Daoist Competition

Chapter 280: Chapter 7 Nether River Demon Treasure_2

For such trivial matters, he couldn’t even be bothered to respond. If he truly intended to take offense, he would have released a streak of Sword Qi to kill them long ago. Why would he wait for Chenxiang Sect to come forward and apologize? Nonetheless, he also understood that Mu Hongchen coming to see him must surely have other intentions—the so-called apology was merely an excuse.

Mu Hongchen expressed her gratitude and seated herself gracefully in the position below him. She was a straightforward person by nature, and since she had already met Zhang Yan, she didn’t intend to skirt around the subject. Sitting upright, she directly began, "I won’t hide anything from you, fellow Daoist. Apart from apologizing, there’s another matter Red Dust wishes to trouble you with, which is the reason for this impromptu visit."

Zhang Yan, seeing her speak solemnly, knew she wouldn’t be seeking him out without reason. After pondering briefly, he said, "Fellow Daoist, you may as well speak freely."

Mu Hongchen reached at her waist and pulled out a bamboo scroll Daoist Book, handing it to Zhang Yan. "Please have a look first, Daoist."

Zhang Yan remained seated, unmoving, as the scroll flew up on its own, unfolding before his eyes. With just a glance, he understood immediately and commented, "If my observation is correct, this is a cultivation method from the Demon Sect. While it’s not considered upper grade, it is indeed quite refined. Should one cultivate earnestly, the speed of advancement far surpasses that of ordinary cultivators."

Mu Hongchen praised him, "Brother Zhang truly deserves his reputation as a disciple of a great sect—your Dharma Eye is discerning and precise."

She then took out another bamboo scroll Daoist Book from her waist, spreading it open on the table before him, "I ask Daoist to observe this one as well."

Zhang Yan cast a few glances and was genuinely surprised. The second scroll also recorded a spell that followed the Qi Dao path. Though not particularly profound, it similarly offered rapid progress during cultivation, evidently originating from the same source as the first scroll.

Mu Hongchen observed his expression and asked, "Brother Zhang, what do you think of these two cultivation methods?"

Zhang Yan chuckled faintly and said, "These techniques are rather peculiar, unique in their approach, and easy to start learning. However, they fall somewhat short when it comes to fighting against others."

Mu Hongchen sighed lightly. "Brother Zhang, as someone from a major sect, you wouldn’t understand the hardships of cultivation for lesser sects like ours. If we can enjoy even a few hundred years of carefree existence, it’s considered a blessing from Heaven. For our sect, even methods like these surpass our original Dharma techniques many times over."

Zhang Yan found this odd, raising his eyebrows slightly, "Why does Fellow Daoist say so? Although these methods allow for rapid progress, they are ultimately shortcuts, with shallow foundations to boot. These scrolls only describe cultivation up to the Xuan Guang Realm. From what I see, Fellow Daoist is already at the Xuan Guang First Realm with no lack of strength in your mana. What need is there to envy such arts?"

Mu Hongchen shook her head and said solemnly, "There is something you do not know, Daoist. When these two scrolls came to my hands, they bore the characters ’Renzi’ and ’Renxu,’ which made me suspect they came from the same source. After years of investigation, I discovered they both originated from a Demon Storage drifting in an underground Nether River."

So-called "Demon Storages" are texts that ancient Demon Sect loose cultivators recorded before their deaths or ascension, storing their lifelong learnings within a portable Dharma Treasure and allowing it to drift in underground Nether Rivers, waiting for a fated individual to retrieve them.

However, famed mountains and great rivers often possess numerous Immortal Cave Mansions as well, so the matter is not particularly rare.

Mu Hongchen spoke in melancholy tones, "Xuan Guang Realm cultivators have a lifespan of three hundred years, while Hua Dan cultivators enjoy six hundred. Only Nascent Souls can live for a thousand years. My Chenxiang Sect has been established for merely a few hundred years, relying entirely on the support of my master. She was a Hua Dan Cultivator and yet was limited by her cultivation method, unable to advance beyond the Nascent Soul Realm. Her lifespan of several centuries passed swiftly, and she couldn’t escape the bounds of the heavens. I witnessed her sitting in meditation within her Cave Mansion before passing away. Truly, I do not wish to see such a tragedy happen again."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan understood Mu Hongchen’s intentions. If this was indeed a Demon Storage, setting aside the content in those few scrolls, it was possible that even higher-level Mysterious Skill secret techniques lay within.

