Daoist Competition
Chapter 47 - 22 The Position of Entry: Sacrifice in the Ordinary Court_2

Chapter 47: Chapter 22 The Position of Entry: Sacrifice in the Ordinary Court_2

Before Zhao Yuan could finish his words, Zhang Yan reached out and pressed him down gently, smiling as he said, "Such a trivial matter, Brother Zhao, why take it to heart? If not for your younger sister, I might not have made it this far."

This was not an exaggeration. If not for Zhao Ying’s commotion, Bian Qiao might not have sought him out at Thousand Feet Rock to cause trouble, Ai Zhongwen might not have come calling, and the twists and turns of fate—beyond mortal prediction—might never have played out.

It was unclear what crossed Zhao Yuan’s mind as he sighed faintly and said, "That is Brother Zhang’s propitious opportunity."

Zhang Yan frowned slightly. Zhao Yuan had always stumbled at the word "opportunity." However, since his prospects for cultivation were already dim, Zhang Yan refrained from commenting further and shifted the topic instead, saying, "Last time, Xuan Wen seemed to have seen your younger sister once at Dangyun Peak. May I ask what lineage she follows?"

Zhao Yuan shook his head and said, "Brother Zhang, I myself don’t know. I only know she resides with a Kun Daoist at Taian Temple, but I’ve never seen her true appearance."

Currently, the transmission of cultivation among cultivators divides into two streams: noble family legacies and master-disciple traditions. Specifically, in the East Splendor Continent, the great sects are predominantly controlled by influential families within the Xuanmen. With Zhao Yuan’s explanation, it seemed likely Zhao Ying belonged to the master-disciple lineage.

The Daoist nun seemed to be a senior from Zhao Ying’s sect, and Zhang Yan still remembered the debt of gratitude he owed her. He’d always wanted to repay it, but since Zhao Yuan appeared incapable of pursuing cultivation, such a chance would need to wait for another time.

At this point, Zhao Yuan coughed once, his expression slightly uneasy as he hesitated and said, "Brother Zhang..."

"Brother Zhao, feel free to speak directly."

With a faint trace of caution in his eyes, Zhao Yuan slowly said, "My Zhao family has excelled in commerce for generations. Back in my grandfather’s time, we received the favor of an influential benefactor. Now, one of that benefactor’s descendants wishes to meet Brother Zhang. I wonder if..."

As he spoke, anxiety flashed across Zhao Yuan’s face. He kept observing Zhang Yan’s expression, fearing to see even a hint of disdain. He knew well his own circumstances—when it came to seeking favors, it was always Zhang Yan helping him, even though Zhao Ying had caused Zhang Yan trouble in the past. What Zhao Yuan had said earlier was mere courtesy.

Yet this benefactor had truly been kind to the Zhao family. Zhao Yuan could not forgo thickening his face to make this request.

With a faint smile, Zhang Yan replied, "Such minor matters—next time, Brother Zhao, you need not come in person. A simple letter will suffice."

Zhao Yuan was momentarily stunned and hadn’t expected Zhang Yan to be so accommodating, his expression turning somewhat emotional. "This person is waiting at the foot of the mountain; if it’s not a bother, could she be invited to meet you now?"

Having said this, he gazed eagerly at Zhang Yan, fearing rejection.

"Oh?"

Zhang Yan was slightly surprised. The "benefactor" mentioned by Zhao Yuan likely held a significant identity. Why would they wait at the foot of the mountain merely to meet him?

In truth, he might’ve underestimated himself.

As an entry-level disciple of the Mingcang Sect’s Lower Court, that status alone was enough to command awe from the mundane world.

What kind of place was the Lower Court? It was where the sect cultivated its future core members. Elders and even sect leaders of the Mingcang Sect might emerge from it. Many would forgo cultivation entirely simply for the chance to form connections with these entry-level disciples.

Once these disciples ascended to the Upper Court, they would each claim a personal Cave Heaven Blessed Land. Additionally, they could select several registered disciples from the Lower Court to accompany them, forming their future supporting base.

