Daoist Competition

However, each time the elder attempted a calculation, he would shake his head and his brows furrowed even deeper. After an hour had passed, he finally threw the bamboo divination aside in frustration and said apologetically, "Everyone, although this old man considers himself to have remarkable accomplishments in the study of the Array Dao, to thoroughly calculate and understand this formation definitely cannot be accomplished within a few short days."

The middle-aged Daoist also knew this formation would not be easy to crack, so he patiently asked, "May I inquire, Hu Lai, how much time would it require?"

The elder raised two fingers and said, "Twenty years."

"Twenty years?"

All the disciples surrounding him exclaimed in astonishment. One of them, with a trace of sarcasm, said, "If it takes you twenty years, why would we bother consulting you?"

The elder was affronted by the ridicule, briefly appeared uneasy, but ultimately kept silent. Other than his expertise in formations, he was skilled in nothing else, and his cultivation could not compare to these individuals. After attempting to respond but failing to form words, he ultimately snorted in displeasure, cupped his hands in resignation, and stormed off.

The middle-aged Daoist, seeing no use in him, dropped his polite demeanor entirely, making no effort to hold him back, letting him leave as he pleased.

This unconcerned dismissal made the elder feel even more indignant. His steps quickened as he distanced himself from the group, muttering to himself. Upon reaching a spot further away, he began to retrieve a Magic Artifact to prepare for flying escape, only to hear someone call out from behind him, "Fellow Daoist, wait!"

He halted in his tracks, turned back, and saw a young cultivator of average stature and an ordinary appearance. Perplexed, he asked, "What is it, Fellow Daoist?"

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The figure was none other than Zhang Yan, who had changed his appearance. Zhang Yan stepped forward, bowed courteously, and said, "Fellow Daoist, moments ago, I observed you deducing the array formation. I believe you must possess deep insight into this field. I have a few questions on my mind and would like to consult you."

The elder, noticing his polite demeanor and sensing that Zhang Yan’s cultivation seemed to be profound despite being unreadable, promptly returned the courtesy and said, "No need for formality. Fellow Daoist, if there is anything you wish to ask, please speak. If this old man knows, I shall certainly share with you."

Zhang Yan pointed toward the formation behind them and asked, "May I inquire, Fellow Daoist, if I were to enter this formation, is there any taboo I should be wary of?"

The elder chuckled softly and said, "Since Fellow Daoist is asking with sincerity, this old man shall speak truthfully. This formation can indeed distort directions and invert the Five Elements, but in essence, it’s nothing more than a maze array. It is not a killing array and poses no bodily harm to those who pass through it. However, if someone has extremely poor luck and becomes trapped within for decades without finding a way out, they could indeed die from being unable to escape."

Zhang Yan continued his inquiry, "If multiple Great Power Experts were summoned here, could they break this array?"

The elder shook his head repeatedly and replied, "Fellow Daoist must be joking. This array formation connects to the earth veins and aligns with the heavenly mechanism. If my deduction is accurate, this should be a Mountain Guarding Formation. Unless the entirety of Bronze Mountain, along with the surrounding earth veins spanning a thousand miles, is destroyed in one fell swoop, brute force cannot hope to break the array. Otherwise, such thinking is mere fantasy."

Having heard this, Zhang Yan was now assured. Bowing once again, he said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your guidance."

After bidding farewell to the elder, Zhang Yan pondered for a while before mounting his Yan Lan Cloud and rising into the air. His gaze scanned downward; before long, a pagoda gate suddenly appeared. His eyes flashed with light as he pinched a spell into form. With a streak of long smoke sweeping by, he entered the Array Gate.

At the same time, two cultivators from Hai Zhen Temple had already entered the array within Bronze Mountain.

They looked around and could not help but show expressions of awe. The surroundings were vast and boundless, with a limitless horizon. In the distance loomed a towering peak, its ridges adorned with interconnected pavilions and halls. A jade-like river meandered from the north encircling the mountain. If they hadn’t been certain of entering Bronze Mountain, they might have thought themselves back in the outside world.

Among them was a stout cultivator with two narrow whiskers on his face. He exclaimed in disbelief, "Senior Brother, this place is clearly a small realm opened up by a Great Power Expert with Great Dharma Power!"

Standing beside him was a Daoist with a lotus crown and a yellow robe, bearing a strong and vigorous frame with penetrating eyes. Hearing these words, he nodded in agreement.

His gaze swept around, and suddenly he noticed a pagoda gate at the base of the mountain. Wielding his horsetail whisk, he pointed to it and said, "Let’s go and take a look there."

The two ascended swiftly, landing beneath the pagoda gate moments later.

The Daoist moved closer and raised his head. He saw faint characters inscribed on the jade plaque above, somewhat blurred by the ravages of time. Upon examining it several times, he finally deciphered the two characters: "Yao Yin." He read them aloud.

The thin-bearded cultivator furrowed his brows and pondered deeply, appearing to search for its origins. After a moment of hesitation, he said uncertainly, "Senior Brother, could this Yao Yin... possibly refer to the Yao Yin Sect?"

His body then stiffened with shock, and he said in horror, "Could it be—this is the place where Taiheng Ancestor once ascended?"

The leading Daoist’s expression turned grave, and he replied solemnly, "Junior Brother’s words are not without reason. A thousand years ago, when I was merely a Daoist boy under our esteemed master, I often heard the name of the Yao Yin Sect. Legend has it that it was established by Yi Jiuyang, the Senior Disciple of Taiheng Ancestor. Taiheng Ancestor was an unparalleled figure in the Demon Dao, his cultivation unfathomably deep. Yet, later, for reasons unknown, the Dharma techniques he passed down were all Right Path Daoist Skills, which left many puzzled. His ascension further silenced any information about his Demon Sect inheritance. Speculation arose that it was hidden within the Yao Yin Sect. However, rumors claimed the sect was highly secretive, with no known location of its Mountain Gate. Who would have thought it was here all along!"

The two exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with shock and concern.

If Taiheng Ancestor’s Daoist inheritance were indeed hidden here, it wouldn’t merely encompass one or two Daoist Books. Instead, the entire sect’s legacy and treasures might reside within these grounds!

While the Yao Yin Sect’s inheritance was not as alarming, considering its teachings were rooted in the Right Path, the possibility of Demon Dao Secret Techniques being stored here was daunting. If Demon Sect disciples were to obtain them, the Demon Sect’s powers would undoubtedly swell substantially.

The thin-bearded cultivator broke into a cold sweat at the thought and said, "Senior Brother, this location must not fall into the hands of Demon Dao disciples. We must quickly return and report this to the Sect Leader!"

The Daoist shook his head and replied, "This place is easy to enter but hard to leave. Even if you attempt to return, you’ll never find the way back."

The tight-lipped cultivator grew anxious and asked, "Senior Brother, what are we to do then?"

The Daoist stroked his beard thoughtfully and said, "Do not panic. Now that we’re here, let’s investigate thoroughly. Seek the mechanism and prohibitions within the area before making decisions."

He gestured forward with his horsetail whisk and said, "Let’s head along this road for now."

Shortly after the two departed, the pagoda gate shimmered into view once more. Zhang Yan emerged from within.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this novel, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)