Yellow Court Daoist

Three Mountains and Nine Waters stretch vast and sprawling.

Beyond the Three Mountains.

From the Nine Waters.

To the east lies the boundless territory of the Oversea Earth Realm.

Following the Crying Swamp from south to north, the limitless expanse belongs to Biyang Lake Territory.

Xuanyuan Sect, Annihilation Divine Sect, and Feiyan Pavilion, all reside within the Xia Guang Domain of Biyang Lake.

North of the Xia Guang Domain lies the 'Fire Domain'.

Though adjacent, the southernmost tip of Xia Guang Domain and the northernmost edge of the Fire Domain are quite distant. Even seasoned Spirit Void practitioners find them challenging to cross.

For one, the journey is long.

For another, it's perilous.

Only a Jiedan True Man, with enough speed and strength, could traverse from south to north, north to south, navigating both domains, yet it would take three to ten years to cross.

Hence, there's little interaction between the two domains.

On this particular day.

Located at the junction of the Xia Guang Domain, Fire Domain, and Crying Swamp, there sits a low hill enveloped by an array. Five cultivators sit circled, faces alight with joy.

"At last, we've succeeded."

"Hurry, summon the Ancestor Master. I want to exchange for the Mid-level Qi Concealing Skill and Middle-level Concealment Technique, top-notch methods for craftiness."

"You, as a first sword cultivator, shouldn't you be fighting enemies honourably instead of resorting to tricks!"

"I'm considering everyone's safety. With these two techniques, whether we head north or east, encounter demons or monsters, our stealth will greatly improve, potentially saving our lives!"

Among the five, two have similar appearances, both big and burly men, discussing while their gazes focus on the Qing-dressed cultivator.

The other two are likewise.

Seeing this, the Qing-dressed cultivator didn't procrastinate, and with a flick of his wrist, he took out a jade pearl emanating a green glow. Mysterious and profound patterns inside and out, the pearl flickered with bursts of light.

The Qing-dressed cultivator's True Yuan surged, channelling it into the green jade pearl which then hovered in the air.

Including the Qing-dressed cultivator, all five had solemn expressions, and they bowed towards the jade pearl, "Disciples Zhang Bo, Ma Wenju, Xie Tian, Xie Di, Han Baiyun, respectfully request the presence of the Three Ancestors."

These five were the first batch from Upper Sun Country's Qingyuan Sword Sect to undergo the 'Longevity Trial'.

Forty-four years have passed.

From their initial venture into the Crying Swamp to thirty years ago when all five were promoted to Foundation Establishment Realm, completing the Longevity Trial.

Time was vast, changes were endless.

Signs of vicissitudes marked their faces, no different from the many well-experienced cultivators among the Three Mountains and Nine Waters.

Their cultivation had greatly advanced.

Among them, Xie Di stood tall, his previously severed left arm in the Crying Swamp had somehow regrown, with fierce Sword Qi concealed beneath his surface. Like a sharp sword in its sheath, hidden yet unyielding.

He bore no resemblance to the naive youth he once was in Upper Sun Country.

As the five bowed down.

A brilliant green glow burst forth in the air, casting three hazy figures from the pearl, all clad in green Daoist robes. The two figures on each side held swords, their demeanor as casual as worldly Sword Immortals.

The middle figure, although youthful and features blur, displayed an immortal's grace and elegance.

More lively, lifelike.

Bearing a slight resemblance to Lu Qingfeng of the faraway Xuanyuan Sect.

"Ancestors above, your disciples have spent eight years uncovering the 7,000 li of Dangyang Mountain Earth Realm, documenting all terrains, unusual sites, treasures, dangers, sects, and powerful loose cultivators."

Zhang Bo reverently produced five jade scrolls and presented them with both hands.

The middle figure swept a sleeve, causing the jade scrolls to levitate into the phantom hands. After a moment, the scrolls descended back.

Zhang Bo and the fellow disciples anxiously waited in anticipation.

After about a half-moment.

A virtual panel suddenly appeared in the air—

[Techniques], [Cultivation Techniques], [Alchemy], [Artifact Refining], [Talisman Making], [Array]...

As the virtual panel materialized, the three figures vanished.

"We bid farewell to the Three Ancestors."

Zhang Bo and the others then straightened up.

Their gaze immediately fell on the virtual panel, especially the upper right corner marked [Merit].

[Merit: 1600]

"One thousand six hundred merits."

"It's even two hundred more than last time."

Xie Di, eyes wide with surprise and delight.

"Dangyang Mountain Earth Realm spans 7,000 li. Just coming out of the Crying Swamp, the Spirit Heart Lake to the west is only 6,000 li. Moreover, Spirit Heart Lake mostly consists of water and few islands. Although we spent a longer time there, we didn't explore as thoroughly as Dangyang Mountain."

"Perhaps that's why we gained an extra two hundred."

Ma Wenju, dressed in an Eight Diagrams Daoist robe, also wore a joyful expression. If converted to Spirit Stones, one merit in the 'Green Origin Pearl' is equivalent to one Spirit Stone.

Two hundred extra merits were like gaining two hundred additional Spirit Stones.

Equivalent to nearly four to five years of pure income of a sect manned by a Spirit Void practitioner. For the five, who are still at the Foundation Establishment Level, this truly was a considerable fortune.

"Let it be."

"Having an extra two hundred is always good."

Xie Di, the most impatient among them, did not dwell on this matter. Holding a sword in his left hand and lightly touching the [Techniques] tab with his right.

The panel shifted, revealing countless densely packed techniques.

Xie Di, being skilled, skipped the initial-level techniques and browsed further.

"Huh?"

"High-level techniques have been added?!"

