Daoist Competition

Chapter 1442: Chapter 107: Imperial Seal Map Sets the Command Token (Part 2)

Ancestor Hui Xuan chuckled and said, "With the prohibition personally set by this woman here, regardless of success or failure today, she cannot wash her hands of this. Besides, the You Family has already joined forces with us; even if she escapes, where could she possibly find refuge?"

Elder You interjected, "Whether Lady Lian is here or not is of little concern. With my ancestor’s Command here, are we really afraid we cannot deal with that Daoist Zhang?"

Ancestor Hui Xuan laughed, "Indeed, as fellow Daoist said, the Da Mi Ancestor’s Command is something that Daoist Zhang surely cannot withstand, but it’s never a bad idea to take extra precautions."

Elder You raised an eyebrow, thinking this was overkill. Once the Command is issued, it can pin a person in place, rendering any Dharma Treasure or Daoist Skill useless. However, since it was insisted upon, he said no more.

After the group deliberated further, to avoid having their Qi mechanism sensed by Zhang Yan, they all retreated to a distance, ready to strike as soon as he emerged.

Zhang Yan was currently returning to the surface, but instead of retracing his original path. Earlier, he had followed the path step-by-step to ensure he missed nothing, but now he used the Earth Escape Technique to head straight up.

In no time, he tunneled out of the underground palace, emerging two miles away from where he had entered, unintentionally avoiding the prohibition.

With a flick of his sleeves, he rode the Gang Wind up into the heavens.

He had not flown far when he sensed several Qi mechanisms lying in ambush nearby, some of which felt rather familiar. After a brief contemplation, he let out a cold laugh, halted his advance, turned around, and looked down, saying, "I wonder which fellow Daoists are here to welcome this humble Daoist."

Ancestor Hui Xuan and Daoist Ji realized something was amiss when they saw he hadn’t exited the original path and recognized their presence. Their original plan was no longer viable.

Neither of them were flustered in battle. Since their earlier setup was ineffective, they had no choice but to reveal themselves, emerging from hiding and slowly encircling him.

Scanning the four individuals before him, Zhang Yan recognized all but the white-clothed Daoist, identifying Ancestor Hui Xuan, Qu Changzhi, and Elder You as old acquaintances. He smiled and said, "Indeed, familiar faces. Judging by your murderous intent, you probably haven’t come for a friendly chat."

Ancestor Hui Xuan sighed, "Daoist Zhang, as long as you cultivate peacefully on Divine House Mountain, we have no reason to trouble you. However, your interference with the affairs of the two factions obstructs our grand plan. If you promise to retreat, seal your mountain, and not interfere in mortal matters upon your return, I can decide to let you go. What do you think?"

Qu Changzhi remained silent, following his master’s lead without objection. As for Elder You, he was here at the invitation of Ancestor Hui Xuan and obliged to act as an ally, but if no life-and-death struggle was needed, he would welcome that as well.

Daoist Ji was anxious, as his goal was to seize the Nine Yellow Star Bead. Should Zhang Yan actually agree, Hui Xuan might let him leave, and Ji would have no way to seize the treasure on his own. Therefore, he could not let this happen. Without waiting for Zhang Yan to respond, he suddenly shouted, launching a burst of golden light and said, "What’s there to discuss? Attack!"

Just as he moved, he noticed Ancestor Hui Xuan’s calm expression, as if he had expected this. Initially startled, he quickly realized the truth and cursed, "Old fox!"

Hui Xuan had no intention of reconciling and was merely goading Ji into making the first move so he wouldn’t have to take the lead. Ji, taken by surprise, had fallen for the old Daoist’s trick.

Having already acted, retreat was not an option, so he decided to remember this grievance for later. With a grunt, he took advantage of his unleashed treasure, shook his shoulder, and activated the Heaven and Earth Locking Skill, altering the Qi mechanism in the area.

Qu Changzhi and Elder You, unwilling to lag behind, simultaneously unleashed their prepared Dharma Treasures.

One sent forth a white glow, three feet wide at the head and trailing ten feet in length, broad at the front and narrow at the back, containing a small silver bean the size of a thumb, almost impossible to spot without close inspection. The other launched over ten hexagonal shuttle darts, spinning and shimmering, appearing like cold flames to outsiders.

Only Ancestor Hui Xuan remained unmoving, observing Zhang Yan closely, as if waiting for the right moment.

Zhang Yan saw the golden light approaching and before he could block it, he felt his body grow heavy, realizing the opponent had used the Heaven and Earth Confinement Technique.

Having engaged Nascent Soul Third Realm Cultivators several times, Zhang Yan was prepared. Calmly guiding his Flying Sword, a sword light shot forth, bursting into radiant hues, and in an instant, dozens of sword lights erupted, intercepting the incoming Dharma Treasures. Not only that, with a thought, ten sword lights turned and struck back at the four enemies.

Daoist Ji spat out a copper needle from his belly, sharp at the front and flat at the back, with a hole at the head. Upon reaching the sky, it trembled, releasing a thread-like spritz, resembling spider silk as it wrapped around the sword lights.

Zhang Yan’s eyes twinkled, recognizing it as something unusual, so he withdrew his sword light with a thought.

Daoist Ji grunted, his item, the Thousand Luo Heart Silk, was crafted from millennia-old white spider silk and lake-bottom ice mud, specially effective against swords. Once an opponent was ensnared, escape was nearly impossible. He had hoped Zhang Yan would be caught unawares, allowing him to disrupt the Sword Escape Technique, making subsequent fighting much easier. Yet, Zhang Yan’s caution had kept him from falling into the trap. Turning, Ji shouted, "Why haven’t you acted yet?"

Though seemingly directed at Ancestor Hui Xuan, in truth, he urged Elder You to use the Imperial Seal Map.

Elder You also grew anxious. The Imperial Seal Map required him to be within thirty yards to activate, but being only at the Nascent Soul First Realm and under the Locking Skill’s influence, his tunneling light was far less agile than usual. Though it wasn’t directly targeting him, it still proved immensely difficult.

Seeing his struggle, Ancestor Hui Xuan flew forward, tapping his back and transmitting a message, "Daoist You, quickly, act now!"

Elder You felt a spiritual mechanism enter his body from behind, lightening his entire being. With a shout, he darted forward, swiftly advancing thirty yards, and took out a scroll with the intent to open it.

Just then, Zhang Yan raised his head and glanced at him. Elder You’s body shuddered violently, unable to move, his face filled with terror.

Ancestor Hui Xuan’s eyes flashed fiercely, releasing a whistling sound from his mouth as he activated the Heaven and Earth Locking Skill, simultaneously shouting, "Brother Ji, assist him quickly."

Daoist Ji immediately understood his meaning, pointed below, and Elder You’s limbs suddenly relaxed, as if released. Knowing this chance was fleeting, he gritted his teeth, lifted the scroll toward Zhang Yan, and with both hands, he forcefully opened it!

...

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