Chapter 30 - 13: Battle for Heavenly Gate at Dangyun Peak (4)
That night, the Guangyuan Sect and the Nanhua Sect lodged at the foot of Dangyun Peak. Although it was already the Human Hour, high lanterns were lit everywhere, illuminating the rows of houses so brightly that it resembled daytime.
In the main hall of the manor, five entry-level disciples from the Guangyuan Sect who had come to attend the Dharma Assembly at Cangwu Mountain were gathered.
The senior disciple, Wen Jun, sat at the head seat. He had a refined appearance, with a beard reaching his chest, exuding the demeanor of an elder. Seated to his left was the second disciple, Shen Jingyue, the strategist among them. Handsome and dressed in a white Daoist robe, he gave off an ethereal and otherworldly quality at first glance.
To Wen Jun's right sat the third disciple, Zhang Zhen, and the fourth disciple, Jiang Yue.
The fifth and lowest-ranked disciple, Qi Xuan, paced angrily around the hall. His fiery temper flared as he pointed to two disciples lying on a couch after being injured by Zhang Yan, shouting, "You're the ones who always boast about your skills, claiming you'd even dare to confront Chen Feng! And yet today, you're nothing but a disgrace!"
The two disciples were deeply ashamed but too gravely injured to speak. The only unscathed disciple among them had been imprisoned due to his cowardice during the fight.
Shen Jingyue chuckled softly and reassured him, "Junior Brother Qi, don't be in such a hurry. I've already sent people out to gather information. Once we have a clear picture of this person's capabilities, it's not too late to act."
Shen Jingyue's father was one of the five elders of the Guangyuan Sect. Qi Xuan held him in great respect. Hearing his words, Qi Xuan did not dare to argue further, waved his hand for the servants to take the injured disciples away, and withdrew to sit quietly on one side.
Wen Jun stroked his long beard and sighed, "It's a pity that Madam Lin agreed to our conditions, but Zheng Xun—despite his weak character—is not simple. He's gathered all the entry-level disciples in a side hall, making it exceedingly difficult to obtain any definitive information."
Shen Jingyue nodded, "The senior disciple of Mingcang Sect, indeed he has earned his reputation. Brother, please be patient. I believe it won't be long before we receive news."
Half an hour later, the disciple responsible for gathering information finally returned.
"Reporting, Senior Brothers, it's been discovered that the one who confronted me is named Zhang Yan, a registered disciple of the Shanyuan Temple under Mingcang Sect. I've heard he has exceptional skill in the 'Erosion Text.'"
Wen Jun was surprised, "Zhang Yan? I've never heard of this person." He turned to the third disciple, Zhang Zhen, seated lower down the hall, and asked, "Junior Brother Zhang, is he someone from your Zhang family?"
Zhang Zhen, who was corpulent with a round, dark-skinned face, reluctantly got up and replied, "I'm well-acquainted with the three main Zhang family genealogies. Among the younger generation, there's absolutely no such person."
Wen Jun mused, "Mingcang Sect's many entry-level disciples are nowhere to be seen, yet they've sent a registered disciple forward. What's the intent here?"
Shen Jingyue smiled faintly, "This is no surprise. It's a tactic of using a weaker player against a stronger one, using an intermediary player against our weaker ones."
Wen Jun nodded in agreement, and the remaining three disciples echoed their assent. "Junior Brother Shen speaks logically."
Shen Jingyue glanced at the disciple who had gathered the information and noticed his hesitation. He asked, "Do you have anything else to report?"
The disciple hesitated for a moment before replying, "I heard more while on the mountain. It's said that Zhang Yan not only excels in the Erosion Text but also can perform its calculations without using bamboo divination. I'm not sure if this is true..."
Shen Jingyue appeared thoughtful upon hearing this. He turned to a charming and alluring woman beside him and asked, "Junior Sister Jiang, what do you think?"
Jiang Yue responded indifferently, "It's nothing but exaggerated rumor, a mere display of bravado."
Qi Xuan was even more dismissive, mocking, "If he had such skills, he'd have defeated Junior Brother Mo long ago without all this fuss. Junior Sister Jiang is correct; the claims about this man are likely overblown."
However, Shen Jingyue's expression grew solemn as he stated decisively, "No, this isn't necessarily the case. For someone proficient in the Erosion Text and not of a noble family background, he may well have been newly accepted by one of the three 'guard' titled temple masters of Mingcang Sect's Lower Court. If he has caught the attention of a Master, he must have exceptional potential. Although no one from Mingcang Sect can yet surpass Junior Brother Mo, I believe that even if this man is inferior to Junior Brother Mo, the difference is minimal. Do not underestimate him!"
Qi Xuan blurted out, "Why not summon Junior Brother Mo here..."
Shen Jingyue promptly declined, "Impossible. Mingcang Sect clearly intends for this to happen. If Junior Brother Mo leaves his post, the Heavenly Gate Dao will be unattended, and they will certainly reach the summit before us."
Noticing the dissatisfied glance Jiang Yue cast his way, Qi Xuan immediately felt a wave of guilt, realizing he had made a foolish suggestion.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps from outside drew everyone's attention. They looked up to see two servants assisting the wounded Liang Dong into the hall, though he appeared uneasy.
Shen Jingyue rose from his seat, halting Liang Dong's attempt to bow. He spoke gently, "Junior Brother Liang, do not rush. I will only ask you two questions about your battle with Zhang Yan."
Liang Dong thought for a moment before responding, "Brother Shen, from what I observed, Zhang Yan strikes fiercely and powerfully but lacks endurance. If someone can withstand his first three moves, they will surely defeat him."
Shen Jingyue nodded and asked again, "Did Zhang Yan have anyone assisting him?"
Liang Dong shook his head, "I saw no one else."
