Yellow Court Daoist

"Stingy, stingy!" Seeing Lu Qingfeng stow away the Gourd Child, Green Fox Great Saint grumbled and sat down to drink some more.

Hearing Lu Qingfeng's inquiry, Yellow Wind Great Saint pondered and said, "Indeed, there are quite a few places rich in fire elements. For example, Sun Star above or Flame Mountain below. Yet these two sites, one high in the sky where the True Sun Fire is fiercely perilous, even Earth Immortals and Heavenly Immortals dare not venture within abruptly. Flame Mountain on the ground was formed from two fire bricks within Old Lord's Alchemy Furnace, harboring the Samadhi True Fire; even with 'copper skulls and iron bodies,' one would melt into liquid. It's no place for your child."

Lu Qingfeng nodded in agreement. These two renowned realms were indeed top-notch Cultivation treasure sites, yet without sufficient strength, they would also be tantamount to certain deathtraps.

Not to be trifled with.

"Besides those two places," Yellow Wind Great Saint shook his head, "Most wondrous lands have masters guarding them. Your Gourd Child, lovely and beloved by all, would face grave dangers if taken there rashly."

After a moment's thought, however, Yellow Wind Great Saint mentioned a particular location: "There is Hao Mountain's Dry Pine Ravine at Fire Cloud Cave, which encases thirty-six Flame Cave Heavens, including Stone Fire, Wood Fire, Sky Fire, Samadhi True Fire, Heavenly Fire, and Earth Fire—a fine place for Cultivation."

"Hao Mountain's Dry Pine Ravine at Fire Cloud Cave?" Lu Qingfeng hesitated, "Isn't that place—"

"That's right," Yellow Wind Great Saint interjected with a smile, "Hao Mountain is the Daoist Field of 'Saint Infant King' Red Boy. I once had some dealings with him; recommending your alter ego to take the role of a Vanguard General at Fire Cloud Cave would not be difficult. The Saint Infant King is not to be trifled with, and the Demon Kings within Hao Mountain enjoy their freedom; you could Cultivate in peace."

This was no mere proposition. While Lu Qingfeng didn't know who was stronger, Yellow Wind Great Saint or Saint Infant King, the latter's father was none other than one of the Demon Clan's Seven Great Saints—'Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven' Bull Demon King. Sun Dasheng, Jiao Demon King, Peng Demon King, and others were his uncles.

His mother, Princess Iron Fan, was also a formidable Rashamon, backed by the Asura clan.

What's more problematic was that during the previous One Calamity, the Saint Infant King had even become a disciple of Heavenly Daoist Sect Hierarch Pangu Zhouqing Saint, ranking with the likes of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect and the Saint Mothers of the Jie Sect.

Extremely venerable.

To Cultivate under his wing would indeed be carefree.

On the side, Green Fox Great Saint chimed in, "Just go to Hao Mountain. You hail from the lineage of the Little Sect Leader of Black Wind Mountain; upon a thorough examination, you might barely qualify as peers. If you meet him, you'd still need to call him 'Uncle Master.'"

'Uncle Master' was not a title to be thrown around lightly. Nevertheless, there were indeed some connections, with the crucial point lying in Yellow Wind Great Saint's involvement.

"I'm troubled, Big Brother," said Lu Qingfeng, contented for the time being with the decided Cultivation dwelling of 'Zhu Rong Great King'—Fire Cloud Cave in Hao Mountain.

...

Once Zhu Rong Great King's Cultivation place was confirmed, with external enemies abounding and being a newly ascended Earth Immortal, Lu Qingfeng was not in a hurry to venture out. He stayed to Cultivate in peace within Yellow Wind Ridge.

...

In reality, throughout Three Mountains and Nine Waters, time flew by, and it had been ten years since Dutian Daoist achieved True Immortality and ascended.

The once major commotion gradually subsided over time. Rumors had it that the True Immortal who ascended was but one of Dutian Daoist's incarnations, while the original still wandered amongst the mountains and rivers.

Some believed, some didn't.

Recently, however, a news spread and astounded all the top-level cultivators of Three Mountains and Nine Waters—

...

Black Cloud Islands.

