Yellow Court Daoist

"Third Brother."

Seeing the newcomer, Lu Qingfeng's face immediately showed delight. Next to him, Ao Le's eyes lit up and he called out "Third Brother."

Boom!

The arrival landed in front of the couple like a cannonball, yet the accumulated snow beneath his feet only sunk an inch. Beyond the impact of his feet, there was no disturbance.

The newcomer was clad in golden armor and looked like a young man.

It was none other than the Third Prince of Min River Dragon Palace—

Ao Lie.

"Little Sister, Brother-in-law."

Ao Lie strode forward, laughing heartily.

Over the years, Lu Qingfeng and Ao Le were in Yuan Lake, while Ao Lie was in the southern territories, leading troops against the Demon Swamp. This was the first time in a hundred years that Lu Qingfeng and Ao Le had seen Ao Lie.

Different from the other princes of the Min River Dragon Palace, the Eldest Prince Ao Feng and the Second Prince Ao Yu.

Ao Lie was closer to Ao Le.

When Ao Le first arrived at Min River Dragon Palace, it might be due to the large age gap or other reasons, Ao Feng and Ao Yu seldom interacted with Ao Le. Although they were siblings in name, they were quite estranged.

In contrast, Ao Lie was cheerful.

Seeing Ao Le was reticent and often looked gloomy, he would frequently tease her. He always thought of Ao Le for good things and would also share delicious food with her.

Therefore.

Initially, Ao Le told Lu Qingfeng that besides "Father" and "Third Brother," Lu Qingfeng was the person closest to her, excluding Ao Feng and Ao Yu.

Ao Le was originally reserved.

But she knew well who treated her sincerely and with kindness in their heart.

When Lu Qingfeng married Ao Le, their relationship with Ao Lie was much better than with Ao Feng and Ao Yu.

A hundred years had passed, and Ao Lie's cultivation remained at the Golden Core Peak, but his demeanor now carried more decisiveness and a willingness to engage in battle.

Certainly, it was earned through experience in the southern regions.

"Third Prince."

Lan Feihu and Yuan Bi, upon seeing Ao Lie, respectfully saluted.

"Generals, long time no see," Ao Lie greeted them with warmth.

Lu Qingfeng looked behind Ao Lie—

Stretching beyond measure, an impressive entourage like a dragon, soldiers in armor stood in rows, truly a grand presence.

"Third Brother, what is this—"

Ao Lie, having greeted Lan Feihu and Yuan Bi, was speaking with Ao Le. Seeing Lu Qingfeng pointing at the dragon-like caravan and asking, Ao Lie casually replied, "I was returning to the Dragon Palace, and it just so happened that these supplies needed to be delivered to Yuan Lake, so I asked for Father's permission to come here."

Saying this.

He gestured impatiently at Lu Qingfeng, "You go check if the count is correct. I'll have a good chat with Little Sister, see if you, Yuan Lake Water Lord, have taken the chance to bully her while I was away."

Lu Qingfeng and Ao Le exchanged glances.

Ao Le had a smile in her eyes and said to Ao Lie, "Third Brother, my husband treats me very well."

"You—"

Ao Lie spoke shortly, then glared at Lu Qingfeng, "Hurry up and check, with you around, how can Little Sister dare to speak the truth with me?"

"Alright then."

"Le'er, keep Third Brother company for a while, I'll be back soon."

Lu Qingfeng, feeling helpless, called the subordinates of Yuan Lake Water Palace and went to tally the supplies.

...

Two hours later.

Lu Qingfeng returned to Dragon Mountain Island, striding meteorically into a simple thatched cottage in the mountains. Inside the cottage, Ao Lie and his sister Ao Le were deep in conversation.

Ao Lie was talking about something, and Ao Le showed a shy expression. Suddenly seeing Lu Qingfeng enter, Ao Le blushed instantly as if she thought of something.

"What are you chatting about with Third Brother?"

Lu Qingfeng asked, looking curious.

"I have to return to the Dragon Palace to report before long, and in a few days I must head back to the southern Luo Lake."

"You and your husband can talk after I leave."

Ao Le was about to speak, but Ao Lie interrupted.

"Third Brother, it's rare for you to visit, are you in such a hurry?" Lu Qingfeng approached and sat beside Ao Le.

"The Demon Country in Demon Swamp is restless and up to no good, frequently sending demon soldiers to trespass. I have been ordered by Father to lead the troops under Luo Lake Water Lord's command. This visit is merely to report to Father about the Demon Swamp's movements before I must rush back."

