Daoist Competition-Chapter 1047 - 263: Han Zuocheng (2)

At this point, her delicate face reddened slightly, she paused and then continued: "That fox spirit also obtained half of an incomplete Daoist Scripture in her early years, allowing her to transform into human form. She deeply understands that cultivation is difficult and immortality is hard to seek. Later, she accidentally learned that Han Xiao’s ancestors had an agreement with the master, hence she wished for her descendants to be accepted into the Mingcang Sect to apprentice. However, her children had already practiced the incomplete Daoist Skill, and were older, fearing they wouldn’t be accepted by the Mountain Gate, thus she sent her youngest grandson, Han Zuocheng, up the mountain for cultivation."

Zhang Yan couldn’t help but be curious: "How do you know this so clearly?"

Wang Caiwei replied: "I personally went to visit Han Zuocheng’s grandparents and even met that fox spirit. The two were very respectful, and upon meticulous inquiry, I learned the details."

Zhang Yan showed an approving expression in his eyes, nodded, and said: "Caiwei, you handled this matter well."

Receiving the teacher’s praise, Wang Caiwei was also delighted in her heart, and bowed her head: "To alleviate the master’s worries is the disciple’s duty."

Zhang Yan nodded and said: "Go and call Han Zuocheng; I wish to see him."

Wang Caiwei responded to the command, lightly stepped, and rode a clear Xuan Guang down the mountain.

After a short time of a tea’s time, the tunneling light returned, slowly landing on the ground, and when the brilliance faded, besides Wang Caiwei, there stood a young man of robust stature with eyebrows like White Feather.

Ma Shouxiang said in a deep voice: "Han Zuocheng, upon seeing the Dean, why don’t you come up and pay your respects?"

The young man was startled; he had heard the Manager discussing outside, knowing that the person in front is a Great Cultivator from the Upper Court with the ability to call the wind and summon rain. In a hurry, he knelt and said: "Disciple Han Zuocheng pays respect to the Dean."

Although he grew up in the mountains, his grandfather Han Xiao was a literate and well-mannered scholar, hence he did not have those unruly habits.

Zhang Yan scrutinized him closely, seeing his excellent bone structure, his eyes couldn’t help but brighten.

He had heard from Ma Shouxiang that this child had reached the Ning Yuan First Realm within half a year, and now upon seeing, he had already reached the Second Realm, his aptitude clearly very extraordinary. Zhang Yan nodded secretly, having decided to accept this pupil, he said: "Han Zuocheng, more than ninety years ago, your ancestors had an agreement with me, allowing one of your kin to enter my sect for cultivation. Since you are here, would you be willing to apprentice under me?"

Han Zuocheng had heard from his grandfather Han Xiao in his youth that their ancestors had an agreement with an Immortal Zhang, where the descendants could go to apprentice should they have a desire for cultivation.

He was actually half-skeptical, but his desire for cultivation was strong. With a hope of a chance, he came to the Mingcang Sect to seek the Dao and even reported Zhang Yan’s name. However, after waiting for more than a year, there was no response, and just when he thought this might be false, he didn’t expect Zhang Yan to accept him as a pupil, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Ma Shouxiang saw him standing dazed and stepped forward to pat him on the shoulder, kindly saying: "Zuocheng, your opportunity has arrived. What are you standing here for? Quickly go and pay your respects to your teacher."

Only then did Han Zuocheng awaken, hurriedly stepped forward to kneel and bowed, loudly saying: "Pupil Han Zuocheng pays respect to the teacher, wishing the teacher eternal life."

Zhang Yan smiled and nodded, said: "Since it is our first meeting as teacher and pupil, I will grant you a Magic Artifact; remember to cultivate diligently." He remained seated, with a gentle wave of his sleeve, a ray of twilight flew out, descending.

Han Zuocheng instinctively cupped the twilight in his hands, opened his eyes to see, it was an ancient short sword about a foot long. It was inscribed with Xuan Wen bird script, its body glowing with Treasure Light, and its edge was extremely sharp. A slight movement emitted a sound akin to a crane’s cry, and he couldn’t help but be excited, bowing again, saying: "Thank you, Master, for the bestowed treasure!"

Zhang Yan said: "Above you, there are several senior brothers and sisters, I won’t say much more, if you have any questions, you may ask your Senior Sister Wang. You shall continue cultivation in the Lower Court, but next year you can return to the Mountain Gate with Caiwei."

Wang Caiwei understood immediately, knowing the teacher required her to stay and look after this junior brother, said: "Master, disciple understands, I will take good care of the junior brother."

Zhang Yan gave a few more instructions, then swept his large sleeve, soared into the sky, and disappeared into the clouds.

Han Zuocheng watched with envy, though his grandmother was a demon cultivator, she was merely a loose cultivator and did not possess the ability to fly away into the sky. Gazing at the leisurely white clouds and the endless blue sky, his Dao Heart strengthened further.

Zhang Yan flew with the wind, soon returning to the Zhao You Heavenly Pond, waved to open the Array Gate, and took a step inside, entering the inner hall, directly arriving at the Jade Couch to sit down. He flicked his sleeve, releasing a white silk that circled the hall before landing and transforming into a big-headed child.

Jing You curiously glanced around, feeling that the cave mansion was filled with spiritual energy, almost suffusing all his body’s pores, lazily and comfortably, he couldn’t help but inhale deeply, surprised in his heart, said: "Is this the master’s Cave Mansion? I suppose the master holds a high position within the Mountain Gate and comes from a highly esteemed lineage, haha, little master’s good days have come."

Fifteen hundred years ago, he had also followed True Master He, knowing that those with such Cave Heaven Blessed Land as their mansion were either the sect’s Top Ten Disciples or had remarkable teachers.

He secretly rejoiced in his heart, thinking: "The more highly regarded the master is within the sect, then the more stable my days as a servant are, no need to go outside fighting and killing. With my lifespan, living another thousand years shouldn’t be difficult."

But if he knew that Zhang Yan brought him back precisely because he was considering taking him to the Sword Fighting Conference to confront Demon Sect disciples, he might be scared stiff on the spot.

Zhang Yan temporarily paid him no mind, instead sat there with closed eyes, contemplating. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Because of the decree of five years’ closure beforehand, he would not attend the big competition next year, leaving several years to fully devote himself to studying the Five Elements Escape Technique. Just as his thoughts turned, he suddenly felt a tremor from an item on the opposite stone platform. In an instant, the spiritual energy within the cave mansion seemed to be engulfed like a whale swallowing the sea, converging towards it.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation.)