Daoist Competition

The radiant light over the sea grew more brilliant by the day, and many cultivators on Xuanling Island could clearly see it, knowing that the day of the Immortal Mansion's emergence was drawing closer.

Wang Yingfang was idly seated on the back of a giant goose, gazing into the distance, her fingers constantly pinching calculations, as though divining the auspices of fortune and misfortune.

Suddenly, a spirited young girl rode over on a crane, her voice crisp and clear as she said, "Master, Junior Master Feng has arrived and is waiting in the hall."

Wang Yingfang replied, "Very well."

With a gentle pat to the goose's neck, she descended through the clouds, stepped into the hall gracefully, and saw someone standing there—a female crown with narrow eyes, draped in a multicolored robe. Though her posture was elegant, there was an unshakable gloom between her brows.

Upon seeing Wang Yingfang arrive, the woman didn't move but stood there with a somber expression and said coldly, "Where is my nephew?"

Wang Yingfang smiled mildly and bowed slightly. "Junior Feng, your treasured nephew is unharmed and currently resting in my back hall. Over the past days, he has cultivated his spirit and become less impetuous. Senior Sister, you must've read the letter I sent you; as long as you clear up this misunderstanding with Daoist Zhang, I will let him return."

At these words, the female crown suddenly became furious. Her brows shot up as she flung her sleeve and scolded, "Enough of this nonsense! Wang Yingfang, before you entered True Master Tao's tutelage, you and I studied under Hengshan Ancestor together. We were close then, so my nephew should be as good as your nephew. How could you now side with an outsider and even demand I apologize?"

Wang Yingfang, seeing her stern and impassioned demeanor, felt a flash of irritation. Though the woman's face was fair, it contorted slightly with anger. Wang Yingfang frowned, saying, "Feng Yao conspired with others to seize Daoist Zhang's Dharma Treasure. Had it been anyone else, he would've been killed on the spot. It was only because he wielded my cultivated White Feather and fled to my doorstep that I intervened to save him. This was out of consideration for our past camaraderie, in the hopes of resolving the discord between our clans. How can Senior Sister Feng accuse me of favoring outsiders?"

The female crown let out a cold laugh and said, "Even so, I cannot apologize. If you still value our old ties, then stay out of this matter and let me settle it directly with that Zhang fellow."

Wang Yingfang, now visibly annoyed, said, "This is but a minor matter. If both sides set aside their grievances, the problem would dissolve on its own. I act with sincere intent, yet Senior Sister disregards my goodwill. Must we truly resort to bloodshed?"

The female crown snorted coldly and said, "A minor matter? Though the Feng Family branch of Taimei Mountain may not be renowned, we carry a legacy of thousands of years. How could we possibly lower ourselves to apologize?"

Wang Yingfang shook her head. She understood the truth of things—while the Feng Family of Taimei Mountain had once produced several extraordinary Great Demons, it had dwindled to only two Hua Dan cultivators in the present era, barely holding their ground. Yet this woman dared to speak with such grandiosity.

She thought to herself, "It's been nearly a century since I last saw Feng Mei, and she didn't seem this irrational back then. How has she become so obstinate now?"

As this thought crossed her mind, she was suddenly taken aback, as if catching a glimpse of her former self.

Before entering True Master Tao's tutelage, hadn't she also been headstrong and reckless, acting on hot-blooded impulse without regard for consequences? It was only after cultivating the Xuanmen Heart Method from the Immortal Palace that she had shed this belligerence and quelled the demonic nature within her.

With this realization, her heart felt clearer, as though she had grasped some profound Xuanji. Her Spirit Platform became tranquil and bright, and she faintly sensed that the obstacles in her cultivation had diminished somewhat.

Looking more closely now, she noticed a faint sheen of black energy lingering between the female crown's brows—a sign of tribulation, though the woman was unaware.

Her heart immediately became as calm as still water. With a faint smile, she said, "If that's the case, Senior Sister Feng, you may go your way. But I gave my word to Daoist Zhang, and the person cannot be released."

The female crown grew enraged, pointing a finger at her. "Wang Yingfang, do not think that gaining True Master Tao's favor gives you license to act as you please. Know that there are still those who can deal with you. My fourth junior brother, Yang Lin, has brought an esteemed guest here. If you do not release him, I will have someone speak to you on the matter."

Wang Yingfang smiled faintly and swirled her horsetail whisk. "See the guest out."

With a sudden gust of wind, the female crown was pushed backward involuntarily. When her vision cleared, she found herself standing outside Hongyan Temple, entirely unaware of how she had come to be there. Her heart quaked with fear as she thought, "Wang Yingfang has mastered such an advanced Xuanmen Sect Skill—I am no match for her. Fortunately, her fourth junior brother Yang Lin has grievances against her. I shall seek him out to advocate for justice."

She twisted her body and ascended the clouds, but after flying a short distance, she spotted a young Daoist seated amidst the clouds. Upon closer look, her face lit up with delight. "Daoist Yang, you've arrived? Do you know that your senior sister has wronged me? You must uphold justice for me!"

The Daoist gave a faint smile and said, "Daoist Feng, what would you have me do to uphold justice?"

The female crown replied bitterly, "Simply hand over that Zhang Yan for me to deal with."