Daoist Competition

Sister Guanrong muttered under her breath, her expression somewhat displeased. She pouted at Zhang Yan and said, "Uncle Master is summoning you up."

Zhang Yan looked upward, then leaped into the air. A gentle breeze carried his body as it swirled a few times before landing in front of a cool pavilion. The plaque above bore the inscription "Jueqiu Pavilion." Within the pavilion, a Daoist Nun with a kind and benevolent face sat upon a stone stool. She smiled warmly at Zhang Yan, nodded slightly, and spoke gently, "This fellow Daoist does look dignified, but there is an excessive air of hostility about you. I dare to ask, what sect or school does this fellow Daoist hail from?"

Zhang Yan could not discern the Daoist Nun's cultivation level in the slightest. To be cultivating on the spiritual peak required an identity that was certainly not inferior to Han Hanzi; she might even be a True Master. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "This matter is inconvenient to discuss, and I'm unwilling to deceive Daoist, so I cannot reveal it."

The Daoist Nun did not show any displeasure. She pointed at the steaming cup of tea before Zhang Yan on the stone table and smiled, saying, "Fellow Daoist, please sit and savor this tea."

Without hesitation, Zhang Yan lifted the hem of his robe and sat on the stone stool. He picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and instantly felt a surge of spiritual energy flow through him, soothing his lungs and organs. A delicate aroma lingered between his lips and teeth. He unconsciously nodded to himself and inwardly praised it as exceptional tea.

Raising his eyes, he saw the Daoist Nun sitting there with her eyes closed, seemingly resting, and not engaging him further. So, he set down the tea cup and sat in quiet company.

Zhang Yan sat for almost half an hour but noticed that the other party had no intention of speaking. Thoughts began churning in his mind, and it didn't take long for him to realize the true intentions behind the Daoist Nun's actions.

He smiled faintly, then closed his eyes and regulated his breathing, mimicking her stillness and silence.

This was the highest peak of the Purple Bamboo Mountain Daoist School under the Taihao Sect, known for its dense spiritual energy and a faint, refreshing fragrance.

Thus, he took the opportunity to quietly employ an operating method and began cultivating his Mysterious Skill. However, if he were to cultivate the Taiyin Xuan Guang technique here, it might inadvertently reveal his true identity to the other party. Instead, he operated using the methods recorded in the "True Fixing Leisurely Chapter."

He had long suspected that this chapter belonged to a cultivation technique affiliated with the Tai Hao Sect. As he started operating the technique, the surrounding Wood Spirit Qi naturally gathered toward him, entering his body through various acupoints, leaving him feeling utterly invigorated.

The tea water he had drunk earlier was also activated by the influx of spiritual energy, transforming into a stream of Clear Qi that permeated his limbs and bones.

Immersed quietly in the mystical skill, he unwittingly sank deeper into it.

Had anyone else been present, they would likely not have felt safe undertaking cultivation here. However, Zhang Yan had the protection of the Beiming Tiandu Sword and bore no concerns.

He was uncertain how much time had passed, yet through cultivating along the methods in the Carefree Chapter, he unknowingly cultivated a strand of Clear Qi within his chest. It was elusive yet smooth and slippery as oil, gradually forming an indistinct Xuan Guang.

Slowly opening his eyes, Zhang Yan saw the Daoist Nun still seated across from him. Her gaze towards him now carried a hint of astonishment and puzzlement.

Zhang Yan calculated with his fingers and felt a jolt of shock; his trance-like state had lasted a full seven days and nights.

The Daoist Nun smiled gently and bowed her head gracefully, congratulating him, "Congratulations to fellow Daoist on advancing further in your Daoist cultivation."

She sighed and added, "Fellow Daoist's heart is upright, whereas I was deceitful and harbored petty thoughts."

Zhang Yan understood clearly the intention behind her words.

When a cultivator sat here and sensed the abundant spiritual energy, they would naturally begin regulating their breathing and energy flow, unwilling to miss such a rare opportunity.

However, it was different for practitioners of the Demon Sect. Their cultivation methods primarily involved using demons from Demon Caves, and even those capable of absorbing spiritual energy would reveal flaws that were easily discernible.

As for Loose Cultivators, their techniques were usually inferior to those of the Ten Great Sects of Xuanmen. A moment of operation would expose their origins based on the acupoint patterns used for absorbing spiritual energy.

Thus, while the past few days seemed uneventful on the surface, the Daoist Nun's spiritual mechanism had constantly shrouded over him. If he were truly a Demon Sect practitioner trying to conceal his identity, it would have been impossible to evade detection. Even if he had been warned earlier, he still wouldn't have been able to respond adequately.

Compared to Han Guzi, this Daoist Nun's methods were far gentler. Her approach was honest and straightforward, leaving no avenue for evasion. If one came under false pretenses, their guise would inevitably unravel. Such is the technique of true masters of Xuanmen.

In truth, whenever Demon Sect disciples arrived before this Daoist Nun, they would admit their identity within moments of sitting. The Daoist Nun, rather than troubling them, would courteously escort them out.

The Daoist Nun's clear gaze fell upon Zhang Yan, and she remarked, "Fellow Daoist's body is robust, and your breath flows as steadily as a mighty river. You must be following the path of Power Dao, correct?"

Zhang Yan responded calmly, "Indeed."

The Daoist Nun continued, "Yet, if I am not mistaken, the cultivation technique you practice appears linked to our Taihao Sect, for the harmony with spiritual energy during absorption is exceptionally seamless."

Zhang Yan praised her insight, saying, "Daoist, your perceptive eye is admirable. My master gifted me this technique indirectly back in the day. Rather than instructing me directly, he handed me a tree seed and had me cultivate it into a full-grown tree. Later, numerous characters appeared upon the tree fruit, which formed the technique I currently practice."

The Daoist Nun nodded slightly and said, "In that case, the technique you practice might indeed have been passed down by predecessors of our sect. Even if not, it undoubtedly holds some connection."

Zhang Yan dared to make such claims partly to foster closer ties with the Taihao Sect.

Moreover, each disciple of the Taihao Sect received their cultivation techniques by growing their very own Divine Wood, attuning them to techniques most suitable for themselves. These cultivation methods were useless to outsiders.

The Daoist Nun exchanged a few more pleasantries with Zhang Yan before ceasing her questioning, smiling as she said, "Fellow Daoist Li, I have registered your name in the records for the Treasure Meeting. May I have your Copper Bamboo Talisman?"

Zhang Yan reached into his sleeve, retrieved the Copper Bamboo Talisman, and handed it over. The Daoist Nun took it, brushed her robe sleeve, and handed it back to him.

Zhang Yan examined it, noticing the talisman now inscribed with the name "Li Yuanba," followed by the date and finally the signature "Qingyaozi" at the bottom corner, presumably the Daoist Nun's title.

Holding the token, Zhang Yan felt a surge of joy. After expending such significant effort and heart power over these days, he had finally earned the qualification to participate in the Baozhi Conference.

...

...(To Be Continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)