Yellow Court Daoist

You should know that the Core Formation cultivators in the outer world, each one of them has cultivated for three to five hundred years, or even longer. And Zhang Ji? He joined the sect at thirteen, and now at just fifty-two, he has cultivated merely for thirty-nine years! That's a difference of more than tenfold in time. As for Zhang Ji's talent, it's not even considered top-tier within White Cloud Mountain, let alone beyond it.

"In the Little Ruoshui Realm, it seems that the Great Dao is manifest, enabling the cultivators there to far surpass those in the outside world in their Dao ability or in their swordsmanship and spell casting." It's as if all cultivators were granted an insight boost; in a short time, they can reach exceedingly high realms. However, because of the Life Span limitation, in reality, the difficulty of achieving the True Immortal Realm within the Little Ruoshui Realm is no less than, or even greater than, the outside world. Even reaching the Primordial Spirit Realm is far more arduous.

"Qi Cultivators, at most, can live a good one to two hundred years." "And Primordial Spirit Practitioners, they have a limit of five hundred years." To reach the Primordial Spirit Realm in one to two hundred years and cultivate to become a True Immortal within five hundred years is exceedingly difficult!

Lu Qingfeng thought of White Cloud Mountain. Within White Cloud Mountain, the White Cloud Child, though a Primordial Spirit Character, has cultivated for over three hundred years and is still lingering in the Second Layer, the 'Divinity Transformation' level, of the Primordial Spirit. With just over a hundred years left, there's no hope in this lifetime to cultivate into a True Immortal. The Sixth Layer of Primordial Spirit, to complete it within five hundred years, is much harder than the Qi Cultivation layers.

"If the cultivators from this Little Ruoshui Realm could go to the outside world, keeping their Dao ability, for those talented individuals, it would indeed be a shortcut to rapid advancement." "It's also an unmatched treasure trove for studying Divine Skills and spells." "The only thing left is to cultivate and polish their Mana and physical body, which is not really a difficult task."

Lu Qingfeng pondered over the preciousness of the Little Ruoshui Realm. After all, insight is real. Even if the Mana and the physical body in the Little Ruoshui Realm are too ethereal, the spellcasting, Divine Skills, and Dao ability are always solid. By entering and becoming a Primordial Spirit, and then breaking through the heavens and earth before the five-hundred-year limit comes, it's like gaining the cultivation of a Primordial Spirit out of thin air, with ten thousand years of good life ahead. If possible, it would truly defy the heavens.

"I just don't know..." "If there are any restrictions within it." A contemplative look crossed Lu Qingfeng's eyes. In just half a year, his interest in the Little Ruoshui Realm had grown even thicker than before he came in, "Find Zhang Yang first, get familiar with this Little Ruoshui Realm, then make further plans." With these thoughts in mind, he continued forward.

With each step, he crossed mountains and rivers. After a month, Lu Qingfeng arrived at the extreme north of the Southern Border, at the boundary with Central Earth. There stood Five Peaks, soaring high into the sky, frequently struck by thunder, as if it were purgatory. Hence the name: Five Prisons Peak.

...

Five Prisons Peak. With unique peaks and spiritual cliffs everywhere, the five mountains are the most extraordinary: East Peak's Sea View Peak, South Peak's Jinxiu Peak, Central Peak's Cuiyan Peak, West Peak's Moon Hanging Peak, and Northern Peak's Yedou Peak. These five peaks surround the entire area, flat and broad at the top without trees, resembling earthen platforms with pavilions and towers built on them, rarely visited by mortals.

Everyone knows that on Five Prisons Peak reside two major Immortal Sects. One is the Prison Control Immortal Sect occupying East Peak. The other is the Great Victory Sect which occupies the other four peaks. It is said the Great Victory Ancestor Master of the Great Victory Sect is from the Central Earth's Taoshan, a true immortal. He hails from the same sect as the Taoshan Sect Leader Yu Zhenzi, known as one of the 'East Sea Three Immortals', all disciples of the same revered master.

Although the Dao ability of the Great Victory Ancestor Master is not as profound as that of Yu Zhenzi, when considering the Three Continents and Two Seas, he too is a distinguished first-class True Immortal. With considerable renown, he established a stronghold on Five Prisons Peak, with over a dozen direct disciples who are quite famous, and seven or eight of them renowned far and wide. Including servants, boys, and stove keepers, there are easily three or four hundred people. Indeed, it's an impressive assembly.

By comparison, the Prison Control Immortal Sect stationed on East Peak falls short in quite a few regards. The sect indeed has two True Immortals in residence, but alas, the disciples and followers are lacking, falling short of the Great Victory Sect. In several sword-fighting contests, they have been defeated more often than not.

Over time, not only do more people choose to join the Great Victory Sect, but even some who had originally joined the Prison Control Immortal Sect cannot resist the temptation and defect to the Great Victory Sect in large numbers.

"Prison Control Immortal Sect."

Lu Qingfeng looked up at the Five Peaks.

