Daoist Competition-Chapter 1031 - 255: Priority in Refining Prohibitions at the Treasure Ground (2)

In the continent, there are three towering mountains, all shrouded in rolling black smoke, dust, and ash filling the sky. If it weren’t for the forbidden array isolating the surroundings, the Long Yan Marsh might be halved.

As the two approached, a scorching wave of heat assaulted them, so intense that even they found it unbearable, hastily expanding their protective treasure light,

This Earth Fire Sky Furnace was several times larger than what Zhang Yan had seen at Double Moon Peak. If the Sky Furnace of the Zhenluo Alliance merely involved mountain excavation and earth qi induction, then what lay before them was an earth-shaping and terrain-transforming marvel, achievable by no entity other than a millennia-old sect like the Mingcang Sect.

Zhang Yan, having this point of comparison, couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration from his heart.

Master Qiao glanced at him and pointed downward, saying, "True Master Zhang, you probably haven’t been here before. This Sky Furnace was established by the Fourth-Generation Sect Leader. This ancestor, back in the day, led six Cave Heaven True Masters of the Mingcang Sect to penetrate deep into the marsh, working together to carve through the Earth Lungs. It took sixty years to refine this. Among the Ten Sects of Xuanmen, only the Heavenly Furnace of the Yuxiao Sect can compare, even the Shaoqing Sect doesn’t match up."

Zhang Yan nodded repeatedly. Although this Fourth-Generation Sect Leader had not been widely known, he was a bridge between past and future within the Mingcang Sect. He had reached the Ascension Realm during his time, yet for reasons unknown, remained in this world until he exhausted his lifespan.

His term as the Sect Leader was the longest, almost six thousand years. Not only did he double the water area of the Long Yan Marsh, but he also established the structure of the Nine Courtyards and gathered countless disciples with outstanding potential.

Later, the Mingcang Sect was pushed to the foreground at East Splendor as the leading sect under the leadership of the then Sect Leader Qin Qinggang, benefiting significantly from the wealth amassed by his predecessors.

Master Qiao surveyed the area several times, suddenly breaking into a smile and said, "It seems no one has arrived ahead of us, we might as well go and claim the spot first. True Master Zhang, please wait here for a moment. The Steward Daoist below is my nephew, I’ll go and exchange greetings and open the prohibition for us to enter."

With that, he bowed to Zhang Yan and descended as a streak of light.

Soon, he landed on a high cliff where a steward daoist with bright eyes and a lion-like nose and wide mouth strolled forward. The man only possessed a Hua Dan cultivation but showed no respect in his demeanor, lazily asking, "Uncle is here again, what do you intend to tinker with this time?"

Master Qiao replied, "To be candid, Nephew Xu, I am here to set up the Da Wei Cloud Palace, please fetch the token and let us in."

Xu Daoist frowned, sighed, and said, "Uncle, your timing is off. For other matters, Nephew could be flexible, but for this, it’s not possible."

Master Qiao was momentarily stunned, "Why is that?"

Xu Daoist shook his head, "Two months ago, a True Master under Linglang Cave Heaven, True Master Wang, already mentioned borrowing this Earth Fire Sky Furnace to refine the Cloud Palace Prohibition, so you came a step late."

Master Qiao snorted, waving his sleeve, "I’ve been cultivating here for hundreds of years, having come no less than dozens of times. It has always been first-come-first-serve. I’ve never heard of such a rule. If they didn’t come, should others wait indefinitely? Even if they don’t use it for a year, should we then wait a year? Nephew, don’t delay, quickly open the prohibition."

Xu Daoist sneered, "I was entrusted by the elders of the sect to oversee this forbidden area, this means setting up rules to prevent outsiders from saying I am merely occupying a position. Uncle should not make it difficult for me."

This True Master Wang was a disciple under True Master Qin Yu, and although Master Qiao was also a Nascent Soul True Master, his lifelong focus on researching arrays with little practice in Divine Skills left him with a low standing in the sect. How could he risk offending Linglang Cave Heaven over this old daoist?

Frustrated, Master Qiao trembled with fury, unable to come up with a plan right away.

At that moment, a streak of golden light shot down from the clouds and landed swiftly with brilliance dispersing, revealing a young daoist in a wide robe and large sleeves. After surveying around, he called out, "Master Qiao, have you encountered a problem?"

Upon seeing Zhang Yan, Xu Daoist sensed the residual Vast Firm Gang Wind around him, immediately realizing he was also a Nascent Soul True Master, and his expression changed.

Master Qiao recounted the situation, finally pointing to Xu Daoist, indignantly saying, "This junior of mine gives no face at all, refusing to lift the prohibition."

Zhang Yan pondered briefly, "Master Qiao, do we only have this one Earth Fire Sky Furnace in our sect?"

Master Qiao thought for a moment, "The Chen Clan also has a Heavenly Furnace, albeit slightly smaller, established by the Second-Generation Sect Leader, Ancestor Chen. However, it’s for the Chen Clan’s private use, with few benefits to fellow disciples. Additionally, True Master Yan possesses a Supreme Treasure that can function as a Heavenly Furnace. If True Master Zhang has the means, you might try your luck."

Zhang Yan considered these paths improbable and looked at Xu Daoist, saying indifferently, "I am Daoist Zhang Yan, holding the Sect Leader Token. Quickly fetch the token for this place."

"So, it is True Master Zhang?"

Xu Daoist was utterly shocked, having certainly heard of Zhang Yan’s renown, and couldn’t help panicking inwardly. Eyeing him intently, he hurriedly bowed, "Since True Master Zhang is here, how could the likes of me obstruct you? The token is not on me, please wait momentarily, I shall retrieve it at once."

Zhang Yan glanced at him but said nothing.

Xu Daoist bowed again and ventured inward.

Master Qiao smiled wryly, "I didn’t expect True Master Zhang’s reputation to be so formidable, even my nephew dares not disobey."

Zhang Yan mocked, "Are you sure he doesn’t dare? Not necessarily."

Master Qiao was somewhat confused, and Zhang Yan, smiling, didn’t offer an explanation.

Xu Daoist weaved through several stone pillars, winding left and right, entering the forbidden array. Wiping the cold sweat off his forehead, he muttered, "When did this old thing meet such a figure? This is troublesome, Daoist Master can’t afford to offend either side, it’s best to let them fight it out themselves."

He retrieved a Xiaoze Golden Sword from his sleeve, uttered a spell, pointed, and the sword emitted a whistling sound, taking flight into the sky, transforming into a golden light and rushing away.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)