Chapter 629 - 56 - s Mountainous Pavilion Encounters Storm
Dragon Abyss Marsh, Honglie Continent.
On a refined and ancient tower in the southern position, the Wang Sisters, along with Tian Kun and Li Guozhi, sat behind a table, occasionally commenting on those competing below. Several female attendants of the tower carried tea and water, endlessly serving fruits and immortal brews.
The Deacon Daoist, upon learning they were disciples of Zhang Yan, dared not demand any favors and respectfully led them to this choice observation platform.
Fearing that he might appear rude, he would frequently circle back around, and each time he sternly commanded the maids to ensure they did not slacken in their service.
Li Guozhi, observing his shift from arrogance to deference, sighed at the unfairness of it all. His own master’s cultivation was not high, so no one paid him any attention. Yet, because the Wang Sisters were disciples of Zhang Yan, even without uttering a word, no one dared offend them.
The past few days watching the disciples’ martial bouts had widened the Wang Sisters’ horizons. Only now did they realize just how numerous the talented individuals within the sect were, many possessing comparable qualifications to their own. Furthermore, many had already advanced ahead of them. If they didn’t vigorously strive to catch up, they feared they’d forever be left behind. Determined, they silently resolved to devote themselves to diligent cultivation upon returning to their residence.
Wang Caiwei noticed the Deacon Daoist reprimanding people nearby and occasionally stealing glances in their direction, as though worried they might miss his efforts. She couldn’t help but chuckle. Standing up, she said, "Deacon Daoist, please come sit over here. This young lady has something to inquire about."
The Deacon Daoist, hearing her words, rushed over eagerly and bowed, saying, "What does Sister Wang wish to know? Please speak freely; this humble daoist will answer all questions to the best of my ability."
Wang Caiwei smiled and said, "I wish to ask Deacon Pi about tomorrow’s Xuan Guang competition. What rewards will the sect bestow?"
Over the past twenty days, a Ming Qi Realm disciple named Huo Pengcheng had claimed the title of first place. The sect rewarded him with a True Palace for cultivation, a high-grade spiritual device, a Xuan Gong secret manual, twenty-five bottles of auxiliary elixirs, and admittance to Shangming Hall to hear teachings of the Dao Technique—truly an infinite prospect.
But after today, it would be the Xuan Guang Realm cultivators’ turn for their bouts.
The Deacon Daoist, well-versed in the details of the grand competition, began to boast, "Let me share with the two Sisters. It’s said that for this year’s Xuan Guang disciples’ major competition, the top-ranked sixty will not only be granted Blessed Land Cave Mansions but may even gain a sect fairy as their attendant. As for the top three, they’ll receive the Outer Three Elixirs required for pill condensing, as well as the privilege to choose one of the Five Skills and Three Scriptures for cultivation!"
The Wang Sisters nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, but their expressions remained unchanged. Being newcomers to cultivation and still of limited prowess, they didn’t grasp the significance of external medicines and cultivation techniques. They assumed the rewards were similar to those granted to Ming Qi disciples and therefore felt little impact, merely listening idly.
Tian Kun was much the same, sitting there silently without speaking. Initially, Li Guozhi thought he was acting aloof due to his own stature. Later, he realized Tian Kun simply disliked conversations and therefore refrained from approaching him unnecessarily.
Li Guozhi, however, differed from them. Having interacted with far more people than the Wang Sisters, he was keenly aware of the prestige such rewards represented. His master had even ventured out in search of pill-condensing medicines for a period, spending more than twenty-two years to gather them all. Therefore, he deeply understood the rarity of these external medicines. Hearing that the sect was willing to grant such treasures left him silently speculating: "If mere Xuan Guang disciples could be blessed so generously, then surely the rewards for Hua Dan cultivators must be even greater. Only by advancing one’s cultivation can one attain more..."
He cast a furtive glance at the Wang Sisters. Initially, he had approached them merely due to their striking beauty—an inclination all mortals share. Having joined the sect not long ago, he hadn’t yet rid himself of such worldly habits. However, he no longer thought thusly.
To pursue the Dao, one must obtain companions, wealth, and land—the essentials for cultivation. While he originally believed that despite having numerous peers, his master was still respectable enough, the stark contrast in the Deacon Daoist’s treatment of him versus the Wang Sisters had delivered a harsh blow. Resolving to strengthen his connection with the two sisters, he thought to himself that in the future, no one could look down on him again.
"When speaking of the Xuan Guang disciples, the Xuanmen noble families still boast the most outstanding talents," the Deacon Daoist said exuberantly, continuing with great animation, "But within the master-disciple lineage over the past twenty years, no one surpasses Elder Zhu’s two disciples in Shangming Hall: one named Weng Zhiyuan and the other Yuan Yanhui."
Wang Caiting’s expression shifted. She had heard Liu Yan Yi mention Yuan Yanhui before and exclaimed in astonishment, "Oh, Elder Zhu is truly exceptional at teaching disciples."
Li Guozhi, hearing this remark, could only respond with a series of exaggerated coughs.