The world is filled with cultivation methods, but those capable of leading to the Great Dao of Immortality are few and far between.

Even the Taiyin Golden Book he carried with him only allowed cultivation up to the Hua Dan stage. Once he solidified a pill, he would need to seek out another method. At this point, the advantages of a major sect would become apparent—their inheritances spanning thousands or tens of thousands of years meant they naturally had cultivation methods pointing directly to the Immortality Dao within their sect.

Zhang Yan glanced at Mu Hongchen and smiled faintly, "Such confidential matters are usually better kept concealed. Why tell me about it at all?"

Mu Hongchen sighed, expressing her helplessness, "I hadn’t planned to disclose this, but that Demon Storage keeps drifting unpredictably within the Nether River, making it exceedingly hard to locate. Obtaining the Zhi Ma Fruit held by Daoist would be necessary. Furthermore, the Nether River is filled with formidable devils, and within my Chenxiang Sect, only myself and two younger sisters have reached the Xuan Guang Realm. Without potent Dharma Treasures to protect us, we are far from confident. I initially planned to seek the help of Brother Chou from Shaoqing Sect, but he had other pressing matters and has already left. After much deliberation, I realized only Daoist Zhang could assist us in this endeavor. If Daoist Zhang is willing, upon finding the Demon Storage, not only will Daoist have the privilege of perusing its secrets, but you may pick out treasures such as Dharma Tools first."

Zhang Yan shook his head firmly and said, "My sect holds superior mysterious skills; why covet the methods of other sects?"

Most Demon Sect cultivation methods are highly incompatible with Xuanmen spells. Observing them is one thing, but cultivating one in its entirety would require forfeiting one’s original cultivation, as happened with Han Ji.

Seeing his inclination to refuse, Mu Hongchen wasn’t upset. Instead, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and thought to herself, "This matter truly requires seeking out disciples of major sects to succeed. Only they care little for obscure cultivation methods from unknown origins. If a typical cultivator from a smaller sect caught wind of this, they would likely be elated beyond words."

She adjusted her hair and smiled softly, "Red Dust wouldn’t ask Brother Zhang to act without gratitude. My master left me a considerable amount of Bright Stone Milk when she solidified her own pill. I’d intended to use it myself upon reaching the Xuan Guang Third Realm, but if Daoist Zhang is willing to lend me a hand, I would gift it to you."

Bright Stone Milk is one of the three primary external medicines for solidifying pills. Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan felt a slight stir within and raised his gaze to observe Mu Hongchen, speaking in a serious tone, "Bright Stone Milk is not easy to acquire. Are you truly willing to part with it?"

Mu Hongchen gritted her teeth and said resolutely, "Only by giving can we gain!"

The Bright Stone Milk had been painstakingly procured by her master to ensure she could successfully solidify a pill and assume the position of the next Sect Leader. Yet Mu Hongchen knew all too well that without superior cultivation methods, what difference would a few hundred extra years of lifespan make? Ultimately, she’d end up like her master—succumbing to death in meditation.

She was clear about priorities.

Zhang Yan did not rush to respond, instead deliberating quietly.

By now, Mu Hongchen’s cards were laid bare. A small sect like hers had little else that could sway him. Though she grew increasingly anxious, she could only sit in silence and wait.

Zhang Yan pondered for quite some time before finally speaking slowly, "I can agree to this, Fellow Daoist, but you must meet one condition of mine."

Mu Hongchen’s spirits lifted, and she responded happily, "Daoist, please name it! As long as Red Dust is able, I will do my utmost to comply!"

Zhang Yan gazed at her and said calmly, "It’s not difficult. If you wish for my assistance, you’ll need to give me the Bright Stone Milk upfront."

Mu Hongchen hesitated only briefly before slamming her palm on the table, "Very well! However, the Bright Stone Milk is currently stored at Chenxiang Sect and cannot be retrieved immediately. You’ll have to wait a while."

Zhang Yan smiled faintly, "No rush. I need to visit a friend in the meantime. Why not set a time for us to meet again? There’s no harm in delaying this matter by a little."

Mu Hongchen considered his words. Descending into the Nether River would indeed require considerable preparation. She replied, "Alright. Two months from now, I will host Daoist Zhang at Wutong Mountain. Red Dust will have everything ready and will be waiting for your arrival."

...(To be continued. If you like this story, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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