Daoist Competition

Cultivators often go into seclusion for decades or even centuries; thus, attendant children by their side are usually taught the Breathing Technique to help them achieve longevity. Those who are fortunate might even be accepted as disciples.

Lu Guo sighed repeatedly and said, "Fellow Daoist, how could you know that the people here are all so obtuse and difficult to cultivate."

After a while, an elderly man brought tea; Zhang Yan picked up the tea cup and tasted it, finding it fragrant. After drinking it, a surge of Spiritual Energy lingered in his chest and was slow to dissipate; it must be top-grade tea.

At this moment, Lu Guo glanced at Zhang Yan curiously and asked, "Earlier, I wanted to ask you, fellow Daoist. This place in Kunyu, though not quite a Taoyuan, is still secluded from the mundane world. Common folks cannot enter here due to the Great Array outside, but since you managed to come, I presume you are skilled in arrays?"

Zhang Yan put down the tea cup and smiled, "I do not know any arrays, but the landscape here has hidden Erosion Text, which points the way. It so happens I am adept at this, allowing me to find my way here."

Lu Guo exclaimed in wonder and stood up excitedly, "Daoist, do you understand the Erosion Text?"

Zhang Yan nodded with a smile and said, "I understand a little."

Lu Guo showed a look of great eagerness, reaching into his sleeve to take out a Jade Talisman, holding it up with both hands. "Please, Daoist, enlighten me."

Zhang Yan took it, his Spiritual Energy slightly moving, and lines of Erosion Text surfaced upon it. He glanced casually and said, "This is a set of four mantras, seeming like an Array Opening Skill; deciphering it isn’t difficult. Let me write it down for my fellow Daoist."

He extended his finger, dipped it in tea, and wrote it one by one on the table. Lu Guo’s eyes gleamed brightly, watching it without blinking. At that moment, he seemed to have solved some puzzle, unable to hide a thrilled expression: "So that’s it, that’s it!"

Lu Guo raised his head abruptly, grabbing Zhang Yan’s sleeve, gazing at him warmly, "Daoist, having come from afar, why not stay at my place for a few more days? I have many questions I wish to consult."

Zhang Yan showed a troubled expression and said, "I’m merely passing through this place, I’m afraid..."

Lu Guo was anxious and said, "If you need anything in your cultivation, do tell me, only to ask you to stay a few more days."

Zhang Yan pretended to ponder, ultimately sighing long, "Your hospitality is great, so I shall stay a few days."

Lu Guo was overjoyed and cupped his hands, saying, "Very well, fellow Daoist, please sit for a while; I shall be back soon."

Zhang Yan bowed in return with a smile, "Feel free, fellow Daoist."

After taking leave of Zhang Yan, Lu Guo excitedly rushed into the inner temple, following a corridor carved from the mountain’s belly to the back hill, crossing a Jade Bridge to stop in front of a Cave Mansion, shouting, "Are the two senior brothers here? Junior seeks to see you!"

After a moment, the Stone Gate parted, and a Daoist boy emerged, bowing and saying, "Third Old Master, First Master and Second Master invite you inside to speak."

Lu Guo straightened his robe and stepped inside; within the Cave Mansion were two Bright Pearl treasure lamps, glowing brilliantly like daylight.

At the north and south ends, a uniquely featured Daoist sat each.

The Old Daoist to the east, with an unusual demeanor, was skinny as a twig, eyelids drooping, looking drowsy; clothed in a half-old, half-new plain white Daoist robe tightly wrapped, with a great cloak over it, before him was a slightly rusted Copper Furnace with no sign of incense burning.

Sitting to the west was a man with a short beard, plump like a ball all over, with sparse hair and beard, making his Daoist bun only a small tuft, like a little bird perched on his head, smiling with affluence. He spoke, "Judging by the junior apprentice’s complexion, have you encountered something joyful?"

Lu Guo nodded repeatedly, cupped his hands, "For the two elder brothers to know, today I saw a wandering Daoist from outside."

The plump Daoist suddenly tightened his expression, leaned forward, and asked in a deep voice, "Where is he from?"

Even the Old Daoist mildly showed interest, opening his eyes to look.

Lu Guo replied without hesitation, "From what he said, he wandered from East Splendor Continent."

"From East Splendor Continent?"

The plump Daoist’s expression slightly relaxed, sitting upright again, and asked, "What is this person’s cultivation level?"

Lu Guo said, "Same as mine, he should also be a Golden Core Formation cultivator."

Upon hearing he was merely a Hua Dan Cultivator, the Old Daoist closed his eyes, saying, "Since he’s only passing by, you should host him for a while and send him away early."

The plump Daoist also nodded, followed with reproachful tone, "Junior apprentice, how could you let an outsider in so easily? What does the First Master advise you? Luckily, this person is alone; if he harbored malicious intent, wouldn’t it be inviting a wolf into the house? Let this be the last."

Lu Guo panicked and quickly defended, "The two elder brothers wrongly blame me; it wasn’t I who led him to the mountain, but he himself broke the array to enter the continent."

The plump Daoist was immediately astonished, saying, "How is this possible? Back in the day, we three apprentices also needed our master’s guidance, exhausting dozens of years of effort, painstakingly studying the Great Array to occupy this Haohang Dao Palace; how did he enter here alone without guidance?"

Lu Guo hurriedly said, "Indeed, this is what I wish to report to the two elder brothers; this person, by examining the landscape, received guidance from the Dharma technique to arrive here."

Upon hearing this, both Daoists were amazed.

The Old Daoist’s finger trembled, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes, saying, "So, he can read Erosion Text?"

Lu Guo nodded earnestly, "Fearing he might deceive me, I even asked him to deduce a few unresolved mantras on the spot; testing revealed he truly holds such skill!"

The Old Daoist remained silent for a moment, asking, "Where is this person now?"

Lu Guo said, "He is still in the hall; if the two senior brothers permit, I shall arrange for him to settle in the temple."

The Old Daoist and the plump Daoist exchanged a glance, saying, "Junior apprentice, make arrangements first; I will discuss it with the second senior brother."

Lu Guo bowed, "Yes, I shall go now."

He left, his spirits high.

Watching him leave, the plump Daoist couldn’t help but say, "Senior brother, if this person truly understands the Erosion Text, he must be kept, for we’ve wasted over three hundred years here after all for..."

The Old Daoist extended a hand, interrupting him, contemplating a moment, saying, "Wait, his background is still unknown; let me observe for a few days before deciding."

...

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