Daoist Competition
Chapter 139 - 35 Xie Family Blocks the Way, Canal Demon Seizes the Jiao

Chapter 139: Chapter 35 Xie Family Blocks the Way, Canal Demon Seizes the Jiao

Fang Zhen and Feng Ming, eager to arrive first, repeatedly activated their talismans, and the flying boat cut through clouds and mists along the way. As they were about to reach Little Lang Mountain, they suddenly saw a flying boat blocking their path, forcing them to stop.

Standing on the opposing flying boat was a cultivator in the Ming Qi Second Realm. This person cupped his hands toward Fang Zhen and the others and said, "Senior brothers, please halt your steps."

Senior Brother Fang frowned and asked, "Who are you? What do you intend to do?"

The cultivator maintained a calm expression and replied, "My family’s Fourth Son is currently purging the demon tribes on Little Lang Mountain ahead. To prevent any demons from slipping through or accidentally harming fellow sect members, he ordered me to wait here and greet the senior brothers. Once it’s finished, my Fourth Son will meet with you all personally."

"Purging demons? Don’t try to use such excuses to fool me. You obviously just want to claim the Demon Flood Dragon for yourselves!" Fang Zhen sneered coldly and said, "Do you even know who I am? I am Fang Zhen, a disciple under Master Yan of Weiming Cave Heaven. You insignificant lot dare to block my path? Clear the way at once!"

In the Mingcang Sect, there were nine main Grotto Heavens. Aside from True Master Qin, who was the daughter of the previous sect leader and enjoyed a special status with her own Grotto Heaven, the remaining heavens were split evenly between the sect’s direct disciples and the noble families of the Xuanmen. Master Yan, the master of Weiguang Cave Heaven, was the sect leader’s second disciple.

Hearing Fang Zhen’s name, the cultivator showed a hint of surprise, but there was no fear in his gaze. He slightly bowed and said, "I’ve heard Master Yan recently accepted an exceptionally talented disciple. So it turns out to be Senior Brother Fang. However, my family’s Fourth Son bears the surname Xie. Senior Brother should be aware of him."

"The surname Xie? Fourth Son?" Fang Zhen’s expression shifted. He tentatively asked, "Could it be Xie Zongyuan of the Yu Xuan Xie Family?"

The cultivator smiled and nodded. "Indeed."

Fang Zhen’s heart shook, and he hesitated.

The Yu Xuan Xie Family ranked second among the Twelve Great Families of the Mingcang Sect, with influence surpassing even the Du Family and second only to the Rui Ping Zheng Clan.

Now that the Yingyun Shell Field officially became a Mingcang Sect territory, disciples were dispatched to clear out the dozens of large and small demon tribes in the surrounding area. Aside from the treasures hidden within these demon clans, the flesh, bones, and blood of the demon cultivators themselves could be used for crafting treasures and refining elixirs—making this a lucrative opportunity.

Thus, many noble families sent their descendants to compete for a share of the spoils.

This was, in fact, partly due to Zhang Yan’s efforts. He had brought back the golden decree recognizing the Yingyun Shell Field as the Mingcang Sect’s property. Paired with the Three Pools Lake Demons being bound by the laws of the Water Country, the sect then had an excuse to target these demon tribes.

Little Lang Mountain was situated near the passage to the Yingyun Shell Field, so it wasn’t surprising that members of the Xie Family were stationed there.

Fang Zhen also understood that Xie Zongyuan was attempting to claim the Demon Flood Dragon for himself under the guise of purging demon tribes.

Although Fang Zhen was part of the direct disciple lineage, his cultivation had not yet reached the Xuan Guang Realm, and he was only recently brought into Master Yan’s tutelage. Within the sect, there were still dozens of senior brothers competing fiercely with one another. How could he carelessly offend a colossus like the Xie Family?

Seeing Fang Zhen’s indecisive expression, the cultivator chuckled. He retrieved a bottle of elixirs from his sleeve and tossed it over.

Fang Zhen instinctively caught it in one hand. He glanced at it and asked, "What’s the meaning of this?"

The cultivator replied, "Our Fourth Son said, should senior brothers from the other Grotto Heavens happen to pass by, your journey would have been tiresome. Please accept this bottle of Green Dust Pills as a token of appreciation."

"Oh? Green Dust Pills?" Fang Zhen couldn’t help but show a reaction.

