Yellow Court Daoist

Crackle and pop!

Yin Fire infiltrated Lu Qingfeng's crown, passing through his viscera, scorching his limbs, hair, tendons, and bones unmercifully.

Other True Immortals could only resist with Mana, extinguish it with Divine Skills, protect themselves with magical treasures, and heal with Spirit Pills. The agony they faced was indescribable, and they could barely endure, hoping to survive this tribulation.

Lu Qingfeng paid no heed.

He allowed the Yin Fire to burn him, even showing a hint of pleasure on his face. His Mana, Primordial Spirit, and flesh felt like they were soaking in a warm spring, relishing the nourishment and growing slightly stronger.

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

Lu Qingfeng was overjoyed.

It should be known.

At his level, advancing further would require centuries of continuous cultivation. He accumulated experience and comprehended the Dao, and once his cultivation reached Perfection, the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit would manifest.

Lu Qingfeng was calm and collected, his plans firm in his chest.

Whether in the Nine Nether or journeying from the Black Star Realm to the Nanhua Realm, he was always cultivating and never fell behind. The various cultivation systems within the Human Dao Law Domain had greatly aided his understanding of the Dutian Dao.

Yet, neither rigorous cultivation nor broad experiences matched the enhancement he gained under the calamity at this moment.

"This life indeed holds great opportunities."

Lu Qingfeng felt some improvement, advancing closer to the Earth Immortal Realm. He sensed his earlier predictions were accurate, felt exhilarated, and was eager rather than fearful of the disaster, shouting, "Bring it on!"

After Wind and Fire came the 'Thunder Disaster'.

In Sea View Peak, Qin Fan was at this stage and was expected to face this last of the Three Calamities in another twenty or thirty years. However, after listening to Lu Qingfeng's teachings, he had an epiphany.

Within less than ten years, the 'Thunder Disaster' would descend.

But Lu Qingfeng was to face it first.

"With this Wind and Fire, I remained unscathed. If such is the function, then so shall it reach. Before hearing the Dao, 'Five Thunders' each leading their forces, striking in cycles. When not perceiving the Dao, in an instant, the spirit scatters, never to coalesce."

"This is the 'Thunder Disaster'."

His Mana surged, with five hundred years of cultivation experience instantly added to him.

Dark clouds arrived—

Crackle!

Boom, boom!

The Thunder Disaster descended from the sky, lightning and thunder striking Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng's body was Tong Xuan, his Mana pure, his Primordial Spirit solid, unshaken by wind and rain, undisturbed by the thunderous blasts.

A volley of Heavenly Thunder fell.

Instead, it slightly boosted Lu Qingfeng's true cultivation level.

When the Heavenly Thunder dispersed, not even a single hair on Lu Qingfeng's head was out of place.

"Three Calamities."

A smile played on Lu Qingfeng's lips.

These Three Calamities had given him quite the pleasant surprise. Evaluating himself, his physical body, Primordial Spirit, and Mana had all improved. And after surviving the calamities, even the Dao before him seemed clearer.

"The Three Calamities were still not evident."

"But after the Three Calamities, there are the Nine Tribulations, Ten Tribulations, and even the Heavenly Person Five Decays."

"These successive, harsh tests also laid out a path to heaven for these True Immortals."

Before experiencing the Three Calamities, Lu Qingfeng could only guess, not yet sure.

But now.

He was certain—

"After the Heavenly Person Five Decays, one must be able to verify the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit!"

The Little Ruoshui Realm, with its successive calamities, redefined the True Immortals.

Above the True Immortal Four Realms, layers such as 'Ten Tribulations' and 'Heavenly Person Five Decays' defined fifteen levels. The peak of refining Dao comes after the Nine Tribulations. Each tribulation crossed brings one closer to the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit.

Layers of calamities serve both as a test and an opportunity.

"The Earth Immortal Dao Fruit is originally elusive. Reaching the peak of refining Dao and falling into the Longevity Mist, longevity seems within reach yet remains ever elusive."

"It leads to despair."

"Little Ruoshui Realm has clearly marked boundaries, almost like a price tag has been set."

Lu Qingfeng's eyes sparkled brightly.

Although this method was cruel—

Twenty-seven tiers of tribulations made it tough even for True Immortals to catch their breath. Under the numerous tribulations, one True Immortal after another fell, either perish completely or their souls shattered.

The ones who could become Earth Immortals were still few and far between.

