Daoist Competition

Chapter 1369: Chapter 71: Mountain Formations as Traps, the Point of No Return (Part 2)

If what they held in their hands were still the Dharma Sword they had spent their lifetime refining, even without deliberately using it, a single thought could make it spontaneously cut down the enemy.

But long ago when they were expelled from the sect, the sword was taken by the Fengxiang Sword Sect; otherwise, why would they be bothered by this mere Radiant Light?

At this moment, just as they tried to retrieve it, they felt a force emerging from below, as if it glued the Dharma Sword, making them panic instantly. They summoned it desperately with a spell, but after a brief stalemate, they felt a void in their hearts, losing contact with their Heart and Spirit, which caused them great panic. Realizing the situation was dire, the two exchanged a glance and fled in opposite directions.

At that moment, a golden ring suddenly flew out of the light, heading directly for Qi Gu. Simultaneously, Old Man Jin Ling emerged from the ring, chasing him within a few breaths.

Qi Gu had no choice but to turn and face the enemy; however, without the Dharma Sword, his strength greatly diminished. After barely defending for a few rounds, his strategy crumbled, and he was struck by the ring on his chest, instantly fracturing his bones and flesh, plummeting from the sky.

When Old Man Jin Ling wanted to turn back and pursue Qi Liang, the latter had already flown to the Golden Bell Sect’s formation and couldn’t be chased any further, so he had to give up.

Elder Yan looked at Qi Liang coming over with a hint of coldness in his eyes and said, "Cowardly fleeing from battle—how can we easily let this pass?"

Elder Lin immediately understood. He took out a Dharma Contract from his sleeve and illuminated it in the air, making Qi Liang immediately swear to it, causing his entire body to weaken, thereby crashing down from the sky, his head hitting the Dharma Platform, and without any mana due to the Contract, he died instantly.

Witnessing this scene, many cultivators felt a chill in their hearts.

Old Man Jin Ling was also stunned for a moment, but since he had already defeated three people, he felt he had given a satisfactory explanation to Yang Shuyong, and now, with a wave of his hand, he cast three talismans, each heading to a different mountain peak. Bowing to the Pu Lao Flying Carriage, he said, "Sect Leader Qiao, the places where the talismans fall are the territories Xuanyue will claim. I take my leave."

After that, he waved his sleeve and flew away.

He could return all the way to the Xuanyue Formation, but as he arrived at the mountain foot, a Daoist boy came down and blocked his way. He couldn’t help but angrily say, "Why not let me up?"

The Daoist boy replied, "The Sect Leader Master said Guardian Jin Ling should have returned with three heads but only killed two. Please return to battle for Perfection."

Old Man Jin Ling was indignant, but he couldn’t confront the Sect Leader; helplessly, he had to return to the field.

After the three talismans drifted away, Elder Yan had been observing attentively. Once they settled, he slowly stood from his seat, walked to the edge of the Dharma Platform, eyes shimmering with a peculiar light, and said, "Mountains as chess pieces, hm! A grand dream of Spring and Autumn!"

Meanwhile, on another Dharma Platform, Zhang Yan saw this scene and nodded, saying, "Indeed, that’s how it is,"

Xing Fuli, hearing his words, also came closer to observe, but despite watching for a long time, he found nothing and thus cupped his hands to inquire, "Dare I ask True Master Zhang whether you have seen anything? Could you share your insights?"

Zhang Yan chuckled and said, "Why not, after all, it concerns us."

He pointed several times, saying, "It’s nothing extraordinary. Where we settle, there are six outer high hills, all connected by the mountain terrain. Once we occupy these six mountains, it will be like trapping us within. Xuanyue once occupied one; now they have four more. Just two more, and they could seal the door and close off the path."

Xing Fuli thought Zhang Yan might have some profound insight, but hearing this, he didn’t take it seriously, saying, "We Mystic Cultivators ride the clouds and mist, fly and escape, if we want to leave, can these few hills really block us?"

Zhang Yan replied, "It’s not so simple. According to the rules of fighting, wherever Xuanyue occupies, Zhongtai Sect cannot use flying escape. Are you thinking of abandoning the fight and surrendering? Besides, if Xuanyue occupies these six hills and sets up a platform and formation, they become unbeatable. Even if they lose the battle, they’re unafraid; they can block the exit and no one from Zhongtai here can escape."

Xing Fuli wasn’t foolish; he immediately realized the importance of this, and his face whitened.

Du Shixun, listening from the side, changed his expression slightly, suddenly stood up, and said, "Daoist Zhang speaks wisely; this matter can’t be ignored. I’ll talk to my father." As he finished speaking, a loud boom echoed from the Dharma Platform, and he initiated his tunneling light to fly away.

Xing Fuli insincerely said, "Daoist Zhang has seen through the strategy, surely it’s a great merit."

Zhang Yan chuckled and replied, "Xuanyue’s intentions with occupying these three mountains are already clear; any sharp-eyed person can see it. Sect Leader Qiao, being the leader of the sect, certainly doesn’t need a mystic like me to remind him."

Sure enough, not long after, Du Shixun returned, looking much more relaxed, saying, "Father had already prepared for this; I was worried for nothing." He then looked at Zhang Yan, cupping his hands in appreciation, "But still, many thanks to True Master Zhang for the reminder."

Zhang Yan replied courteously, "You’re welcome, I merely uttered a few words, nothing worthy of taking seriously."

As they were speaking, a strand of golden light suddenly appeared in heaven, indicating that Xuanyue had sent someone to challenge again.

Du Shixun glanced and realized it was Old Man Jin Ling coming back, instantly growing angry, "Has this old man’s nerve returned here, thinking Zhongtai has no one?"

He waved to a nearby disciple, saying, "Go to the Sect Leader and say I wish to request permission to enter the fray."

The disciple, seeing his eagerness, couldn’t heed etiquette and hurriedly flew away.

But as the person left, they did not return for a long time.

Growing impatient, Du Shixun thought of ignoring the decree and taking action against the person himself.

Yet, as he moved, a rainbow of Clear Light flew from afar and landed before him, where a yellow-skirted maid appeared.

She bowed respectfully, saying, "Junior Sect Leader, Madame has a message: Rong Junzhong is the true enemy of our sect. Until this person shows himself, it is wise for the Junior Sect Leader to remain patient, lest revealing weaknesses allowed others to exploit."

Du Shixun responded irritably, "Who are you? I don’t recognize you, leave quickly or don’t hold me accountable for having no pity with my blade."

The maid calmly revealed an item in her hand, saying, "Madame’s golden hairpin is here. The Junior Sect Leader should recognize it."

Du Shixun’s expression changed several times, and he ultimately let out a cold humph, sitting down heavily, causing the entire Dharma Platform to tremble slightly.

At this moment, Xing Fuli glanced at Zhang Yan, and with his eyes turning a bit, stepped forward, saying, "The Junior Sect Leader has important tasks and cannot go, but we can’t let Xuanyue be so rampant. In my view, Daoist Zhang has profound Daoist cultivation, comparable to Old Man Jin Ling’s cultivation. Why not ask him to enter the fray?"

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)