Daoist Competition

Bai Kechuan let out a muffled groan and said, "You Shaofang, it’s not too late to say this after you make it out."

You Shaofang replied coldly, "No need for you, Great Immortal Master Bai, to worry about that."

Bai Kechuan snorted but said no more.

You Shaofang looked at the battle ahead and spoke softly, "This Daoist employs strange skills, seemingly able to seize one’s Dharma treasures. We cannot simultaneously release all our treasures, lest we repeat our past mistake. When the time comes, two will attack, two will cover, and one will guard. If mana proves insufficient, two more will exchange places. Brother Daoists, how does this strategy sound?"

The other four, seeing that his arrangement was simple yet feasible in a hurry, had no other clever strategies to deal with such a strong adversary and thus all said, "We’ll follow Senior Brother You’s plan."

The five discussed briefly and agreed on how to cooperate with one another.

They had previously never faced an opponent like Zhang Yan, who didn’t rely on Dharma treasures, and thus made mistakes. Once they gained some experience, they would naturally change their approach in fighting and wouldn’t be so embarrassing next time, provided they survived this battle.

As Zhang Yan engaged with the Lie Xuan Sect Disciples, Yang Bingqing, Situ Rong, and another had already returned here, watching the battle from afar with varied expressions.

Yang Bingqing couldn’t help but twitch his cheeks. Years ago, on the East Sea, he witnessed a similar scene: over a hundred attacked the same person, only to be defeated with heavy losses. Remembering it now, he could still sense that chilling, murderous aura.

Situ Rong’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she watched, not blinking.

Although it was her first time witnessing sword cultivators fighting, she could feel the elegance and excitement as the sword light flew around, longing to hold a sword ball to practice herself.

Ding Daoist looked serious, furrowed his brows, and remained silent.

Zhang Yan effortlessly swept away all forty-plus Xuan Guang disciples. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned his sword light and returned to battle the five Hua Dan cultivators.

Seeing this, You Shaofang shouted, "What are you waiting for, fellow brother cultivators? Make your move!"

Instantly, two of them released Dharma treasures: two flaming red, three-zhang tall posts fell down.

Lie Xuan Sect’s Dharma treasures, aside from those passed down by their own sect, were bestowed by the sect and thus quite similar. Zhang Yan saw they weren’t rushing in madly like before, chuckled, shrugged his shoulders, and released the Xuanhuang Dragon Capturing Hand from his top gate, grasping and holding the two Dharma treasures firmly.

This Daoist skill, nourished by his True Seal Essence, now had greatly increased power, far beyond past capabilities. Previously, blocking Dharma treasures was difficult enough, let alone capturing them; now, it was easy.

The two who released their Dharma treasures were shocked, hurriedly performing Qi Jue to retrieve their treasures. Behind them, You Shaofang knew it was bad and shouted, "Quickly aid these two Brother Daoists!"

He and another Daoist shook their sleeves, also releasing their Dharma treasures, both aiming for Zhang Yan, hoping to relieve their comrades’ plight.

Unexpectedly, the moment their treasures left hand, Zhang Yan laughed heartily, spreading his sleeves wide.

Instantly, boundless waves surged from beneath him, swallowing the two Dharma treasures before they even got close, then swirled over You Shaofang and the others, leaving them no escape. Within moments, they were engulfed by the water curtain.

As Zhang Yan turned back with hands behind him, his expression calm as still water, the water light behind him rolled back like a weary bird returning to its forest, slowly entering his body. Now, besides Bai Kechuan, there wasn’t a single trace of anyone else.

Bai Kechuan looked on, hands and feet cold, body trembling.

Ding Daoist looked far across at that imposing figure and couldn’t help but ask, "Daoist Yang, which sect do you say this person is from?"

Yang Bingqing replied sternly, "Mingcang Sect."

Ding Daoist cupped his hands, "Though I’ve heard of this sect, I don’t know how it compares to Shaoqing Sect."

Yang Bingqing thought for a moment and said, "In East Splendor Continent, there are Ten Great Profound Sects, among which three sects are the most powerful. Shaoqing Sect is one of them, and Mingcang Sect is another, its power not at all inferior to Shaoqing. This Zhang Yan, surnamed Zhang, is one of the sect’s Top Ten Disciples."

Seeing Ding Daoist’s curious look, he explained, "Nearly all Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples are under Cave Heaven True Masters."

Actually, Yang Bingqing wasn’t sure about Zhang Yan’s true background; he only said so to cover up his previous timid retreat. By common judgment, his assumption was correct, not an exaggeration.

Hearing Zhang Yan’s distinguished origin, Ding Daoist couldn’t help but gasp. According to Yang Bingqing, Zhang Yan held quite a status within the sect. Why did he come here, whether like Shaoqing Sect, for the cultivation spiritual objects of Central Pillar Continent?

He frowned deeply, sighed, and said, "Lie Xuan Sect, Mingcang Sect, truly a troublesome time. This matter cannot be overlooked and must be truthfully reported to the alliance’s elders."

Yang Bingqing agreed readily, but suddenly his expression changed as he noticed Zhang Yan seemed to glance his way, heart tightening, head sweating, and whispered, "Brother Daoist, we should leave now."

Ding Daoist glanced at the scene, seeing Zhang Yan easily sweep away everyone outside, leaving only Bai Kechuan despite half a moment passing. He believed this high disciple of the Lie Xuan Sect couldn’t win; defeat was only a matter of time and said, "It’s time to go."

If he were in Zhang Yan’s shoes, he would surely kill everyone to prevent news reaching Lie Xuan Sect. Now was the time to leave while the opponent was preoccupied. Waiting would risk entrapment.

...

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