Daoist Competition

With the support of Qi Yuntian, Huo Xuan’s confidence soared. Upon returning to his residence, he made some arrangements and quietly spread the word about his intention to support a few small outer sects, though he was still undecided on which sect to support. This news immediately stirred up many undercurrents.

On this day, outside the Dragon Abyss Marsh, a male and a female cultivator arrived, both having Xuan Guang Cultivation.

One appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, with a slender waist wrapped in a blue silk sash. His head was not covered by a scarf, but casually tied up in a bun. The hem of his Daoist robe was halfway tucked into his black boots as he moved about very freely.

As for the woman, in palace attire with cloud-like hair, her beauty stood out. Compared to the young male cultivator’s flamboyance, she appeared more composed and dignified.

The young male cultivator gazed at the vast Dragon Abyss Marsh, where the water and sky merged, white egrets skimmed the sky, and the star-studded Qingqing Islands appeared and disappeared in the vast mist. He opened his eyes wide and exclaimed, "So this is the Mingcang Sect! It’s indeed much larger than our Bi Yu Xuan."

The beautiful woman slightly furrowed her brows and said, "Little brother, remember to be cautious and restrained when you see True Master Huo later. Do not be so frivolous."

The young male cultivator felt impatient and said, "I know, I know."

Just then, a flying boat appeared from the horizon, arriving shortly before their eyes. The Deacon Disciple onboard glanced at the two and said coldly, "Where do you two come from?"

Although he was only at the Ming Qi Cultivation, he did not give much regard to the pair’s Xuan Guang Realm.

With the rumor of Huo Xuan supporting small sects spread, many disciples were constantly coming to inquire recently.

Previously, stewards were very idle, but these days have become unbearable, especially after the incident with Ji Suihan of the Yuan Yang Sect, fearing the Demon Sect disciples might also infiltrate. Hence, he was not friendly towards the duo.

The brother and sister had previously visited the Nanhua Sect, where the disciples guarding the Mountain Gate also had the same cold demeanor, but they had been forewarned, so they didn’t mind.

The woman trod lightly on the Xuan Guang, offering a Wan Fu salute, saying, "Yan Xiyue of Bi Yu Xuan, accompanied by my brother Yan Xiaoyang, here to meet True Master Huo of the Mingcang Sect."

Yan Xiaoyang added, "We have previously exchanged flying books with True Master Huo, and it was the True Master who summoned us here."

"So, you are here to see True Master Huo..."

Hearing this, the Deacon Disciple sensed that the two seemed to have some connections with Huo Xuan, which slightly softened his expression. He cupped his hands and said, "Since you are acquaintances of True Master Huo, do you have any proof?"

The siblings were prepared, and Yan Xiyue took a token from her sachet, holding it in her white palm, and handed it to the Deacon Disciple for inspection.

Though Huo Xuan intended to support small sects, he was aware that this could not be achieved overnight. He expected emissary disciples from those sects to come for discussions but also feared they might collude together, resulting in a backfire. Thus, he had only sent letters to three sects, Bi Yu Xuan being one of them.

Previously, if Bi Yu Xuan heard such news, they would not even bother to pay attention.

But with the onset of the Demon Tribulation, for them, being a Xuanmen sect, not relying on a large tree could mean facing annihilation at any moment. Thus, after discussions between the Sect Leader and the sect’s elders, they decided to send the pair over to probe the situation.

The Deacon Disciple dared not be careless. He grabbed the token, examined it carefully, confirmed it was genuine, and returned the token, cupping his hands, "Apologies to the two of you."

The siblings were not arrogant and returned the salute, repeatedly saying it was no problem.

Yan Xiyue inquired, "We are unfamiliar with the way. May I ask the Daoist where should we go to meet True Master Huo?"

The Deacon Disciple replied, "You can head east, find a mountain peak resembling a penholder, and there seek Elder Zheng, who will guide you."

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Yan Xiyue quickly said, "Thank you, Daoist, for the guidance."

The Deacon Disciple said no more, maneuvered the flying boat, and disappeared behind an island peak in a blink.

The siblings set off, flying eastward. After less than twenty miles, they indeed saw a mountain peak resembling a penholder. On its summit stood a palace with red walls and blue tiles, with several brightly colored peacocks foraging in the open space before the palace.

Yan Xiaoyang couldn’t help but laugh, "These multicolored peacocks, though originally high-grade, are raised to have no spiritual nature, dull and daft. They must not have accumulated virtue in their past lives, thus following the wrong master now."

Yan Xiyue displeased, glared at him, and said, "I just warned you, how quickly you’ve forgotten again?"

Yan Xiaoyang reluctantly shut his mouth.

The peacocks were not actually that bad, but compared to the Soul Nourishment Technique of Bi Yu Xuan, of course, they fell far short. However, his loud comment had already been heard by the palace’s owner, who shot up a Xuan Guang and emerged, an old Daoist bowing, "Where do you two come from?"