Daoist Competition
Chapter 56 - 27: Master of the Spiritual Artifact, Du Men’s Scheme_2

Chapter 56: Chapter 27: Master of the Spiritual Artifact, Du Men’s Scheme_2

Du You was taken aback and exclaimed, "The Twelve Heavenly Shuttle, isn’t that the Dharma Treasure the Sect Leader used in his youth?"

"Indeed, the Ruyi Divine Shuttle is modeled after the Twelve Heavenly Shuttle, crafted by Elder Sun Zhiyan from our sect. Elder Sun is the Sect Leader’s ninth disciple and a pillar of the master-disciple lineage. For Zhang Yan to obtain one of the Divine Shuttles indicates his close ties to the Sect Leader’s faction. Given your unique status, it is unwise to kill him at this moment."

Du Bo laid out the underlying implications, pointing out Zhang Yan’s probable background. It was not a matter of inability but a matter of impossibility.

Any involvement with the Mingcang Sect Leader complicates the situation beyond the individual. Du You, nurtured since childhood as the future pillar of his noble family, understood this logic clearly.

But in his youthful fervor, he could not suppress the indignant frustration. A mere entry-level disciple, not from a noble family, was now someone he could neither suppress nor reprimand, let alone strike. Feeling stifled, he hissed through gritted teeth, "As long as I remain the Senior Disciple, he’ll never get a single elixir pill, Hua Pool privilege, Daoist Book, or Magic Artifact from me!"

Only by mercilessly taking what originally belonged to Zhang Yan could he slightly release the anger in his heart.

Du Bo, however, was entirely unimpressed, rebuking, "Nephew, do not forget that the position of Lower Court Senior Disciple is temporarily borrowed, merely to formally justify access to the shell field and to use the Shell King True Dew to achieve High Grade pulse comparable to the Sect Leader’s disciples. How could you be so fixated on this?"

Du You, though chastised, showed no anger. Instead, his eyes lit up suddenly as he stood and eagerly inquired, "Uncle Bo, is the matter of using the Shell King for meridian opening something the Sect Leader has agreed to?"

"It is precisely what I came today to inform you of," Du Bo said with a slight smile, gesturing for Du You to take a seat. Only after Du You reluctantly calmed himself and sat did Du Bo explain the details.

"Two months ago, when our Mingcang Sect seized the Yingyun Shell Field, the Du Family made a significant contribution. Many clan members suffered casualties. Thus, the Sect Leader consented to loan the Shell King to you for one month for meridian opening. To avoid discontent among the other factions, our family paid a substantial price for this privilege. The arrangement was already finalized before you ascended the mountain, but fearing you couldn’t keep your composure, I held off on informing you."

Du You was ecstatic upon hearing this, and if not for Du Bo’s presence, he might have jumped up shouting in excitement.

Everyone knows that meridian openings achieved using the Shell King True Dew are invariably High Grade. Combined with his family’s secret meridian-opening technique, achieving a pulse of Upper Middle Grade was a certainty, and even the legendary Top Top Grade pulse was not out of reach.

Seeing him slightly lost in jubilation, Du Bo added another reminder, "Although the other families have ostensibly accepted our generous gifts, they are still secretly watching for an opportunity. At this time, it’s best to stay quiet rather than stirring up trouble. Given Zhang Yan’s affiliation with the Sect Leader’s faction, I advise you to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. One mistake and we may expose a weakness for others to exploit, stirring unwanted complications."

Du You nodded seriously, replying, "Uncle Bo, I’ll remember." However, he snorted, saying, "This way, it seems Zhang Yan is getting off easy."

"Getting off easy?" Du Bo chuckled coldly and said, "Just now Zhang Yan already suffered some internal injuries under the pressure of my Xuan Guang. He’s learned his lesson."

"Oh? Why not directly..." Du You was puzzled. Since Du Bo could injure Zhang Yan silently, he could surely kill him covertly. Why not seize the opportunity?

Du Bo shook his head and explained, "If I were to take his life, that Ruyi Divine Shuttle would instantly rise to protect its master. In that case, I’d have to destroy the treasure to suppress it. However, the shuttle is blood-linked to its owner. Any damage to it will inevitably alert its original master. To provoke such a person over Zhang Yan’s life is hardly worth it."

Precisely due to such concerns, Du Bo allowed Zhang Yan to depart safely today.

"Moreover, nephew, there’s no need to rush in dealing with Zhang Yan right now," Du Bo continued, instructively. "We cultivators rely on cultivation as our foundation. Once you obtain the Shell King and condense a High Grade pulse, with our Du Family behind you, regaining face will be effortless. A mere Lower Court Disciple compared to a True Disciple—whose status outweighs the other? Do you think the Upper Court immortals wouldn’t see the difference?"

Du You muttered his agreement.

In his youthful temperament, he wanted everything to be direct and straightforward. If someone dishonored him, he wanted to retaliate fiercely and immediately. He disliked roundabout schemes, but with Du Bo’s words, he had no choice but to comply despite his reluctance.

Du Bo seemed to see through his thoughts, smiled slightly, and said, "Nephew, it seems you are still unwilling to let go. Very well, I’ll teach you a method—without lifting a hand, you can still tarnish Zhang Yan’s reputation and make it impossible for him to remain on the mountain."

Du You’s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he jumped up, exclaiming, "What method? Uncle Bo, please teach me!"

"The cave mansion at Star Gazing Peak is originally Lower Court property. As Senior Disciple, you are responsible for arranging residences for disciples’ cultivation. I’ve heard Zhang Yan currently occupies a peak alone. You can issue an order to reclaim Star Gazing Peak, citing alternative arrangements, and then order Zhang Yan to relocate to Moon Capture Peak. Given the nature of Lower Court disciples, who come from backgrounds different from his, should he shamelessly go there, they will undoubtedly ostracize him. He’ll find himself cornered. However, I’ve observed Zhang Yan—his character is proud and unyielding. Take away his residence, and he will lose the dignity to remain on the mountain. This way, without lifting a finger, you can drive him away. Once gone, you can address him later without trouble."

As an entry-level disciple, Zhang Yan moving to Moon Capture Peak is entirely reasonable, leaving no room for dispute. Other disciples, unaware of the true motives, might even praise Du You for his care toward his junior. Should Zhang Yan stubbornly refuse to leave Star Gazing Peak, it would hand his opponents the perfect excuse to act against him.

But being evicted from one’s residence—how could one still have the face to stay on the mountain? And without a proper cultivation cave, how would one focus on cultivation?

Du Bo’s strategy could be described as cutting off one’s means of retreat.

"Brilliant, brilliant! Uncle Bo, wait a moment—I’ll immediately send word to the servants to handle this," Du You exclaimed. The more he thought about this plan, the more he loved it. He excitedly ran off to make arrangements.