Daoist Competition-Chapter 1037 - 258: A Grotto Heaven Hidden in the Furnace (Part 2)

After Xu Daoist vented his emotions, he seemed to have torn off his mask, no longer flattering like before. After sending the two to the depths of the Heavenly Furnace, he cupped his hands and was about to leave.

However, at this moment, Zhang Yan called out to him, saying, "Xu Jing, do you wish to learn Divine Skills and Daoist Arts?"

Xu Daoist was taken aback.

Previously, he had harbored thoughts of currying favor with Zhang Yan. The status of the Top Ten Disciples in the sect was unparalleled. If he could receive some support from them, it would surely be greatly beneficial. But he knew it was just a fantasy, thinking someone like Zhang Yan wouldn’t have the time to spare on someone as insignificant as him.

Moreover, after causing some trouble earlier, he thought the impression he left must be poor, so he had abandoned such hopes. Now, hearing these words suddenly, he was a bit at a loss.

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "If you truly wish for this, I can give you a chance, but you must not abandon the path of Array Techniques, you must pick it up again, would you agree?"

Hearing the condition, Xu Daoist started to believe him a little.

Even though he wished to learn Divine Skills and Daoist Arts, with no one to teach him, he would die in the sect without learning them. By following Zhang Yan, at least there would be an opportunity, so without thinking much, he knelt and kowtowed, saying, "True Master Zhang, this humble Daoist is willing to follow your orders."

Zhang Yan said in a deep voice, "Do not be impatient. Just wait here. At the most, a year, at the least, three years, I will have someone come to you."

It wasn’t a decision made on a whim. What he thought was, serving as the Supreme Elder of the Yao Yin Sect was merely temporary, but his disciple Wei Zihong was different. He was to return to that small realm to establish his own sect. However, in the initial stages, there would be a lack of people, and as the head of a sect, he couldn’t watch the Great Array all the time. It wouldn’t hurt to find someone to guard it.

Xu Jing seemed a suitable choice. Although he was talented in Array Techniques, his status in the sect was not high. Presumably, if he asked Sect Leader Qin to lend him, there would be no refusal.

As for the Protective Divine Powers he wished to learn, although the Mingcang Sect’s Dharma Techniques couldn’t be taught, the Yao Yin Sect had a few; whether to teach them or not would be up to Wei Zihong’s discretion.

Dean Qiao sighed and said nothing, "True Master Zhang, before arranging that Prohibition, the Da Wei Cloud Palace needs to be cast into the earth pit to absorb the Earthly Extreme Gang Evil and Fire Lung Essence. Only after a year can it be sacrificially refined. Does the True Master wish to wait a while longer?"

Zhang Yan pondered briefly. He had already gone through the Jade Scroll once. Although the method of sacrificial refinement for the prohibition wasn’t complicated, with the help of the Broken Jade, at most, it would take him only three months to become proficient. A year was more than enough, so he replied, "Dean Qiao, you may proceed."

Dean Qiao responded, flew up, and landed on a jade high platform directly opposite him. He took out an item from his Sleeve Bag, threw it outward, and a bit of Spirit Light flew out, spinning continuously amidst the clouds, slowly enlarging. Finally, it revealed a colossal palace almost five hundred feet large, which then descended toward the earth pit leading to the Earth Lungs below.

Zhang Yan only glanced quickly, faintly seeing that within the palace were numerous pavilions, layered halls, and elegant garden pavilions, all exquisite and not inferior to a Daoist Field, far beyond the Star Pivot Palace.

He had heard that if one’s Mana was profound enough, upon activation, this Cloud Que could expand several times in size. Once refined, it might even contain a Dragon Carp.

Dean Qiao looked at the deep pit with solemnity. Standing on the high platform, he gently waved a token and felt a rumbling beneath his feet. The smoke and fire seemed to be swept and shoved around by an invisible giant hand, continuously oscillating.

Xu Daoist, observant as always, noted that Zhang Yan was presently unoccupied and said, "True Master Zhang, within this mountain’s belly, there’s a Cave Mansion left by a Cave Heaven True Master from thousands of years ago. It’s quite comfortable and suitable for resting."

Zhang Yan’s eyes lit up and asked, "Left by a Cave Heaven True Master? I wonder which elder left it?"

Xu Daoist hesitated, "This humble Daoist is of low status and doesn’t know. However, a previous Steward did mention that beyond the Cave Mansion, there is a Prohibition left personally by that True Master, possibly sealing something, but all of us, with our insufficient Cultivation, would be blown away by a gust of Gang Wind just by approaching."

Zhang Yan immediately became interested and said, "Let me have a look."

Xu Daoist bowed and said, "True Master, please follow this humble Daoist."

He pinched a seal spell, and a smoke haze rose from under his feet, leading upward along the mountain belly passage. Zhang Yan remained still, yet a gentle breeze lifted him, slowly floating upward.

It seemed that the Cave Heaven True Master had also come here to refine some Dharma Treasure, so they hadn’t stayed far. After a short journey, Xu Daoist announced their arrival.

Zhang Yan looked up, seeing deep inside the mountain was a door about ten feet tall, snugly nestled between two sheer cliffs, so inconspicuous. Before the door was a large stone, brought by some unknown person, blocking the entrance path.

There was no Prohibition on the stone, likely placed by some Steward to tell others not to intrude, but it served little real purpose.

After Xu Daoist landed, he walked a few steps forward, raised his hand slightly, and a puff of smoke evil emerged, moving the boulder aside, letting it roll down the mountain. He turned and pointed, saying, "True Master, this is the place. The prohibition is beyond the Cave Mansion. This humble Daoist, being a Steward, should not go further and can only stop here."

Zhang Yan nodded to show he understood. With a thought, a gust of Gang Wind stirred, slowly pushing the Cave Mansion door open. In a moment, bright pearl light emerged from inside. He smiled slightly, waved his large sleeve, and stepped inside.

... 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

...(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)