Daoist Competition

Due to bearing the Sect Leader’s orders, Zhang Yan entered the cave mansion and used talisman paper to suppress the Qi Veins of those two individuals. He casually tossed them to Yuan Yanhui without further questioning, then summoned the Mirror Spirit for a brief instruction before leaving the cave mansion. He ascended his sword light and sped toward Bronze Mountain.

Meanwhile, the two Demon Sect practitioners followed tightly behind. The pair rode a strange-shaped flying shuttle, its tunneling speed comparable to the flying sword. As the shuttle flew, a layer of slick silver light flickered and leaped under the sunlight, dazzling to the eye.

The two continually followed, and it wasn’t long before Zhang Yan noticed their presence.

Cultivators, when flying across the heavenly vault, have a wide field of vision, seeing thousands of miles with ease. If someone approaches, it’s nearly impossible to go unnoticed. Hence, the duo made no attempt to conceal their presence.

Glancing backward briefly, Zhang Yan gave a faint smile and paid them no further heed, continuing to streak forward with his tunneling light.

Trailing for a while, the strange-faced cultivator noticed Zhang Yan’s apparent indifference to their presence, seemingly unconcerned. He scoffed and said in a mocking tone, "This Zhang Yan is courting death, yet remains oblivious."

The dry and skinny Daoist, seemingly prepared for this response, smiled slightly and confidently remarked, "Well, isn’t this exactly what we anticipated? These disciples of Great Xuanmen Sects all carry pride in their hearts. Such a reaction is predictable and hardly surprising."

He pointed forward and said, "Junior Brother, look ahead. Once we cross that mountain ridge in front, you and I shall act."

At this distance, they were still not far from the Mingcang Sect’s territory. One flying talisman could summon the sect’s great cultivators instantly, ensuring no one would escape. Therefore, they deemed the timing for action premature. If Zhang Yan turned back to fight now, they would likely retreat first rather than engage.

After traveling a thousand miles, Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow, halted his sword, restrained his tunneling light, and turned around. With a calm demeanor, he said, "The two of you have followed me for quite some time. If you wish to fight, this place will suffice."

He was traveling to release Fang Zhenlu from Yao Yin Mountain, a matter involving the sect’s hidden affairs. Naturally, he couldn’t allow these individuals to follow him all the way. Moreover, judging by their appearance and demeanor, it was evident that they were Demon Sect practitioners; their intentions were beyond question.

The two dared not reply for fear of exposing themselves, remaining silent.

The strange-faced cultivator let out a shout, swung his sleeve, and a dazzling light burst forth. Amidst a cloud of star-like sparks and smoke, a copper pliers shaped like grotesque insects and beasts shot out. Its jaws spread wide, exposing sharp teeth, exuding a pungent odor as it fiercely lunged downward to attack.

The dry and skinny Daoist, on the other hand, remained silent. His fingers flicked subtly, sending out a cloud of black energy.

At first glance, the black energy seemed unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, it revealed itself to be composed of loops of faintly discernible rope strands, about three feet in diameter and finger-thick. Upon the rope’s surface were numerous eye-shaped loops, each ensnaring a viciously snarling ghost head. The ghost heads seemed to struggle violently, as if trying to leap out.

This item was called the Fierce Shriek Life-taking Circle. The rope itself was originally a Xuanmen Supreme Treasure, but after being tainted by Nine Nether Yin Qi and reforged through Demon Dao techniques, it took its current form.

But this was not the rope’s true menace. Thousands of vengeful ghosts and sinister spirits, all with sins of heinous slaughter in their past lives, were refined into the rope loops. Should a cultivator become ensnared, escape would be impossible. In moments, these malevolent entities would swarm, overwhelming even those protected by treasure robes or vestments, consuming all flesh and leaving them dead. The soul would then be captured by the rope, enduring the torment of purgatory.

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The two were dispatched on orders from their sect to probe the Xuanmen disciples. Though adept at escape skills, the sect equipped them with numerous Dharma treasures to prevent accidents, ensuring their confidence in seeking trouble with Zhang Yan.

Upon striking their first blow, the pair released two mystical artifacts without hesitation—clearly an extravagant move.

Were it anyone else faced with such a display, retreat would likely be the only option. However, Zhang Yan showed no fear.

He sneered coldly, raised a hand, and pointed. Brilliant radiance surged forth, and the Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle shot out from his sleeve bag, its tail flicking as it confronted the copper pliers, engaging instantly in battle.

Simultaneously, a flash of clear light revealed the Blessing and Longevity Locking Yang Cicada, which emerged from between his brows, darting toward the Fierce Shriek Life-taking Circle.

The rope circle seemed cognizant of danger, its countless fierce souls letting out piercing shrieks as they sought to evade. Yet the Locking Yang Cicada displayed extraordinary agility, relentlessly pursuing them wherever they fled. After only a few evasive maneuvers, it pinned the circle mid-air.

The Demon Circle resisted submission, with thousands of ghost heads stretching their slender necks upward, screaming and writhing persistently.