Chapter 442: Feng Baobao and Zhang Chulan (Second Update)

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"You've been duped, Baobao! A monk running to a famous mountain to slay a fire qilin? You actually believe that nonsense?"

Just as the girl was about to hand over money for some glass beads, a young man in a suit and glasses rushed over and stopped her in time.

However, the girl clearly wasn't listening to reason and insisted on buying what was supposedly a magic artifact refined through eighty thousand intense battles.

"Xu Si, the monk said I'd live a long life. He wouldn't lie to me..."

"Feng Baobao. She's with the Everywhere Company."

Standing nearby, George listened to the girl's conversation with the young man and quickly figured out their identities.

The girl's name was Feng Baobao, and the young man was Xu Si.

Not far away were Xu San and the recently infamous inheritor of one of the Eight Miraculous Skills—Qi Body Origin Flow—Zhang Chulan. They were all part of the same group.

They were members of the Everywhere Company, a government-affiliated organization.

"No wonder the Everywhere Company can hold sway over the entire world of exorcists. They really are something else."

After confirming the girl's identity, George was no longer surprised and turned to head toward the back mountain.

Unlike the major sects, which are only concerned with their own small territory, the government department gathers talents from across the nation.

Given our country's large population, finding one or two people with extraordinary gifts and unusual energy isn't that far-fetched.

True masters aren't just powerful because they possess high energy. It's how they use that energy that counts.

Take Sakura for example—her magical power surpasses even Eriol Hiiragizawa's, but if she doesn't know how to use it, she's no different from an ordinary girl.

This girl might have the potential to become a top-tier expert, but clearly, she's not there yet.

And frankly, she doesn't seem all that mentally stable either.

After asking a Taoist priest for directions to the back mountain, George didn't delay any longer and began hiking on foot.

The back mountain was completely untouched by the tourism board, so there were no proper roads—just whatever path one could forge.

Honestly, without tools, most people wouldn't be able to make it there.

After about half an hour of hiking and passing through a patch of forest, George finally reached the entrance to the back mountain.

There, he saw Liu Xingyang and Huang Ming waiting.

"Old Jin, over here!" Huang Ming waved at George when he saw him.

"This is a simple preliminary test. Only those who pass it will be eligible to attend and observe the Luotian Dajiao."

Originally, the two senior brothers had planned to wait further inside, but they were worried George might not know the situation, so they stayed at the entrance.

George looked past Huang Ming and saw a deep gorge. There was no bridge across it—only several ropes swaying in the wind, spaced apart.

Given that setup, not even professional tightrope walkers would dare try it.

But for exorcists, this wasn't an issue.

Whether they were orthodox disciples of sects or unaffiliated practitioners born with innate abilities, the Qi flowing through their bodies enhanced their physical capabilities enough to make the crossing.

This preliminary test by Longhu Mountain was clearly meant to filter out ordinary people.

"Here we go!"

As Huang Ming explained, more and more exorcists emerged from the forest. Some stepped lightly on the ropes to cross, others leaped over directly, and some used Daoist techniques or summoned birds to fly across.

Most crossed the gorge with ease and reached the other side.

"Let's go too."

Liu Xingyang and Huang Ming both leapt and landed on the other side effortlessly.

The Baiyun Temple focuses on cultivating both soul and body, so this kind of distance wasn't even a challenge for them.

As for George, he used Apparition to transport himself across.

After all, he was currently posing as a wizard. Wizards can't just leap across gorges using physical strength—Voldemort himself couldn't do that.

In a situation like this, a wizard would either use a flying broomstick or teleport via Apparition.

Flight spells are rare—even among wizards—so Apparition was his most reasonable choice.

Once inside the back mountain, they quickly spotted several large, newly constructed arenas—likely the competition sites. The area in front of them was already crowded with people.

"These are all exorcists from sects across the country. Xiao Jin, you and Junior Brother go draw lots—I'm going to chat with some old friends."

Looking at the hundreds of exorcists ahead, Liu Xingyang couldn't help but sigh.

Among them were many fellow Daoists and personal acquaintances—people he rarely saw outside major events like the Luotian Dajiao.

"Master Liu, see you later then."

George nodded and followed the signs with Huang Ming to the area where contestants were drawing lots.

This year's Luotian Dajiao only allowed participants under thirty, so besides the contestants, there were many accompanying senior or junior disciples.

Just like Liu Xingyang accompanied Huang Ming.

In addition, many unaffiliated exorcists had shown up with various motives.

George was quite pleased about that. The more people who came, the more martial arts and spells from different sects he could observe.

That was one of his main reasons for joining the Luotian Dajiao.

In the open area behind the arenas, a large number of contestants had already gathered.

"Everyone here seems really skilled... I just hope I don't get eliminated on the first day. That'd be way too embarrassing."

Looking at the contestants from various sects around him, Huang Ming couldn't help but gulp.

It was his first time traveling far to represent his sect in a competition, and he was understandably nervous.

Even though his master told him the goal was just to broaden his horizons, Huang Ming still wanted to achieve a good result and bring honor to Baiyun Temple.

Getting eliminated on the first day would be mortifying.

"Don't worry, Old Huang. With your out-of-body soul technique, I think you'll be fine."

George patted Huang Ming on the shoulder reassuringly.

And he wasn't just saying that to make him feel better—he had sensed the energy of the contestants and found that few had more Qi than Huang Ming.

Plus, Huang Ming's soul-separation technique wasn't something most exorcists could easily deal with.

As long as he didn't get unlucky and face a powerhouse in the first round, he should make it through.

While they were chatting, that slightly unstable girl from the Everywhere Company—Feng Baobao—and the much-discussed Qi Body Origin Flow inheritor, Zhang Chulan, also arrived.

But their appearance immediately caused a stir.

When someone asked Feng Baobao if she was here to compete for the position of Celestial Master, she bluntly pointed to Zhang Chulan and said:

"I'm not here to be the Celestial Master. He is. I'm just here to take care of anyone who tries to get in his way."

Zhang Chulan broke into a cold sweat on the spot and hurriedly dragged Feng Baobao aside.

"My dear Sister Bao, please, maybe try not to speak so freely!"

"Mhm, got it. Straight to action then!"

Feng Baobao quickly pulled out a sharp knife, her face full of confident brilliance.

(End of Chapter)