Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

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"We agreed to fight in seven days, but today the warm-up has already started. Is this the tempo for just one fight?"

"Am I not at a loss here?"

After questioning himself thrice, Yi Chen felt a stream of mmp in his heart for a moment.

His mind raced, pondering a countermeasure.

If he were to simply play the ostrich and hide, that would be far too low.

To squeeze urine from a toad or to extract oil from a stone, now that's a skill.

"If the Heavenly Master wants to shear my wool, I'll just shear back."

As a Daoist well-versed in human nature, Yi Chen racked his brains for the potential profit within this situation.

Within seven or eight breaths, a not quite mature plan emerged in his mind.

Got it.

The Heavenly Master wants him to sharpen his blade, so he could throw a 'fixed match', right?

The blade definitely still needs to be sharpened.

After all, he's accepted others' favors, and the materials for upgrading the Dragon-Slaying Sword were provided by others; he cannot go back on his word.

But as for how to sharpen, and whose blade to sharpen, that remained to be discussed.

Yi Chen stroked his chin, inspiration flooding his thoughts for a moment. Enjoy new tales from empire

He had made his decision.

Whoever offered him favors, he would spar with them noisily for half a day, showcasing style and skill, with friendship first, competition second.

Those who gave him even more benefits, when he went up against their rivals, he would play the role of whetstone well. With a hearty beatdown, he would certainly sharpen the blade properly.

Wouldn't this achieve the goal of usurping others?

He refused to believe that Dragon Tiger Mountain didn't have several peaks and factions—it wasn't all love and harmony.

In this way, everyone's honor could be preserved, and he, Yi Chengzi, wouldn't be accused of throwing the match; after all, everyone has eyes to see.

"The poor Daoist is truly the advisor to the King of Hell—a little smart ghost."

"The blade is sharpened, but not completely, and that's quite all right."

"Everyone will have a bright future."

Once the overall direction was set, Yi Chen took out the silver token and headed towards the Scripture Pavilion.

However, he didn't hold much expectation for his visit to the Scripture Pavilion.

If even Zhang Taichu didn't know, what could he turn up with just a silver token?

Yi Chen also had a feeling that the current Heavenly Master probably had other information about the Yin Manor that he, with his limited connection, wasn't worthy to be informed of such secrets.

Giving him the silver token was merely a form of compensation.

With books as extensive as the ocean within Dragon Tiger Mountain, there were loads of miscellaneous discussions, treasure identification, cultivation epiphanies, travelogues, detailed explanations of the wonders of heaven and earth, and more. The silver token was already a privilege of the True Disciples, so this token of thanks was not too light.

Lost in his thoughts, Yi Chen arrived at the Scripture Pavilion without realizing it, took out the silver token, and strode in.

People of differing paths do not make plans together.

Although the cultivation experiences and predecessors' notes in the books weren't useful to him, those miscellaneous discussions and travelogues could still broaden his horizons and expand his knowledge. He could just take it as a way to pass the time.

...

...

Dragon Tiger Mountain, Heavenly Pillar Peak, within a certain mansion.

Ming Yuan, a Daoist as slender as a bamboo pole, sat gingerly on the edge of a chair, carefully whispering something to a young Daoist who sat lazily at the head of the desk.

"Ming Yuan, are you saying that Yi Chengzi, who returned the token of the previous Heavenly Master, has a very strong cultivation, as if he has grasped the true essence of Dragon Tiger, with the ability to intimidate with his spirit?"

The young Daoist with jade-like features spoke with surprise.

"Reporting to big brother Zhang Longyi, that's indeed the case."

"I specially went with brother Ming De to probe into this person's depth, but in front of him, neither I nor brother Ming De even felt the desire to lift a hand."

"I reckon that in Dragon Tiger Mountain now, only Dao Zhen can confidently suppress him."

Ming Yuan, the Daoist, sighed.

A part of making your way in the world is arrogance, but you cannot be blind, nor can you cover your eyes with your eyebrows.

Arrogance does not equate to being brainless.

"Alright, among the younger generation this year, apart from senior brother Dao Yi breaking into the True Person Realm and becoming invincible, only I and that hypocrite Long Yi are left."

"Currently, both Long Yi's and my reputation and cultivation are on par. If I can make him lose face this time, I will certainly surpass him. Ming Yuan, this information you've brought is very useful."

Zhang Hu smacked his palms and laughed loudly.

He too had a plan that might cost Long Yi a setback.

If it had been before, he might have let it slide, but with Princess Qing Zhu's arrival at Dragon Tiger Mountain, the implication was clear. Long Yi's father, Yuan Hong, was a ninth-level powerhouse in the True Person Realm, and Zhang Hu's own background wasn't too shabby either; his father, Yuan Shan, was on the same level.

This time, even if Zhang Hu couldn't win the princess's favor, he had to disrupt the good things that Long Yi, who was always around Princess Qing Zhu, had going.

He refused to believe that Princess Qingzhu would fancy a defeated dog!

With this thought, Zhang Hu felt greatly assured and said with a deep voice, "Ming Yuan, keep an eye on that Daoist Yi Chengzi. Once he leaves the Scripture Pavilion, I want to personally meet him."

There are many ways to strive for advancement.

Sometimes, the way to win a game lies outside the board.

Rather than toiling to improve oneself, it's easier to denigrate others…

That's much easier.

On the path to becoming the second True Disciple, sometimes you have to use some underhanded tricks—it can't be helped.

Zhang Hu saw through this clearly.

Time in the Scripture Pavilion passed unnoticed.

One day passed.

Two days passed.

Three days passed.

On the fourth day, while Ming Yuan was eagerly waiting, Yi Chen finally arrived at the Scripture Pavilion, albeit belatedly.

These past few days, Ming Yuan set up a chess stall nearby and played chess with passerby, keeping the corner of his eye on the Pavilion's doors, almost squinting from the strain.

Seeing Yi Chen's figure, he hastily conceded defeat to his chess partner, found a secluded place, took out a yellow talisman, and ignited it with mana.

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