Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan frowned upon hearing Peng Yuzhou’s indifference towards the lives of the disciples and was about to speak when Wang Caiwei’s voice came in from outside the door, saying: "Master, Xue Song has been brought here. May I ask how you wish to handle him?"

Her voice had barely fallen when Xue Song’s voice rang out immediately, calling: "Master, Master, save me!"

Zhang Yan sneered coldly, flicked his sleeves, and immediately strode out of the palace.

Peng Yuzhou was greatly anxious, and with a shouts, immediately invoked the Forbidden Locking Heaven and Earth Skill, hoping to immobilize him for a moment so that he could rush out first.

Yet as soon as he initiated the spell, his body tightened as if a giant weight had pressed down, realizing that Zhang Yan had used the same skill. He gave a cold snort, formed another spell to dispel it, and was about to move again when a surge of spiritual mechanisms flooded in from all around. His footing was unsteady, as if he would be transported away if he relaxed for a moment, forcing him to counter with mana, but this caused him a delay, his expression changing involuntarily, muttering, "Five Elements Escape Technique?"

The Forbidden Locking Heaven and Earth Skill might be dispelled by him, but the Five Elements Escape Technique was not so easily defeated. Although he could forcefully break free with mana, if a true duel of spells ensued, just a brief moment’s halt would be enough for his opponent to attack him several times.

By this time, Zhang Yan had already effortlessly dispelled the forbidden technique. He stepped outside and glanced at Xue Song, who had been thrown at his feet, and said to the Wang Sisters, "Hand this person over to me. There may be disputes later, you two should return to the residence to avoid being affected."

The Wang Sisters bowed in courtesy and obeyed the master’s command, riding clouds to fly away.

Peng Yuzhou emerged from the hall, his expression somewhat uncertain.

He did not believe Zhang Yan would truly pursue accountability just for a few disciples. After pondering for a moment, he felt it might have been his actions of aligning with the noble families that irritated the other party, bringing about this confrontation, which was not beyond negotiation. So he raised his head and said, "Junior Brother Zhang, why trouble my disciples? If displeased with my recent actions, I can promise not to interfere with each other’s matters, and all issues related to Zhao You Heavenly Pond will be avoided by my sect. What do you think?"

Zhang Yan coldly replied: "My capture of Xue Song is not for other reasons but because he neglected clearing the Demon Cave, causing many fellow disciples to fall into danger, a crime not to be lightly forgiven. Elder Peng should not misunderstand."

Peng Yuzhou could endure no more, laughed angrily, saying: "Alright, alright, if that’s the case, I’ll tell you, it was done on my command, how do you intend to proceed?"

Zhang Yan’s eyes were cold as lightning, swiftly looking over, and said: "Elder Peng, please mind your words, if this is indeed true, you too cannot escape involvement."

Peng Yuzhou scoffed, saying: "And so what? I am an elder at Day Sky Hall, can you really take action against me?"

At that very moment, the water of Dragon Abyss Marsh suddenly surged upward, beneath him tens of thousands of acres of water seemed to churn and rise, followed by a rumbling sound coming from the clouds, asking sternly, "Peng Yuzhou, if Junior Brother Zhang cannot handle you, then how about me?"

Peng Yuzhou’s expression tightened, looking towards the sky in disbelief, exclaiming, "Brother Qi?"

The Heavenly Central Gang Flow divided, revealing a majestic Daoist figure coming from beyond the sky. As he appeared, a pillar of water from the Great Swamp rose like a tornado. He stood above, sweeping his gaze and spoke in a deep voice: "Junior Brother Peng, not to mention your failure to properly manage your sect, but also disregarding the lives of disciples, if penalties are not imposed, the morale of the sect cannot be stable, come with me to seek pardon from the Sect Leader."

Peng Yuzhou inwardly cursed his negligence, for if he were within Day Sky Hall, even Qi Yuntian could not break in by force; given his cultivation and position, even if guilty, unless it was a major offense, arguing briefly would ensure the matter was brushed aside.

Yet outside, it was different, with no one to speak for him. If taken to the Floating Heavenly Palace to confess, once the matter was established, it would only take imposing a sentence of solitary confinement, leading to no possible recovery. If the noble families heard of this, they would undoubtedly abandon him without hesitation, and the hard work of the past month would be in vain.

Should he try to escape? This thought crossed his mind briefly before he gave up hopelessly.

Qi Yuntian had cultivated for six hundred years, his Daoist cultivation and divine skills far exceeded his own, proficient in the Little All Heaven Moving Technique, whereas Zhang Yan, not to mention, was first among the Eighteen Sects’ swordfighters, skilled in Sword Escape Technique; his peers could not rival him. Faced with either of them alone, he had no chance of victory, let alone both together; fighting would only bring suffering.

Peng Yuzhou considered thoroughly, realizing he had encountered a dead end. Resigned to giving up resistance, he said grudgingly: "Junior Brother Zhang, you indeed have remarkable skill, to be able to invite Brother Qi; today I’m outplayed and lost to you, there will be repayment someday." Then he turned and said with a serious expression: "Brother Qi, I’ll go with you to confess my sins."