Daoist Competition

Ying Chenglin looked at the Nascent Soul form and felt a deep chill in his heart. The aura flowing around his body grew sharper, adding an extra layer of vigilance.

This Nascent Soul form was the manifestation of the "True Imprint of Dharma Power" within the Divine Soul, condensed through Essence Yuan Power.

Each cultivator’s True Imprint of Dharma Power is unique; therefore, after condensing it, the appearance of the Nascent Soul also varies. However, if transmitted within the same lineage, striking similarities are apparent. Such as the Nascent Soul of Taiheng Ancestor—at first glance, it was undoubtedly a figure of Demon Dao.

Zhang Boyant saw this and let out a wild laugh. He slapped the back of his head, and a jet-black Nascent Soul soared outward, dispelling the Demonic Qi. With a sweep of his hands, four Dharma Treasures spun into the air and fell directly toward him, taking the initiative to attack!

Under the pressing circumstances, Ying Chenglin could not afford to stand apart and fight against Zhang Boyant. Seeing him already striking, he followed suit.

He shouted sharply, pinched a spell, and the White Crane beside him flapped its wings, moving like a shadow across light. It danced nimbly and extended its beak toward Tai Heng’s face, while the Fish Dragon beneath his feet darted up from below, aiming at Tai Heng’s legs.

Being cautious by nature, he remained vigilant even in offense, urging the Xuanlin Python to coil around him in a protective spiral.

Tai Heng Daoist, noticing both advancing on him, unexpectedly appeared exhilarated rather than concerned. He roared loudly, causing the entire hall to quake. Until now, his demeanor had been as calm as still water, but the emergence of his Nascent Soul brought forth an overpowering aura of dominance and unbridled ferocity. Protective Demon Smoke streamed ten zhang outward from his body, entirely disregarding the flying Dharma Treasures. With one hand, he grabbed at the White Crane, and with a stomp, he subdued the Fish Dragon, suppressing them both in a single move.

Ying Chenglin was initially stunned but soon broke into a cold sneer.

These were no mere creatures—they were formed of Demon Soul Essence, comparable to Dharma Treasures in their own right. Even if the opponent was the Great Demon from millennia ago, to handle them bare-handed like this was pure foolishness.

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He pinched a spell, circulating Mana to activate them again. Instantly, both the White Crane and Fish Dragon thrashed and writhed, their forms swelling visibly, growing larger within moments.

Zhang Boyant watched his four Dharma Treasures fall, only for them to be countered by Tai Heng’s Protective Demon Smoke and growled furiously, "I refuse to believe you can block this!"

In a fit of rage, he infused all his Mana into the four Dharma Treasures, causing them to hum and vibrate. Then, pointing his hand, he directed them downward in unison, which collided with a deafening roar against the Protective Demon Smoke.

Yet, a bizarre spectacle unfolded at this moment.

The treasure umbrella held by the Chen clan elder silently shattered into pieces, his face turning deathly pale as he staggered back several steps.

Not only him, but everyone’s prized Dharma Treasures fractured simultaneously. The spiritual connection with their treasures severed, leaving them with bleeding mouths and listless expressions.

Zhang Yan turned his gaze to the scene. The talismans he had cast moments ago seemed to have suffered an unseen blow, ripping into fragments with a sharp sound.

Meanwhile, the once-vigorous White Crane, Fish Dragon, and Xuanlin Python let out cries of anguish, their bodies flickering and showing signs of disintegration.

Ying Chenglin’s complexion changed to one of shock and fear. He had no time to ponder; hurriedly employing a Dharma technique, he summoned them back into his body for preservation, including the Protective Python.

However, upon inspecting them closely, his heart sank. All three essence forms were fragmented to the verge of collapse, irreparably damaged and unusable for the remainder of this fight.

Zhang Boyant fared little better, similarly plagued by disaster.

Faint cracking sounds echoed one after another. He stared at his four Dharma Treasures in fury, noticing thin fractures appearing on them. Looking upward, he fixed his gaze on Taiheng Ancestor, grinding his teeth as he growled, "Could this be the Shape-shifting Technique?"

Tai Heng crossed his hands behind his back and laughed dismissively. "Fellow Daoist, you realize it a bit too late."

What he had executed earlier was indeed the Shape-shifting Divine Skill, a method capable of diverting any incoming attack onto a substitute object.

However, the application of this technique came with strict constraints, particularly requiring prior inscription of talismans on the surrogate object.

If the opponent were cautious and used any random shield in advance, the effort would be rendered meaningless.

But Tai Heng had calculated that this ancient technique, seldom seen even millennia ago, might not be recognized by others. Thus, he tested it first. Once affirming their ignorance, he unleashed it in full without hesitation.

This application of the skill essentially forced the treasures of everyone in the hall into a direct clash to an unprecedented degree, leaving no chance of escape from damage.

Among them, the Hua Dan cultivators were particularly collateral, their losses growing proportionally to their caution.

Zhang Boyant’s face grew increasingly grim, while Ying Chenglin furrowed his brows deeply, remaining silent.

Initially, Tai Heng Daoist had borrowed Yue Yuji’s physical body, lacking many personal treasures, and the Five Artifacts of inheritance could not be refined in mere moments. He had seemed at a disadvantage, yet with just one exchange, he shattered the essence forms and treasures of his opponents, robbing them of their greatest advantages in an instant.

Throughout their actions, Zhang Yan had been closely observing the scene, his gaze unwavering.

He was scrutinizing for an opening, calculating for a perfect moment to execute an attack and eliminate the Old Demon.

But Taiheng Ancestor, despite battling two Nascent Soul cultivators, displayed no flaws whatsoever.

He could not help but think, "No wonder the Sect Leader’s letter carried such measured tones, clearly aware of how troublesome this demon is. Even with talismans in hand, unless this person stands still and unguarded, as soon as their aura is exposed, he can detect it and elude its effects."

After contemplating for a moment, his eyes lit with determination. If he truly wanted to strike, there would only be one chance. He had to seize it perfectly; otherwise, it was a matter of life and death.

Just as his thoughts swirled, he suddenly sensed something tossed toward him. His eyebrows shot up, and with a wave of his sleeve, an Elixir Evil flew out, halting the item mid-air. It spun erratically before his eyes. Looking closely, he recognized it as none other than the Mechanism Gold Seal.

Fang Zhenlu abruptly shouted, "Fellow Daoist, you’re the only one among us uninjured. This item is best entrusted to you!"

Zhang Yan swept his gaze around. The others appeared visibly fearful of him handing off the Gold Seal, stepping back hurriedly and leaving a wide circle open around him.

In a flash, Zhang Yan saw through Fang Zhenlu’s ploy. Yet, unlike the others who dreaded holding this burden, he did not shy away. Calling out loudly, "Then I thank you, fellow Daoist!" he openly extended his sleeve and secured the item in his grasp.

...

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