Daoist Competition-Chapter 1062 - 271: Feng Haiyang

February 7th, early spring, a time when new branches sprout and warmth still wrestles with the lingering cold.

Above Long Yan Marsh, Immortal Sound echoes, smoke rises among the clouds, Spirit Light gathers, coming and going in the air. A female cultivator in white stands by the river bank holding a zither, a Black Robed Boy rings bells and strikes chimes — these are disciples from various islands bidding farewell to Huo, Zhong, and Luo as they depart for the Sword Fighting Conference.

After the three burned incense and made prayers before the Mountain Gate, they suddenly heard a long and resounding cry of geese in the sky, clear and melodious, drawing their gazes upward.

Huo Xuan gazed at the sky for a moment and said, "The river ice is melting, and the returning geese are flying south; it’s time for us to set out."

Zhong Muqing and Luo Qingyu both nodded in agreement.

The three then bid farewell to their fellow disciples, boarded the carriages with their disciples, and grandly departed the Mountain Gate.

Leading their way were three White Flood Dragons, while behind them maids carried immortal lamps, held treasure beads, waved Qing Fans, and painted Treasure Light Talismans. The rest mostly rode Cloud Rafts, and hundreds of Powerful Warriors bearing halberds rode Flying Boats flanking them, misting the air with golden light and rainbow radiance, stretching over ten miles.

Their journey did not head directly to the sword fighting location; instead, they detoured around East Splendor Continent, stopping at various small sects and Independent Sects for a few days, stirring up a grand display before proceeding to the destination.

First, they reached Bixue Pond, now occupied by noble families, engaged in courteous exchange, and resumed their journey.

After a cup of tea time, they arrived before Surging Wave Lake’s Deep Pool Gorge.

At this place, Pavilion Master Miao Kun, accompanied by several Ming Qi Disciples, awaited them outside. He raised his cup in a toast and laughed heartily, "Wishing the three nephews a smooth journey."

Huo, Zhong, and Luo each bowed in salute from their Flying Carriage.

Though Miao Kun was not among the Top Ten Disciples and his cultivation was merely Hua Dan, he was a Registered Disciple of Sect Leader Qin, so they could not be disrespectful.

The three did not linger there; after passing through, they traveled for another quarter-hour and arrived before Zhao You Heavenly Pond.

At this moment, clouds surged over the mountain resembling a Heaven Pillar, whirlwinds swirled, and Huo Xuan stood up, took a few steps forward, and looked ahead, seeing Zhang Yan leading a group of disciples on the clouds waiting at the location. He pointed and said, "Junior Brother Zhang has also come to see us off."

Luo Qingyu glanced at the disciples standing behind him and said, "Junior Brother Zhang’s disciples are indeed outstanding."

Only Zhong Muqing remained silent.

As they neared, all three made distant bows, and Zhang Yan smiled and returned the salute.

Wei Zihong observed the grand spectacle of rolling clouds and couldn’t help but feel excited, asking, "Master, the True Masters have already set off; shouldn’t we also depart?"

Zhang Yan smiled lightly and said, "Don’t rush, my pupil, we need to wait a few more days."

His group acted as undercover agents; if they left too early, it would raise caution and spoil the original intent.

After sending the three off, Zhang Yan returned with the disciples to the Water Mansion, closing doors to meditate, paying no heed to external affairs.

Five days later, two gusts of Gang Wind came from outside; they were Zhang Boyant and Xu Daoist, arriving at the Mountain Gate and detected by Mirror Spirit. As Zhang Yan had prearranged, they were allowed entry without questioning.

Servants welcomed the two to the second layer of the inner hall, served tea, and waited for a moment until Zhang Yan entered the hall. He scanned the room and said, "The journey must have been tiring, fellow Daoists."

Zhang Boyant and Xu Daoist quickly stood up; after a round of formalities, the three sat down.

Zhang Boyant and Xu Daoist exchanged a look; Xu Daoist coughed softly and started speaking, "This time, under the Pavilion Master’s orders, I traveled all the way to Chengyuan Gorge and indeed discovered several Demon Sect agents, all dealt with effortlessly. Though some escaped the net, they are negligible, with the swordfight only three to four days away, acquiring further intelligence is impossible."

Chengyuan Gorge is the location for this swordfight. Earlier, Zhang Yan had tasked Xu and Zhang to investigate any issues and scout which Demon Sect disciples were coming to the swordfight and what techniques they possessed.

After the incident with Helian Wei, Zhang Yan suspected that the Demon Sect disciples might have set traps along this route to gather information about them. Hence, he sent a Flying Book instructing Xu Daoist to find a way to eradicate them.

With the aid of the Invisible Yin Blade, Xu Daoist operated quietly, his Daoist cultivation profound, making him adept at such tasks. Within a few months, he had uncovered all the hidden sub-platforms of the Demon Sect, but given his meticulous nature, he refrained from acting hastily.

If he eliminated these people too soon, the Demon Sect might send more, or dispatch a Nascent Soul True Master to confront him. Thus, he patiently waited until yesterday before launching a sudden attack, sweeping them all away in one night.

Xu Daoist boasted, "With the Pavilion Master’s journey, I guarantee no one will be able to spy half an inch."