Yellow Court Daoist

"Swoosh swoosh!"

The sound of water surged, and the evening breeze drifted gently. All of a sudden, the eyes of the commanding general at the prow snapped open, bursting with golden light. Unbeknownst when, his Yanyue Blade had already moved—

Silent.

Only a flash of the blade was seen under the moonlight.

Immediately after, a 'puff' was heard as fresh blood sprayed across the sky, staining the sails red. The great ship then 'boomed' with a violent tremor, waking all the soldiers aboard. They ran onto the deck to see a dark python appearing from nowhere.

"A demon serpent!"

"By heavens, a vile beast with a thousand years of Dao ability!"

The soldiers were startled and, lifting their torches, they saw that the python was already severed. Its huge head rolled to the side, and the body as thick as a water bucket continued to thrash wildly, banging against the surroundings with 'thumping' noises.

The fresh blood that had seemingly washed over the deck was from the serpent, sticky and unbearably foul-smelling. The evening wind only intensified the urge to vomit blood.

But the soldiers and generals on board, veterans of countless battles, were not afraid.

Beneath the moonlight, General Wu Guang stood motionless with his Yanyue Blade, like a War God, and they erupted in a roar louder than a tidal wave—

"Long live the General!"

"Long live the General!"

"Long live the General!"

With a single slash, Wu Guang beheaded the serpent, his face expressionless. His ears twitched, and suddenly, he moved again.

A figure bounded from the deck like a tiger descending a mountain, striding over the waves.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Each step he took sent a shock across the river surface. After seven or eight steps, a water spout shot up into the sky a few dozen yards ahead. In the midst of the spout, a figure was trapped. Under the moonlight, you could vaguely see he was wearing a water-patterned Daoist robe, his face filled with terror, struggling ferociously but unable to break free.

Wu Guang's gaze unmoved, with a flick of his Yanyue Blade, he struck the Daoist down, causing him to spit blood and tumble onto the rear deck, no longer able to resist.

On the deck.

A rope was already prepared, and the Daoist was bound tightly.

...

Two days later.

The feats of Captain Zhenwei Wu Guang decapitating the demon serpent and capturing the demon path practitioner spread throughout Yixiu County.

Only then did the people of Yixiu County realize that the strange occurrences in Yi River were due to a demon path practitioner causing trouble, controlling the giant serpent with ill intent.

When the demon path practitioner was bisected in the market square, someone recognized—

This demon path was the very expert who had recently arrived at the West River Daoist Temple on Yunxiu Mountain outside Yixiu County.

It was said he was a Daoist master of skills that came from the south, from Da Meng.

These days he had been casting talismans and spreading Daoist teachings in Yixiu County, even capturing two troublesome spirits in front of an audience, initially earning a reputation.

Unexpectedly, his deeds were so malicious in secret.

Some began to clamor that the West River Daoist Temple could not be let off.

It was only then that the news from outside the city came: On the night General Wu Guang beheaded the demon serpent, he had charged up Yunxiu Mountain and slaughtered several refining Daoists and ordained Daoists from the West River Daoist Temple.

The common people heard it and cheered unanimously.

...

In Taihu County City.

At the County Governor Mansion.

Lu Qingfeng, after hearing Wu Guang's report, set aside the scripture in his hand and told Wu Guang, "Ever since Zhao Jian first showed his sharp edge, numerous Daoist sects and Daoists have wanted to attach themselves to him. Over the years, their various schemes have never ceased. Now with Zhao Jian on the verge of unifying Lingnan County, quite a few upper-class Daoist Sects can't sit still."

With Lu Qingfeng's Divine Skills, there was nothing in the small Lingnan County that could escape his Dharma Eye.

He was also well aware of the small maneuvers of many Daoist sects.

Most of the time, he didn't need to take action himself; Changqing Temple could handle it.

But this time—

"Since the Yin God Master personally made a move, it seems they're serious," Lu Qingfeng looked south and asked Wu Guang, "Is this West River Daoist Temple from the West River Sect of Da Meng Northern Realm?"

"It's from the West River Sect of Da Meng."