But, in the end, it was a clear path.

Moreover, the Taioshan Four Sects' many maneuvers were also various attempts. If they could figure out the experiences and patterns, it's feared that even Earth Immortals could be cultivated.

"Unfortunately."

"There's no chance now!"

Lu Qingfeng smiled, his long hair held up by a green bamboo hairpin danced in the wind, his garments fluttered, looking like a celestial being from a painting.

Mana surged.

In a blink, a thousand years of Dao ability enveloped him.

The earth trembled.

The first of the Nine Tribulations, the 'Earth Disaster', had descended.

...

In the blink of an eye.

Thirty years had passed.

...

Below the Five Prisons Peak was unusually lively.

Since there were two Immortal Sects on Five Prisons Peak, initially many mortals came to apprentice, bringing families and forming a village. Traders spotted business opportunities, gathering here, gradually forming a town. Later on, many nearby villages, fearing attacks from fierce beasts and demons, also gathered here.

As time passed.

It became a town.

Divided east and west by a small river named 'Little Ge River' which flowed through the town, hence the town was named 'Xiao Ge Town.'

Xiao Ge Town was always lively, selling all kinds of novel and interesting trinkets, and the 'Immortals' from the mountains also liked to come down to play. They would often come down to buy food ingredients, fresh fruits, and vegetables, and it was common to see disciples of the Immortal families come and go.

On this day.

In Xiao Ge Town, on both sides of Little Ge River, groups of seven or eight people gathered in one place.

They confronted each other, the air filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Among them, some were covered in blood or had pale faces lying on the ground, clearly after a skirmish.

The surrounding commoners stayed far away.

Those who knew understood—

"Disciples from Great Victory Sect and Sea View Peak are fighting again!"

"Just a few days ago they fought, and it was nearly fatal. Looking at the situation today, it seems it will be lively."

The residents of Xiao Ge Town, who didn't know the irreconcilable differences between the two Immortal Sects on Five Prisons Peak?! Over the years, fatal fights were not uncommon, indeed fierce.

Those older even more clearly remembered—

"Over thirty years ago, the two groups of Immortals didn't have such fiery tempers. But starting from thirty years ago, they gradually began to fight more often."

"In recent years, the Immortals who could fly and burrow fought once. It shattered mountains and cracked the earth, it was formidable!"

Others didn't know.

But on both sides of Little Ge River, the disciples from Sea View Peak and Great Victory Sect naturally knew about the battle three years ago.

Qiu Bai heard and looked at the disciples from West Shore Great Victory Sect with a cold sneer, "Three years ago, Lv Yuan was miserably defeated by my father. If it were not for my father's kindness, where would Lv Yuan's life still be? Zhang Zhu, being Lv Yuan's most favored disciple, would you dare to fight with me today?"

Qiu Bai held a sharpened sword, his eyes emitted a chilling light as he looked at Zhang Zhu across the river.

He was the son of Qiu Jin and Bai Jing, clearly aware of the deep-rooted grievances and relationships between Lv Yuan, his parents, and Sea View Peak.

Encountering a disciple of Lv Yuan now, a fighting spirit arose in his heart.

"Hmph!"

"Don't boast so carelessly."

"In the battle three years ago, your father Qiu Jin only managed to be on par with my master, and you dare to spout such nonsense?!"

Zhang Zhu sneered coldly, only defending his master Lv Yuan but refusing to respond to Qiu Bai's challenge to fight.

A month ago, the clash between him and Qiu Bai ended in a draw.

But Sea View Peak possessed the 'Enlightenment Forest,' a sacred place for cultivation. Over the past month, Qiu Bai's Dao ability probably surpassed his.

Engaging in combat now would be unwise.

It would be better to wait for Master to arrive to settle this clearly.

"Ha ha!"

"An equal match?"

"Don't flatter yourself. If you're afraid to fight, just tuck your tail and hide. Like master, like disciple. The old one is an ungrateful backstabber, and the young one is as timid as a mouse!"

Qiu Bai burst out laughing.

Across the river, although Zhang Zhu initially intended to avoid the battle, his youthful vigor couldn't stand the provocation, and he exploded, shouting: "Seeking your own death!"

Clang!

A streak of yellow light crossed over, with a flying sword sweeping through the air, piercing straight at Qiu Bai.

"Bring it on!"

Seeing Zhang Zhu provoked, Qiu Bai was overjoyed.

