Yellow Court Daoist

"Puppet: Jianxiao Puppet

Type: Autonomous

Grade: Level 10

Derivation Technique: Tenfold enhancement

Sensing Range: One Realm

Combat Power: Spirit Void Fusion Realm

Function: Masters the 'Jianxiao Scripture,' adept in Sword Control Technique and close combat technique, swift in movement, skilled at hiding without revealing a trace of intent."

After the enhancement.

Lu Qingfeng first acquainted himself with artifact refining in the game. With his current skill closely approaching that of a Seventh-Order Artifact Refiner, he easily mastered it. Only then did he proceed to refine in reality.

Roughly fifty days later.

Two puppets, each one person tall and shimmering with a metallic sheen and faint electrical sparks, stood before Lu Qingfeng. The puppets carried long swords on their backs, looking as lifelike as stern swordsmen.

"Greetings, Master!"

The puppets indeed showed remarkable spiritual awareness, their reactions and tones of speech indistinguishable from that of ordinary people. However, they were clad in Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robes. Lu Qingfeng, while refining the puppets, had integrated these robes as well, allowing the Jianxiao Puppets to unleash the Hundred Ghosts at will as long as there were enough Spirit Stones.

Although their core combat strength was only at the Spirit Void Fusion level,

with the Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robes equipped, they could give even Solid Pill True Men a hard time in a fight.

"Greetings, Daoist Master."

With a thought from Lu Qingfeng, two Dutian Ghost Generals descended.

"Go," commanded Lu Qingfeng casually, and the Dutian Ghost Generals immediately led the two Jianxiao Puppets away out of sight.

Thus, due to the six Jiedan Level Dutian Ghost Generals being severed from all contacts and integrated into the Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robes, only twenty-eight Dutian Ghost Generals remained.

"The White Bone Demon Sect guards Yunyan Mountain fiercely, making it difficult to take action. As for other Demon Dao True Men within the White Bone Realm, most have been killed by me, with the rest scattered in escape. In the Heavenly Travel Realm, including Heavenly Travel Mountain, there is no shortage of Demon Kings. However, whether going there as 'Changqing Daoist' or as 'Fiery Fire Wanderer' to kill them, it would be too conspicuous."

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

Changqing Daoist detested demons, hating evil as if it were his enemy.

The Fiery Fire Wanderer, residing within the Illusion Wave Sea, only made a move because Heavenly Travel Mountain provoked him.

Each action had its own logic.

However, if the Fiery Fire Wanderer started indiscriminately killing Demon Kings in the Heavenly Travel Realm, it would easily associate him with Changqing Daoist.

Likewise, it would be the same if the Changqing Daoist entered the Heavenly Travel Realm.

Moreover, focusing only on problems within the White Bone Realm and the Heavenly Travel Realm, while neglecting the Xuanyuan Realm, could easily raise suspicions. If it were then traced back to the long-vanished 'Yellow Robed Old Monster,' that would be truly troublesome.

"Safety first."

Lu Qingfeng alerted himself inwardly.

During this period, as his cultivation in the real world continued to improve and with the Dutian Xuanming Strategy in hand, he had made use of various identities to pull off earth-shattering feats that drew countless eyes.

Despite reaping many benefits, the number of enemies he had made was not small, and countless dangers materialized out of thin air.

"Having repelled the three Golden Cores and three thousand Armored Soldiers of the Annihilation Divine Sect, they wouldn't come looking for trouble again anytime soon."

"For a good while to come, I should act low-key."

Lu Qingfeng stowed away the Dutian Xuanming Strategy.

He changed his appearance and returned to the Xuanyuan Sect.

...

To the south.

Near the north bank of the Chengyang River, there lies Liu Yan Mountain shrouded in mist. Within this mountain is the Feiyan Pavilion, one of the two top-level Immortal Sects in the Xia Guang Domain.

That day.

Inside Feiyan Pavilion.

Pavilion Master Qu Xiao and six Supreme Elders were all present.

Elder Cang Yan, advanced in years and dressed in a red Daoist robe with white hair, but an upright posture, laughed loudly, "The Annihilation Divine Sect has really bitten off more than they can chew this time. Not only did they fail to obtain the formula for 'Mingqing Spirit Water,' but they've also stirred up a hornet's nest and lost both face and substance!"

Feiyan Pavilion had never seen eye to eye with the Annihilation Divine Sect.

