Yellow Court Daoist

Sea View Peak.

Atop the mountain peak, two young men stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, gazing at the Cloud Platform below.

One of them, with delicate features, knitted his brows and sighed deeply, "Talents are scarce across the four lands, most have been snatched up by Taoshan, Heaven Mountain, North Sea, and Snow Ridge. Sea View Peak faces Central Earth to the north and overlooks the Southern Border to the south, yet we find so few promising youngsters. It's truly—"

Qin Fan looked down at the dozen or so disciples on the Cloud Platform and couldn't help but shake his head.

There are many barren places in the world.

Where cultivation resources barely suffice for one's practice let alone to bestow upon disciples. Lacking Spirit Pills and miraculous medicines to enhance Dao ability and mana, those with mediocre talent or even the slightly gifted mortals will achieve little even if accepted into the sect—simply a waste of energy and resources.

Hence,

No matter the sect, all those with discernment scrutinize potential disciples closely. If not a genius, unless they wield significant influence, they are not easily accepted.

Sea View Peak is no exception.

But amidst the fierce competition among sects, how many can Sea View Peak actually attract?

Not to mention the Great Victory Sect stands right at our doorstep, directly opposing Sea View Peak, making it hard for the Prison Control Immortal Sect to flourish.

The sect's two Primordial Spirit Elders, along with several disciples in the late stage of Qi Cultivation, do often venture down the mountain, to the Southern Border, to Central Earth, in search of mortals with potential to bring back to the peak.

But it's like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Throughout the years, with the passing of the old and the departure of others including the two Primordial Spirit Elders, in the end, less than twenty official disciples remain.

As a True Immortal Ancestor Master, it's no wonder Qin Fan is concerned.

Unfortunately,

Despite being a True Immortal with a long Life Span, facing the imminent threat of thunderous disasters hovering like a sword above, Qin Fan must also spend a great deal of time for his own cultivation, traveling far and wide in search of treasures.

Either to engage in alchemy to increase his mana or to refine artifacts to face calamities.

Not a moment to spare.

Regarding the management of the sect, his will exceeds his capacity.

In fact,

Mundane affairs and disciple instruction within each sect are typically governed by Primordial Spirit Elders or even late-stage Qi Cultivation disciples. True Immortal Ancestors often retire to seclusion within the sect or lead hermit lives, overseeing only the broad direction, seldom concerned with the details.

"These past years, the Great Victory Sect has grown increasingly prosperous and arrogant. Just the year before last, they snatched away one of our disciples who was likely to reach the Primordial Spirit Realm. Lately, they have been making frequent overtures, even trying to poach key people like Da Hai and Zhang Shu."

The more Qin Fan spoke, the angrier he got, bitterly saying, "I'm not leaving this mountain this time; I must train these young disciples thoroughly and take up the fight against the Great Victory Sect!"

Beside Qin Fan stood a youth with white hair coiled in a Daoist bun, carrying an air of a celestial being aloof from the mortal realm, transcendent.

This was none other than Zhang Yang, who had been trapped in the Little Ruoshui Realm for thirty-seven thousand years.

Seasons of trials and tribulations had forged a grandmaster's presence.

Upon seeing him, one cannot help but be deeply moved.

"It's not appropriate," Zhang Yang advised, shaking his head. "With your current level of mana and Dao ability, the Thunder Disaster will surely come in ten or twenty to thirty years. During this period, better to Cultivate in peace. On my recent journey, I wrestled a piece of Red Jade from one of the Taoshan Three Immortals, the 'Wine Sword Immortal,' on the East Sea Coast. You should refine it into your Magic Sword to better withstand the Thunder Disaster, increasing your chances of triumph."

So saying, he retrieved a faintly glowing piece of Red Jade from his sleeve.

At a glance, it exuded an extraordinary essence.

"Disciple does not dare accept!" Qin Fan repeatedly shook his head.

This Red Jade was a rare material ideal for refining Flying Swords, sought after even by true immortals. His master spoke lightly of it, but how lauded was the 'Wine Sword Immortal'?