To his sight, the West, South, Central, and North Peaks' Qi intertwined seamlessly, radiant like the rising sun, unparalleled and unchallenged. In contrast, East Peak flickered like a candle in the wind, seemingly about to extinguish at any moment.

"Continuously suppressed, the balance of power is shifting. It's just a matter of time before this Prison Control Immortal Sect crumbles."

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

The Great Victory Sect had the support of Taoshan, and Taoshan had the backing of the top immortal sect in the Beihan Immortal Domain—the Peach Blossom Sword Sect. Whether in terms of heritage or manpower, the Prison Control Immortal Sect was clearly outclassed.

It could only be ruthlessly suppressed.

"Transmitting teachings to disciples and managing sect affairs are ultimately different from personal cultivation."

Lu Qingfeng arrived at East Peak, ascending the steps.

Taking in the scenery, surrounded by an atmosphere akin to steam in sunlight and the refreshing crispness of autumn. Looking east, the morning haze shone like a smooth mirror, resembling the vast ocean.

Hence the East Peak was named Sea View Peak.

"Clad in morning's rosy light, the peaks emerge as boats on an ocean of clouds; vitality fills the land of gods at dawn."

Walking amongst this beauty, Lu Qingfeng couldn't help but praise the scene.

While admiring the view,

He also assessed the sect's disciples.

Near the mountain summit, down a thousand steps, extended a platform wrapped in mists, like a realm of immortals. Spacious enough to accommodate thousands, the platform was bustling at dawn as seventeen elder and disciple members of the Prison Control Immortal Sect all sat, absorbing the morning's purple Qi.

The two seated at the forefront each had manifestations of thunder above their heads, revealing the True Intent of Thunder.

These were two Primordial Spirit Elders of the Prison Control Immortal Sect.

Lu Qingfeng glanced up and quickly discerned their depths.

The one with white hair was at least four hundred years old with not many years left. His cultivation level had barely reached the Fourth Level 'Dharma Image' of the Primordial Spirit Realm—hope for Ascension to True Immortal was bleak.

The middle-aged woman appeared younger, likely around two hundred years old, but her cultivation was even lower, merely at the Stage of 'Conception.'

Behind the two,

Lined up were more than a dozen others, with breath as white as smoke, each showing varying degrees of Dao ability.

The strongest were about Qi Cultivation Seventh or Eighth Layer, which was considered quite formidable among Qi Cultivators. Yet, they were still far from reaching the Primordial Spirit level, and their potential was limited. Without fortunate encounters, this would be as far as they would go in life.

The weakest were just that—very weak.

Even worse than the ones Lu Qingfeng encountered at White Cloud Mountain. They had barely stepped into the First Layer of Qi Cultivation, with just a hint of Qi Perception.

"Two Primordial Spirits."

"Three to five at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation."

Lu Qingfeng watched with a shake of his head.

This level of capability was only slightly better than White Cloud Mountain, which had been managed for over a hundred years. Yet, in terms of potential, White Cloud Mountain might even surpass it with its diligent development—

Although White Cloud Mountain's White Cloud Boy was also at Primordial Spirit Cultivation level and only had two disciples who reached the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation,

In comparison with Sea View Peak:

One was like the setting sun.

While the other was like the dawn's early rise.

Of course, Sea View Peak was also home to two legendary True Immortals, not something White Cloud Mountain could look back on.

Lu Qingfeng with hands behind his back,

Continued to stroll on the Cloud Platform, occasionally stopping before a disciple—only to frown, shake his head, and walk away shortly after.

Having observed the thirty-seven individuals on the Cloud Platform throughout an entire hour of morning practice, Lu Qingfeng seemed indifferent even though he had scrutinized everyone.

He couldn't help but internally remark 'no wonder'!

These people couldn't exactly be called worthless, but calling them fine jade would be too generous. In the Little Ruoshui Realm, where the Dao is made manifest, practicing cultivation and comprehending spells and Divine Skills is far simpler than in the outer world.

Yet, judging from their states of cultivation, both Primordial Spirit Practitioners had no hope for True Immortal ascension, and among the fifteen Qi Cultivators, there were only one or two with a chance at advancing to Primordial Spirit.

Without significant opportunities, they too had no hope of becoming True Immortals.

In other words,

In a hundred or perhaps several hundred years,

At best, Sea View Peak would maintain the status quo, but at worst, they might even struggle to retain their two Primordial Spirit Practitioners.

"Dismal."

Lu Qingfeng, who was previously frowning, couldn't help but let out a laughter, "No wonder it's called 'Prison Control Immortal Sect'."

Perhaps it's not solely because Zhang Yang cultivates the 'Five Thunder Heart Sutra,' but more importantly, maybe it's to avoid tarnishing the name 'Guang Yuan.'

With mixed feelings of amusement and pity,

He watched as the morning practice ended.

The disciples began to practice punches and palm strikes, with flashes of lightning. Some rode on swords, pondering over their Sword Dao.

For a moment, the scene was lively.

Lu Qingfeng had no interest in watching further. With one step, he reached the summit of the mountain.

...