Daoist Competition
Chapter 80 - 4 Broken Jade’s Legacy Words, Da Yan’s Divine Machine

Chapter 80: Chapter 4 Broken Jade’s Legacy Words, Da Yan’s Divine Machine

The Dragon Abyss Marsh, home to the Mingcang Sect, is one of the Ten Great Spirit Caves in the East Splendor Continent. The countless cave mansions built here are as numerous as stars in the sky. Yet, the ebb and flow of spiritual energy follows the Heavenly Mechanism and cannot be dictated by human will. Although many cave mansions are compatible with cultivators, some are exceptionally unique, only suitable for those practicing specialized dharma techniques.

Take the Spirit Paper Island Cave Mansion, for example. Tang Yan and her companions couldn’t endure the Earth Fire Evil Qi here and had no choice but to construct shelters on an inconspicuous mountainous extension of the island. Even so, the pampered group still constantly voiced their grievances.

Zhang Yan held no interest in Tang Yan. However, since Ning Chongxuan had specially assigned her to him, there must have been a reason. Thus, he treated her like an ornament, neither involving her in matters nor paying her any attention.

This woman, proud and high-spirited, was far less reliable than Luo Xiao, with whom Zhang Yan had made an Essence Blood Oath, ensuring absolute trust.

However, Luo Xiao had left to locate a site where Earth Vein Essence converged, both to settle the Shell King and to heal injuries. He likely wouldn’t return for at least a year or two. Moreover, the Mingcang Sect’s important grounds were not places a demon cultivator like her could freely enter. For now, it seemed she could only be used as a secret pawn in the future.

The Spirit Paper Cave Mansion was situated within a mountain, vast in its inner expanse. Few had resided there since it was carved out, and it was entirely unadorned. Only a few domesticated wall lizards scuttled up and down daily, polishing the walls to a pristine sheen.

This location was rich in water, with three rivers traversing the entire island. Violent storms from the marsh frequently swept across the area. However, the island itself brimmed with fierce Qi, carrying fine dust that floated about. As a result, the mountain peaks were perpetually wrapped in layers of mist and mud year-round.

As a True Disciple, Zhang Yan received monthly deliveries of elixirs, spiritual shells, grains, and various tokens. Shortly after arriving on Spirit Paper Island, two Daoist boys brought him ceremonial jade tokens, headwear, robes, and more than ten spiritual shells. Yet, these meager offerings meant little to someone with a fortune of forty or fifty thousand. As for the elixirs, though they were of high grade, the Great Origin Pills he took from Du You were abundant enough to support his cultivation until the First Realm of the Ming Qi Stage.

The only thing he lacked now was a Daoist book. Though he possessed the Taiyin Golden Book, it couldn’t be used for cultivation outright—it required a pretense to avoid revealing its secrets.

However, obtaining a Daoist book was notoriously difficult. Disciples trained by masters relied on their teacher’s gift of scriptures, while noble family disciples benefited from their family libraries, exchanging and verifying texts. Although the Upper Court’s Scripture Tower housed Daoist books, they were all ordinary, lacking in rare and secret texts—which rendered them useless to glance through.

As a True Disciple, Zhang Yan was supposed to receive a Daoist book. Unfortunately, his officially recorded meridian form was the lowest-grade Fog Phase, leaving him few suitable texts. Moreover, he was not from a noble family, and even those who owned Daoist books wouldn’t part with them easily.

Still, while the Taiyin Golden Book couldn’t be immediately cultivated, he could begin exploring the secrets within the Broken Jade in the meantime.

Zhang Yan picked up the cave mansion’s token and formed a spell. In an instant, all prohibitions on Spirit Paper Island activated. Once the array was closed, the inside became completely isolated from the outside, impervious even to dozens of Xuan Guang Stage cultivators. This left Zhang Yan impressed; if time permitted, he resolved to study arrays thoroughly.

He reached into his sleeve and clasped the Broken Jade. His consciousness descended into the jade once again.

This was his first return to the jade since Opening Meridians, yet he felt as if he’d slammed into a thick wall, barred from proceeding. Observing more closely, he found his avatar within the jade, standing upon the void, confronted by several floating, golden Erosion Texts arranged in a line before him.

Of these, he could only clearly discern one in the center. The others were indiscernible in count or form, their true shapes elusive.

This peculiar sight left him in astonishment. He could not help but fixate on the most prominent Erosion Text.

Unlike ordinary texts, this one constantly changed and rotated. Just a few glances made him dizzy and nauseous. Alarmed, Zhang Yan realized this was something he hadn’t encountered since initially learning about Erosion Texts—an issue stemming from insufficient calculative power as a cultivator. Yet, ever since merging his two souls, he hadn’t experienced such phenomena.

This Erosion Text... seemed even more profound than those recorded on the Star Tablet.

An intense fervor began to surface in Zhang Yan’s eyes. If he could decipher this character, his comprehension of Erosion Texts would surely reach new heights!

Clearing all thoughts from his mind, he immersed himself in silent calculations and deductions.

Twenty days passed within the jade when, all of a sudden, his body quivered. Laughing aloud, he declared, "This character, just as it reflects my name, must be the character for ’Yan’ [衍]!"

As those words echoed, the Erosion Text before him shattered with a thunderous roar!

Zhang Yan’s divine sense briefly faltered. Upon regaining clarity, he was shocked to find that the previously obscure surroundings had transformed. Everything within his actual cave mansion was vividly reflected inside the jade.

