Daoist Competition-Chapter 273 - 4: A Throw of 1000 Gold

On the following day, Yan Tong arrived early and waited outside, pondering how he could gain some benefit from Zhang Yan once again.

However, as he stepped into the corridor on the eighth floor, he was met head-on by a poised and dignified woman. Hurriedly, he stepped back and said, "Outer Steward Yan Tong greets Lady Jun."

Jun Ling’er’s jade-like features carried a hint of reserve as she replied, "So it is Steward Yan. You are stationed at the Four Gates welcoming guests; why have you come here?"

Yan Tong lowered his head slightly and said, "I was commissioned by an Immortal Guest to ask about some matters, so I dared not delay and came here to await orders."

Jun Ling’er’s demeanor remained indifferent as she said, "An Immortal Guest, arriving for the first time, may not know the way. Naturally, the ship master will arrange to inform them in detail. There is no need for further words from you. Merely tend to your own duties. Withdraw."

While Yan Tong was indeed a steward, he was aware that Lady Jun was trusted deeply by the ship master, far surpassing him in standing. Furthermore, her reasoning was quite sound. Left with no other choice, he offered a brief apology and departed reluctantly, brimming with resentment.

Zhang Yan’s request for Yan Tong the previous day had been entirely spur-of-the-moment and held no importance for him. Whether Yan Tong arrived or not made no difference to Zhang Yan, who wouldn’t bother to ask a single extra question.

By the time the hour of Chen arrived, a child entered Zhang Yan’s room to inform him that the Treasure Meeting had already begun. He remained composed, sitting quietly for an hour longer before slowly rising and making his way through the corridor toward the southern pavilion.

As he stepped onto the pavilion, he saw that Jun Ling’er was already there waiting. Upon seeing him arrive, she greeted him with a bow of courtesy, saying, "Immortal Guest, I trust you are well."

With a faint smile, Zhang Yan stepped toward the long desk before sitting down. Scanning his surroundings briefly, he noticed five or six Flying Pavilions in the distant sky, seemingly here to attend the Treasure Meeting as well.

He paid them no further attention and let his gaze drop to the Lotus Pond before Qichang Tower, where several Dharma Treasures were being brought out in succession, only to be swiftly purchased by others.

These treasures were all low-grade Spiritual Artifacts, with none exceeding the middle-grade level. Still, as Dharma Treasures were rare, owning even one might preserve one’s life in critical moments. Thus, the competition for them was fierce, with bids of golden beans being thrown eagerly. The golden toads in the pond leapt out one after another, pushing the grinding disks with fervor, causing a cacophony of grating sounds.

But to Zhang Yan, these items were trivial.

Take, for instance, a treasure named the Quiet Heart Mirror. If one were illuminated by its light within a span of ten feet, their limbs would immediately go weak, leaving them powerless.

If someone were to use such a treasure against him, he wouldn’t even need to draw his sword ball; he could take their life from dozens of feet away. Employing this treasure in a fight with him would be akin to foolishly courting death.

The individuals on the pavilions to the sides and in the Flying Pavilions above remained motionless as well, clearly disregarding these items.

Jun Ling’er noticed Zhang Yan’s indifferent expression and leaned in, smiling pleasantly. "Immortal Guest, you arrived somewhat early. These are merely second-class treasures and naturally do not meet the Fang Family’s standards."

Extending her slender finger, she pointed and said, "Immortal Guest, do look now. What they are presenting next is a Class A treasure from the ship master."

Zhang Yan lowered his gaze once more to the Lotus Pond, where a bright and elegant maid slowly approached with a jade plate. She placed a damp, white ginseng fruit onto the pond’s lotus leaves and gently pushed it forward, allowing it to drift toward the center.

This ginseng fruit was not only plump and lustrous but also had two small, emerald-green leaves adorning it, making it a pleasing sight.

Zhang Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. Having read extensively in the Elixir Cauldron Institute’s texts, he immediately recognized this fruit as a Zhi Ma Fruit.

At first glance, the Zhi Ma Fruit seemed to be merely a fruit. But in truth, it contained a spirit beast known as the Earth Horse, which coexisted alongside the fruit.

This spirit beast ordinarily favored consuming cold plants and excelled at detecting deeply concealed energy within the Earth Veins and its extreme Yin Qi. As such, practitioners of the Demon Dao often employed it to locate Yin Demons.

On the eastern pavilion, a woman in white, her face veiled, sat behind a desk. Upon seeing the Zhi Ma Fruit, her heart involuntarily tightened.

This item was critical to a long-planned endeavor of hers. Prior to coming here, she had expended notable effort and resources to secure promises from capable rivals, ensuring they would not compete against her.

Now, seeing the prized treasure displayed, she took a deep breath, waved her hand, and cast down five hundred golden beans in one swift motion.

As the golden beans scattered into the pond, the golden toads leapt out with splashes, greedily consuming the beans one after another. They then hopped onto the grinding disks before her pavilion, exerting themselves at full tilt.

Initially, Zhang Yan had no interest in this item. But after observing it for a moment, inspiration struck him. Among the Five Qi Essences he sought, one named Water Spirit Essence was said to be buried deep within hidden ravines. If he possessed the Zhi Ma, it might simplify his search considerably.

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