Daoist Competition

The substitute left by Zhang Yan could not be concealed for long. After just two years, Duanmu Li, who personally came to inspect the mountain, saw the flaw.

When Duanmu Li made the discovery, he was both shocked and angry. However, since the Great Array was unbroken, he did not know whether Zhang Yan had left this place or had engaged in some other mysterious activities.

He was not afraid that Zhang Yan was still hiding in this mountain, but rather that he might have led outsiders here to seize the strange treasure.

Especially since Zhang Yan knew how to enter and exit Kunyu, it indeed made him uneasy.

Initially, he instructed the disciples to be cautious and vigilant, guarding the mountain gate strictly. Yet, after over a dozen years of inactivity, he was somewhat reassured.

Thus, more than a decade passed peacefully, and this matter weighed less on Duanmu Li’s mind than before.

If the other party were not dead and coveted the Supreme Treasure, they should have come earlier, not delayed until now.

He secluded himself from visitors here, concentrating on cultivation, but outside, the tides of change were turbulent.

Over twenty years ago, the Lie Xuan Sect, using the pretext that the Zhenluo Alliance killed disciples from their sect, rallied tens of thousands of Cult members and invaded the West of Ping on a large scale. Coincidentally, internal rebellions arose within the Zhenluo Alliance, leading to multiple defeats and losing large swathes of territory over the years, ultimately retreating to the deep mountains.

Due to the vastness of the West of Ping, and the Qingshi Temple and Golden Ling Sect fearing the power of the Lie Xuan Sect, they secretly hindered them, slowing their advance.

Yet, unbeknownst to all, although the Lie Xuan Sect publicly aimed to seize the Immortal Blessed Lands of cultivation, they actually had another motive and had prepared for over three hundred years for this.

On this day, as Duanmu Li was meditating, he suddenly felt a wave of anxiety in his heart. He suddenly heard the sound of a jade chime and gong from outside, which puzzled him. He spoke in a deep voice, "What’s happening? Child, go and take a look."

The child received the order and left, soon returning in a panic, pointing outside and saying, "Temple master, many people have arrived outside the mountain."

"What?" Duanmu Li stood up abruptly, pondering secretly, "Could it be Zhang Daoist has brought them here?" But aloud, he said, "Second Brother, come with me to take a look."

He called a few times but received no response, remembering that he hadn’t seen the person all day, he asked, "Where is the Second Master?"

The child stammered, "Second Master left the mountain earlier."

Duanmu Li yanked on his beard, feeling something was amiss, and urged, "Quickly, go and call the Third Old Master."

At this time, outside Kunyu, in the void stood thousands of cultivators. Under a canopy at the higher level, a dozen cloud rafts were lined up. An old Daoist dressed in a Sun and Moon Robe sat at the center, accompanied by dozens of male and female disciples of various appearances, riding boats and birds, soaring through the clouds and following behind.

Beside him sat another Daoist, similarly seated, but with a more ruthless expression, clearly the teacher of Bai Kechuan, Master Pang Yu Zhong.

At this moment, a wisp of smoke flew out from within Kunyu, falling before the old Daoist. A plump Daoist emerged from it, bowing respectfully from afar, "Hong An welcomes the two True Masters."

The old Daoist raised his eyelids slightly, asking, "Hong An, has the strange treasure been lost?"

Hong An bent forward, replying, "Reporting to True Master Guo, I have been guarding at the foot of the mountain day and night without the slightest slack. Currently, the treasure is still safely on Turtle Snake Mountain, awaiting the Immortal Masters of Lie Xuan Sect to retrieve it."

After speaking, he again bowed flatteringly to Pang Yu Zhong.

True Master Guo waved his horsetail whisk, saying, "Hmm, since you willingly worship our sect founder, you can consider yourself a member of our Lie Xuan Sect. Once the treasure is secured, you will surely be rewarded."

Hong An was overjoyed, immediately kneeling down, "Thank you, True Master."

After this brief delay, Master Pang was already quite impatient, saying, "Why dawdle? Lead the way."

Hong An nodded and led the group into the mountains. At this moment, the slanting sun was casting its rays. True Master Guo saw the land covered with magical trees and flowers, the mountain scenery beautiful and vivid, nodding slightly, "Such a Blessed Land, perfect for our sect’s Daoist Field."

Pang Yu Zhong also agreed, "Brother’s words are true. How could those mundane people deserve to enjoy this landscape?"

They made comments freely, while Hong An listened without any change in expression, as if what they said was of no concern to him. The disciples behind True Masters Guo and Pang, seeing Hong An’s back, could not help but show disdain in their eyes.