Xie Di exclaimed in surprise and quickly checked—

Concealing Technique (High-level), Concealment Technique (High-level), Heavenly Eye Skill (High-level), Golden Light Skill (High-level)…

Still a dense collection of techniques.

Many overlapped with low-level and middle-level techniques, only upgraded in rank. Yet, there were also many that weren't available in lower ranks, such as 'Flower Walking', 'Primordial Magnetic Destruction Sword Qi', 'Golden Saber Soul Slaughter Method', 'Blood Transformation and Soul Splitting Technique', and so on.

Xie Di's eyes dazzled as he looked.

Zhang Bo and the other three were not faring much better.

"Excuse me."

Xie Tian pushed aside Xie Di and opened the [Artifact Refining] tab. There, indeed, were many more profound books, as well as techniques for third-rank and fourth-rank magical artifacts. However, all required Merit for exchange, and the amounts far exceeded those of the previous books, first-rank, and second-rank refining techniques.

Xie Tian did not stop.

He then opened the [Alchemy], [Cultivation Technique], and other tabs, finding even more profound methods.

"This—"

The five of them instantly fell into a frenzy of joy.

Unfortunately, whether it was the high-level techniques, the profound books, alchemy, or artifact refining techniques, the required Merit was frighteningly high.

A middle-level technique only needed about two hundred Merit.

But a high-level technique required at least eight thousand Merit. And the prices for Refined-level advanced Cultivation Techniques and Side Door Level postnatal, Foundation Establishment, and Spirit Void Level techniques were even higher, all over ten thousand. This left the five simultaneously thrilled and overwhelmed.

"We can't afford it."

The five glanced at each other, somewhat reluctantly laughing at their predicament.

Just moments ago, they thought one thousand six hundred Merit was a substantial amount, enough to exchange for many techniques. Yet in the blink of an eye, they felt impoverished.

"Qing Yuan Sword Technique."

Xie Di stared at the Side Door Level "Qing Yuan Sword Technique" for a long while.

The Side Door Level counted "Qing Yuan Sword Technique" postnatal stage only required five hundred Merit, still within acceptable range.

But the Foundation Establishment Level shot up to five thousand.

And for the Spirit Void Level beyond, it required a staggering fifty thousand Merit.

"Shall we—"

Xie Di turned to look at Zhang Bo and the other three, hesitated, and said, "Shall we save up this one thousand six hundred Merit first, and after accumulating five thousand five hundred, exchange for the Side Door Level 'Qing Yuan Sword Technique' Postnatal and Foundation Establishment Levels?"

The Side Door Level cultivation method was indeed tempting.

The five of them cultivated the Refined Level "Qing Yuan Sword Technique" from Upper Sun Country. Having gained the postnatal stage cultivation method in Upper Sun Country, they advanced through the Longevity Trial to Foundation Establishment and gained the Foundation Establishment stage cultivation method.

But to continue their cultivation, they would still need to exchange for the Spirit Void and Core Formation Levels.

However, the required Merit was significantly less than the Side Door Level cultivation methods.

"No rush on the cultivation methods."

"The Refined Level 'Qing Yuan Sword Technique' ranks as top-tier within seven thousand li of Dangyang Mountain; there's no need to exchange for Side Door Level cultivation methods so soon. Currently, it's better to focus on enhancing cultivation, improving strength, and survival techniques."

"Fourth brother (Xie Di) previously mentioned that the Mid-level Qi Concealing Skill and Concealment Technique are good, and they are not expensive; the mid-level techniques are sufficient for now."

"Third brother (Xie Tian) and youngest brother (Han Baiyun), take your time to choose, exchange for some alchemy, artifact refining books, or a few Elixir Recipes and some Artifact Refining techniques. Second brother (Ma Wenju), you still exchange for 'Entanglement Skill'; I'll exchange for two Talisman Making books."

Zhang Bo remained calm while explaining, "During this period, we can stay at Dangyang Mountain for cultivation. While we practice, master techniques, and study books, we can also recruit disciples or loose cultivators and send them out, whether to the Dragon Roar River in the north, Half Moon Lake in the east, or Spiritual Crane Water Dock in the south, it's possible we could explore all three areas within a few years, which would accelerate our Merit gains."

…

Feiyun Island.

As Zhang Bo and the others submitted their Jade Scroll, Lu Qingfeng recorded all the various information regarding the Heavenly Fire Realm·Dangyang Mountain discovered by Zhang Bo and others in his cave dwelling. While recording, he also continuously calculated and occasionally used the 'Peeping Heaven and Earth Great Method' to inspect.

Before him.

There was a visual of the very hillside where Zhang Bo and his group were, their every word and expression visible to Lu Qingfeng.

Thus.

If the five had fabricated or invented information about Dangyang Mountain, Lu Qingfeng would know immediately and inflict penalties.

However, up to now, no such instance had occurred.

For forty-four years, three thousand five hundred and twenty individuals from Qing Yuan Sword Sect have entered Crying Swamp for the Longevity Trial. Among them, less than one in ten, only three hundred and fourteen, passed the assessment and entered Three Mountains and Nine Waters.

Groups varied, some with five members, others with three.

From the tens of millions of mortals in Upper Sun Country nowadays, those carefully selected could enter Qing Yuan Sword Sect. And only the top members of Qing Yuan Sword Sect, advancing to True Qi Realm Fourth Level, were qualified to undertake the Longevity Trial.

It can be said that those who entered the Crying Swamp for trials were all top geniuses of Upper Sun Country selected from hundreds of millions of people, truly one in a thousand, one in ten thousand elite.

Whether in talent, cultivation foundation, or character and morality, they were all top picks.

Yet even so.

Only less than one in ten could pass through the trials.