Daoist Competition-Chapter 152 - 43 2 Rising Zhao You Heavenly Pool Demon Lord_2

Zhang Yan adjusted his robes, stood up, and bowed, saying, "Indeed. May I ask how I should address you, Senior?"

The old Daoist chuckled lightly and said, "I am Gui Congyao."

Gui Congyao? One of the Three Pools Demon Kings? The master of Zhao You Heavenly Pond? A great demon who has cultivated for thousands of years?

Unexpectedly, the other party didn’t emit even a trace of demon energy, instead resembling a Daoist who had attained enlightenment.

Zhang Yan’s heart trembled, yet his expression remained calm. He cupped his fists respectfully and said, "So it is Pavilion Master Gui. I am Zhang Yan of the Mingcang Sect. I greet you, Senior."

Gui Congyao fixed his gaze on Zhang Yan and said, "Let me ask you, was it you who took that piece of Water Cloud Sand outside my mountain gate?"

Zhang Yan did not hesitate and answered truthfully, "Indeed, it was I who took it."

Before such a great demon, with his current cultivation, there was no point in attempting to hide the truth. Better to face the matter candidly.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Gui Congyao did not become angry. On the contrary, he was overjoyed, saying, "Fortune has arrived, fortune has arrived."

Zhang Yan was taken aback upon hearing this, and a subtle thought sparked in his mind, as if he had touched upon a clue.

Gui Congyao smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you need not be puzzled. The piece of Cloud Sand you took was left behind by a high master passing through 150 years ago. He once said that 150 years later, if someone comes to claim it, that person would be my fated benefactor. I have been awaiting this day in my cave mansion for years, and today, you’ve finally arrived."

Zhang Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. He pondered silently—could it be that Zhou Chongju had sent him to Zhao You Heavenly Pond for this very reason?

It must be. Otherwise, Zhou Chongju would never have been so assured in sending him into the domain of this Demon Lord to retrieve something.

So, the high master Gui Congyao mentioned was likely the same old Daoist who had guided him to the Mingcang Sect in the first place.

While he was deep in thought, Gui Congyao studied him for a long moment before he sighed heavily, shook his head, and said, "To think that you are the one destined to kill me."

Zhang Yan was startled and quickly scrutinized Gui Congyao’s expression, which did not seem to be joking. He cautiously said, "Senior, my cultivation is shallow. Even if I studied for another hundred years, I doubt I could become your match."

Gui Congyao laughed and said, "Haha, you need not be afraid. What I said has its reasons. From the moment I awakened spiritual wisdom, I have cultivated for over two thousand years, living a total of 3,649 years. However, due to the limitations of my innate foundation, my cultivation has not advanced an inch for centuries. When that high master passed by, I asked him how much longer I had to live. He told me that my lifespan would conclude at 3,650 years. On that day, my millennia of effort would reduce to a pile of withered bones."

After speaking, he sighed repeatedly, filled with lament.

Zhang Yan, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy in his heart.

Currently at the Ming Qi stage, his lifespan was a little over 300 years. Without fortuitous encounters, his lifespan wouldn’t extend by even a day until he reached the Hua Dan stage. Even if he achieved the Nascent Soul Realm, he would only have a thousand years to live. While that sounded long, for cultivators who often spent decades or centuries in seclusion, it was in fact fleeting.

Perhaps only upon reaching the Supreme Realm and ascending to become a fabled Daluo Golden Immortal could one achieve eternal existence.

Gui Congyao continued, "At the time, I asked that high master if there was a way to extend my life. He said my foundation was insufficient, that in this life I had no hope, unless I found a person of great fortune to assist me in a process of ’soldier disintegration’ at the end of my lifespan. Only then could I reincarnate and cultivate anew, retaining a sliver of hope to attain the Dao. I asked him where I might find such a person. He then left this piece of Cloud Sand, saying that when it was taken someday, that person would have arrived."

Zhang Yan nodded slowly. In truth, ever since he began walking this path, he understood that reincarnation and cultivating anew was fraught with challenges. Without a remarkable Dao Artifact or peerless Divine Skills to protect oneself, the memories of one’s past life would often be lost. Still, this was far better than a cultivator reaching the end of their lifespan and perishing both body and soul.

Gui Congyao chuckled as he looked at Zhang Yan, saying, "Fellow Daoist, there are still six months until the time of my soldier disintegration. It is not yet the final moment. Why not stay here and help me pass through it?"

Zhang Yan considered the proposal seriously but ultimately shook his head slowly.

Gui Congyao, seeing his refusal, was not angry. Instead, he persuaded, "I have cultivated for thousands of years and possess quite a number of treasures. What do you think of this cave mansion? After my soldier disintegration, I will gift it to you, along with the shell I shed upon death. I can even tell you the locations of several unknown Immortal Mansions. What do you think?"

Zhang Yan still shook his head.

Gui Congyao was surprised and asked, "Could it be that you look down on me because I am of a demon lineage, harboring sectarian bias, and are thus unwilling to assist me?"

Zhang Yan pondered for a moment and decided to speak frankly, "Senior, you misunderstand. It’s not that I am unwilling to assist you. However, in a few months, the Mingcang Sect will mobilize its disciples to completely annihilate the Three Pools Demonic Cultivators. Before then, I must go to the Sea Eye Demon Cave to enhance my cultivation, so I cannot remain here."

He was not afraid of Gui Congyao discovering this information. The Three Pools and the Mingcang Sect had been at odds for so many years; naturally, the Three Pools had means to gather intelligence on the Mingcang Sect’s movements. Previously, the Mingcang Sect had hesitated due to concerns over the Water Country, but now that they had resolved to act decisively, the eradication of the Three Pools within half a year was no idle boast.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Gui Congyao’s expression remained calm. Stroking his beard, he pondered for a moment before saying, "The Sea Eye Demon Cave... I have heard of it but have never been there. It is said to be extremely perilous, with death lying in wait for even the slightest misstep. Since you intend to go there, Fellow Daoist, allow me to offer you an item to aid you."

With a wave of his horsetail whisk, a dull gray talisman flew into Zhang Yan’s hands.

"This ’Harmony Carrying Pure Cover’ was forged from fragments of my shell after a tribulation. It can ward off calamities and shield against Divine Skills. Today, I give it to you."

He smiled again, adding, "I know the Mingcang Sect’s Merit Institute has placed a bounty on my head. When the time comes for the assault on the Three Pools, Fellow Daoist, you may return here to kill me. Consider it a great achievement for you."

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