Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan captured Guo Mingde, causing a stir among the disciples watching from afar, each of them seized with panic and confusion.

In just a few short hours, both of their teachers had been defeated; how could they possibly stand against such power?

The key issue was that Guo Mingde was solely focused on escaping earlier and had no time to observe, so he didn’t notice that Hong An had already slipped away and wasn’t present.

Without a leader to guide them, escaping safely from the Great Array of Kunyu was impossible unless one understood the art of breaking arrays.

When the over a thousand disciples realized this, their hearts were filled with even more despair.

Zhang Yan scanned the crowd with his eyes, quickly understanding the situation. Knowing they couldn’t escape, he didn’t bother restraining them. Instead, he brought the unconscious Guo Mingde over, throwing him at Lu Guo’s feet and said, "Lu Daoist, this person is yours to deal with. If you’re unwilling to do it yourself, I can help you. But before that, may I ask a few questions?"

Lu Guo glanced at the unconscious Guo Mingde at his feet, knowing that revenge was within reach. He looked up at Zhang Yan with a face full of gratitude. His lips quivered, and he clasped his hands respectfully, saying, "Zhang Dao..." He paused, realizing it was not quite right, and quickly corrected himself, "True Master Zhang, feel free to ask whatever you want."

Zhang Yan smiled and nodded. He flicked a finger, sending a stream of Clear Qi into Guo Mingde’s nose. Before long, Guo Mingde slowly regained consciousness. Seeing the situation before him and meeting Lu Guo’s hate-filled eyes, he couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

Zhang Yan didn’t avoid Lu Guo, directly stating, "Daoist Guo, if you do not wish to suffer more, then tell me in detail about that strange treasure you know of, or else I have many means to deal with you."

Guo Mingde smiled bitterly, "Man is the knife, while I am but meat. Since my life is in the hands of you two, whatever you want to know, just say it plainly. I will tell everything I know."

Zhang Yan asked in a deep voice, "I want to know, what exactly is the strange treasure on Turtle Snake Mountain?"

Guo Mingde showed a hint of surprise. He had originally thought Zhang Yan was well aware of what it was; otherwise, why would he fight with them over this treasure?

Moreover, why would Zhang Yan not ask Lu Guo, who was right there, and instead inquire from him?

In truth, even though Lu Guo was one of the three temple masters of Haohang Dao Palace, by nature simple-minded and inexperienced, Duanmu Mian and Hong An feared he would inadvertently leak secrets, so they hadn’t told him the truth. What he knew was quite similar to what they later told Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan did not believe Duanmu Mian and Hong An’s words. Earlier, when speaking with Lu Guo, he had already harbored suspicions and noticed he did not understand the true situation. Later, upon seeing the strange treasure himself, he made some guesses, though he couldn’t be completely certain, leading to his question.

Guo Mingde remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "I only know that it is an ancient Divine Beast Embryo. As for the specifics, I am not aware."

Lu Guo now understood the truth. At first, he was stunned for a while and then mumbled something. Suddenly, he looked up, pointing angrily at Guo Mingde, saying, "So that’s why you Lie Xuan Sect people wanted to seize it!"

Guo Mingde sighed and said, "Lu Daoist, I apologize. Although my Lie Xuan Sect has been established for over five hundred years, appearing long-standing, it is, in fact, shallow-rooted compared to those tens of thousands of years old Sects. When the Shaoqing Sect attacks again, we may even scatter like wind and rain. But with a Divine Beast to protect the Sect, we could not only withstand external enemies but also stabilize our fate. I was entrusted by the Sect, and for the sake of hundreds of thousands of Cult Members, there was no other choice."

Zhang Yan listened, nodding slightly. This was not far from what he had guessed previously. However, having thoroughly studied the Daoist Books and coming from the Mingcang Sect, a millennia-old Great Sect, his insight and understanding were beyond what Guo Mingde could match. In his mind, there was another interpretation.

He continued asking a few more questions about the Lie Xuan Sect, and Guo Mingde did not conceal anything, revealing everything.

In truth, he did not consider Zhang Yan’s inquiries as anything secret. Even the Sect’s Daoist Books, if Zhang Yan asked, he would still reveal them.

In the Central Pillar Continent, during Cultivation, techniques were secondary; only external objects were fundamental, and these were firmly controlled by the three Major Sects, No matter your talent or comprehension, without the Cultivation External Objects, you couldn’t cultivate anything.

Only those from Great Clans were qualified to cultivate to the superior Realm.