Daoist Competition-Chapter 1010 - 245: Do Not Miss the Opportunity from Beyond the Heavens

At the main hall of Zhao You Heavenly Pool, Zhang Yan sat high on the Jade Couch, while the temple master of Shanyuan Temple, Ma Shouxiang, sat below him, displaying a respectful demeanor.

Although Zhang Yan was the Master of the Lower House, after he left the mountain to seek Dao, he entrusted all matters of the Lower Court to Ma Shouxiang and the other two old Daoists.

In the blink of an eye, seventy years had passed since Zhang Yan succeeded as Master of the Three Temples. The temple masters merely attained the Ming Qi First Realm, lacking his long lifespan. Among them, the Master of Taian Temple, Zhen Shouzhong, and the Master of De Xiu Temple, He Shouxuan, had both passed away, leaving only Ma Shouxiang to remain at the Lower Court.

Without Zhang Yan’s command, Ma Shouxiang dared not arbitrarily replace anyone else, so upon hearing of Zhang Yan’s return to the mountain, he hurried to meet him.

Ma Shouxiang, trembling, made a Daoist bow and said, "Master, this old one is of advanced age, recently feeling increasingly weakened. I fear I can no longer help relieve your burdens, and another capable person should be chosen."

Zhang Yan gazed at his appearance, now full of wrinkles, with dull, clouded eyes, missing teeth and thinning hair. The neck and back of his hands exposed outside the robe were also loose and withered, appearing extremely aged, a far cry from the once vibrant and almost immortal aura he exuded. These words were not without basis.

However, noticing the slight tension in his eyes, Zhang Yan’s thoughts turned, realizing that this old Daoist did not genuinely wish to leave his position, but feared being replaced due to his age. Therefore, he preemptively brought it up, a strategy of retreating to advance.

Zhang Yan could not help but smile and spoke warmly, "Master Ma, over these decades you have diligently managed the Lower Court. From what I know, everything has been handled perfectly. Why should I entrust it to another? Let’s not mention this anymore. The affairs of the Lower Court will still require your attention."

Initially, Ma Shouxiang was quite tense, relying on Zhang Yan’s authority to avoid any challenge to his position even during Zhang Yan’s absence from the Mountain Gate.

The noble family disciples, always proud and arrogant, had to bow to him, which was indeed a delightful experience.

Since Zhang Yan returned to the mountain, he feared being sent off to die in the Nine Cities at Zhang Yan’s mere word. Upon hearing Zhang Yan’s words, he felt somewhat relieved, his spirit restored, stood up, and respectfully declared, "As long as the Master cares, as long as this old one breathes, no affair in the Lower Court shall be neglected!"

Zhang Yan nodded with a smile. Ma Shouxiang seemed to recall something, took out a few small booklets from his sleeve, and respectfully placed them on the table, saying, "The roster of Lower Court disciples is all here. The rules you set back then have not been broken in the slightest."

Zhang Yan had anticipated this. Though he hadn’t been in the Lower Court for years, the regulations set forth in those days followed the Master-Disciple lineage, naturally unchallenged.

He casually flipped through it, placing it aside, noticing Ma Shouxiang cautiously glancing at him, and smiled, "Master Ma, if there’s anything else, feel free to speak."

Ma Shouxiang hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "It’s actually a small matter, but since it involves you, I must report it."

Involving himself? Zhang Yan’s curiosity was piqued, "Do tell."

Ma Shouxiang said, "About half a year ago, a young man came up the mountain seeking Dao, and among such people, the Lower Court has several hundred. However, his rate of cultivation was astonishing. In just a few months, he achieved the Yuan Condensation First Realm. Since he had extraordinary talent, I intended to support him, but upon summoning for examination, I found a faint demon energy on him. After questioning, it turned out his biological father was a demon cultivator."

He sighed heavily, "Since our Mingcang Sect was founded, while we have had demon cultivators, they mostly serve under various islands and prefectures and have never had a demon become a True Disciple. I initially wanted to expel him, but unexpectedly, he mentioned your name, claiming that his ancestor had past relations with you. As you hadn’t returned to the mountain, we dared not make arbitrary decisions, so we kept him in the Lower Court without recording him in the genealogy."

He could have brought the disciple to Zhao You Heavenly Pool, but with Demon Sect disciples widespread across the world and often infiltrating the Xuanmen, he feared any loss, so he waited for Zhang Yan’s return before reporting.

Zhang Yan thought it over and asked, "What is his name?"

Ma Shouxiang replied, "He calls himself Han Zuocheng."

"Surname Han?"

Zhang Yan’s heart stirred, recalling indeed.

Back then, he promised a minor Han clan to accept one disciple into the sect every two Jiazi cycles and later sent Lu Mei Niang for the arrangement.

For him to name Zhang Yan suggests he’s undoubtedly a descendant of the Han clan, but why is he half-human, half-demon? And why wasn’t Lu Mei Niang the one to introduce him to the prefecture, instead allowing him entry into the Lower Court?