Yellow Court Daoist

Chunshen Realm.

East Xian State.

This is one of the nine provinces of the Chunshen Realm, originally a continent that had fallen into the Blood Sea, controlled by the great Demon Sect, the Blood Sea Sect. Countless years ago, the 'Yu Mountain Sect', one of the six major Immortal Sects of Chunshen, rose to power.

The ancestor of Yu Mountain, Guangdu True Immortal, led the Yu Mountain Sect to shatter the Blood Sea Sect and occupied the whole East Xian State.

Afterwards, Guangdu True Immortal wandered off into the heavens, and the Yu Mountain Sect fell into a decline. The remnants of the Blood Sea regrouped, relying on the boundless Blood Sea sealed under the ground by the Yu Mountain Sect in East Xian State, and established the 'Blood Spring Sect'.

Since then,

The Yu Mountain Sect and the Blood Spring Sect have divided and confronted each other over East Xian State, each being the sworn enemy of the other for over a million years.

…

At the border of the Wuwang Sea and East Xian State.

A hazy immortal mountain appears and disappears amid the vast mist and waves.

As if above the Nine Heavens, yet seeming to be within the Netherworld.

The clouds and mists stretch for a hundred thousand miles.

No land can be seen in the midst, only faint glimpses of majestic mountain peaks, either sculpted or naturally formed, hidden within the clouds.

Like the mountains among the clouds in the sky,

This is Yu Mountain.

Located here is the Yu Mountain Sect, listed as one of the six major Immortal Sects of Chunshen.

"Golden light rolls across rainbow mists; auspicious vapor sprays purple fog in thousands of streaks."

A majestic gateway stands between peaks.

Deeply green, made of glazed tile; brilliantly shining, adorned in precious jade.

Like the Heavenly Gate.

Dozens of Mountain Guardian generals stand on both sides, each a pillar of strength, wielding maces and carrying flags; numerous Golden Armored Deities are arrayed around, each holding halberds and whips, carrying swords and wielding blades.

Outside the Immortal Mountain,

A tunneling light breaks through the sky, landing outside the Heavenly Gate.

A figure emerges.

Dressed in pine green, topped with a five-bushel hat, a dark-faced and white-bearded man, is a middle-aged Daoist.

The Daoist lands.

The dozens of Mountain Guardians see him, immediately bow down, and shout, "Paying respects to Gu Sun True One."

"Hmm."

The Daoist known as 'Gu Sun' nods indifferently, passes through the Heavenly Gate, and walks upon clouds.

Between the sky and the mountains,

Clouds and mists pave the way.

Momentarily reaching the main peak of Yu Mountain.

Passing through myriad scenes, experiencing a multitude of phenomena.

Entering the Jade Sun Hall.

"Greetings to the Sect Leader elder brother."

Gu Sun Daoist stops in the hall, tidies his clothes, and bows to the presiding Daoist wearing a Five Peaks hat.

To be called 'Sect Leader elder brother' by Gu Sun Daoist, there's only one within the Yu Mountain Sect, the famous throughout Nine Provinces, 'Gu Xuanzhenyi'.

Since over five thousand years ago, from all Immortal Sects and Demon Sects, no True Immortal Ancestors emerged.

Thus, Primordial Spirit True Ones took control of the sects, assuming the position of Sect Leader.

Gu Xuanzhenyi, capable of standing out amongst the crowd of Primordial Spirit Practitioners within the Yu Mountain Sect and taking charge of such a vast Immortal Sect, clearly wasn't ordinary. Although Gu Sun Daoist was also a Primordial Spirit Practitioner, he was extremely respectful.

"Brother Sect Leader, why have I personally returned to the sect from supervising the Wuwang Sea today?" Gu Xuan shows a curious look, asking Gu Sun Daoist.

"Reporting to brother Sect Leader,"

"As a brother under your command supervising the Wuwang Sea, I kept watch over Primordial Spirit Practitioners, as well as those skilled in Alchemy and Artifact Refining. In recent years, I've discovered a new Primordial Spirit by the name of 'Qing Yuan', whose proficiency in both Alchemy and Artifact Refining surprisingly both reach the Seventh Order, with substantial reputation."

"Investigations from all sides show this person's identity is somewhat dubious."

"When I personally went to recruit him, Qing Yuanzi asked for either sixty-four Innate Scattered Characters or one Desert Book Jade Character."

"As I have no authority to decide on this matter and worry that a letter may not clearly explain things, I've specially rushed back to report in person."

Gu Sun Daoist presents a page of golden books, on which all the information about Qing Yuanzi from White Head Island is recorded.

"Seventh Order Alchemist."

"Seventh Order Artifact Refiner."

