Daoist Competition
Chapter 149 - 41 Liu Tao Visits Friends Sea Eye Demon Cave_2

Chapter 149: Chapter 41 Liu Tao Visits Friends Sea Eye Demon Cave_2

Zhang Yan retrieved the token and opened the prohibition. Hearing the words, he shook his head and chuckled. This Golden Flood Dragon’s temperament could be considered amusing; since it couldn’t escape here anyway, there was no need to rush and force it. He might as well leave it for some entertainment.

Xie Zongyuan’s flying boat descended slowly from the sky. Laughing loudly, he said, "Brother Zhang, you’ve truly checkmated Zhuang Bufan. Such clever tactics, such clever tactics—Xie admires you greatly!"

Zhang Yan slightly cupped his hands and replied, "Brother Xie’s praise is overly generous. What Zhang Yan did was merely following the trend of the situation."

At this moment, a young cultivator standing beside Xie Zongyuan spoke up, "How astute of you to ’follow the trend’! All the families and sects have been battling the Three Pools for years now, and who doesn’t keep a few demonesses to bolster their presence? If Zhuang Bufan were allowed to act recklessly, it would lead to anger from the heavens and discontent among the people. Brother Zhang, in speaking up, you’ve actually saved him in a way."

Oh? Zhang Yan couldn’t help but seriously look at this individual.

The man was also at the Third Realm of Ming Qi, with a round face, lips as red as cinnabar, skin as fair and smooth as jade, and fingers slender and full like those of a woman. His appearance was undeniably feminized—if not for his deep and forceful voice, broad shoulders, and visible Adam’s apple, one might have mistaken him for a beauty.

"May I ask who this gentleman beside Brother Xie might be..."

Xie Zongyuan pulled the man toward him and introduced, "This is Senior Brother Liu Tao, who cultivates on Yingxian Island. He’s also known as a Carefree Traveler."

Liu Tao cupped his hands and said, "I have long admired the name of Brother Zhang. Don’t listen to Brother Xie’s nonsense about me being a Carefree Traveler. I hail from the cold list, and it’s only Brother Xie’s lofty regard that counts me as someone of importance."

Annoyed, Xie Zongyuan retorted, "What cold list noble family? Though I’m from the Xie clan, I’ve never judged people based on their origins, nor have I ever belittled the heroes of the world."

Liu Tao smiled and said, "Ah, it is I, your junior, who misspoke."

After some polite small talk with the two, Zhang Yan welcomed them into his cave mansion to host them. He still had plenty of fine wine he had moved over from Wang Pan’s estate, which he usually refrained from drinking. Today, however, he decided to bring it out to entertain his guests and also instructed the Fish Maid beauties to catch over a hundred Black Stone Shrimps.

These Fish Maid beauties had undergone training in the Water Country; skilled in serving others, they naturally also mastered the art of cooking.

As night began to fall, Zhang Yan experienced a momentary whim and ordered some powerful warriors to push a pleasure boat into the Great Marsh, loading all the fine wine onto the vessel for a moonlit boat ride with his guests.

The Black Stone Shrimp, delicious on its own, tasted even better when roasted by the Fish Maid beauties, gratifying the two guests immensely.

At this moment, Xie Zongyuan shed all semblance of noble family’s refinement, acting uninhibitedly and boisterously. He proclaimed, "Exquisite! Exquisite! I normally don’t get the opportunity to let loose and partake in such delectable treats. It seems I must visit Brother Zhang more often!"

Liu Tao also nodded and remarked, "Just for this delicacy alone, today’s trip has been worthwhile."

Zhang Yan raised his cup and said, "Having you two visit often would be my good fortune. Come, let’s drink!"

The three raised their cups and drank them in one go.

As they set down their cups, they felt their camaraderie deepen.

After chatting some more, Liu Tao suddenly asked, "I wonder if the two senior brothers have heard the news: the Sect Leader intends to eradicate the demons of Three Pools Lake within half a year?"

