Devour

Chapter 393: Sect Internal Competition

A mysterious legend spreads in the North Sea, claiming that an immortal once commanded the giant Longbo to capture the giant turtles. Unexpectedly, this action angered the dragon turtle, the ruler of the turtles, and the two sides engaged in a terrifying battle.

After several days of fierce fighting, the dragon turtle was defeated and its body lay dead on the sea. Its body turned into a fairy island, floating like a free pearl in the blue sea.

The island is surrounded by auspicious clouds year-round, seemingly isolated from the outside world. Unless granted permission by the immortals, mortals can only see the hazy aura but can never approach it.

This is Jingao Island, the headquarters of the mysterious yet famous Jingtao Sect in Beihai.

The sun was shining brightly, and at a certain moment, the island protection formation dispersed the misty clouds on the island, making the peaks and hills dotted with beautiful buildings suddenly appear before the eyes.

Four smaller peaks surround the steep and highest peak in the center, called "Xuandao Peak", like stars surrounding the moon.

The clear springs and waterfalls in the mountains are like hanging silver chains, and the exotic flowers and plants everywhere emit fragrance. There are often magical birds perching on the branches to absorb and exhale abundant vitality, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere.

"Hurry, go!"

"After many twists and turns in the sect's internal competition, the last candidate for the Holy Son finally made it back to the island."

"Everyone, don't be stunned. If you go too late, the good spots will be taken. Hurry up and go up to Xuandao Peak to watch the fun!"

"The Holy Son Selection Ceremony is held only once every thirty-two samsara eras, and is seen by inner disciples as a hope for rapid advancement."

“The moment to leap over the dragon gate is now!”

Accompanied by excited shouts, inner disciples dressed in tight clothes rushed to the main peak one after another.

Monks with magical weapons piloted flying swords and armor, streaking through the air. Warriors without equipment, with their extraordinary lightness skills, scaled cliffs as if they were walking on flat ground. Low shouts and cheers echoed along the way, adding to the clamor.

However, the clamor came to an abrupt end outside the black-tiled, white-walled perimeter at the foot of the mountain. These solemn and dignified buildings of the Law Enforcement Court stretched upwards, extending to another majestic palace on the mountainside.

"By order of the chief monk, today disciples from all peaks are allowed to travel to Xuandao Peak, but they are not allowed to enter the Transmission Hall without permission." The disciples of the Law Enforcement Court had dignified expressions on their faces. While maintaining order, they opened the mountain road to allow people to go up the mountain.

The exquisite three-story palace on the hillside is made entirely of white jade, and the bronze wind chimes hanging high on the eaves emit clear sounds in the breeze.

The first level of the hall is an open-air martial arts arena. Many elders formed a large circle at the edge of the venue, sitting cross-legged facing the arena in the middle, as if waiting for an important person.

While the arena was empty, it wasn't completely deserted. Two core disciples, a man and a woman, sat cross-legged at the foot of the steps ahead, listening quietly as the elder instructing the martial arts, seated high in the western chair, chanted the key points of the "Sea Boiling Sutra."

"As the Qi circulates through the body, distracting thoughts dissipate, the five internal organs harmonize like the strings of a zither, Qi and blood flow like streams returning to the sea, and the Dantian becomes subtly warm like a blazing charcoal fire..."

The deep voice echoed in the martial arts arena, intoxicating. The two disciples closed their eyes, resting in the tranquility, waiting for the meeting to begin.

The man appeared to be young, dressed in blue armor. The woman was youthful and beautiful, clad in red armor. Both silently practiced their skills in their best postures, preparing for the coming battle.

A discordant voice suddenly interrupted the class: "Wow! You're giving me a private lesson here every day, reciting the same old scriptures over and over again. And those so-called inner disciples don't even get a chance to listen...Haha!"

Upon hearing the arrogant words, the elder who was teaching the skills stopped chanting and looked up at the man in black clothes who was striding in from the outside of the hall.

The person who came was very skilled, his steps were like the surging tide, seemingly slow but with astonishing speed. In a flash, he stood to the left of two disciples, a man and a woman.

His unruly long hair fluttered in the wind, giving him a sense of wildness, but his eyes were not at all distracted, making people think that all the masters in the world should have their hair disheveled like him, so as to be worthy of his majestic demeanor.

"What a 'Raging Waves Step'! It's truly a unique light skill recorded in the Sea Boiling Sutra. Senior Brother Wang Duxing's attainments are far superior to mine!" Without waiting for the elder who was teaching the skill, the blue-armored young man at the arena opened his eyes and began to compliment the black-robed man. "I've been waiting for you for quite some time. To avoid wasting time, I'll take this opportunity to ask for a few pointers from Senior Brother Zeng."

Wang Duxing casually shook his long hair and replied nonchalantly, "It's Junior Brother Pan Yue. I haven't seen you for a few years. You have made great progress in your cultivation. You and Junior Sister Wang Zhen don't want me to come back, right?"

