Daoist Competition-Chapter 989 - 234: Demon Flames Rampant, Six-Eared Golden Child (2)

Mu Bingxin noticed that Zhang Boyan seemed to have learned the Demon Sect’s skill, but it was common for Xuanmen Sect disciples to subdue a few followers of the Evil Dao for their own use, so she didn’t suspect much. She merely said self-deprecatingly, "I’m afraid you fellow Daoists find this amusing. Recently, the Demon Sect disciples have become increasingly rampant. Because my boat lacks a prohibition array, I had to make such an arrangement to prevent them from sneaking in."

Zhang Yan frowned and said, "Now, does even the East Sea have Demon Sect forces?"

Mu Bingxin sighed and explained the whole story.

It turned out that in recent decades, East Splendor Continent had suffered continuous natural disasters and plagues, demons ran rampant, and wars frequently broke out in various places of Wei and Liang countries. Moreover, with foreign invasions, the centuries-old dynasty was already on the verge of collapse and could fall apart at any time.

In such tumultuous times, human life was as insignificant as weeds, and many Demon Sect disciples came out to capture people, practice sacrificial refinement of spells, or even establish their own sects. The area by the East Sea, originally under the jurisdiction of Hanhai Country, a vassal of Wei Country, was no exception.

However, unlike the Great Xuanmen Sects, most cultivators here came from high officials and great clans of Hanhai Country, deeply interconnected, and naturally not willing to sit back and watch. Thus, they clashed with the Demon Sect disciples.

Especially in recent years, both sides were increasingly enraged, and even the Peng Yuan Sect suffered heavy losses of disciples and was gradually showing signs of being unable to hold on.

Zhang Yan didn’t expect that after more than thirty years away, East Splendor Continent had become such a state of chaos. He said, "I heard your sect has a special relationship with the Taihao Sect. Why not ask the Taihao Sect for assistance?"

Mu Bingxin snorted and said, "The Sixteen Sects Sword Competition is less than five years away, and the Taihao Sect is in no position to care for this place."

Zhang Yan’s eyes moved over her face, noticing her resentful expression, and he understood that there was more to the story. However, he had no intention of prying further, so he didn’t ask any more questions.

Mu Bingxin invited Zhang Yan and his two companions to sit, and through their conversation, she realized that Zhang Yan had returned from overseas and was about to return to his mountain gate.

Since she had other thoughts in her mind, she tried to find words to persuade him to stay.

As Zhang Yan had nothing to do at the moment and sensed that her words hinted at a desire to ally with the Mingcang Sect, he quickly nodded and agreed to stay at Peng Yuan Sect for a few days.

After the feast concluded, Mu Bingxin returned to her cabin, lay down on the jade couch, and began to contemplate.

Now that the Demon Tribulation was gradually arising, Peng Yuan Sect, with only her as a Nascent Soul True Master, already felt it couldn’t withstand the conflicts with numerous Demon Sect disciples alone.

Originally, she planned to ask the Taihao Sect for help, but since Peng Yuan Sect possessed a Dharma treasure named "Jingchen Heavenly Palace," which had always been coveted by the Taihao Sect, they proposed to assist only if they were gifted this treasure, clearly taking advantage of their troubles. However, the head of Peng Yuan Sect, though a woman, was fiercely temperamental and firmly refused, leading to an increasingly dire situation.

In contrast, the many sects in the north, such as Bi Yu, Linqing, and Beichen Sects, received great support from Huo Xuan in the past, and with the Mingcang Sect backing them, their strength did not decrease but increased.

She pondered that if they could gain help from the Mingcang Sect, they might overcome this difficult situation.

Originally, Peng Yuan Sect had no dealings with the Mingcang Sect, and approaching them out of the blue might not earn any attention.

However, Zhang Yan’s arrival was an opportunity. Seeing that Shan Huizhen had past dealings with Zhang Yan, she came up with an idea. If they could arrange a marriage with one of Zhang Yan’s disciples or juniors, there might be great hope for this matter.

With this in mind, she instructed the maid by her side, "Go and find Tong Ao."

The maid greeted with a bow and went to fulfill the order.

Soon, a clever-looking, handsome young boy walked in.

Though seemingly young, he carried an air of nonchalance and showed no fear when facing Mu Zhenren, despite his not-so-high cultivation level at the Xuan Guang Realm. He calmly and respectfully greeted, "I pay my respects to the True Master."

Mu Bingxin said sternly, "Tong Ao, I’ve heard you have always been well-informed, knowing all secrets among the sects, and have been given the name Six-Eared Golden Child. I have something to ask you, and if you speak truthfully, a reward awaits you."

Tong Ao, smiling mischievously, said, "True Master, feel free to ask. Even if revealing it would endanger my life, as long as the reward is sufficient, I will leave nothing unsaid."

Mu Bingxin raised a delicate hand, pointing outside, "Do you know how many disciples True Master Zhang Yan has?"

Tong Ao straightened up, smiling, "True Master, you’ve asked the right person. I’m aware of this. Master Zhang has a total of six disciples."

Mu Bingxin exclaimed lightly, asking, "And what are their cultivation levels? Any outstanding talents among them?"

Tong Ao thought for a moment and said, "In terms of cultivation, Master Zhang’s senior disciple Liu Yan Yi stands out the most. It’s said that not only is she highly talented, but like her master, she’s also skilled in the Flying Sword Technique and is one of the three disciples of Mingcang Sect in over a century to have achieved Second Grade Elixir Formation."

Mu Bingxin couldn’t help but be surprised. She originally thought that although Zhang Yan’s cultivation was extremely high, given that he hadn’t been in the Dao long, his disciples couldn’t be that advanced either. Never did she expect his senior disciple to be so remarkably talented, making her regard for Zhang Yan grow even more.

She took a deep breath and said seriously, "Please continue."

Tong Ao continued, "Master Zhang’s second disciple is named Tian Kun. However, he’s reclusive and rarely shows up, not much is known about his cultivation level."

Mu Bingxin’s spirits were lifted, and she asked urgently, "Do you know if Master Zhang’s second disciple is married?"

Tong Ao, a clever character, quickly guessed her intent from her tone. He rolled his eyes and said playfully, "Tian Kun has long been in a Daoist couple with Master Zhang’s fourth disciple Wang Caiting, so there’s no chance for others."

Mu Bingxin frowned slightly but asked a few more questions, her eyes suddenly brightening in delight, "You’re saying Master Zhang’s fifth disciple Jiang Zheng has achieved the Xuan Guang Cultivation?"

Tong Ao answered with a smile, "That’s right. It’s said that he was initially a registered disciple of Master Zhang. Later, seeing his diligence in cultivation, he was formally accepted into the sect."

Mu Bingxin thought inwardly, "This might be a suitable match."

While she was pondering, a small servant girl hurried into the inner chamber, bowing, "True Master, True Master He from Taihao Sect has arrived on the boat and is heading this way."

...

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