Daoist Competition

He shouted, unleashing the rolling Elixir Evil, sweeping up over a dozen disciples and carrying them away as they flew toward the Sea Eye.

This time was unlike the slow and cautious journey inward; he fiercely circulated his formidable elixir power, carrying the group of disciples, and sped forth as swift as a meteor streaking across the sky.

Two days later, Zhang Yan followed the Sea Eye and returned to Shouming Palace.

After bringing the group of disciples back, he gave them some brief words of encouragement before parting ways and heading into the palace to meet True Master Peng.

True Master Peng was informed of his return and wasted no time, promptly inviting him into the hall, softly asking, "I wonder, how has the task fared?"

Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "Fortunately, I did not fail to fulfill my duty."

He first recounted the events, then tossed out a human bag and pointed at it, saying, "Most of the people within Jueji Mansion have been eliminated by me. This person is Qian Yi, Senior Disciple of Yu Gu She. I captured him alive, which should serve as an account to Sect Leader."

True Master Peng’s phoenix-like eyes sparkled slightly. She raised her hand, summoning two maids to take Qian Yi away, and nodded in approval toward Zhang Yan, saying, "You handled this very well. No one will be able to pin anything on you now."

Zhang Yan noticed the deeper meaning in her words and asked in surprise, "May I ask the True Master for clarification?"

True Master Peng unfolded her sleeve, slapped the armrest firmly, and snorted, saying, "A few days ago, someone suggested sending you, just like Zhuang Bufan, to the small demon cave to suppress devils. Although this proposal aligns with sect rules and reasoning, the proposer harbored ill intentions, wanting to disturb your peaceful cultivation. I disputed this matter with the Sect Leader, stating that you would surely resolve the situation. Only then was the task in the demon cave entrusted to you."

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At this moment, Zhang Yan finally understood the situation’s origin, and his eyes flickered slightly.

However, since True Master Peng hadn’t informed him beforehand, it wasn’t necessarily intentional concealment. The two of them were now bound together in both glory and ruin. If he had failed in his mission, she would have likely found a way to cover for him.

He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "I must deeply thank the True Master for her concern."

True Master Peng brushed her hand dismissively and said, "This is a minor matter, and it is already in the past."

She raised her fair arm and sent down a Dharma Token. Zhang Yan extended his hand to catch it.

True Master Peng said, "Five days ago, Huo Xuan requested the Sect Leader’s decree to gather the sect’s Top Ten Disciples. At that time, you were still at the small demon cave and unaware of this matter. Thus, the Dharma Token was left in my Shouming Palace. Now that you’ve emerged from the demon cave, you must go to meet them. Since he is currently the head of the Top Ten Disciples, with the Sect Leader’s authorization, he can assign tasks to you all. I cannot interfere excessively. Be careful when you go."

Zhang Yan cupped his hands once more and said, "Thank you, True Master, for your care. I shall take my leave now."

True Master Peng lightly nodded and said, "Go ahead."

Zhang Yan bowed solemnly and then withdrew.

He briefly contemplated. In bygone days, aside from himself, the Top Ten Disciples all had their own missions and ventured outside. Now it seemed that something major must be happening.

After Qi Yuntian abdicated his position, Huo Xuan became the head of the Top Ten Disciples. This was the first time he was convening the disciples, and thus, attending was unavoidable.

With this thought, Zhang Yan first activated a spell, sending forth the Dharma Token to inform the other party that he had emerged from the small demon cave.

Then he meditated within Shouming Palace to restore his vigor. After half a day, when his spirit was fully rejuvenated, he unfurled his sword light, transforming into a rainbow and flying swiftly toward Ten Peaks Mountain.

The main peak stood tallest, towering over the remaining nine peaks, offering a commanding view that rendered all other mountains mere trifles. For over three centuries, this peak had belonged to Qi Yuntian. Now, Huo Xuan stood at this summit, gazing at the drifting clouds and flowing winds, the rising sun and falling moon.

When Zhang Yan arrived at this place, he saw Huo Xuan standing atop the peak. Though his expression was serene, his eyebrows were raised high, and his gaze revealed a fervent brilliance that was hard to restrain.

Behind him stood two female disciples in attendance, as well as another individual, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

This individual appeared to be around twenty years old, with fair skin and delicate features. Dressed in a light cyan robe, he seemed to be a gentle scholar. A faint smile graced his lips, and his bright eyes hinted at sharp wit and a keen mind.

Upon seeing Zhang Yan approach, Huo Xuan smiled warmly and said, "Junior Brother, the two of us have been waiting for you for quite some time."

Zhang Yan descended from his cloud, standing on the peak, and bowed respectfully, saying, "I hope I have not kept Senior Brother waiting too long. Please forgive me."

Huo Xuan shook his head with a smile and said, "You were acting on the Sect Leader’s orders outside. How could I hold any grudge against you? If anything, calling you here so urgently may be a fault on my part."

He then turned slightly, motioning to the scholarly-looking man beside him, and said, "I believe Junior Brother Zhang has not yet met Junior Brother Zhong Muqing."

Zhong Muqing glanced at Zhang Yan up and down, then smiled gently. His manner appeared warm and cordial as he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "So this is Junior Brother Zhang Yan. I’ve heard of your illustrious name for a long time. To be honest, we are not strangers linked by fate."

Earlier, Zhang Yan had noticed Zhong Muqing standing beside Huo Xuan and had vaguely guessed his identity. He returned the greeting with a calm expression and said, "Brother Zhong, you are too kind."

Years ago, Zhong Muqing was one of True Master Meng’s disciples. Later, when sect upheavals occurred, he was taken by True Master Qin as a disciple.

However, to preserve True Master Meng’s reputation, it was declared that he was nominally a disciple under True Master Qin, though in practice, it was True Master Meng who personally imparted Mysterious Skill teachings to him.

This arrangement was not unusual, as several noble family disciples were treated similarly.

The four Cave Heaven True Masters of the noble families were peers of the Sect Leader, and they themselves no longer took on disciples. Huo Xuan and the other five were direct lineage proteges under them but were nominally considered disciples two generations removed.

If Zhang Yan were to calculate seniority from Zhou Chongju’s perspective, he would technically rank higher than Zhong Muqing by one generation. However, now that they were all part of the Top Ten Disciples, such distinctions hardly needed consideration.

Huo Xuan laughed heartily as he took out a Dharma Decree and said, "The reason I called Junior Brother Zhang here today is for an important matter. Recently, Junior Brother Fang was tasked to investigate a secret affair. Hai Zhen Temple sent a letter, describing an unusual phenomenon to the northwest at Gushang Lake Qingtong Mountain: spiritual energy piercing the heavens, treasure light illuminating the skies. This suggests an Immortal Mansion has appeared. However, devils are wreaking havoc nearby, raising further suspicion that a Demon Cave may have emerged."

"Currently, disciples from Shaoqing, Yuan Yang, Nanhua, Tai Hao, and other sects are making their way there to uncover the truth. Junior Brother Fang has already gone ahead, but I worry that he might struggle to cope with such a task alone. Meanwhile, the other Junior Brothers have other responsibilities. Thus, I hope to ask Junior Brother Zhang to assist him."

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...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, consider visiting Qidian.com to cast recommendation votes or monthly tickets. Your support is the greatest encouragement for me.)