Daoist Competition

Huo Xuan smiled faintly and didn’t beat around the bush. He said, "Then I’ll be straightforward. Junior Brother Zhang, I’ve heard that the four True Disciples from the Lower Court still haven’t been assigned a Cave Mansion. In this matter, I must trouble you to make an exception."

It turned out that these four noble family True Disciples, though they had already left the Lower Court, were in urgent need of a prime Cave Mansion for cultivation. However, without Zhang Yan’s consent, Yue Tian Pavilion dared not act without authorization, so they were still residing with their respective clans. What Huo Xuan referred to was precisely this issue.

This wasn’t because Zhang Yan had deliberately made things difficult; it was just that he had been traveling back and forth these days, so such minor matters had temporarily been shelved.

A trace of surprise surfaced on Zhang Yan’s face. For Huo Xuan to assist him over such a trivial matter seemed improbable to him.

He thought deeper for a moment—since the other party wasn’t revealing everything, there was no need for him to ask proactively.

After pondering for a while, he decided to go along with it and said, "This is no big matter. Since Senior Brother has spoken, I shall return and make proper arrangements."

Huo Xuan was exceedingly polite and clasped his hands toward him. "Then I’ll leave it to you, Junior Brother."

Zhang Yan rose to his feet and said, "I still have an important matter to attend to, so I won’t linger here with Senior Brother."

Huo Xuan also stood up, nodded, and said, "Safe travels, Junior Brother. I won’t see you off."

Zhang Yan cupped his fist in farewell and left the Cave Mansion at ease.

After Zhang Yan departed, Huo Xuan sat down again. A cold sneer emerged as he thought to himself, "Have those elders gone senile? Using the Purple Profusion Gang Sand as leverage, do they genuinely believe Zhang Yan has no other way to acquire it?"

The letter he had received earlier was from several elders of the Chen Clan. The task they had assigned was far from as casual as he had made it sound. Instead, they demanded that he find a way to take away the Purple Profusion Gang Sand, leaving Zhang Yan with none whatsoever. Their motives were hardly complex.

Zhang Yan’s management of the Lower Court had already made the noble families quite uncomfortable. Over an extended period, who could predict what chaos he might bring?

As such, the noble families were employing every method to find a way to control Zhang Yan. Once they heard he intended to refine the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder, they immediately sought to interfere.

However, Huo Xuan had a more farsighted perspective. He understood that the Lower Court’s current structure was already set in stone. Restoring its prior state was sheer fantasy and wasn’t something Zhang Yan alone could dictate.

Judging from Zhang Yan’s previous actions, though they seemed aggressive, he always left room for negotiation. If pressured too hard, it would only backfire.

Thus, Huo Xuan chose to ignore the elders’ urgings, convinced that extending a favor to Zhang Yan would ensure the latter kept it in mind.

While lost in thought, he heard faint footsteps. Looking up, he saw a woman step into the Cave Mansion, draped in a great cloak. Her face was round like a full moon, dignified and beautiful, followed by two charming young maids. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, conveying a faint trace of grievance.

Huo Xuan couldn’t help but rise to his feet in surprise and asked, "Lady, why are you here?"

Mrs. Chen sighed softly and said, "Ever since you moved to Ten Peaks Mountain to nurture and refine treasures, you’ve seldom returned home."

Huo Xuan let out a deep sigh. "Lady, you know well that the Demon Tribulation is approaching. As the foremost among the ten disciples, how could I not devote myself wholeheartedly to its preparations to avoid disaster?"

Mrs. Chen sighed gently. "I understand your concerns, but as your wife, I ask for transparency in your endeavors. The elders in the clan constantly lecture me, and I’ve endured much grievance."

One of the maids chimed in, "Master, the lady has suffered no small amount for your sake."

Huo Xuan seemed to soften with some remorse. He stepped closer, took the woman’s soft hand in his, and said, "It’s all my fault for making things hard on you, Lady."

Mrs. Chen stepped closer, lowered her gaze, and said, "As long as you understand my hardships, I am content. By the way..."

She seemed to recall something, raised her delicate face, and said, "Before I came, Third Aunt relayed a message..."

"What message?"

Mrs. Chen fixed her gaze on him and said, "Third Aunt instructed that since you intend to collect the Purple Profusion Gang Sand, you should take as much as possible in the future and never allow Zhang Yan to obtain it easily."

Huo Xuan smirked inwardly. This "Third Aunt" had once been the Daoist partner of Xiao Mousui from the Xiao Family. Rumor had it that Xiao Mousui had met his end due to Zhang Yan, so such hostile sentiments were understandable.

But he had already made up his mind to disregard this demand.

Still, his face wore a pleasant smile as he said, "This is a trivial matter. Rest assured, Lady. You may inform Third Aunt that if I possess any Gang Sand, I’ll never let Zhang Yan take it."

Mrs. Chen beamed with delight. "That settles it."

She glanced around the surroundings, then gripped Huo Xuan’s hand tightly and sighed. "This place is far too barren and bleak. I’ve brought decorations this time; you mustn’t refuse."

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Saying this, she didn’t bother seeking Huo Xuan’s opinion. With a flick of her sleeve, hundreds of luminous pearls and ornate vessels spilled out. With deft movements of her fingers, she quickly re-arranged the Cave Mansion into a dazzling spectacle.

She surveyed the newfound radiance of the cave and nodded in satisfaction, failing to notice the fleeting trace of displeasure in Huo Xuan’s gaze.

Having not seen one another for a long time, the couple talked extensively until night fell. Fearing she might hinder Huo Xuan’s cultivation, Mrs. Chen eventually took her leave.

Once Mrs. Chen departed, the tenderness in Huo Xuan’s eyes vanished entirely. His expression grew cold, and with a wave of his sleeve, he swept away all the decorations, restoring the Cave Mansion to its original, austere state.

Seated on the cushion, he gazed at a crescent-shaped opening in the ceiling, watching the moonlight’s cold and desolate glow spill in.

Mrs. Chen’s words had been laced with subtle warnings, reminding him not to forget how he had come to his current position and not to act recklessly. If the clan had any orders, she hoped he wouldn’t refuse them lightly.

Huo Xuan sneered inwardly. He had worked too hard to attain his current position. With his standing today, how could he resign himself to being a tool for the Chen Clan?

Though he had married into the Chen Family, he refused to be a puppet on their strings.

While others focused on the present, he looked to the future. Judging by the current state of the sect’s power dynamics, the noble families were already in decline. Supporting them further would be to act against the tide.

For now, he’d feign compliance, as his wings weren’t yet fully grown. But once his plans came to fruition, he’d no longer feel the need to bow to the Chen Clan.

...

... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)