Daoist Competition

Chapter 909: Chapter 194: Fragrant Clouds Veil the Star River, Rope Twists the Wind to Change Heaven’s Face (Part 2)

In the Heavenly Pit, Earth Qi flows back and forth, dividing into the pure and the turbid. If stirred by a Secret Technique and refined, it can yield remarkable results. Yet, as time passes, it inevitably disperses, mingling into a single mass. This moment requires someone to sort it out anew, rectify the chaos. The higher one’s Daoist Cultivation, the easier this task becomes.

Zhang Yan is the rightful master of the treasure in the furnace and a Nascent Soul cultivator, making him the most suitable for the task.

Understanding the intricacies involved, he cheerfully remarked, "It is indeed a task for a poor Daoist such as myself; why call it a trouble?"

Wei Shudan bowed and said, "True Master Zhang, there is one more matter. This treasure refinement will create great noise and activity. To prevent petty troublemakers from causing mischief, I have borrowed hundreds of Powerful Warriors from the Alliance to place warning arrays across all the mountain peaks within three hundred miles. If external enemies truly arrive, they can be forewarned."

Before refining the treasure, necessary precautions must be taken. Double Moon Peak is the core stronghold of the Zhenluo Alliance, filled with forbidden arrays. In his heart, he did not truly believe that a formidable enemy would dare attack, though he emphasized the importance of the matter to show his concern.

Zhang Yan nodded in agreement. The Dharma Treasure is indeed being refined for him, and he won’t permit others to disrupt it. Thus he said, "Outside matters will be looked after and protected by this poor Daoist. The two of you need not worry; just focus on refining the treasure."

Liang Changgong bowed and said, "True Master Zhang, we shall now enter the array."

Wei Shudan and Hua Zhaofang also performed a Daoist bow.

Zhang Yan bowed in return, saying, "I will quietly await your good news here."

The three once again nodded slightly, then activated the forbidden array, stepping into the Heavenly Pit. They then sealed the Prohibition, causing mist to churn up. From this moment onward, besides Earth Qi, no one else could enter within.

Zhang Yan retreated a few steps, then sat in front of the Heavenly Furnace Gate. He took out a handful of Earth Evil Essence Sand from his sleeve, acquired from Feiyu Dao Palace. Though he must guard the Earth Qi and cannot ascend to Extreme Heaven, with this item, his practice shall not be delayed.

Just as he was about to practice, he suddenly felt a cold shiver, and a strange sensation surged through him.

This sensation came without warning, fleetingly appearing and dissipating.

He furrowed his brow, halting his actions.

With the advancement of his practice, he could somewhat sense his own fortunes and misfortunes. That earlier sensation was not a good omen, causing immediate alertness. After pondering for a while, he mused internally, "Could someone be coveting this treasure?"

After entertaining the thought a few times, he chuckled to himself. If soldiers come, they will be countered; if water flows, earth will contain it. Having cultivated to this level, as long as it’s not a Cave Heaven True Master, he can always sidestep the issue. Moreover, the issue hasn’t arisen yet, why fret over it?

Within an instant, he dispelled distracting thoughts, closed his eyes, and entered meditation.

While he sat quietly in practice, unaware of how much time had passed, suddenly a soft, clear voice like the plucking of a string echoed beside him, "Are you the cultivator from East Splendor Continent, fellow Daoist?"

Zhang Yan opened his eyes in surprise and looked up, seeing before him a Daoist Nun of delicate and charming appearance standing there, whose presence he had been unaware of until now.

Her brows and eyes were as if painted, with a fine oval face and slender shoulders, her form a bit thin, with sleeves hanging empty as if they might vanish in a breeze. Yet her aura was immensely vast and profound, utterly inscrutable, with her cultivation unfathomable.

Zhang Yan slowly stood up and returned, "I am Mingcang Zhang Yan. May I know how to address Daoist Elder?"

The Daoist Nun smiled at him, saying, "I am surnamed Cheng."

She slowly turned her face toward the Earth Fire Sky Furnace, a look of wistfulness in her eyes, "I personally opened this place many years ago, now in the blink of an eye, hundreds of years have passed, and everything has changed."

Zhang Yan smiled slightly, asking, "Does Daoist Cheng have something troubling you?"

The Daoist Nun glanced at him somewhat irritably, saying, "I’m not an Immortal, why wouldn’t I have troubles? Those whose cultivation far surpasses mine, would they have fewer worries?"

At this point, she couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh, saying, "I am just about to depart and came to take a look at what I am leaving behind here."

Zhang Yan’s eyes flickered slightly, saying, "I still need to refine the treasure here. Even if this place is to go, it must wait until I have completed the Dharma Treasure."

The Daoist Nun cast her shining eyes towards him and laughed, "You are quite straightforward and sincere, and a bit domineering as well. To be honest with you, I originally wanted you to guard this place to ensure its integrity. Now, seeing this, it seems I cannot bind you. Never mind, all things have birth and death, beginning and end, eventually all flowers fall and wither away one day."

She seemed to think of something, reaching from her sleeve with an arm like jade lotus, then her white hand opened, revealing an item, saying, "I am about to leave, the person is truly formidable beyond measure. Even if I don’t perish, my lifespan will be short. This item is useless to keep, so I leave it to you, fellow Daoist. It may have some use on the day your treasure is complete."

Zhang Yan reached out to receive it, not even examining it closely before seeing the Daoist Nun smile at him. Then her figure faded, suddenly dispersing, as countless flower petals and Flying Leaves sprang forth together, reaching the clouds, forming a magnificent floral sea stretching dozens of miles, vibrant and dazzlingly colorful.

At this time, a song voice could be heard from the clouds:

"Flowers lament as years urge their hues to fade, who would hear sorrow’s plea and pity? Fragrant arrays obscure the Star River, with rope stirring winds to change Heaven’s face!"

This astonishing dharma form bent once in the sky, heading toward Extreme Heaven. Suddenly, a sound like a zither breaking through the sky was heard, immediately piercing the heavens, where countless resplendent flowers flew into the Void, until after an hour, the phenomenon completely ceased and vanished.

But this breathtaking spectacle was not witnessed by him alone.

In Feiyu Dao Palace, Shang Teng rose abruptly from his meditation abode, rushing out, followed by Huang Zuoguang. However, the latter’s eyes were filled with confusion and wonder, voicing out, "Master Cheng? Where is she intending to go?"

Unlike him, Shang Teng’s eyes held not only shock but also barely contained joy as he suppressed his emotions, speculating aloud, "The thoughts of a Cave Heaven True Master are beyond our understanding. Perhaps Master Cheng, restless after long meditation, is venturing outside traveling."

...

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