The situation in the Immortal Qin Realm was complex.

Although Lu Qingfeng had not left Yuan Lake for a hundred years, he was also aware of the surrounding situation.

Shang River was of strategic importance, with Min River being just one of its tributaries, passing through Qi Country. To the south of Qi Country was the Demon Swamp, home to the marauding demons. Among them, "Qixia Demon Country" was a mortal enemy of Qi Country.

Located at the southwest corner of Min River, Luo Lake neighbored the Demon Swamp,

Guarded by Luo Lake Water Lord Chi Yin.

For the past hundred years, Ao Lie had been assisting Luo Lake Water Lord in Luo Lake, contending with the Demon Country.

"Demons are full of tricks, Third Brother, please be very careful."

Lu Qingfeng cautioned.

Yuan Lake was located to the south of Jiulang Mountain, which ranked high among the demon forces of the Demon Swamp. However, outside of Yuan Lake, there were also Qi Country's Southern Pass Road. Along the road, there were numerous prefectures and counties, guarded by countless armies, which reduced the pressure on Yuan Lake.

Luo Lake, in contrast,

Was uninhabited and beyond the borders of Qi Country, relying solely on Luo Lake Water Palace to defend it, naturally facing far greater dangers than Yuan Lake.

"Rest assured."

"Those demon spawn from the Demon Swamp aren't nearly enough to harm your Third Brother,"

Ao Lie grinned and then changed the subject, "Let's not talk about the Demon Swamp now, I came here because Father asked me to remind you to quickly purge the demons and evil spirits within a hundred thousand li."

Speaking of this.

Ao Lie shook his head at Lu Qingfeng, "Brother-in-law, I'm not criticizing you for no reason. You've been training troops in Yuan Lake for a hundred years; at the very least, you should go through the motions. Even if you just have General Feihu or General Yuan Bi lead three thousand Min River Navy on some more patrols, it would at least give Father an opportunity to back you in front of the Min River officials and gods."

"You—"

The Prince Consort of Min River Dragon Palace, the renowned Yuan Lake Water Lord himself, was skimming military provisions under the pretext of training troops, to the extent that not a single soldier under his banner dared to venture out of Yuan Lake.

Good news rarely goes beyond the gate, while bad news spreads far and wide.

Such disgraceful matters have not only been thoroughly discussed throughout the Dragon Palace; even outside of it, within the whole of Qi Country, people have repeatedly brought it up for a laugh.

Although Ao Lie has been far away at Luo Lake in recent years, he had still heard about these matters.

At this moment, having met face to face, he didn't wish to speak bluntly, so he merely hinted at it indirectly.

Feeling his tone might have been too harsh, he then continued, "However, compared with the affairs of Yuan Lake, what's far more important is your personal cultivation. Cultivate diligently, and once you achieve the Dan Fire, Father will recommend you. He will let you spend some time cultivating in the top-notch cultivation site 'Dragon Transformation Pond' at Shang River Dragon Palace. With your talent, it's possible you may instantly form a Daoist Embryo, shatter the Golden Core with fire, and achieve the Fourth Level of the Life Dao: Purple Palace Realm."

"Dragon Transformation Pond."

Lu Qingfeng wasn't particularly concerned about his reputation; however, Ao Lie's mention of the "Dragon Transformation Pond" piqued his interest.

"Dan Fire is the fourth layer of the Refining Core Realm. There is a process involving the fusion of the Three Souls and Seven Spirits in between, and the Dragon Transformation Pond is mysterious; for now, you don't need to worry about it."

"I'll focus on diligent cultivation then."

Ao Lie didn't explain further.

"Thank you for the lesson, Third Brother."

Lu Qingfeng then curbed his curiosity.

"By the way."

Ao Lie waved his hand, suddenly recalling something, "Is Father's 'Fate Mirror' with you?"

"Indeed."

Lu Qingfeng flipped his palm and took out a copper mirror with various ancient patterns on it.

[Magic Artifact: Fate Mirror]

[Grade: Eighth Rank]

[Description: Can reflect the destiny of mortals, cultivators, and demons, displaying the colors black, white, red, yellow, and green]

This was the treasure that Min River Dragon Lord used to peer into the fortune of Lu Qingfeng while he was drunk at Min River Dragon Palace.

At that time.

Lu Qingfeng showed a green fortune, stunning everyone.