"The first Sect Leader came from Da Meng and established the West River Daoist Temple, having been there for over three hundred years, with little contact with the Da Meng main sect. This time they have actively sought affiliation, bringing in masters from the main sect, attempting to replace Changqing Temple."

Wu Guang replied.

The ancestral court of the West River Sect was in the Northern Realm of Da Meng, where most of its disciples practiced the Water Technique.

The current Sect Leader of the West River Sect, Guan Shui Daoist, had long reached Yang Shen Cultivation. Under him were numerous True Men of the Yin God, ranking as one of the frontline upper-class Daoist Sects in the border regions of Da Meng and Da Sui countries.

Though not as supreme as the Shenxiao Sect or the Mao Mountain Dao, they were not to be underestimated.

"The West River Sect in the south,"

"And from the West Ridge Haoyang Dao, there's also someone in Lingnan named 'Gongsun Qing,' known as the 'Red Feet Immortal' because he wanders the world barefoot. Recently, Gongsun Qing has teamed up with the brothers Zhao Gong and Zhao Xun. Keep a closer watch over the defenses in Fanchang and Qingyi counties."

Lu Qingfeng pointed towards the west as he spoke.

"Rest assured, Master."

Wu Guang responded, then proposed, "Zhao Gong and Zhao Xun have never been honest, and now that they've joined forces with the Haoyang Dao, why not let me go and eliminate them?"

"You've just returned. Take some time to rest."

"As for Gongsun Qing, I've already treated him with 'Superiority Technique.' Within three days, he will undoubtedly perish violently."

Lu Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively.

Having led troops for years with ceaseless slaughter on the battlefield, Wen Guang's murderous aura grew ever more intense. His gaze fell upon this dull disciple, and a sigh rose in Lu Qingfeng's heart.

"Superiority Technique?"

Wen Guang blinked.

He had indeed heard of the 'Superiority Technique,' which meant 'to subdue someone with a curse,' also known as 'Nightmare Suppression Skill.' It was a malicious magic gate, incredibly insidious and difficult to guard against.

But the backlash was not trivial.

Wen Guang didn't understand. With his teacher's divine skills and Dao ability, was it necessary to go to such lengths to eliminate a mere Yin God Master?

Seeing his confusion, Lu Qingfeng pointed to the scriptures next to him and explained, "The Changqing Temple's magic gates are not weak, but the Daoist skills are sparse. I've been gathering Daoist skills from various sects, revising and modifying them to compile the 'Changqing Secret Technique.' I was just contemplating the 'Superiority Technique'; using Gongsun Qing as a test seemed fitting."

The cultivation technique that the disciples of Changqing Temple practiced was created by Lu Qingfeng by integrating and enhancing several of the most widely circulated Immortal Dao techniques, called 'Changqing Skill,' which also included side door level ranks.

Additionally, he collected the Immortal Dao techniques of talisman making, alchemy, artifact refining, and array setting, compiling them into 'Changqing Four Arts,' divided into twelve volumes, encompassing everything.

Among them, the seven registered disciples were all entitled to five true inheritances, which included the three volumes of the 'Changqing Skill,' leading directly to the realm of Yang God. Furthermore, each of the seven was separately bestowed with 'Changqing Four Arts.' Within these 'Four Arts,' the four types of skills each had three volumes.

Lu Qingfeng taught the first two volumes.

Among the four arts, each one was broad and profound.

To be broad in ten is not as good as to be precise in one.

Hence, Lu Qingfeng only imparted the first two volumes of one art. The first volume was the foundation, and the middle volume held more refined techniques, qualifying as true Daoist inheritances. As for the last volume, it was even more profound, and even a Yang Shen Heaven Master would covet it.

Lu Qingfeng placed the first volume of these four arts within Changqing Temple. Anyone who had stayed within Changqing Temple for three years and had some accomplishments could view and study them.

As for the middle volumes, the requirements were much stricter. Not only must one's cultivation reach the Refining Master Realm, but one must also accumulate enough merit.

To date, only Shouyang and the other six practiced the middle volumes.

And the last volumes.

