Yellow Court Daoist

"Infinite Life Buddha!"

The vision ceased at this point, and Master Zhen Jue chanted the Buddha's name, his originally ruddy face now filled with pallor.

"This is the 'Divination Origin Pill', which can replenish the energy Master expended in using the Two Spaces Map to calculate past and future events." Xun Tiange promptly offered a Spirit Pill.

Master Zhen Jue consumed it.

After a long while, a touch of color returned to his face, and he finally opened his eyes.

Xun Tiange's brow slightly furrowed as he looked at Master Zhen Jue, "Just now—"

"The Green Wood King Ding and that Yellow Robed individual, their Heavenly Mechanism completely concealed. Were it not for the destiny and protection of heaven and earth, even if guarded by True Immortals or even Earth Ancestors and Arhats, how could they withstand the investigation of the Two Spaces Map, let alone an Eighth Rank Magical Artifact, Super-level Skill."

Master Zhen Jue's gaze was undisturbed.

Hearing this, Xun Tiange nodded and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Master. Tian Ge understands the gravity. Nevertheless, the Green Wood King Ding is after all the Xun Family's Supreme Treasure; its security is paramount. As for True Immortals and Earth Ancestors, our Green Wood Valley also has connections to Upper Realm Ancestors."

"Form good karmas, receive good fruits."

Master Zhen Jue didn't say more; the Two Spaces Map disappeared from the sky, but his Dharma Eyes looked towards the northwest.

Xun Tiange frowned, recalling the trail of blood and said hesitantly, "That trace of blood light seems familiar; I wonder if it has anything to do with the Blood Demon lineage that was eradicated thousands of years ago?"

Using the Two Spaces Map had not determined the whereabouts of the Yellow Robed Old Monster and the Green Wood King Ding, but that blood light was an unexpected discovery.

"In the past, this poor monk joined the seniors of the temple in suppressing the remnants of the Blood Demon, and I have seen the Blood Demon Technique. That blood light is undoubtedly of the Blood Demon lineage," Master Zhen Jue nodded, continuing, "The Two Spaces Map has exhausted Yuan Qi, and it will be hard to use again within a century. The task of dealing with this remnant of the Blood Demon will trouble Donor Tian Ge."

"Bringing harm to the world, it is indeed necessary to take action,"

Xun Tiange agreed.

Without lingering, he rose to take his leave.

But upon stepping out of the Six Dust Temple, Xun Tiange's expression inevitably darkened, "Upper Realm True Immortal's protection? Within the Three Mountains and Nine Waters, those who can connect with the Upper Realm Ancestor are only the Three Mountains, Seven Gorges, and the Overseas Four Sects. I should report to my Ancestor Master, and see which dares to steal our Xun Family's Supreme Treasure!"

This trip to the Six Dust Temple, seeking Master Zhen Jue's assistance, cost a total of seven Seventh-Order Spirit Pills. Even Xun Tiange couldn't help but feel the sting of the loss. Not only had they failed to find any trace of the Green Wood King Ding, but it had also brought another trouble, truly frustrating.

"Blood Demon."

"Hmph, hmph!"

Xun Tiange let out a cold huff, disappearing as he flew through the Void.

...

Xuanyuan Water Realm.

Feiyun Island.

Positioned to the north of Feiyun Peak, the island was cleared of all its cultivators. Deacon Wang Hui, Zhao Yunxing, as well as Alchemists Liu Feng, Jie Yingyuan, Ye Mu, and others gathered, looking northward.

A gale suddenly picked up around them, and dark clouds converged in an instant.

The atmosphere was oppressive.

"It's here."

Liu Feng looked towards the layers of dark clouds, his expression startled.

The clouds gathered at nine different points, covering not just the north of Feiyun Island but also a large area of water to the north. Underneath the cloud layer, nine unremarkable larks fluttered nervously.

Wang Hui's gaze fell on the larks, his eyes reflecting complex emotions, "Such vast fortune. Originally mere mortal birds with a lifespan of ten-odd years. After meeting the sect leader, not only have they lived for several decades, but now they even aim to step into the Foundation Establishment Realm, arousing the envy of countless Postnatal Mortal humans who experience much toil."

