Yellow Court Daoist

All the experts complied obediently.

Others would probably be shocked to the core if they saw this.

However, Lu Qingfeng wasn't concerned and looked at the eight treasures in front of him with a smile, "So this is the means by which the Four Sects control the mortal world."

He had been too busy traveling, strategizing, and taking action to study them closely. Now he had some free time, it was the perfect opportunity to experience them.

With his Dao ability and Divine Skills, in this Little Ruoshui Realm, he was like 'a wolf among sheep,' feasting without any restraint. But beyond the mortal world, the North Sea Snow Domain still lay.

It's difficult for an Earth Immortal to enter the mortal realm.

Though Lu Qingfeng was not afraid, to avoid any complications, he still took thirty years—

To traverse tribulations and temper his body.

Three Calamities.

Nine Tribulations.

Ten Tribulations.

He brought his cultivation here to the brink of the Nine Tribulations level.

It's not that he couldn't progress further.

According to Lu Qingfeng's own estimation, he was not far from the Earth Immortal Level, and his foundation was even more profound. In the Little Ruoshui Realm, he could steadily cultivate to the 'Heavenly Person Five Decays' level.

But once one enters the 'Heavenly Person Five Decays' level,

the Five Decays could arrive at any moment, possibly making one's combat power surge instantaneously or just as suddenly plummet to rock bottom, unbeatable even by a Three Calamities True Immortal.

Full of too much uncertainty.

That was another peril of the 'Heavenly Person Five Decays' beyond the inherent danger of the tribulations.

Lu Qingfeng didn't lack that bit of strength.

Unwilling to take the risk and entrusting his life and safety to the unpredictable, he only went through the 'Nine Tribulations' and didn't even touch the tenth, maintaining a safe distance from 'Heavenly Person Five Decays.'

Over the thirty years,

Aside from repeatedly tempering himself with the severe tribulations of the Little Ruoshui Realm to enhance his strength, Lu Qingfeng also spent a considerable amount of time planning—

Preparations like the 'Lawless Incarnation' and 'Soul Searching Technique' at the Great Divine Power Level were part of the plan.

It must be said,

The layered tribulations of the Little Ruoshui Realm hold profound mysteries. Each level of tribulation provided minimal benefit to Lu Qingfeng, but experiencing them over and over again, they still furthered his Dao ability, already infinitely close to the Earth Immortal Level.

The Longevity Realm became ever more solid.

Insights into Dao approached Perfection.

The all-inclusive 'Dutian Dao' made substantial progress as well.

He could strike at the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit at any moment.

Even the cultivation and understanding of Divine Skills and Great Divine Power progressed far faster than in the outside world. Under the Enlightenment Great Method, typically one enlightenment could equal two hundred years of arduous cultivation. But in the Little Ruoshui Realm, as Dao manifested more readily for comprehension, one enlightenment could be equivalent to a thousand or even two thousand years of hardship outside.

"It's just a pity,"

"My proficiency in 'Dutian Dao' is infinitely close to the Earth Immortal Level, gaining little benefit in the Little Ruoshui Realm."

"Even several Great Divine Powers which I have mastered, like the 'Five-Colored Divine Light,' the 'Inverted Void Glazed Glass Wall,' the 'Taiyin Calamity Crossing Robe' with their cultivation at the Sixth Level, Fifth Layer, Fourth Level, make no progress in the Little Ruoshui Realm."

"The Third Level Divine Skills also advance slowly."

"On the other hand, the newly developed 'Lawless Incarnation' and 'Soul Searching Technique,' two Great Divine Powers, started from nothing, and their progress has been very rapid."

Lu Qingfeng speculated,

The benefits of the Little Ruoshui Realm are useless to an Earth Immortal or someone infinitely close to that level.

Only when comprehending new laws and Divine Skills are they somewhat useful.

But those—

Once Lu Qingfeng achieves the Earth Immortal Realm, even if not in the Little Ruoshui Realm, the marvels of the Earth Immortal's realm won't be lacking.

"Chicken ribs."

"No wonder it has been occupied by the Four Sects."

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

Since it's useless for Earth Immortal's cultivation, the value of Little Ruoshui Realm is naturally greatly reduced.

Having understood the joints of matter,

When his cultivation could advance no further, and his Divine Skills were honed, Lu Qingfeng emerged from seclusion,

Just in time to run into Gongsun Xun of Taoshan, the 'Wine Sword Immortal.'

Lu Qingfeng's original intention was to capture him alive, imitate him after Soul Searching.

