Daoist Competition-Chapter 1032 - 256: Shen Baishuang

After the Xiaoze Golden Sword was released, Xu Daoist dawdled a bit at the spot, calculated the time, and felt it was about right. He then took the token from a stone box and dragged his feet out.

Arriving in front of Zhang Yan, he raised both hands, presented the token, and smiled broadly, saying, "True Master Zhang, here is the token. With this, you can master the Heavenly furnace here."

Joy was evident on Master Qiao’s face. As long as this item was in hand, and he learned the sacrificial refinement mantra, there would be no fear even if anyone came.

However, just when the token was about to be handed to him, a loud shout came from the sky, saying, "Stop!"

Xu Daoist blinked his eyes and swiftly retrieved the token, placing it back in his sleeve.

Actually, even if the item was handed out, it wouldn’t matter. In the mountain gate, fearing someone might misuse the token, the sacrificial refinement mantra was changed monthly, with two stewards taking turns to master it. Apart from him, no one else knew it at this moment.

Seeing Xu Daoist’s action, Master Qiao showed dissatisfaction on his face, snorted angrily, and turned his head to see a tunneling light flying to the cloud top from the sky. After dispersing the brilliance, three people emerged; among them was an old woman, with a head full of white frost, small in stature, less than three feet tall, holding an Eight-Section Python Staff, accompanied by two middle-aged women.

She didn’t even look at Zhang Yan and Master Qiao but coldly addressed Xu Daoist, saying: "Xu Jing, what did I tell you in my letter? How could you give the token to someone else?"

Xu Daoist lowered his head, made a look of grievance, and cupped his hands, saying, "Excuse me, True Master Wang, it wasn’t my intention to break faith. It’s just that this True Master Zhang claimed to have the Sect Leader’s token; how dare a mere guard like me disobey?"

"Sect Leader’s token?"

True Master Wang then turned her head and seriously scrutinized Zhang Yan for a few moments, finding him somewhat familiar, pondered for a bit, and was startled, thinking: "Could it be Zhang Yan from the Zhao You Heavenly Pond?"

Xu Daoist was also thoughtful, fearing if he revealed Zhang Yan’s identity, True Master Wang might not dare to come and later vent her anger on him. Therefore, he didn’t mention anything about the Xiaoze Golden Sword, merely urging the sword light urgently, making it clear something had changed.

Unaware of the situation, True Master Wang hurriedly came after receiving the Golden Sword. If she had known Zhang Yan’s identity earlier, she might have considered it, but now that she’s here, she was somewhat embarrassed.

Master Qiao moved next to Zhang Yan and said in a deep voice, "This person is from the Linglang Cave Mansion, the fifth disciple of True Master Qin, True Master Wang Xiangrong."

Although True Master Qin had many disciples, only five achieved Nascent Soul, of which three had already died of old age.

Besides Zhong Muqing, only Wang Xiangrong and one named Bi Qingyan remained in the mansion practicing cultivation.

Wang Xiangrong secretly cursed Xu Daoist a few times but had to speak courteously, saying, "So it’s True Master Zhang, my respects."

She held her staff and slightly bowed.

Zhang Yan smiled and returned the gesture with a nod.

Wang Xiangrong coughed and said, "I have heard before that Sect Leader Master instructed True Master Zhang to meditate for five years, not to be involved in the sect’s affairs. But why is Master not cultivating in the mansion and coming here instead?"

If it were a disciple from another mansion, she could act on the name of Linglang Cave Heaven, but Zhang Yan is different. Not only is he one of the Top Ten Disciples, but his teacher Zhou Chongju is also her master Qin Yu’s Daoist partner. Just relying on the sect couldn’t suppress him, so she had to find other ways.

Before Zhang Yan could speak, Master Qiao had already stepped forward, saying, "I believe True Master Wang also heard earlier, True Master Zhang is sent by the Sect Leader, not in violation of the Dharma decree."

Wang Xiangrong muttered something under her breath and reluctantly said, "True Master Zhang, could I have a word with you?"

Zhang Yan smiled slightly, "Go ahead, Master."

Wang Xiangrong gathered her spirit and said, "True Master Zhang also knows that my nephew Zhong Muqing has five years left before attending the Sixteen Sects Sword Fighting Conference. He must have the Da Wei Cloud Palace to protect him for this journey. But the sacrificial refining prohibition is long; if Master reaches it first, it might take years to complete, making it unusable. I wonder if Master could lend this Heavenly furnace to our Linglang Cave Mansion first, as a favor from me."

Although Zhong Muqing is the disciple under True Master Qin, he was initially a disciple of True Master Meng. To save face for True Master Meng, Qin Yu only let him apprentice under one of her disciples. But this is just a title, as Zhong Muqing’s skills and techniques were all personally taught by her.

If True Master Qin does not ascend eventually, she will die of old age someday. Zhong Muqing, being one of the Top Ten Disciples, might maintain the lineage of Linglang Cave Heaven if he achieves a Grotto Heaven. His success or failure is crucial for the mansion’s future prosperity, hence everyone in the sect supporting him with all their might.