Daoist Competition
Chapter 83 - 6: Wang Pan Issues a Challenge - A Fight to the Death

Chapter 83: Chapter 6: Wang Pan Issues a Challenge - A Fight to the Death

Red Cloud Island, Wang Family’s cave mansion.

"Good, I was not mistaken. This woman truly couldn’t resist. In that case, I must give her a hand."

Wang Pan stood up tall, slamming the letter in his hand onto the long desk with a loud "crack." His eyes shone brightly, his expression extremely excited. He had a rough and robust appearance, with a beard under his chin resembling needles. His broad physique set him apart from ordinary cultivators, and at this moment, standing there, he exuded an imposing presence.

A young cultivator seated at the same desk chuckled and said, "It’s just a Fairy. Why must you be so invested, Brother Wang?"

This man’s name was Feng Zhen, a disciple of the Shende Feng Family from East Splendor Continent. Like Wang Pan, he was under Du De’s tutelage in cultivation.

Wang Pan glanced at him, sat down, picked up a wine cup, and toyed with it in his hand, saying, "You, Senior Brother, being a disciple of the Feng Family, could never understand the struggles of us from these small clans."

The Mingcang Sect has been established for tens of thousands of years. Within the sect, there were five prominent families, twelve great families, forty-six renowned clans, two hundred prestigious families, and three thousand flourishing sects. These made up the majority strength of the Xuanmen Families within the Mingcang Sect. Beyond that, there were also families referred to as the "Cold List"—declining noble family’s sons—and individuals like Zhang Yan, born into mortality, who were barely given any acknowledgment in the eyes of these Xuanmen Families.

Although the Xuanmen Families had a reputation of being lofty and unattainable, except for the prominent and great families, the status among the other clans fluctuated frequently. The Feng and Du Families were among the twelve great families, standing strong over millennia, while Wang Pan’s Wang Family was initially ranked only as prestigious families among the lower tiers. However, in recent years, for unknown reasons, several Nascent Soul cultivators had emerged within the family, allowing them to barely squeeze into the ranks of prestigious families.

Feng Zhen asked in puzzlement, "It’s just a mere woman. How does that help you in cultivation?"

Wang Pan chuckled and said, "Senior Brother has cultivated on Pan Chi Island since youth, so you may be unaware. These Fairies were originally female attendants under the seats of four Cave Heaven True Masters. If one could gain their allegiance, not to mention becoming Daoist couples, even just having them accompany you carries innumerable benefits. Not only would you gain access to the Mysterious Pavilion to study Daoist Books three times, but you could use the Vast Sky Qi Falls to refine your body. What’s more, you’d have the opportunity to train within Grotto Heaven for a year and consult with the True Masters on cultivation doubts. Tell me, with these advantages, why would I let go of such an opportunity?"

As he spoke, a trace of ambiguity appeared on his face. He continued, "Besides, this woman is beautiful, charming in every way. Everyone knows that I, Wang Pan, have a fondness for splendid things. Even if not used, keeping her around for the pleasure of admiring her is still worthwhile."

Feng Zhen suddenly understood, smiled, drank the wine in his cup in one go, and nodded thoughtfully.

He had initially thought that this Brother Wang, despite his rough appearance, was not one to act impulsively or lose his senses over a woman. Now he realized there were deeper reasons at play.

Wang Pan tossed aside the wine cup in his hand, ordered a servant to bring out two rolls of silk cloth, dipped his brush in ink, and swiftly wrote on each, sealing them into bamboo tubes tied with black and red strings respectively. Once sealed with wax, he summoned a River Flipping Warrior, instructing him earnestly, "Take these two letters to Zhang Yan’s cave mansion. Present the one with the black string first. If he refuses, only then present the one with the red string. Go now."

The warrior accepted the order and departed.

Feng Zhen found this intriguing and asked, "I thought you might send a challenge. Why now send two letters instead?"

Wang Pan laughed heartily and said, "Although Zhang Yan is a True Disciple, he has joined the Upper Court for only a little over two months. What could he possibly achieve in such a short time? For me to recklessly challenge him would only degrade my own stature. The first letter proposes trading elixirs and Daoist books for the woman. If he agrees, I would naturally invite him here for a cordial talk over fine wine, sparing both of us from a conflict. The second letter, however, is the challenge. Should he decline, then we’ll settle matters through a proper confrontation and see who wins the beauty in the end."

Feng Zhen clapped his hands in admiration and said, "Brother Wang has truly mastered the art of strategy! First show strength, then apply pressure. Zhang Yan will have no choice but to yield."

Wang Pan roared with laughter, though in his heart, he had his concerns. If he were to rush directly to Zhang Yan’s door after receiving Tang Yan’s letter, it would be a loss of dignity and an unsightly display of greed. Moreover, he worried about provoking Ning Chongxuan. Thus, he had to take these extra steps first.

If Zhang Yan agreed to exchange the woman for elixirs and Daoist books, that would be ideal. If not, he would at least have a justified reason to escalate matters.

After the River Flipping Warrior left, he boarded a flying boat and traveled all the way to the skies above Spiritual Paper Island. Seeing the island’s restrictions fully activated and killing arrays everywhere, he dared not be reckless and called out from the clouds, "Master Zhang, are you present? My master has sent me with a letter for you."

Over the past month, Zhang Yan had cultivated three strands of Qian Spirit Clear Qi but still needed to produce eighty-one strands to break through the barrier and achieve the First Realm of Ming Qi Stage.