantra, pricked out a drop of his essence blood, and began the process of refinement.

With a proper spell in hand, there was no need for laborious effort. Within a few hours, the refinement was completed.

His palm brushed across the Treasure Robe, and he activated a spell, causing the robe, crown, and shoes to rise into the air and envelop him. In moments, he was fully dressed. Then, with another spell, he stored the duster Ruyi within the robe.

He stood up and spread his arms to inspect the attire. The robe displayed constellations and cloud-patterned talismans, faintly emitting dazzling brilliance. Clear Qi coursed around it, marking it undoubtedly as no ordinary item—completely different from the "Seven Stars Restraining Yang Robe," which could change forms and colors at will.

Though somewhat flamboyant, compared to its unparalleled defensive utility, its appearance was trivial. Furthermore, during the competitive showdown, it was not impossible that others would wear even bolder outfits. He didn’t need to overthink it.

Now, with the "Seven Stars Restraining Yang Robe" from Xiao Han beneath and the "Jingluo Escape Treasure Protective Clothing" on top, combined with his physically indestructible body, he was brimming with confidence, ready to shine in the climactic event.

After spending another day in the Little Pot Mirror, he withdrew from it.

At that moment, a thought dawned on him, bringing a faint smile to his face. Raising his hand, a streak of light shot toward him from the outside.

This was the return of the "Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle." He flicked his sleeve, allowing it to fall into his Sleeve Bag, then settled himself on the Jade Couch, awaiting the arrival of the climactic showdown.

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