Zombie World: Starting as an apprentice of the Thunder King

On Maoshan Mountain, the banquet has been going on for two whole days.

The cultivators from various sects gathered in twos and threes, drinking and chatting, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Lin Bei sat on the stone steps in the corner, holding a glass of plain wine in his hand, watching the figures coming and going in the square.

Bai Ling lay on his lap, basking in the sun with her eyes half-closed, her fluffy tail swaying gently with her breath.

Zhang Zhiling walked over carrying a pot of wine and sat down next to him: "Why are you hiding here all by yourself?"

"Peace and tranquility..."

Lin Bei clinked glasses with him. "Why aren't you drinking anymore?"

"We've had enough to drink. If we drink any more, we'll start acting crazy."

Zhang Zhiling smiled and looked at the disciples from various sects.

"Have you noticed that, although the various factions are being polite to each other on the surface these past two days, they are all testing each other in private?"

Lin Bei nodded; he had noticed it too.

On the surface, the Celestial Master Ceremony is a celebration, but in reality, it is also an opportunity for various factions to assess each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Maoshan has been gaining momentum in recent years. First, Shi Jian proved his Dao as a Celestial Master using thunder magic, and then there was Lin Bei, a rising star with a pure Yang Daoist body.

Even if other sects don't say it, they can't possibly be without their own thoughts.

"Have you heard about the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony?" Zhang Zhiling suddenly lowered his voice.

"The Grand Ritual of Luo Tian?"

"My master mentioned something to me a few days ago."

Zhang Zhiling took a sip of wine. "It seems that our Celestial Master's Mansion will be holding a grand Taoist ritual in two years. At that time, all the Taoist sects will send people to participate."

Lin Bei's heart skipped a beat: "A contest of Daoist arts?"

"right..."

Zhang Zhiling nodded, "At that time, the younger generation of each faction will compete on the same stage, and the winner will receive a generous reward prepared by the Celestial Master's Mansion."

"The specific details haven't been finalized yet, but the news has already spread."

Just as Lin Bei was about to ask a few more questions, a commotion suddenly broke out on the other side of the square.

A middle-aged cultivator dressed in a crimson Taoist robe stood up.

This person was none other than the Supreme Elder of the Blazing Fire Sect, True Man Huoyun, who possessed the cultivation level of an early-stage Celestial Master. A terrifyingly scorching aura emanated from his presence!

"Gentlemen!"

Master Huoyun's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire square.

"Today, all of us from different factions have gathered at Maoshan. This is a rare opportunity."

"I have a suggestion: why not take this opportunity to let the young disciples of different sects have a friendly competition, so that everyone can see the quality of this generation of young people?"

"We are all practitioners; working in isolation is not a long-term solution."

The square fell silent for a few moments after these words were spoken.

The Blazing Fire Sect is considered a major sect in the cultivation world, and True Man Fire Cloud is a powerful early-stage Celestial Master.

His suggestion carried considerable weight.

The cultivators from different factions looked at each other, then began to whisper among themselves.

"Great idea!" a monk in a grey robe exclaimed in agreement.

"I've been wanting to see what the younger generation of each faction can do!"

"But... how will this sparring match be conducted?"

Master Huoyun stroked his beard and glanced around: "Simple. Disciples from each sect will go down to fight, stopping short of causing serious injury or death."

His gaze drifted almost imperceptibly towards the main hall of Maoshan Temple.

This proposal seems fair, but it's obvious to anyone with eyes to see.

In recent years, Maoshan has become increasingly powerful, putting pressure on many sects and even showing signs of surpassing Longhushan Tianshi Mansion.

This left the other sects feeling somewhat uneasy.

If they could take this opportunity to temper the arrogance of the younger generation of Maoshan through sparring, these sects would naturally be happy to see it happen.

Master Zhang Jingxu was the first to state his opinion: "Our Celestial Master's Mansion has no objection."

"Young disciples do need more experience; they won't amount to anything by working in isolation."

Master Yin Xuanji of Wudang also nodded: "This method is excellent. Young people should indeed broaden their horizons."

