Daoist Competition-Chapter 1033 - 256: Shen Baishuang (Part 2)

Wang Xiangrong was also a disciple under True Master Qin. Seeing her life nearing its end and her soul about to reincarnate, she took up the task of refining the prohibition to please her master. Initially, she relied on True Master Qin’s reputation to borrow many prohibition refinement experts from noble families and sent messages to the Earth Fire Sky Furnace, thinking everything was set. Unexpectedly, things went awry at the critical moment.

Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said firmly, "I fear True Master Wang may be disappointed. This trip is on the Sect Leader’s orders, and I’m not at liberty to act otherwise."

Wang Xiangrong was at a loss for words, knowing it was impossible to persuade him with words. Her face darkened as she said, "True Master Zhang, if you and your people occupy this Heavenly Furnace, who knows how long you’ll need it. You understand as well that you’re not in a hurry to use it since you can’t attend the Sword Fighting Conference. Now it seems you’re pitting against my Linglang Cave Heaven. What is your true intention?"

Not many Nascent Soul cultivators in the sect qualified to ride the Da Wei Cloud Palace. This trip to the Sword Fighting Conference also involved the conflict between the Demon Sect and Xuanmen. To ensure everything goes smoothly, people like Huo Xuan and Luo Qingyu needed the Da Wei Cloud Palace for protection.

Huo Xuan had the backing of the Chen Clan and had been in the Nascent Soul realm for decades, already having the cloud prohibition well-prepared. Luo Qingyu, being True Master Yan’s disciple and holding a supreme treasure, had no worries about the prohibition refining.

Only Zhong Muqing was different. To refine the prohibition, he had to seek assistance at the Fang Chen Courtyard.

Initially, he was not in a hurry. Even without the Heavenly Furnace, the Mingcang Sect could still go to the Pingdu Sect to refine the prohibition. Unfortunately, after Zhang Yan killed Elder Hu, he only received a minor punishment of closed-door seclusion for five years. The relationship between the two sects hadn’t yet mended, so he had to find a way within the sect first.

Zhang Yan sneered, casting his gaze over. "Why speak like this, True Master Wang? I have no such intention. If you are unwilling to let go, then no need for more words. Let us duel here, and the loser will depart on their own. What do you say?"

Wang Xiangrong hesitated. After Zhang Yan killed Elder Hu, his deeds in the Central Pillar Continent and the East Sea were all uncovered, and his feared reputation became legendary. She didn’t think she could match him, but she was unwilling to just retreat. She thought privately, "I’m not his match alone, but if I call my junior sister and we join forces, surely we can suppress his arrogance."

After this thought, she said, "Fine, I will agree with True Master Zhang. However, since Master Qiao is here with True Master, I need to invite someone to act as a judge."

Zhang Yan nodded, "That is only reasonable."

Wang Xiangrong raised her hand, and a middle-aged woman behind her took out paper and brush, scribbled a line, then put it away and sent it off into the sky with a Qi Jue. The Flying Talisman vanished into thin air.

After quietly waiting for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a tunneling light appeared in the clouds. Wang Xiangrong quickly rose to meet it.

But upon seeing the arrival, she couldn’t help but be startled.

It wasn’t her junior sister but a round-faced youth, wearing a bamboo hat and rough short clothes, with a pair of straw sandals, carrying a fishing rod. His eyes were clear and bright. Upon seeing her, he smiled and said, "You must be Nephew Wang?"

Wang Xiangrong exclaimed in surprise, "Who are you, Your Excellency?"

The youth laughed, "I am Shen Baishuang. Just visiting the Linglang Cave Mansion, I saw you had sent a message. Hearing of this matter here, and since I had no business, I thought I might as well run this errand for Nephew Bi."

Wang Xiangrong quickly knelt on the cloud in surprise and delight, "So it’s Uncle Master who has come. Please accept a bow from Nephew Rong."

Shen Baishuang smiled, lightly gesturing with both hands, "Nephew, please rise. We have no such formalities here."

Wang Xiangrong felt assured, standing up. She knew this Uncle Master was the former Supreme Elder Zhuo Yuming’s disciple. Not only was his seniority extremely high, but he was also a Nascent Soul Third Realm cultivator, just a step away from the Cave Heaven Realm. Zhang Yan was definitely not his match. She thought to herself, "With this Uncle Master’s support, I’d like to see how Zhang Yan dares to challenge me."

Shen Baishuang looked at Zhang Yan without any sign of hostility, only curiosity, "You must be Zhang Yan?"

Zhang Yan bowed slightly, "Indeed."

Shen Baishuang clapped his hands with a smile, "Nephew Zhang, I’ve heard your Flying Sword techniques are quite remarkable. I’ve recently refined a Dharma Sword and don’t know if it’s good enough, so I wondered if I could test it against you. Would you be willing to assist me?"

Zhang Yan chuckled freely, "True Master, please go ahead!"

Shen Baishuang’s eyes shone as he nodded in approval, "Good, then prepare yourself!"

With a downward gesture, he unleashed a surging wave. Jade pearls splashed, swirling, with the Dharma Sword at the forefront like a barely perceptible sword tip. The sword body seemed to merge into the spiritual energy’s rippling current, indistinct in length and size, strength or softness.

With a thought, Zhang Yan sent his Star Sword Ball flying out, casting a sword light like a startling arc. Amidst the vast waters, it accurately targeted the sword tip, delivering a decisive strike upward!

Like a drop of water into a spring, only a "ding-dong" sound was heard. The Dharma Sword, upon being struck, swiftly transformed into clear water, passed over the sword ball, and split into two sword streams, attacking downward.

Zhang Yan was not to be outdone. He let out a shout, causing the sword ball to tremble and split into two sword lights, each confronting the streams. But with another clear ring, the streams divided into four, continuing their unyielding advance.

The Star Sword Ball swiftly split again, this time sending out four sword lights to meet the streams once more.

After several soft clinks, the sword streams transformed into eight trails.

Zhang Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. Although the streams advanced slowly initially, the fifty-zhang distance between them had unknowingly shrunk to within twenty zhang after three exchanges. With one swift move, they would enter his inner circle.

...

... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)