Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan received the aid of a Dharma Talisman personally granted by True Master Tao, using a Water Escape technique to travel from beneath the sea.

His journey consisted only of a streak of golden light across the waters. Even if cultivators in the sea unintentionally glimpsed him, they merely assumed it was some great power expert passing through, retreating far away. In just a few days, he had returned to East Splendor Continent.

However, on this trip, he was completely safeguarded by the talismanic script, so beforehand he had no idea where in East Splendor Continent he would end up.

Now, standing in midair, he surveyed the thousand-mile expanse of mountains and rivers below him, their vast features coming clearly into view. After observing for a moment, he deduced that he was likely in Splendor South Continent, though the precise location remained uncertain.

He summoned his tunneling light and followed a river inland. In less than an hour, he spotted a sprawling great city in the distance. Lowering his cloud-streaked footing, he descended into a forest, walking along a mountain path. Before long, he encountered a traveling merchant riding a donkey and casually approached him to ask for directions.

Seeing Zhang Yan dressed as a Daoist, the merchant greeted him warmly and pointed down toward the base of the mountains, saying, "Judging by the origin of this Daoist, could you have come from Tai State? Look, after crossing that boundary marker and heading east along the river for fifty more miles, you'll arrive at Linzhou City, under the jurisdiction of Kangcheng County."

Zhang Yan, being born to an official family of the Wei Dynasty and once studying geographical records, immediately recognized from these words that he was now within the borders of the Da Liang Dynasty.

"Kangcheng County, Linzhou City?"

He pondered briefly and couldn't help but smile—his arrival here might not be coincidental. If his conjectures were correct, it was likely True Master Tao's deliberate arrangement.

True Master Tao had once told him about Linzhou City, just outside Kangcheng County of the Liang Dynasty, where there was a Daoist temple called Baofeng Temple. The temple master had, in his youth, mistakenly consumed a spirit grass that nearly cost him his life. It was fortunate that True Master Tao happened to pass by at the time and saved him with little effort, even accepting him as a registered disciple. Calculating the years, over a hundred had since passed.

Currently, with the Qingyu Sect expanding overseas, Zhang Yan held the title of Guest Elder within the sect, likely meaning True Master Tao intended to use him to assess this individual's potential—possibly recruiting him into Qingyu Sect's inner teachings and thereby strengthening the sect.

Understanding this connection, Zhang Yan smiled slightly. After bidding farewell to the merchant, he prepared to fly away. But unexpectedly, a sudden premonition struck him—a vague, unexplainable sense of attachment to something in this place. Feeling intrigued, he quickly calculated a hexagram and laughed upon realization, saying, "So there's an unresolved karma that needs addressing here today."

With a flick of his hand, a small python rolled out of his sleeve. He instructed, "Zhang Pan, transform into a Daoist boy."

The small python rolled on the spot and transformed into an ugly Daoist boy, who stood up and sulkily said, "Master, does my transformation meet your expectations?"

Zhang Yan laughed and said, "Though not very pleasing to the eye, it does resemble a child's form."

With head bowed and spirits lowered, Zhang Pan replied, "My innate aptitude is dull and unrefined, truly unworthy. Master, please punish me."

Zhang Yan chuckled and said, "If your aptitude is lacking, then you must dedicate yourself to cultivation. The mere fact that you've managed to train your physical form to shift sizes freely within a decade is already quite remarkable. There's no need to belittle yourself—come along with me."

The two left the forest together and headed toward a ferry dock along the river.

It was now dusk. The river mirrored the crimson light of the hills, fishing boats sang their evening melodies, and a lone skiff drifted leisurely amidst the shimmering water and mountain reflections.

When Zhang Yan and Zhang Pan arrived at the riverbank, they paused to gaze at the far-off mountain peaks bathed in twilight. A faint swirl of spiritual energy was visible rising into the sky, and Zhang Yan silently mused, "I imagine that place must be Baofeng Temple."

At this moment, not far from the riverbank, a boat floated quietly, aboard which someone was secretly observing him.

The observer was a thirty-something woman dressed in an ochre-yellow skirt. Her eyebrows arched gracefully, her bright eyes revealed kindness and intelligence, and she possessed notable beauty. As she gently cradled her stomach, she peeked through a parted hanging curtain and spoke to a man at the boat's prow, "Husband, look at that Daoist's extraordinary demeanor—surely he comes from some Great Daoist Institute and is traveling through. But he has no ferry to cross the river. Wouldn't it be better to invite him aboard to share our ride?"

The man, wearing a lan shan and appearing to be a scholar, frowned upon hearing this and replied, "My dear, have we not suffered enough at Ma Daoist's hands already? Why would you even consider dealing with another Daoist?"

Hearing his reply, the woman seemed struck with sorrow and let out a gentle sigh, saying, "Husband, you are right—it is I who have burdened you."

The young scholar saw her eyes grow red and brim with tears, promptly becoming flustered and said hurriedly, "Don't cry, don't cry! I'll do as you wish—I'll do as you wish!"

He then instructed the ship owner to steer the vessel toward the riverbank. The boatman cheerfully replied, "Alright! Sir, sit tight—I'll dock right away!"

During the current reign of the Liang Dynasty's Wu-family imperial clan, much like the Wei Dynasty, the empire revered Daoism. Daoists were exempt from taxes and grain levies, allowed to travel freely throughout the land without bowing to officials. As such, it was common for ferry boats hosting Daoists onboard to be spared harassment. Even vicious brigands and robbers typically avoided targeting Daoists, fearing potential repercussions. Consequently, the boatman himself was more than happy to accommodate them.