Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan pressed his sword and flew swiftly through the air. On his way back to the mansion, he couldn’t help but ponder Huo Xuan’s intentions.

Carefully recalling everything, he felt that this man’s actions might bear some connection to what Miao Kun previously mentioned about supporting the Five Sects.

Actually, if he set aside the long-standing prejudices between noble families and the lineage of masters and disciples, Zhang Yan inwardly agreed with this approach quite a bit.

Once the thousand-year-old demon calamity descends, no sect will remain unaffected. Rather than letting those small sects fend for themselves, it’s better to give them a hand from behind. If it results in a few additional Nascent Soul cultivators, that would still be something considerable.

However, to push this matter forward, not only must several True Masters in the sect support it, but the Sect Leader’s approval is indispensable.

He secretly speculated that Huo Xuan likely believed he had sway with the Sect Leader, thus attempting to curry favor with him in this way.

Thinking further, since Huo Xuan hadn’t yet revealed his true intentions for the time being, there was no need to overthink it for now. He would simply wait for the proper time to see concrete results.

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Smiling faintly, he urged his Mana, causing the sword light to speed up instantly.

Flying rapidly, it didn’t take long before Zhao You Heavenly Pond came into view. But with just a glance, he saw at the foot of the mountain nearby, three cultivators hovering in mid-air, surrounding a petite and delicate young girl.

Among the three, one wore a high crown, had a prominent nose and thin lips, donned wide sleeves, yet his gaze shifted uncertainly. The other had a cold demeanor, holding a jade-handled horsetail whisk, clad in a splendid Daoist robe, and had a somewhat impressive aura.

The young girl had a red silk girdle at her waist, her hair styled in a Double Snail Bun, with picture-perfect brows and eyes — she looked familiar.

At a glance, Zhang Yan recognized her as Yuan Yanhui, Elder Zhu’s disciple. He halted his tunneling light and thought to himself, "How did this girl end up here?"

Yuan Yanhui and Weng Zhiyuan, though sent by Elder Zhu to Zhao You Heavenly Pond to be placed under his tutelage, were deliberately left to fend for themselves by Zhang Yan. He wanted to observe their character, planning not to deal with them for at least a year and a half. Yet unexpectedly, he now encountered them here.

Pausing in his thoughts, he retracted his sword light, stood amidst the clouds, and inclined his ear to listen to the three’s conversation.

The high crown Daoist spoke with gall, addressing Yuan Yanhui, "Nephew Yuan, your uncle intends to refine medicine and condense pills, but we are still short of some external medicine. Thinking of how my elder brother usually has some resources, I’ve specially come to ask for a bit from you."

As an elder, to openly ask for external medicine from a younger generation, he spoke without the slightest blush.

Yuan Yanhui offered a formal bow, her tone resolute, "I humbly ask uncle for understanding. My master lives a frugal life and went to great lengths to help me obtain this sword ball, even owing others many favors. He has already given up several Dharma Treasures; now there’s truly nothing left, let alone any Hua Dan External Medicine."

The high crown Daoist waved his hand, disbelief flashing in his gaze, "Nephew girl, don’t try to deceive me. My elder brother is highly attentive toward the two of you disciples, banking on you two to reintegrate him into the Xuanmen for cultivation. I refuse to believe he hasn’t left you anything good."

Then, he sneered faintly, speaking pointedly, "Besides, even if there truly isn’t anything, isn’t it possible for you to procure some right now, nephew girl?"

Yuan Yanhui furrowed her brows and responded, "Uncle, what do you mean? Please forgive me, but your niece is unable to understand."

The high crown Daoist cast several glances at her, laughing as he clasped his hands behind his back and remarked leisurely, "Nephew girl, you are now part of the Zhao You Heavenly Pond Sect. Mere Hua Dan External Medicine should be a trifling matter."

Yuan Yanhui’s brows furrowed further, shaking her head, "To be honest with uncle, although my elder brother and sister have been part of the Zhao You Heavenly Pond Sect for some time, we have yet to meet Master Zhang even once. As for any Hua Dan External Medicine, it is entirely out of the question."

Seeing her continued avoidance, the high crown Daoist’s expression turned immediately darker. "Nephew, your words might fool the ignorant, but you won’t fool me. Zhang Yan is one of the Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples, possesses control over Zhao You Heavenly Pond, and now serves as Pavilion Master of Yue Tian Pavilion. What cultivation external object could he lack? Even if part of it slipped from his finger, it wouldn’t compare to ordinary cultivators. For me to ask for a little from you, and for you to be this miserly — it seems your master has taught you well as his disciple."

At these words, Yuan Yanhui became visibly irritated and raised her voice, "What I said is entirely true, without a hint of falsehood. Uncle can believe it or not — it’s entirely up to you!"

The brocade-robed Daoist sneered, "Indeed, a disciple taught by Zhu Bingwen — even your shameless manner resembles him exactly."

Yuan Yanhui glared angrily at the brocade-robed Daoist, pointing her hand forward as a sword ball shot forth, transforming into a radiant white arc that circled around her. She said fiercely, "I don’t know who Your Excellency is that dares to defame my late master. If you can’t give me a proper explanation, don’t blame me, Yuan Yanhui, for offending you today!"