With such a major commotion from the sect—which resulted in the loss of two Gathering Law Realm True Men, over a thousand Daoist Soldiers, and even severe injuries to Master Fei Huo, the youngest of the 'Impermanence Three Friends'—it was naturally a joyous occasion for Feiyan Pavilion.

There was an unmistakable hint of schadenfreude.

"Haha!"

"Elder Cang Yan is right."

"We initially thought to assist the Fiery Fire Wanderer, but who knew he was genuinely formidable. His personal abilities and his Daoist Soldiers were all not a match inferior to those of the Annihilation Divine Sect. The 'Impermanence Three Friends' went with three thousand Daoist Soldiers and still suffered a big defeat. Now that they've provoked this powerful adversary, the Annihilation Divine Sect is in for a rough time!"

Zhao Sheng, with gray temples and appearing no younger than Cang Yan, had a more refined face than Cang Yan's straightforwardness, however, seemed more insidious, his eyes appearing calm but hiding a cold, venomous gleam.

But at this moment, he too was laughing heartily, clearly in a good mood.

The seven chatted,

yet there was also an undercurrent of concern.

Zhuge Ziyang, the youngest of them, handsome and delicate in appearance, fiddled with a Black Pearl in his hands and spoke with a gentle frown, "The Annihilation Divine Sect, having provoked the Fiery Fire Wanderer—a top-tier Loose Cultivator even among Golden Cores—can only be good news for our Feiyan Pavilion.

However, the 'Mingqing Spirit Water' and its enhancement of Dharma Eye and Spirit Eye techniques are not to be underestimated either. Of the nine Golden Core Experts in the Annihilation Divine Sect, seven practice the 'Annihilation Divine Eye.' That technique is already potent, and increasing its power by twenty percent could pose a serious threat in the future."

With these words spoken.

The six on the field fell silent for a moment.

This point indeed could not be overlooked.

Although the Annihilation Divine Sect had not obtained the formula for the 'Mingqing Spirit Water', as long as the Fiery Fire Wanderer continued to mix and sell it, the sect would always be able to obtain it, it just wasn't as convenient as having the formula themselves.

"Mingqing Spirit Water can only be mixed by the Fiery Fire Wanderer for now. If he were to disappear or stop mixing and peddling it—"

Tuoba Ye, clad in beast hide with a rough face, had just begun speaking when the gazes of all six Cang Yan members fell on him. He paused, then changed his tone, "The Fiery Fire Wanderer is a ruthless man; my Feiyan Pavilion naturally can't follow in the footsteps of the Annihilation Divine Sect and provoke him. But if we were to negotiate with him, to buy out the formula for Mingqing Spirit Water from his hands, or to corner the market on all the Mingqing Spirit Water he mixes, there should still be a glimmer of hope."

Upon hearing this suggestion, the whiskers on Cang Yan's mouth trembled as he nodded repeatedly, "That's a good strategy. Making the Fiery Fire Wanderer disappear is unrealistic; to buy out the formula for Mingqing Spirit Water might cost a great deal, but if we were to consume all the Mingqing Spirit Water in his possession and control its distribution, preventing the Annihilation Divine Sect from acquiring it, it would be much simpler, and our goal would be achieved."

"Indeed!"

"And since the Fiery Fire Wanderer holds a grudge against the Annihilation Divine Sect, it's very likely he wouldn't refuse this offer!"

Tuoba Ye raised his voice, eyes shining bright.

"This plan is truly exquisite."

The girl, Qu Xiao, with youthful features and black hair framing her clear eyes, looked towards the beautiful woman standing at the end and crisply said, "This matter should not be delayed. Let us trouble Elder Zhuge to make a trip to the Illusion Wave Sea and be sure to clarify the advantages and disadvantages to ensure this deal goes through."

"Alright."

Zhuge Ziyang's beautiful eyes twinkled as she nodded in agreement.

...

Three Mountains and Nine Waters.

Further away.

A Spiritual Mountain nestled among a range of mountains, from which the sound of Buddhist chants resonated. Whether human or beast, all who heard the chants in those mountains were pleased and intoxicated as if in a trance. Even the fish swimming in the water seemed more joyous.

The light of Buddha shone upon the world, purifying all demons and strange beings.

Deep within the Spiritual Mountain.

An old monk sat cross-legged.

A swordsman approached with a stately stride, his sword light retracted as if sheathed.

Clad in white with a long sword, his handsome and extraordinary appearance revealed his identity—

He was Xun Tiange of the Xun Family, one of the Three Ancestors from Green Wood Valley.