But without the Qingjing Bamboo Staff in hand and unwilling to rashly reveal the Five-Colored Divine Light, a 'Fallen Divine Light' was cast, which was blocked by a magic treasure on Gongsun Xun.

It startled Gongsun Xun into breaking out in a cold sweat.

He immediately activated his Magic Treasure Gourd to escape.

After catching up,

He ran into the Great Victory Ancestor Master, Zhang Yang, and others.

He simply captured Gongsun Xun, Great Victory Ancestor Master, and Nangong Pojun.

Taking advantage of the news not yet spreading, he impersonated Gongsun Xun, first capturing Chen Sigu of Taoshan, who was on his way back, with the 'Green Sun Sword.'

Soul Searching and impersonation,

He returned to Taoshan.

Then, he methodically took control, and within a few days, he had Taoshan under his command. When the other three sects arrived, he repeated the same technique and subdued them one by one.

'Transformation Art' disguise,

'Five-Colored Divine Light' for surprise,

'Six Roots Purification Method' to seal the six senses,

'Soul Searching Technique' to comprehend memories.

Lastly, relying on 'Lawless Incarnation.'

Now,

Above Taoshan, every True Immortal from the Four Sects was Lu Qingfeng!

"Invincible combat power,"

"Coupled with no less than five Great Divine Powers, taking down the trivial mortal realm is a walk in the park."

Lu Qingfeng's face was all smiles.

The Four Sects are all subdued.

Just waiting for the enemy to arrive, to act out a play along with them, and then it could be considered Perfection.

Lu Qingfeng now finds himself with the energy to study these treasures.

Observing the four gateways—

Deep azure, crafted of glaze; shining bright, adorned with precious stones.

Golden rays swirling like crimson rainbows, auspicious vapors spraying in purple mists.

Inscribed upon their surfaces in ancient script read:

South Heavenly Gate.

North Heavenly Gate.

Western Heavenly Gate.

Eastern Heavenly Gate.

"These are replicas of Heavenly Realm's Four Directions Heavenly Gates."

As an official of the Thunder Department, Lu Qingfeng had also passed through the Heavenly Gates. He recognized at a glance that these artifacts, in the shape of the four gateways, were replicas of the gates of the Heavenly Court.

Yet in details, there were many discrepancies.

It was unclear whether the refiner did this deliberately, or if the refiner had never actually seen the true visage of the gates in the Heavenly Realm.

His eyes filled with spirit light, the 'Daluo Cave Temple' power circulating—

[Immortal Artifact: Little Shu Mountain Realm South Heavenly Gate (Incomplete)]

[Grade: First Rank]

[Description: Great Wilderness Mountain South Star Plain's Lu Yu the old monster has copied the 'South Heavenly Gate' to create the entrance for the 'Little Shu Mountain Realm' to the south. This artifact is currently in a damaged state, missing a key component 'Heavenly Observation Mirror.' Note: This artifact's power is restricted to the 'Little Shu Mountain Realm' and useless outside of it.]

…

"Indeed, this is a replica of the 'South Heavenly Gate.'"

Lu Qingfeng nodded to himself, seeing 'Little Shu Mountain Realm' and speculated that this must be the original name of the 'Little Ruoshui Realm,' "The Little Shu Mountain Realm... could it be that it is created in imitation of the Shu Mountain World?"

A thought crossed Lu Qingfeng's mind.

In 'Primordial', the sword fighting of Shu Mountain was crucial throughout the Seventh Tribulation. This seventh tribulation began from the Shu Mountain World, serving as a prelude, which was then followed by the re-enactment of Divine Enthronement in the Earth Immortal Realm, spawning a terrifying calamity.

Ultimately resulting in the creation of the eighth Saint of the Primordial Heaven and Earth.

Even the Red-haired Ancestor from Red Wood Ridge and the Green Robe Ancestor from Hundred Barbarians Mountain Yin Wind Cave that Lu Qingfeng encountered in the Nine Nether were top figures who ascended from the world of Shu Mountain.

They cultivated the Demon Dao.

Failing to reach the Immortal Realm, they plummeted into the Nine Nether instead.

"Lu Yu."

After pondering for a moment, Lu Qingfeng could not recall this individual.

He set this thought aside for the time being.

And turned his gaze to the four surrounding mirrors—

Their substance was neither gold nor jade, incredibly dense.

