Daoist Competition

Mo Daoist heard the sound of the jade chime and did not have time to speak further with Feng Zhen. He quickly rode the smoke clouds and hurried toward Rongyan Island. Feng Zhen followed closely behind, and the two broke through the clouds, chasing the wind. It was only with the second toll of the jade chime that they managed to descend onto Fireworks Island.

By now, dozens of fellow disciples were already standing in front of the Fire Roar Palace. When the two pressed down their clouds and walked to the front of the hall, they looked upon the Jade Stairs and saw Du De seated high above. He wore a long robe of plain, unadorned fabric, his hair tied into a tall bun with a bright red hairpin inserted. Without any other adornments, his expression was unreadable, neither joyous nor angry. Yet the disciples below all stood upright with a rigid posture, not daring to make a sound.

Mo Daoist and Feng Zhen hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects. Du De gave them a casual glance, his gaze lingering on Feng Zhen for a moment longer before he waved his sleeve and said indifferently, "You two, stand aside and wait for instructions."

The two cautiously rose, retreated a few steps, and stood among the other fellow disciples.

Afterwards, more disciples continued arriving. By the time the toll of the jade chime echoed for the second time, there were already 107 disciples assembled on the island.

According to the palace rules, everyone must gather before the third toll of the jade chime. Failure to do so would result in severe punishment. At this moment, Du De suddenly spoke, "Who has yet to arrive?"

The attendant child had already counted clearly and knew the answer. Upon hearing the question, he immediately stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Master, there are still fifteen people who have not arrived. They are..."

Du De waved his hand and said coldly, "No need to name them. All those remaining are henceforth expelled from the sect. Should they dare to set foot on Rongyan Island in the future, they will be executed without mercy!"

As these words fell, a collective shiver ran through the gathered disciples, who inwardly felt fortunate.

Mo Daoist and Feng Zhen, in particular, broke out in cold sweats and exchanged a glance filled with trepidation. They were well aware of their master’s strict discipline and volatile moods. It was only because they rushed over with all possible speed that they avoided such a fate. A moment’s delay might have resulted in the same dire consequences!

Disciples like them depended entirely on Du De for survival. Only with his favor could their family clan lend its full support. However, if they lost their master’s favor and were expelled from the sect, returning to their families would yield no prospects, and no one would speak up on their behalf.

Du De rose from his seat atop the platform, the hem of his robe naturally brushing against the ground as he stood. His expressionless gaze swept downward.

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Clad entirely in snow-white attire, his tall and slender frame appeared somewhat thin. Yet as he stood there, his presence was overpowering. The disciples below felt a jolt in their hearts and instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

After casting his gaze over them, Du De calmly said, "Disciples of the Fireworks Palace, follow your master and proceed together to the grand competition."

Turning away, he ascended onto a Red-maned Qilin Flying Carriage, activated its mechanisms, and instantly burst into motion. Smoke clouds swept up, propelling him into the heavens.

A few moments later, the island shook with a deafening roar. It felt as though a furnace lid had been flipped open, scattering star fire everywhere. The assembled disciples all rose upon smoke clouds and followed in pursuit. Over a hundred streaks of red tunneling light flew forth from Fireworks Island, trailing a plume of dense black smoke that stretched for more than ten miles. The blazing fire illuminated the night, steaming the sky with a fiery force as they surged toward Honglie Continent.

There was still a full day before the grand competition, and thus, this journey didn’t require undue haste. Du De maintained a steady pace, neither rushing nor lagging.

Midway there, an unexpected phenomenon appeared on the horizon: chaotic beams of multicolored light interspersed with auspicious clouds. In the blink of an eye, billowing winds and clouds swept over.

Leading the way was a dignified man with a long, flowing beard, seated atop another flying carriage. He approached from the east, his trailing clouds and radiant rays bursting forth with brilliance. Behind him followed over a hundred disciples, each showcasing a spirited and resolute demeanor. Their tunneling lights and flying smoke floated freely but vigorously, rolling and sweeping across the skies, spreading unchecked for miles.

The man, upon seeing Du De, revealed a flash of sharpness in his eyes. Rising from his seat, he greeted loudly, "I thought I had already come quite early, but it turns out Brother Du has taken the lead yet again!"

Du De gazed at the approaching figure, paused his flying carriage, and returned the salute with an indifferent demeanor, saying, "So it is Brother Xiao Tang. I heard that a ranking master will preside over this grand competition. As disciples of the sect, how could I dare to arrive later than needed?"

Xiao Tang, unfazed by Du De’s aloofness, laughed heartily and agreed, "Indeed, as disciples, we must fulfill our duties diligently, abide by etiquette, and recognize virtue. Brother Du, since we’ve crossed paths, why don’t we travel together?"

Du De had no objections and promptly sat back in his seat. The two flying carriages traveled side by side.

Although their disciples followed behind as a single group, they formed two distinct streams, maintaining a clear division without interfering or overlapping.

Xiao Tang, evidently in a talkative mood, chatted casually with Du De for a while before changing the subject, saying, "This grand competition is not like previous ones. Brother Du, do you have any thoughts about altering the rankings a little?"

Du De responded calmly, "Brother Qi needs no mention. For hundreds of years, no one has been his equal. As for those other two seniors, their Dharma Power Cultivations far surpass mine. I harbor no such ambition. However, I have heard that Brother Xiao Tang’s cultivation has made significant progress. If you have aspirations, I would gladly yield the rank."