Daoist Competition

Liang Changgong pointed forward and said: "True Master Zhang, does this Earth Fire Sky Furnace meet Your Excellency’s expectations?"

Zhang Yan gazed into the distance. Before his eyes lay a sunken heavenly pit, as vast as a thousand acres. Underneath the furnace lay over a hundred Earth Breath Fire Veins, surrounded by White Soil Gao Mud to prevent the escape of fire qi. Inside, stones were layered like steaming baskets, divided into three hundred and sixty-five compartments, matching the Circulation number. While refining Dharma Treasures, the compartments could be freely adjusted according to the size of the Treasure Materials.

However, such skills that could alter mountain shapes and landscapes would be difficult even for a Nascent Soul cultivator to accomplish.

This Heavenly Furnace was once jointly established by two Cave Heaven True Masters.

These two Great Power Experts were a Daoist couple, whose original sect was eradicated by the Shaoqing Sect, forcing them to retreat to the land west of Ping. After several decades, hundreds of cultivators came, forming the Zhenluo Alliance, making the two their sacrifices. Now, after hundreds of years, one Cave Heaven True Master has passed away, and the other is also nearing the end of their lifespan. If not for the Zhenluo Alliance facing a life-and-death situation, it would likely not appear.

At that moment, there was a sudden disturbance in the sky, as several people in golden robes appeared from afar, looking down from within the clouds.

Liang Changgong glanced unintentionally and said in surprise: "Brother Wei, do you see that person? Could that be Hua Zhaofang, the Hua Daoist from the Golden Ling Sect?"

Wei Shudan raised his head to look, "Huh," he exclaimed, startled: "It is indeed him. Why is he here?"

Zhang Yan turned his head and asked, "Do you two fellow Daoists know this person?"

Liang Changgong respectfully replied: "This person is an Artifact Refining Expert from the Golden Ling Sect in Pingdong. In terms of skills, I’m afraid he’s not inferior to us."

Wei Shudan shook his head and sighed: "What treasure we plan to refine remains unknown to others, but it certainly won’t escape his notice."

They understood that although the news of the two of them jointly crafting a Dharma Treasure had spread widely, outsiders only had a glimpse. No one knew the specifics of what they intended to refine.

But Hua Zhaofang was different. From the numerous Treasure Materials they purchased, he could tell that this treasure refining was no ordinary endeavor.

The leader among the clouds also noticed Zhang Yan and his companions, immediately recognizing Liang and Wei’s identities. However, he had no intention of greeting them and left after observing for a while.

Zhang Yan watched the group depart, appearing thoughtful. After a while, he finally withdrew his gaze.

Meanwhile, in the Feiyu Dao Palace.

Shang Teng sat cross-legged on a cushion, his expression changing as if contemplating a particularly difficult matter. Finally, he hummed heavily, looked up at the sky, and murmured: "If fate is not seized, one suffers the consequences."

He shook his sleeve, threw out a Dharma Talisman, and instructed the Daoist boy beside him: "Child, take my protective talisman and bring Li Hua here."

The child obeyed and left. In less than a stick of incense’s time, a beautiful young woman arrived at the hall, knelt on the ground, and said: "Li Hua pays respects to Ancestor."

Shang Teng said in a deep voice: "Rise, among these juniors in the clan, only you are the most intelligent and clever. I have a task for you to undertake now."

Shang Lihua remained kneeling, only saying: "Please instruct, Ancestor."

Shang Teng nodded in satisfaction and said: "Come closer."

Since he joined the Zhenluo Alliance four hundred years ago, the clan’s descendants have flourished, becoming one of the top Great Clans in Double Moon Peak.

The Shang clan has over ten thousand disciples, but only a few enter his Dharma Eye, and Shang Lihua was one of them.

Moreover, this girl was exceptionally talented in Cultivation, reaching the Ming Qi Realm at just seventeen, with limitless potential.

Shang Lihua rose, walked forward, and as she got close, Shang Teng whispered a few words, then took out a Sleeve Bag for her, "Everything I’ve instructed is inside. When the task is complete, open it to know what to do next."

Shang Lihua accepted it with both hands, saying respectfully: "Li Hua will not fail what is entrusted to me."

Shang Teng, stroking his beard, smiled and said: "Good, go now."

After leaving the Dao Palace and returning home, Shang Lihua immediately summoned several Powerful Warriors and maids, prepared a carriage, and set off for Luqi Mountain.

The group departed at the end of You hour and reached the foot of the mountain at the beginning of Chou hour.

Outside the carriage, a maid softly asked: "Lady, is this place suitable?"

Shang Lihua lifted the curtain, stepped out, looked around, took a round, and then said: "If we go any further, it will arouse suspicion. Let’s stop here."

The maid waved, and a Powerful Warrior brought forth an object about two feet high, wrapped in yellow silk cloth, its nature unclear.

Two long-term followers took iron shovels and went ahead to dig the soil. Being experienced farmers, it didn’t take long to dig a pit large enough for an urn, into which they carefully buried the object, covering and compacting the soil.

Shang Lihua took another look and, seeing no flaws, said: "Let’s go."

This group traveled by carriage, not by flying, and didn’t stay long, leaving quietly without drawing the attention of patrolling disciples.

The carriage team headed south, traveling dozens of miles. After passing a Mountain Ridge, Shang Lihua, following Shang Teng’s prior instructions, opened the Sleeve Bag in the carriage and took out a letter. After glancing at it, her expression changed slightly, but she quickly calmed herself.

She drew a brilliantly shining small sword from the bag, chanted a few spells, and finally uttered, "Go."

A flash of silver light, and the small sword flew out from the carriage, followed by cries of agony from outside, which soon subsided.

Shang Lihua stepped out of the carriage, swept her gaze around, and saw that all the maids and Powerful Warriors had been slain, each reduced to a pool of thick blood.

She took a deep breath, took out another item, and threw it to the ground, revealing a Cloud Traversing Flying Car.

With three steps made in two, she boarded the carriage, settled herself, and shook the token. The Flying Car trembled gently, then lifted into the air, soon entering the clouds, turning into a moon-white streak of light, heading east.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)