Black Mountain and Black Water, dense and enveloping, shrouded the surrounding islands.

That day.

A group of people sailed towards the depths.

On deck, two Daoists stood in front; one in a green robe, the other in white, both dignified. Behind them, five men and women were present, with one burly-looking man bearing a resemblance to the green-robed Daoist in the front.

It was Lu Changsheng.

Beside him, a handsome woman gazed into the distance and whispered, "Why do I always feel something is strange? This Dutian Daoist is a notorious ruthless character in the world. Before becoming a True Immortal, he dominated for over four hundred years, having slaughtered the entire Green Wood Valley. Now having achieved Immortality, why would he have any interest in imparting his enlightenment?"

The woman, named Pei Qi, belonged to one of the Seven Gorges Immortal Sects within Three Mountains and Nine Waters—the Kongling Gorge Tianxing Sect—and was a direct disciple of one of the only two True Spirits of the Tianxing Sect.

She was a student of Lu Zhenyi, Lu Qingfeng, who was lauded as 'the foremost in the world with Arrays.'

Pei Qi was well-informed about the top figures and odd tales of Three Mountains and Nine Waters, and she was all too familiar with tales of 'Dutian Daoist.'

Approaching the lair of the world's most notorious demon, she couldn't help feeling anxious.

"Overthinking!" Chai Junshan scolded softly then seriously said, "Although Dutian Daoist's reputation was not favorable in the past, it was only through his efforts more than four hundred years ago that a catastrophe was averted, saving countless innocent Life Spirits. Now that he has achieved Immortality, his desire to not forget his roots is only natural."

Chastened by her senior brother, Pei Qi pouted and dared not speak further.

Lu Changsheng watched his senior brother and sister argue, feeling equally apprehensive.

Two months ago.

News came from the Black Cloud Islands that Dutian Daoist intended to share the insights of his attainment of Immortality, inviting all those interested to listen.

Instantly, Three Mountains and Nine Waters were abuzz. This was the Dutian Demon who had oppressed the world for hundreds of years, now freshly ascended to True Immortality.

The prospect of such a figure preaching was electrifying, stirring up not only Loose Cultivators but also top-level Immortal Sects like the Three Mountains and Seven Gorges.

The Tianxing Sect was the fastest to act, relying on the presence of a True Immortal beyond the heavens, unfazed by conspiracies. Two Primordial Spirit True Ones led several direct disciples and arrived first.

By the time they reached the outskirts of the Black Cloud Islands,

they had already heard: The Three Mountain Immortal Sect—Guangling Mountain's Floating Mountain Sect, Jiudeng Mountain's Kao Mountain Sect, and Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain's Ba Mountain Sect had set out, each with Primordial Spirits arriving.

Following closely behind,

the Seven Gorges Immortal Sect's Xiling Gorge's Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Mountain, Dengying Gorge's Seven Absolute Immortal Sect, Wind Box Gorge's Sword Selection Sect, and Qingming Gorge's Goddess Peak also sent Primordial Spirit True Ones and Jiedan True Men to rush over.

As for Yellow Maple Gorge,

it was originally the base of Green Wood Valley, but after its destruction, it came under the control of the Dutian Sect. This was the lineage passed down by Dutian Daoist, no need to say more.

However, the Six Dust Temple in Fish Recovery Gorge, given that it cultivated the Buddhist Great Method and had a past grievance with Dutian Daoist, remained motionless.

Merely watching, they did not come.

"Great Uncle mentioned that the Three Mountains and Nine Waters do not permit True Immortals. The Dutian Daoist's sermon this time is most likely just an avatar with limited strength. And given the Dutian Daoist's nature, the likelihood of conspiracies and strategies is slim," mused Lu Changsheng, filled with anticipation. "I wonder if this time my parents, aunt, and little sister will come."

While lost in thought,

the ship beneath suddenly shook violently and came to a halt. Looking up, he saw the distant Black Cloud Island still a mere blot, with hundreds of miles yet to cover.

"Why have we stopped?"

Filled with curiosity,

a voice from ahead, belonging to Wu Jiu Zhenyi, called out, "No ships are permitted ahead. Everyone disembark."

Wu Jiu and Lu Qingfeng were in the front.