"Sect Leader is sentimental. These nine larks have followed the sect leader since their youth, reportedly helping the sect leader and his siblings through numerous perils. Even as he stepped onto the path of cultivation, the Sect Leader never abandoned them, always keeping them by his side, feeding them with precious Elixir Pills like the Feeding Spirit Pill, thus achieving their current stature."

Ye Mu, having inquired about this before, was more informed.

"Indeed."

"Sect Leader truly is a person of sentiment,"

Wang Hui nodded, feeling the most moved.

Initially overseeing Chuyun Mountain in the Gathering Immortal Square, he once assisted Lu Qingfeng with leasing a shop and took good care of Lu Qingyu when Lu Qingfeng entered Xuan Yin Cave, thus forging a good connection. After Lu Qingfeng became the True Inheritor of the Combined Pill Hall and the Lord of Feiyun Island, he was one of the first to be transferred to Feiyun Island as a Deacon, treated with much regard.

Thereafter.

Lu Qingfeng's status soared, from a True Inheritor to a young lord of the Combined Pill Hall, and then from the young lord to the Sect Leader.

As a confidant, Wang Hui's own status rose steadily, benefiting greatly along the way. However, compared with these nine larks, his assistance was but a trifle, not worth mentioning. Lu Qingfeng nurtured the larks with a huge quantity of Spirit Pills and Spiritual Medicine, putting in untold effort.

Ultimately, he promoted them from mere mortal birds to facing the Foundation Establishment Thunder Tribulation at present.

The resources, if used on any Postnatal Cultivator with the slightest aptitude, could likely create dozens or even hundreds of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, truly a significant investment.

On the island and within the Combined Pill Hall, many knew of these nine larks and Lu Qingfeng's generosity, discussing in private, deeming him, the 'Eldest Brother of Xuanyuan Sect's Number One Wastrel'.

Wastrel to the same degree as his siblings!

Others watched with heartache.

Of course, Wang Hui and the others dared not criticize, merely chatting casually.

In the distance, gales swept across as tribulation clouds gathered.

The Foundation Establishment Thunder Tribulation was upon them.

"Chirp, chirp!"

"Chatter, chatter!"

The nine larks fluttered up and down, the True Yuan flowing in their bodies to resist the Tribulation Thunder. These little ones, who had followed Lu Qingfeng, cultivated the Side Door Level Nine-Colored Phoenix Technique and often received 'Enlightenment' from Lu Qingfeng, along with bestowed Elixir Pills, progressing with Divine Speed and a solid foundation.

For these small creatures, the small Foundation Establishment Thunder Tribulation could hardly pose a challenge.

Not to mention their robust True Yuan, the various techniques they had mastered were far from ordinary, and they each possessed a Magic Artifact gifted by Lu Qingfeng. If they couldn't overcome this tribulation, then perhaps ninety-nine percent of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the world would struggle to do so.

Crack!

Boom!

Thunder roared, gales howled.

After almost half an hour.

The thunder receded, the tribulation clouds dispersed, and the fierce wind abruptly ceased.

"Ha!"

"It's done."

"Haha! I can finally transform."

With the dissipation of the heavenly tribulation, on the northern side of Feiyun Island, nine cloud sparrows flapped their wings and soared into the air. With a twist in the sky, their True Yuan surged and instantly transformed into five handsome young men and four beautiful young women.

They looked at each other and then examined themselves, joy clearly written on their faces.

"Congratulations to the nine Fellow Daoists for crossing the tribulation and transforming."

Seeing this, Wang Hui and the others hurriedly stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

Compared to these nine, there probably wasn't anyone present who dared say they were closer to Lu Qingfeng. Before they had transformed, when the nine cloud sparrows played and frolicked on Feiyun Island, nobody dared to slight them in the slightest.

Now that they had crossed the tribulation and transformed, with their life span greatly increased, they dared not provoke any displeasure, lest they complain to the revered master of Feiyun Peak, which could make things very difficult.

"Good, good, good."

"And so do you."

"We won't talk to you guys anymore; we still need to see the master."

The nine youths responded in a hubbub of voices, leapt into the air, and once again transformed back into the bodies of cloud sparrows.

Heading towards Feiyun Peak.

"The revered master spends most of his time in seclusion; only they can go see him whenever they wish."

"Sharing bitter times together naturally creates a different bond."

Envy showed in the eyes of Wang Hui, Ye Mu, and the others.

