Daoist Competition-Chapter 171 - 55: The Dragon’s Tooth Debate - A Life-and-Death Enigma_2

After everyone took their seats, Xie Zongyuan repeated the words Zhang Yan had just said.

When he finished, the room fell into a silence. After all, everyone carried hidden thoughts in their hearts; no one wanted to be the one who was left behind.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Liu Tao chuckled and spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen, there’s no need to worry. Staying behind doesn’t necessarily mean certain death. With the Dragon Tooth Flying Boat at hand, we can simply hide for a while longer. At most, it will take half a month, and once the Sea Eye gate opens, more senior cultivators from the sect with higher cultivation will surely descend to rescue us."

Despite his words, being trapped in a dangerous place naturally made everyone want to leave if they could.

Moreover, no one was a fool. That Xuan Guang Practitioner’s power was evident—all it took was his Blood Essence to suppress someone like Fang Zhen. Clearly, his cultivation was far superior. If he were to come, relying solely on the Dragon Tooth Flying Boat to escape would undoubtedly be wishful thinking.

Fang Zhen sneered coldly. He turned to Zhang Yan with a mocking tone and said, "Brother Zhang, you’re a True Disciple, so surely you’ll be the first to leave, right?"

As Fang Zhen said this, though everyone present already knew Zhang Yan’s status, their gazes toward him became strange.

In everyone’s mind, Zhang Yan, as a True Disciple and the one with the highest cultivation among them, was naturally qualified to leave first. However, which of them would be genuinely willing to accept this in their hearts?

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yan merely smiled faintly and replied, "Senior Brother Fang, what do you mean by that? I have no intention of leaving."

"What?"

The crowd was stunned, even Fang Zhen was taken aback.

Zhang Yan swept his gaze over them and solemnly declared, "As a True Disciple, I’ve benefited from the sect without contributing much. Now, in times of crisis, how could I abandon my fellow disciples? That would defy reason and principle!"

His words carried righteousness and fervor. For a moment, the gazes directed toward him were filled with mixed emotions—shame, admiration, and even ridicule.

Yet Fang Zhen found his words somewhat grating, as he felt Zhang Yan’s underlying intent was to subtly mock his prior retreat during the Little Lang Mountain incident. His complexion hardened slightly, but he refrained from erupting.

Who would have thought, Zhang Yan had already steeled himself internally—he would not leave this place until he mastered the Xuan Guang cultivation!

Furthermore, with Han Ji’s assistance, the Hua Dan Cultivator wouldn’t be able to make it here for at least another month. Even if that Xuan Guang Practitioner relentlessly pursued him, if the Dragon Tooth Flying Boat failed him, he could always find another hidden cave to evade capture. He refused to believe the Demon Cave was so vast that the enemy could pinpoint his location.

At that moment, a soft sigh arose in the chamber, drawing the crowd’s attention. Mrs. Chen furrowed her brows and murmured gently, "Over the past few days, I’ve been indebted to everyone’s care and assistance. I am deeply grateful. The reason I entered the Demon Cave was to search for my husband. As I haven’t found him yet, naturally, I won’t be leaving."

Feng Ming, hearing her words, felt his blood boiling. He also believed that staying behind aligned with what it meant to be a Mingcang sect disciple. Preparing to speak, he suddenly heard Liu Tao cough. "Actually, in my opinion, for our group, it’s best if Brother Xie leaves first."

Fang Zhen sneered and said, "Liu Tao, I recall you originated from the cold list rankings. Since when did you become the Xie Family’s loyal defender?"

Liu Tao replied in a steady tone, "I speak according to reason. I say this with my own rationale. Senior Brother Fang, there’s no need to mock me."

Fang Zhen scoffed and leaned back slightly. "Fine, then I’d like to hear your rationale. Go ahead."

Xie Zongyuan frowned and said, "Junior Brother Liu, I don’t think such a suggestion is appropriate."

Liu Tao, however, responded earnestly, "Brother Xie, you’re a disciple of the Xie Family. Only if you leave will we feel reassured. Nobody else would suffice."

Xie Zongyuan asked, puzzled, "What do you mean by this?"

Liu Tao cupped his hands toward him and explained, "You, Senior Brother, as a member of the Xie Family, would report the situation here to the sect. If the sect cannot respond in time, you could call upon experts from your family to come down and rescue us."

Usually quiet, Cheng An spoke up at this moment. "That makes sense." He reached into his sleeve and took out the Divine Token for the Chenxiang Boat. Handing it over, he said solemnly, "Brother Xie, this is yours. Our lives depend entirely on you now."

Xie Zongyuan hesitated to accept it right away. Instead, he turned to Fang Zhen and asked, "Senior Brother Fang, what’s your opinion?"

Fang Zhen chuckled and said, "Brother Xie can take it. Seems Liu Tao has made his case."

With that endorsement, the others, even if unwilling, could only acquiesce.

"Alright!" Xie Zongyuan nodded firmly. He grabbed the Chenxiang Boat’s token and scanned everyone present, declaring gravely, "If I, Xie Zongyuan, make it out of the Demon Cave, I will not fail you all!"

Fang Zhen’s eyes flickered momentarily, and he smirked. "But just sending Brother Xie alone out of the Demon Cave doesn’t seem ideal. In my view, Junior Brother Feng, being a disciple of Elder Xun from the sect, should accompany him. What do you all think?"

"Senior Brother Fang, you..." Feng Ming froze, then showed an expression of gratitude. "Brother Fang, you should leave first..."

Fang Zhen laughed heartily, patted Feng Ming on the shoulder, and said, "I have the Five Fire Divine Weapon Circle in hand—what’s there to fear? You, on the other hand, should just go without worry."

Zhang Yan shot a meaningful glance at Fang Zhen and smiled. "Junior Brother Feng is exceptionally talented with boundless potential. Indeed, it wouldn’t be wise to let him perish here. I agree with this suggestion."

Xie Zongyuan glanced at Liu Tao, who showed no objection. Then he said, "That settles it. Five days from now, we’ll act according to this plan!"

With the decision finalized, Fang Zhen and his group rose to leave. Cheng An and Mrs. Chen also retreated to their own residences.

Once the chamber was left with only Zhang Yan, Liu Tao, and one more, Liu Tao said grimly, "Fang Zhen agreed far too readily—there must be something off. That man is narrow-minded and selfish, highly likely to play tricks. Brothers, you must be extra careful when the time comes."

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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