Daoist Competition

Luo Xiao's beautiful eyes lit up when she heard of the wondrous properties of this treasure. Without hesitation, she flipped her wrist and tucked the treasure into her sachet. She gently patted the sachet with her slender hand and said, "Then I shall take my leave. Master, please await my good news."

With that, she giggled, turned gracefully on her heels, and leaped into the air. Transforming into a streak of ink-black light, she disappeared from the side hall and headed toward the cave mansion.

After arranging matters here, Zhang Yan exited the side hall. Before he reached the main hall, a voice from Qin Nan drifted to his ears. "Yanyi, have you chosen a name for your sword ball?"

Liu Yan Yi replied, "The heavens are constant in their cycles; the moon waxes full only to wane again. Fullness gives way to emptiness, as do human hearts. I believe I must guard against arrogance and complacency, so I have named this sword ball 'Defective Moon.'"

"Defective Moon, what a fine name!"

With high enthusiasm, Qin Nan stood from her seat, her face adopting a stern expression as she declared, "Hmph, you've just acquired this sword ball, little sister. Allow me, your elder sister, to experience its sharp edge."

Liu Yan Yi found this amusing. She covered her mouth with a smile and replied, "Alright, elder sister. Just ensure you don't beg for mercy later."

Zhang Yan shook his head with a soft smile. Not wishing to interrupt their fun, he paused his steps and stood to the side, observing quietly.

With a sharp cry, Liu Yan Yi raised her hand, summoning the Defective Moon sword ball into midair. At once, the hall was illuminated with a cold, serene light. Like flowing waves, it caused the luminous pearls embedded in the stone walls to ripple with a dazzling gleam. With a pointed finger, she directed a beam of light toward Qin Nan.

Years ago, when Zhang Yan refined his Star artifact, it took him a full sixteen days due to being in the Ming Qi Realm at the time. Now, Liu Yan Yi, already in the Xuan Guang Realm, required only a single day and night to complete her sacrificial refinement of the sword ball. Her control was effortless—a credit to her relentless, secret practice. Though she had yet to master techniques like Splitting Light and Shadow, she could still perform several wondrous maneuvers with it.

Qin Nan, seeing the sword ball hurtling toward her with astounding speed, let out a clear shout. From the crown of her head surged a luminous, silvery radiance—bright as moonlight, crystal-clear like water. With a subtle shift, the radiant light blocked the sword ball, preventing it from descending further.

The Dharma technique Qin Nan practiced was also a true Xuanmen technique, bearing similarities to Liu Yan Yi's "Three Elements Qingping Chapter." Both focused on solidifying foundational cultivation but placed less emphasis on combat prowess.

As Zhang Yan observed, he quickly discerned that True Master Peng had high expectations for Qin Nan. The cultivation method imparted to her prioritized building a solid foundation over pursuing immediate combat effectiveness.

However, disciples like this often found it difficult to triumph in rivalries with their peers, needing the protection of their mentors to accompany them closely. Only after reaching a certain level of cultivation were they sent out for tempered trials.

Watching this, Zhang Yan's expression became pensive. He couldn't help but think about the cultivation technique he should pursue after forming his Golden Core. After contemplating for a while, an idea emerged in his heart. Nonetheless, he still needed to discuss the matter with Zhou Chongju before making a decision.

Though Liu Yan Yi and Qin Nan were dueling, both had reserved their strength. After a short exchange, they burst into laughter, ending up side by side and giggling as they descended to the palace's lower levels.

Seeing the two leave, Zhang Yan smiled faintly. With a wave of his hand, the array gate in the main hall shifted. Stepping forward, he emerged outside Heavenly Pool. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned into a streak of smoke-like mist and sped toward the Elixir Cauldron Institute.

This time, his intent was to seize a position among the top ten disciples. He had formulated several plans, but none could bypass Zhou Chongju.

Perhaps because Zhou Chongju rarely displayed himself publicly, Zhang Yan felt that most within the sect underestimated this Alchemy Grandmaster.

First and foremost, even though Zhou Chongju was not a Cave Heaven True Master, he had already reached the Nascent Soul Third Realm. At this level, apart from the ten great Cave Heaven True Masters, few could surpass him in cultivation. Furthermore, as a direct descendant of the Zhou Family, his mastery of divine skills and Dao techniques was undoubtedly formidable.

In addition, there was a detail Zhang Yan had almost overlooked—a subtlety that spoke volumes. Zhou Chongju, his senior brother, could seemingly meet with the Sect Leader anytime, anywhere.

This was no small matter. Even the four direct disciples of the Sect Leader—Meng, Zhu, Yan, and Sun—did not enjoy such privilege. This highlighted Zhou Chongju's exceptional standing in the sect leader's eyes.

Now Zhang Yan, with his escape skill swift as the wind and clouds, was vastly different from his past self. Before long, he arrived above the Elixir Cauldron Institute. Carrying an access token, he encountered no prohibitions along the way. Passing several palace courtyards, he reached the inner lake of the institute. Casting his gaze across the waters, he spotted the familiar fishing boat and descended upon it. Lifting the boat's curtain, Zhang Yan entered.

"Is that my junior brother? I've been waiting for days."

Zhou Chongju, dressed in a Sun, Moon, and Stars Robe and holding a Crane Beak Ruler, stood within the cabin. His beard flowed to his chest, and his face bore a warm smile as he gazed at Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan stepped forward, bowed, and smiled. "It is my fault, senior brother. I should have visited you the moment I returned to the sect."

Zhou Chongju chuckled, stepping closer to pat Zhang Yan's shoulder. "We're brothers; why get caught up in such formalities?"

Taking a step back, he gave Zhang Yan an appraising glance. He let out a soft sigh and remarked, "Junior brother, you've truly achieved Golden Core? But why did you choose to solidify your core outside the mountain gate? Wouldn't it have been better to refine your elixir here in the sect instead?"

Zhang Yan did not answer directly. Instead, he smiled and explained, "Senior brother, you may not know. This time, I assisted Tao Zhenhong—True Master Tao—in seizing an Immortal Mansion in the East Sea. As a result, he achieved the Grotto Heaven True Master position."

Zhou Chongju, initially filled with concern that Zhang Yan might have risked ruining his Dao Foundation out of impulsive ambition, felt reassured upon hearing this.

In his mind, the karmic bond Zhang Yan had established by helping True Master Tao achieve his Grotto Heaven status was immense. Even if Zhang Yan didn't ask for anything, Tao Zhenhong would surely assist him in return. With a Grotto Heaven True Master's protection, even if Zhang Yan's elixir quality wasn't exceptional, it wouldn't be poor by any standard.

Only then did Zhou Chongju dare to ask, "Junior brother, how many grades is your Golden Core?"

Zhang Yan laughed heartily. Releasing his aura, a stream of white mist surged forth—pure and potent, vast as a towering mountain and mighty river, exuding immense and unyielding power. The moment it emerged, it caused the fishing boat to rock violently, almost capsizing.

Zhou Chongju froze, his lips and beard trembling as shock overtook his expression. With an audible "crack," he unconsciously crushed the Jade Tablet in his hand.

...

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