Lu Qingfeng often secluded himself for cultivation, and it was common for him not to emerge for several years. Inside and outside Feiyun Island, besides Lu Qingyu and Lu Qingshan, only these nine cloud sparrows could freely enter the cave and see Lu Qingfeng.

Others could only envy them.

…

"Qingfeng (Bright Moon, White Mountain, Black Water, Dawn, Caiyun, Little Qi, Little Eight, Little Nine), pays respects to the master."

Inside the cave of Feiyun Peak.

Sitting cross-legged, Lu Qingfeng watched the nine cloud sparrows fly in together. They whirled in the air, transformed into human form, and knelt on the ground. They chattered excitedly and looked up to Lu Qingfeng with gratitude and admiration.

"Good, good, good."

"You've finally reached the Foundation Establishment."

Seeing the nine cloud sparrows transform, Lu Qingfeng also felt a surge of joy in his heart.

The path of cultivation was the epitome of loneliness.

Ever since the cloud sparrows had followed him from the forests of Upper Sun Country, they had accompanied him and his two siblings through the toughest times, bringing with them much joy. Even after leaving Upper Sun Country, Lu Qingfeng had always kept them close.

From time to time, he nourished them with Feeding Spirit Pills and other elixirs to build their foundation and awaken their spiritual nature.

Their foundations were deep, already comparable to Second Rank demon beasts.

However, after all, they were mortal birds with limited aptitudes and always that slight bit short in spiritual nature. Without accidents, unless they recklessly assaulted the Foundation Establishment with a large number of spirit pills regardless of their foundation, they would never achieve it on their own.

Fortunately, Lu Qingfeng had advanced to the Third Level of the Yellow Court Scripture and mastered the enlightenment technique.

After several enlightenments, they grasped the true meaning of the cultivation technique. They cultivated on their own, and with the help of spirit pills, they finally broke through their shackles, established their foundation, and transformed, now with a chance at longevity.

"Transformation upon Foundation Establishment is just the start of the cultivation journey; you must cultivate diligently amid future perils," Lu Qingfeng said joyfully, then earnestly reminded them.

To him.

These nine little ones were far dearer than the other disciples on Feiyun Island, second only to Qingshan and Qingyu, so he couldn't help but worry more about them.

"We know, Little Nine will definitely cultivate diligently."

"Rest assured, master, Qingfeng will keep them in line."

"Right. Second Master and Third Master don't know we've transformed. We don't know when they'll be back, but they'll definitely be surprised."

…

The nine little ones had just transformed and were excited and curious, chattering non-stop.

With their innocent natures and close bond with Lu Qingfeng, there was none of the restraint or fear present in other cultivators on Feiyun Island.

Lu Qingfeng found their chatter overwhelming, waved his hand and said, "You have just passed the tribulation and your foundations are unstable. Quickly return to stabilize your cultivation and don't make noise here."

"Alright, master."

"We take our leave."

With much noise, each of them bowed to Lu Qingfeng, imitating the human cultivators' salute. Lu Qingfeng laughed, waving his large sleeve to create a breeze that swept up the nine, turning their world upside down, and they were out of the cave.

"Hehe."

"Master's technique is impressive; we must learn it another day."

"Our leader is named 'Qingfeng' and yet does not know how to control the wind; we must quickly learn."

The nine siblings didn't mind.

Landing outside the cave, they shook their dazed heads, looking at the novelty around them. Unwilling to return to the cave, they scattered around Feiyun Island like a gust of wind.

"Silly birds!"

Lu Qingfeng couldn't help but laugh out loud upon seeing them.

With these nine creatures causing a stir, Feiyun Island would likely be restless in the coming days. But that was good too, adding a bit of vitality to Feiyun Island.

"It will be even livelier when Qingshan and Qingyu return."

Lu Qingfeng listened to the distant voices of Qingfeng, Bright Moon, and the other nine siblings recede and thought to himself.

Qingyu was still in the deep mountains to the south but would return in a month.

Qingshan, however, had already set off two months ago, traveling northward for experience.

When the three siblings would be reunited was uncertain.

"Good things."

Lu Qingfeng's face held a smile, and he waved his sleeve.

Boom!

The array outside the cave closed once again, sealing off the entrance to visitors.

…