Lu Changsheng, Chai Junshan, Pei Qi, and five other Jiedan True Men followed, leaping off the deck, walking on waves towards Black Cloud Island.

The way forward was obscured by mists and vapors,

tumbling and disorienting.

Reaching land, Lu Changsheng looked around only to find himself in a vast and expansive place.

Great Uncle and Wu Jiu Zhenyi stood ahead, hands behind their backs as if waiting for them. Eldest Senior Brother Chai Junshan and one of Wu Jiu Zhenyi's disciples soon emerged from the mist, but Pei Qi was nowhere to be seen.

After a while longer,

Wu Jiu Zhenyi cleared his throat and said, "The True Immortal's discourse concerns fate and law. Chai Qi and the other two whose fate is not timely need not wait any longer."

"So there is another test!"

Lu Changsheng and the others exchanged glances, their anticipation growing ever stronger.

...

Atop Black Cloud Island,

a vast mountain range stretched out, with peaks piercing the clouds. The very top of one had been sliced off to create a flat platform, around which several rings of stone stairs wound midway up the mountainside, perilously suspended.

Be it the platform or the steps, each interval held a meditation mat.

Upon counting, there were as many as three thousand.

In the very center, there were thirty-six azure jade mats.

Others dared not sit rashly.

Only the Primordial Spirit True Ones had the privilege to take a seat.

Kongling Gorge's Tianxing Sect Primordial Spirit True One Lu Qingfeng and Wu Jiu were notably present. Alongside them were Qingming Gorge's Goddess Peak's Heavenly Dragon Goddess, Ice Pot Goddess, as well as the Ancient Moon True One and Bing Yi Zhenyi from Xiling Gorge's Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Mountain.

"What a grand assembly."

Lu Changsheng took his place behind his great uncle.

Looking around, he saw a commotion and felt a burst of joy at the sight of newcomers—

Arriving down the mountain path were the Floating Mountain Sect's Primordial Spirit True One 'Zhao Yunji' and one of the Five Elders of Floating Mountain, 'South Mountain Zi', leading seven or eight Jiedan True Men from Floating Mountain Sect.

Among them were a couple of worthy mates, the man resolute and the woman gentle.

It was none other than Lu Qingshan and Xu Mi.

They had joined the Floating Mountain Sect not long ago

and were the most junior in seniority.

The fact that the Floating Mountain Sect's two Primordial Spirit True Ones had brought them along clearly showed respect for Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng, currently chatting with the Heavenly Dragon Goddess, Ancient Moon True One, and Bing Yi Zhenyi, turned to look at the commotion and also saw the group from Floating Mountain Sect.

"Qingshan,"

he smiled instantly.

The two Primordial Spirits from Floating Mountain Sect, he had dealt with before.

Back when they were vying for the Star Constellation Tablet, they were beaten by Lu Qingfeng's staff and nearly failed to struggle out from the Netherworld.

Joining them in a similar plight were the Heavenly Dragon Goddess by Lu Qingfeng's side; not far away, the Sword Sect's Xunyangzi and Zun Jizi; the earliest arrivals, the Seven Absolute Immortal Sect's Jade Immortal and Dust Fairy.

There were others, like the Ba Mountain Sect's Purple-clothed Marquis, Marquis Yangshan, and Kao Mountain Sect's Kuang Juezi.

To have cultivated into Primordial Spirits, each of these individuals was a crafty being.

Even though they had once been battered by the 'Dutian Demon,' like the Heavenly Dragon Goddess whose Chaos Treasure Mirror and Divine Maiden Sword were snatched away,

they showed up nonetheless.

Compared to the path of cultivation,

to the way of immortal longevity,

other grievances seemingly became trivial.

Of course,

these old scores had even less to do with Lu Qingfeng.

"Daoist brothers,"

he said cheerfully as he stood to greet Zhao Yunji and South Mountain Zi. The two Primordial Spirits were perceptive, understanding that Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingshan wanted to talk as brothers who had reunited, perhaps with much to say, so they proceeded to take their seats.

They struck up conversations with other Primordial Spirit characters.

"Big brother."

"Big brother."

Lu Qingshan and Xu Mi called out upon seeing Lu Qingfeng.