Daoist Competition

Huangcheng Mountain, Lie Xuan Sect Main Temple.

The Lie Xuan Sect Leader is a descendant of the ancestor master Yiya Upper Master from the Human Clan. However, this person spends all day cultivating and pondering Dao, never handling sect affairs. Therefore, all mundane matters are jointly decided by nine elders.

At this moment, in the Duan Chong Hall, there are six Nascent Soul Elders seated together.

Great Elder Gongyang Sheng sits at the altar head. He appears to be around eighty years old, with crane-like hair and youthful complexion, wearing a deep purple Ruihe Flying Cloud Daoist Robe, a Chonghe Crown on his head, holding a Ruyi Branch in his hand, his eyes exuding brilliance, his demeanor solemn. After a while, he slowly says, "Has Brother Sha not arrived yet?"

A Blue Robed Daoist on the right stands up and bows, saying, "Master Sha said he would definitely be here by the latest hour of the pig [10 pm to midnight]. There’s still time left, Master, why not wait a little longer?"

Gongyang Sheng readily agrees, smilingly saying, "Alright, let’s go with what Nephew Rui says, and wait a bit more."

However, someone below isn’t happy, and speaks up, "I’m not aware of Uncle’s purpose in gathering us here. If it’s nothing important, wouldn’t it be better to speak early and disperse, rather than waste time here?"

The speaker is a young man with his hair in a Daoist bun, wearing short sleeves casual attire, draped with colorful silk Zen garments, a Linglong Jade Pendant hanging from his waist, black Cloud Boots, holding a Seven Stars Magic Sword, resting on his knee, with an indescribable sharp gleam in his eyes.

Lie Xuan Sect has eight subsidiary halls, and each Nascent Soul cultivator usually presides over one. This man is Ye Jiliu, the Shaking Wave Altar Master, second only to Great Elder Gongyang Sheng in his exceptional cultivation here.

Gongyang Sheng, being quite composed, remains unangered by his nephew’s abrupt words, simply saying, "Nephew, don’t rush, once everyone is here, I will speak."

Then waiting for another period, when Ye Jiliu could no longer hold his patience, a ray of light hurriedly flies in from outside the hall and lands within.

It’s a scruffy Daoist with ragged clothes, dust all over his face, toes protruding from the broken holes of his boots. Yet, the few True Masters seem unsurprised, one complains, "Master Sha, every time you make us all wait for you."

Sha Daoist laughs heartily, bowing to the six True Masters present, saying: "Apologies for my delay, Masters, please don’t blame me, don’t blame me." Then he casually bows to Gongyang Sheng, calls him "Brother", and considers it done.

Gongyang Sheng says, "Since Brother has arrived, please take a seat. I have something to say, Nephew Ye probably can’t wait any longer."

Sha Daoist quickly moves to his own seat, smiles at a fellow sect brother nearby, bows, and then settles down.

But he doesn’t behave quietly after sitting down, removing his broken shoes, smells them, tosses them aside, and starts rubbing his feet, immediately releasing a peculiar odor.

Ye Jiliu happens to be below him, displaying a slight look of disgust, turns slightly aside, performs a spell to seal his nostrils.

Sha Daoist suddenly turns his head back, giving him a sly smile, Ye Jiliu can’t help but snort.

At this moment, Gongyang Sheng’s voice spreads down from the high platform, "The other day, a message came from Double Moon Peak..."

Sha Daoist pauses his actions, showing a listening expression, as Double Moon Peak is a fundamental place for the Zhenluo Alliance, so any news from there must be very important.

Only to hear Gongyang Sheng continue to say, "It’s heard that the one who stole our sect’s Divine Object is currently on that Double Moon Peak."

Ye Jiliu’s gaze turns cold, saying, "Uncle, are you referring to that Daoist Zhang who killed Brothers Guo and Pang?"

Gongyang Sheng sighs, "Indeed, it is that person."

Upon hearing it was this person, everyone’s expression turns solemn, Ye Jiliu grunts a few times, his gaze sweeping over Sha Daoist and two other Daoists, saying, "Master Sha, Junior Sister Tan, Junior Brother Gao, do you have anything to say?"

Junior Brother Gao is a silver-robed high crown, elegantly dressed Daoist, while Junior Sister Tan appears around thirty, is plump, with simple makeup and light features. They and Sha Daoist were the three who originally stationed in the West of Pingxi, and even when knowing Guo and Pang were slain, they were only concerned with self-preservation, making no move.

Upon hearing Ye Jiliu’s slightly mocking words, Sha Daoist remains calm, but Tan and Gao show unnatural expressions, since fellow sect members were murdered, yet they showed no reaction, despite having ample reason, publicly it’s still not a commendable thing.

Seeing their embarrassment, the Blue Robed Daoist quickly smooths over by saying: "Master Sha and the others had no choice that day, Kunyu had a Great Array as guard, without a guide, it couldn’t be broken in one or two days, and the sub-platform can’t be easily left. They acted considering the larger picture, Brother Ye, don’t blame them."