Daoist Competition

Chapter 1383: Chapter 78: Three Seals Blocking the Path—Rebirth from Certain Death (Part 2)

He maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, but inside, he was overjoyed.

The other party’s proposal was exactly what he desired; it was only by truly forcing Zhongtai into a desperate situation that the Python Clan could take advantage of the situation.

But at this moment, he feigned a troubled expression, looked at Sect Leader Qiao, and said, "Brother Daoist, what do you think?"

Mrs. Zhao pleaded, "Husband."

Sect Leader Qiao closed his eyes in thought for a moment, sighed, and said, "I cannot decide on this matter alone; it requires discussion with the elders."

He summoned a disciple and said, "Go to Elder Yan and ask for his opinion."

The disciple quickly transformed his form and hurried to the Dharma Platform where several elders were present, just about to speak when Elder Yan preemptively said, "Go back and tell the Sect Leader that both matters can be agreed upon."

The disciple was overjoyed, quickly bowed, and returned to report.

Elder Lin was extremely surprised and urgently said, "Senior Brother, that Lil Du opposes us at every turn. What’s the use of saving him?"

Elder Yan reprimanded coldly, "Foolish, do you realize what time it is now? How can any egg remain intact when the nest is overturned? If Lil Du perishes, we won’t fare any better!"

In fact, he most hoped to see Rong and Du both suffer defeat, but if Du Shixun were killed just like that, where would Zhongtai find another person to contend with Xuanyue? Besides, what Xuanyue is doing involves a struggle between the two sects’ inheritances, which he absolutely cannot tolerate, and compared to this, everything else can be set aside.

Elder Lin was quite disgruntled and said, "Senior Brother, that Daoist Hui Xuan might be able to fight Rong Junzhong; why place so much importance on Lil Du?"

Elder Bai sighed, "Junior Lin, that Old Daoist Hui Xuan is just an outsider. Though he seems amicable with us, in truth he is merely putting on a facade. We cannot count on him exerting himself to the death for Zhongtai. Besides, Du Shixun is a Power Dao Practitioner, as long as we can save him and nurse him back to health, there might be a future chance for him to contend with Rong Junzhong again."

Upon receiving the reply, Sect Leader Qiao did not know whether to feel sorrowful or joyful, and he made a formal bow in the distance, saying, "Daoist Hui Xuan, sorry to trouble you this time."

Upon hearing this, Ancestor Hui Xuan understood his choice and calmed his heart before saying to Rong Junzhong, "Master Rong, please release him."

Rong Junzhong did not go back on his word; with a wave of his sleeve, he retracted the Three-fingered Fork and the Hundred Refinement Heart-locking Stake, and left behind a sentence, "Your sect can come to take him," then turned and headed back towards Xuanyue’s location.

Without needing to be instructed, several disciples immediately went down the mountain and, in no time, retrieved Du Shixun. At this moment he was unconscious, and seeing his miserable state, Mrs. Zhao was deeply worried, repeatedly asking, "How is my son? How is my son?"

Sect Leader Qiao, still composed, stepped up to examine him, only to furrow his brows.

Mrs. Zhao became anxious and trembled as she asked, "Husband, don’t frighten me. Did Rong Junzhong do something?"

Sect Leader Qiao shook his head and said, "Madam, don’t worry. Xun’er just depleted too much of his Dharma Essence and is not in any serious danger, but he won’t be able to engage in battle for a short while."

Mrs. Zhao felt a sense of relief, but upon realizing that without Ancestor Hui Xuan, her child couldn’t go into battle, the chances of winning the fight seemed slim to none.

Sect Leader Qiao called two disciples over, ordered them to take Du Shixun down to settle him, then returned to the carriage and sat in silence, as if contemplating a strategy.

Mrs. Zhao noticed the worry cloaked on his brow and bit her lip, hesitating whether to mention the matter of the Python Clan.

This clan occupies the North Sea, with Cave Heaven Experts seated within. If they could gain their assistance, dealing with Xuanyue would presumably not be difficult.

After several hesitations, just as she was about to speak, Sect Leader Qiao suddenly said, "Come, summon Daoist Zeng."

Thereupon, a child responded and went.

Shortly after, a distinguished-looking Daoist arrived at the carriage, bowed, and said, "Zeng Conglun greets Sect Leader Qiao."

Sect Leader Qiao nodded solemnly, as this was a critical moment for Zhongtai, he dispensed with the formalities and said directly, "I invited you, fellow Daoist, because I want to use the Stargazing Book to calculate where the path lies in this fight."

Zeng Conglun was already prepared and said, "This poor Daoist shall comply, only..."

Sect Leader Qiao knew what his concern was, and before he could finish, he said, "I, Qiao, swear here that if Daoist Zeng opens the Star Scroll, later on, if disaster befalls you, Zhongtai will protect you with the strength of our entire sect. If I violate this vow, may heaven and earth condemn me."

With this promise, Zeng Conglun felt somewhat reassured, bowed, and said, "Sect Leader Qiao, please dismiss everyone else."

Sect Leader Qiao waved his hand, and everyone, including Mrs. Zhao, withdrew. Then he used a spell to erect a prohibition over the carriage, shielding the two within. Once everything was in place, he said, "Fellow Daoist, you may perform your spell."

Zeng Conglun apologized, stepped back a few paces, took out a delicate bamboo book from his sleeve, untied the ribbon, and carefully opened it.

As the bamboo slips were fully unfurled, suddenly white light surged three feet high, revealing hundreds of talismans, whirling and spinning, swiftly like shooting stars, beams of piercing light shot out like sharp arrows.

He endured the intense scorching pain and looked for several breaths, felt his blood surge in reverse, eyes blackened, breathing rapid, the longer he gazed at the Stargazing Book, the greater the future disaster. Yet due to the gravity of the current matter, he dared not hastily retract his gaze, and forced himself to look for quite some time longer, suddenly let out a great shout, and fell backward to the ground.

Sect Leader Qiao was startled, got down from the carriage, and helped him up.

Zeng Conglun, regaining his composure, took advantage of his still somewhat clear mind, grabbed Sect Leader Qiao’s arm, and feebly said, "Sect Leader Qiao, this poor Daoist has obtained a phrase of prophecy to assist Zhongtai out of this dilemma."

Sect Leader Qiao also became tense and asked, "What is it?"

Zeng Conglun caught his breath and said, "The prophecy is ’Out of the death’s door, rebirth comes.’"

Sect Leader Qiao pondered for a moment, intending to ask more, but Zeng Conglun had relaxed his spirit after delivering the prophecy, and had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Sect Leader Qiao deeply furrowed his brows, ’Out of the death’s door, rebirth comes?’

He couldn’t help but look into the distance. Rong Junzhong had won three battles, and Xuanyue had seized three mountain peaks, setting up forbidden techniques. The advantage Zhang Yan had gained by turning the tide in one round was already lost, and Xuanyue had effectively sealed the exit from the mountains.

Here, it was already a dead end.

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)