Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Chapter 645: Chapter 313: First Clash of the New Era! Zhang Fan vs. Li Changgeng

That talisman actually melted and fused into his flesh, sealing the wound, and the blood returned to his face in an instant.

"You’re right—contesting the sect inheritance is not a matter of pride," Zhang Fan said coldly.

The struggle for succession is, of course, never fair, nor does it abide by the rule of many bullying the few.

With life and death at stake, the means matter not.

Zhang Fan fell silent, turning to look at the desolate, run-down Daoist Temple—Li Miaoyin had yet to return, and Zhao Jie Xuan remained unconscious.

Surrounded by four masters, not to mention the elusive Li Changgeng who had yet to show himself.

Zhang Fan understood...

"Looks like it’s really do-or-die now!" Zhang Fan muttered softly.

"Old Zhang, count me in—I’ll fight to the death, too!"

Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from a great distance away.

Zhang Fan’s eyes lit up; he looked up and saw a youth gliding in with a paraglider riding the wind—who else could it be but Fang Changle?

"Maoshan!?"

Yu Xuanji spotted the newcomer, raising her brow. As the heir of Sanqing Mountain, she clearly recognized Fang Changle.

"Made it just in time!"

Fang Changle leaped nimbly down, landing beside Zhang Fan; the two clasped hands, looking every bit like comrades reuniting in triumph.

"Why the hell couldn’t you guys have waited and made an even later entrance?" Zhang Fan laughed heartily.

"A fine meal is never late!"

Suddenly, yet another shout rang out, accompanied by the reverberation of an ancient bell.

Everyone’s Primordial Spirit shuddered, and in a daze, it was as if they saw a mighty mountain stretching across east and west, vast as the Dao itself.

"Laojun Mountain!?"

Yu Xuanji bit her silver teeth, her eyes narrowed into an icy gleam.

Qi Delong and Qi Dongqiang each held an ancient bell, stepping into view.

"Old Qi brought all of Laojun Mountain’s treasures. We were late because the flight was delayed," Fang Changle whispered.

"You know how it is, these things are never on schedule!"

"Glad you’re here—all that matters is that you made it!"

Zhang Fan looked at Fang Changle, at Qi Delong and Qi Dongqiang, and couldn’t help but clench his fists tightly.

On this road, after all, he was not alone.

Though the path stretches far, he walks it with companions.

"Maoshan and Laojun Mountain—are you really going to wade into these troubled waters?" Yu Xuanji said gravely.

"Xuanji, we’re old acquaintances by now. Since you know it’s a mess, maybe you should go home early and marry someone," Fang Changle said lightly.

"Four against three... no, five against three. The odds are still on our side," Yu Xuanji sneered coldly.

"I can take three on by myself."

At that moment, a lazy voice sounded.

Everyone looked up and saw a young woman perched atop a large green rock not far away—wearing a Daoist Robe, her petite frame bare-footed, swinging her feet carelessly in mid-air.

"Xia Weisheng!?" Yu Xuanji cried out, stunned.

She hadn’t expected that the senior sister from Zhenwu Mountain would show up.

"Zhenwu Mountain!?" Xiangtingshan’s eyes lit up with surprise, measuring Xia Weisheng up and down.

He hailed from White Elephant Mountain, of the Demon Leader lineage of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, long familiar with the name of Xia Weisheng from Zhenwu Mountain.

This was the Closed-door Disciple of the Living Zhenren... once the Closed-door Disciple!

The talk everywhere was that Xia Weisheng was the silent chosen successor of Zhenwu Mountain, and that the seat of Zhenwu Mountain Sect Leader would most likely pass to her.

Xiangtingshan hadn’t expected the heir of Zhenwu Mountain to appear here as well.

In fact, not just him—even Zhang Fan found himself surprised at Xia Weisheng’s presence.

"Even Xia Weisheng answered your call?" Fang Changle sidled up to Zhang Fan, murmuring.

"I never called her here."

Zhang Fan shook his head, but an understanding dawned in his heart; though he bore the title of Zhenwu Mountain disciple and looked to be left adrift, in fact, Zhenwu Mountain kept a close watch on him.

"Is Zhenwu Mountain getting involved now too?" Yu Xuanji spat, silver teeth clenched. "Xia Weisheng, you must know who backs us."

Upon hearing this, Xia Weisheng’s lips curled into a slight smile; she leapt from the boulder.

"Before the gates of Zhenwu, no need for concern about outsiders."

At these words, Xiangtingshan and Huang Sanlang exchanged glances—this Zhenwu Mountain heir’s tone was audacious indeed.

Yet before the words faded, Xia Weisheng stretched out her hand, pointing at Yu Xuanji, Xiangtingshan, and Huang Sanlang.

"I’ll take on all three!"

"You..."

Yu Xuanji’s face flushed red; as fellow heirs of the Ten Great Daoist Sects, Xia Weisheng’s words made it clear she regarded her as nothing.

"I never did regard you as anything."

Rumble...

Before the words had faded, thunder surged around Xia Weisheng, roaring like the River Sea, her terrifying aura shaking the heavens as she struck directly at the three.

This senior sister of Zhenwu Mountain was as bold and unrestrained as ever in her actions.

"Then let’s bully you with numbers for a change."

Fang Changle, Qi Delong, and Qi Dongqiang shared a look, placing themselves before Zhang Huntu.

Facing a disciple of Beizhang, even as heirs of two great sects, they did not dare be arrogant.

What’s more, Zhang Huntu himself had just said it—struggle for inheritance is not a contest of pride, and there’s no shame in using numbers.

"When no tiger is in the mountain, the monkey claims to be king—how long has Dragon Tiger Mountain enjoyed supremacy?"

Zhang Huntu sneered coldly, his gaze sharper than a sword as it swept over Fang Changle, Qi Delong, and Qi Dongqiang.

Clearly, in his eyes, Dragon Tiger Mountain stood atop all Daoist Sects, the true orthodox Profound Sect.

"Never thought a dignified disciple of Dragon Tiger Mountain could be so petty," Fang Changle chuckled.

"Seeking technique beyond the heart—is nothing but the path of the heretic," Qi Delong interjected.

"Say what you will, in the end, only the Venerable takes precedence!"

Zhang Huntu gave a low shout, incense swirling around him as the phantom of Chaotic Heaven Great Saint rose again.

The two Daoist Sect masters steeled themselves for battle, bracing to meet the attack.

Just then, Zhang Fan spun around suddenly, gazing at the mountains and rivers, searching the shadowed empty valley, fists tightly clenched, gathering his strength, shouting loudly,

"Li Changgeng, isn’t it time you showed yourself?"

"As you wish."

Soft words, drifting lightly as the spring breeze, stirring the mountain and river. From the fading light, a figure strode forward—none other than Li Changgeng, heir of White Crane Temple!