Daoist Competition

Xiao Han was slain on the spot, and the Primordial Spirit Essence Blood left behind was naturally not spared by Zhang Yan, who released the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll to absorb it.

After a gust of sea wind swept by, Xiao Han's corpse and clothing disintegrated into flying ash, leaving behind only a treasure clothes and a sleeve bag on the ground.

Zhang Yan unfolded his Xuan Guang, sweeping up both objects together, and then transformed into a streaking rainbow to leave the island. On the way, he greeted Lu Mei Niang with a nod before returning to Dragon Country's Ship.

Once inside the Treasure Pavilion, he ascended the Jade Couch and sat cross-legged. He first took the treasure clothes in hand and examined it closely before his eyes.

With one glance, he was slightly astonished. Originally purple, the clothing had now turned into a white robe. Its surface bore intricate patterns of meridians and latitude lines. To the touch, it felt smooth as water, unsullied by even the faintest dust. When pinched, it restored itself entirely the moment one let go, without the slightest wrinkle.

Zhang Yan recalled that even the Beast-faced Great Saber could not damage this treasure clothes. Xiao Han, clad in it, had survived even three hundred and sixty-five strikes of You Yin Heavy Water, slightly injured but far from death. If a Power Dao Practitioner were to don this garment, it would undoubtedly grant a significant boost in combat prowess during any confrontation.

Zhang Yan chuckled and said, "This item seems destined for my use."

He turned the robe over twice more and then noticed a small line of characters on the sleeve, inscribed in four verses: "Seven Stars Restraining Yang Robe, tempered through a hundred Refining Fires. Do not boast of its unyielding form; the tribulations of man are hardest to escape."

Reading these words, Zhang Yan understood this to be a warning from the previous owner to future users, admonishing them not to rely on this item for reckless bravado, lest they disrupt their cultivation and invite calamity upon themselves.

Thus, it seemed this treasure clothes had its own history. Likely, it did not belong to the Xiao Family originally. After all, given the demeanor of those from Xuanmen Family, how could they be expected to leave such a warning?

He smiled faintly, stowed away the treasure clothes, and then reached out for the sleeve bag.

Adorned with embroidered clusters of stars and threaded with talismanic lines, the sleeve bag's design concealed subtle mysteries of celestial movement.

After observing it for a few moments, Zhang Yan pressed his hand against it, only to be gently repelled by an almost imperceptible force. When he sent out a stream of spiritual energy, he sensed a faint True Recognition resisting him from within.

Feeling delighted, he thought to himself that no doubt this sleeve bag was a Mystical Artifact!

Mystical Artifacts were rare treasures. Even noble families from Great Clans could not produce them at will. Xiao Han himself, being regarded as an outstanding talent within his family, having cultivated to the Xuan Guang Third Realm by the age of twenty-five, must have been specially rewarded with this artifact.

To unlock the sleeve bag, its inherent power had to be subdued. Keeping this in mind, Zhang Yan released a few more streams of spiritual energy upon it.

The True Recognition residing within the sleeve bag, sensing Zhang Yan's overwhelming force, struggled a few times but eventually could not hold out. Abruptly, it leapt into the air, attempting to escape.

Zhang Yan smiled and remarked, "Where do you think you're going?"

He pointed a finger, causing the sleeve bag to tremble and fall from mid-air, landing back into his hand.

Just as he was preparing to refine it with his spiritual energy, footsteps echoed from outside. Activating the Prohibition, he glanced outward and saw Lu Mei Niang standing at the door. With a wave of his sleeve, he dispelled the barrier and stood up, greeting her warmly, "What brings the esteemed Lu Demon King to visit? Please, do come in."

Lu Mei Niang entered the quiet room. After exchanging a few courteous words, she sat down and said, "Daoist Zhang, I've come today with a favor to ask of you."

Zhang Yan smiled and replied, "Lu Demon King, you're too kind. Whatever it is, if it's within my abilities, I will not refuse."

The moment Lu Mei Niang had intervened to stop Xiao Han, her path had aligned with his. From then on, there was no turning back. She was now one of their own, so unless her request was overly demanding, Zhang Yan did not hesitate to offer his assistance.

Lu Mei Niang sighed and said, "That unfilial daughter of mine, Yan Rong, though we are mother and daughter, is still my blood. I wish to see her body properly buried. Earlier, I sealed off her Baihui point to prevent her Primordial Spirit from scattering. Now, I intend to send her to the cycle of reincarnation. However, this overseas region is sparsely populated. Only by venturing into the inner sea can I find a suitable household. Yet, this journey might take several months. In the meantime, I'll have to entrust my younger brother and Sister Jing's affairs to you, fellow Daoist."

Seeing the faint weariness in her beautiful eyes, Zhang Yan understood that, although she had personally ended the life of her own flesh and blood, it had left her with lingering sorrow. He smiled and said, "So that's the matter. Fellow Daoist, rest assured and go without worry. I will go see True Master Tao. However, I urge you not to grieve too deeply, lest it impair your Daoist Cultivation."

Lu Mei Niang nodded and said, "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for your understanding." She wiped the corner of her eyes, bowed with a graceful salute, and left.

After sending off Lu Mei Niang, the following twenty-odd days passed uneventfully. Zhang Yan spent his time refining the sleeve bag and the Seven Stars Restraining Yang Robe. Every now and then, he also checked on Gu Chu'er's cultivation progress.

To his amazement, though Gu Chu'er's aptitude was mediocre, her progress in cultivating the Bu Tian Pavilion's technique advanced remarkably quickly. At this rate, she would soon need to find a Jade Liquid Pool to open her meridians.