Daoist Competition-Chapter 1072 - 276: The Sword Comes from the West, Waters Flow East

The people of the Mingcang Sect had just made a decision when a distant haze approached.

Standing amidst the swirling clouds was a delicate and beautiful young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, her hair styled into a Flying Immortal Bun, her apricot eyes and peach-like cheeks, brows as picturesque as a painting, her nose smooth like goose fat, dressed in an arum-colored ru skirt. She appeared before Huo Xuan and others, gracefully saluting them, and said, "This young girl is Zhou Wanhan, a disciple of the Yuxiao Sect, I dare ask who here is True Master Huo?"

Huo Xuan said in a deep voice, "I am."

Zhou Wanhan gave another respectful salute, saying in a clear voice, "My master has sent this young girl here to invite the fellow Daoists of the Mingcang Sect to enter Chengyuan Gorge together."

Huo Xuan felt slightly unexpected, as the Dingyang Zhou Family of the Yuxiao Sect is a well-known noble family within the Xuanmen, typically looking down upon someone from a cold list background like him, a person married into a great clan. Earlier, he was unwilling to go due to such considerations, yet never thought they would actively greet them.

He glanced at the young girl and said, "Who is your master?"

Zhou Wanhan solemnly replied, "My master’s surname is Zhou, given name Huang."

"So it is Daoist Zhou Huang," Huo Xuan’s eyes flashed with a different color, nodding.

Zhou Huang cultivated for years similar to him, and was known for deep Daoist cultivation. It was rumored that he had refined the Yuxiao Sect’s Divine Skill "Spirit Core Great Jade Qing Light," surely not one to be underestimated.

After brief contemplation, he said in a booming voice, "Nephew Zhou, go and reply to your revered teacher; both our sects are part of the Xuanmen, no need for such formalities. Since the Mingcang Sect is the latter to arrive, your sect should lead the way."

Zhou Wanhan did not persuade further, and after a curtsy, she departed riding the mist and wind.

However, after a moment, the distant Cloud Light seemed to halt, lacking the intention to enter Chengyuan Gorge. Huo Xuan faintly smiled and said, "That Zhou Huang is truly prideful."

Although he has never seen this person, he has already discerned that this is not someone who easily changes his mind. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

With another thought, as continuing the standoff was pointless, he waved and led the group forward.

After traveling a hundred miles, they encountered a clear cloud radiating at the mouth of Chengyuan Gorge, spanning over ten miles, with more than a hundred cultivators above, surrounded by flashes of seven-colored light appearing and disappearing, shining brilliantly, with a momentum no weaker than that of the Mingcang Sect.

Three people riding the Green Phoenix Flying Carriage stood at the forefront, the one in the middle wore a Prince Crown, had a broad forehead and chin, dense mustache, brilliant eyes, clad in a golden robe with a rhinoceros belt, brocade boots, and a great cloak, tall and robust, exuding mighty vigor.

To his left was a graceful woman of about seventeen or eighteen years, with clear bright eyes, delicately drawn eyebrows, skin as smooth as white jade, dressed in a pale blue skirt with phoenix patterns, covered with a smoky gauze garment, her demeanor serene, like an orchid in a secluded valley.

Standing on his right was a young man with a smile on his lips, dressed in moon-white deep clothes, tasteful and elegant, appearing scholarly and refined.

The disciples of the two sects, from the north and south, were carefully observing each other.

Shortly, the golden-robed man from the Yuxiao Sect laughed heartily, urging his Green Phoenix Flying Carriage forward, clasped hands towards Huo Xuan, and said, "Is it True Master Huo in person?"

Huo Xuan rode forward on the Flying Carriage with the White Flood Dragon, emerged from the group, and similarly clasped hands, saying, "Master Zhou, I’ve heard much about you."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhou Huang turned his gaze towards the Mingcang Sect ranks, seemingly searching for someone. After a moment, at Huo Xuan’s observation, he withdrew his gaze, laughing, "Daoist Zhong and Daoist Luo, I have also heard much of their great names. Behind me are two sect members, rarely visiting East Splendor, perhaps unfamiliar to the three of you."

He beckoned, bringing forward a pair of male and female cultivators from behind, pointing at the woman and saying: "This is my cousin Zhou Qingyun."

Zhou Qingyun came forward, saluting gracefully, and softly said, "This young girl greets True Master Huo, hoping for leniency at the Dharma Assembly shortly."

Huo Xuan raised his hand in return, glancing at this young girl, silently admiring her, as hearsay about the Dingyang Zhou Family’s exceptional beauty was indeed true. Both Zhou Wanhan and Zhou Qingyun were of rare beauty.

Zhou Huang pointed at the scholar-like young man and said, "This is my junior brother Xie Ke Ming."

Xie Ke Ming smiled slightly and also came forward to greet Huo Xuan.

The Xie Family is also a major clan within the Xuanmen, with the Zhou Family having been allies through generations, the two families long inseparable.

Out of courtesy, Huo Xuan similarly beckoned Zhong Muqing and Luo Qingyu to his side, after mutual salutations and agreeing to enter the gorge together, they each returned.

Zhou Huang returned to the Cloud Light, stroking his mustache, and said, "Qingyun, what do you think of these three Daoists from the Mingcang Sect?"

Zhou Qingyun pondered for a moment and said, "In terms of Daoist Cultivation, Daoist Huo should be respected. Just now, I used several Secret Techniques, since he was surrounded by golden fire energy, upon nearing, they collapsed and dissipated, extremely difficult to scrutinize. As for Daoist Zhong and Daoist Luo, in haste, I have yet to observe closely."