Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan stood with his hands behind his back in front of Taiheng Ancestor, his gaze calm and composed.

This physical body originally belonged to Yue Yuji but was later seized by Taiheng Ancestor, though the latter had not expended much effort on it.

Those of the Demon Dao largely integrate their mana into their Primordial Spirit, allowing them to abandon their body in times of crisis and seek another host for their spirit, making them far less concerned with their physical form compared to Xuanmen Sect Disciples.

Thus, when Demon Tai Heng turned to the Demon Dao, he merely reforged and refined the Nascent Soul. Even when absorbing the blood and flesh, it was solely for replenishing the Primordial Spirit and showed little regard for the physical body.

Zhang Yan slowly moved his gaze to the severed piece of bone.

That Demon Flood Dragon Nascent Soul, previously cut down by the Beiming Sword, seemed to have been absorbed once again into this object—something was definitely amiss.

During the display at the great hall earlier, Zhang Yan had left early and did not witness it firsthand, but he knew well the foundation of Demon Tai Heng, allowing him to more or less deduce the origin of this object.

He stepped forward, reached out his hand, and grasped the piece of severed bone, lifting it up.

When he infused Spiritual Energy into it to investigate, his arm trembled faintly, as an overwhelming Essence Yuan Qi surged like a tidal wave, immeasurably vast.

A hint of delight crept across Zhang Yan’s face.

When Taiheng Ancestor severed the Dragon Tail years ago, aside from the remnant soul, it also contained millennia of cultivation in Demon Dao Essence. However, without a physical host to accept it, even the Demon Soul could not retain it and thus left it untouched.

Though much of the Essence has dissipated over the span of ten thousand years, what remains is all contained within.

This was initially intended as Demon Tai Heng’s tool to break through to the Cave Heaven Realm; however, failing to seize Zhang Yan’s body, it had been left behind.

Zhang Yan originally planned to absorb this object using the Demon Suppression Scroll but reconsidered, deciding its importance warranted caution and that it was not a matter of urgency. He placed the severed bone into his sleeve bag, intending to handle it later at his Cave Mansion.

He then examined Yue Yuji’s personal belongings and found all four of the Yao Yin Sect’s legacy artifacts intact in the sleeve bag without any missing—he nodded slightly in approval.

Unexpectedly, he also noticed a Sealing Demon Prohibition medallion among them.

Faint talisman marks glimmered upon the medallion, and judging by the crafting traces, the sealing appeared to be recent.

Zhang Yan’s gaze shifted as he deduced who had been sealed within.

However, the individual’s cultivation level was formidable, and he dared not hastily break the seal. He simply collected the medallion along with the other items.

Once all significant items were gathered, Zhang Yan summoned his thoughts, causing the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll to emerge from between his brows. It revolved through the air and entered Yue Yuji’s nasal cavity. Within moments, it devoured every bit of Yue Yuji’s flesh and blood. With a crisp sound, the scroll returned seamlessly to Zhang Yan’s body.

With a flick of his sleeve, the Mechanism Gold Seal flew out. Zhang Yan activated his mana, sending the Golden Seal quivering. Instantly, a mist of clouds unfurled, casting forth the entire scene of Yao Yin Mountain as if materialized before his eyes. His piercing gaze surveyed the entire mountain, eventually spotting Fang Zhenlu concealed within a palace, his expression noticeably piteous.

Zhang Yan pondered briefly. The Sect Leader’s command was of utmost importance, and since he had concealed his identity, direct contact at this moment was unwise. It was better to trap Fang Zhenlu in his current location and report to the Sect Leader before making further arrangements.

With a simple activation of the Mechanism Gold Seal, an arched gate materialized out of thin air. With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, Zhang Yan stepped through it.

Emerging beyond the Array Gate in one stride, Zhang Yan swept his gaze left and right. The location was not far from Bronze Mountain, with numerous tunneling lights streaking across the horizon. However, the portal’s exit was positioned discreetly at the base of a hidden mountain, ensuring no disturbances or unwanted attention.

After surveying the area to confirm no one was nearby, Zhang Yan activated the Mechanism Gold Seal once more, causing the arched gate to vanish. He tightly sealed the Mountain Gate and then initiated parts of the Mountain Protection Array.

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With Zhang Yan managing the array, the difference was monumental compared to its unmanned state. The entry points shifted continuously, and even the mountain paths within were locked. Without Zhang Yan’s approval, even a Great Power Expert would struggle to breach the defenses.

After meticulously inspecting to ensure no oversights, Zhang Yan leapt into the air, enveloped himself in sword light, and turned his full focus on returning to the Mingcang Sect as swiftly as possible.

A streak of sword escape light darted across the sky, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

Three days later, Zhang Yan arrived at the Zhao You Heavenly Pond. He avoided alarming the sect’s servants and disciples, opened the array gate, and proceeded directly into the Twelve Layered Cave Mansion. He settled into the Little Pot Mirror and seated himself firmly atop a meditation cushion.