Zhang Yan stepped on the smoke and was about to leave the Ten Peaks Mountain to meet up with his disciples when a Daoist called out to him from afar, "Uncle-Master Zhang, please stay for a moment."
He turned around and realized that he recognized this person. It was Zhou Xuan who voluntarily gave way to him when he was trying to break through the formation. He stopped and smiled, "What is Apprentice-Nephew Zhou looking for me for?"
Zhou Xuan caught up with him and greeted respectfully, "I am here on the orders of my master to invite Uncle-Master Zhang for a while."
Qi Yuntian is looking for me? Zhang Yan thought for a while and smiled, "Since Senior Apprentice-Brother Qi has invited me, I shall go."
Zhou Xuan was overjoyed. He bowed again and said, "My teacher is currently waiting for you in the Sand Gathering Cave. Please follow me, Uncle-Master."
Zhou Xuan saw the battle between Zhang Yan and Xiao Sha, Du De and the rest. He saw that Zhang Yan was able to fight back and forth with the two of them and ended in a draw. Zhou Xuan was very impressed and when he heard that Qi Yuntian wanted to invite Zhang Yan, he volunteered.
Zhang Yan followed him and the two of them walked towards the north. Not long later, they arrived at a river bank where the tide was rushing. The moon was shining brightly and only the sound of the waves could be heard. There was a long boat on the river, it was the size of a Dragon Tooth Boat and it floated ten feet above the river surface. There were pearls shining through the window and the river water was filled with the aura of treasures.
Zhou Xuan landed on the bow of the boat and took a few steps forward. He took the initiative to lift the curtain of the cabin and said, "Uncle-Master, please."
Zhang Yan leaned forward and entered the cabin. He looked around and saw that the cabin was quite spacious and could accommodate hundreds of people. At this moment, there were more than twenty people sitting at the table. Dozens of children were attending to them.
Qi Yuntian sat in the middle of the main seat. On his left and right were Zhuang Bufan and Luo Qingyu. Further down, there were Ning Chongxuan, Fan Changqing and the rest, including Fang Hong and Ren Mingyao who he had met before. Other than them, there were more than ten Daoists that he had never seen before. At this moment, they were all sizing him up with inquisitive or curious gazes.
Seeing Zhang Yan enter the cabin, Qi Yuntian laughed and stood up, "Junior Brother Zhang is here. Come, sit down."
Everyone saw that Qi Yuntian had also stood up to welcome him. Although some people were unwilling, they had no choice but to stand up.
Fan Changqing walked up with a smile and exchanged a few polite words with Zhang Yan. Then, he introduced everyone present to him.
Only then did Zhang Yan realize that these Daoists were disciples of the four Perfected Meng, Zhu, Yan and Zhen, especially Zhu. Most of the disciples under Reverend Yan and Reverend Yan, while under Sun Zhenren, other than Ning Chongxuan, there were two others. Although they were also Core Formation cultivators, both of them had white hair. Compared to Ning Chongxuan's vigorous and heroic appearance, he looked old and frail.
In this way, among all the people present, only Zhang Yan was not a disciple of Daoist Dongtian, which made him seem quite unusual. However, although no one came to talk to him, they did not have any objection to him sitting here.
Zhang Yan also knew that if it were not for the fact that he had defeated two disciples of aristocratic families in a row in today's grand competition and his strength had been recognized by everyone, he would not be qualified to be summoned here tonight.
After a few more polite words with everyone, he was arranged by Fan Changqing to sit down.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Qi Yuntian looked down and glanced at them one by one. Everyone who came into contact with his gaze felt their hearts tremble and they unconsciously lowered their heads. He said in a deep voice, "Today, I called all of you here to tell you that from tomorrow until seven days later, all disciples are not allowed to go out to battle without Master's orders."
"What?" Hearing this, a disciple could not help but exclaim, "Eldest Senior Brother, this, what does this mean?"
