Daoist Competition

The young Daoist soared into the Heavenly Vault, standing atop the clouds, and addressed Zhang Yan, "Are you from the Mingcang Sect?"

Zhang Yan steadied his tunneling light and responded, "Who is Your Excellency?"

The Daoist chuckled with a bit of arrogance, as if facing a junior, and said with hands behind his back, "I am Ding Qun from the Yuan Yang Sect and an old acquaintance of Chen Ziyi from your sect. I’ve heard you are one of the Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples today, so you should call me Uncle Master."

Zhang Yan paused briefly. He had heard of Chen Ziyi, who was one of the Top Ten Disciples of the past, having attained Enlightenment only slightly later than Qi Yuntian. However, during a sect upheaval over two hundred years ago, he was killed with a single sword by a murderous individual.

Not only Chen Ziyi, but the Top Ten Disciples of his noble family cohort were all killed. By now, their bodies must have decayed. Ding Qun was unaware of this, having been "invited" away by the Jiuling Sect before the Mingcang Sect’s turmoil. Zhang Yan laughed, "With you being nothing more than a puppet, evil demon spirits, what right do you have to be my respected elder?"

Ding Qun was furious, "Who is your master? Even if it’s one of your Mingcang Sect’s elders, they wouldn’t dare be disrespectful to me."

Zhang Yan smiled slightly, indifferent even if Ding Qun was truly acquainted with Mingcang Sect’s elders, and said, "I don’t care where you come from, nor what status you once held. I’m speaking with you only because your mind still seems clear. If you are wise, step aside and let me eliminate the demons. If you obstruct me, you’ll be killed alongside them."

Filling with anger, Ding Qun still retained some composure and said coldly, "If that’s the case, let me teach you a lesson for your elders, so you know your limits."

Zhang Yan, not bothered by further discussion, waved his sleeve, and a sword light suddenly arose, slicing swiftly. Ding Qun let out a cold laugh as three clusters of Gang Cloud shuddered atop his head, dropping a wisp of Gold Qi that swiftly condensed into two sword lights, one defending against the sword ball in the air, the other counterattacking.

Though Zhang Yan disparaged Ding Qun verbally, he never underestimated his opponent. After making a move, he subtly prepared to release his Daoist Skills and Dharma Treasures at the right moment.

However, Ding Qun met the challenge with mere Gold Qi and didn’t even use the sword plate underfoot, realizing he was overconfident. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Yan unleashed Divine Thunder to open up the attacking Sword Qi, followed by a loud shout, reverberating through the clouds. His sword light split into thirty-six streams, charging forward together.

Given that Yan Huixin had summoned Ding Qun to face the enemy, he certainly had exceptional skills. If not killed in one strike and managed to respond, it would be troublesome. Therefore, Zhang Yan employed the quickest means once identifying a flaw.

Ding Qun had never imagined Zhang Yan’s Flying Sword Skill to be so formidable. In his understanding, though the Mingcang Sect might have a few Sword Cultivators, they weren’t particularly outstanding. He had even sparred with Shaoqing Disciples and wouldn’t take a junior seriously.

Yet upon seeing thirty-six sword balls slicing through the air with chilling sharpness, heading towards his eyes, Ding Qun was shocked and instinctively urged his Mana. Thousands of sword light streams flew from the Gang Cloud above, like a reverse torrent of rain.

With a cold smile, Zhang Yan maneuvered his sword light through the Sword Qi, severing the wild streams. The sword light dispersed, splitting into left, center, and right, slashing downward.

Yan Huixin, spectating from behind, had hoped Ding Qun would make a contribution, but now saw his flaw and thought cautiously, "It’s unwise to stay here. If Ding Qun wins, that’d be fine, but if he loses, I’d be dragged down with him. Better to leave now."

With this thought, Yan Huixin silently mounted a tunneling light and flew away without looking back.

Both shocked and angry, Ding Qun dared not underestimate his opponent further. He knew well that once suppressed by a Sword Cultivator, it often led to death. So, he conceded nothing and shouted, raising two fingers to point outward. A vigorous and fierce Gold Qi pierced through the blue sky, enveloping the sword light coming head-on, slowing its momentum. At the same time, he pulled out his other hand from his sleeve, spreading five fingers, releasing a plume of white smoke to block the sword light approaching from another direction.

As for the final path of sword light, it was beyond defense, forcing him to exert all his power to maintain the Protective Treasure Light. Five streams of sword light came slicing down, clashing against the Treasure Light, producing a metallic clang, but despite the consecutive sounds, it didn’t break through.

Ding Qun had mastered an almost unlearnable Divine Skill from the Yuan Yang Sect, known as "Discerning Truth Spiritual Eye." It enabled him to discern the true nature of Daoist Skills during combat and gauge their potency. This skill, along with his extremely refined Yuan Yang Sword Skill, allowed him to use his Mana with perfect efficiency, making him a person who could maximize offensive and defensive capabilities. Additionally, ordinary Demon Sect techniques were often transparent before him.