Daoist Competition

Wang Caiting glanced over and said, "Oh, Brother Li, what’s wrong with you?"

Li Guozhi quickly replied, "Nothing, nothing, I just choked a little while drinking tea."

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He secretly cursed inwardly, thinking to himself: "Elder Yuan’s skills aren’t bad, but could Master Zhang’s disciple-training methods be any worse? I’ve heard that the Wang Sisters’ senior sister, Liu Yan Yi, has cultivated for merely two decades yet already reached the Xuan Guang Realm. She’s now renowned, and if I had a choice, I would certainly prefer to apprentice under Master Zhang. Elder Yuan has lived over five hundred years, and in a few decades, when his lifespan expires, without their mentor, how far could Yuan and Weng progress even if they had the best talent?"

Wang Caiwei, upon hearing the name Yuan Yanhui, couldn’t help but say, "Senior Sister, this time, I wonder if she can defeat him."

Wang Caiting’s eyes flickered. She gave Tian Kun, who hadn’t spoken for a while, a shove and said, "Second Senior Brother, what do you think?"

Tian Kun pondered seriously for a moment before responding, "Senior Sister has been under her mentor’s guidance the longest, and she holds the sword ball in hand. I don’t think she’ll do poorly."

Wang Caiting pouted, clearly dissatisfied. Such words seemed to amount to saying nothing at all!

Just then, a clear beam of Xuan Guang appeared in the sky, circulating outside the mountain wall as though searching for someone. Wang Caiting’s sharp eyes immediately spotted it, and she exclaimed delightedly, "It’s Senior Sister!"

She leaped up and waved, shouting, "Senior Sister, we’re over here!"

The tunneling light turned and flew toward them. Upon arriving at the pavilion, the light dispersed, revealing Liu Yan Yi as she emerged.

Her face was dignified and pristine; she wore a lotus-colored deep robe, her long sleeves trailing the ground, a golden ring binding her hair. With every step she took, her ornaments lightly chimed. A faint clear glow lingered around her knees, neither fully dissipating nor remaining. As she walked in from the balcony under the bright moonlight, she truly appeared like a fairy descended from the heavens.

Li Guozhi couldn’t help but stare in a daze.

The Wang Sisters and Tian Kun promptly rose together, stepping forward to pay their respects, saying, "Greetings to Senior Sister."

Liu Yan Yi softly parted her cherry lips and said gently, "Junior Brother Tian, Junior Sisters, no need to be so formal."

She then turned her gaze toward Li Guozhi and asked, "May I know who this is?"

Only then did Li Guozhi snap out of his trance. He hastily tidied his robe and stepped forward, bowing, "I am Li Guozhi, a cultivator from Yingxian Island, paying respect to Fairy Liu."

"Yingxian Island..." Liu Yan Yi’s eyes flashed with a hint of recollection before she nodded lightly at him.

Meanwhile, not far from their location, two Daoists were drinking and enjoying themselves in another pavilion.

One, a high-crowned Daoist, was already in a drunken stupor. He noticed Liu Yan Yi’s tunneling light earlier and turned to a stocky cultivator, asking, "Brother Wang, look at that female cultivator—her Xuan Guang is so pure and rare. Do you know who she is?"

The stocky cultivator gave it a glance and said indifferently, "Judging by her appearance, she should be Liu Yan Yi. This woman’s talent is extraordinary, so such proficiency is only natural."

The high-crowned Daoist frowned, set down his wine cup, and said, "Is she the same Liu Yan Yi whom Nephew Yuan mentioned, nearly losing her sword ball to him on Yingluo Island?"

The stocky cultivator nodded, "Indeed, it is her."

The high-crowned Daoist’s eyes gleamed. He pushed aside the wine platter with drunken bravado, standing up, "I’ve heard she was quite upset that Nephew Yuan took her sword ball. Ha, I’ve nothing better to do—let me go dampen her spirit."

The stocky cultivator knew this senior brother of his was prone to trouble-making. Fearing he might get killed, which was why he’d been expelled from the mountain gate years ago, the cultivator hurriedly grabbed his wrist and said sternly, "Brother Bao, you must not—this woman belongs to Zhang..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the high-crowned Daoist shook off his hand impatiently and said, "Stop blocking me!"

Seeing the situation worsen, the stocky Daoist looked at the dozen empty wine jugs nearby and stomped his foot, muttering, "Drinking causes trouble!"

The two pavilions weren’t far apart. The high-crowned Daoist transformed into a rainbow light, landing atop a crimson-lacquered railing. He shook out his robes, placed his hands on his waist, and swept his gaze across the room, yelling, "Sir Daoist demands to know—who here is Liu Yan Yi?"

Liu Yan Yi had just sat down. Noticing the Daoist’s aggressive tone and reeking of alcohol, she stood up, her demeanor composed, and said, "It is this girl. What business brings the Daoist here?"

The high-crowned Daoist looked her up and down, chuckled darkly, "It’s said you are quite remarkable among the younger generation. Today, my hands are itching for a match. Come, let’s see how much skill you truly possess."

Liu Yan Yi faintly furrowed her brows and gracefully shook her head, saying, "Respected Daoist, forgive me for declining."

The high-crowned Daoist paused in surprise, then shook his shoulders and erupted in laughter, "What? Are you scared? Don’t worry; Sir Daoist will go easy on you. Come on, battle me—I promise not to take your life."

Liu Yan Yi’s eyes remained steadfast as she said, "Daoist, you misunderstand. In one day, it will be the time for the major competition. If the honored Daoist wishes to compete with this girl, then in the grand competition, you may take action; I will not retreat. But today is most inappropriate, and I cannot accept. Daoist, please leave."

The high-crowned Daoist’s face shifted but soon stubbornly declared, "No! Now that I’m here, it’s not so easy to leave. Whether you agree or not, there shall still be a duel..."

Before he finished speaking, a thread of smoke suddenly flew toward him, coiling around his waist and pulling him back. He hadn’t yet realized what had happened, furious as he shouted, "Which scoundrel dares to lay hands on Sir Daoist!"

The one who had captured him frowned and scolded, "Junior Brother, hold your tongue! Don’t assume that because the Immortal Master speaks highly of you, this old Daoist cannot discipline you!"

The high-crowned Daoist froze, his entire body trembling as he immediately fell silent, no longer daring to speak.

Liu Yan Yi looked up and saw the one who intervened—a white-haired old Daoist with a goatee, his face gaunt, clad in a black robe embroidered with rainbow edges. He sat on a flying couch with two disciples positioned casually behind him. At this moment, he turned his head to glance at Liu Yan Yi and said in a low voice, "Are you Liu Yan Yi?"

...

...(To be continued... If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)