To this day, Lu Qingfeng has also come to understand the meaning of 'green fortune'—

This represents one's own fate, unrelated to power, cultivation level, or status, but indicating the ultimate achievement of a person. Those of green fortune have a theoretical limit of the Fifth Realm in their lifetime. In mortal terms, they could be emperors. If they pursue cultivation, they may have the potential to become the likes of Dragon Kings in the Dragon Palace, or Emperors in the Heavenly Court—such powerful beings of the Fifth Realm.

Of course.

The Immortal Qin Realm has been disconnected from the Primordial Immortal Realm for who knows how many tens of thousands of years.

Among mortals, not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth, dared to claim titles like 'Dragon King' and 'Emperor', but in reality, they are frogs in a well, incomparable to the Four Dragon Kings within the Four Seas of the Earth Immortal World or the Six Imperial Emperors above the Nine Heavens.

However, this concept of fortune, is truly profound and elusive.

Although Lu Qingfeng is of green fortune, it is merely a theoretical limit, reachable up to the Fifth Realm. Cultivation is difficult; even those with fortune on their side may fail midway, in countless numbers.

It is possible to be stuck in the Third Realm or Fourth Realm.

And cultivation can be said to follow Heaven, or to go against it.

The Heavenly Dao is above.

All beings, from mortal ants to cultivators, and true immortals, are neither conforming nor defying by nature.

In Lu Qingfeng's future cultivation, his fate's limit is the Fifth Realm, but if by chance his external fortune greatly increases, or if other encounters happen, breaking the pattern of fate and reaching the Sixth Realm level, akin to an Earth Immortal True Monarch, there's a slim chance.

After all, fortune is illusory and truly difficult to predict or reason.

Regardless, the Fate Mirror is ultimately mysterious. Lu Qingfeng borrowed it from the Dragon Lord and has already completed its analysis.

"What's there to see in this mirror?"

"There are countless commoners in the world, and scarcely a few with green fortune like you. How much can the Fate Mirror really reveal?"

Ao Lie wasn't too impressed by the 'Fate Mirror', calling it an Eighth Rank Magical Artifact when it's actually pretty much useless.

"Just found it interesting and fumbled around with it," Lu Qingfeng said with a smile.

It is only such a 'useless' Eighth Rank Magical Artifact that he could borrow; something infinitely useful like the Mist Banner or the Eight Sceneries Tower—even if favored by the Dragon Lord—he could never borrow those.

Either Min River Dragon Lord or Ao Lie probably thought he borrowed the 'Fate Mirror' to scout for talents for Yuan Lake Water Palace.

But they didn't realize the profound mysteries of 'Derivation - Analysis'.

"Have you figured it out yet?"

"Father asked me to take the Fate Mirror back with me," Ao Lie informed him.

"Done." Lu Qingfeng handed over the Fate Mirror, to which Ao Lie carelessly received, not paying much attention, and then stood up.

"Third Brother."

Ao Le also stood up, looking at Ao Lie.

"Are you leaving so soon?" Lu Qingfeng also stood up, surprised on his face.

"The situation at Luo Lake is tense, Luo Lake Water Lord doesn't have many capable generals under his command, and I cannot stay away for too long." Ao Lie patted Lu Qingfeng's shoulder, a rare seriousness showing on his face, "Within the Demon Swamp, the Qixia Demon Country is stirring. Not only in the Luo Lake area, but even further south in the Xuan Mountain Path and Jiushui Road in the Southern Territory, demon sightings have been far more frequent than in previous years. Your location at Yuan Lake, being in the middle of Southern Pass Road, also requires vigilance. Don't be complacent and unprepared, lest you be caught off-guard when action is needed."

…

Ao Lie did not stay much longer, collected the supplies, retrieved the Fate Mirror, and departed from Yuan Lake back to Min River Dragon Palace.

Before leaving,

He gave several warnings, emphasizing again about the Southern Demon Swamp.

Min River Dragon Lord's urging for Lu Qingfeng to eradicate the demons within the ten-thousand-mile jurisdiction of Yuan Lake probably also took this into consideration.

Yuan Lake Water Palace.

"Did you foresee that Father would order the troops to be dispatched to sweep the ten-thousand-mile area, and therefore allowed 'Luo Fuzi' to bargain the conditions before agreeing to the recruitment?" Ao Le asked Lu Qingfeng with a look of intrigue in her eyes.