Gu Xuanzhenyi takes it and looks, his face revealing a hint of astonishment, "This person has such talents in both paths of Alchemy and Artifact, searching through our Yu Mountain Sect, one would be hard-pressed to find an equal."

A newly emerged Primordial Spirit.

Possessing Seventh Order Alchemy and Artifact proficiency showing that he has most likely only been exploring these for three to four thousand years. This kind of talent is absolutely top-notch in the world.

Such talent and aptitude.

Asking for sixty-four Innate Scattered Characters makes it hard to say if it would be a worthwhile deal.

"Sixty-four Innate Scattered Characters."

"If complete as a system, they represent a Heavenly Mechanism, potentially leading to attaining the True Immortal Realm."

"Even if not a complete system, they are exceedingly precious."

"Indeed, caution is required."

Gu Xuanzhenyi put down the golden books in hand, pondered for a moment, then gestured outside the heavens with his hand, "Is brother concerned that this person comes from—"

"Brother Sect Leader is wise."

Gu Sun Daoist compliments with a respectful tone, his expression turning serious, "This Qing Yuanzi was originally just a Carefree Swordsman in the mortal world, who later heard about the Immortal Dao and stepped onto the path of Cultivation. After a few hundred years of cultivation, he was merely at the Spirit Void level. However, a thousand years ago, he made an unforeseen breakthrough to the Jiedan Realm. And in another three to five hundred years, he rose like a rocket into the Primordial Spirit Realm."

"His Seventh Order accomplishments in Alchemy and Artifact Refining have only been displayed over the last five hundred years. Only with Postnatal Scattered Characters, or even Innate Scattered Characters, can he be enticed to act."

Qing Yuanzi.

Seventh Order.

Hearing this, Gu Xuanzhenyi closes his eyes in silence.

Gu Sun Daoist, seeing this, has his own guesses and stands respectfully, daring not to disturb.

Only to see Gu Xuanzhenyi wearing a respectful look as well, with his ears slightly trembling and lips moving almost imperceptibly.

After a long while,

Gu Xuanzhenyi finally opens his eyes and looks at Gu Sun Daoist, "The Ancestor Master has decreed, please brother make another trip to White Head Island, it's imperative to recruit this person."

Saying this,

Gu Xuanzhenyi waves his hand, and thirty-two rays of Xuan Light flicker and fall in front of Gu Sun Daoist.

Gu Sun Daoist takes a look, and they turn out to be thirty-two Iron Lotus Seeds.

"Iron Lotus Seeds?!"

His eyes immediately widen.

"These thirty-two Iron Lotus Seeds are from the same lineage; if nurtured in steel lotus they could, when completed with sixty-four seeds, form a system that even within the Sword Cultivator lineage would be considered a top-tier legacy."

"Being more valuable than a mere sixty-four random Innate Scattered Characters."

"Go to White Head Island for now, brother."

"If he wishes to join our Yu Mountain Sect, to become a disciple under Rong Hong Ancestor. Not only will the sect consider giving the remaining thirty-two Iron Lotus Seeds in due time, but once he joins the sect, he can freely choose any of the three top-tier Sword Cultivation legacies that complement the Iron Lotus Seeds."

Gu Xuanzhenyi declared loudly.

This truly gave Daoist Gu Sun quite a shock.

Rong Hong Ancestor.

Sixty-four Iron Lotus Seeds.

The top sword cultivation inheritance of three sects.

Each of these benefits, if revealed, would be enough to drive all Primordial Spirit Practitioners in the world into a frenzy, fearless and eager to join without hesitation.

"For the sake of Qing Yuanzi, whose identity is in doubt, this move seems rather overly generous."

Daoist Gu Sun thought to himself.

Yet he was aware that such a decision was not up to even the sect leader. The ones making the call were not on Immortal Mountain but the Ancestral Masters in the heavens above.

He dared not question it.

Daoist Gu Sun took the thirty-two Iron Lotus Seeds and left the Jade Sun Hall.

Only Gu Xuan was left inside the hall.

"Sixty-four Iron Lotus Seeds, a chance for achieving the Dao."

"Truly good fortune."

His thoughts flickered.

Gu Xuan's figure gradually faded, leaving no trace behind.

...

Wuwang Sea.

White Head Island.

Eight hundred years ago, a Daoist who called himself Qing Yuan established his base on White Head Island. With a Magic Sword, he suppressed all directions and garnered respect. Five hundred years ago, he even fought over a treasure with the 'Soul Slaying Old Man' from Gold and Silver Island and emerged victorious, instantly becoming renowned.

Scattered cultivators from all directions flocked to join.

White Head Island's power swelled and secured its footing in the Wuwang Sea.

This day.

