Daoist Competition Chapter 73 - 1 Long View Cave Heaven Dragon Abyss Marsh

The Mingcang Sect, ho to the Long View Azure Abyss and Light Cave Heaven.

Ning Chongxuan stood atop a Passenger Fin Fish, his flowing sleeves billowing as he traversed the vast expanse of the marsh. The waves rippled before him, a Golden Scale Fish leaping joyfully out of the water, a Red-backed Giant Whale frolicking and churning nearby. As far as the eye could see, water and sky lded into one, an endless horizon of mist and rain, like pearls spun into silk. The Sea Spirit Liquid suffused the air, spreading everywhere; breathing deeply felt akin to drinking sweet nectar, a pure wine that cleansed and nourished the soul.

Amid this immortal splendor, he paid no heed, instead furrowing his brow slightly and tilting his ear to listen. Beyond the cries of cranes soaring through the sky, a faint chiming sound reached his ears, ethereal as if washed clean yet penetrating deeply into one’s marrow, stirring an itch in the heart. Unable to suppress a snort, he remarked, "Those Linglong Jade Girls captured from the Three Pools Lake Demon again!"

Just as the words left his mouth, a sudden breeze caressed his body, and the mist before him dissipated. It was as though a curtain of pearls were gently drawn aside or a painted screen unveiled. In the distance, a jade pavilion appeared, a youth adorned with a golden crown lounging leisurely upon a Cloud Couch. By his side were maids bedecked with dangling ornants and streaming sashes, their long skirts dragging elegantly across the ground.

Ning Chongxuan ascended a drifting Jade Stair, smoothed his robes, and bowed deeply with formality, saying, "Paying respects to Master."

At first, the visage of the youth seed clearly visible, but upon looking again, it was as though he were enveloped in mist, obscured entirely. He laughed heartily, his voice as smooth as polished jade, "Chongxuan, what brings you to visit today?"

Ning Chongxuan replied solemnly, "I co only to request a woman from Master."

The youth straightened slightly, intrigued, and smiled, "Chongxuan, you’ve always claid your heart is set purely on the Dao, without intent to seek a Daoist couple. What has changed? How wonderful, how wonderful indeed."

Ning Chongxuan, however, spoke earnestly, "Master, this woman is not intended for my personal service but for gifting to a ridian-opening disciple."

Understanding it was not for Ning Chongxuan himself, the youth showed no particular concern and chuckled, "Who could warrant such high regard from you? Speak their na."

"Zhang Yan."

The youth leaned back again, his tone indifferent as he asked, "The very Zhang Yan you ntioned last ti?"

"Precisely! Master, this person possesses an unyielding will, and his root nature is unparalleled in my lifeti; such an individual must be drawn into our sect early." Pausing briefly, Ning Chongxuan raised his gaze and continued, "The Lower Court is usually dominated by Xuann Families, yet Zhang Yan, born among mortals, managed to carve a path through thorns and enter its gates. Once admitted, he remained humble and considerate, adapting to circumstances. Now, having successfully opened his ridians and broken through, I examined him closely and found his disposition and poise to be of the highest caliber. Hence, I originally intended to recomnd him to Brother Qi Yuntian’s tutelage, but since Brother Qi is secluded refining a Dharma Treasure, I have co to you with thick skin to request your favor."

The youth asked, "What ridian phase did this person display upon opening?"

"The Fog Phase—a lowest grade evaluation from the sect’s appraisal."

"Lowest grade? And Fog Phase again?" The youth was montarily stunned before bursting into hearty laughter, "How curious, how curious indeed! Wasn’t I exactly the sa when I started?"

Ning Chongxuan folded his hands in reverence and declared, "Master, you once opened your ridians with a re Fog Phase, the lowest grade, yet managed to refine the ’Qi Sea Floating Sky’ dharma form. Not only did you surpass your peers, but you even outshone them. This demonstrates that while the ridian phase is significant, the unwavering Dao Heart of a cultivator is even more indispensable."

"I see now; your intentions are clear." The youth flicked his fingers, sending a soft jade shell leaf toward Ning Chongxuan. "This is a Daoist Book I once used during my cultivation. Let it be at your discretion; whether he can gain insight from it will depend entirely on fate."

Ning Chongxuan extended both hands, respectfully receiving the shell leaf and carefully storing it away. His overly solemn deanor made the youth shake his head repeatedly, clearly sowhat displeased with his rigid behavior. He sighed lazily and remarked, "By the way, earlier, you ntioned wanting to request a woman for him—that’s fine. Whom do you have in mind?"

"Tang Yan."

"Oh?" The youth cast him a aningful glance and laughed, "You truly know how to sche. Sending Tang Yan away not only spares you her incessant pestering but also leverages the Wang Family boy to push him into our sect."

"Disciple dares not harbor such intentions."

The youth pointed at him, saying, "You, oh you! This overly earnest nature of yours needs adjustnt. Rember, playful enjoynt is the way of the immortals."

Ning Chongxuan replied solemnly, "Master is above; how could a disciple act with abandon?"

"Enough, enough!" The youth waved dismissively, no longer inclined to continue, knowing this disciple’s temperant was beyond change.

Ning Chongxuan bowed deeply and said gravely, "Then, the matter of bringing Zhang Yan into the sect?"

Receiving no reply for a long while, he raised his head, only to find that aside from the mist still swirling and the azure waves around him, no trace of anyone remained. The figure had long since vanished.