Pan Yue remained calm, smiled faintly but did not answer.

Wang Zhen, dressed in red, could no longer contain herself and snorted softly, "Brother Duxing, your legs are on your own body. Whether you come back or not is beyond my control. Times are different now, and it's still unclear who will win!"

A sneer played on Wang Duxing's lips. He pulled a cushion from the Sumeru mustard seed and dropped it, letting it float lightly to the ground. He sat cross-legged on it and muttered, "Who's the last candidate? They still refuse to show up at this late hour. Are they so arrogant that they're keeping me waiting?"

Wang Zhen curled his lips and said disdainfully, "He's a coquettish old man. Not only is his butt bigger than yours, but his reputation is also much more famous than yours."

Pan Yue added, "He ranks 110th on the Heavenly Ladder Ranking. He's a master who has the potential to be on the Sage Ranking in the future. Our sect values ​​him very much!"

Wang Duxing's face was clearly displeased, and he chuckled, "So it's the elders of the previous generation? Haha... Those who are willing to put aside their pride and turn around to compete with the younger generation for food are truly shameless!"

A cold breeze suddenly blew from behind him, and a deep, powerful voice echoed: "My three disciples have been waiting for a long time. It is my honor to have the opportunity to discuss the Dao with such talented people on the same stage!"

Pan Yue chuckled and said, "Uncle Pan Zhonghan, Senior Brother Duxing was just saying bad things about you."

Wang Duxing's face turned a little ugly. He turned his head suddenly and looked directly at the figure that flashed over and stood on his left side.

The rejuvenated Pan Zhonghan, clad in a brocade battle robe, appears exceptionally refreshed, his long, black hair cascading naturally like a waterfall, adding a touch of freshness and elegance to his flowing form. His handsomeness and demeanor rival that of a banished immortal, a stark contrast to Wang Duxing's frivolous and uninhibited demeanor.

Although Pan Zhonghan had heard the three people's conversation, he pretended not to hear. He looked around and bowed, saying, "Zhonghan, I hurried as fast as I could. I hope I didn't delay the important event of selecting the Holy Son."

The elder who was passing on the skills gave a slight nod of approval and raised his hand to signal, "Junior Brother Zhonghan has regained his lost youth and his progress in cultivation is remarkable. Please take a seat!"

"Thank you, Master Wang Mingsheng, the head of the martial arts department, and all the uncles and brothers for your care and concern." After saying this, Pan Zhonghan took out his own cushion from his treasure bag, gently placed it on the ground, and sat down quietly.

The clan ranking system is based on the left as the most noble and the right as the least noble. Given Pan Zhonghan's seniority, it was only natural for him to sit to the left of the four candidates.

Wang Duxing was secretly unhappy. He watched his competitor's every move with a squinting eye, and said teasingly, "How come Master Zhonghan doesn't even have a Sumeru mustard seed? Where has he been all these years?"

A hint of gloom quietly emerged in the depths of Pan Zhonghan's eyes, and he calmly replied: "Practicing in seclusion on the island is not like my nephew walking alone in the world of martial arts, free and unrestrained."

Wang Duxing couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Haha... Uncle Zhonghan really knows how to joke! Why would Liudao Qingxiu arrive so late? Could it be that he went to some dangerous secret place and lost all his belongings?"

Laughter echoed around the martial arts arena. Many elders had deep eyes or seemed to be lost in thought, with a hint of a meaningful smile on their lips.

Faced with the direct provocation, Pan Zhonghan's eyes flashed with a cold light and then disappeared. He didn't seem to react much, but just said lightly: "Nephew, you are joking."

Wang Duxing, however, became even more presumptuous, confidently stating, "I've heard that my uncle-shi is an expert in the Five Thunder Palm, praised by several fellow disciples as surpassing his peers. And the 'Thunderbolt Sword Technique' I'm practicing happens to counteract the Five Thunder Palm!"

Wang Zhen, who was to Wang Duxing's right, showed surprise and interrupted, "The Falling Thunder Sword Technique is the most superior sword cultivation method currently available in the Sutra Repository, even higher than the Sea Boiling Sutra. It's a shame that no one has ever mastered all four forms of this unique skill, the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Formation."

Pan Yue hesitated and said, "It's difficult to master, mainly because this manual is incomplete and missing a move."

Wang Zhen deliberately flattered him, "Even if only three moves remain, they are still ordinary Wu Yuan-level sword techniques. You've mastered this unparalleled skill, which shows that Senior Brother Du Xing is highly regarded by the Holy Lord. Congratulations!"

Wang Duxing was secretly pleased with himself and laughed wildly, "Haha... This is a competition between fellow disciples, so we should stop when it's enough. When we get on the stage later, I will show some mercy."

Pan Zhonghan seemed slow to react and resumed his original question: "The Holy Master has not yet arrived. It seems that it will be even later in the future!"