Daoist Competition

Upon suddenly hearing this deafening sound, Zhang Yan’s expression shifted slightly. After a brief moment of contemplation, he guessed that someone must be forcefully attacking the prohibition placed on the mountain path leading to the last peak.

With the guidance of the Sect Leader’s letter, he was already aware that breaking through the prohibition above would not be an easy task—no matter how formidable the Dharma Treasure aiding them might be. Even with the combined efforts of several Nascent Soul True Masters, it would hardly be accomplished overnight.

After considering this, he resolved not to interfere. The Earth Evil here was an opportunity he absolutely could not miss, so he decided to focus all his efforts on capturing it before worrying about anything else.

Thus, he paid no heed to external matters. Sitting cross-legged on a nearby mound, he released the Elixir Evil, transforming it into a spiraling white smoke. He clasped his hands into a spell to envelop the Earth Evil with a Qi Shield, concentrating all his energy on gathering it.

This Earth Evil was nourished by the underground spiritual veins. Therefore, when extracting it, not only must the Evil Qi be drawn out, but the crucial spiritual breath of the Earth Veins must also be captured. Only by transferring these to his Cave Mansion and reconnecting to the Earth Veins there could the Qi be preserved fully without dissipating.

This was not a task to be accomplished in mere moments—it required meticulous care, strand by strand, over time.

Fully devoted to the task, he labored for seven days and seven nights before successfully channeling all sixteen strands of Earth Evil into sixteen Elixir Bottles.

However, if these Earth Evils were not buried within a superior Cave Mansion, their veins would collapse within half a month, and the Qi accumulated over thousands of years would dissipate entirely.

Thus, what Zhang Yan needed to do now was to complete the assignment given by the Sect Leader as quickly as possible and then rush back to Zhao You Heavenly Pond.

Just at that moment, another booming sound echoed in his ears, accompanied by tremors beneath his feet.

Zhang Yan, however, remained calm and unperturbed. Over the past few days, he had heard this sound no less than ten times, and its frequency was increasing. Clearly, the point near the last peak was drawing closer to the Upper Hall.

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At this point, he was unwilling to delay further. Summoning all his strength, he leapt up, transforming into a trail of smoke that ascended high into the sky, rushing swiftly towards the highest summit.

What Zhang Yan did not realize was that at the same moment the booming sound reverberated, six pitch-black stone pillars rose suddenly from beneath the mountain. As they spun fiercely, the shimmering Array Gate outside Bronze Mountain abruptly collapsed, vanishing entirely—sealing off all entrances and exits!

Meanwhile, atop Yao Yin Mountain’s highest peak, almost every cultivator who entered this realm had converged in one place—a crowd numbering no less than a hundred.

Standing at the front were two Nascent Soul True Masters.

To the left was an elderly Daoist, thin and small in stature, with sparse facial hair and a deeply wrinkled forehead. This individual was none other than Ying Chenglin, a Nascent Soul True Master of the Nanhua Sect.

He kept gazing out the mountain, stomping his foot in frustration and lamenting, "Junior Brother Yue, I had warned earlier that the prohibition should not be recklessly touched. Look at the result! Now, the Mountain Path prohibition has been broken, granting access to the last Upper Hall—but it has also caused the Array outside the gate to seal itself entirely. If this continues, who knows what calamity will be triggered next!"

The target of his complaints was none other than Yue Yuji, the elder of the Hai Zhen Temple who had arrived here with his Junior Brother. Yue Yuji, standing as the second Nascent Soul True Master present, listened to the reprimand and became visibly displeased, his expression revealing a trace of irritation.

Seven days ago, the two of them had deliberated on whether to open the prohibition within the hall. At that time, Ying Chenglin had also agreed to proceed. Yet now, upon seeing the Array Gate closed, he turned to place blame on Yue Yuji—what logic was this?

Although both were cultivators of the Nascent Soul Realm, their ages differed by over three hundred years. Ying Chenglin, due to various circumstances, had long struggled to break through to the Second Realm. With his lifespan nearing its end, his demeanor had grown increasingly dispirited. His presence here was merely to see if there was any opportunity for a breakthrough, lest he be forced into soldier dissolution and rebirth.

The prohibitions placed along the Mountain Path were numerous, and the last Upper Hall ahead served as the core sacred ground of the Yao Yin Sect. Naturally, its defenses were exceptionally stringent. Fearing the activation of some great array, Ying Chenglin had originally planned to retreat at the first sign of danger. Nonetheless, out of courtesy to Yue Yuji’s request, he reluctantly agreed. He had intended to withdraw if the situation turned unfavorable, but now—seeing the exit sealed—he naturally felt dragged into trouble.

Yue Yuji, on the other hand, had achieved Nascent Soul status only a little over ten years ago. Currently enjoying the height of his ambition, he fully believed that his name would echo on the path of Seeking Dao and Immortality. Consequently, he regarded Ying Chenglin’s behavior with disdain.

Unaware of Ying Chenglin’s true thoughts, Yue Yuji unwittingly projected his own suspicions, thinking inwardly, "Ying Chenglin is likely worried about Bronze Mountain being so close to Hai Zhen Temple. He fears that breaking the prohibition might grant Hai Zhen Temple the greatest advantage. How could I possibly comply with his wishes?"