Daoist Competition

Refining a Dharma Treasure takes time, ranging from a year and a half to several decades or even a century. It is better to start sooner rather than later. Therefore, after the death of Jin Tanggong, Zhang Yan stayed on Turtle Snake Mountain for only a few days before deciding to head to the Zhenluo Alliance to seek out an Artifact Refining Expert.

For this trip, he did not use sword escape but instead traveled through the Extreme Sky, riding the Gang Wind. After just three days, he had already traveled over a hundred thousand miles.

On this day, he parted the cloud mist and looked down, seeing two mountain peaks, one to the south and one to the north, standing opposite each other across the water.

Between the two mountains, looking into the heavy clouds, there was a suspended flying continent shaped like a funnel, adorned with strange flowers and grass. Crystal waterfalls hung down, large expanses of ice mist scattered about, and under the sunlight, rainbow bridges flickered with colorful shadows, creating a dreamlike and illusionary scene.

Since the Lie Xuan Sect invaded the West of Ping, the Zhenluo Alliance had retreated deep into the mountains.

Here, although the towering mountains stretched endlessly, do not assume it is a barbaric land. The Central Pillar Continent is prosperous, and even the Pingdong Land cannot be compared to other continents.

In these mountains, there are three hundred small countries with a population close to ten million, making this the fundamental area of the Zhenluo Alliance. After several hundred years of development, the land and water have become accessible everywhere.

The Double Moon Peak, located among the mountains, resembles a twin lotus flower, with the Qingshui River flowing between them, making it a renowned scenic and wondrous place.

Because the two mountains are identical, even the flowers and grass covering them are the same. The mountains are shrouded in Illusion Mist, making it difficult to distinguish reality from illusion. When people visit and gaze from afar, they cannot tell the reflection in the Qingshui belongs to which peak. Hence, a poem praises, "Double Moons reflect in Qingshui, bewitched beauty laments not alone, reflections seem unseen, mirrors silent care."

Due to the obstruction of a Great Array, flying is impossible within the Double Moon Peak. Zhang Yan descended from the clouds and landed on North Moon Peak. He saw that the entire mountain was built according to the terrain, from the foot all the way to the peak, with pavilion buildings and corridors in various styles, looking elegant and arranged intricately.

He walked leisurely up the steps, hands behind his back. Due to his quick pace, he reached the peak in no time.

At the top of the mountain stood a state city, bustling with people and noise. Outside the city lay a shimmering lake with willow trees planted along the shore. The spring scenery was at its height, with birds singing, boats passing back and forth, and many young men and women enjoying carefree boating, playing flutes, and strumming zithers.

Zhang Yan had heard upon his arrival that the two cities on the Double Moon Peak were built by cultivators of the Shaoqing Sect who escaped here when they invaded the Central Pillar Continent. They leveled peaks, created land, and dug lakes, and now, over four hundred years have passed.

The Artifact Refining Expert he sought was also within these two state cities.

Upon entering the city, he strolled along the streets, seeing inns, taverns, merchant shops, teahouses, bookstores, brothels, and casinos. Everything present in the mundane world was here in abundance. Because the mundane people and cultivators in the Central Pillar Continent lived together and indulgence was popular, the cities were more prosperous and splendid than any in other continents.

After making a round through the city and inquiring a little, Zhang Yan had a clear idea and headed toward the southeastern corner of the city.

There, a hill rose up, visible from afar, with a broad pavilion with flying eaves and upturned corners constructed at its summit. Below the hill, houses were linked, surrounded by clear water.

Among the dozen or so people Zhao Xiong mentioned, only two were truly exceptional: one was Wei Shudan, the other was Liang Changgong.

Liang Changgong happened to reside here, coincidentally having refined several Dharma Treasures for that fierce person’s disciples. If his skills weren’t exceptional, that fierce person probably wouldn’t have repeatedly sent disciples seeking him.

However, to say that Liang Changgong had secret ties with that fierce person, Zhang Yan felt was unlikely. Otherwise, someone like Zhao Xiong, an insignificant Registered Disciple, would not be privy to this matter.

At this moment, inside the broad pavilion, a scholar, full of Essence Qi, bowed to a young girl in front of him and apologized, "Lady Yu, I apologize. Master Liang has been busy with the sacrificial refinement of a Dharma Treasure for a guest these past days and is utterly exhausted. He is currently regulating his energy through cultivation and truly cannot find time to meet, so please return another day."

The young girl was only seventeen or eighteen years old, clad in a red jacket and a great cloak, her hair styled in a Double Snail Bun. Her brows and eyes were strikingly beautiful without makeup, with a serene and composed demeanor. A great entourage of twenty or thirty people accompanied her, exuding an impressive air.

A maid beside her suddenly spoke, "Is Pavilion Master Liang avoiding meeting my lady? Or is he afraid he cannot successfully craft the Dharma Treasure and tarnish his reputation?"

The scholar wore a sincere expression, cupped his hands, and said, "This lady jests. The situation is purely coincidental and indeed not an excuse."

The young girl maintained her placid expression and said, "Since Pavilion Master Liang is unavailable, I shall return another day."