Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan did not believe they had no purpose, but with his current cultivation, he had no way of knowing the hidden secrets within.

At this moment, he heard someone shout from outside, "The rain has stopped."

Zhang Yan, not wanting to sit in the carriage for long, got out.

After the light rain, there was a slight dampness, and the Qi mechanism flowed smoothly through the valley path. A warm breeze blew, bringing the sound of insects singing and birds chirping from the ethereal and secluded valley.

By now, he did not know how deep into the mountain he had ventured. He faintly heard the sound of clear spring water flowing, with moss on the stones, forming a wet carpet at the turning points of the path. As the rain and mist dissipated, brilliant and dazzling colors shimmered in all directions.

After walking forward for another hour, he came to an open area and saw a towering and smooth stone wall with numerous niches carved into it, holding over a thousand stone statues.

Among them, one stone statue was particularly large, hidden within the niche wall, exquisitely carved, with lifelike features, just like a real person.

Zhang Yan noticed that although there was no prohibition array here, the statue had no traces of broken branches or leaves. Even in dark corners, there was no filth, clearly showing that someone often cleaned and tended to it.

At this moment, there was a commotion among the caravan, and many people left the group and rushed forward to kneel down, burn incense, and pray devoutly, their reverent expressions clearly visible.

Zhang Yan gestured to summon Manager Qiu to his side and pointed to ask, "Which True Master is being worshipped here?"

Manager Qiu cupped his hands and solemnly replied, "Reporting to the Immortal Master, this is the founding Ancestor Master of the Lie Xuan Sect, Yiya Upper Master."

Manager Qiu then pointed around and said, "In days of yore, Yiya Upper Master came here to cultivate. He was immediately captivated by this mountain and water setting and cultivated here for over five centuries. Eventually, he glimpsed the mysterious and became an Immortal. At that time, demons and monsters were rampant here. He and his disciples protected the local creatures, earning the people’s gratitude. They later carved statues to worship him. Even today, in Han Capital of Song Country, there is still a Yiya Temple, where incense burns perpetually and is very efficacious. He is also a Daoist Immortal. The Daoist may wish to go and pay respects."

The Yu Gu True Spirit curled his lips and said, "What kind of Immortal? When has anyone in Central Pillar Continent ever ascended? If we go by lifespan, he calls me grandpa, and he’s still too young."

Manager Qiu was startled, "Daoist, it’s fine to say these things here, but if you reach Han Capital, absolutely refrain from disrespecting this Immortal. Within the realm of Song Country, most are followers of this Immortal."

He looked around, lowered his voice more, and said, "Even among the caravan’s escort, quite a few are disciples of the Lie Xuan Sect."

Zhang Yan saw some followers taking out a book and muttering, so he pointed and asked, "What book is that?"

Manager Qiu glanced over and said, "This is the ’Daoist Scripture’ handwritten by Yiya Upper Master back then."

"Daoist Scripture?"

Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow. There are countless cultivators in the world, but directly naming their writings ’Daoist Scripture’ is something even the great cultivators throughout history dare not do, so he said, "Bring it for me to see."

Manager Qiu quickly went to fetch it and handed it to Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan looked over it for a few moments, then gave a slight smile and casually handed it to the Yu Gu True Spirit.

The Yu Gu True Spirit also flipped through it briefly, sneering as he mockingly said, "I thought it was something significant; turns out it’s just a hodgepodge copied from over a hundred Daoist books, merely to deceive the ignorant masses."

Manager Qiu turned pale with shock, hurriedly looking around, relieved that no one else had heard.

Zhang Yan, with his hands clasped behind his back, said, "For Yiya Upper Master to become a sect founder, he must not have been so shallow, nor would he be so presumptuous. It’s likely a later forgery."

The Yu Gu True Spirit agreed, saying, "Most likely so."

Yiya Upper Master indeed had many followers. Even in this caravan as Zhang Yan observed, more than half came here to offer incense.

After about an hour of worship, the caravan started moving again, but they didn’t get far before a commotion was heard from the front, and the caravan came to a stop. This quickly alerted Lady Wang in the back, who got off the carriage with two maids and found a guard to ask, "What happened?"

The guard replied nervously, "The cableway on the cliff ahead has unexpectedly snapped, and there is no passage."

Lady Wang furrowed her eyebrows, "Take me to see."

The guard led the way, and after a short walk of less than two hundred steps, they arrived at the cliff ahead where the cableway, once connected by iron chains, was indeed severed. From here, they could barely see the opposite cliff, and below was a chasm thousands of feet deep, making crossing void impossible without crossing through the air.

Lady Wang, bold as she was, stood by the cliff for a while before suddenly saying, "Find some people to drag the chain up."

Before long, several dozen people came and pulled the chain up.

Lady Wang stepped forward, carefully examining the break, seeing the neat cut clearly made by a divine weapon’s sharp blade, immediately realizing it was intentional.

Yet her expression remained unchanged, as she instructed the others to lower the chain again before returning to the caravan. Just then, she saw Manager Wu rushing over, leaning on a cane and breathlessly asking, "Madam, I’ve heard the chain has broken. How could this happen? How could this be?"

Lady Wang sighed, "Perhaps it’s the work of demons in the mountains, which makes it difficult now. I, with my limited experience, seek the old manager’s extensive knowledge of the mountain paths to see if there is another way to reach Shangjing?"

Manager Wu stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "If this path is blocked, we must take a detour, use a shortcut through the Hollow Valley to reach the continent. However, since last year, a Daoist Zhi Kong settled there, took a few disciples, and captured hundreds of laborers to build a Daoist temple at that spot. They usually collect some tolls from passersby, and I’ve heard their disciples are dark-hearted and ruthless, demanding at least seventy percent. If we go that way..."

Lady Wang decisively said, "Money can always be earned again; the goods must be delivered. If we anger the Dao Palace, not only will we face trouble, but we could also implicate our children and family."

Manager Wu could only utter a series of sighs, muttering constantly, "Destiny, destiny indeed."

Lady Wang returned to the carriage, and once inside, her expression was markedly grave.

Since the passing of her husband and father-in-law, this was her first time leading the caravan here herself. However, she had already inquired clearly in advance and knew there were two other roads leading into the Song Country besides the Ghost Cliff cableway. Yet, Manager Wu mentioned only one path and hid the other, which surely hinted at a problem!

Previously feeling that Manager Wu’s actions along the way were suspicious, she was now more certain of it.

She also realized that even if she had proposed taking another path before, should the other party have arranged something, they wouldn’t overlook it.

She considered herself a heroine, facing adversity unflinchingly, constantly calculating strategies in her mind.

Before long, she raised her finely shaped head, summoned a maid, "Invite those two Daoists to come."

Without waiting for the maid to leave, she suddenly stood up, called the maid back, and said, "Wait, it would be better if I go personally."

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)