Daoist Competition

The "Purple Cloud Divine Thunder" technique excels at subduing demons and eradicating evil energies. Moreover, its power amplifies as one’s mana grows stronger.

Zhang Yan contemplated that, if he could master this divine technique and further enhance it through condensing the True Imprint of Dharma Power, he would surely gain a significant advantage in future confrontations with Demon Sect practitioners.

He stood beneath this stele for a while before stepping aside and heading toward the first stele.

The inscription on the first stele depicted the "Dragon Coiled Great Thunder Seal," reputed to be the most formidable among the Twelve Divine Abilities for combat.

It is said that this divine technique possesses the power to shatter mountains, collapse peaks, and rend the earth, shaking the heavens.

However, it is rather unfortunate that mastering this cultivation technique is not only as challenging as the "Five Elements Escape Technique" and "Purple Cloud Divine Thunder," but also requires one to first learn the "Beiming True Water." Additionally, the practitioner must be in the Nascent Soul Realm, so far making Qi Yuntian the sole person to have achieved mastery of this technique.

Although the past Top Ten Disciples were all capable of cultivating divine powers, Qi Yuntian alone was able to refine three techniques and even practiced numerous Minor Divine Powers. Even now, with Huo Xuan entering the Nascent Soul Realm and becoming the leader of the Top Ten Disciples, he is still far from being Qi Yuntian’s equal.

Get full chapters from NoveI(F)ire.net

Zhang Yan shook his head lightly. He thought to himself that Qi Yuntian, being the senior disciple of the third generation and the next Sect Leader’s successor, would undoubtedly possess at least three divine powers. Moreover, he likely harbored secret divine techniques unknown to outsiders. To evaluate his combat strength merely based on widely known Dharma techniques would certainly be an underestimation of the man.

Stepping back to the second stele, Zhang Yan glanced at it briefly before reaching out to take the wooden plaque hanging high above it.

The seal on the stele disappeared in an instant, revealing its black surface with white characters, all written in Erosion Text. Before Zhang Yan could closely examine the inscription, the words floated off the stele, merged into one, and transformed into a radiant golden talisman that flew toward him.

Without resistance, Zhang Yan allowed the golden talisman to enter his forehead. Then, as the light flickered, it once again enveloped the stele, rendering it invisible and unreadable.

Observing the talisman floating quietly in his Sea of Consciousness, Zhang Yan smiled with satisfaction and proceeded to the third stele.

As one of the sect’s Top Ten Disciples, Zhang Yan was naturally permitted to cultivate one divine power. After eliminating the Old Demon at Yao Yin Mountain, the Sect Leader allowed him to study another divine power.

The second technique he chose was the "Five Elements Escape Technique."

Extending his hand, he took down the wooden plaque.

As the Prohibition Seal flickered, it similarly transformed into a golden talisman that entered his forehead.

Having acquired two talismans, Zhang Yan showed no reluctance as he turned and walked out of the Cave Mansion.

An elderly white-haired elder had been standing outside the stone gate, awaiting him. Upon noticing his exit, the elder asked, "Junior Brother, have you made your choices?"

Zhang Yan nodded, bowing slightly and replying, "I’ve made my choices. Thank you for waiting, Senior Brother."

"It’s no trouble at all." The Old Daoist responded politely, made a hand gesture, and the stone gate closed with a rumbling sound. He turned to Zhang Yan with a smile and said, "Junior Brother Zhang, do you have any other places to visit? Do you require my company?"

Zhang Yan shook his head and replied, "There’s no need to trouble you, Senior Brother. I’ll go on my own."

Not insisting further, the Old Daoist bowed and, with a flick of his horsetail whisk, summoned an auspicious cloud. Stepping onto it, he soared into the sky and departed.

As the Old Daoist departed, another Daoist Nun happened to pass by. Observing his figure fade into the distance, her expression shifted slightly as she seemed lost in thought. Peering to her left and right, noticing no one around, she flew toward the Stone Mansion that housed the divine powers.

By now, Zhang Yan had already left the Stone Mansion and returned to the cavernous Scripture Pavilion.

A cheerful Deacon Daoist greeted him warmly and said, "Junior Master Zhang must have selected his cultivation techniques by now?"

Zhang Yan smiled and nodded. "Indeed. But I’ll have to trouble you to find a few manuals for me."

The Deacon Daoist beamed and assured, "Not at all! Junior Master, just tell me the manuals you seek, and I’ll see to it."

Zhang Yan listed the texts he wanted to study. The Daoist pondered for a moment and then replied, "Though they’re a bit scattered, finding them won’t be difficult. Please wait a moment, Junior Master. I’ll retrieve them shortly."

The Deacon Daoist bowed and departed, instructing a maid sweeping nearby to prepare a fragrant cup of tea for Zhang Yan before he began searching for the manuals.

Although stationed at the Scripture Pavilion for years, the Deacon Daoist was unable to practice any of the Mysterious Skills or Daoist Techniques. Furthermore, while the role of a steward at Jingluo Academy might not be particularly high-ranking, it was nonetheless significant and difficult to replace. As such, his daily duty was mostly that of solitude, unable to leave the Pavilion or seek out external cultivation artifacts.

If stationed in any of the other eight houses, there would at least be some added benefits to offset the monotony. Yet anyone assigned to this Pavilion would only interact with sect elders or Top Ten Disciples. Who among them would spare much attention for a mere servant steward? Thus, his days were often marked by great toil.