The Green Dust Pill was highly valuable, especially for cultivators walking the Qi Path. It refined their breath, making it purer, and helped improve their cultivation. To gift such an item clearly distributed some of the benefits, discouraging further involvement in the matter of the Demon Flood Dragon.

Feng Ming leaned in closer and whispered, "Senior Brother Fang, what should we do?"

Fang Zhen sighed and said, "The Xie Family holds great power and was ordered to purge the demon tribes. What choice do we have? Let’s accept the pill. At least it won’t be a wasted trip."

Feng Ming nodded, though a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes. The matter of the Demon Flood Dragon had been relayed to him through Elder Xun. He understood the implicit test hidden within. To retreat now would surely lower Elder Xun’s opinion of him. Even though he felt unwilling, he found himself powerless without allies.

Just then, the cultivator glanced behind them and pointed, saying, "Is that senior brother traveling alongside you?"

Fang Zhen turned to look and saw Zhang Yan approaching from afar. His eyes flashed as he said, "That one’s hard to deal with. His name is Zhang Yan, a true disciple of our sect. He’s known to be arrogant, so you better be careful."

"A true disciple?" The cultivator froze for a moment, and a trace of caution appeared in his expression. He quickly moved to greet him.

Fang Zhen watched closely, hoping Zhang Yan would stir up some trouble, possibly even clash with them. If that happened, Fang Zhen could take advantage of the chaos to his benefit. But he was left disappointed. The cultivator respectfully presented Zhang Yan with a bottle of Green Dust Pills, which Zhang Yan accepted with a smile, giving no indication of intending to fight over the Demon Flood Dragon.

In truth, Zhang Yan found it amusing. The Green Dust Pill was a secret recipe of the Xie Family and unavailable even in the Elixir Cauldron Institute. He wasn’t particularly interested in the Demon Flood Dragon, and seeing the other party cautiously explain everything to avoid offending him, he was content to take the pill without fuss.

Looking around, he noticed that beneath Little Lang Mountain, there were likely over a hundred Mingcang Sect disciples gathered, evidently drawn by the news of the Demon Flood Dragon.

At this moment, a procession descended from the mountain road ahead.

Leading the procession was a young cultivator wearing a Prince Crown. Four cultivators in the Xuan Guang Second Realm surrounded him, with over a hundred Powerful Warriors following behind.

At the center of the group, more than ten warriors carried a Demon Flood Dragon about five feet long, its entire body golden, head hornless, and four claws upon its feet. Though it looked ferocious and majestic, it was bound tightly by a Cloud Golden Lock that restricted its True Essence, leaving it weak and despondent.

The Mingcang Mountain region was one of the Ten Great Spirit Caves, rich in spiritual energy. As such, it often attracted demons attempting transformation, though the risks were high. This Demon Flood Dragon had failed its transformation and barely survived, only to be captured and destined for servitude.

Upon seeing the Demon Flood Dragon, Fang Zhen exclaimed, "It’s actually a Golden Flood Dragon, an ancient mutant!"

The young cultivator in the Prince Crown looked up at Fang Zhen upon hearing the exclamation. Smiling, he said, "So, it’s Senior Brother Fang. I heard you recently became a disciple under Master Yan of Weiguang Cave Heaven. How do you have time to be out today?"

Fang Zhen curled his lips and mocked, "I heard a Demon Flood Dragon failed its transformation and came intending to hunt it and earn another merit. But unfortunately, Senior Brother Xie Zongyuan here was quicker than I."

Xie Zongyuan laughed heartily. He cupped his hands toward the surrounding crowd and said, "Fellow senior brothers, I’ve been fortunate to arrive first and am deeply embarrassed. In the rush, I only brought a few elixirs, which may seem inadequate. Once I return to the sect, I will send more substantial gifts!"

Just then, as everyone was unwary, the Eastern Lake by Little Lang Mountain suddenly churned. A streak of black energy burst out from the waters and shot straight into the sky.

Zhang Yan suddenly heard Luo Xiao exclaim urgently from within his sleeve, "Master, dodge immediately!"

Zhang Yan reacted swiftly, leaping off the flying boat just in time. The black energy streaked over his head and struck the flying boat next to him with a resounding "boom," shattering it instantly. The cultivator aboard didn’t even have time to scream before being turned into a mist of blood.

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PS: I went to the hospital due to an upset stomach, so I got back late, and this Chapter is shorter. I’ll make up for it with two posts tomorrow.