Daoist Competition

The Tai Hao Sect has been established for over four thousand years, and within it, the internal divisions of Four Mansions and Three Mountains have long formed independent legacies. Even the youngest branch, Ningbi Prefecture, founded outside the sect's mountain gates, has a thousand-year heritage. Though all seven branches are nominally part of one sect, they have become almost autonomous factions, each fostering its unique traditions.

However, the Tai Hao Sect's primary mountain gate, Du Guang Mountain, remains dominant. With the founding ancestor's legacy, the "Hanxiu True Nuo Great Void Defense Array," guarding the mountain, and three Cave Heaven True Masters stationed there, its status and strength tower vastly over the divisions. If the Sect Leader were to summon all branch Pavilion Masters to convene, a single token talisman dispatched would leave them no choice but to comply.

These seven branches control almost all the Cave Heaven Blessed Lands within Tai Hao Sect's influence. Yet, one spirit land remains untouched and unclaimed.

That land is Qingcun Mountain.

This region spans tens of thousands of miles, originally a vast expanse of endless, dense mountain ranges. Its fame stems from the presence of "One Qi Ganoderma," which grows abundantly here.

While other places in East Splendor Continent also produce One Qi Ganoderma, the Lingzhi from Qingcun Mountain is exceptional in quality, considered high grade above all others. Even cultivators who haven't reached the Condensing Realm can trade it for rare elixirs and Dharma treasures of great worth, leading to almost all medicinal mushrooms being harvested to near depletion.

When Tai Hao Sect's founding ancestor passed through this region, he noticed the One Qi Ganoderma was on the brink of extinction. In response, he enclosed the mountain range within the protective boundaries of the "Hanxiu True Nuo Great Void Defense Array."

Later, he decreed that all One Qi Ganoderma from this mountain should not be exclusively enjoyed by Tai Hao Sect's disciples; instead, it should be allowed for fated individuals to obtain.

With Du Guang Mountain's renowned defensive array standing guard, unless wielding the Tai Hao Sect's Command Token, intruders cannot force their way inside. Hence, over thousands of years, adherence to the sect's regulation has become customary.

According to the founding ancestor's dictates, once every six years, disciples from other sects are permitted to enter Qingcun Mountain to gather medicinal mushrooms.

However, the high-grade medicinal mushrooms are intelligent beings, possessing limbs that allow them to dart and roam freely across the mountain, making them difficult to capture. Regardless of who participates, the Tai Hao Sect grants only three years to retrieve these items, success relying entirely on personal destiny.

But Zhang Yan was not interested in ordinary One Qi Ganoderma. He had heard from Zhou Chongju that among these Lingzhi, there was one "Ganoderma Ancestor" of unparalleled efficacy, vastly superior to common One Qi Ganoderma. Obtaining this treasure alone would make this trip worthwhile.

"Only seven days remain before the array opens and we can enter the mountain. I hadn't expected so many fellow cultivators to have already gathered here," Zhang Yan remarked.

Standing atop a protruding boulder, he gazed into the distance at the rolling mountain ridges. The area was layered with vibrant tents and mystical clouds, ascending along the contours of the mountain, while spiritual energy surged into the heavens, radiating towering light beams. Cultivators from across East Splendor Continent had converged here, and at a glance, the crowd seemed thousands strong.

Truly, Tai Hao Sect lived up to its reputation as one of East Splendor's Ten Great Profound Sects. This single treasure meeting overwhelmed even the grand spectacle he had witnessed in the outer sea during the struggle for the Immortal Mansion.

He couldn't help but muse silently that among such a vast gathering, there might be disciples from the Mingcang Sect present. Perhaps he would even encounter a familiar face.

Gongsun Mian swept his gaze around and sighed, "In the past, not this many cultivators showed up, but this time, I hear that our sect elders calculated several superior medicinal mushrooms will emerge. Clearly, many who caught wind of this news have arrived in anticipation, crowding together here."

Regardless of your affiliation with the Tai Hao Sect, be you disciple or otherwise, once you enter Qingcun Mountain, your destiny is sealed. Whether you return empty-handed or not, each person is granted only one chance in their lifetime unless they possess the ability to shatter Tai Hao Sect's Mountain Guarding Formation. Otherwise, reentry remains impossible.

The One Qi Ganoderma of Qingcun Mountain has long been renowned as high grade. With news of exceptional medicinal mushrooms spreading, the stir of excitement has drawn cultivators from all corners, unwilling to miss such a rare opportunity.

Ke Xiu Jun had donned a green gauze dress today, standing sweetly between Zhang Yan and Gongsun Mian. She gave a light scoff and said, "Even if there are superior medicinal mushrooms, it wouldn't be our turn to fetch them. Having a low-grade Lingzhi in hand is already enough to satisfy someone like me."

Zhang Yan smiled, "We haven't yet entered the treasure mountain, Junior Sister Ke. Why bear such discouragement now? We must always strive with all our might."

Ke Xiu Jun turned her face toward a direction and gestured with her chin, saying, "It's not that I'm speaking pessimistically. Senior Brother Li, just take a look over there."

Zhang Yan followed the direction she indicated with his gaze. There, a young male cultivator stood on a Feng Jiao Jinyun Deer, arms crossed. His deep-set eyes sparkled with wisdom, and he wore a water-blue golden thread woven brocade robe, matched with majestic wide sleeves, a golden crown, and a cloud-embroidered silk sash tied at his waist. Cultivators passing by him glanced with apprehension visible in their eyes.