Daoist Competition-Chapter 941 - 210: Shifting Loyalties, Changing Enemies and Friends (Part 2)

Thinking of this, his thoughts raced, suddenly recalling a possibility, his footsteps suddenly halted.

Zhang Qiangu saw him stop and couldn’t help but turn back, his eyes flickering as he said, "True Master, why have you stopped walking?"

Zhang Yan glanced at him, smiled subtly, and said, "No need to go through any trouble, I’ll just hand the command token to Master Zhang."

Zhang Qiangu was stunned, his eyes filled with wild joy, eagerly reaching out his hand, "That’s great."

Zhang Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, the smile on his face unchanged, his hand slowly reaching into his sleeve, but deep in his eyes, there was a hint of coldness hidden.

Just then, a streak of rainbow light flew in from outside the Dao Palace, suddenly interposing between the two.

Both of them took a step back involuntarily, and upon closer inspection, realized it was a branch of cold plum blossoms, icy flowers, jade-like branches, pink dye on snow salt, with each petal exuding fragrance.

The plum blossom swayed, drifting toward Zhang Yan.

His eyebrows rose as he held it in his hand, his eyes flashing rapidly.

After a while, he looked at Zhang Qiangu, smiled, and said, "I just recalled, there is an urgent task today, I must take my leave now."

With that, he flicked his sleeve, rose into the air, and left the Feiyu Dao Palace.

Zhang Qiangu was stunned, called out a few times in pursuit, but received no response.

After a while, he suddenly recalled something, his expression changed drastically, and he hurried back to the main hall, recounting the earlier event, "Everyone, I’m afraid True Master Zhang has seen through something."

Inside the main hall, all five elders whom Zhang Yan met last time were present without exception.

Ouyang Xu furrowed his brow and turned to look at Huang Zuoguang.

Huang Zuoguang replied with displeasure, "Elder Ouyang, why are you looking at me? Although True Master Zhang once did me a favor, I’ve repaid it with two Daoist books. In matters like these, if we’re not careful and provoke him to activate the Great Array, who among us can escape? How could I be so reckless?"

Che Ziyi said slowly, "The issue might be with that plum blossom branch."

Great Elder Duan Hanfeng hesitated, "The plum blossom, could it be... Master Cheng?"

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this, everyone present had spent centuries in the Zhenluo Alliance, and all knew plum blossoms were Master Cheng’s favorite in life. Now this branch appeared so strangely and can freely come and go within the Feiyu Dao Palace, it’s likely to be the work of the Cave Heaven True Master.

Huang Zuoguang shivered and said, "Wasn’t it said that Master Cheng has already passed away?"

Ouyang Xu shook his head and replied solemnly, "This matter is hard to say. That person only mentioned we revered him as a sacrifice, Master Cheng certainly wouldn’t trouble our Zhenluo Alliance. From his tone, it doesn’t seem like someone who has passed away."

Zhang Qiangu was terrified and said anxiously, "If that’s the case, the command token is still in True Master Zhang’s hands. Now that we’ve forged a connection with that person and intend to use the Great Array to capture him, if he finds out the truth, how would he forgive us lightly?"

Che Ziyi coughed once, his expression resolute, and said, "Everyone, rest assured, we’ve just revered that person as a sacrifice. If Master Cheng intervenes, that person certainly wouldn’t stand by idly, otherwise how could he command respect?"

With his assurance, everyone relaxed.

After Zhang Yan left the Feiyu Dao Palace, a sword light broke through the Gang Cloud, heading towards the Upper Star. After not long, he left Shuangfeng Yue, and after traveling for an hour, he found a mountain peak, used mana to open up a Cave Mansion, and then sat down inside.

He took out the plum blossom branch, doing no more than waiting quietly for a moment, then a faint fragrance wafted from it, followed by a splendid rosy cloud bursting forth.

As the light spread, a petite and exquisite woman appeared, suspended cross-legged in mid-air, her skin snow-white, cherry lips a dot, bright eyes like stars, her long hair draping down her shoulders, yet she was only the size of a palm, evidently a shadow avatar present here.

Zhang Yan stood up and made a Daoist bow to her, "Master Cheng, greetings."

Master Cheng glanced at him and said clearly, "Fellow Daoist, are you puzzled why I summoned you here? Had you handed over the command token today, it would surely bring disaster."

Zhang Yan nodded, "True Master’s goodwill, how could I not know."

Master Cheng, curious at his tone, asked, "Could it be that the fellow Daoist has already figured something out?"

Zhang Yan smiled faintly, "If not for True Master summoning me, I would’ve brought Zhang Qiangu into the Qiankun Leaf for questioning. If what’s in my heart were proven, I would certainly cause a cataclysmic upheaval."

He had only speculated earlier, but once the plum blossom was in hand, he became almost certain of his suspicions: the Zhenluo Alliance had indeed sought that person as a sacrifice.

Today’s events were truly perilous, had he not detected something amiss and without Master Cheng’s intervention, the moment the token was handed over to the Zhenluo Alliance, the activation of the Forbidden Array would make escape nearly impossible.

Master Cheng thought briefly, realizing it was Zhang Qiangu’s words that revealed the flaw, alerting Zhang Yan beforehand.

She sighed gently, "Daoist Zhang, after all, I’ve been revered by the Zhenluo Alliance for over four hundred years, there’s some filial bond. Now that Daoist Zhang isn’t harmed, please consider my request to spare them."

Zhang Yan considered earnestly for a moment, then nodded, "I can agree to that, but the reason Master Cheng summoned me today, surely isn’t just for this matter?"

Master Cheng said, "Honestly, fellow Daoist, when I fought with that person, I sustained considerable injuries, deciding to dissolve my soldier and reincarnate. In the past, I helped Tao Zhenhong, and I heard Daoist Zhang had some connection with True Master Tao. Therefore, I’d like to ask you to escort my husk to the outer sea, would you oblige?"

Zhang Yan, realizing Master Cheng had used his Forbidden Array Token, indeed provided great assistance, thought this favor could be returned through this opportunity, thus without much consideration, he agreed immediately, smiled, "It’s my duty."

...

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