Yellow Court Daoist

Three Mountains and Nine Waters.

Thunder God Mountain.

Nine mountain peaks spread out like lotus petals, with a smaller mountain at the center resembling the pistil, surrounded by trickling streams as if resting in the heart of a lotus pool. Pines and cypresses grew naturally, blessed by the heavens and the earth. Warm in winter and cool in summer, the occasional whiff of pine fragrance and the area's spiritual charm were reminiscent of the heavenly Yaochi Treasure Land.

At the very center of this Yaochi Treasure Land stood a green stone tablet.

The tablet's inscriptions were shadow-carved with ancient, obscure characters, difficult to discern.

From a distance, gazing upon the tablet made one's head spin and eyes dazzle as if looking upon a heavenly book. Amidst a daze, the pooling mist seemed to emit Buddha Light-like radiance.

Amidst that glow,

the green stone tablet revealed the image of a hairy-faced Thunder God with the mouth of an ape, casually swinging a long sword, sending invisible Sword Intent crisscrossing amid the sound of roaring thunder.

A lady in white sat cross-legged in the midst of the Treasure Land.

Phantom-like figures burst forth from her, circling and soaring among the mountains, each movement and posture danced like a mirage.

She resembled the Lin Dust Immortal.

Sword Qi surged through each iteration, each more adept than the last.

One year.

Ten years.

In the blink of an eye, Lu Qingyu had been here for thirty years.

This day.

Clang~

When the sword was drawn, it was like the roar of dragons and tigers; my sword follows my heart, both dream and fantasy.

After a long silence,

the world was quiet and misty.

Qingyu sheathed her sword and a smile graced her face, "After thirty years of solitary dedication, I've finally grasped the rudiments of the Heart Monkey Sword. I shall eternally remember every strength and flaw of this technique by heart, though I'm still short of achieving the 'analogy of one reflects the three' stage in terms of Fire Control."

"But it's not a big deal."

"First, I must share this good news with Big Brother."

Qingyu stood up, and with her body turning into a sword, she vanished in a flash.

...

Among the mountains and rivers,

at the border of Yunmeng Swamp and the Spiritual Mountain Shell Field, lay Kongling Gorge.

A place where Immortal Energy drifted ethereally.

Lu Qingyu, dressed in flowing white, her sword bearing the poise of a secular Female Sword Immortal, descended to this place.

Before the mountain,

towering like South Heavenly Gate above Nine Heavens, majestic and imposing, stood magnificent. Two Generals clad in armor guarded the gate, flanked by eight other Generals lined up on either side, each one burly and ferocious, frowning upon the female swordswoman who approached.

With a bellowing voice, the Golden Armor Marshal exclaimed—

"This is the gate of the Heavenly Star Immortal Sect. Who goes there? State your name!"

The Golden Armor Marshal's loud and thundering voice called out.

"What a formidable Heavenly Star Sect."

"Even these Mountain Guardian Marshals at the gate are powerful enough to stand out among Jiedan True Men."

Qingyu thought to herself in astonishment, but remained unfazed and joyfully replied, "My name is Lu Qingyu, please inform the Yellow Bull Mountain for me, dear Daoist Brother."

The cliffs on either side of Kongling Gorge were steep, making it extremely difficult to navigate the rapid currents.

"Empty the pass to traverse."

Thus, it was also called "Empty Pass."

Within Kongling Gorge was a smaller stretch named Yellow Bull Gorge, named after a rock on the mountain bank that strikingly resembled a person leading a yellow bull, hence the name Yellow Bull Mountain.

"Yellow Bull Mountain?"

"Ever since the Ancestor Master ascended, Yellow Bull Mountain has remained unoccupied. It wasn't until sixteen years ago, after Lu Qingfeng braved through the twenty-seven layers of Array Mountain and was invited back to Kongling Gorge by Grandmaster Wu Jiu, that Yellow Bull Mountain finally had a master."

The two Mountain Guardian Marshals secretly communicated through voice transmission, their eyes widened—

"The Sword Immortal, Lu Qingfeng, bears the surname 'Lu'."

"And this lady's name is 'Lu Qingyu'?!"

Realizing the surname connection, neither the Golden Armor Marshal nor Black Armor Marshal dared to delay any further, and hastily said, "Please wait a moment, Immortal Lady. I'll immediately notify Yellow Bull Mountain!"

The Golden Armor Marshal turned and took his leave.

The Black Armor Marshal, donned in black armor and a sterner face, softened his expression, now far from his previously harsh and fierce demeanor.

Lu Qingyu waited outside the gate, gazing at the mountain covered in citrus groves, green leaves with golden fruit, a riot of colors, marveling at the beautiful landscape that stretched endlessly.

Deep in thought about her big brother, her heart swelled with emotion—

...

"I originally thought my fortune in obtaining the Heart Monkey Sword legacy unparalleled, but Big Brother outdid me, having braved through the twenty-seven layers of the Heavenly Star Sect's Array Mountain, becoming one of the only three Primordial Spirit True Ones of the Heavenly Star Sect."

"It won't be long before his name resounds through the Three Mountains and Nine Waters!"

From dawn at Yellow Bull, to nightfall back at Yellow Bull, from one day to the next, Yellow Bull Mountain remained unchanged.

The rocky shoals were densely packed, with sharp edges like swords, in a place where furious waves surged, there Yellow Bull Mountain stood. A cave dwelling carved into the mountain where Lu Qingyu, bright and cheery, stood before her big brother and spoke.

Her words carried a playful tease, yet mostly filled with admiration.

Lu Qingfeng shook his head and smiled, inviting Qingyu to sit, and from the Mustard Space took out two flasks of 'Great Sage Equalling Heaven,' lighting up Qingyu's eyes.

"Great Sage Equalling Heaven!"

"I've missed it!"

Qingyu's eager anticipation and longing gaze once again brought a chuckle from Lu Qingfeng.

The two sat opposite each other, toasting and drinking.

After three cups of the top-notch fiery liquor, Qingyu's face flushed a light pink, becoming slightly tipsy. Her valiant spirit softened, making her seem more radiant and captivating, her fairylike essence seemingly less evident.

She raised her eyes, looking at her big brother and playfully said, "Big Brother, aren't you going to ask why I've come to Yellow Bull Mountain?"

"Does my little sister need a reason to visit her Big Brother?"

Lu Qingfeng took a sip of 'Great Sage Equalling Heaven' and glanced at Qingyu, teasing her with his reply.

"Hehe!"

"Do you know I've encountered an incredible opportunity?"

Lu Qingyu scooted closer to her big brother and whispered in a secretive manner. Only when she was with her big brother, and after having had some drinks, would Qingyu reveal such an attitude.

"Oh?"

"What opportunity?"

Lu Qingfeng, feigning ignorance, asked with feigned surprise.

"Hehe, you'll be shocked!"

Qingyu laughed proudly without holding back, and while tilting her head back to drink, sometimes with fervent excitement, told Lu Qingfeng all about how she had chased a demon into Thunder God Mountain, encountered the green stone tablet, and learned the Thunder God Sword Venerable's Heart Monkey Sword legacy. She also relayed the information she had gathered about Thunder God Mountain and Thunder God Sword Venerable on her journey to Kongling Gorge.