Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan borrowed the Dharma Escape technique, the sword light flickering, ascending several dozen miles, breaking through a turbulent whirl of Qi, soaring above the sea of clouds, until the sky turned blue, and a bright ray of sunlight shone down, revealing the true appearance of the Land Continent majestically standing among the clouds.

From the sky, he looked down, seeing peaks and valleys connected within the continent, mountains and ranges forming, the earth’s Qi prosperously flourishing, with a stretch of winding mountain ridge extending far to the north, disappearing beyond the sky without end, resembling an angry python rolling beneath the Earth Veins.

In the near south, the scenery was equally magnificent, deep valleys locked in mist, lush green trees, gnarled branches, and old vines hanging like curtains, emerald barriers and green screens, ancient and clear, with thousands of waterfalls and streams flowing amidst them, rushing with thunderous might.

At this moment, his sleeves gently trembled, the Yu Gu True Spirit emerged, gazing afar, shooting a ray of Divine Light from his eyes, and then pointing to a mountain peak ahead, saying: "Nephew Zhang, this mountain is where the earth veins converge, connecting heaven and earth, an excellent place for Qi Collection."

Zhang Yan looked around, observing this mountain’s unusual shape, resembling a turtle raising its head to the sky, with its head in the clouds and tail in the water, the mountain path winding over its back like a snake, praising: "Indeed, a perfect place."

He shook his sleeve, riding the wind ahead, traveling for about the time of a burning incense stick, but suddenly felt something amiss. Although the waters and mountains seemed nearby, they appeared close to him but were impossible to approach, no matter how he moved, so he calculated a bit and realized that there was a Forbidden Array blocking him.

However, this array was neither a Killing Array nor a Maze Array, not meant to trap or annihilate. If he decided to turn back now, he could safely return.

Zhang Yan had learned from the Mountain and River Child that when his previous master passed through this place years ago, he couldn’t enter either, considering it was someone else’s sect territory, so he didn’t investigate further. He mused: "It seems more than likely that this place belongs to someone."

While contemplating how to enter, his gaze wandered, and suddenly, his expression shifted, feeling the familiarity of the landscape.

As the thought arose, he focused on observing, carefully inspecting several times, his spirit lifted, having discerned some of its mysteries.

The mountain and water layout clearly formed Erosion Texts, revealing the deep meaning contained within, which happened to be the marvelous technique for entering the array.

Zhang Yan couldn’t help but marvel at the grand craftsmanship. To achieve such a layout on this vast Land Continent required Divine Skills capable of moving mountains and overturning lands.

Calculating quietly, in a short moment, he grasped the changes within, firmly setting his mind. Following the Array Gate’s path, with only a few turns, suddenly, the world cleared, as if crossing a barrier, finding himself within this realm.

His arrival startled the realm’s master. A white smoke emerged from the mountains, rose to the heights, then descended like pouring water, stretching before him. On it stood a four-decade Daoist, with an elegant appearance, a beautiful beard reaching his chest, dressed in a Yulan Cloud Water Robe, looking at Zhang Yan with surprise, bowing: "Fellow Daoist, where do you come from?"

Seeing him arrive riding the smoke, Zhang Yan knew he was also a Hua Dan Cultivator, returned the bow and said: "I am the humble Zhang Yan, a cultivator from East Splendor Continent, traveling here, attracted by the Land Continent suspended in the sky to have a look, not intending to disturb your peace, fellow Daoist."

"So, you’re a fellow Daoist from East Splendor Continent."

The Daoist exclaimed, "I am the humble Lu Guo, cultivating in Haoxing Temple on this continent. This place usually sees few outsiders, but today, by chance, I came to collect water, meeting you is fate, why not visit my temple?"

Zhang Yan originally came to collect the Green Sun Gang Spirit from the mountain but realized he couldn’t bypass the realm’s master. The proposal suited him well, so he responded: "Then I would be delighted, fellow Daoist."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lu Guo, the two traveled northward side by side, passing an hour before reaching a Dao Palace built atop the mountain peak, with glazed golden tiles, surrounded by flourishing trees, encircled by countless birds, indeed a majestic sight.

Entering the Dao Palace, Lu Guo led him to the main hall and instructed the servants to serve tea, but whether Daoist boys or servants, all were quite old, gray-haired, deaf and blind. He had to call several times before they responded, hunched over and departing.

Lu Guo felt slightly awkward and said: "Please forgive me, fellow Daoist, this place seldom welcomes outsiders, and I am often busy with cultivation, closing myself off for decades, forgetting to replace a few capable servants timely."

Zhang Yan smiled: "Why not teach them some Breathing Technique to extend their lives a few more years, and avoid such troubles."