Twisted Dreams-Chapter 83 - 55: The Ninja Appears
The Daoist Technique Exchange Conference was held at the Three Pristine Ones Palace.
Thanks to the efforts of the staff outside the Three Pristine Ones Palace, the necessary facilities had already been set up.
Even with a large number of tourists watching, it did not feel crowded at all.
The media from South Sea City had occupied the best spots to document the grand event in this blessed land.
A few elderly figures with immortal demeanor sat at the main entrance of the Three Pristine Ones Palace, led by Daoist Void.
The theme of this event was well-known to everyone: to dispel feudal superstitions and debunk the rumors of Spiritual Energy Revival.
In such a context, with all Daoist sects gathered together, some competition was inevitable.
At the beginning of the conference, disciples from each sect naturally wanted to showcase themselves, staging kung fu contests on the stage. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
Seven Injuries Fist, Tai Chi, Longhua Fist, Tiger Subduing Fist, Profound Skill Fist, it was quite lively.
The audience watched with great interest.
They knew that this was the time when the conference was most interesting.
After this, there wouldn’t be much excitement.
The elders would engage in debates, speaking in esoteric language that ordinary people couldn’t understand.
Those profound words could only be understood by scholars or enthusiasts with some insight into the Daoist Family.
Halfway through the competition, the crowd stirred.
A young Daoist in cloth shoes shuffled through the crowd, walking one step at a time onto the stage.
"Whoa, is this a Daoist, too? So handsome!"
"Just someone playing dress-up, trying to attract attention!"
"What a pity, such a handsome guy, why did he become a monk?"
Zhang Xiaoyi, already exceptionally handsome, had a transcendent aura after ten years of secluded cultivation.
Coupled with an innate laziness and the self-confidence of an Extraordinary, it only brought one word to mind for the crowd.
Immortal!
This ethereal aura was worlds apart from the other Daoist disciples.
No wonder it caused a commotion in the crowd.
At the main seat in front of the Three Pristine Ones Palace, Daoist Void stroked his beard, showing a look of surprise:
"Whose young descendant is this, truly blessed!"
His tone carried satisfaction, like the admiration and affection of a renowned elder for the younger generation.
In truth, Daoist Void simply thought Zhang Xiaoyi looked presentable and that he could surely bring prosperity to Qingfeng Temple as an ambassador.
Qingfeng Temple, after all, was a profit-oriented commercial Daoist temple.
Looking at the large characters of "Three Pristine Ones Palace" before him, Zhang Xiaoyi’s eyes darkened.
This place was originally the "Human Emperor Hall."
The Shu Mountain Daoist Temple was different from ordinary Daoist temples.
The Shu Mountain Daoist Temple respected both the Three Pristine Ones and the Human Emperor.
Legend has it that in ancient times, the ancient Yangshao people migrated to the Shu region, later known as the Shu Mountain Clan.
Women of the Shu Mountain Clan married the Yellow Emperor and became consorts, giving birth to a son named Can Cong.
Can Cong’s son Yu Fu founded the Ancient Shu Kingdom.
Later, when demons wreaked havoc in the world, a descendant of the Shu Mountain Clan—known as Master Taiqing—wielded the Demon-Suppressing Sword and founded the Shushan Sect!
For the Shushan disciples, the Human Emperor was an ancestor.
Demolishing the Human Emperor Hall and relocating the statues of the Three Sovereigns was a great disrespect to the Shushan disciples.
Though the Shu Mountain Daoist Temple was different from the legendary Shushan Sect, Zhang Xiaoyi’s "young and pretentious" master always considered himself a Shushan disciple.
Naturally, Zhang Xiaoyi was deeply influenced and regarded himself as a Shushan disciple as well.
A Daoist greeted and asked:
"Who might you be, fellow Daoist? Which sect are you from?"
Zhang Xiaoyi saluted and declared loudly:
"Second-generation Sect Leader of Shu Mountain Daoist Temple, Zhang Xiaoyi, Daoist name Zhengguo!
Disciple of the first-generation Sect Leader of Shu Mountain Daoist Temple, Master Bi You!"
There were only two people across two generations in the Shu Mountain Daoist Temple: his master was the first-generation Sect Leader, and he was the second-generation Sect Leader, nothing wrong with that.
