However, what piqued Zhang Yan's interest was not Mo Yuan but rather Brother Chen Feng.
"Brother Ai, you're saying that Brother Chen had the same level of cultivation as us that day, yet he showcased incredible divine skills at the Dharma Assembly and shortly after succeeded in Opening Meridians and Ascension?"
Ai Zhongwen's eyes revealed a hint of admiration as he said, "Exactly." Although this Brother Chen had caused the disciples from two sects to retaliate afterward, his sheer boldness in using his strength alone to block both sects' disciples from ascending the peak left Ai extremely impressed.
Zhang Yan's eyes flickered, and a faint understanding emerged in his heart. He asked again, "How many disciples from the Sixteen Sects are currently at the summit?"
Ai Zhongwen shook his head and replied, "Since the Mingcang Sect is the host here, other sects' disciples are mindful of our face and remain in observation, refraining from taking action. However, I have heard that the Guangyuan and Nanhua Sect disciples have reached the foot of the mountain and may begin ascending today."
At that moment, Ai raised his head and said, "We've arrived."
Zhang Yan looked ahead and saw a three-tier stone platform large enough to accommodate a hundred people. Atop the highest platform, a Purple Copper Incense Burner was releasing curling blue smoke. A building constructed partially into the mountain wall stood nearby, with over a hundred disciples from the Three Daoist Temples gathered silently.
Coincidentally, Min Lou, whom Zhang hadn't seen since their parting at Yueqiong Peak, was also among the crowd. He stood there, his gaze fixed intensely on the scene, fists clenched tightly with an expression of tension.
Zhang Yan and Ai Zhongwen stepped onto the stone platform within a few strides. At the center of the platform, two people were seated opposite each other at a small table. A middle-aged man in a Daoist robe was holding a bamboo divination in his hand, meticulously deciphering the Erosion Text before him, beads of sweat faintly visible on his forehead.
In a low voice, Ai Zhongwen said, "That's Brother Cheng from De Xiu Temple. Though he's also a Registered Disciple, he comes from the Hengchang Cheng Family and is highly skilled in the study of Erosion Texts."
Sitting opposite Brother Cheng was a boy, presumably Mo Yuan, who appeared to be about thirteen or fourteen years old. A faint layer of fuzz adorned his upper lip, and his brows exuded arrogance.
Both were exceptionally sharp-eyed, examining the Erosion Text on the pages between them in striking detail. Zhang Yan glanced at the scattered bamboo divinations near Mo Yuan's hand and couldn't help but smile faintly.
Ai Zhongwen observed carefully, then furrowed his brows and muttered, "This is not looking good."
Sure enough, after a brief moment, Brother Cheng's face turned dejected. He put away his tools, sighed, and said, "Junior Brother, your skill surpasses mine. I admit defeat."
As soon as those words were spoken, Min Lou, who was watching from the side, stomped his foot in frustration, as though he himself had lost.
Mo Yuan's lips curled upward, and he sneered, "The Mingcang Sect is only so-so!"
His tone of disdain and derision made the Mingcang Sect disciples around him feel deeply humiliated. Many of their faces immediately turned red with anger.
Since Brother Cheng had already conceded, he naturally said no more to embarrass himself further. He pulled out a small cloth bag, tossed it in front of the boy, gave a perfunctory salute, and left hastily.
Zhang Yan asked curiously, "What is the meaning of this?"
Ai Zhongwen explained, "That's Yan Chen Sand. Since Junior Mo came here alone, he was concerned about being overwhelmed by a group challenge, so he set a wager: anyone who's not an entry-level disciple—no matter who—must wager one pound of Yan Chen Sand to face him."
Yan Chen Sand is a type of Five Elements Divine Sand, found only in the rushing waters of rivers, where it accumulates in the crevices of River Heart Stones over extended periods. It is particularly abundant in the Mingcang Sect's territory. Zhang Yan reflected on the cleverness of Mo Yuan's plan—not only did he deter the disciples from rashly challenging him, but he also used this as an opportunity to profit handsomely.
Looking at the five small cloth bags already piled on the table, Zhang Yan calculated that Mo Yuan had won at least five rounds.
