Daoist Competition

Elder Zhuo didn’t say much, flicked his hand, sending over a Golden Talisman, saying: "I know the Sect Leader is in a difficult position. Before my elder brother ascended, he left a Dharma Decree. With this in hand, can it lead you to retract your decision?"

Sect Leader Qin took it and sighed softly, saying: "With the master’s decree, how can a disciple not comply?"

Elder Zhuo said no more, performed a salute, and with a wave of his robe sleeve, turned to leave without any hesitation. Not once did he speak to Zhang Yan or even glance in his direction.

Sect Leader Qin sat down again, pondered for a moment, then raised his gaze to Zhang Yan, saying: "Zhang Yan, I’m afraid the Floating Heavenly Palace cannot be borrowed for your cultivation."

Zhang Yan, however, slightly smiled and replied loudly: "There are countless paths to the Great Dao, not just one. I will seek out other methods."

Sect Leader Qin stroked his beard with a smile, his eyes gleaming, and said: "Do not worry, I have another method to help you achieve Nascent Soul sooner."

Zhang Yan’s spirit lifted, showing a focused expression.

Sect Leader Qin raised his horsetail whisk, pointed outside, and said: "Going eighteen thousand miles west to East Splendor Continent, you will find the Central Pillar Divine Continent. Within is a place called Kunyu, leading directly to the Extreme Sky. This place has a strange energy, called Green Sun Gang Ying. It’s rare, difficult to collect, even Nascent Soul cultivators can increase their cultivation with it. But with your current cultivation, that place is unreachable, so today I will lend you a Dharma Treasure that can assist in absorbing this energy."

The world is divided into Nine Provinces, with a saying that goes: "Eastern Three States, Western Three States, South One North One Pillar Continent," and this Pillar Continent refers to Central Pillar Divine Continent, the ancestral vein of Nine Provinces, the source of Four Seas.

Sect Leader Qin flipped his hand, and a fish drum shaped like bamboo joints, polished like ink jade, flew out, landing in his palm. He said: "This item is called the ’Heroic Festival Fish Drum,’ it can condense Gang Qi into jade. Yun Tian once used it in assistance, but this treasure’s True Spirit is peculiarly tempered. Whether it’s usable depends entirely on you."

As his voice just fell, a young Daoist, with a tall hat and wide belt, came out. He shouted up to the sky: "Qin Mobai, are you willing to let me out now."

Zhang Yan glanced at him, finding him quite handsome, yet his demeanor and tone seemed carefree and unruly.

Sect Leader Qin smiled silently, merely pointed at Zhang Yan, saying: "You shall go with him."

The young Daoist looked at Zhang Yan casually and said: "Are you the one seeking Gang Qi? Let me be clear, I’m not good at fighting. If you get into conflict, don’t rely on me."

Zhang Yan smiled: "Wouldn’t dare trouble Brother Daoist."

The young Daoist loudly said: "If you want me to put in effort, you must present fine wine, I don’t do losing deals."

Zhang Yan was a bit surprised, glanced at Sect Leader Qin, who closed his eyes silently, letting them discuss, seemingly not intending to interfere.

After contemplating briefly, he took a wine pouch from his sleeve and handed it over.

The young Daoist accepted it, uncorked it before Sect Leader Qin, smelled it, and instantly beamed with joy, shouting repeatedly: "Good wine, good wine."

He tilted his head back, gulped a few mouthfuls, his eyes shining brightly, wanting to drink more, but then thought better of it, tucked the wine pouch into his clothes, asking: "Any more?"

Zhang Yan shook his head: "This wine isn’t easy to brew, I’ll find some more later for Brother Daoist."

This wine was originally a Rejuvenation Wine gifted by Elder Gong, he had plenty more, but didn’t intend to give it away, as it was meant to keep this True Spirit hooked. If obtained too easily, it wouldn’t be cherished.

The young Daoist looked resentful, muttering: "Not satisfactory."

Despite his words, he transformed into a beam of Clear Light, drilling into the fish drum, which then autonomously flew up, landing towards Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan reached out, caught the treasure, and put it into his sleeve bag.

Sect Leader Qin opened his eyes and said seriously: "Zhang Yan, on your journey, be careful of that rogue. During the sect’s tumultuous changes, he either lured or deceived, snatching several Dharma Treasures from our sect. Yet, this Heroic Festival Fish Drum was intercepted by me first. Although his thousand-year Daoist cultivation was shattered by the Beiming Sword, he’s surely recuperating somewhere, but a few disciples under his charge are quite capable and might try to rob, so be cautious."

Zhang Yan felt a chill in his heart, saluted: "Thank you, Sect Leader True Master for the guidance."

Sect Leader Qin waved his horsetail whisk: "Go then."

Zhang Yan performed another salute, then left the Floating Heavenly Palace.

Reflecting on his return journey, he carefully considered Sect Leader Qin’s words and actions, seemingly full of hidden intentions, pondering in his heart: "Elder Zhuo’s interference must have been anticipated by Sect Leader True Master."