Daoist Competition
Chapter 332: Revised - 33 The Sword Emerges Sharpened_2

Chapter 332: Revised: Chapter 33 The Sword Emerges Sharpened_2

Even if one or two disciples behaved like this on occasion, how could they all be so alike? This was clearly intentional.

As a sword cultivator, only through constant confrontation and struggles with others can one rapidly strengthen the True Knowledge of Sword within them until it attains the Upper Grade, eventually birthing a True Spirit.

Once this stage is reached, the sword ball in hand is equivalent to a True Artifact—who could possibly stand against it?

Zhang Yan’s gaze gleamed with sharp intent; the Sword Spirit is tempered through battles with adversaries, born of combat and completed through combat.

The benefits he reaped today were undoubtedly the results of back-to-back battles with Lu Ge and the Jiu Kui Demon King.

Reflecting inwardly, he thought to himself: It seems I must find myself a worthy opponent. Only by setting up an enemy can I force myself to forge ahead relentlessly.

However, this enemy cannot be too strong, nor too weak, and mustn’t act as recklessly as the Shaoqing Sect, which disregards the aftermath of its actions.

The Chongyue True Temple before me seems like an excellent choice.

For one, this sect has always looked down on the Ten Great Sects of Xuanmen, and their roots lie in the outer sea, far removed from East Splendor Continent, ensuring they wouldn’t trouble me there in the future. Truly a perfect target.

Even if I stir things up greatly and turn their world upside down, when I return to my sect, not only will no one criticize me, but they’ll praise me for restoring face to the Xuanmen of East Splendor Continent.

But as he thought of this, he frowned slightly. The young woman he captured earlier truly lacked talent. She hadn’t even achieved Meridian Opening Cultivation and was walking at the very back of her group, clearly not a Direct Disciple. Would the Chongyue True Palace even mobilize over her?

The young woman had already woken up a moment ago. Noticing that Zhang Yan didn’t harm her and appeared not to be a vicious man, she timidly asked, "Daoist, why did you capture me?"

Zhang Yan glanced at her and said, "I see that you have a refined appearance and acceptable talent. I intend to send you to train under a certain senior expert."

The young woman, hearing this, panicked and said, "But... but I already have a master. If my teacher holds me accountable, what shall I do?"

Zhang Yan replied coolly, "With me here, you needn’t worry about your teacher."

From within his sleeve, Zhang Yan retrieved the jade scroll he obtained earlier. Having had no time to inspect it before, he now examined it, finding an inscribed cultivation spell. However, since Pu Yuzi willingly handed it over, he clearly had no fear about Zhang Yan learning it. Zhang Yan merely skimmed it briefly.

What he saw made him feel slightly troubled. He had promised Pu Yuzi to teach this spell to the disciple he brought back before he could leave. Yet the spell turned out to be a Meridian Opening Method. To achieve perfection in it, one needed the Hua Pool of Jade Liquid. But in the vast expanses of the outer sea, where could such a thing be found?

It seemed he had no choice but to keep the young woman by his side for now.

Casually tossing the jade scroll to the young woman, he said, "I know you want to leave. It’s simple—cultivate the method inscribed here. It’s the mental method of the Bu Tian Pavilion, one of the Ten Great Sects of Xuanmen. Once you’ve achieved entry-level proficiency, I’ll let you go."

The young woman carefully accepted the jade scroll. Although Zhang Yan’s demeanor was calm, his tone carried an undebatable authority. She, not knowing much about the Ten Great Sects of Xuanmen, dared not disobey him in her current predicament. Furthermore, the promise that she could leave after mastering the spell gave her hope. She meekly acknowledged with an "Oh" and began studying the scroll.

After reading a few lines, she followed the mental method within and circulated True Essence as instructed. Before even a single incense stick’s worth of time had passed, the green slip suddenly trembled. It leapt into the air and shot itself into her forehead. Countless intricate techniques surged through her consciousness, along with a warm current guiding her energy throughout her body. Gradually, she forgot all about her surroundings, her heart and spirit entirely immersed in the process.

Watching her for a few moments, Zhang Yan then left her alone. Taking out the embryonic form of the vessel, he resumed refining it, aiming to set out for the outer sea as soon as possible.

After around two hours, as dusk gave way to a starry night sky, Zhang Yan abruptly opened his eyes, looking toward the heavens.

A blue streak of light, accompanied by a rumbling sound, tore through the air and landed right before him. The light dissipated to reveal an elder with white hair and black eyebrows. The elder snorted coldly, his expression grim as he glared at Zhang Yan. "So, it’s you who abducted a disciple of my sect?"

Zhang Yan rose calmly, brushing off his robe as he replied matter-of-factly, "Indeed, it was me."

The elder glanced once at the young woman meditating not far away and furrowed his frosted brows. "What is your purpose, Daoist?"

Zhang Yan smiled lightly and said, "A senior expert has taken notice of this female disciple and wishes to take her on as an apprentice. I simply owe this senior a favor that must be repaid. Fearing your sect wouldn’t allow it, I had no choice but to act rashly."

The elder’s eyes gleamed with a sharp light as he fixated on Zhang Yan. "May I ask which sect you hail from, Daoist?"

Zhang Yan cupped his hands and replied solemnly, "I am a disciple of the Mingcang Sect."

The elder’s expression first froze, then shifted to one of realization. He let out a series of cold laughs. "I wondered why you would abduct someone—turns out you’re here to make trouble for Chongyue True Temple. Since that’s the case, why concoct an excuse? But be warned—this outer sea is not East Splendor Continent. Daoist, you’d best think carefully."

As for Zhang Yan’s claim that a senior expert took an interest in Gu Chu’er, the elder simply dismissed it. Gu Chu’er’s talent was mediocre, and her appearance was merely decent. Why would a Mingcang Sect disciple bother abducting her? It was clear he was just using her as a pretense to provoke and pick a fight.

However, considering the long-standing animosity between Xuanmen’s Ten Sects and Chongyue True Temple—with disciples frequently butting heads, even clashing violently, in the East Sea—the elder found Zhang Yan’s actions unsurprising. It was the nature of the outer sea: strength ruled supreme. Here, power and ability dictated what one could do, not reason. That a mere Xuan Guang disciple like Zhang Yan dared to provoke them, though, seemed audacious and overconfident.

Zhang Yan smiled faintly. "I’ve heard tales that Chongyue True Temple has produced several remarkable talents in recent years. Back at my sect, their renown hasn’t gone unnoticed. Now that I’ve arrived at the East Sea, I’d very much like to meet them."

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to leave a recommendation or vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)