Daoist Competition
Chapter 77 - 2 Fairy’s Crafty Tricks - Spirit Cave Mansion_2

Chapter 77: Chapter 2 Fairy’s Crafty Tricks - Spirit Cave Mansion_2

He sneered inwardly, thinking, "Soldiers will block, water will cover. Do you really think I have no means to counter you?"

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but Zhang Yan’s face revealed a faint smile as he said, "Since Brother Ning has arranged it this way, Zhang has no objections. Lady Tang may call me Brother."

Tang Yan uttered a soft "Mm," her voice gentle, as she replied, "Yes, Brother."

Zhang Yan asked, "You and your group have come here. Do you have a place to stay?"

"We have already moved out from Long View Cave Heaven, but since Brother Zhang has come from the Lower Court, you should be able to receive a bestowed Cave Mansion at Yue Tian Pavilion." Tang Yan instructed a female attendant beside her, "Die’er, lead the way and take Brother Zhang to Yue Xian Pavilion."

A petite female attendant beside her stepped forward and crisply said, "Understood."

Tang Yan then turned her head toward Zhang Yan and said, "There are more than a hundred people in our group, and the cave mansion we stay in must be large enough to accommodate all of us. Brother, you mustn’t forget this. Die’er is clever and will explain all the details to you along the way."

Zhang Yan’s gaze flickered, then he nodded and said, "Thank you, Lady Tang."

Tang Yan bowed again, saying, "No need for that, Brother. You may call me Yan’er."

Zhang Yan nodded and said, "Very well, Yan’er. Wait here briefly; I’ll return quickly."

Beneath her thin veil, Tang Yan’s jade-like face seemed to light up with a faint smile as she said, "Then we shall wait here for you, Brother."

After Zhang Yan left, a charming female attendant next to Tang Yan stepped forward and whispered, "Yan Lady, apart from a better-looking appearance, this Zhang Yan doesn’t seem to have any special qualities. Why is Brother Ning valuing him so much? And this man is truly impudent—just a lowest-grade Meridian Opening Cultivator who dares to think of becoming Daoist partners with Yan Lady? Pah, as if he’s worthy!"

Tang Yan said indifferently, "Ling’er, say less. Have you done what I told you to?"

Ling’er chuckled and said, "Yan Lady, rest assured. Yesterday, I already informed Master Wang. He’s passed word back saying everything is arranged, ensuring Zhang Yan will find himself in an impossible situation, losing all face this time."

Tang Yan adjusted her hair slightly and remarked, "That will do." She then sighed lightly, her gaze distant, first with a trace of wistfulness before sharpening into a resolute expression.

She had been cultivating since the age of five and was brought up under Master Sun Zhiyan. She knew well her lowly origins, being used by the Grotto Heaven to attract Spiritual Disciples. However, because Master Sun showed her extraordinary favor, she began to think of herself as superior. She could never have imagined that with one simple word from Ning Chongxuan, she would be traded away as though she was a mere commodity—to someone who hadn’t even reached the Ming Qi Stage. Her heart was filled with sadness and resentment.

Even though Ning Chongxuan claimed Zhang Yan had boundless potential, she believed his words were nothing but castles in the air, mere illusions. Knowing Zhang Yan’s true background only made her view him less favorably—a cultivator of insignificant origins, whose opened meridian was of the lowest grade. Did he really think everyone could possess the brilliance of Master Sun?

In truth, she had originally admired Ning Chongxuan. Achieving the third realm of the Xuan Guang Stage in less than fifty years of cultivation proved his extraordinary talent. But Ning Chongxuan’s Dao Heart was perfectly complete, leaving no room for other desires. Thus, she had to settle for less, yearning to form a Daoist partnership with a disciple from a noble Xuanmen Family. Yet, she never expected the True Master would assign her to Zhang Yan.

She would never accept this!

The arrangements made for the occasion were not truly aimed at aligning with Zhang Yan but set up to elevate him only to bring him crashing down.

Her group of over one hundred people created significant daily expenses, not even considering cultivation needs. Without an upper-class Cave Mansion, sustaining them would be impossible. She had already laid all plans to ensure that if Zhang Yan failed to secure an upper-class Cave Mansion for their group, she would remain here for several days and nights, creating a public spectacle across Jiuyi City. She intended for the entire Mingcang Sect to learn of Zhang Yan’s failure and leave him no place to hide his shame!

She knew very well Master Sun’s temperament—if Zhang Yan were to disgrace himself and fall into her trap, Master Sun would not blame her but instead praise her intelligence. Then, she might return to Long View Cave once more.

At this moment, the attendant named "Die’er" was leading Zhang Yan toward Yue Tian Pavilion.

Yue Tian Pavilion was not located within Jiuyi City but instead occupied a spiritual peak entirely on its own. The premises were vast, flanked by towering gate pillars, and a ten-zhang-wide white jade staircase extended from the mountain’s base all the way to its peak. Spirit birds and rare creatures could be seen everywhere, preening and playing atop pavilion roofs and eaves.

The plaque bearing the characters "Yue Tian Pavilion" hung prominently at the front of the grand hall. The flowing, dynamic calligraphy inspired an uplifting sense of flight in anyone who cast their gaze upon it.

Zhang Yan, accompanied by Die’er, entered the grand hall and stated their purpose. A duty-bound Daoist boy bowed and went inside to report, and before long, a middle-aged Taoist with a gaunt appearance emerged.

Zhang Yan glanced at the man and judged that his cultivation was about the same as the two who had guided him upon his arrival—a mere One Ming Qi Stage cultivator. He clasped his hands respectfully and said, "I am Zhang Yan. May I ask how this Immortal Master is addressed?"

Within Yue Tian Pavilion, the majority of Stewards possessed rather modest levels of cultivation. Due to the demands of managing Cave Mansions and handling various administrative matters, higher-level cultivators typically found such responsibilities unappealing. Most who came to serve as managers were cultivators whose progress in the Dao had reached a standstill, similar to those in the Lower Court.

The Taoist gave Zhang Yan a sidelong glance and responded indifferently, "This humble one is Huang Shouhe. Are you here to request a cultivation Cave Mansion?"

"Indeed."

The Taoist replied lazily, "All cultivation Cave Mansions are allocated by rank, divided into Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D. Unfortunately, you’ve come at a bad time. The Class A and Class B Cave Mansions have all been claimed, leaving only Class C and Class D. Will these suffice for you?"

Before Zhang Yan could respond, Die’er interjected, exclaiming, "Young Master, Class C and Class D Cave Mansions are far too small, accommodating only a few dozen people. Moreover, the spiritual energy within them is murky. How could anyone live there?"

The Taoist sneered and said, "At the moment, only Class C and Class D Cave Mansions are available. If you were to wait a few more days, there might not even be those left. If you find them unsuitable, you may choose your own accommodations elsewhere!"

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