Master Qingwei sat in the main seat, his face calm, but his mind was as clear as a mirror.

How could he not see through the thoughts of each faction?

However, since someone has drawn a line, Maoshan will naturally not back down.

"Since everyone has this intention, then this humble Taoist priest naturally has no reason to refuse."

Master Qingwei spoke calmly, "But let me make this clear beforehand: stop here and don't hurt anyone."

Shi Jian stood behind Master Qingwei, his gaze turning slightly cold upon hearing this.

He was so shrewd that he saw through Huoyun Zhenren's thoughts at a glance.

Since the Blazing Fire Sect dared not take the lead themselves, they instigated other sects to test the strength of Maoshan.

But he didn't stop them. If they were going to fight, then they should fight to show them.

"In that case, I will set up an array."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Shi Jian's figure flashed and disappeared from the main seat, appearing in the sky above the square in front of the main hall.

With a wave of his hand, a beam of blue-white lightning shot out from his palm, drawing a huge magic circle on the ground, several tens of feet in diameter.

The array patterns shimmered with spiritual light, enough to withstand the impact of those below the True Person realm.

"Use this formation as the boundary."

Shi Jian's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: "Those who go out to fight lose; those who admit defeat stop."

As everyone gazed at the array formed by lightning, many secretly gasped.

Even though the array that the Thunder King casually set up was only for sparring, it still exuded a sharp and oppressive aura.

Huoyun Zhenren's eyelids twitched slightly as he watched Shi Jian's effortless array formation.

Although he was a high-ranking Celestial Master, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive after witnessing Shi Jian's mastery of thunder magic.

But since things have come to this, we have no choice but to go through with it, even if it's tough.

Master Huoyun remained expressionless, turned around and waved to those behind him: "Zhang Yang, you go first."

He was actually calculating in his mind, because Zhang Yang's cultivation level was not considered top-notch among the younger generation of various sects.

However, the Blazing Fire Sect's fire techniques are domineering and fierce, with few rivals among those of the same cultivation level, making them perfect for testing the waters.

A young man dressed in a crimson Taoist robe stepped out from among the disciples of the Blazing Fire Sect.

This person was in his early twenties, with a faint aura of fire surrounding him, and his cultivation level was around the mid-stage of the Daoist realm.

He strode into the lightning formation, cupped his hands in greeting to Shi Jian, and said proudly, "Zhang Yang, a disciple of the Blazing Fire Sect, requests guidance from fellow Daoist Maoshan."

Shi Shaojian snorted coldly and strode directly into the formation.

He had been holding back his anger for a long time; these people were clearly after Maoshan.

If we don't show some might to our strength today, people will really think Maoshan is easy to bully.

"Maoshan, Shi Shaojian!"

"The peak of the Taoist master's cultivation?"

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his fighting spirit.

Please advise!

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yang shot out.

With a flick of his right hand, a crimson flame shot out from his fingertip, transforming into a long, flaming blade that slashed straight at Shi Shaojian's face.

Shi Shaojian dodged to the side, and the flame grazed his shoulder before exploding into a ball of fire on the ground behind him.

Shi Shaojian steadied himself, his hands rapidly forming hand seals: "True Qi of Yi Wood, gather in my palms! My stance is like a dragon and elephant, piercing the earth and penetrating the sky!"

Three wooden stakes, each as thick as a bowl, burst from the ground beneath Zhang Yang's feet, attacking him from three directions simultaneously.

Zhang Yang was prepared and leaped upwards to avoid being caught between the wooden stakes.

At the same time, he clasped his hands together, and a ball of crimson flame condensed into a flaming spear in front of him, which he then hurled at Shi Shaojian.

Shi Shaojian drew his Demon-Slaying Sword, a flash of golden light emanating from its blade: "Eight Trigrams Sword Technique, Blazing Fire Slash!"

With a single slash, the sword light collided with the flaming spear, exploding into a burst of intense flames.

Shi Shaojian was jolted back two steps by the impact.