He leaped into the air, transforming into a wisp of smoke and flew out beyond the Heavenly Tower, landing atop the high cliff. With his hands clasped behind his back, he lifted his head to gaze toward Zhang Yan, and shouted loudly, "Zhang Yan, you are also a True Disciple. Why do you lack the courage to test your elixir power? Could it be that you are timid? Is your entire lineage of master and disciple all just like you, hiding their heads and avoiding their tails? I stand here today. Do you dare to come down and compete with me?"

Zheng Hongtu's gaze flickered; then he chuckled lightly, turned around, and spoke warmly to Zhang Yan, "Nephew Zhang, pay no heed to his words. That is my grandnephew, Zheng Ying. He has always been arrogant and unruly. You don't need to bother with him."

Zhang Yan merely smiled faintly and replied, "Since this Brother Zheng wishes to compete with me in elixir power, I would feel remiss in dampening his excitement."

"Oh?"

Zheng Hongtu and the other True Masters exchanged glances. They had assumed Zhang Yan would continue to endure in silence, swallowing his grievances while avoiding confrontation in practice. Although he might feign defiance in words, they had not expected him to agree so readily.

Zheng Hongtu observed Zhang Yan's composed demeanor and frowned slightly, a sliver of doubt rising within him. He inwardly speculated on whether he might have overlooked something. Yet, at this stage, overthinking was futile. He quickly dismissed these thoughts.

Elder Gong was also surprised. Earlier, he had thought Zhang Yan had been forced to come here and was determined not to go down for the elixir contest, which would have been a strategy to spare himself from losing face twice. Yet, he hadn't anticipated that Zhang Yan would indeed dare to step forward. Could it be…?

A sudden thought crossed his mind, and his movement as he drank his wine slowed. His gaze roamed back and forth over Zhang Yan.

Having agreed, Zhang Yan did not hesitate. With a flick of his sleeve, he transformed into a sword rainbow and descended from the clouds, standing firmly before Zheng Ying.

The tens of thousands of disciples outside the cliff held their breaths, their gazes fixed unwaveringly on the two figures standing atop the high cliff.

For a moment, it seemed as though the heavens and earth contained only the two of them.

Zheng Ying looked Zhang Yan up and down before sneering coldly, "You indeed have courage. Today I will—"

Zhang Yan waved his sleeve, cutting him off with a sharp reply, "Empty words are meaningless. Let's determine truth beneath our hands. Junior Brother Zheng, please proceed."

Having searched for medicinal herbs for twenty years and faced innumerable battles of life and death—even slaying Nascent Soul True Masters—this simple statement carried an undeniable gravity, ringing like striking gold and stone, commanding authority with an aura that brooked no defiance.

By comparison, Zheng Ying, despite his natural brilliance, appeared much more inexperienced, having never gone through worldly trials. Under Zhang Yan's decisive challenge, his aura faltered momentarily, silencing him entirely to the point where he couldn't muster another word. In the end, he merely snorted, avoided Zhang Yan's gaze, and stormed off angrily, venting his irritation by shouting downward, "Unlock them! Unlock them all now!"

The surrounding disciples gasped in astonishment. It was known that the sea beneath held nine Nine-headed Dragon Whales. Zheng Ying intended to unleash them all at once—was he planning to subdue the combined strength of all nine? Such a feat was beyond the abilities of ordinary cultivators. Silence fell over the shore as everyone focused their attention.

All nine winches began turning simultaneously, groaning loudly in unison, so thunderous they rang in the ears. Before long, the chains loosened completely.

With the Nine-headed Dragon Whales released, an overwhelming spectacle unfolded. The sea grew still for a brief moment before seeming to shatter apart with deafening thunder. In an instant, waves surged into the sky—frothing foam soared, tempestuous currents wreaked havoc along the coast.

Moments passed, and faint tremors reached the high cliff where Zhang Yan and Zheng Ying stood. The cliff face itself was continually battered by the nine fierce beasts, their roars growing louder and closer, as though intent on collapsing the cliff in vengeance.

The disciples unable to fly paled visibly upon hearing the terrifying uproar, trembling with dread.

Unlike that Black-faced Daoist, Zheng Ying seemed disdainful of exploiting any advantage. He waited until the surging waves had reached their peak and the Dragon Whales had fully stretched their gargantuan forms before smirking coldly—with a slanted glance toward Zhang Yan—and vigorously shaking his body. Smoke burst forth from him, transforming into nine plumes that descended upon the sea below.

These nine smoke columns sought out the individual Dragon Whales, pressing upon their colossal bodies with force.

Though soft and eddying, the smoke exerted a crushing weight akin to ten thousand tons. The sea split violently beneath the pressure, and the nine Dragon Whales were forced downward at alarming speed. Enraged by the assault, the nine creatures bellowed and thrashed.

With a snort, Zheng Ying's face flushed slightly. As he activated a spell and straightened his back, his voice rang out—deep and mighty. A deafening rumble followed, shaking the heavens and earth, as Zheng Ying forced all nine Dragon Whales beneath the water in one mighty stroke!

He stood straight atop the cliff, unmoving, with only his robes billowing wildly in the gale.

After a moment, though the ocean below still churned and swayed, it was clear the waves were gradually calming.

To the disciples on the cliff, it seemed Zheng Ying alone had suppressed the boiling sea and towering waves. Their eyes widened as they stared at him, utterly transfixed.

To have cultivated to such a level—to subdue nine whales with one's elixir power—what divine might was this! Their spirits trembled, swept away by astonishment.

Even Master Tian of the Yuxiao Sect showed a faint reaction, his voice carrying a rare solemnity. "This child is Master Zheng's kinsman? Truly extraordinary. Elixir Formation at the third grade yet able to subdue nine whales—his elixir power is remarkable. With diligent cultivation and effort, great prospects await him on the Great Dao."

Zheng Hongtu stroked his beard and smiled silently.

In noble families, disciples with top three grades of Elixir Formation were nearly guaranteed to achieve Nascent Soul status—barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Elder Gong's heart instantly sank. Originally, seeing Zhang Yan step forward had sparked a glimmer of hope. However, witnessing this scene dashed that entirely, leaving him sighing in resignation.

One had to understand that while a mere line separated the upper three grades and middle three grades, they were worlds apart in reality—elixir power alone being several times stronger.

Looking at Zheng Ying's ease and proficiency, it was clear he had long achieved Elixir Formation. He had simply remained dormant until now, revealing his prowess at last. Who could know how long he had cultivated in secrecy?

Comparing Zheng Ying to Zhang Yan, Zhang Yan held no advantage whatsoever.

The Elixir Tasting Daoist approached for a closer look, then spoke to Zheng Ying, "Elixir Formation at the third grade—you've done well. You may withdraw now."

With a light sneer, Zheng Ying withdrew his smoke before turning around. He looked over at Zhang Yan in a challenging manner, his expression full of arrogance.

Zhang Yan smiled and turned to look down below, his gaze fixed on the nine Dragon Whales, now being locked back into place. A thoughtful expression formed in his eyes.

To others observing, his action appeared as hesitation or fear. The few who had hoped for him quickly gave up, while more began preparing themselves to mock.

The True Masters exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with amusement.

Elder Gong turned aside, unwilling to watch further.

...

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