Even to the likes of Shouyang and others, Lu Qingfeng has not yet imparted them. Firstly, because he feared they would bite off more than they could chew, worrying that their foundations were not solid. Secondly, it was to give the seven something to strive for, preventing complacency.

However, whether it was the three volumes of 'Changqing Skill' or the twelve volumes of 'Changqing Four Arts,' they were all just cultivation techniques and supporting skills.

The Daoist Skill was still being sorted out.

Lu Qingfeng intended to select, merge, and enhance from the most widely circulated and useful teachings of Immortal Dao, eventually dividing them into seventy-two lower techniques, thirty-six middle-level techniques, and eighteen high-level techniques, culminating into the 'Secret Technique Three Volumes.'

From easy to difficult.

The upper volume's seventy-two skills were mostly low-level and middle-level.

The middle volume was mostly high-level techniques.

As for the last volume, naturally, it was super-level techniques.

From low to high, they were also directly inherited.

It required considerable thought, especially the eighteen super-level Daoist skills.

However, Lu Qingfeng had the 'Derivation Technique' at his disposal, which wasn't too difficult. Now that the first and second volumes were essentially complete, he merely had to finish the last volume and go through everything once more to consider it complete.

At that time.

Changqing Temple's assorted array of skills would have a system. In the future, propagating the system of 'Immortal Dao', it would save a lot of effort.

"So that's how it is," Wen Guang said, now enlightened.

Lu Qingfeng then discussed with him the security preparations for the knighting ceremony three days from now before letting him go to rest.

Holding onto the scriptures, Lu Qingfeng concentrated on refining the 'Changqing Secret Technique.' Above his head, however, arose a celebratory cloud, and within it circled the Twelve Venerable Dutian Demon Gods. Without making a move, two of the demon gods leapt out.

One appeared like a yellow sac, red as Dan Fire, with six legs and four wings, sturdily built without a discernible face - this was Emperor Jiang Demon God.

The other had a human face with eight heads, a tiger body with ten tails - this was Tian Wu Demon God.

As soon as the two demon gods emerged, before settling into place, the former suddenly shifted and transformed into a Daoist standing nine feet tall with a sallow, beardless complexion and a deadpan face. The latter turned into a robust figure eight feet tall, dressed like a Daoist as well.

The two figures leaped down from the festive clouds, one vanishing from sight with a flicker, while the other dispersed into a breeze and faded away like smoke.

The inner hall immediately became quiet.

Above Lu Qingfeng, the celebratory cloud along with the remaining ten demon gods also vanished from sight.

...

At the southernmost region of Lingnan County lay Supreme He County, separated from Da Meng by only a mountain.

On this day.

Two Daoists crossed the great mountain and made their way toward the city of Supreme He County. Clad in water-patterned Daoist robes, their strides seemed slow but were actually swift. During their walk, they conversed.

The older Daoist, with a sullen expression, surveyed the surroundings and wondered, "How could Zhou Fang slip up and even lose his life in such an isolated backwater?"

In his earlier years, he had also come to Lingnan and remembered that this place had few Spiritual Mountains, the Daoist skills were inconspicuous, and even Spirit Platform Real Person sightings were rare, let alone Yin God Masters.

His disciple Zhou Fang, though just a newly anointed mage, was nevertheless part of the Daoist orthodoxy.

Unexpectedly, he had met his end in silence and obscurity.

"Although this place is remote, perhaps a True Dragon hides in secrecy," his middle-aged companion surmised, looking up towards the distant county. He espied a layer of Qi connected to the north. With his cultivation level, he could not discern the exact nature but could sense a mysterious atmosphere veiling over mountains and clouds.

Great turmoil in Da Sui.

Portents of calamities abound.

This aura of the great upheaval crisscrossed the counties, and Lingnan County was no exception. It restricted the mana and Dao ability of these Daoist disciples. If they stayed for long, even entering their bodies, it would affect their hearts and minds.

Even if they intended to avoid the great disaster by secluding themselves in the mountains to cultivate, should any fellow disciples or friends operate outside—whether invited by friends or upon the death of a disciple—the pervasive influence of the calamity could cloud their judgment, leading them to irrational actions.