Daoist Competition

Chapter 1374: Chapter 74: Mysterious Skill Surpasses the Past, A Step Gifts the Immortal City

Zhang Yan accompanied Du Shixun onto the Pu Lao Flying Carriage and had just steadied himself when Sect Leader Qiao and Mrs. Zhao personally rose to greet him, showing great respect and giving him considerable face.

After exchanging courtesies, Du Shixun stepped forward, cupped the Dharma Sword in his hands, and presented it loudly saying, "This Dharma Sword was gifted to my son by Daoist Zhang, and now I offer it to you, Father."

Sect Leader Qiao smiled and asked, "Is it the sword with which Daoist Zhang slew Old Man Jin Ling?"

Du Shixun held up the sword higher and said, "Indeed, it is."

Sect Leader Qiao, seeing Du Shixun’s earnestness, realized that the sword was probably not so simple. He first glanced down the steps, then stepped forward slowly, reached out to examine it, and couldn’t help but narrow his eyes, saying, "The Primordial Spirit of Old Man Jin Ling?"

Mrs. Zhao also widened her beautiful eyes, leaned over slightly, and with a hint of surprise, said, "Husband, it truly is him."

While Sect Leader Qiao’s face remained calm, his heart was exuberant. Jin Ling’s position as Guardian was bestowed by the previous Sect Leader. This person was not only knowledgeable about everything in Xuanyue Sect, but now the cultivation techniques used by the sect’s cultivators might reveal some insights.

Even if nothing could be deduced, Jin Ling must be familiar with the details of various immortal cities within the Xuanyue Sect, and this could considerably benefit Zhongtai now that he was in their hands.

In his good mood, Sect Leader Qiao couldn’t help but smile and said, "The gift brought by my son is indeed grand."

Du Shixun clasped his hands and said, "I dare not take credit; it is due to Daoist Zhang’s prowess."

Sect Leader Qiao turned his gaze to Zhang Yan, solemnly saying, "Indeed, bring the Pan Teng Jiao Chair."

Immediately, six disciples carried a large chair over. When set, it occupied about ten feet of space, and the chair was engraved with over a hundred Flood Dragons, each glaring fiercely, with their whiskers raised. Upon careful observation, they seemed to glide slowly, like living creatures, which was truly astonishing. However, Zhang Yan’s keen eyesight discerned that the phenomena were due to the chair channeling underground spiritual energy, rather than being actual live Flood Dragons.

Mrs. Zhao said with a smile, "This Pan Teng Jiao Chair was obtained by our ancestor master who slew a hundred Green Flood Dragons, using their sinews and bones for sacrificial refinement. It has always been used to entertain esteemed guests."

Zhang Yan bowed and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader Qiao."

Sect Leader Qiao gestured with a hand and said, "Please take a seat, fellow Daoist."

Zhang Yan stepped back a few paces, waited for Sect Leader Qiao and Mrs. Zhao to be seated, and then sat down. No sooner had he settled in than he felt a cooling spiritual energy surround his body, his senses cleared, and his entire being felt refreshed. Even his spiritual mechanism circulated much faster, almost akin to when deep cultivating in the Great Tower Pavilion. He nodded internally, this chair was indeed a rare treasure.

Sect Leader Qiao said, "True Master Zhang has eliminated Old Man Jin Ling, removing a formidable foe for Zhongtai and gifted us the Dharma Sword. I do not know how to properly thank you."

Zhang Yan replied, "Sect Leader Qiao praises me too highly. Since I have signed the contract, I ought to loyally serve my duties."

Sect Leader Qiao nodded unwittingly and turned to his servant, saying, "Bring forth Daoist Zhang’s gift list."

The disciples below dared not hesitate, quickly rummaging through the items, and respectfully presented it to the table.

Sect Leader Qiao glanced at the list, and couldn’t help but be secretly amazed.

What Zhang Yan sought was unlike others; he didn’t ask for Elixir and Magical Treasure, but rather Three-flavor Spirit Medicine suspected to be used by Evil Sect Cultivators, stirring doubt in Qiao’s mind, "Does this Daoist Zhang have any ties with the Evil Sect Cultivators?"

Qiao had already learned from Mrs. Zhao that Zhang Yan came from the same lineage as Shen Baishuang, who once occupied the Divine House and opened his sect, originally from the Outer Continent. Qiao did not believe he was an Evil Sect disciple, puzzled for a while, he simply dismissed the thought, and pointed at the gift list, asking Mrs. Zhao, "Wife, aside from the kinds stored in the treasure vault, do we have more of these?"

Mrs. Zhao focused and pondered for a moment, then said, "If I remember correctly, these Spirit Medicines were seized when we broke through the Corpse Pride Sect’s Mountain Gate. Later, after occupying the immortal city, we acquired quite a few more. As they are not significant materials, they weren’t placed into storage. These items, being Yin Hua, are useless for our sect’s disciples’ cultivation, so we should still have plenty. It’s just that we need to check carefully when we return."

Zhang Yan smiled slightly; these Three-flavor Spirit Medicines were not heavenly materials and earth treasures. If Sect Leader Qiao ordered a search now, Zhang Yan doubted they couldn’t be found. It mostly seemed that they wanted to tie him down, hoping he would continue to contribute to Zhongtai.

Sect Leader Qiao, with a hint of apology, said, "In that case, we can only muster them after the Dragon Pillar Meeting. If you seek anything else, feel free to speak, and I will surely find a way to fulfill it."

Zhang Yan pondered slightly, and said, "I do have one matter to request of Sect Leader Qiao, but it’s not convenient to mention now; I’ll bring it up after the fighting."