With a pinch of his sword technique, a flying sword shot out from his mouth, clashing with the one in the sky. The sword techniques transformed, showcasing the refined skills of both their sects.

Both were at the Seventh Level of Qi Cultivation, just stepping into the Late Stage.

During the fight, they were equally matched for the moment.

"Phew!"

Zhang Zhu sighed in relief, thinking to himself that the Enlightenment Forest was nothing special.

However,

Qiu Bai suddenly pulled a cold move, seeing the two swords fiercely battling, he split his focus, one hand holding the sword technique, the other splayed open, silently channeling Xuan Technique—

Immediately, a thunderbolt shot from the palm of his hand, striking directly above Zhang Zhu's head.

"Hand Heart Thunder!"

Zhang Zhu was shocked, not expecting this sudden twist.

He couldn't recall his flying sword in time and could only guide his mana to protect his crown.

Boom!

The thunder struck down, but fortunately, his mana was strong enough to block the Hand Heart Thunder, merely shaking his body and causing him to stagger.

"Whew!"

"That was close!"

Zhang Zhu gasped for breath.

But just as he had regained his footing, just feeling relieved, he caught a glimpse of a flash of cold light from the corner of his eye.

His heart chilled upon closer inspection—

"My time is up!"

That cold light was none other than Qiu Bai's flying sword.

It had taken advantage of Zhang Zhu fully defending against the Hand Heart Thunder, the Sword Light Division bypassing blockades, aiming straight for Zhang Zhu.

Sword Dao Fifth Layer—Sword Light Division!

This was a level only achievably by the peak of Qi Cultivation or even Primordial Spirit masters. Qiu Bai had just reached it; the sword light could only divide into two, but it was enough to handle Zhang Zhu.

The flying sword moved swiftly, without pause.

Hiss!

A flash of cold light circled Zhang Zhu's neck, spinning, then turned back.

On its way,

It also brought back the uncontrolled flying sword that had fallen from the sky.

"Excellent sword!"

Qiu Bai didn't even look at Zhang Zhu, catching and examining the flying sword, loudly praising it.

"..."

Silence surrounded them.

As his praise sounded, the large head of Zhang Zhu on the opposite shore rolled down, blood spurting massively from the neck, truly chilling.

"He's dead!"

"Zhang Zhu is dead?!"

"Brother Qiu is mighty! Brother Qiu is invincible!"

On the eastern bank, seeing Qiu Bai cleanly kill Zhang Zhu, after a moment of shock, a thunderous cheer erupted. Even the two fellow disciples who had been injured in the earlier sword fight stretched their necks to see while lying on the ground.

"Heh heh!"

Then they broke into grins.

In contrast, the western bank was in uproar—

"Brother Zhang!"

"Junior Brother Zhang?"

"How dare you commit murder?!"

Noise erupted, but no one dared to taunt or challenge further.

"Whoa!"

"Is he dead?!"

The bystanders witnessing the bloody scene, those faint-hearted immediately covered their eyes, unable to watch further. Those braver ones widened their eyes, equally shocked by the sight of a severed head.

The east bank was triumphant.

The west bank mourned.

Just then, a sword light attacked.

Clang!

It unreasonably targeted Qiu Bai.

As the sword moved, thunderous sounds accompanied it.

"Sword Qi Thunder Sound!"

"A Primordial Spirit has made a move?!"

Qiu Bai was horrified.

He wanted to dodge, but under the enveloping sword intent, where could he move?

Seeing himself about to be beheaded just like Zhang Zhu—

"My life is over!"

Qiu Bai felt as if he had fallen into an ice pit.

Fortunately, his life was not meant to end.

Just then, a streak of green light flashed from the east, turning into a sharp sword silk, knocking the sword about to strike Qiu Bai's face back.

A voice then rang out—

"Lv Yuan, you bully the weak, truly unfilial!"

Hearing the voice, Qiu Bai rejoiced, "Father!"

Having narrowly escaped death, he was already sweating profusely.

The voice from the east resonated loudly.

As the words ended,

Two figures appeared from the east and west.

On the east side, the spirited middle-aged man was 'Green Bamboo Sword' Qiu Jin from Sea View Peak.

On the west side, a middle-aged man with half-gray hair was 'Evil-slaying Sword' Lv Yuan from Great Victory Sect.

Lv Yuan held the Magic Sword, noticing a faint white mark on it, deeply shaken—

"Refining Sword into Silk?!"