Daoist Competition

Brother Feng exerted all his strength in flying, yet the more he fled, the more uneasy he felt.

The tunneling light behind him was frighteningly fast; in just the blink of an eye, it had closed the distance considerably. It seemed that in mere moments, it would catch up to him.

The mountaintop ahead appeared to be within reach, yet felt impossibly distant. At this critical juncture, he couldn't afford to hesitate. Gritting his teeth, he pulled a white feather from his sleeve bag and blew a mouthful of Spiritual Energy onto it.

The white feather, nourished by the energy, seemed to gain a spiritual nature. It trembled violently, broke free from his hand, and in an instant transformed into a billowing cloud of mist. Wrapping tightly around him, it rapidly turned into a streaking white rainbow that shot forward in flight.

With this boost, his tunneling speed more than doubled. In just a few breaths, he would be past the mountaintop.

Seeing Brother Feng desperately fleeing in one direction, Zhang Yan immediately guessed that he must have something to rely on beyond the mountain. He sneered coldly, churned up the Essence Qi within him, and unleashed a thunderous roar of light beneath him as his tunneling light erupted with a deafening bang. The atmosphere split apart as a streaking flash of light, swift as lightning, surged after its target in the skies of Yun Tian.

Just as he was about to close in, a wispy plume of white smoke rose from the verdant peak below, separating the two of them.

Zhang Yan felt a gentle push against him, accompanied by a warm voice saying softly, "Please, Fellow Daoist, spare him."

This smoky aura was thick with Mana but was mild and even-tempered, carrying not the slightest trace of hostility.

Zhang Yan's gaze flickered briefly. Unhurried, he let his tunneling light circle around before coming to a stop. Looking towards the source, he saw a beautiful Daoist Nun standing above the white smoke. She wore black robes, her white hair flowing, a high crown on her head, and a horsetail whisk in hand. Smiling faintly, she regarded Zhang Yan and said, "Forgive my interruption. Might this be Daoist Zhang before me?"

Zhang Yan, showing a hint of surprise, bowed courteously while standing in mid-air amidst the clouds, and replied, "It is indeed I. May I ask for the esteemed name of this fellow Daoist?"

The female Daoist placed her horsetail whisk across her arm and inclined her head slightly. "I am Wang Yingfang. Perhaps you've heard my senior brother mention me before."

Upon hearing her name, Zhang Yan immediately recognized who she was. This Daoist Nun was the third disciple under True Master Tao. She had originally been an East Sea Demon Cultivator, but True Master Tao, seeing her deep-rooted nature, took her in as a disciple.

It was said that True Master Tao initially intended to make her a Registered Disciple, but she gained entry into the sect instead, thanks to Guo Lie's assistance. Thus, among the Qingyu Sect, this Daoist Nun was on the best of terms with Guo Lie. It was no surprise she knew of Zhang Yan's name.

Looking at the Daoist Nun, Zhang Yan noted her arched green eyebrows, her skin like icy jade, and her body emanating an abundance of Dao Qi. Remarkably, he detected not the slightest trace of demon energy from her aura. He understood that she was a true inheritor of Xuanmen techniques, far superior to ordinary Demon Cultivators. Smiling faintly, he remarked, "Ah, so it is Daoist Wang. Daoist Guo has mentioned you often. Meeting you today, you indeed carry the refined presence of an Immortal."

Wang Yingfang quickly responded, "I dare not accept such praise. Fellow Daoist flatters me too much."

Having received Wang Yingfang's assistance, Brother Feng began to steady his nerves. Initially relieved at having escaped with his life, he grew uneasy upon hearing an exchange of pleasantries between the two. Anxiety crept back into his heart.

Wang Yingfang glanced at him, then shook her head. With a tinge of disappointment, she remarked, "This Nephew Feng Yao of mine is always stirring up trouble wherever he goes. I'm well aware of his temperament. Tell me, how has he managed to offend you this time?"

Zhang Yan smiled slightly and recounted the entire sequence of events.

Wang Yingfang furrowed her brows lightly. In all fairness, Zhang Yan's actions were not improper. Let alone on Xuanling Island—even elsewhere—one could hardly complain of losing one's life for attempting to steal another's treasure. Such consequences were deserved and left no room for blame.

Feng Yao, noticing the faint displeasure in her expression, cried out inwardly in panic. Hurriedly, he exclaimed, "Master Wang, please hear your junior's words! That Yu Consort was unfamiliar with the island's paths, so she invited me to accompany her. It was entirely her sudden idea to seize this fellow Daoist's treasure. How could I have known she would act that way? I'm an innocent bystander caught in the storm—deeply wronged!"

Wang Yingfang ignored him entirely. After a brief contemplation, she turned to Zhang Yan and said, "To be candid with you, Fellow Daoist, I am well acquainted with this Nephew Feng's master. The protective flying feather he just used was a gift from me. Now that he is before me, it would be wrong for me to abandon him to death. I beseech you to grant me some courtesy and spare him."

Zhang Yan chuckled softly and replied, "Since Daoist Wang has spoken, I should naturally comply. However, if I let him go, wouldn't he turn around and gather others to trouble me? While I am unafraid, I'd rather not waste time fending off repeated annoyances. It seems better to eliminate him now and be done with it."

Feng Yao, hearing the murderous intent in Zhang Yan's words, trembled with fear, dreading that Wang Yingfang might agree to such a resolution.