In the eyes of outsiders, Zhang Yan was destined to become a True Disciple of the Mingcang Sect in the Upper Court. When his meridians opened, his marriage alliance with a Xuanmen family would be secured. Even if he chose to shut himself away in cultivation after that, the sect’s provision of elixirs, Daoist books, Dharma treasures, and spiritual artifacts would ensure his cultivation advanced without hindrance. Such individuals were typically out of reach for flattery—should he show even a sliver of favor, those keen to curry favor would crowd Dangyun Peak’s mountain paths in droves.

Since Zhang Yan embarked on the path of cultivation, almost all had dismissed him as possessing mediocre aptitude—he himself was inclined to think so. Yet, in truth, among the multitude, being capable of Qi Cultivation at all was already an exceptional rarity, while advancing to his current level was rarer still.

Across the East Splendor Continent, beyond the Sixteen Great Sects, countless smaller sects existed. Some of these sects would exhaust their entire resources to help even one person open their meridians. Even so, such individuals could rule an entire province or command respect within a commandery as exalted figures.

Zhang Yan couldn’t help asking, "What is this person’s identity?"

Zhao Yuan answered, "She is Princess Lin Ya, Cao Ying, daughter of Duke Song of Wei, who has come specifically to pay her respects to Brother Zhang."

Hearing that this "benefactor" was of such standing, Zhang Yan was rather indifferent. He had already joined the ranks of the Xuanmen. Monarchs and nobles governed ordinary people but had no jurisdiction over his kind. To him, outside the realm of cultivators, titles and wealth were utterly meaningless.

After briefly asking to be excused, Zhao Yuan hurried away. To Zhang Yan, such a woman’s status was inconsequential; to Zhao Yuan, however, she was the daughter of a duke and could not be slighted. He had to usher her in personally.

Approximately two hours later, nearing midday, Zhao Yuan finally arrived leading a tall woman dressed in men’s attire.

This woman appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, her form slender and graceful, her phoenix eyes sharp beneath arched brows. Her gaze exuded a faint air of authority. Added to the escort of a hundred-strong retinue of servants and guards, her demeanor radiated overwhelming prestige—it was unmistakably Princess Lin Ya, Cao Ying.

"You all shall wait here. Do not approach without summons or act without cause—for fear of offending the Immortal Master."

The crowd collectively bowed deeply but dared not make a sound, clearly having been warned repeatedly in advance.

"Princess, this way, please." Zhao Yuan led upfront.

With an air of refinement tinged with haughtiness, Cao Ying nodded and said, "Many thanks for your guidance, Mr. Zhao."

Walking past the wooden path, Cao Ying stepped into the cave mansion where she saw Zhang Yan sitting composedly atop a meditation cushion. She then proceeded forward with utmost deference, bowing deeply and introducing herself: "A humble woman, Cao Ying, greets Immortal Master Zhang."

Instead of addressing her immediately, Zhang Yan turned towards Zhao Yuan and remarked, "Brother Zhao, please take a seat here."

Cao Ying’s heart skipped—clearly, Zhao Yuan held far higher regard in Immortal Master Zhang’s eyes than she had assumed. She wondered if her family’s treatment of the Zhao Clan required reevaluation.

Protesting humbly, Zhao Yuan repeatedly declined, until, under Cao Ying’s persuasion, he reluctantly stood closer to Zhang Yan but firmly refused to sit.

Zhang Yan let this pass and finally turned to Cao Ying, saying, "You are Cao Ying?"

With another bow, she replied, "Indeed, this humble woman."

Despite her status as Princess Lin Ya, accustomed to lording over others, even disdaining the attentions of countless princes and nobility, she found herself meek and trembling before Zhang Yan, scarcely daring to breathe.

She was well aware of Zhang Yan’s feats—single-handedly defeating three entry-level disciples of the Guangyuan Sect Lower Court at the foot of Dangyun Peak, forcing the sect into a humiliating early retreat. What kind of prowess did this require?

She viewed Guangyuan Sect as a noteworthy immortal sect already; Mingcang Sect—a lofty entity beyond her wildest aspirations. Zhang Yan was destined to ascend to an Upper Court True Disciple. That she managed to meet him preemptively through Zhao Yuan before his ascension was, in her eyes, an immense fortune for her family.

Zhang Yan nodded faintly and asked, "What is your purpose in seeking me?"

Cao Ying raised her head and said, "Having heard that Immortal Master Zhang has become an entry-level disciple, this humble woman wishes to offer one thousand jin of Five Elements Divine Sand as tribute."