Daoist Competition

Yan Xiyue only felt her body lighten and then emerged from Zhao You Heavenly Pond. Looking down, she saw the surrounding scenery swiftly receding, clearly indicating a remarkable speed of flying.

She couldn’t help but compare him with her mother, and the result surprised her. She thought to herself, "Mum is at the Third Realm of Hua Dan cultivation level, but compared to this Master Zhang, her tunneling speed is still far behind. Moreover, I see he hasn’t exerted his full strength. Truly, being a first-class Elixir Formation person from the grand sect of Mingcang Xuanmen is something that cannot be underestimated."

On the other hand, Yan Xiaoyang didn’t think as much; he only felt an exhilaration from such swift flying, far more rapid than his own Xuan Guang, and couldn’t help but exclaim out loud.

Zhang Yan let go of his Elixir Evil, soaring through the air. From afar, they could see a rolling trail of smoke cutting across the sky. The Deacon Disciples, upon recognizing Zhang Yan, one of the Top Ten Disciples, among the clouds, did not dare to obstruct him, hastily stepping aside.

The Yan siblings followed Zhang Yan all the way, and whenever they encountered cultivators flying on clouds, they respectfully stood aside and let them pass first. They couldn’t help but glance at Zhang Yan more, and gained a deeper understanding of his status in the Mingcang Sect.

After a short while, Zhang Yan pointed ahead and said, "You two, up ahead is Ten Peaks Mountain, where Brother Huo cultivates."

The Yan siblings, having long heard of the name of Ten Peaks Mountain, quickly looked up, seeing under the jade blue, ten towering peaks forming a circle, with one peak noticeably higher than the other nine, standing like a wall, extraordinary in presence, surrounded by the ethereal sea of clouds. On its summit, there was a high platform built of jade stone.

Zhang Yan, upon reaching the front, paused, dispersing the smoke beneath his feet, enveloping the two as they slowly descended from the clouds, landing before an unremarkable Cave Mansion.

Upon setting foot on solid ground, Yan Xiyue hurriedly tidied her attire, and smoothed her sideburns.

Yan Xiaoyang, still savoring the delightful journey over Yun Tian, looked around curiously, perceiving the narrow and cramped terrain around and the unremarkable Cave Mansion not far away. He could hardly believe it and said, "Is this really the residence of True Master Huo?"

Zhang Yan stepped forward and called out loudly, "Brother Huo, Zhang Yan comes to visit."

Just then, a burst of laughter was heard as Huo Xuan walked out from the Cave Mansion. His eyes swept over them and said, "Junior Brother Zhang, and who are these two?"

He was dressed in a coarse Daoist robe, without any extraneous ornaments. From appearance alone, he seemed indistinguishable from an ordinary cultivator. Yet, merely standing there, he exuded a sense of awe as if looking up at a high mountain.

In particular, the Yan siblings felt their breath catch, involuntarily wanting to step back a few paces. Yan Xiyue barely managed to steady her heart and spirit, stepped forward to salute, and respectfully said, "Under the Bi Yu Xuan sect, Yan Xiyue and Yan Xiaoyang, have met True Master Huo."

Huo Xuan, with a serene expression, nodded and said, "So these two are fellow Daoists of Bi Yu Xuan, there’s no need for such formality."

Zhang Yan spoke from the side, "These two Daoists wished to visit Brother but couldn’t find a way. They are old acquaintances of mine, so I brought them here."

Huo Xuan pondered a little, grasping the situation roughly, and looked towards Zhang Yan, cupping his hands and said, "I have been inconsiderate, sorry for troubling Junior Brother Zhang."

Zhang Yan returned the salute with a smile, saying, "Since I have brought them here, I must return to the mansion to cultivate, so I won’t stay here any longer. Brother Huo, you two, farewell."

With that said, smoke and clouds rose under his feet, gently lifting him into the sky. Once more, he cupped his hands in the air before a flash of sword light, he was gone.

Huo Xuan did not invite the Yan siblings into the Cave Mansion, but spoke with them atop the mountain peak. His attitude was kind, pleasant and amiable, without any airs of a Great Sect Disciple. But it was precisely this demeanor that made Yan Xiyue see his extraordinary qualities, making her all the more cautious in her words, fearing she might say something wrong. Even Yan Xiaoyang shed his earlier frivolity, standing attentively by their side.

The three chatted for over an hour before the Yan siblings bid farewell and left.

After leaving Mingcang Sect, Yan Xiaoyang suddenly remarked, "Sister, if this matter indeed succeeds, I would prefer Master Zhang to come to our sect to oversee it."

One of the conditions proposed by Huo Xuan was to dispatch a disciple from Mingcang Sect to preside over their mountain gate, with no room for negotiation.

Yan Xiaoyang had a good impression of Zhang Yan. Regardless of Zhang Yan’s true intentions, the Yan siblings were at least treated with courtesy on the surface.

Especially when compared to Fang Zhenlu, it made them feel all the more valued. If the condition couldn’t be refused, he’d much rather it be Zhang Yan.

Yan Xiyue smiled and said, "Whether this succeeds or not depends on Mum’s decision. Little brother, you’re thinking too far ahead. We should hurry back and report this matter to Mum."

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Yan Xiaoyang pouted and said, "If Mum’s not interested, she wouldn’t have dispatched us two siblings and could have just casually sent a couple of Senior Brothers. The three elders wouldn’t have let us leave the mountain at all. I think this matter is most likely to succeed."

Yan Xiyue gave her younger brother a surprised look, feeling quite gratified in her heart, and thought inwardly, "Though my little brother is usually jumpy, he does have a clear understanding on this point. The reason Mum sent them here, rather than others from the same sect, was to show sincerity."

Their father was once an elder in Bi Yu Xuan, but he had passed away long ago.

And their mother, Sect Leader Yan Yuqing, now exceeded four hundred years of age and was nearing the juncture of life and death.

When such news came from Mingcang Sect, Yan Yuqing immediately recognized it as an opportunity, and thus ordered her pair of children to come.

She was well aware that Mingcang Sect was preparing to use them as the vanguard against the Demon Sect.

Huo Xuan acted openly and didn’t conceal anything on this matter. His letter clearly stated that it was essentially an invitation for them to contribute effort, and if they wouldn’t, why come looking for them? It was completely optional for them to agree or not.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t agree. But when faced with demonic calamity, you can’t evade it even if you want to; rather than trying to avoid it, aligning with Mingcang Sect might even offer a slim chance to achieve the Nascent Soul.

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...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to vote with recommendation tickets or monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)