Daoist Competition

Wandering beneath the foothills of Qingcun Mountain, Zhang Yan waited for the array to activate. Meanwhile, among thousands of cultivators, five individuals moved back and forth, their gazes repeatedly sweeping over solitary Daoists before feigning nonchalance and walking away, as if searching for someone.

Five days later, these five convened in a concealed rock cave. One of them drew a crystalline, luminous treasure bead from his sleeve. As soon as it was in his hand, its radiant glow illuminated the dim cavern, revealing his features.

This was an old man with frosted brows and white hair, tall and imposing, emanating an aura of authority. Glancing around, he noticed a nearby boulder and swept away its moss and water stains with a flick of his sleeve before placing the Bright Pearl atop it. Turning back, he then asked, "Do any of you have findings?"

The four individuals behind him, though varied in their attire, all bore unremarkable appearances and dressed like ordinary Daoists. One of them stepped forward and said, "Reporting to you, Patriarch, we have searched day and night across various areas, but over these past few days, we've found nothing."

The old man furrowed his brows slightly and muttered to himself, "Could it be that Zhang Yan truly hasn't come here? That's unlikely. Word has it that a High Grade Medicinal Ginseng is emerging here. With his reputation for seeking rare medicines, it's improbable that he wouldn't appear."

The person in front of him cupped his hands respectfully and said, "Patriarch, since Zhang Yan had grievances with the Taihao Sect in the outer sea, he wouldn't dare show his true face. He's likely employing some powerful spell to conceal his appearance. San Lang hasn't arrived yet; perhaps we should wait longer. He's always meticulous—perhaps he'll uncover something."

The remaining individuals all nodded in agreement. Though the old man maintained a stern expression, he was quite accommodating and nodded, "All right, then let's wait."

Two more days passed, and as the array at Qingcun Mountain was about to activate, the group, growing impatient, noticed a faint, hazy tunneling light approaching their hiding spot.

Someone exclaimed in delight, "San Lang has returned!"

The old man's demeanor also shifted as he strode out of the cave and called strongly, "San Lang! You've been gone for seven days. Have you found anything?"

The young Daoists emerged and looked upward, seeing the tunneling light descend. Stepping forth was a young cultivator with a sharp and capable demeanor. On his shoulder rested a nimble and alert black-furred cat, whose gem-like eyes darted warily toward the group, as if cautious of everyone present.

Facing the weight of the gathered gazes, San Lang shook his head apologetically and said, "Uncle, your nephew hasn't found any trace of Zhang Yan."

Hearing this, the group couldn't help but feel disappointed. The old man let out an "oh" and cast a glance at the cat, asking in suspicion, "Even the Color Recognition Cat bestowed by Nanhua Sect couldn't identify him? Could it be that Zhang Yan truly hasn't arrived? I must have miscalculated."

San Lang shook his head and responded, "I don't see it that way."

The old man looked at him, surprised. "San Lang, what do you mean?"

San Lang reached out to stroke the black-furred cat and pondered aloud, "Though this spirit cat can distinguish appearances and recognize people, word has it that Zhang Yan is on good terms with disciples of Qingyu Sect. If that's the case, he may have found another way to conceal himself. Now, with the Taihao Sect spreading news—at our request—about the High Grade Medicinal Ginseng at the Treasure Meeting, this bait is too tempting. How could he possibly resist?"

The old man nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. That was my thinking; but if we cannot find him, what can we do?"

Ten years ago, after the fight over the Immortal Mansion in the outer sea reached the East Splendor Continent, though it didn't cause a major uproar, the loss of three Nascent Soul True Masters and several True Disciples stirred anger among some elders in the Taihao Sect and the Nanhua Sect.

Notably, upon learning that Zhang Yan of the Mingcang Sect had aided Tao Zhenhong in the matter, a particularly impulsive Nascent Soul Elder of Nanhua Sect went to demand an explanation from Mingcang Sect.

However, this elder was inexplicably dumped outside the Mingcang Sect's Mountain Gate one day. Humiliated and disgraced, he returned to Nanhua Sect that very night and locked himself away, refusing to face others.

The Xiao Family, meanwhile, grew especially concerned after Xiao Mousui and his nephew failed to return for a prolonged period. Some of their elders speculated that the pair had likely been captured by Tao Zhenhong—possibly with Zhang Yan's involvement.

Initially, the Xiao Family intended to send disciples to capture Zhang Yan and interrogate him, but the elder's fiasco caused the matter to gain widespread attention throughout the Mingcang Sect. Now watched by many, the Xiao Family feared reckless actions could backfire.

As it happens, the current state of Mingcang Sect differs greatly from the past. Qin Mobai, after testing the waters, eliminated several uncooperative noble families. The Great Clans within the sect are now feeling pressured, and the Xiao Family avoids giving anyone cause for accusation, lest the master-disciple faction uses this as an opportunity against them. Thus, they requested the Hou Family, a clan allied by marriage ties, to investigate matters discreetly.