Daoist Competition

"Tai Heng," the mere utterance of these two words caused Zhang Boyant, despite his deep scheming, to stagger back several steps in utter disbelief, his face filled with shock. Unable to hold back, he shouted, "How... how is this possible?"

However, as he quickly reconsidered, recalling how the opponent had nearly instantly eradicated his Nascent Soul Avatar, coupled with the unshakable authority in the man’s speech, he realized that this could hardly be a hoax. He was stunned into silence.

Not only him, but almost everyone in the inner hall had their eyes wide open, their expressions frozen in unspeakable astonishment.

Their minds raced with countless thoughts—Taiheng Ancestor, a figure who broke through realms and ascended ten thousand years ago, how could he be sealed here? Was the person before them merely an imposter? If his identity was true, then what might have transpired back then?

Zhang Yan, however, showed a different demeanor. His expression grew vibrant, his eyes gleaming sharply as he fixed his gaze tightly on this person.

Among those present, only he understood the true nature of the individual standing here.

While this person claimed to be Tai Heng, and indeed had some connection to the Taiheng Ancestor from back then, they were not the same entity.

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Today, under the Sect Leader’s secret orders, Zhang Yan had come here for the sole purpose of eliminating this foe!

In the past, Taiheng Ancestor had nearly perfected his Dao Skill but could not see through the final layer. Seeking answers, he once visited the founding ancestor of the Mingcang Sect, True Person Taiming, to inquire.

On that day, True Person Taiming, upon meeting him, said not a single word but raised his sword and struck, frightening Taiheng Ancestor into immediate retreat.

After returning to his Cave Mansion, Taiheng Ancestor was initially baffled. However, upon reevaluating the encounter, he finally realized the profound insight hidden within and had an epiphany.

He, having achieved cultivation as a Demon Flood Dragon, chose to sever his own demonic thoughts and all his cultivation by entrusting them to his tail. With one decisive swing of his sword, he severed the past completely. Then he retreated to an underwater secret hideaway, dedicating himself to cultivation for over a thousand years, ultimately achieving Perfect Merit.

Before his breakthrough ascension, wishing to repay the favor of that guidance, he personally visited the Mingcang Sect to express gratitude. However, by then, the Taiming Ancestor had already ascended earlier.

Taiheng Ancestor was filled with regret. To settle this karmic debt, he foresaw that East Splendor Continent would face a great Demon Tribulation in the future. Hence, he sealed the severed, now demonic, tail beneath Yao Yin Mountain and passed on a lineage of inheritance along with numerous Dharma Treasures. He ordered his Senior Disciple, Yi Jiuyang, to establish a sect at this place and guard it for three thousand years after Tai Heng ascended. If the demon remained dormant, they could leave, merely awaiting Mingcang Sect’s fated disciple to retrieve it for help in avoiding the tribulation.

Fearing Mingcang Sect would reject his goodwill, Taiheng Ancestor deliberately stated that the inheritance contained both his lifelong mastery of Demon Sect Cultivation Techniques and Daoist teachings. If obtained by the Demon Sect, it would trigger an uprising of immense power.

This was an overt stratagem. If Mingcang Sect remained unaware, so be it. But now that they knew, they could not leave it unchecked.

Due to the many secrets involved, this matter was known only to successive Sect Leaders of Mingcang.

It was essentially a hidden strategy, never meant to be revealed to the public. Sect Leader Qin thus issued a secret order for Zhang Yan to slay the devil and claim the five artifacts of the inheritance, fulfilling the karmic debt.

The three Dharma Talismans gifted to Zhang Yan were Demon Extermination Talisman, Protection Talisman, and Flying Talisman.

However, using the talismans came with strict conditions. The Sect Leader made it clear in his letter that if Zhang Yan failed to eliminate the demon, he could activate the remaining two talismans to escape unharmed, without needing to force the attempt.

But Zhang Yan had his own plans. Taiheng Ancestor’s remnant Demon Soul had lingered for thousands of years by consuming Flood Dragon Tail Essence Blood. Though its strength was greatly diminished due to prolonged confinement, it still embodied the essence of Taiheng Ancestor’s demonic cultivation. If Zhang Yan could obtain it, he could significantly elevate his mastery of the God Contract Technique.

Achieving this, however, was far more perilous than simply slaying the demon; one misstep could lead to his death. Yet this rare opportunity, once in tens of thousands of years, was worth the risk, no matter how dangerous!

Old Demon Zhang Boyant had no knowledge of the person’s true identity. Faced suddenly with such a legendary Great cultivator, his first instinct was to flee.

Yet, in an instant, he recalled that this realm was sealed shut with no way out. Escape was utterly impossible.

With this realization, a fierce glint returned to his eyes. If so, then a desperate fight would be preferable!

No matter how formidable Taiheng Ancestor might be, in the end, the outcome would only be mutual destruction.

After all, he had roamed the world as a Demon Sect Practitioner for many years. Once the initial shock passed, he began to sense something peculiar.

Having been sealed away for thousands, if not tens of thousands of years, even a cultivator of immense power should now be drained and weak.