Daoist Competition-Chapter 172 - 56 The 7-Heart Dragon Pendant Seeking the Origin of the Demon Scripture

The Dragon Tooth Flying Boat spanned a full thirty zhang in size, with three levels of pavilions stacked atop, and no fewer than a hundred cabins lining the hull’s interior compartments. It could easily accommodate over a hundred people. So long as it wasn’t encircled by an overwhelming number of cultivators, this vessel would ensure remarkable safety.

In preparation for the battle in fifteen days, Fang Zhen and his companions had likewise taken up residence aboard the vessel. However, they deliberately kept their distance from Xie Zongyuan and the others, maintaining a significant separation and avoiding each other altogether.

Zhang Yan casually selected a cabin on the first level of the pavilion and moved in. Watching the scenery outside the window retreat rapidly in opposite directions, his footing beneath him remained steady, unaffected by the slightest shake or tremor. Inwardly, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret.

Once this Dragon Tooth Flying Boat’s prohibitions were fully activated, even standard Dharma Treasure Flying Swords couldn’t break through it. Coupled with its astounding speed, the passengers onboard could simply ram their way through most dangers safely. But, unfortunately, only Xuan Guang Realm cultivators could activate these prohibitions, leaving such an extraordinary flying device wasted in potential.

Just then, he suddenly heard approaching footsteps outside the door, followed shortly by someone calling out, "Is Brother Zhang here? Liu Tao humbly requests an audience."

With a wave of his sleeve, Zhang Yan opened the door. Standing outside was Liu Tao, who cupped his hands repeatedly in salute, his expression apologetic as he said, "Forgive me for disturbing Brother Zhang’s tranquility."

Zhang Yan glanced at him, noticing that Liu Tao had come alone. Understanding right away that the man likely had something to discuss, he extended a hand in a welcoming gesture. "Not at all, Senior Brother Liu. Please, come in and have a seat."

Liu Tao entered and took a seat before getting straight to the point. "I’ve come to ask for a favor from Brother Zhang." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Remaining composed, Zhang Yan allowed a slight smile and said, "Do tell, Senior Brother."

With a faint sigh, Liu Tao began, "Brother Zhang, you are surely aware of how perilous the battle in five days will be. Among us, it’s uncertain how many will survive. I have a junior in my family, an orphan who lost her parents at a young age. I’ve been her sole caretaker over the years. Should I fall in this battle, I hope to entrust Brother Zhang with delivering this item to her."

He raised his sleeve, retrieving a jade talisman from within, placing it reverently on the table before them. The talisman was carved with seven apertures, coiled by a Flood Dragon. Though spiritual energy radiated faintly from it, making it an extraordinary treasure in the Mortal World, it held little significance in the eyes of a cultivator.

Zhang Yan’s brow lifted slightly—was this Liu Tao arranging his own posthumous affairs?

Yet he found it slightly puzzling and asked, "Senior Brother Liu, I am the one tasked with staying behind in the Demon Cave to cover our retreat. My survival is equally uncertain. Would it not be more secure to entrust this item to Brother Xie instead?"

Liu Tao, however, did not answer directly. Instead, he smiled lightly and asked, "Brother Zhang, do you know why I invited you to accompany us to the Demon Cave for this cultivation journey?"

Straightening slightly in his seat, Zhang Yan replied, "I’m eager to hear the reasoning." He had harbored some curiosity about Liu Tao’s motives for quite some time now.

Liu Tao’s voice deepened as he began, "I hail from the Cold List lineage. My family fell into decline long ago. For a time, I believed I had no chance of advancing in cultivation. But, in my tenth year, my kind Master took me in, granting me the opportunity to cultivate on Yingxian Island. It has now been over twenty years. My Master followed a direct teacher-student lineage, and because of this, I hold no distinctions between mentor-disciple ties and noble family affiliations in my heart."

As he spoke, he gestured toward the jade pendant on the table, letting out a sorrowful sigh. "This junior of mine—her aptitude is exceptional. I had hoped for her to apprentice under one of my fellow disciples. Yet when my Master met her, he declared that there was no one on Yingxian Island qualified to be her teacher and advised me not to speak of it further. Thus, the matter was left unresolved."

"These past two years, I’ve been searching for a fitting mentor for her. Unfortunately, my efforts have been futile. It wasn’t until I learned of Brother Zhang’s reputation that I began to consider this possibility."

He raised his gaze, his eyes blazing with intensity as he looked at Zhang Yan. "I’ve heard that Brother Zhang is a highly regarded disciple under True Master Sun Zhiyan, has a strong friendship with Brother Ning Chongxuan, and is also a direct disciple of Dean Zhou. The Dean is a peer of the Sect Leader and possesses vast connections. By associating with you, Brother Zhang, just a brief mention on your part could help me secure a truly capable mentor for her."

Liu Tao’s words were forthright, candidly revealing his intentions in front of Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan, for his part, felt no resentment about it. It was only natural for a person to strive for their junior’s benefit. The success or failure of this request ultimately lay in his own hands and was not being forced upon him.

Rising to his feet, Liu Tao bowed deeply toward Zhang Yan and said, "Five days from now, if I make it out of the Demon Cave alive, then let us speak no more of this. But if I fail to escape, I humbly ask Brother Zhang to deliver this item to my junior. Even if she cannot pursue cultivation, selling this pendant will ensure her a life of comfort and fortune."

Understanding Liu Tao’s intentions, Zhang Yan knew the man was ostensibly asking him to deliver the pendant, but in actuality, he hoped Zhang Yan would help find a teacher for his junior. It was only out of fear of being outright refused that Liu Tao didn’t state it plainly.

After a moment of careful thought, Zhang Yan reached out and took the jade pendant in hand. "Should I survive this battle and escape unharmed, I will ensure that this jade pendant is delivered on your behalf. As for anything beyond that, it will depend on the whims of fate."

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