Daoist Competition

Chapter 1558: Chapter 165: Discussing the Grand Trend on the Ancient Spring Platform (2)

After speaking, he bowed to the four sides and then sat down.

The entire venue fell silent. Although everyone present had long heard about this matter, they usually ignored it subconsciously. Yet, hearing Han Ji mention it now, all hearts were shaken.

First-class Elixir Formation, a hundred years to Nascent Soul, reaching the Nascent Soul Third Realm in less than three hundred years, such a person, his talent cannot be measured by words, like a bright moon in the sky, desirable yet unattainable. Some disciples murmured, "Is there truly anyone among us who can surpass this person?"

Several disciples clenched their fists tightly, even feeling as if a heavy stone was pressing on their chests, making it difficult to breathe.

Daoist Wu noticed something was wrong and suddenly burst into laughter. Once he had drawn everyone’s attention, he pointed at a few people and said, "Look at your disheartened looks, disgracing us as Blood Essence Sect disciples. Now the fortune is with us, our Spirit Sect’s rise is inevitable, and no one can stop it. No matter how strong Zhang Yan is, he is only one person, so what of it?"

Hearing this, many disciples finally regained some color on their faces.

Gaining momentum, Daoist Wu said, "Our Blood Essence Sect cultivators cannot die in vain. Although we cannot yet destroy a great Xuanmen sect like the Mingcang Sect, the small Linqing Temple is of no concern. We should send elders from the sect to storm Green Bull Mountain and completely flatten it, to console the spirits of our fellow sect members!"

Suddenly, many voices of agreement emerged from below, but Han Ji stood up again and loudly objected, "No!"

Junior Brother Wu’s face showed displeasure, and he snorted, "Why not? Junior Han, could it be that your heart is still with Mingcang?"

In an instant, many unfriendly eyes were fixed on Han Ji, as if they wanted to skin him alive, yet he seemed indifferent. Just as he was about to speak, someone suddenly exclaimed, "The True Master is here."

All the disciples present immediately composed themselves, sat upright, and dared not utter another word.

Han Ji also quickly held his tongue and knelt down.

Just a few breaths later, a bright rainbow light cascaded down like a waterfall, with a crisp sound, continuously pouring onto the jade platform, each drop like broken jade striking countless exquisite melodies, scattering in all directions, and crystal pearls fell, only ceasing after a while.

Then the rainbow light gathered, revealing a young Daoist standing atop a solitary stone spire. His skin was as white and delicate as beautiful jade, without a trace of flaw, his eyes as clear as a child’s, with a slight smile at the corners of his lips, very pleasing to the eye. However, everyone was cautiously respectful, and with one voice, they said, "The disciples welcome Master Wen." Then they all bowed deeply in unison.

This person was Wen Qingxiang, the Pool Master of Yuanchi in the Blood Essence Sect, one of the four Cave Heaven True Masters in the sect. He smiled gently and said, "Just now, I heard you mention that Zhang Yan, who is a leading figure among the current generation of the Mingcang Sect, but unfortunately, in our Blood Essence Sect, we cannot find such a person at present."

His words carried a tone of regret and melancholy. The disciples below were immediately discontented, but as he was a Cave Heaven True Master, no one dared to retort.

Wen Qingxiang looked at Han Ji with a smile and said, "Because of me, you couldn’t finish speaking just now. Please continue, I also want to hear your reasoning."

Han Ji acknowledged and stood up, composedly saying, "In my Mingcang Sect, among those who can become one of the Ten Great Heads, most are direct disciples of Cave Heaven True Masters, but Zhang Yan alone is an exception. His roots in the sect are not deep, so he will surely seek battles everywhere to consolidate his own position. If we retaliate, it will be exactly what he wants."

Someone discontentedly said, "Are we just going to ignore it?"

Han Ji shook his head and said, "Not at all. As cultivators, success or failure doesn’t lie in the moment. Why fuss over a bit of gain or loss now? When our Cultivation succeeds, it’s not too late to reclaim it. As for Zhang Yan, observing his previous actions, he’s not one to act recklessly. Since he dares act this way, I surmise he must have follow-up moves prepared. If we rush out hastily, wouldn’t we be playing right into his hands?"

Wen Qingxiang did not hesitate to praise, saying, "Well said."

In truth, this matter is not so complex. The Xuanmen has deployed a Nascent Soul Third Realm Cultivator, so to confront them, it would at least require a cultivator of equivalent Cultivation. But those who reach this realm of Cultivation are all hopeful for achieving Cave Heaven status, and such talents cannot be easily sacrificed.

Zhang Yan did not hide his purpose, so Wen Qingxiang could immediately see that he was relying on the current might of the Xuanmen to push openly, daring to see if anyone would take on the challenge.

For thousands of years, the Demon Sect has been suppressed, lacking the deep foundation that Xuanmen cultivators have. Deploying Nascent Soul Third Realm Cultivators over a non-essential matter is clearly impossible; none of the Six Major Sects would do such a thing.

But this retreat brings about one bad consequence. Now, the demon cultivators moving outside will inevitably develop a sense of fear and become more cautious in their actions, at least in the short term.

This is an open strategy; whether or not to engage, the Demon Sect is the loser.

However, even though the Demon Sect currently cannot compare to the Xuanmen, these words must never be spoken to affiliated sects or low-level disciples. Otherwise, the morale painstakingly built over the past hundred years will be crushed again.

And Han Ji’s arguments perfectly convey this idea, very much to his liking, sounding adequately reasoned. Crucially, he is a disciple of the Mingcang Han Clan, which adds credibility and can be used to calm others down, so he said, "Han Ji, come to my Cave Mansion tomorrow at noon."

Among the fellow sect members present, many showed looks of envy, but more were expressions of jealousy mixed with resentment.

A hundred feet above the Stone Platform is a suspended Cave Mansion. Another Wen Qingxiang sits here, opposite someone identical to him, as if two reflections in a mirror, both engrossed in their game of chess.

The first one smiled and said, "Saying things like this inevitably draws peer jealousy toward Han Ji. Once he leaves this Ancient Spring Platform, he might not be able to protect his life."

Yet the one opposite spoke unconcernedly, "That’s exactly as intended, to see how he handles it. If he indeed manages to enter the Cave Mansion by noon tomorrow, there is no harm in granting him an opportunity."

...

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