Daoist Competition-Chapter 1025 - 252: Who Knows the Hidden Move of a Discreet Play

Luo Qingyu silently nodded. He could also understand Zhang Yan’s actions. Ahead lay an abyss, and a single misstep could result in a shattering fall. If it were him, he wouldn’t have the courage either and instead admired Zhang Yan for thinking of such a method to extricate himself from the predicament.

True Master Yan stroked his beard and said, "Qingyu, my disciple, I will help you refine that Array Diagram again, and its power should be enhanced further. In this Sixteen Sects Sword Fighting Conference, you must acquire a part of that artifact as it is crucial to your future path to enlightenment. You must not take this lightly."

Luo Qingyu raised his hand in a respectful salute and solemnly said, "Master’s Dharma decree, this disciple will certainly remember it."

At this moment, within Half River Mountain, tens of thousands of miles away from the Mingcang Sect, there was a dilapidated Daoist temple. From the outside, there was nothing unusual.

But unbeknownst to anyone, a hundred feet deep within the mountain, there was a sub-platform of the Hun Cheng Sect. The disciples there specialized in gathering information on the great Xuanmen sects, no matter how trivial.

At this time, Pavilion Master Yu Jegao suddenly received a Flying Book. After reading it, he was filled with joy, paced back and forth repeatedly, and then took out a stack of dossiers from his sleeve bag. After some thought, he picked up a pen and wrote a line on it.

Footsteps sounded as his fellow junior brother Helian Wei stepped into the inner chamber. Seeing his high spirits, he couldn’t help but tease, "Senior brother, did you encounter something good? Don’t forget your junior."

Yu Jegao chuckled and handed over the Flying Book, "It can indeed be considered good news. Junior brother, take a look."

Helian Wei immediately became interested. He took the letter, glanced at it, and curiously asked, "What is so special about this Zhang Yan?"

Yu Jegao handed over the dossiers, saying, "Junior brother, you haven’t been here long, so you don’t know much about this person. After reading it, you will understand his prowess."

"Oh?"

Helian Wei took it skeptically and began to read. It didn’t take long before his eyes began twitching, his eyes widened, and he became more and more moved.

Was this person simply described by the word "formidable"?

In less than thirty years of cultivation, he had already refined a First Grade Golden Core. In a hundred years of Daoist practice, he had stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm. He was also skilled in the art of Flying Sword slaying. Such extraordinary talent, even among the Six Great Demon Sects, how many could compare?

Yet, this was not the most astounding. As he read further, it chronicled all of Zhang Yan’s exploits during his travels. Particularly, what he did after achieving the Nascent Soul was astonishing. Helian Wei exclaimed in amazement repeatedly, "This person is incredible, truly incredible!"

While traveling in the Central Pillar Divine Continent, Zhang Yan killed nine Nascent Soul True Masters from the Lie Xuan Sect. In the battle at Double Moon Peak, the results were even more astonishing. Under the combined attack of seven Nascent Soul True Masters, he not only remained undefeated but also killed all seven.

On the East Sea, he annihilated the entire Lu Family of Bijiao Prefecture, and over three hundred thousand demon soldiers fell in one battle. Chongyue True Temple’s elder, Nascent Soul Shen Lintu, had his Dharma Body slain, and later Zhang Yan subdued a thousand-year-old Dragon Carp to use as a mount.

Upon reading this, Helian Wei was already sweating at his temples. Knowing that the latter two were indeed deep in Daoist cultivation, already in the Nascent Soul Third Realm, yet they still fell at Zhang Yan’s hands, showed how immensely powerful Zhang Yan was!

Yu Jegao, observing his expression, smiled and said, "Recently, Zhang Yan even slew a Nascent Soul Elder from the Pingdu Sect with a single sword. What do you think, Junior He?"

Helian Wei exhaled deeply, put down the dossier, shook his head, sat down, and after some contemplation, firmly declared, "This must be Zhang Yan’s Flying Sword Skill growing ever more perfected and refined after numerous battles, thus elevating his combat power even further than before. Otherwise, it wouldn’t explain these outcomes."

Yu Jegao nodded in agreement, "Indeed, I think so as well."

In their minds, Zhang Yan’s true combat power had already reached a terrifying level, surpassing that of Huo, Zhong, and Luo, though he was just a Nascent Soul First Realm cultivator and not to be underestimated at all.

Helian Wei flipped through the dossier again and suddenly asked, "Senior brother, why isn’t it written what kind of Daoist Skill this person practices?"

Helian Wei shook his head, "This person’s Dao Techniques are extraordinarily peculiar and unseen before. Our sect’s disciples have tried several times to investigate, but still cannot find out his background."

Helian Wei sighed, "No wonder the Mingcang Sect is known as the Ten Thousand Years Mysterious Sect. If this person came to the Sixteen Sects Sword Fighting Conference, he would surely be a formidable adversary to us."

Although the Demon Sect had risen due to the Demon Tribulation in recent years, compared to the Ten Sects of Xuanmen occupying most of the spirit land of East Splendor Continent, their foundation was still insufficient. However, in a century or so, who could say?

Yu Jegao laughed heartily, "Fortunately, this person cannot attend the Sword Fighting Conference, so a few of the junior uncles can be at ease."

Helian Wei glanced at the letter again and shook his head, "Such a powerful figure, why would the Mingcang Sect risk destroying such a pillar themselves?"

Yu Jegao smiled playfully, "Zhang Yan is not of a noble family, nor is his master one of the ten Cave Heaven True Masters of the Mingcang Sect. Junior brother, have you figured it out?"

Helian Wei suddenly realized, "So that’s the case, no wonder."

This Sword Fighting Conference involves the contest over that artifact. No one would easily give it away. It’s natural that only those of the direct lineage of the Xuanmen and even the Demon Sect are allowed to participate.

Yu Jegao then said seriously, "Junior brother, although this matter is expected to be settled, we cannot let our guard down. If a mishap occurs, it could cost us our lives. We must have people watch closely to prevent any changes when the time comes."

Recalling the methods of their sect, Helian Wei shivered all over, not daring to be careless, and stood up, "I understand, brother."

While the Mingcang Sect was bustling with discussions about Zhang Yan, he himself stood with his hands behind his back in front of the Floating Heavenly Palace of the Mingcang Sect, watching the floating Gang Wind Cloud Qi. His expression was calm and composed, with no trace of worry.

Before long, a Daoist boy emerged and gave him a deep bow, "Junior Master Zhang, the Sect Leader Master invites you to the hall."

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)