Daoist Competition-Chapter 1026 - 253: Light and Dark—Both Paths for Me Alone

Zhang Yan followed the child into the hall and saw the Sect Leader sitting on the Jade High Platform, with the mystic water roaring behind him. Not daring to be disrespectful, Zhang Yan instantly made a Daoist bow and said, "Disciple Zhang Yan, specially came to return the Heroic Festival Fish Drum."

He flicked his sleeve, releasing the treasure, which turned into a green light and flew out. Sect Leader Qin rolled it over the Heavenly River above him, and in an instant, the item was hidden from sight.

Sect Leader Qin’s expression was gentle, "Zhang Yan, you have been out for over thirty years and have already stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm. Indeed, you have not let me down."

Zhang Yan slightly bowed, "I ask the Sect Leader to instruct me on what I should do next?"

Sect Leader Qin smiled and said, "Oh? Have you already guessed it?"

A bright light flashed in Zhang Yan’s eyes, "Everything that the Sect Leader does contains deep meanings, disciple merely has some wild guesses in his heart."

From Sect Leader Qin’s previous actions, it was evident that he was extremely strategic and would never act without reason.

Take for example the Heroic Festival Fish Drum he borrowed; Zhang Yan only used it once, and seeing its True Spirit slumbering powerlessly, he knew its Primordial Qi was depleted.

Previously, only Qi Yuntian had used it; paying such a price, it cannot just be to assist him in forming his Nascent Soul. There must be other reasons.

For decades, the Sect Leader’s arrangements and guidance have largely focused on Zhang Yan, and he wouldn’t allow this crucial moment to go to waste.

Although Zhang Yan couldn’t see exactly how the Sect Leader would act, knowing this was enough to ensure his blade would see the light.

The battle with Elder Hu was merely to prove his strength, and he didn’t care much about severely injuring him.

If the Sect Leader did not support him, even if he surpassed Huo, Zhong, and Luo next year, it would be useless.

Conversely, these are minor matters not worth worrying about.

The recent decree from the Floating Heavenly Palace further confirmed his speculation.

Being confined for five years was actually a hint that after five years, there would be the Sixteen Sects’ great competition. If there was genuine intent to sever the path to the fighting convention, he could be punished to confinement for ten, twenty, or even thirty years!

But with the timing so precisely calculated, it affirmed his previous judgment.

And all this, the Sect Leader never uttered a word about it, leaving it to his own heart and spirit to comprehend.

Sect Leader Qin gazed at him and sighed, "I know your intention, but if you go to the Dharma Assembly, you must first abandon your identity with Mingcang Sect. I have no person or item for you; you will lack the support of fellow disciples. At that time, whether Xuanmen or Demon Sect, they will all be your enemies. Given this, will you still dare to go?"

Zhang Yan’s gaze was firm, he smiled and said, "Even if surrounded by enemies, disciple dares to face them with a single sword!"

Sect Leader Qin’s eyes revealed a bright glow. He looked at Zhang Yan for a full moment, and then raised his voice slightly, "Zhang Yan! From today, your pupil Wei Zihong will be the Sect Leader of Yao Yin Sect, and you will be the Supreme Elder of Yao Yin Sect, leading the sect to the Sword Fighting Conference!"

Zhang Yan’s body lightly shook at this proclamation. It was like a veil lifted, and his heart suddenly became clear.

All the previous schemes, their purpose was for this!

The Sect Leader never intended to break Zhang Yan’s predicament through Mingcang Sect, but instead set up a new foundation!

In an instant, several thoughts flashed through Zhang Yan’s mind. He steadied his heart and spirit, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and loudly said, "Disciple accepts the command!"

Sect Leader Qin said, "If you have any doubts, feel free to ask."

Zhang Yan pondered briefly, "Sect Leader, can Yao Yin Sect also compete for that item? Will it be rejected by all sects?"

Sect Leader Qin laughed and shook his head, "Even if another sect fortuitously acquired that item, it would be collectively challenged by the Ten Sects of Xuanmen. But Yao Yin Sect is not among them. Long ago when Yi Jiuyang led this sect, he signed a Dharma Book with the leaders of all sects, agreeing to swordfight for the item’s ownership. Since then, they have not attended the events, and with time, have been forgotten by the sects. However, as the thousand-year period has not yet expired, the sect’s name remains in the Dharma Book, unremoved. Even if Yao Yin Sect has only one disciple, the sects must acknowledge them, thus, this occasion is rightful and proper."

Zhang Yan suddenly understood, realizing why the Sect Leader wanted the legacy of Yao Yin Sect and to take Wei Zihong as a pupil, it was all to set this up.

He thought carefully, secretly admiring, Sect Leader Qin’s strategy is indeed brilliant; he and Huo Xuan are attacking from both overt and covert directions, gaining an advantage before the fight even begins.

According to common reasoning, a sect like Yao Yin Sect, which has been unseen for thousands of years, even if attending the Sword Fighting Conference, would at most send out a single disciple. This might attract some surprise, but would not make disciples of other sects apprehensive.