"Indeed!" Xie Zongyuan nodded, lowering his cup. "I’ve heard this rumor as well. It’s said the Sect Leader is planning something significant, hence his urgent efforts to bolster the sect’s strength. If we disciples can achieve great feats in this campaign, we might even be rewarded with a Cave Heaven or Blessed Land. Additionally, within the Three Pools, aside from our Mingcang Sect’s rare Divine Sand Herbs, there are five deep lake shell fields. If any disciple can slay one of the Three Pools Demon Lord’s heads, the Sect Leader will permit them to establish a branch mansion outside the sect."

Liu Tao’s gaze flickered as he toyed with his wine cup. "Establishing a branch mansion outside the sect—if that truly comes to pass, it’d indeed be worth risking one’s life for."

Xie Zongyuan sighed and said, "Unfortunately, with our cultivation only at Ming Qi Third Realm, even if we condense a Xuan Guang Seed within the next month or two, reaching the Xuan Guang Realm in a year or so is unrealistic. Heading into battle would be tantamount to throwing ourselves to our deaths."

Yet Liu Tao smiled meaningfully and replied, "That’s not necessarily the case. If the two senior brothers are interested, your junior does have one method."

Zhang Yan maintained his smile without speaking, but Xie Zongyuan asked directly, "Brother Dragon, if you have insights, please share them openly."

Liu Tao slowly explained, "Senior brothers, have you ever heard of a Sea Eye Demon Cave within our sect?"

Xie Zongyuan pondered for a moment and said, "I’ve heard of it, albeit briefly."

Though Zhang Yan hadn’t heard about it, he didn’t rush to speak, waiting instead for further elaboration.

A bright gleam shimmered in Liu Tao’s eyes as he said, "Beneath the Dragon Abyss Marsh where our Mingcang Sect resides lies one of East Splendor Continent’s Ten Great Spirit Caves. Its vitality bursts forth, making it an unparalleled grotto heaven for cultivation. Yet within the cave’s core, only the Sect Leader may cultivate. However, in this world, there exist another Ten Great Demon Caves, whose spiritual energy rivals that of spirit caves cultivated by True Masters in superior cave heavens. The Six Demon Sects occupy six of these; the remaining four are unknown."

He paused, casting a glance at Zhang Yan and Xie Zongyuan, then continued, "One such Sea Eye very likely belongs to the four unidentified demon cave branches. Its spiritual energy is comparable to a superior cave heaven, and if we were to cultivate there for two months, it would equate to several years of cultivation outside. Should we achieve Xuan Guang Realm, we could still join the campaign against the Three Pools and display our prowess."

Zhang Yan’s eyes gleamed as he asked, "This demon cave—could it really be located within the premises of our Mingcang Sect?"

Liu Tao nodded and replied, "At the extreme west of Dragon Abyss Marsh lies the Sea Eye’s location. It is home to a palace known as Shouming Palace, where a highly skilled female Immortal resides in cultivation."

Frowning, Xie Zongyuan said, "I’ve heard rumors that demon caves are inhabited by Heavenly Demons that roam ominously, capable of manipulating people’s minds. Additionally, they reportedly favor consuming living people’s flesh and blood. Are these rumors true?"

Liu Tao nodded and confirmed, "Indeed, it’s true. The sect has always dispatched trustworthy disciples to purge the devils within—not only for training but also to enhance their cultivation. Zhuang Bufan ventured there sixteen years ago and recently returned. His cultivation level now is worlds away from what it was back then. He even mastered the Great Luo Heavenly Sleeve, thanks to the benefits of that demon cave."

Xie Zongyuan contemplated and said, "To entirely conquer the Three Pools, the sect must assemble disciples, concoct elixirs, forge dharma treasures, and guard against attacks from other sects. This preparation alone will take two to three months, which would align perfectly with the timeline."

Liu Tao looked at him with a reminder, "However, the dangers of the Sea Eye cannot be underestimated. Of the seven disciples dispatched sixteen years ago, only Zhuang Bufan returned. Two more vanished without a trace. If we go, we cannot afford to venture too deeply."

"Fortune favors the bold—let’s risk it!" Xie Zongyuan slammed his wine cup onto the ground and stood, eyes fixed on Zhang Yan. "Brother Zhang, would you be willing to join us?"

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