Daoist Competition

Han Suyi lingered at Ten Peaks Mountain for a long time, and after having a secret discussion with Huo Xuan, she finally reported in detail the experience of eliminating the Demon Tribe on this trip before leaving.

Upon hearing that Demon King Quan He could actually use the Demon Sect’s Demon Skills, Huo Xuan immediately became vigilant, feeling that there was something unusual about this matter.

He couldn’t help but grow suspicious, pondering, "Could it be that these three tribes of the Demon Race wreaking havoc in East Splendor are under the shadow of the Demon Sect?"

If the Demon Tribe from the Beiming Continent were to join forces with the Demon Sect disciples, it would be extremely disadvantageous news for the Mingcang Sect, and it might also disrupt his previous arrangements.

Thinking of this, his expression became somewhat solemn, and for the sake of caution, he summoned Demon King Quan He for questioning.

Demon King Quan He, who had previously engaged in combat with Zhang Yan, had already lost much of his vigor. Now, being within the Mingcang Sect, with his cultivation suppressed by a talisman, and facing a Nascent Soul True Master alone, how could he dare to display any signs of a demon king’s arrogance?

Upon hearing Huo Xuan’s questioning, he immediately and obediently replied, "Reporting to True Master Huo, this little demon myself doesn’t know where that cultivation technique came from. It just appeared in my mind one day when I woke up, as if I was born knowing it."

Huo Xuan frowned slightly. According to this demon, it sounded like the dream-invading and soul-attacking method from the Demon Sect. However, that Dharma technique was an Evil Law, devised to harm the opponent’s essence, Qi, and Divine Soul, and it also wasn’t harmless to oneself. Such a method of Dharma Transmission was rare, so he asked again, "After you obtained this technique, did you cultivate it without any concerns?"

Quan He shook his head and said, "Not so. At first, this little demon was cautious, fearing some scheme against me, but seeing that it was not a shocking technique and required no external aid, I couldn’t resist practicing it, and nothing unusual happened since."

This cultivation technique could only be used for confusing and fleeing from enemies with weaker cultivation, but was ineffective against someone like Zhang Yan.

Huo Xuan saw that he was speaking truthfully, and after questioning several more times, realized there was nothing useful to be found. He had no intention of spending too much time on such a demon king, and was about to deal with him casually when Han Suyi suddenly suggested, "It seems Junior Brother Zhang previously mentioned wanting to take this demon king as a guardian spirit beast for his mansion. Brother Huo, why not hand this demon over to him for disposal?"

Huo Xuan thought for a moment, his expression softening, and said in a calm voice, "Very well, then I’ll trouble you, Junior Sister, to go once."

Han Suyi gracefully rose, and softly said, "Brother, I shall take my leave then."

Huo Xuan silently nodded.

Han Suyi beckoned to Quan He, and a wisp of light smoke flew out, enveloped him, and she transformed into a breeze and flew away.

Quan He was entirely unaware that he had just walked on the edge of life and death. But at this point, he had no choice but to obediently follow Han Suyi.

Huo Xuan gently waved his hand, calmly erasing the faint fragrance remaining in the Cave Mansion, then sealed the cave door and went into meditation.

At this moment in Zhao You Heavenly Pond, Jiang Zheng kowtowed three times to Zhang Yan, completing the apprenticeship ritual.

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Disciple, rise now."

As Jiang Zheng rose again, his heart surged with emotion. It had been over thirty years, and he thought he would never again see the face of the teacher from the past, but unexpectedly, today he was finally able to be included among his students. Reflecting on this, he realized it all started from a benevolent thought.

Back then, if Zhang Yan hadn’t saved him from the flood, there would be no Jiang Zheng of today. If he hadn’t traveled thousands of miles to Chui State to shield the people from demons, he wouldn’t have the fortune of joining the sect. He silently thought, "If I succeed in my Dao cultivation in the future, I must do more good deeds."

Zhang Yan looked at him and said, "Jiang Zheng, by joining my sect, you are now considered a Registered Disciple. The sect does not restrict your comings and goings. Besides the Zhao You Heavenly Pond, I have many Spirit Islands and wondrous peaks here. If you wish, you can choose one as your own Cave Mansion."

Jiang Zheng raised his head and said, "Disciple wishes to stay by Master’s side to listen and learn."

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "That’s up to you. I will impart to you a Dharma technique for you to comprehend on your own, and bestow upon you a Dharma Treasure for self-defense."

With a sweep of his robe sleeve, Spirit Light burst forth, revealing three items: a Sleeve Bag, a horsetail whisk, and a talisman, each radiating brilliance and spiritual energy, suspended in the air.

Jiang Zheng stepped forward to receive them and once again knelt down to express his gratitude.

Zhang Yan calculated the days on his fingers. He needed to enter seclusion to cultivate the Wood Element True Light and would likely have no time to look after this disciple.

Thinking this over, he summoned a wisp of Evil Qi, gathered some of the Four-Season Water and One Qi Ganoderma left from the last Solidifying Pill, as well as Bright Stone Milk, wrapped them all in Spirit Light, and pointed them out to Jiang Zheng, saying, "Take these three medicines to Miss Luo. As your master, I will soon enter seclusion. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you may consult her."