He stepped forward, touching the cave wall. It felt identical to the physical reality outside. Intrigued, he ventured farther, only to discover that the reflected space within the jade extended only five steps. Beyond that, all was still void. Presumably, his cultivation was insufficient to reveal more.

Contemplating this, Zhang Yan withdrew his consciousness from the jade, walked ten more steps in the real world, and then entered the jade again. To his delight, the reflected scene shifted along with his movement, mirroring everything within five steps with perfect accuracy.

What thrilled him even more was that the golden fire spiritual energy within those five steps was also reflected!

It must be noted that cultivation at the Ming Qi Stage is split into three realms: Qi Sea Initial Transformation, Summon Clouds, and Heavenly Rain Descending. Using ordinary methods to cultivate posed no notable dangers, but the Taiyin Golden Book was entirely different. Its approach was treacherous and steep. For the first step, Qi Sea Initial Transformation, one needed to draw Golden Light Fierce Fire into the body to temper True Essence and generate Ming Qi. This Ming Qi divided into two parts: the first step was to refine Qian Spirit Clear Qi, light and ethereal like floating clouds when completed; the second step was to refine Kun Spirit Dull Qi, dense and heavy as iron when perfected.

The third step required uniting the Qian and Kun essences, merging them into True Qi, ultimately condensing Xuan Guang Golden Fire.

However, every step required external Qi to grind and refine—it couldn’t be achieved through mere internal cultivation.

Initially, Zhang Yan faced tremendous risks without a teacher or protector, advancing cautiously step by step. He had assumed the Broken Jade was of limited use, but this sudden change provided him immense assurance, eliminating his fears of error.

Exiting the jade, Zhang Yan was astonished to find that only a single day and night had passed in the outside world! Joy flooded his heart. An external day equating to over twenty days within the jade was a rare and extraordinary treasure!

He subconsciously rubbed the Broken Jade, noticing something different about it. Examining it closely, he saw that its surface now shone brightly, its previous dim and gray patches seemingly stripped away. At its center, the character "Yan" [衍] shimmered vividly.

He mused that his previous lack of understanding stemmed from inadequate cultivation. Now that he had Broken Through to Opening Meridians, the Erosion Texts likely represented prohibitions within the jade. Deciphering just one had yielded such gains—what unimaginable rewards would await if they were all unraveled?

Gazing at the character again, he chuckled and remarked, "This treasure is truly destined for me!"

At that moment, Zhang Yan’s expression shifted. Stowing the Broken Jade, he retrieved the cave mansion token, dispelling the array restrictions with a wave, and stepped out briskly. Raising his gaze to the sky, he saw a figure standing midair, hands behind their back, robes fluttering like an unsheathed treasure sword, exuding sharp brilliance and commanding presence. Zhang Yan hurried forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Greetings, Brother Ning."

"No need for formalities." Ning Chongxuan descended slowly, his sharp gaze sweeping over Zhang Yan before nodding. "Not bad. In just two months since I left, you’ve already severed the Golden Lock and Broken Through to Opening Meridians—much sooner than I anticipated."

Zhang Yan smiled faintly. "It’s only that my manifestation is a lower-grade meridian."

Ning Chongxuan’s eyes narrowed like blades as he glared at him. "Is that truly your own opinion?"

Zhang Yan laughed freely. "I entered the sect to seek the Immortality Dao. Though my meridian aspect is lower-grade, it is nevertheless a sliver of opportunity granted by the heavens. This is my ladder to ascend the heavens—how could I scorn it?"

"Good. With such insight, I was indeed correct in choosing you." Ning Chongxuan took a few steps to the cliff’s edge, gazing into the distance with a somber tone. "Zhang Yan, I had intended to introduce you to a senior brother of mine. His cultivation is tenfold my own. If you could learn under him, it would be a tremendous blessing. Unfortunately, he recently entered seclusion to refine treasures and study the Dao. Who knows when he will emerge. Should you have the patience to refine your skills, you’ll surely see a day of reversal."

Zhang Yan’s expression remained calm. "Gaining such an opportunity is my fortune. Losing it is my fate. Rather than relying on others, I might as well strive on my own accord."

Ning Chongxuan turned back, his gaze flickering with approval. "The Ruyi Divine Shuttle will remain in your care for now. If you misuse my name to stir trouble within the sect, I will show no mercy. However, if you encounter formidable foes, strike decisively. Do not hesitate in matters that call for action."

Zhang Yan said solemnly, "I will remember Brother’s teachings."

From Ning Chongxuan’s remarks, Zhang Yan could infer that he would likely face many unforeseen challenges. As things stood, unless some prominent figure deliberately made things difficult, Ning Chongxuan would not intervene on his behalf.

Ning Chongxuan added, "The techniques suitable for the Fog Phase are few. Even in the sect’s Book Collection Pavilion, there are scarcely any texts worth considering. The methods described in them are the lowest-grade and hardly worth your time." He waved his sleeve, sending a soft jade shell leaf flying toward Zhang Yan. "Take it."

Zhang Yan caught the shell leaf in his hand, feeling an unusual sensation as if something was attempting to burrow into his mind.

Ning Chongxuan cautioned, "Keep it safe. This text, named ’Lan Yun Secret Volume,’ was discovered by my master within a cliffside cave. By this method, he achieved the ’Qi Sea Floating Sky’ dharma form, earning great renown across the East Splendor Continent. Nonetheless, cultivating techniques depends on personal fate. Even if a hundred people practice it, perhaps only one will align with the Heavenly Mechanism. Whether you succeed rests entirely on your own fortune."

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