Among the echelon of True Immortals, he was prominent, reputed to have already passed the 'Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations,' stepping into the realm of Ten Tribulations.

Qin Fan doubted his worthiness to accept such a treasure plundered from such a figure.

"This Red Jade could also benefit Master's 'Golden Ring.' Against the mere Thunder Disaster, my 'Tianshu Sword' should suffice," Qin Fan said to Zhang Yang with a smile.

"The Three Calamities are treacherous; you mustn't be careless," Zhang Yang said solemnly. "The Red Jade is indeed precious, but the 'Golden Ring' has already accompanied me through the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations and needs it no longer."

Seeing his master's change in expression, Qin Fan dared not refuse further. He took it, his heart warming.

Before the grand Dao,

Even amongst mentor and disciple, few could approach such generous spirit of the master.

All five of his senior fellow disciples had their limitations; despite their master's earnest teachings, they couldn't surpass the Primordial Spirit Realm.

When their time came, they all faded away.

Since the eldest disciple died of old age, the master stopped taking on new disciples.

Perhaps he too could no longer bear the pain of life and departure.

Unaware of his disciple's thoughts, Zhang Yang, seeing that the Red Jade had been accepted, instructed further, "During these times, cultivate peacefully in the mountains; do not descend."

"Yes, Master," Qin Fan said, nodding. After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but ask, "Has something happened down the mountain?"

It was the first time Qin Fan had seen his master attach such importance.

He was puzzled —

With his current Dao ability, unless facing a figure like the Three Immortals and Three Elders of Taoshan, he might not defeat them, but escaping wouldn't be difficult.

With such prowess, he still needed to retreat to the sect, what major events could have transpired below the mountain?

Zhang Yang was frank, "The longstanding grudges between Lion Ridge of the Southern Border and Taoshan. Recently, several patriarchs from Lion Ridge have been mobilizing connections, while Taoshan has rallied with the likes of Heavenly Mountain Jade Dragon Sect, North Sea Langhuan Mansion, and Snow Ridge Great Xumi Mountain, among other notables on the side of Righteous Sects. A great battle between them is inevitable."

It was the old enmities between Lion Ridge and Taoshan.

Qin Fan instantly understood.

The strife between Lion Ridge and Taoshan had erupted more than just once.

Each conflict caused a river of blood, with many venerable True Immortal-level figures falling.

Their grievances couldn't be summarized in merely a few words.

When Qin Fan had achieved True Immortal status and walked among mortals, he had heard from several friends about it, even witnessing the fiery animosity between Lion Ridge and Taoshan.

He could empathize with his master's concerns.

As memories surfaced, Qin Fan suddenly recalled something a True Immortal friend from the Southern Border once mentioned and looked up at his master, who was gazing toward Central Earth, his eyes shining, "The last confrontation between Lion Ridge and Taoshan was more than three thousand years ago. I heard that Teacher also participated, slaying three True Immortals from Taoshan in a single fury with world-shocking Thunder Skills."

More than three thousand years ago was indeed far too distant.

Many True Immortals today have not experienced that era. Take Qin Fan, even though he has become a True Immortal, he is only a little over 1,700 years old.

The events from more than 3,000 years ago are mostly spoken of by elders or caught as rumors on the wind.

It was from his master that Qin Fan's friend had heard of Zhang Yang's illustrious reputation, and whenever it was brought up in front of Qin Fan, there was always an undertone of verifying the truth.

Regrettably, Zhang Yang was never one to discuss the past with Qin Fan.

It was only during a conversation about an old feud between Lion Ridge and Taoshan that Qin Fan took the opportunity to inquire.

"A mere errand," was the dismissive reply.

As expected.

Zhang Yang was reluctant to elaborate and brushed off the topic with a single sentence.

After listening, Qin Fan wanted to press on whether his master would take action this time, but seeing his master staring off into the north lost in thought, he didn't dare to interrupt.

