Daoist Competition

Qi Yuntian said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Peng, my apologies." As soon as the words fell, suddenly a great wave surged in, enveloping him, and after nodding slightly to Zhang Yan, a cascading wave carried him towards the Floating Heavenly Palace.

Zhang Yan saw him leave, and he also flicked his sleeve, engulfing Xue Song in the water sparkles. He exchanged a nod with Qin Nan and returned to Zhao You Heavenly Pond.

A moment later, he returned home, ordered someone to escort Xue Song away, and then went back to his bed for meditation. After half a day, Jing You came to report: "Master, the guest you arranged has arrived."

Zhang Yan, slightly invigorated, said, "Please invite them in."

Not long after, Han Wangke and his junior brother Cai Rongju entered the cave together. The former bowed and said: "Greetings Junior Brother Zhang, congratulations on becoming one of the Ten Great Heads. We couldn’t come personally due to our seclusion, please forgive us."

Zhang Yan knew the two had unique statuses and didn’t want to draw attention, so he wasn’t bothered. After exchanging pleasantries, he invited them to sit down and said: "You both likely know why I invited you here."

The two exchanged a glance, and Han Wangke said: "We have some understanding. Junior Master Shen instructed us to heed your direction, just arrange it as you see fit, Junior Brother Zhang."

They were genuine descendants of the Cave Heaven True Master. Although they couldn’t go to Du Zhen Hall, they could serve as Elder of duty in the Nine Courtyard. However, having been expelled before, their position was awkward. Thus, they sought to make some contributions during the Demon Tribulation to be welcomed back, and entering under the Ten Great Heads would make it easier.

Zhang Yan nodded, saying: "Of the world’s Xuanmen, aside from the Hai Zhen and Shaoqing sects, most have shut themselves off and ignored external affairs. I believe this is inappropriate. Mingcang, as a Great Sect of Xuanmen, cannot sit by while the Demon Sect slaughters fellow Daoists. We must find a way to break the siege."

Han Wangke said earnestly: "What does Junior Brother plan to do?"

Zhang Yan stood up and pointed at the map on the cave wall, saying: "Take a look here, Linqing Temple is currently besieged by five Demon Sect Elders, with Hua Dan disciples numbering in the hundreds. I intend to send assistance there and simultaneously heavily strike the Demon Sect’s morale."

Han Wangke examined the Mountain and River Map, stroked his beard in thought for a moment, and said: "Although Linqing Temple is only a few days away from our Mountain Gate, Demon Sect spies are everywhere inside and outside. We must find a way to elude them."

Zhang Yan smiled slightly, saying: "I have made arrangements for this. Under Sea Eye at Shouming Palace is a secret path straight to Jueji Mountain. You two can take that route and avoid their surveillance."

"Shouming Palace? small demon cave?"

Han Wangke was startled, suddenly remembering Zhang Yan’s recent preparations, and realized: "So Junior Brother Zhang has been planning this all along."

Cai Rongju also stood up, looked at the map for a moment, then turned and said: "Junior Brother Zhang, my brother and I can handle the five Nascent Soul Elders, but if they decide to retreat decisively, we may only catch two or three."

Han Wangke nodded in agreement, this indeed posed some difficulty.

Zhang Yan laughed: "I have another plan, you two just need to do your best when the time comes."

Han Wangke, seeing he didn’t reveal the details, wisely didn’t press further, only asked: "When shall we act?"

Zhang Yan replied: "Three days hence is my disciple Han Zuocheng’s wedding feast. Demon Sect Practitioners will certainly come to test us. You can seize this opportunity to head for Green Bull Mountain via the small demon cave!"

Outside the Mountain Gate of Mingcang Sect, a black-clothed Daoist emerged from hiding in a stone cave, operating a Cultivation Technique to perform the "Candle Light Nine Nether" technique, routinely observing the clouds. After a while, as he was about to retract his power, his gaze unintentionally caught a vague figure, and he quickly focused on it, unable to discern clearly despite all efforts, frowned and realized, using a sound transmission Dharma technique, he called out: "Is that fellow Daoist from Yuan Shen Sect?"

Shortly after, the figure in front flickered, revealing an elderly man appearing fifty, with snow-white beard and bright eyes, who bowed and said: "I didn’t expect to meet a Hun Cheng Sect fellow Daoist here."

The black-clothed Daoist chuckled, returned the greeting, and said: "Fellow Daoist is courageous, daring to spy ahead and unafraid of being discovered by Mingcang Sect’s patrolling disciples outside the Mountain Gate?"

The Old Daoist confidently replied: "I believe I have some skills remaining, not afraid of being recognized."

The black-clothed Daoist said: "If convenient, why not come down for a talk?"

The Old Daoist agreed gladly and descended. As spies placed by various Demon Sects, they might aid each other anytime, and wouldn’t refuse contact. Moreover, a single person might overlook things, sharing information ensured no crucial news was missed.

After exchanging names and some words, they naturally turned their conversation to Zhang Yan.

The Old Daoist said: "Zhang Yan, unlike Huo Xuan and Du De, emerged as the Ten Disciples Leader through his own abilities. Observing his actions after taking the position shows his firm approach, fearing major actions are forthcoming."

The black-robed Daoist deeply agreed, sighed: "The patrolling disciples outside the gate have doubled in this month, forcing me to observe from afar, not daring to get too close."

The Old Daoist silently nodded.

The black-robed Daoist pondered and suddenly said: "I heard three days hence there’s a wedding feast for Zhang Yan’s seventh disciple Han Zuocheng and the Bi Yu Xuan Sect Leader’s daughter, at Zhao You Heavenly Pond. What does fellow Daoist think of this?"

The Old Daoist’s expression shifted slightly, saying: "Did fellow Daoist find something unusual?"

The black-robed Daoist laughed: "No unusual sight found, but for those like us tasked to probe Xuanmen’s movements, even when there’s nothing amiss, we suspect thrice over, let alone involving Zhang Yan?" After saying this, he took a breath, emphasizing his words, speaking gravely: "Extra caution, indeed!"

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation votes, monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)