Daoist Competition-Chapter 1042 - 261: Blood Essence Hidden Disciple

The Earth Fire Sky Furnace echoed with consecutive explosions, accompanied by starfire melt flames constantly spewing smoke from the pit. The smog shot straight up to the sky, and the sparks that landed on the stone bricks soon transformed into pools of black residue.

At first, the three found ease in the sacrificial refinement of prohibitions, but as they continued, the earth fire became fiercely unmanageable for some unknown reason, causing the Coiling Dragon Copper Pillar’s stability to waver uncontrollably.

Zhang Yan remained unworried, aided by deep mana and superior skills to avert crises. Master Qiao, on the other hand, rarely engaged in direct battles, and whenever he exerted force, he would pour all his mana without restraint. Though conditions improved after Zhang Yan’s reminders, when faced with rampant earth fire, his old habits resurfaced, often leading to short-lived efforts past a single day.

At such moments, Zhang Yan would step forward to take charge and stabilize the situation.

One day, the three suddenly sensed a resonant vibration through the entire Heavenly Furnace. Master Qiao leaped up, peering down the pit, and suddenly laughed heartily, saying, "True Master Zhang, it’s done, it’s done! Quickly, join me in suppressing the earth fire!"

Upon speaking, he raised a banner, shaking it vigorously. Zhang Yan, revitalized, instantly deployed his mana. A majestic gang wind swept down to suppress, forcing the earth fire to retreat under their combined strength.

Da Wei Cloud Palace transformed into a point of spirit light, flying upward. Master Qiao pointed at the sky, then it descended into his hands. With a flick of a sleeve, he sent it to Zhang Yan while stroking his long-scorched beard, smiling and saying, "True Master Zhang, you may refine it with essence blood."

Zhang Yan received it, holding the spirit light in his palm, forced a drop of essence blood to integrate, slightly refined it, and stimulated his mana. A brilliant light arose, circled once, and flew into his brow, disappearing.

Xu Daoist, already exhausted, relaxed when they finally succeeded, uttering a "thump" as he laid flat on the ground, instantly falling asleep.

His cultivation level was far beneath the other two; without Zhang Yan supplying elixir pills, he wouldn’t have lasted.

Throughout this half-year, both he and Master Qiao focused entirely on sacrificial refinement, ending up covered in filth, hair and beard remaining disheveled, appearing quite miserable.

Only Zhang Yan retained a spotless robe.

It wasn’t intentional maintenance; it happened to be due to the Warm and Gentle Pill Jade he possessed, preventing him from ending up in a similar state.

Master Qiao seemed unbothered. He stirred, approached Zhang Yan, and said, "True Master Zhang, allow this Old Daoist to request a person from you."

Zhang Yan noticed his gaze occasionally shifting towards Xu Jing, and chuckled, saying, "Is it for Deacon Xu?"

"Exactly!" Master Qiao cupped his hands in a salute, saying, "In my Fang Chen Courtyard, there are still four Cloud Que prohibitions, but lacking manpower; originally, I intended to seek assistance from fellow Daoists in a few years. But now, with Nephew Xu, I only need one more person. If True Master Zhang agrees to lend him to me for three years, should you need to refine prohibitions in the future at your Cave Mansion, feel free to seek me out."

Xu Daoist had just willingly pledged allegiance to Zhang Yan, witnessed by him, hence any arrangements required Zhang Yan’s consent.

Zhang Yan was not planning to immediately take Xu Daoist away, at least not until returning from the Sixteen Sects Sword Fighting Conference.

Since Master Qiao inquired, Zhang Yan amicably agreed, saying, "As long as Master Qiao can persuade him, I have no objections."

Master Qiao expressed great joy, with Xu Jing complying with Zhang Yan’s order to resume his arrays, staying by his side seemed most fitting. If proposed, there was no reason to refuse, hence he showed abundant gratitude.

With matters here completed, Zhang Yan was not inclined to linger. He still aimed to perfect his mastery of the Five Elements Escape Technique before the Sword Fighting Conference. Thus, he bid farewell to Master Qiao, accompanied by Jing You, stepped onto the cloud to escape, exiting the Earth Fire Sky Furnace, and, upon reaching the air, identified his direction and flew off in a rainbow streak.

After exiting the Mingcang Sect’s mountain gate, not far, Zhang Yan saw the image of Zhao You Mountain. But just then, he spotted two Xuan Guang flying lights rapidly below the clouds, the one ahead evidently superior, leaving the one behind further and further behind.

The pursuer seemed desperate, shouting aloud. Two disciples on watch outside the mountain gate heard the noise, thus directed their flying boat over, intending to inquire.

However, the light in the lead was extremely fierce, silently swiping the Xuan Guang while simultaneously unleashing a short sword, advancing in an all-or-nothing manner.