Daoist Competition

Master Chen shook his head of white hair, his eyelids opened slightly, and he spoke, "Do not obstruct, must not obstruct, cannot obstruct."

After speaking, he closed his eyes again, assuming an air of indifference to worldly affairs.

The three True Masters mulled over the meaning of his words in silence, each nodding secretly in agreement, all saying, "Senior Brother speaks most wisely!"

Their purpose in stopping Ning Chongxuan this time—was it not to preserve the previous balance between the master-disciple factions within the Xuanmen before Qi Yuntian descended from his position?

In their view, let alone one Ning Chongxuan—even two, three of him—could not compare to one Qi Yuntian!

If he were to step down, that would be the best outcome! A blessing beyond hope!

Master Xiao coughed lightly and spoke kindly in reply from a distance, "True Master Meng, though we are as their mentors, as long as our disciples do not violate sect rules and precepts, it is best to let them do as they will. What do you think of this?"

Chapters fırst released on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net

True Master Meng then asked, "Since my disciple is stepping down, I must ask—who will fill the vacant seat among the Top Ten Disciples?"

Master Xiao chuckled and said, "Chongxuan is naturally gifted, standing out among the disciples in our sect. In my view, he is quite suitable to take this position."

True Master Meng refrained from further debate. He raised his hand and retrieved the Dharma Decree. With a sweep of his sleeve, he erased the original name and replaced it in just moments. After imprinting the Seal, he flicked it lightly, sending it off.

Once the decree had passed through the hands of the several True Masters one by one, each leaving their Seal, it was cast down once more to Ten Peaks Mountain.

Elder Xun received the Dharma Decree, glanced over it, and began reading aloud once again. This time, no one spoke out to oppose.

After three declarations, Elder Xun stored the decree without delay. Turning into a streak of sword rainbow, he departed swiftly and vanished in no time.

After his departure, the lower-level disciples under the master-disciple factions all whispered among themselves in private, "Master Qi is truly noble!"

As for these disciples, though unaware of the secret power struggles between the two sect factions, they could at least see the surface. Although this grand competition hadn’t unfolded as they had envisioned, Qi Yuntian, for the sake of his junior martial brothers being able to rise, had willingly stepped down from the position of Ten Disciples Leader. In their hearts, they couldn’t help but feel deep admiration.

At this moment, the noble family disciples were all beaming with joy. They could hardly believe that Qi Yuntian had so easily stepped down!

This man had loomed over them for more than three hundred years, as immovable as a towering mountain, suffocating their ambitions. Now that the mountain had finally been moved, they felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun and sky.

Over on the Fourth Peak, ever since his loss in the competition, Feng Zhen had been in a half-dead state. Yet at this moment, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Mo Daoist was puzzled and looked over, asking in a low voice, "Junior Brother, what has made you so pleased?"

Feng Zhen sneered coldly and said, "I laugh at Zhang Yan. Despite his extraordinary skills and monumental efforts, in the end, he still accomplished nothing. Now, he is just like me—still an ordinary disciple. How could I not laugh?"

Mo Daoist said flatly, "That Zhang Yan has no Cave Heaven True Master backing him. Such an outcome was likely inevitable, wouldn’t you say?"

Feng Zhen shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Senior Brother, don’t underestimate him. Nonetheless, this time, there is little he can stir up—haha..."

Meanwhile, outside Ten Peaks Mountain, Zhang Yan’s disciples had also learned of the results of the grand competition.

The Wang Sisters, unaware of Zhang Yan’s plans, felt little of anything. They simply saw that the competition had concluded and sighed in relief, feeling that as long as their master was safe and sound, that was all that mattered.

However, Liu Yanyi found it peculiar. Before they set out for this grand competition, Zhang Yan had specifically told her that he intended to claim a position in the Top Ten Disciples. In her eyes, her master had always been a man of thorough foresight, never missing a detail. Especially after his battles against Du De and Xiao Tang, her belief in this had only strengthened. Deep within, she pondered, "Could it be that Master has another card to play?"

But this was already a matter decided by eight Cave Heaven True Masters—how could it possibly be overturned?

Even the Sect Leader would not openly oppose it. She truly couldn’t imagine what means her master could still employ—unless...

Suddenly, her expression shifted, as though realizing there might indeed be another possibility. However, the thought was so preposterous that it quickly flashed through her mind and was gone.

Qi Mengjiao saw her deep in thought, silent, and assumed she was feeling disappointed. She gently walked over, took her jade-like arm, and consoled her, saying, "Junior Sister, Uncle Zhang has done everything in his power this time. This is not due to a lack of ability but rather the result of the prevailing tide. By the next grand competition, Uncle Zhang will undoubtedly make great strides."

Liu Yanyi said, "Mm," but her reply was perfunctory, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Huang Fuzhou gazed toward Ten Peaks Mountain, feeling both melancholy and relief. To the woman leaning at his side, he said, "Junior Sister, the dust has settled. With this outcome, I suppose there’s a proper account to give to True Master Qin."

The woman responded in a soft voice, saying, "I shall draft a letter to inform Master right away. I imagine she will be very pleased."

She walked over to a desk, sat down, took out a Flying Book, and wrote a line of delicate script. Then, retrieving a Golden Seal from her sachet, she stamped it. Muttering a spell under her breath, she pointed with her slender hand, and the Flying Book took off, transforming into a streak of Clear Light and disappearing in an instant.

The Flying Book traveled like a shooting star, swiftly crossing the vast Dragon Abyss Marsh before entering Linglang Cave Heaven. Passing through layers of silver-walled cloud towers, it arrived at a place adorned with icy curtains, pearl strings, and flowing brocade canopies.

True Master Qin sat upright on a jade lotus. Noticing the arrival of the Flying Book, her phoenix-like eyes opened. With her jade-like fingers, she caught the Flying Book, opened it, and carefully read its contents. Her face showed a trace of contemplation, and she lightly nodded, saying, "Where is Wan Ying?"

Immediately, a charming young woman dressed in a pale yellow ruqun stepped in and curtsied deeply, saying, "Disciple is here. I wonder what Master wishes to instruct?"

True Master Qin raised her hand, lifting a jade-green Ruyi, and said, "Take this to the Floating Heavenly Palace and give it to the Sect Leader."

Just as the young woman was moving forward to receive it, a sudden sound of ringing bells resonated from outside. The ringing was not merely loud and far-reaching—it carried a sense of commanding authority and solemnity, distinct from the ordinary.

True Master Qin frowned slightly and thought to herself, "This is the Floating Heavenly Palace’s golden bell, the signal for the Sect Leader to summon all disciples. What could have happened? The grand competition has just concluded. What matter requires such fanfare?"

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)