Everyone's heart was full of confusion and surprise. The grand competition would last for a total of seven days. If they did nothing, wouldn't the aristocratic families have the upper hand? What did this mean?
A few people could not help but secretly look at Ning Chongxuan. If this was the case, didn't it mean …
Qi Yuntian also looked at Ning Chongxuan and said slowly, "Junior Brother Ning, I believe Uncle-Master Sun must have told you that you don't have to compete in this grand competition anymore."
Ning Chongxuan sat silently for a moment, then stood up and said loudly, "Master's order cannot be disobeyed. Since Master said so, as a disciple, Chongxuan will naturally obey."
Everyone looked at each other. If Ning Chongxuan did not win this time, it meant that they still would not be able to compete in the next grand competition.
However, no one present was stupid. Although Qi Yuntian did not say it clearly, they could guess that this must be the order of the Grotto-heavens Spiritual Masters.
Although they were dissatisfied, the disciples had to say, "We will obey Eldest Senior Brother's order."
Zhang Yan's eyes flickered slightly. Perhaps others did not understand, but he was enlightened.
The action of the Master and his disciples coincided with what he had previously speculated.
If this was the case, then his next step was particularly critical. There was no room for error. If he succeeded, then he would be able to reach the sky in a single bound!
But he also knew that this move also needed a little luck.
However, things did not always go as one wished. As long as one tried his best to fight for it, success or failure should be put aside. Otherwise, being overcautious and indecisive would lead to failure.
He took a deep breath, and there was a look of determination in his eyes.
After Qi Yuntian said these words, he waved his hand and dismissed all the disciples, leaving only Fan Changqing by his side.
All the disciples went out with resentment, but Ning Chongxuan came over to greet Zhang Yan, then lifted the curtain and went out.
Zhang Yan observed carefully, but he saw that his face was calm, and he couldn't see anything.
After the crowd dispersed, Qi Yuntian glanced around and saw that only Zhang Yan had not left. He called him over and said pleasantly, "Junior Brother Zhang, do you have something to say to me?"
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "That's right. What Senior Brother said earlier is that you want us to give up on this Large Competition and not fight for that seat. However, I have a method that will definitely allow Senior Brother Ning to become one of the top ten disciples. I wonder if Senior Brother is interested to hear about it?"
Qi Yuntian was slightly surprised, but he was not in a hurry to ask. He pondered for a while, then looked at Zhang Yan with bright eyes and said, "If Junior Brother Zhang really has this way, you may as well say it. Then in the next Grand Competition, I will definitely fight for a position for you."
Zhang Yan did not care about the next Grand Competition. According to his previous thoughts, as long as the first step was taken, then the rest would be logical. He would not need to wait for another 24 years and he would still be able to take the position.
He smiled, cupped his hands and said, "Dare I ask, Senior Brother, have you been in this position for more than 300 years?"
Qi Yuntian nodded and said, "Yes, it has been 336 years."
Zhang Yan stood up and solemnly bowed to Qi Yuntian. He said loudly, "Then please abdicate in advance, and Senior Brother Ning will definitely be able to take the position."
"What?"
Fan Changqing, who was next to him, was shocked. He jumped up and pointed at Zhang Yan, "Junior Brother Zhang, what kind of wicked idea is this? Quickly take back what you said."
Zhang Yan ignored him, just stared at Qi Yuntian and continued to say, "What does Senior Brother think?"
Qi Yuntian was not angry, but there was a thoughtful look on his face.
Fan Changqing was also a smart person. After the excitement, he calmed down and thought about something.
He frowned for a moment and pondered for a while, but he could only figure out a little. However, there were still some key points that he could not figure out.
He raised his head to look at Zhang Yan, then turned to the side. Looking at Qi Yuntian, he saw that Qi Yuntian was deep in thought and did not dare to disturb him.
