Daoist Competition

After Zhang Yan emerged from the Floating Heavenly Palace, it was already nighttime. He looked up and saw a sky full of stars, a brilliant Milky Way stretching across the sky, hanging upside down on the Heavenly Vault in magnificent splendor.

He raised his head to gaze at it for a moment, and a surge of emotion welled up in his chest, giving rise to a feeling of soaring ambition, as though he could shatter the heavens and roam the Nine Heavens.

Just as he was about to rise and take flight, a voice suddenly called out from behind him, "Isn’t this Junior Brother Zhang?"

Zhang Yan turned back and saw a round-faced man with a somewhat comical demeanor smiling at him. He recognized the man and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Ah, Senior Brother Miao."

The man in front of him was none other than Miao Kun, one of the Sect Leader’s registered disciples.

Miao Kun had once gone undercover in the Su Family for over twenty years under the Sect Leader’s orders. Later, the Sect Leader rewarded him not only by formally admitting him into the sect but also by granting him Su Yihong’s former Cave Mansion, Deep Pool’s Jiuquxi Palace, as his Daoist Field.

Miao Kun let out a hearty laugh and approached. He first glanced at the side hall before surveying Zhang Yan with a look of curiosity, then asked, "Junior Brother, have you come to see the Sect Leader, our esteemed master?"

Zhang Yan smiled and replied calmly, "Indeed."

Miao Kun gave Zhang Yan an intense look. He knew that the side hall was strictly off-limits to ordinary individuals unless they were greatly trusted by the Sect Leader. His thoughts stirred as his eyes gleamed briefly. With an even louder laugh, he added, "What a coincidence to meet you here, Junior Brother Zhang. You know, more than twenty years ago, I actually had some interaction with you."

Zhang Yan was slightly taken aback. As a cultivator, he never forgot anyone he had encountered, yet he couldn’t recall crossing paths with Miao Kun before.

Miao Kun burst into laughter and said, "Back then, when you traveled to the Water Country on a mission, you were intercepted by He Fang. After He Fang’s death, Su Yihong specifically sent me to hunt you down. However, I later found a random excuse, claiming I couldn’t locate you, and disregarded the task."

Zhang Yan’s expression shifted subtly; he quickly deduced that Miao Kun wasn’t lying.

Years ago, both he and Luo Xiao had killed He Fang. Fearing retaliation, they had proceeded cautiously on their journey to the Water Country.

Strangely, no one had come after them during that time. He had thought they had avoided detection, but it turned out Su Yihong had assigned the pursuit to Miao Kun, who had shirked the responsibility. Zhang Yan immediately cupped his hands and solemnly said, "I must sincerely thank you, Senior Brother Miao."

"It’s nothing, really. Just a trifling matter," Miao Kun said, waving his hands repeatedly. Then, with a meaningful tone, he added, "Besides, even if I had come after you, Junior Brother Zhang, I suspect you would have found a way to escape."

Miao Kun hadn’t brought up this past incident to demand repayment or seek leverage but rather to forge a connection with Zhang Yan.

Although nominally one of the Sect Leader’s registered disciples, his twenty-year stint in the Su Family left him with shallow roots in the sect.

The fellow disciples he shared rank with were four Cave Heaven True Masters, whose cultivation levels were so much higher that he didn’t dare interact with them.

As for the other disciples, although they respected Miao Kun due to his status, their interactions leaned more toward politeness, tinged with an underlying distance.

Despite his superficial prominence, few within the sect truly associated closely with him.

With a Demon Tribulation looming, Miao Kun stood alone overseeing Deep Pool. Though he had taken in disciples, they offered little support when it came to greater concerns, leaving him feeling isolated and vulnerable.

Zhang Yan, however, was different. He was under Zhou Chongju’s tutelage, making them equals in rank.

Zhang Yan’s Cave Mansion, Zhao You Heavenly Pond, was situated near Miao Kun’s Jiuquxi Palace. Intriguingly, their positions within the sect bore some discreet similarities, and their cultivation levels were roughly comparable. If they could form an alliance and support each other, they would each gain a valuable ally.

Rubbing his round belly, Miao Kun chuckled, "I was planning to consult the Sect Leader today about some cultivation challenges, but since the Sect Leader is meeting with you, Junior Brother, I doubt he will be free to see me. As the saying goes, chance encounters trump formal invitations. Junior Brother, if you wouldn’t mind, why not come to Deep Pool for a brief sit and chat?"

Zhang Yan had intended to decline, but with Miao Kun persisting so earnestly, he eventually agreed, saying, "Very well, I shall visit your mansion, Senior Brother."

Miao Kun beamed in delight. Together, they activated their Dharma Talismans and departed from the Floating Heavenly Palace, summoning two streaks of tunneling light as they left Dragon Abyss Marsh, heading north. Before long, they arrived at Deep Water Mansion.

This was Zhang Yan’s second visit. Guided by Miao Kun, they passed through the protective Great Array and proceeded toward the Main Mansion.

Once inside the large hall, they seated themselves in guest and host positions, whereupon two maids entered and served tea.

Zhang Yan examined the surroundings closely. The decor was rather plain—not only inferior to his Zhao You Heavenly Pond but even somewhat modest compared to ordinary Cave Mansions.

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