Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan flew out of the grand hall, sprinting along the corridor, with the three Devils relentlessly chasing behind.

Upon reaching the area outside the side hall, where not a soul could be seen, he abruptly turned around and released the Star Sword Ball into the air.

Sword light streaked across, striking each of the three Devils. Yet unlike Kang Tong earlier, who had slain them effortlessly, the sword light only penetrated half a foot into their forms before halting completely.

Zhang Yan thought to himself, "Kang Tong studied the ’Slaughter Sword Skill,’ one of the Shaoqing Three Veins. His sword is unparalleled and specializes in slicing through anything in one strike. My sword ball has yet to undergo Secret Technique cultivation and cannot compete with his methods."

Nonetheless, Zhang Yan possessed numerous techniques to deal with these Devils, and showed no trace of frustration. He let out a loud shout, releasing a torrential swirl of Elixir Evil, which separated two of the Devils to opposite sides.

The vapor alternated between firm and soft, endlessly splitting and merging, producing infinite wondrous transformations. No matter how fiercely they screamed and rampaged within, they could not force their way through.

Only the Devil in the center was left unopposed, allowed to seek chances to invade unchecked.

This was precisely what Zhang Yan intended. He raised his gaze and saw the Devil’s savage and ferocious face, but he remained perfectly composed as he formed seals with his fingers. The Xuanhuang Great Hand emerged from above, descending in a grasp that instantly captured the Devil.

With the Mysterious Skill coursing through him, Zhang Yan clenched his five fingers into a tight fist. The Devil couldn’t withstand such a crushing grip, and in an instant, its black vapor burst apart into fragmented pieces.

Even so, Zhang Yan seemed unsatisfied. He once again summoned the Star Sword Ball, gestured with a finger, and divided the sword light into sixteen beams that descended rapidly, spinning continuously as they thoroughly shredded the Devil’s disintegrated remains.

In just a few breaths, Zhang Yan unleashed hundreds, even thousands, of strikes. Relying on his robust Elixir Evil, he feared no depletion. The sword light danced incessantly for a moment, until the Devil had been chopped to even finer bits—nearly fading away completely. Only then did he flick his sleeve to halt the sword light.

Although the demonic qi had been completely fragmented, in an instant, as if responding to some command, it let out howling winds, countless strands converging back together, seemingly about to reform its shape once more.

Reaching this stage, how could Zhang Yan possibly let it go? He immediately summoned the "Nine Capturing Demon Scroll" from his thoughts.

As soon as the intent arose, melodious chimes rang out, and a Jade Scroll flew smoothly into the air, autonomously rolling into the boiling demon qi.

The Jade Scroll, upon entering, seemed to revel in its element, emitting sounds of extreme delight. The chaotic demon qi initially became disordered, then began to converge as though in worship, rushing toward the scroll’s body.

At first, the Demon Scroll absorbed the demonic qi gently, like peeling off silk threads one by one. However, as time passed, it began to devour recklessly, leaping forward like a whale swallowing the ocean, sweeping through the demonic qi with unrestrained ferocity, exhibiting an atrociously ravenous demeanor.

Zhang Yan, seeing its vigor, paid no heed to it, directing his focus toward the other two Devils.

The two creatures, unaware of their imminent demise, desperately attempted to breach the inner circle. Yet, failing to find an entry, they continued to circle outside, colliding and charging wildly. Zhang Yan couldn’t help but smile faintly, retracted some mana, and allowed one to enter.

The Devil on the left was the first to break free, letting out a brutish roar as it charged inward recklessly.

This time, Zhang Yan didn’t employ the Xuanhuang Great Hand. Instead, he condensed the Essence Qi in his abdomen, gathering Power Dao mana, and unleashed a punch toward the Devil’s face. An explosive sound reverberated through the air, followed by a booming impact where his punch landed—it was as though the space had caved in. The Devil’s body shattered into countless fragments of black vapor.

He roared loudly and continued to deliver consecutive punches, filling the air with one booming explosion after another. In mere moments, he reduced this Devil into a formless mess. As his forceful energy swept outward, the scattered demonic qi resembled ink dispersing in water, spreading layer by layer without a chance to reconsolidate.

This Devil was not particularly formidable. Its strength lay in its ability to regenerate after being killed and in nourishing itself by consuming flesh and blood to grow stronger. However, with a method to disrupt its cohesion, it posed no threat.

Zhang Yan didn’t need to form seals again to activate it; the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll sensed the situation and swiftly approached. Its body trembled slightly, releasing an immense suction force. Like a whale drawing in water, it completely devoured every trace of demonic qi.

Zhang Yan burst into laughter and exclaimed, "What a marvelous treasure!"

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Delighted by the praise, the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll responded with a cheerful hum.

In that instant, Zhang Yan sensed a wave of joy wash over his Heart and Spirit, knowing it was transmitted from the Demon Scroll itself.