Daoist Competition

Yu Gu She and the other five were all disciples of the Demon Dao. If they hadn’t been forced into a corner, they would never choose to engage in direct confrontation.

At this moment, these six individuals appeared to have the upper hand—at least on the surface—and were convinced of their advantage. Thus, when Zhang Yan’s sword light rose, their first instinct was not how to counterattack but to retreat quickly in all directions.

However, that sword light was too swift. Just as they made their first movement, each of them was slashed open, their bodies cleanly severed. Yet in the next moment, the six figures flickered like projections, merging back together again.

Zhang Yan withdrew his flashing sword light, spun it back and forth, and drove the six further away. He laughed aloud. "So it’s as I thought. You lot are nothing but a pack of cowards hiding in the shadows, too fearful to meet me in a fair fight."

Yu Gu She, being bold enough to meet Zhang Yan earlier, had already raised suspicion. Zhang Yan suspected this person was not here in their True Body—and his conjecture proved correct. Not only Yu Gu She but even these six individuals were using Blood Essence Avatars.

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These Blood Essences were indeed indistinguishable from real people and impossible to see through with the naked eye.

However, the farther the Blood Essence is from its True Body, the weaker the mana it can project. If his guess was right, Yu Gu She’s True Body was likely hiding in a distant cave, observing the fight from afar, while manipulating the Blood Essences to battle outside.

Such tactics were typical of Demon Cultivators. When uncertain about an opponent’s capabilities, they prioritize self-preservation and injury avoidance above all else. But once they discern the enemy’s weaknesses, they won’t hesitate to kill decisively.

Zhang Yan was almost certain of his assumptions. Neither Yu Gu She nor Guo Nanxing would expose their True Bodies in this fight. Both were cautious individuals who valued their lives above all else. Even with an apparent advantage, neither would easily risk revealing themselves—especially since the Blood Essence Sect’s techniques were designed precisely for this purpose. They saw no disgrace in such measures. Only by staying alive could they claim victory and mock their enemies later. Therefore, they had tacitly agreed to remain hidden in the cave, ready to retreat at the slightest unfavorable turn in battle.

Using his sword light to force the opponents apart, Zhang Yan quickly performed a spell. With a resounding boom like the beating of a war drum, the Xuanhuang Great Hand shot forth from above, fingers spread wide, instantly expanding to a majestic sixty zhang. The colossal palm descended, covering the mountain peak, clawing directly at the six.

Yu Gu She and Guo Nanxing, being cultivators of deeper cultivation, turned pale as they saw the massive hand bearing down, its shadow casting a suffocating gloom. Without hesitation, they darted away at lightning speed. However, a disciple trailing behind Guo Nanxing was a fraction too slow and failed to evade. The great hand grabbed hold of him, instantly crushing him into a ball of scattered blood light that flew wildly.

Back in the cave, the disciple seated within turned ghostly pale as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Hastily performing several spells, he regathered the shattered blood light into one place. Yet, when it reformed, it no longer resembled the original. Instead, it was merely a blurred, illusory figure, showing obvious signs of severe injury.

Zhang Yan’s sharp eyes immediately discerned the weakness of these Blood Essences. Although these ferocious creations could momentarily resist the slashes of Dharma Treasure Flying Swords without fear of destruction, sustaining attacks would still inflict real damage.

Yu Gu She and Guo Nanxing’s expressions darkened. They chose not to act rashly, instead leading their disciples to circle Zhang Yan from a distance. Several streaks of blood-colored shadows ringed around him, searching for gaps and weaknesses. From time to time, piercing wails echoed from their mouths—sounds alternately mournful and eerie, seemingly capable of shaking the soul.

Zhang Yan’s mind was resolute, unshaken by these tricks. The Star Sword Ball glimmered like radiant blue light, trailing a streak of dazzling brilliance as it hovered around him, sometimes speeding up, sometimes slowing down, its pace unpredictable. Above him, the suspended Xuanhuang Great Hand remained poised in midair, radiating threat, seemingly ready to descend at any moment.

Counting this battle, it was the second time Zhang Yan openly confronted Demon Sect Cultivators since he had defeated Li Weide twenty years ago.

He thought to himself that when the Demon Tribulation eventually arose, he would undoubtedly face more encounters with Demon Sect disciples. While his goal at present was to defeat these individuals, he also intended to observe their cultivation methods and techniques, preparing himself for future confrontations.

Thus, he wasn’t hasty in launching a full-scale attack. His stance was seventy percent defensive and thirty percent offensive. If the opponent approached, he sent his sword light to repel them; if they withdrew further, he refrained from pursuit, standing firm within the ten-zhang perimeter around his feet.

Yu Gu She tested several times but failed to breach the defensive circle. Seeing Zhang Yan’s calm demeanor, free of agitation or desperation, he realized this was a Daoist Cultivator of the True Sect. Zhang Yan’s cultivation technique exuded a long-lasting, profound presence. His defenses were meticulous—if the combat continued like this, a full day and night might pass with no decisive outcome. Suspicion arose in Yu Gu She’s mind, and he thought to himself, "This Zhang Yan is so composed—could it be that he’s stalling us while secretly awaiting reinforcements from his sect?"