Daoist Competition-Chapter 290 - 12 Complications_2

Mu Hongchen said unhappily, "Master Ni had just seen me entertaining Daoist Zhang. Why did he call you over again? Go back and report that I’ll go later."

The maid heard these words but remained standing there, showing no intention of leaving. Mu Hongchen was furious and about to reprimand her when Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I had arranged with you to meet two months later, yet I have arrived early. Since Fellow Daoist Mu has affairs to attend to within the sect, perhaps you should go first."

Mu Hongchen hesitated for a moment and then nodded, "In that case, I apologize for neglecting you, Brother Zhang."

Zhang Yan waved his hand with a smile to show it was of no concern.

Mu Hongchen apologized and then rode a tunneling light out of the main hall. Soon, she arrived at a secluded side hall adorned with various flowers and plants. After the maid at the entrance reported her arrival, Mu Hongchen stepped onto a crimson carpet and walked inside. She entered an inner chamber where she saw a figure reclining sideways behind gauzy curtains, and she said, "Hongchen pays respects to Master Ni."

Her Master Ni was named Ni Qianying. She was currently leaning on the bed, propping her chin while lying sideways. As Mu Hongchen entered, Ni Qianying gently pursed her lips, blowing a fragrant breeze that parted the gauzy curtains over the door. She sat up, nodded slightly at Mu Hongchen, and waved her hand in an imposing manner, saying, "No need for formalities, my dear disciple. Sit."

Mu Hongchen did not sit, instead standing tall and speaking directly, "Master, may I ask the purpose of summoning me?"

"Hmm?" Ni Qianying glanced at her askance, saying, "You will be the sect leader in the future. You must temper your impatience. Hmm..." After a brief pause, she continued, "Since you’ve asked, I won’t keep you in suspense. I’ve come out of seclusion this time because I sense that the opportunity to solidify my pill has arrived. Hongchen, I recall that when your Senior Sister passed away, she left you quite a bit of Bright Stone Milk. How about you lend it to your Master? I’ll return it to you after solidifying my pill. What do you think?"

"This..."

Mu Hongchen’s body trembled slightly. It wasn’t simply a matter of whether her Master could truly solidify her pill. Even if there were a one hundred percent guarantee, the Bright Stone Milk had already been promised to Zhang Yan, and there was no way she could hand it over to Ni Qianying. However, this matter had only been disclosed to a select few—so how did her Master become aware of it?

She took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Master, I must report truthfully: I have already promised this item to Daoist Zhang and therefore cannot give it to you."

Ni Qianying stared at her directly for a moment. Then, her voice turned icy as she asked, "Why?"

Mu Hongchen replied, "Master, you are aware that before my teacher passed, he instructed me to retrieve the Demon Storage from deep within the Nether River, which could later serve as the foundation of our sect. However, to locate the Extreme Yin Land, we must have the Zhi Ma Fruit. This fruit is currently in Daoist Zhang’s possession. He is a disciple of the Mingcang Sect, and there are few things within our sect that can sway him. Only the Bright Stone Milk might get his attention."

"Absurd!" Ni Qianying’s phoenix-like eyes widened as she reprimanded, "That item was painstakingly acquired by your Senior Sister to aid your pill solidification. Even if it were to be used, it should be designated for fellow disciples of our sect. How could you hand it to an outsider? Though Zhi Ma Fruit is rare, if some effort is expended in searching, it may not be impossible to find. Hongchen, your actions are inappropriate!"

Mu Hongchen said loudly, "Master, I must respectfully disagree. Since Bright Stone Milk was a gift from my teacher, it falls under my authority to manage. As the opportunity to open the Demon Storage is imminent, why waste further efforts searching elsewhere?"

Ni Qianying furrowed her brow slightly. She knew this disciple’s temper too well and realized that pressing harder would yield no results. Softening her tone, she said, "Then how about this: I possess a superior mysterious skill that leads directly to the Great Dao. I can impart this technique to you, and we can search for the Zhi Ma Fruit bit by bit. This way, neither task will be delayed. In the meantime, entertain the Mingcang Sect Daoist well over the next few days and send him off with kind words."

Mu Hongchen sneered inwardly. Even if this Master’s mysterious skill was indeed superior, there was no certainty she would truly teach her with sincerity. Furthermore, agreeing would mean all disciples in the sect would have to rely on Ni Qianying’s goodwill, which she could never allow to happen.

With this thought, she decisively said, "Master, forgive me, but I cannot agree to this."

Ni Qianying’s gaze turned cold as she surveyed her, saying, "Are you now disregarding your Master’s words?"

Mu Hongchen bowed respectfully and said, "I dare not. However, please remember that when my teacher passed, he decreed that I would take charge of the Chenxiang Sect. How matters are handled falls solely under my discretion."

"You..." Ni Qianying’s expression froze. When her Junior Sister had passed away, she had assigned leadership of the sect to Mu Hongchen, which infuriated Ni Qianying into entering seclusion. She snorted and said, "Don’t forget: your Senior Sister also stipulated that if you fail to reach the Hua Dan Realm within thirty years, the leadership of the sect must be handed over." frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

"Master, you need not concern yourself with that. If there is nothing else, I still have distinguished guests to attend to. I shall take my leave now." With these words, Mu Hongchen turned and walked out, ignoring the hateful gaze of Ni Qianying.

Soon after Mu Hongchen’s departure, a figure in pink floated into the room—a youthful and radiant seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl. She addressed Ni Qianying, who was sitting on the bed, "Master, are you just going to let her leave like that?"

Ni Qianying gritted her teeth and said, "For now, I cannot push her too much. The path to the Nether River was exclusively revealed to her by my Junior Sister. Once she retrieves the Demon Storage, I’ll deal with her then."

The girl’s eyes sparkled as she said, "But isn’t Mu Hongchen holding the ’Red Cloud Incense Cover’ bestowed to her by you? It’s the Chenxiang Sect’s sect treasure. Are you truly confident?"

Ni Qianying grinned confidently and said, "I possess another item: the ’Seven Absolute Piles,’ borrowed from Fellow Daoist Chou Kun of the Shaoqing Sect by Senior Sister Pan. Coupled with my cultivation level, how could I fear a mere junior disciple? The Mingcang Sect disciple, on the other hand, poses a slight problem, and I cannot afford to offend him. However, after today’s probing, it’s clear that his relationship with Hongchen is based purely on interests without personal ties. If need be, I’ll spend resources to send him away."

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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