Daoist Competition
Chapter 304 - 19: Nine Qi Fly and Gather at Ghost Water (Part 1)_2

Chapter 304: Chapter 19: Nine Qi Fly and Gather at Ghost Water (Part 1)_2

However, to cultivate and refine one’s essence requires full concentration, making it impossible to simultaneously operate the "Harmony Carrying Cover." Thus, he would inevitably face the risk of the pervasive Netherworld Qi creeping onto his body. But he had other means. With a wave of his hand, he summoned the flying carriage he had obtained from Chen Chizhong of the Yuan Yang Sect.

He stepped into the carriage’s compartment, and upon lifting his gaze, found it surprisingly spacious—enough to accommodate at least five people.

The floor was covered in thick carpeting, a cloud couch lay opposite him, and on the table before him were jade bowls, jade dishware, a lacquer box, tea cups, a silver pot, a golden spoon. Along one wall hung exquisite paintings and calligraphy, and in a corner stood an incense burner. Knowing that the furnace likely contained calming and tranquilizing incense, he stepped forward, lit it, and casually placed it onto the table.

As the fragrance began to fill the air, to his surprise, it turned out to be high-grade Orchid Tongue Incense—a rare find that he had only seen once before in the Dang Domain Water Country.

After taking a quick survey of the carriage’s interior, he discovered a hidden compartment where he found the prohibition token for the flying carriage.

He was well aware that relying on the carriage’s prohibition to fend off the Nine Realms Netherworld Qi, even with the assistance of the Mountain and River Child, would render the carriage a mere mortal object within a month and a half. Yet, what he sought now was cultivation itself; material possessions meant nothing to him. If using Spiritual Shells to resist the Netherworld Qi required exhausting his entire reserve, he would do so without hesitation. With an unrestrained laugh, he said, "Child, bring me the Mountain and River Map!"

The child’s spirit also surged. Entering the carriage, it responded sharply and unfolded the "Mountain and River One Qi Cloud Scroll" with full force, shaking loose the gathered spiritual energy inside. Along with it, the Golden Fire Poisonous Qi surged forth without waiting for a signal.

Being trapped here had, instead, ignited Zhang Yan’s fighting spirit. Not wanting to waste a moment, he settled himself on the cloud couch, channeling all his focus into refining the Evil Qi and consuming the spiritual energy.

Once a cultivator entered the Xuan Guang Realm, the path to the Hua Dan Realm was smooth. However, there was one drawback: achieving Perfect Cultivation required painstaking efforts, slowly accumulating over time. This process was exceedingly time-consuming. Yet, having resolved himself, he abandoned all distractions and committed entirely to advancing his cultivation.

Seven days later, Lu Ge’s voice sounded again from outside, "Daoist Zhang, how have the past few days been for you?"

Lu Ge knew Zhang Yan’s current cultivation level was not something that could be overcome with a single gust of Yin Wind. However, he had Zhang Yan trapped and possessed the patience to wait. If one attempt failed, he’d try twice, thrice. He was confident that no matter what methods Zhang Yan had, he would eventually be worn down and perish here gradually.

Zhang Yan chuckled softly and replied, "I’ve got wine and delicacies here. I wouldn’t say it’s any worse than your situation, brother."

Lu Ge assumed he was just being defiant and laughed heartily without further comment, then reactivated the array.

With seven days gone by, the Netherworld Qi below the gorge had once again filled to the brim. The activation of the "Seven Absolute Swallowing Yin Formation" was accompanied by thunderous, drum-like roars. The first wave of Qi drawn upward was still the Seventh Realm Netherworld Qi—"Wu Qi Hen Qi."

Zhang Yan had dealt with it once seven days prior and dispelled it with ease. Now, it posed even less of a challenge. With a sweep of his Xuan Guang, he destroyed it entirely.

The ensuing "Scattered Soul Hostility" and "Obscured Spirit Absolute Qi" offered no surprises either; he neutralized them one by one without difficulty. Predictably, once these three Qi dissipated, the Yin Wind surged again, but this time it seemed more tumultuous and violent. The Nether River Water brought forth was now several times greater than what flowed seven days prior.

The Nether River Water churned wildly amidst the Yin Wind, splashing in every direction. A glance revealed nearly a hundred drops scattered about.

Zhang Yan’s expression grew solemn. While the water seemed harmless floating in mid-air, a single drop landing on his body could pierce it like tofu, corrupt his Xuan Seed, sever his cultivation foundation, and diminish his life span by decades.

Summoning all his focus, he did not dare to take the matter lightly. Driving his tunneling light, he dodged left and right, refraining from greedily attempting to refine much of the Nether River Water. Instead, he continuously unleashed Golden Fire Mysterious Light, disintegrating every drop that bordered close to him.

After more than an hour, the gorge began to fill with Netherworld Qi once again. Only then did the Yin Wind gradually recede. Without its support, the turbid Nether River Water heavily plummeted downward, apart from the portion refined earlier by the Taiyin Xuan Guang. Even so, dozens of drops remained.

Breathing deeply, Zhang Yan leaped forward, chasing after the falling Nether River Water. He rolled his shoulders and fiercely discharged over a hundred streams of Golden Fire Mysterious Light, extracting several wisps of pure Netherworld Qi within moments before stopping.

Rather than returning to the flying carriage, he seated himself on the spot. Drawing one-third of the essence from the three drops of You Yin Heavy Water within his body, he deployed the Dharma technique from the Lan Yun Secret Volume. His intent was merely to empower these Heavy Waters to absorb more Netherworld Qi, but unexpectedly, he felt a jolt in his chest. Upon inspecting his Qi Sea, he was astonished to find another droplet of You Yin Heavy Water had formed!

Seeing this, Zhang Yan couldn’t help but feel joyful. However, the original three droplets, previously radiant, grew dim after losing part of their essence, no longer retaining their former splendor.

Observing the dispersing Netherworld Qi in the air, beginning to mingle with Mixed Energy, he knew there was no room for hesitation. Without a second thought, he released the existing three drops, along with the newly formed one, into the air.

Indeed, the four droplets of You Yin Heavy Water seemed to sense the residual pure Netherworld Qi lingering in the space and immediately darted toward it, greedily devouring all the remaining essence.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)