Afterward, a few others stepped forward to challenge him, but without exception, they were all defeated.
Ai Zhongwen sighed deeply and said, "I am no match for such a person."
In the crowd, Min Lou angrily stomped his feet and proclaimed, "Forget about the entry-level senior brothers—Junior Brother Zhang Yan here will definitely be able to beat this brat!" Although Min Lou's family once boasted cultivators with Great Divine Power, their lineage had since declined. Without the same reverence for Zhang Yan's background as the entry-level disciples, he acknowledged Zhang Yan's true strength.
Hearing this, the previously demoralized crowd seemed to perk up, clinging to this newfound thread of hope. Whether or not they really knew Zhang Yan, they nodded fervently in agreement, refusing to let Mo Yuan mock the Mingcang Sect as devoid of capable individuals.
Upon hearing the remark, Mo Yuan raised an eyebrow and sneered with contempt. "What Zhang Senior Brother? Does he dare show himself?"
Standing beside Zhang Yan, Ai Zhongwen turned to look at him with growing anticipation in his eyes.
But to everyone's disappointment, Zhang Yan did not step forward. Instead, he exchanged a look with Ai Zhongwen before turning to leave.
Ai Zhongwen froze, hesitated for a moment, and then followed after him.
After walking a few hundred paces, Zhang Yan suddenly stopped, turned back, and smiled. "Brother Ai, do you think I, Zhang Yan, am retreating from fear?"
Ai Zhongwen forced a smile and said, "Brother Zhang, your actions must be driven by deeper intent."
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "Defeating Mo Yuan is not difficult."
"Oh?" Ai Zhongwen was taken aback.
Zhang Yan smiled confidently and said, "It's not arrogance, but I observed that while Mo Yuan is skilled in Erosion Text, he still relies on bamboo divinations to overcome difficult points. When it comes to mental calculation and deduction, he is far inferior to me."
Ai Zhongwen nodded knowingly. He had to admit that Zhang Yan's ability to decipher Erosion Text without bamboo divinations was unparalleled—none of the Lower Court disciples, including himself, could claim such a feat. But it also made him wonder: if Zhang Yan was so assured of victory, why didn't he step forward? Could there be some unspoken reason?
"Brother, are you perplexed as to why I refrain from competing despite having a clear chance of victory?" Zhang Yan asked slowly, his tone laced with subtle amusement. "Brother Ai, if I were to compete and lose, at most, I would endure ridicule. But if I were to win, it would only invite the resentment of the entry-level disciples—and possibly cost me my life."
Ai Zhongwen was stunned at first, but after carefully considering the reasoning, he couldn't deny its truth!
With all the entry-level disciples stalled at the mountain base, if a mere Registered Disciple were to defeat Mo Yuan, wouldn't that be tantamount to declaring that none of the entry-level disciples could compare? Even if the claim wasn't entirely accurate, once rumors spread, it would severely wound their pride. Instead of gaining recognition, Zhang Yan might find himself subject to their hostility.
Ai Zhongwen clasped his hands apologetically and said, "Brother Zhang, forgive me for failing to see the bigger picture."
He thought about the sullen face of Hu Shengyu in the side hall, intending to remind Zhang Yan to be cautious, but Zhang's words took an unexpected turn. "Still, as a disciple of the Mingcang Sect, how could I sit idly by and let disciples of other sects bully us so freely?"
Ai Zhongwen's spirits lifted, and he asked, "Brother, what do you intend to do?"
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "Blocking others' disciples—since the Guangyuan Sect can do it, why shouldn't we?"
"Brother Zhang, you mean…" Ai Zhongwen's eyes locked onto Zhang Yan, a glimmer of emotion stirring within him—a feeling he couldn't quite express but deeply resonated with.
"It is said that three years ago, Brother Chen Feng single-handedly blocked disciples from two sects, preventing them from reaching the summit. I have always admired his feat and wish to emulate it. If they block our disciples for a day, then I shall block theirs for a day as well." Straightening his back, Zhang Yan's gaze shone with determined power. He asked, "Brother Ai, would you join me?"
...