After pondering for a while, Qi Yuntian raised his head Just Now and seriously said to Zhang Yan, "Junior Brother Zhang. This position is extremely important to others, but to me, it's already dispensable. There's no need to linger on it. Moreover, the Ten Great Disciples can only sit for 360 years. In another 24 years, this elder brother will have to give up his position. But if it is only for Junior Apprentice Brother Ning alone. But the losses outweigh the gains. "
If Qi Yuntian were to step down, there would naturally be an empty seat among the top ten disciples. Under such circumstances, Ning Chongxuan would naturally be able to fill the empty seat. Even the few Spiritual Masters from the aristocratic families would not be able to stop him.
But now, Qi Yuntian was the only one who could support the overall situation. Once he gave up the position of Chief, the situation would definitely be disadvantageous to them.
One must know. Huo Xuan, who was ranked second, was only one step away from entering the Yuanying realm. If this person reached the Nascent Soul stage, the strength of both sides would be greatly skewed.
The reason why the aristocratic families risked falling out with the Master and disciples in this competition to stop Ning Chongxuan from ascending the position was probably because they wanted to delay it for another 24 years. At that time, once Qi Yuntian was gone, the situation would be greatly changed.
Zhang Yan laughed loudly and said, "Senior Apprentice Brother, you don't have to worry about this. I have something to tell you, and there's nothing to worry about."
He leaned forward and whispered something with his lips.
Even with Qi Yuntian's shrewdness, after hearing these words, he suddenly raised his head and stared at Zhang Yan. After a long time, he finally looked away and said with deep meaning, "Junior Apprentice Brother, you're really good."
Hearing the hidden praise in his voice, Zhang Yan's heart calmed down. He was now fully confident of his previous inference.
Pushing Ning Chongxuan to the position was only the first step, and the second step was Just Now was his real purpose.
At this point, Zhang Yan had said all that he could and done all that he could. Next, it was up to Qi Yuntian's decision.
Qi Yuntian did not disappoint him. After a moment of contemplation, he made a decision and said, "If that's the case, it's very worth a try. What's the harm in giving up my seat?"
Zhang Yan's spirit was lifted. He then said, "Senior Apprentice Brother, this plan should be taken by surprise. It's not easy to let the Spiritual Masters know, so as to avoid unexpected changes."
Qi Yuntian's eyes shone brightly. He said in a deep voice, "Of course."
When the two were talking, they used mysterious techniques to isolate their voices, so Fan Changqing did not hear clearly what they were talking about. But now that he heard that the two wanted to hide from the Spiritual Masters and act alone, he could not help but be inexplicably surprised. He hurriedly said, "Senior Apprentice Brother, you must be careful!"
He turned around again and angrily said to Zhang Yan, "Junior Apprentice Brother, what nonsense are you talking about to Eldest Apprentice Brother?"
Qi Yuntian waved his hand to stop Fan Changqing from continuing. He said to Zhang Yan in a heroic manner, "Junior Apprentice Brother, I already understand your intentions. This plan is very good, so we will act according to this plan. As the Eldest Apprentice Brother of the third generation, I still have this little bit of responsibility. If the Spiritual Masters blame me, I will bear the responsibility alone. It has nothing to do with you."
As soon as these words came out, Fan Changqing could not help but be startled. His lips trembled a few times, but he could only shut his mouth and sigh.
Zhang Yan secretly nodded. The key to his plan fell on Qi Yuntian.
However, it was very difficult to make a decision. It may even be contrary to the intentions of the Spiritual Masters. One could imagine what kind of pressure Qi Yuntian had to bear. If this person did not dare to take this step, then he would have to find another way.
But now it seemed that Qi Yuntian was indeed worthy of being the head of the third generation disciples. Not only did he dare to take responsibility, but he also had great determination and spirit!
When Zhang Yan strode out of the long boat, he looked up and saw the bright moon above the tide. The mist rippled. Today, when he took this step, he, who was originally a pawn, had become a chariot crossing the river. In the future, he would be able to move unhindered in the chess game and look down on everyone!
…!!!
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