Daoist Competition

Within the Water Element True Light, after drifting aimlessly for so long, compared to before, their forms had shrunk significantly, but strangely, they clung together in clusters, floating with the current in chaos, yet somehow not perishing.

Watching their frenzied charge, Zhang Yan smirked. With a sweep of the True Light, he drew them back in, and within the water’s flow, tossed and turned them about. After churning the Blood Line Golden Worms to a half-dead state, he shook them out once more.

These Blood Line Golden Worms were indeed stubborn, once more targeting Zhang Yan as their prey, surging forward aggressively.

Yet their fate mirrored the previous attempt, colliding once again into the water-colored Light Barrier.

In this manner, Zhang Yan repeated the process dozens of times. Eventually, even these dim-witted Blood Line Golden Worms displayed a trace of spiritual nature, realizing that this man before them was not someone to provoke, and thus dared not approach again.

However, long deprived of sustenance, their hunger remained fierce. After circling for a moment, they caught sight of the remains on the ground. Without discriminating, they swarmed toward it, devouring everything—flesh, bone, and even the Spiritual Artifact and robes. In the blink of an eye, all was consumed cleanly.

Zhang Yan only now noticed that these Blood Line Worms did not act individually but followed the lead of a single head worm. His mind stirred, and with a gesture of his hand, a plume of Elixir Evil smoke flew out, capturing the head worm and tossing it into the Water Element True Light.

As expected, wherever the head worm went, the swarm followed. Without needing Zhang Yan to urge them, they willingly plunged into the True Light like moths to a flame.

Zhang Yan nodded slightly, thinking to himself, "These worms can be kept for now; they might prove useful in a critical moment."

He retrieved the True Light and fixed his gaze on a palace atop Dingyuan Peak, leaping and flying toward it.

At the same time, two cultivators from Hai Zhen Temple scaled the peaks, having passed four palace complexes. With each step, their astonishment grew. Because of the Prohibition here, everything in the palaces and halls remained intact, appearing as if newly constructed.

They reached a peak where, gazing upward, clouds drifted overhead, and looking down, the mountains and rivers stretched in majestic splendor. The middle-aged Daoist let out a sigh and suddenly spoke, "Today in the Xuanmen, Shaoqing, Mingcang, and Yuxiao stand as the three dominant sects. If our sect were to obtain this place, in a thousand years, we might divide East Splendor into four."

Beside him, the thin-bearded cultivator shook his head and replied, "Senior Brother Yue, you think too much. Currently, it’s not just the small sects of loose cultivators and heterodox practitioners here. Even the disciples of the Ten Sects of Xuanmen have gathered. Among them are Shaoqing Sect’s Kang Tong, Mingcang Sect’s Fang Zhenlu, and Yuxiao Sect’s Zuo Mo; all hold significant standing within their sects. Particularly Fang Zhenlu, being one of Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples—how could they not return to report this? Inevitably, this small realm will be divided among the Ten Sects of Xuanmen."

Though his words carried a note of regret, he also seemed to see it as a natural outcome.

However, Senior Brother Yue’s eyes revealed an unusual glint. He said, "Junior Brother, you are mistaken. In a place as advantageous as this, how can we not give it a try? Who’s to say it won’t belong to Hai Zhen Temple?"

The thin-bearded cultivator curiously asked, "What does Senior Brother intend to do?"

Senior Brother Yue stroked his beard and laughed deeply, "This place allows entry but forbids exit—isn’t this a golden opportunity?"

The thin-bearded cultivator was startled, turning sharply to glare at him, saying, "Senior Brother, you... you mean to..."

Senior Brother Yue extended his hand to interrupt, laughing, "Junior Brother, why would you think such a thing? Though I am already at the Nascent Soul Realm, I am far from arrogant enough to dominate everyone here. I merely want to say that among the capable individuals in this small realm, I am not the only one. I cannot believe they lack selfish motives or ulterior thoughts. If they do, then we should skillfully exploit them. Surprises may yet arise."

He understood well that if entry here were unrestricted, the outcome would undoubtedly align with his Junior Brother’s expectations. But since leaving was exceedingly difficult, and if Demon Sect disciples had infiltrated, the variables became too numerous to count.

He didn’t need to act directly; a small nudge from behind might suffice to realize his desires. As for the ultimate outcome, that would depend on the situation. Thinking too much here would only cause unnecessary trouble, which he refused to entertain.

At the base of the mountain, a white jade archway appeared, and after a flash of Clear Light, the Weird Daoist and Xu Gongyuan emerged one after the other.

The Weird Daoist’s eyes flickered before narrowing as he studied the realm. Breathing in deeply, he let out a laugh, seemingly quite satisfied, clapping his hands as he exclaimed, "Excellent! This place is truly fit to establish a sect! It rightly belongs to me, Zhang Boyant!"

After laughing, he abruptly turned his head, his gaze burning intensely as it locked onto Xu Gongyuan, revealing a fierce light. Xu Gongyuan was startled, taking two steps back while trying to maintain his composure. He said, "Master Zhang, what do you mean..."

Zhang Boyant laughed heartily and said, "Xu Gongyuan, don’t be afraid. Let me ask you: would you be willing to serve as bait for me?"

Upon arriving, he had already investigated and found that, aside from himself, three other Nascent Soul experts were present here—Hai Zhen Temple’s Yue Yuji, Yuan Yang Sect’s Mo Tianxin, and Nanhua Sect’s Cheng Yinglin. These three were close to him in cultivation. Though he was confident in single combat, it would come at a cost.

If he could find opportunities to eliminate them one by one in secret, this small realm would fall entirely under his control.

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Xu Gongyuan was greatly alarmed. As a Demon Sect Practitioner, he immediately grasped the implications of Zhang Boyant’s plan. But now, within this small realm, where Xuanmen Sect Disciples were numerous, his identity as a Demon Sect practitioner was entirely unsuitable for exposure. In such circumstances, resistance was futile—even if Zhang Boyant spared his life, he had no way out.

Though he harbored resentment internally, outwardly, he appeared unwaveringly obedient and said, "This junior will follow True Master’s arrangements to the letter."

Zhang Boyant chuckled darkly, "Very good. You’re a clever one. As long as you obey me and assist in taking this small realm, I’ll even help settle your private vendettas."

Xu Gongyuan immediately displayed gratitude and said, "Then I must thank True Master." Then, adopting an eager demeanor, he asked, "What shall we do now?"

Zhang Boyant’s voice turned cold, "First, find Yuan Yang Sect’s Old Man Mo. He and I are old acquaintances. Since we’ve both arrived here, how can I not pay him a visit?"

...

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