At that moment, Qin Fan saw that from the mists surrounding the cloud platform below, an uninvited young Daoist had appeared without notice.

The Daoist walked, and the mist seemed sentient, parting to make way for him.

Unintentionally, he had already reached the peak.

Upon seeing this, Qin Fan glanced at his master, noticing a slight frown that suggested he wasn't welcoming, clearly not recognizing the Daoist.

"Daring to trespass!"

Qin Fan was shocked and angry. Stepping forward, he demanded in a stern voice, "Who goes there? How dare you trespass onto my Sea View Peak?!"

As the words ended...

The sound burst forth, stirring the wind and clouds.

Without submitting a visiting card...

Without allowing for announcement...

It was extremely rude, truly an uninvited guest.

Clang!

A flying sword, coming from nowhere, landed in Qin Fan's hand as he glared fiercely at the young Daoist.

The Prison Control Immortal Sect might be weak, but it was still his master's painstaking effort, and Sea View Peak was where his Daoist Field lay – how could he allow others to enter and leave as they please?

The Daoist did not respond.

He didn't even glance at Qin Fan, but looked only toward Zhang Yang.

Qin Fan grew angrier, forming a sword technique with his hands and shouting, "Well then, Daoist! See my sword!"

He unleashed a sword strike.

Aimed to cut down the Daoist.

"Hold your hand."

But then, a voice of surprise and uncertainty reached his ear. Qin Fan stopped the flying sword, turning his head only to see his master, whose face had slightly changed from a frown to an expression mixed with disbelief.

Slowly, however, joy began to spread across his face.

A mix of shock and delight.

This left Qin Fan dumbfounded.

Before he could react, the young Daoist had already approached.

Qin Fan stood alert, moving to protect his master, but then heard a 'thump' from close by.

"Master."

Turning his head, Qin Fan was taken aback.

Zhang Yang was kneeling on the ground, his face mixed with shock and joy, bowing deeply to the young Daoist as he trembled, "Disciple Zhang Yang greets his teacher!"

Sea View Peak.

Right Heart Hall.

Qin Fan sat straight as an arrow, sneakily glancing at the young Daoist and then back at his master, his mind a tangled mess, relentlessly asking himself—

"Where did this Ancestor Master come from?"

"Did I just attack the Ancestor Master with my sword?"

"Will master blame me?"

"Will the Ancestor Master blame me?"

Qin Fan couldn't stop the barrage of questions in his mind.

He noticed his master's unprecedented joy and excitement; though trying to control it, Qin Fan could still clearly feel it.

Having followed Zhang Yang for over a thousand years, Qin Fan had seen sorrow on his master's face just a few times when some of their fellow disciples passed away. Otherwise, his master always appeared unfazed by the world around him.

It seemed that nothing could stir his emotions.

But this time—

"This tea was picked from a ten-thousand-year-old Immortal Tea Tree at the top of Lion Ridge in the Southern Border, roasted in an Eighth Rank Immortal Spirit Cauldron by the residing elder of Lion Ridge. The fragrance is rich; please enjoy it, teacher."

Zhang Yang, not fond of the tea ceremony, had searched out the most precious tea leaves from a hidden corner and, after brewing them, offered the tea to his teacher.

Lu Qingfeng took a sip, "Indeed, a fine tea."

"As long as teacher likes it."

Hearing this, Zhang Yang immediately smiled.

Among the 'three great joys in life', one is 'meeting an old friend in a foreign land'.

And here, in this Little Ruoshui Realm that's neither in the heavens nor on the earth, Zhang Yang had unexpectedly encountered his mentor, filling his heart with immeasurable joy. Although usually of a cold nature and unflappable, at this moment, he seemed somewhat flustered.

Lu Qingfeng looked at Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang kept his head bowed, listening attentively.

"No need to be so formal."

"We, master and disciple, have not seen each other in many years. Relax a little."

Seeing Zhang Yang all tensed up, Lu Qingfeng smiled and told him to sit down beside him.