Daoist Competition-Chapter 283 - 9 An Unusual Banquet

In an instant, a thin white light, like a silver thread, flashed and charged toward the wine cup in Zhang Yan’s hand. If it hit, the cup would topple, spilling its contents and making him look foolish on the spot. However, at that moment, a sword ball suddenly jumped out from the center of his brow, and with a sharp "clang," the white thread was sliced into two.

The incident happened so suddenly that Yan Zhenhua, who was toasting at the side, was also startled. He stepped back two paces, opened his eyes wide, and only then discovered it was a snake with a body covered in white scales. Its severed halves continued to twist and writhe, trying to come together again as if to reunite. He put down his wine cup, and with a glance, his eyes fixed upon a skinny, mischievous child’s figure, his expression showing a hint of displeasure.

Zhang Yan remained calm and composed, seemingly unaffected, as he drained the fine wine from his cup in one motion. At the same time, he flicked his sleeve, sending out two apricot-yellow talismans. They immediately pinned the snake’s severed head and tail to the ground, rendering them completely immobile despite their struggles.

Yan Xiyue, sitting close to Zhang Yan, felt a mysterious chill in her heart as the sword strike burst forth. Seeing the white snake cut in two, her beautiful eyes first filled with surprise and then with fury as she turned and yelled, "Yan Xiaoyang, you’re causing trouble again!"

The child quickly shrank his head, not daring to make a sound.

Yan Xiyue gave a light snort, leaving a "we’ll settle this later" look before hastily rising from her place, approaching Zhang Yan, and offering a bow with an apologetic tone, "My brother is mischievous and has offended you, fellow Daoist. I, Yan Xiyue, apologize on his behalf."

Zhang Yan smiled, set down his wine cup, and said, "It’s nothing. Your brother was just playing around."

He could also tell that this was merely a prank with no harmful intent, so he wouldn’t concern himself with a child of five or six years.

The child peeked his head out, gazing at the little white snake severed under the talisman, and couldn’t help but whine, "Give Yun’er back to me."

Yan Xiyue sighed silently, bowed once more, and said, "This spiritual flood dragon is a companion beast to my brother since childhood, with their bloodlines connected. I ask the fellow Daoist to be lenient and spare it this once."

Zhang Yan smiled, waved his hand, and the two talismans spontaneously combusted, turning into ash.

The white snake, freed from its constraints, reassembled and leaped back into the child’s arms.

Yan Zhenhua, as the host, naturally didn’t want this matter to escalate. He glanced at Yan Xiyue and said loudly, "Brother Zhang truly lives up to being a distinguished disciple of the Mingcang Sect, demonstrating such magnanimity."

"A disciple of the Mingcang Sect?"

Hearing this, Yan Xiyue also felt a jolt in her heart. Seeing Yan Zhenhua so enthusiastic, it was clear that this person was not an ordinary disciple within the Mingcang Sect. She glared at her younger brother again, this naughty boy nearly caused a major disaster. After a moment of hesitation, she took a jade token from her sachet and placed it on the table, saying, "This is a Spirit Bird Jade Pendant crafted by our sect. I offer it as a token of apology, hoping the fellow Daoist will accept it."

At this moment, a hearty laugh echoed from the opposite side, as Song Hong walked over with a wine cup in hand, saying, "Daoist Zhang, this Miss Yan is the daughter of the Bi Yu Xuan Sect Leader. This Jade Talisman contains an immortal beast that can be commanded at will, its power equivalent to that of a Xuan Guang Third Realm Cultivator. I, Song, have tried to acquire one but to no avail."

Yan Xiyue, surprised, asked, "Brother Song, you know this Daoist Zhang?"

Song Hong glanced at Zhang Yan and replied, "I wouldn’t say we know each other. I merely saw Daoist Zhang from afar at the Immortal Market that day, thus I recognize him."

"In that case, I accept it without reservation." Zhang Yan smiled slightly, and with a flick of his sleeve, the jade token was collected.

Seeing Zhang Yan accept the item, Yan Xiyue also breathed a sigh of relief. Although this was a small matter, if handled improperly, it might unnecessarily provoke a formidable enemy. Moreover, the Bi Yu Sect, though having some ties with the Nanhua Sect, had its mountain gate near the Dragon Abyss Marsh, and the disciples of the Mingcang Sect should never be easily offended.

After this little incident, the individuals got to know each other somewhat. Yan Zhenhua enthusiatically called several maids to come up and pour wine.

Just at that moment, a Taoist with a commanding gaze and stout stature stepped into the hall. As a few attendants standing by the curtain were about to intercept him, he simply waved his hand, making them tumble like gourds rolling on the ground.

He pulled out a cloth bag and tipped it, causing a red-haired youth, bound and tied, to fall to the ground in a sorry state. He snorted coldly, placing one foot on the youth’s back, and said, "Yan Duo, come out. I encountered this little thief on the road, who killed my disciple, and kept claiming to be your nephew. I demand to know how you educate him."

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