"Very well. Go and rest, Junior Brother, and do not worry over this setback."
After offering more words of comfort, Shen Jingyue signaled for Liang Dong, who was visibly on edge, to be taken away.
Shen Jingyue began pacing in the hall, deep in thought. The others, understanding he was strategizing, dared not interrupt.
After a moment, Shen Jingyue stopped, raised his head, and declared, "This Zhang Yan, despite his expertise in the Erosion Text, confronts us with combat skills, indicating he hopes for a scholarly contest. We must not grant him his wish..."
He turned and said, "Junior Brother Qi, the Nanhua Sect is pressing us for results. Arrange for Senior Brother Wang to ascend the mountain and challenge him tonight. Make sure we defeat the enemy in this battle!"
Qi Xuan's face lit up with excitement, and he exclaimed, "Very well, Senior Brother. I'll make the arrangements immediately." He dashed out, full of exhilaration, while Zhang Zhen and Jiang Yue exchanged glances and also left the hall.
After the three departed, Wen Jun suddenly sighed, his earlier composed confidence replaced by melancholy. He murmured, "I wonder whether antagonizing Mingcang Sect so completely this time is the right decision or a mistake."
Shen Jingyue offered a bitter smile, replying, "Our Guangyuan Sect is but a minor sect within the Xuanmen. Today, we are useful, so Nanhua Sect uses us as pawns. Should we lose our utility, they will abandon us without hesitation. Nanhua Sect has just sent word to resolve this issue within two days and ascend Dangyun Peak. Our sect faces perilous annihilation and urgently needs their shelter. Thus, although Mingcang Sect is mighty, we have little choice but to act with urgency."
Wen Jun's face turned sorrowful as he silently acknowledged the truth. He understood why Shen Jingyue spoke as he did. The Guangyuan Sect, being a small sect, had always lived under the Nanhua Sect's shadow.
In the Upper Court, their strongest members were only two Hua Dan elders. This time, in their bid to seize Yao Guang Shell Lake, they had suffered grave losses. Just last month, twelve Ming Qi disciples and three Xuan Guang disciples perished consecutively. Though they claimed the shell field, the sect had been severely weakened, nearly depleted of vitality. If not for the favor of a Nanhua elder, they would already have been absorbed by other sects.
Precisely because of this, they were compelled to serve as Nanhua's vanguard.
Shen Jingyue sighed deeply, saying, "Ever since Chen Feng defeated our sect's disciples at Nanhua Sect three years ago, not a single noble family disciple has been willing to join us. Meanwhile, Nanhua boasts the Three Wandering Immortals, Dangyun Seven Sons, and Sixteen Leisurely Guests for entry-level disciples, and Mingcang Sect is even more illustrious with the 'Twenty-eight Upper Masters.' It's laughable that our Guangyuan Sect has only five entry-level disciples, and all of them are here today..."
At this, he coughed repeatedly, a pallor overtaking his face that had been rosy moments ago.
Wen Jun with concern looked at him and said, "Junior Brother Shen, you've just recently recovered; don't overexert yourself."
But Shen Jingyue ignored him, continuing, "Junior Brother Mo is a once-in-a-century prodigy for our sect. Yet to preserve the sect's honor, he has risked himself alone to block Mingcang disciples at Heavenly Gate Dao. It seems glorious, but danger lurks beneath the surface. Still..." He suddenly stepped forward and gripped Wen Jun's wrist tightly, saying, "No matter how strong Mingcang Sect may be, we must fight with all our might to ensure Nanhua Sect does not easily discard us. Only then can our sect cling to survival."
Wen Jun slowly nodded, determination evident in his eyes.
At the fourth watch hour, at the mountain gate atop Dangyun Peak.
Sitting on the mountaintop, Zhang Yan suddenly opened his eyes. He saw someone approaching along the Earth Gate Path. When the person reached the foot of the mountain, they cupped their fists and said, "Are you Zhang Yan of Mingcang Sect? I am Wang Lie, a disciple of Guangyuan Sect, here to challenge you as I aim to ascend the peak."
Zhang Yan gave him a once-over. The man's aura was focused and cohesive, his demeanor steady. There was an air about him that suggested he was no ordinary individual. Zhang Yan leapt down from the stone and cupped his fists in return. "Please."
The commotion also startled Ai Zhongwen, who was meditating in a side hall along the mountain path. He hurried to the door. Upon seeing Wang Lie, his face immediately changed, as though he had realized something. Before he could issue a warning, Wang Lie had already launched an attack.
Zhang Yan felt a shadow flash before his eyes as Wang Lie's seemingly hardy frame closed in swiftly. A tremendous force struck him, momentarily stifling his breath.
Exhaling sharply, Zhang Yan countered with a powerful punch of his own. With two resounding hits, they struck each other's chest simultaneously, each retreating a step. They exchanged glances, both slightly taken aback.
Wang Lie showed a hint of surprise. He had struck first, yet Zhang Yan managed to land his own blow ahead of him and leveraged the rebound to retreat safely, rendering Wang Lie's punch ineffective. Such precision in timing and strength was far beyond what a typical Qi Refining cultivator could achieve.
Zhang Yan's expression was equally somber. During the clash, he felt an extraordinary energy surge from Wang Lie. The opponent's Primordial Qi was vast and turbulent, and just one punch had left Zhang Yan's upper body numb. Fortunately, Zhang Yan had sensed this earlier and decisively altered his strike to a push, avoiding immediate injury.
From afar, Ai Zhongwen shouted, "Brother Zhang, beware! This Senior Brother Wang is a 'Carrying Tripod Strongman'!"
"Oh?"
Zhang Yan's gaze sharpened, scanning Wang Lie from head to toe. So, this was a "Carrying Tripod Strongman"?

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