Xun Tiange approached the old monk and bowed, a smile on his face, "Master Zhen Jue truly deserves to be one of the revered monks in Three Mountains and Nine Waters, sitting in meditation upon this mountain for eight hundred years, aloof from the Red Dust. Tian Ge admires this and confesses his inadequacy compared to you."

With that.

Xun Tiange sat down cross-legged.

The old monk, with eyes closed and sitting motionless like in meditation, replied, "My mind is unsettled, and thus I remain distant from Buddha; therefore, sitting in these mountains listening to the Buddhist chants to cleanse my soul, I have indeed fallen to the lower vehicle. Only when one day I have a great awakening in the Red Dust shall I be truly virtuous."

Hearing this, Xun Tiange knew that the master was about to expound on Buddhist principles and hastily interjected, "I have come today to request the master's assistance with the 'Two Spaces Map,' to divine the location of Green Wood King Ding. This relates to a Supreme Treasure of the Xun Family, and I implore the master to assist."

The monk from Six Dust Temple continued, his merits profound and his understanding bright as the heavens and the earth; his heart of peace and clarity like the sea, containing the marks of wisdom. His enlightened, pure perception reflected like a mirror of wisdom, integrating the essence of truth and virtue.

His compassion, joy, and generosity spread enlightenment, continuing the transmission of awakening the light and benefitting the masses with the rain of Dharma.

Among the many high monks of Six Dust Temple, those currently in Three Mountains and Nine Waters were descendants of the 'True' generation. This Master Zhen Jue, not only was his dao ability far above that of Xun Tiange, but his seniority and experience were also beyond Tian Ge's reach.

In the presence of Master Zhen Jue, even a carefree swordsman like Xun Tiange could only be considered a junior.

Master Zhen Jue's face unruffled, he spoke softly, "Donor Tian Ge has affinity with our Buddhist Sect. If you were to join our Six Dust Temple, with time you may achieve the position of an Arhat and wander carefree, so why bother immersing yourself in the Red Dust?"

"Master."

Xun Tiange's face turned troubled.

Master Zhen Jue opened his eyes, which flickered with the depth of an abyss as he looked at the pained expression on Xun Tiange's face and shook his head, "Enough, enough. Tell me about the cause and effect in detail."

"Thank you, master."

Xun Tiange's face brightened, and he quickly recounted in detail the theft of the Green Wood King Ding by the Yuu Mountain Daoist and its eventual possession by the Yellow Robed Old Monster.

"Good!"

Master Zhen Jue brought his palms together after listening, as an indistinct scroll opened up in the sky.

Xun Tiange looked up eagerly, his expression jolting with anticipation, "The Two Spaces Map."

His eyes conveyed his eagerness.

Master Zhen Jue remained seated unmoving, his mana sweeping through like a river, entering the map in the sky. Chaos opened within the scroll, revealing a view of the swampy Immortal Mansion opening up.

Xun Tiange's gaze was fixed on the scroll, silently observing the changes in the scenes—

The entrance of the Three Sects, numerous Loose Cultivators, and the three including Xun Bai.

The Yellow Robed Old Monster, in his yellow robe, was also among them. Then, the scene shifted to the interior of the Immortal Mansion, where the Yellow Robed Old Monster was the first to break through the Array, advancing to the Second Level.

From there.

The images in the scroll returned to chaos.

"This—"

Xun Tiange slightly furrowed his brow but did not interrupt since Master Zhen Jue was still operating the Two Spaces Map. However, the scroll was engulfed in chaos, and the Yellow Robed Old Monster vanished from view afterward.

Instead, as the treasures and legacies of the Immortal Mansion were taken and it started collapsing, a streak of Blood Radiance flashed, causing Xun Tiange to be taken aback with suspicion. Even Master Zhen Jue's eyebrows quivered slightly.

Thus.

The chaos in the scroll seemed on the verge of unfolding, with the elements Earth, Water, Wind, Fire continually evolving, yet the true scenes never revealed themselves. The Two Spaces Map swirled again, and the Blood Radiance reappeared, carving a path through the void and landing in a densely populated mortal area. Blood Radiance hurtled through the skies and descended into the womb of a pregnant woman, ultimately vanishing from view.

The scene shifted, and the baby was born with a cry. Seemingly without anomaly, except for a flash of Blood Radiance in the eyes that disappeared in an instant, the baby resumed the appearance of a normal infant.