Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan laughed heartily, bid farewell to the two, rose up, and transformed into a chilling sword rainbow, vanishing into the horizon.

After he left, Zhong Muqing also took his leave of Huo Xuan and headed toward Langya Cave Heaven. With his special status, he entered the inner house without prior notification and went directly to meet True Master Qin.

As he made his way, he observed warm braziers exuding light smoke within the cave mansion, which shrouded a pool of emerald water, flowing with a gentle murmur. Fragrant lotus blossoms brewed their scent, their roots steeped in secluded springs amidst curling mist. Lifting his gaze, he suddenly saw True Master Qin meditating atop a jade lotus flower, her figure hazy and indistinct. He promptly knelt and said, "Disciple pays respects to True Master."

True Master Qin spoke indifferently, "You’ve met Zhang Yan, haven’t you?"

Zhong Muqing respectfully replied, "Yes."

True Master Qin asked, "What do you think of him?"

Zhong Muqing pondered for a moment and decided to be truthful, saying, "After the grand competition, it’s been only eight years. Back then, Zhang Yan had just reached First-Class Elixir Formation, but now he has already broken through the Shell Barrier. It’s truly remarkable and left this disciple astonished. If he continues to cultivate like this, his progress will only accelerate, making him increasingly difficult to handle."

True Master Qin nodded slightly in agreement, saying, "Muqing, your assessment is accurate."

Zhong Muqing raised his head to look at True Master Qin and asked, "However, there is one thing this disciple does not understand—could True Master resolve my doubt?"

True Master Qin said, "Ask away."

Zhong Muqing bit his lip, bowed deeply, and asked, "Why did True Master present the True Seal Seed to Zhang Yan?"

It was precisely because of True Master Qin’s command that he went to Huo Xuan’s side today, seizing the opportunity to hand over the True Seal to Zhang Yan.

This task was not easy to accomplish. Both avoiding being seen through by the two and choosing the right moment required careful calculation, which had cost him considerable effort.

However, he had already inspected the seal in secret. The person who condensed this True Seal possessed mana of an unbelievable level. Even through his perspective, he could faintly sense that this individual’s cultivation surpassed True Master Qin’s by several degrees. Had he not passed this realm himself, he might have succumbed to the temptation. Yet why did such an extraordinary object have to be gifted so easily to Zhang Yan?

True Master Qin cast a sidelong glance at him, her expression ambiguous with a faint smile, and said, "Did you take a look at the seal?"

Zhong Muqing’s body trembled, and he quickly lowered his head, saying, "This disciple was reckless."

True Master Qin dismissed it, saying, "It’s no matter if you’ve seen it. You are one of my reliable disciples, and this matter ought to be made known to you. This True Seal Seed is indeed a rarity. If not for the sect’s upheaval a hundred years ago, whoever obtained such a treasure would count it as their fortune. But now, things are different..."

As she spoke, she let out a faint, disdainful snort, tinged with apparent resentment, saying, "This item was left behind by my senior brother in former years. If Zhang Yan follows the Dharma technique to condense the True Seal, what reaction the Sect Leader might have is one thing, but traveling outside, it will surely alert that senior brother of mine. Do you understand now?"

Zhong Muqing was shocked, and the memory of the earth-shattering dharma form during the battle at Three Pools that day resurfaced in his mind. Instantly, he connected the pieces and understood the rationale, praising from the heart, "True Master’s wisdom is unparalleled."

True Master Qin waved her hand dismissively and said, "If you have no other matters, then withdraw."

Zhong Muqing bowed deeply, turned, and slowly exited the cave mansion.

True Master Qin stood up, gazing intently downward at the cold pool at her feet.

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Ever since True Master Peng had set foot into the chessboard of sect affairs, she had been acutely aware that the situation within the sect was gradually slipping out of her grasp.

Particularly in recent times, she increasingly felt bound hand and foot, with the ease of maneuvering and detachment she once enjoyed long gone.

But being peers as Cave Heaven True Masters, she could not—and would not—act against the other. In contrast, dealing with Zhang Yan seemed much simpler. While his cultivation was still shallow and his footing unsteady, she could topple him and regain part of her advantage.

After leaving Ten Peaks Mountain, Zhang Yan made his way back to Zhao You Cave Mansion.

His earlier use of the Lower Court as an excuse in front of Huo Xuan wasn’t without purpose—it was actually a strategy to delay matters.

He wasn’t a reckless person. It wasn’t just True Master Peng’s earlier reminder to be cautious; even if he were truly tasked to go outside on a mission, he wouldn’t blindly accept it. He had to understand the details thoroughly before taking any action.

Thus, after entering the main hall, he sent a talisman to Zhou Chongju, hoping to uncover some information.

Afterward, he entered the Little Pot Mirror. Sitting atop a bamboo tower, he shook his sleeve, and with a deep sound, a ten-zhang-tall Flying Pavilion appeared before him.

The pavilion had six layers, with intricate carvings of ferocious beasts on its flying eaves and grand pillars, exuding an eerie and ghastly aura.

He flicked his sleeve, leaped inside, and went straight to the stele controlling the prohibition mechanism. Standing before it for a moment, he placed his hand on it and activated the God Contract cultivation technique.

Soon, his arm faintly trembled, and he sensed a rumble emanating from deep within the Demon Storage. He immediately realized that the prohibition on the Fifth Realm floor had opened.

His heart leapt with excitement. Previously, he could only reach the fourth layer, but now, having reached the peak of the Third Realm of the God Contract, he had decided to test it again—and succeeded in one go.

With just a point of his feet, he ascended gracefully along the staircase and landed on the fifth layer.

Looking around, he saw that the interior of the pavilion was constructed entirely of white jade, but the ground bore a peculiar astronomical pattern whose origins he couldn’t discern even with his knowledge.

After examining it for a moment, his eyes roved the surroundings until they settled on a white jade bi in the corner, where he found the cultivation spells for the fourth to sixth realms of the God Contract technique.

Reading the technique closely, he found it much more intricate and complex than the previous three realms. However, its core remained the same—it required him to kill living people, absorb their flesh and Primordial Spirits with the Demon Scroll, particularly favoring Demon Sect disciples as targets.

While engrossed in studying, the Mirror Spirit emerged, holding something up with both hands, and said, "Master, a Flying Book has arrived outside the mansion. Please take a look."

Zhang Yan casually took the book, initially thinking it was a reply from Zhou Chongju. But when he glanced at the signature on the book, he saw the three words: "Qin Mobai."

...

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