The backs were adorned with tadpole-like ancient seals and the motifs of mystical dragons and birds; appearing raised to the touch but leaving no trace, neither carved nor painted, sunk deep into the bone.

At first glance, the front emits a faint green glow. Upon closer inspection, the deeper you look, the farther it seems. Inside, flowers rain in abundance, gold halos scatter, and elements of wind, cloud, water, and fire. Figures appear amidst the golden halos, constantly transforming in endless variations.

"It resembles the 'Demon Mirror' atop the South Heavenly Gate."

Lu Qingfeng thought, "This should indeed be the missing component 'Heavenly Observation Mirror' of the Four Directions Heavenly Gates."

The Daluo Cave Temple's power saw through everything—

[Immortal Artifact: Heavenly Observation Mirror]

[Grade: First Rank]

[Description: Great Wilderness Mountain South Star Plain's Lu Yu the old monster has replicated the 'Demon Mirror,' hanging it above the entrance of the 'Little Shu Mountain Realm's' gateways. Within the 'Little Shu Mountain Realm,' it demonstrates great power by revealing individuals' past lives and has a potent tracking effect. Note: This artifact's power is restricted to the 'Little Shu Mountain Realm' and useless outside of it.]

…

"Its function is quite different from the 'Demon Mirror,' and its use also comes with many limitations."

Lu Qingfeng had examined it.

He then realized why Beihan Snow Domain placed these eight Immortal Artifacts within the Little Ruoshui Realm, which is the 'Little Shu Mountain Realm.'

There was no mystery.

These two artifacts, though Immortal Artifacts, became entirely useless after leaving the 'Little Shu Mountain Realm.' Even within the 'Little Shu Mountain Realm,' their power had nothing to do with combat.

Lu Qingfeng toyed with one of the 'Heavenly Observation Mirrors,' envisioning his disciple 'Qin Fan' in the mirror, and immediately information about his past life emerged—he turned out to be a Mortal realm Scholar who once saved a seriously injured Loose Immortal.

As for that Loose Immortal—

"There was such a predestined connection."

Lu Qingfeng suddenly understood.

If the grievously wounded Loose Immortal was not Zhang Yang, then who else?!

A life-saving debt from a former life was repaid in this one, and only then did Qin Fan become Zhang Yang's disciple, instructed in the Longevity Path, ultimately attaining the status of a True Immortal.

With this thought, Lu Qingfeng checked on Zhang Yang, but the mirror was blurry, entirely different from Qin Fan. He momentarily puzzled, then a realization dawned, "Zhang Yang consumed the 'Three-Life Grass', beyond the confusion of conception, even this 'Heavenly Observation Mirror' cannot see his past."

After further manipulating the Heavenly Observation Mirror for some time, Lu Qingfeng considerably deepened his understanding of this artifact.

In summary.

The Heavenly Observation Mirror could peer into the past lives of all beings within the Little Shu Mountain Realm, with certain limitations.

For instance, revealing someone like the True Immortal Qin Fan resulted in vagueness, merely scattered fragments. And the higher a True Immortal's cultivation, the more blurred the vision becomes. In contrast, Qi Cultivation and Primordial Spirit Practitioners appeared much clearer.

Moreover.

Lu Qingfeng also ascertained why, when at the Beihan Snow Domain, the Taoshan Sect devoted so much effort to label those cultivators demoted into the Little Shu Mountain Realm—it was to enter their data into the 'Heavenly Observation Mirror,' allowing for constant checks on these individuals' information.

"Not only that."

"These people, once demoted into Little Shu Mountain Realm, had their Mana, physical bodies, and Primordial Spirits converted into the most fundamental forces to sustain the realm. Should anyone wish to ascend from the Little Shu Mountain Realm, a great amount of this fundamental power would be consumed."

Lu Qingfeng thought of the immense energy within the Ascension Pool and then felt the power of the Four Directions Heavenly Gates in hand, his face suddenly blooming with a knowing smile.

After a moment's contemplation.

Lu Qingfeng hung a piece of the 'Heavenly Observation Mirror' upon the 'South Heavenly Gate,' and with a flash of light—

Changes sprung up on either side of the gateway.

Pillars arose out of nowhere, wrapped by dragons with gleaming scales and blazing red whiskers basking in the sun.

At the pillar bases in front of the gates, several dozens of Heaven Suppressing Marshals took their position, each supporting the roof and holding axes and ceremonial flags; around them stood a dozen Golden Armor Gods, each brandishing a halberd or wielding swords.

The very essence of the artifact transformed right there and then.