That Daoist was dumbfounded.
Isn’t this a troublemaker?
The crowd stirred again.
"Shu Mountain Daoist Temple? Isn’t that something from legends?"
"Is this person in the final stages of ’young and pretentious’ syndrome?"
"Must be looking for attention, shameless."
"Looks familiar, isn’t he the Daoist from that short video where his house got robbed?"
"Hahaha, just remembered.
The ’youthful and pretentious’ Daoist who shouted ’Thunder Ancestor, come out and blast these bastards,’ right?"
"He’s gonna be famous! If he starts livestreaming and selling goods, I’ll definitely buy something."
Just moments ago, they still thought Zhang Xiaoyi had an immortal demeanor, like a Little Immortal.
And now?
This Daoist Technique Conference was truly entertaining today, too much fun.
On the main seat, Daoist Void’s face turned ugly.
He remembered who this decent-looking young Daoist was.
He couldn’t let him continue causing trouble; it was having a negative impact on Qingfeng Temple’s reputation.
Thinking it over, he stood up and said in a strong voice:
"Though unfamiliar with what Shu Mountain is, today my Qingfeng Temple gathers Daoist techniques from all over the world.
Since this young friend is also a Sect Leader, how about inviting the young friend to take a seat and later discuss Daoist techniques together?"
The audience’s goodwill toward Daoist Void immediately increased.
Clearly a troublemaker, yet he could calmly invite the troublemaker to discuss Daoist techniques; now that’s the demeanor of a master.
The audience wondered how embarrassing it would be when that young Daoist didn’t understand anything during the Daoist exchange later.
Many audience members who were about to leave decided to stay, thinking there would be fun to watch during the upcoming Daoist Technique Exchange.
Daoist Void’s face lit up with a slight smile.
He knew how to stir up hype.
Zhang Xiaoyi didn’t care about the crowd’s gossip, and walked confidently to the front of the Three Pristine Ones Palace.
At the end, there was a newly added seat, where Zhang Xiaoyi sat down calmly.
Daoist Void cheerfully stroked his beard and declared in a loud voice:
"I hereby announce, the Daoist Technique Exchange Conference is now open...
Before he could finish speaking, an unexpected change occurred!
A crack appeared in the middle of the martial stage, along with a rustling sound.
A dark figure suddenly burst out from beneath the stage!
He wore a black ninja suit, with a covered face and a forehead protector.
A shuriken, or "kuruwari," was strapped to his waist.
He was completely in the image of an East Sakura Ninja!
"What the hell! What is happening!"
"Is this a magic trick?"
"An East Sakura Ninja appearing at the Daoist Technique Conference?"
Everyone was dumbstruck.
This was an open-air martial arena, under the watchful eyes of many, there couldn’t be such special effects.
How could someone just emerge from the center of the martial stage like that?!
The Daoists on the martial stage stepped back.
The elders on the chairs looked terrified.
"Is that... Earth Escape Technique?! How is this possible?!"
They couldn’t understand what was happening!
Their worldview was shattered!
The ninja crossed his arms, looked disdainfully at the Daoists, and spoke in imperfect Xia Country language:
"Challenge? It’s not over yet.
Fight me."
The Daoists looked at each other, none stepping forward.
They practiced martial arts, yet this person just performed an Earth Escape Technique?
We practice boxing, you do ninjutsu, how are we supposed to counter that with such a dimensional reduction attack?
The ninja sneered:
"Just a petty trick, and you are awed by me?
Haha, and you dare claim the Earth Escape Technique as your Daoist stuff.
This is clearly from my East Sakura Ninjas, you are merely mice who stole stuff from East Sakura culture."
A hot-tempered middle-aged Daoist couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped onto the martial stage with his sword:
"Your guidance, please!"
He didn’t believe this person truly knew the Earth Escape Technique, he bet he was just performing a trick.
As the middle-aged Daoist lunged with his sword, the ninja’s form suddenly disappeared.
The middle-aged Daoist’s pupils constricted sharply:
"Invisibility Technique?!"
The ninja reappeared behind the middle-aged Daoist, kicking him in the lower back.
The middle-aged Daoist fell off the martial stage in disarray.
The audience rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
