Daoist Competition

Hearing the sound of a bell ringing among the clouds, Zhang Yan’s gaze flickered slightly. On this Ten Peaks Mountain, at this moment, apart from the four True Masters of the master-disciple lineage and Qi Yuntian, likely only he knew the reason behind it.

Just then, golden light flashed chaotically in the sky, and dozens of token talismans descended at once, falling into the hands of Qi Yuntian, Zhuang Bufan, and other disciples.

One also came toward Zhang Yan. He reached out and caught it. Upon glancing at it, he noticed it was not unfamiliar to him—it was a Dharma Talisman for entering the Floating Heavenly Palace.

A smile appeared on his face. Looking around, he saw that many disciples who had also received this talisman had already broken through the void and departed. He, too, leaped into the air and rose amidst the Tunnel Smoke, heading toward the Floating Heavenly Palace.

Before long, he arrived outside the Heavenly Palace. Feeling the Gang Wind brush against his face, which prohibited further movement, he slapped the Dharma Talisman in his hand. Instantly, it transformed into a golden light that enveloped him, allowing him to pass straight into the clouds above the Heavenly Palace.

After landing, he raised his eyes and swept his gaze around. Below the outer hall, he saw Qi Yuntian, Zhuang Bufan, Luo Qingyu, Ning Chongxuan, and others had all arrived ahead of him. After greeting them, he chose a cushion and sat down.

Not long after, Fan Changqing, Fang Hong, Ren Mingyao, and others also descended one after another.

Everyone Zhang Yan had encountered that night had now gathered here.

In the grand hall, a child walked out and spoke in a clear voice: "The Ancestor Master has ordered that all disciples remain seated in the outer hall and quietly await the Dharma Decree. If you hear discussions from within the hall later, you must not make noise, whisper among yourselves, or leave without permission. Any violations will be dealt with according to sect rules."

These words were spoken with great severity. Combined with today’s summoning of all the disciples, a sense of unusual tension began to grip those present.

At this time, the eight Cave Heaven True Masters had already entered the grand hall of the Heavenly Palace.

Sect Leader Qin was already seated on the main seat in the hall. The four noble family True Masters thought to themselves with apprehension, uncertain what the Sect Leader’s grand display this time was all about.

Especially after the recent sect competition, when the master-disciple lineage’s plans had not gone as intended, it became even more necessary for them to be vigilant.

For the moment, however, they could not fathom what the Sect Leader intended, so they readied themselves mentally, prepared to respond cautiously.

Once everyone was seated, Master Chen cleared his throat and asked cautiously, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, may I ask what matter prompted you to summon us here so urgently?"

Sect Leader Qin opened his mouth, and his voice was clear and resonant: "Today’s discussion concerns a case of betraying one’s master and ancestors within our sect, which I could not overlook and thus summoned you all to deliberate on."

The four noble family True Masters were all inwardly startled and exchanged glances.

The Sect Leader would not make unfounded claims, and for him to mobilize everyone like this, the individual involved was clearly no trivial figure.

True Master Meng spoke angrily, "Master, who is this person?"

Master Xiao glanced at True Master Meng and stroked his beard without speaking, but inwardly he sneered. For such a matter, could the Sect Leader and his four disciples be unaware? They must have already deliberated in private. Otherwise, how could they ensure control over the proceedings today? This exchange was evidently staged for their benefit.

Sect Leader Qin spoke calmly, "In the Ancestor Hall, there is a talisman seal tablet that the Ancestor Master personally placed in ancient times, corresponding to six forbidden grounds. Twenty-some years ago, one of the sealing tablets sounded without cause, clearly showing it had been coveted and someone was recklessly attempting to break the restriction."

Master Chen furrowed his brows and asked sternly, "Senior Brother, who would dare act so boldly? And if this occurred twenty years ago, why bring it up only today?"

The four noble family True Masters then vaguely recalled that the founding Ancestor Master had personally set up six seals, which were rumored to suppress ancient, malicious creatures. The disciples were warned that under no circumstances should they break these restrictions. Any violation, regardless of the perpetrator, would be judged as betraying their master and ancestors.

However, they had not known there was such a sealing tablet placed in the Ancestor Hall.

Aside from the Sect Leader, nobody else knew where the six restricted areas were. Now that someone had boldly excavated one, it was no wonder such a spectacle was underway.

Sect Leader Qin did not respond to Master Chen’s question. Instead, he flicked his horsetail whisk and said, "Bring the person up."

Soon after, a short and fat Daoist walked into the hall. He was a Hua Dan Cultivator. From his features, with his facial features squeezed together, he appeared somewhat comical.

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He bowed respectfully to the True Masters, saying, "Disciple Miao Kun greets the Sect Leader and all True Masters."

Sect Leader Qin said, "Miao Kun, tell these True Masters all that you know."

"Yes," Miao Kun replied, bowing again. Then, he began: "Twenty-three years ago, Sect Leader detected abnormal activity in one of the seals, originating beneath Surging Wave Lake. This location had been granted to the Su Family as their domain after the annihilation of the Three Pools. At the Sect Leader’s command, I was sent to investigate secretly. After all these years, I discovered that not only has the Su Family been attempting to dismantle the seal beneath Surging Wave Lake’s True Dragon Mansion but that their entire clan harbors treasonous intentions, scheming to secede from the sect!"