True Man Cangsong unleashed his cultivation, his immortal sword surging forward in a devastating strike aimed at Lin Hao.
"Let me see who dares to harm my beloved disciple!"
A furious roar shook the heavens. Tian Buyi suddenly leapt in front of Zhang Xiaofan, his immortal sword bursting with flames as it clashed against Cangsong's blade mid-air.
The two swords collided, locking in a deadlock.
Both cultivators poured their full spiritual power into their weapons. Cangsong's eyes widened in shock...
he had never expected Tian Buyi, once considered a slow-witted cultivator, to be able to match him blow for blow.
How could this be? Both of them had received guidance from Senior Brother Wan Jianyi, yet Cangsong's talent was far superior. In his mind,
Tian Buyi should never have been his equal. And yet here they were....perfectly matched.
"Enough!"
The thunderous voice of Taoist Master Daoxuan cut through the clashing swords.
At once, both Tian Buyi and Cangsong withdrew their blades, bowing respectfully.
Cangsong stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Master, Zhang Xiaofan is highly suspicious.
Allow me to bring him back and interrogate him. I will uncover his ties to the Demon Cult without fail!"
"Take him back and torture him....!" Tian Buyi roared, but his words were silenced when Daoxuan raised his hand.
Daoxuan's gaze turned toward the fire stick in Zhang Xiaofan's hands. His voice was calm, steady.
"This weapon carries a fierce aura, but it is restrained. It is unlike the sinister tools of the Demon Cult that I have encountered. Furthermore,
two years ago, when I treated Zhang Xiaofan's wounds, he told me he found this weapon in the pond behind Dazhu Peak.
Later, I personally investigated and confirmed it."
Cangsong's expression darkened. "Master, Demon Cultists are cunning liars.
Their words should never be trusted. Anyone even remotely related to them must be destroyed.....better to kill by mistake than let one escape!"
Daoxuan's eyes sharpened as he stared straight at Cangsong. His voice was solemn.
"Our Qingyun Sect walks the righteous path. We would rather spare a life than wrongfully kill an innocent.
Otherwise, what difference is there between us and the Demon Cult?"
Zhang Xiaofan listened in awe, realizing why Daoxuan had reached the Taiqing realm. Not only was his cultivation supreme, but his heart was broad and upright. Truly worthy of respect.
"I… I…" Cangsong stammered, unable to refute Daoxuan's words.
"Junior Brother Cangsong," Daoxuan continued, "you may be skilled in Daoist arts, but you must also cultivate righteousness."
"Hmph!" Cangsong turned away with a cold snort, though unwilling to admit defeat. He glanced at Zhang Xiaofan, resentment burning in his eyes.
With Daoxuan protecting him, killing Zhang Xiaofan today was impossible.
But in time… he would find another chance.
Zhang Xiaofan's meteoric rise only fueled Cangsong's unease.
In five short years, this boy had already stepped into the Shangqing realm and mastered both the Divine Sword Lightning Controlling Technique and the Devil Slayer Technique.
His talent was terrifying....far surpassing all but the legendary Qingye Patriarch.
If left unchecked, a century from now, even Cangsong might not be his match.
That thought gnawed at his heart, stoking his ambition and his schemes.
Meanwhile, Daoxuan turned his attention to Zhang Xiaofan, his gaze softening. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became.
If he were not already Tian Buyi's disciple, I would have taken him in myself… perhaps even chosen him as successor to the Sect.
A sigh escaped his lips, tinged with regret.
"Zhang Xiaofan," Daoxuan said at last, "you stand first in this Seven Clans Martial Competition.
From this day, you will descend the mountain with three fellow disciples to temper yourself.
Remember, the Demon Cult stirs once more....if danger arises, your life comes first."
"Yes, Uncle Sect Leader," Zhang Xiaofan bowed deeply.
He still admired Daoxuan. In the original path of fate, if not for Cangsong's ambush that forced Daoxuan to draw the Zhuxian Sword, the sect leader would never have slain him.
Daoxuan's heart was righteous, his cultivation supreme, his devotion to Qingyun unshakable.
In the end, he too died for the sect....just as his master Tianchengzi had before him.
"Go now. Lu Xueqi and the others await you in the square," Daoxuan commanded.
Zhang Xiaofan bowed once more to Daoxuan and Tian Buyi. "Master, Sect Leader, I take my leave."
He turned to Cangsong with a mocking smile. "Farewell, Dog Thief Cangsong."
"You....! I'll kill you!" Cangsong erupted in fury, summoning his sword once more, but Daoxuan's soft hmm was enough to make him withdraw.
"Junior Brother Cangsong," Daoxuan said evenly, "you are over three hundred years old. Do not stoop to quarrel with a youth barely in his teens."
"But Master," Cangsong protested, "he has disrespected me again and again.
He even dares call me a dog thief! How can I tolerate this?"
"If you had not continually targeted him unjustly, would he have spoken so?" Daoxuan replied calmly.
"Zhang Xiaofan is a boy who knows gratitude and enmity. Treat him fairly, and he will respect you in return."
"Humph!" Cangsong clenched his fists, his face dark with suppressed rage.
Zhang Xiaofan's mood brightened at the sight of his enemy fuming helplessly. With a light heart, he left Yuqing Hall and headed for the square.
Crossing the broken rainbow bridge, he suddenly stopped, spat into the green water pond, and muttered coldly:
"Wait ten years… then I'll cut off your manhood!"
With that, he strode away toward Lu Xueqi and the others.
The water rippled violently. A massive head rose from the pond....the Water Qilin. Its enormous eyes glared at Zhang Xiaofan's retreating back, trembling with rage.
Then, with a shudder, it quickly sank beneath the surface.
Never again, it swore. If I see that brat in the future, I'll hide at the bottom of the lake! Human cultivators may live only a few centuries… but I can wait forever.
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