Lu Qingfeng, as usual, was engaged in closed-door cultivation.

Mana circulated, within his Divine Soul, seventy-four streaks of spirit light flickered; within the mysterious patterns, radiant light flowed, illuminating the Divine Soul with clarity and continuously nourishing it.

This Divine Soul was unlike other cultivators'.

It was an exceedingly sharp long sword!

Upon closer inspection.

It wasn't just a single long sword, but ninety-nine sword artifacts arranged together, yet as one, indistinguishable from each other.

Only twenty-three sword artifacts appeared dimmer, the spirit light flickering unable to touch them.

But as time went by.

The seventy-seventh sword artifact was gradually changing, the spirit light moving at an imperceptible speed. Once the spirit light fully occupied the seventy-seventh sword artifact—

"It will be time for this avatar's strength to take another step forward."

Lu Qingfeng ended his session and exhaled a streak of sword light.

He opened his eyes, which also had Sword Qi flashing within.

His whole being seemed composed of countless sharp swords and countless streaks of Sword Qi.

To outsiders, he appeared to have been born with a Sword Bone, a natural sword cultivation prodigy.

"I am still at the level of having refined fifty-five layers of restrictions."

"However, when compared to over seventy hundred years ago when I had just begun refining, and I could only control seventy-five sword artifacts, my strength has significantly increased."

Feeling the strength of his avatar, Lu Qingfeng's resolute face, like a sharp sword, also revealed a hint of a smile.

In the blink of an eye.

This avatar had been in the Chunshen Realm for a millennium.

Even his main body had spent five hundred years in the Chunshen Realm.

"Seven days ago, another group of Ancient Shang Practitioners descended."

"Unfortunately, several hundred cultivators scattered across Chunshen Nine Provinces; seeking them out is like looking for a needle in the ocean."

"Otherwise, I could have slain a few Ancient Shang Heavenly Court Cultivators to obtain Scattered Characters."

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

Over five hundred years.

With his speed, he should have mastered a hundred or even more Postnatal Scattered Characters. But limited by the pace of collecting Postnatal Scattered Characters, he had only managed seventy-four.

Eighteen of which were obtained from Ao Yin and Ao Pi.

Compared to other Jiedan True Men, even to someone like the Soul Slaying Old Man, a Primordial Spirit True One, Lu Qingfeng's mastery of so many Postnatal Scattered Characters at the Golden Core Realm was already astonishing.

But Lu Qingfeng was not satisfied.

"The pace of exchanging Postnatal Scattered Characters for Alchemy and Artifact Refining is still slow."

"And relying solely on Alchemy and Artifact Refining to exchange for Innate Scattered Characters is even more reliant on luck."

Lu Qingfeng pondered.

Necessity breeds ingenuity.

According to estimates, the Chunshen Realm and the Ancient Shang Region will soon merge. Before that happens, the more Postnatal and Innate Scattered Characters he obtains, the better.

"My current cultivation is already at the Golden Core Realm."

"With Postnatal Scattered Characters accelerating my cultivation, it will take roughly one to two hundred years to advance to Primordial Spirit."

Originally in the Barbarian God Realm, it took Lu Qingfeng nine hundred years to condense the Nine Layers of Gang Sha with the blessing of thirty-six layers of Abyss Fortune.

Although he lacked great fortune in this life, not only was he more experienced, but he also had Postnatal Scattered Characters nurturing his spirit, saving much effort traditionally spent grinding like a water mill, which undoubtedly increased the speed.

As for the Gang Sha Land needed for Condensing Evil and Refining Gang, for Lu Qingfeng, who controls White Head Island, it wasn't an issue at all.

Which powerhouses led by a Primordial Spirit True One would not control many Earth Evil Yin Veins, Heavenly Gang Qi?

Thus.

In this life, Lu Qingfeng only took five hundred years to condense Gang Sha and achieve the Golden Core Realm.

At the Golden Core Realm, standing against Primordial Spirits was not a problem. But after another one to two hundred years, ascending to Primordial Spirit will be even safer.

But—

"This batch of Ancient Shang Practitioners' arrival means the speed of the Ancient Shang Region's merger with Chunshen Realm will surely increase."

"One to two hundred years."

"Too long!"

Lu Qingfeng's gaze shifted, looking towards the northeast direction.

Where he looked, was where the East Xian State was located.

"Gu Sun."

"Yu Mountain Sect."

"If Yu Mountain Sect agrees, even if it means entering a den of dragons and a nest of tigers, it would be worth the risk."

Thoughts turned, and as he softly chanted, a Daoist Child came to report from outside the cave dwelling—

"Gu Yang Zhenyi from Yu Mountain Sect requests an audience!"