Yellow Court Daoist

Let's talk about Xun Zhenbei.

After returning from Han Ling City, he bypassed Zhouyou Mountain and made haste towards Danxia Mountain.

Danxia Mountain is situated in the southern territory of the Nine Nether Domain, neighboring the Cloud Desolate Territory to the south.

The mountain is named for its resemblance to cinnabar and for its dawn-like brilliance, vivid and bright.

It is said that a mountain isn't renowned for its height but for the presence of an immortal who dwells upon it.

Shrouded in mist, Danxia Mountain is rumored to be the abode of an ancient immortal practicing cultivation there—sipping morning dew, refining Golden Cores at noon, with Spirit Pills and marvelous elixirs often emerging from within, and the fragrance of the elixirs wafting through the air. Even the most ordinary person, upon smelling it once, would extend their life by a century and be cured of all ailments, and wild beasts that perceive it would also gain spiritual wisdom.

On this day,

Xun Zhenbei arrived at the base of Danxia Mountain, not daring to fly directly to it, but climbed the steps towards the summit instead.

With the physique of a true immortal, his speed was rather swift.

Yet, from the break of dawn till he reached a Daoist temple at the peak, it was already midday. In front of the temple was the Cloud Viewing Platform, where an enormous cauldron circled overhead, flames of six alternating brightness levels glowing beneath it. Fragrance poured from the cauldron, a gentle scent filling the nostrils.

An old Daoist, fan in hand, lightly fanned the flames.

Not long after,

He reached out towards the arrogant sun in the sky with the palm of his hand, which was as white as jade, and drew down a thread of scorching flame, crimson and bordering on black. He toyed with and kneaded the flame between his fingers.

It took half a quarter of an hour before he finally cast it into the pill furnace.

Hum!

The furnace trembled faintly, its cover lifted, and a surge of fiery essence burst forth—a fiery red Elixir Pill soaring into the sky. The old Daoist casually beckoned, and it fell back down into his hands, into a Jade Bottle.

Only then did he turn around, revealing his face distinctly.

He was a white-haired old Daoist with kind brows and a benevolent expression, his demeanor radiant and clear.

"Disciple Xun Zhenbei pays his respects to Master."

Not daring to interrupt before, Xun Zhenbei quickly went forward to greet his master upon seeing the completion of the Elixir.

"You've come at just the right time."

"Had you arrived a bit earlier, this 'Great Sun Demon-breaking Immortal Pill' wouldn't have been ready, and you'd have had to wait."

The old Daoist chuckled heartily.

It was as if concocting the Immortal Pill had put him in high spirits.

"The 'Great Sun Demon-breaking Immortal Pill' requires capturing the essence of the Great Sun True Fire from above for its fusion, and the timing must be perfect. A moment too soon or too late, and the Immortal Pill would be instantly incinerated. Within the Nine Nether Domain, only Master can freely gather and release the fire at will to refine at leisure."

Xun Zhenbei spoke admiringly.

This praise was no flattery. His master did indeed originate from the Alchemy Dao lineage of the Six Skill Pavilion of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect, having received a portion of the true teachings and capable of concocting Immortal Pills. The 'Great Sun Demon-breaking Immortal Pill' was especially his forte.

"The Nine Nether Domain is vast and boundless, housing countless Immortal Experts. There are more than a few who surpass Master in the alchemy path."

"Speaking such grand words, one isn't afraid of being laughed out of the room if they spread."

The old Daoist said, his smile blossoming even wider on his face, clearly enjoying the praise.

Without waiting for Xun Zhenbei to speak,

The old Daoist handed over the Jade Purifying Bottle he was holding and said with his hands behind his back, "This Immortal Pill was requested by the Three Mountains True Monarch of the Fire God Palace for his disciple, Chao Jue. You deliver it to Nine Sun Ridge."

"Chao Jue?"

Xun Zhenbei's eyes lit up, "May I ask Master, is this the 'Fire Crow Divine Son' known as one of the Thirteen Divine Sons of the Fire God Palace?"

"That's him."

"Chao Jue is highly ambitious and had the strength to break through to True Immortality early on but chose not to, instead seeking combat in external domains to temper his Dao ability. Recently, he was injured by the cold breath of a Green Jade Demon Spirit, damaging his heart and lungs before returning to Nine Sun Ridge. He should take this 'Great Sun Demon-breaking Immortal Pill' to remove the cold poison, aiming to elevate to True Immortality."

The 'Great Sun Demon-breaking Immortal Pill' can neutralize cold poison and meanwhile possesses potent medicinal properties, being made with the essence of the heavenly Furious Sun's True Fire.

For cultivators practicing the Fire Technique, it is greatly beneficial.

A True Immortal who acquires it will advance greatly in cultivation.

A Primordial Spirit True One who consumes it can even Breakthrough Realms. If stuck at the Unification Peak, consuming a 'Great Sun Demon-breaking Immortal Pill' significantly increases the likelihood of advancing to True Immortality.

With Chao Jue being the Fire Crow Divine Son among the Thirteen Divine Sons of the Fire God Palace, and already possessing the Dao ability to rise to True Immortality, with the aid of the 'Great Sun Demon-breaking Immortal Pill', his success is all but assured.

The old Daoist laughed heartily and praised, "Chao Jue holds remarkable strength within the Primordial Spirit Realm, having cultivated the 'Fire Crow Transformation' of the 'Fire God Thirteen Transformations' of the Fire God Palace to the 'control' level and recognized the 'Eight Desolate Mysterious Fire Mirror' as his master. Even if you were to face him, it wouldn't necessarily be an easy match. The Three Mountains True Monarch, in return for Master's Immortal Pill, has promised to send his disciple on a journey to the Mountain and Water Realm."

"This is wonderful news indeed."

Xun Zhenbei's face showed delight.

Daoist Soldiers are too conspicuous and rigid, and their presence too large. However, with the Fire Crow Divine Son intervening, with his might nearly matching that of a True Immortal and possessing the Quasi-Immortal Device 'Eight Desolate Mysterious Fire Mirror', securing the defeat of the Lower Realm's demon lords is almost guaranteed.

But then—

"The fiend is adept at hiding."

"If the Fire Crow Divine Son descends, he might find it difficult to locate."

Xun Zhenbei frowned, recounting his failed approach with Han Ling'er and his own conjectures.

"The one in Sky-reaching Gorge has extensive connections and an exceptional natural talent."

"Since his disciple is unwilling to oblige, let it be. No need to bother her."

The old Daoist waved his hand, still smiling, "That Dutian Daoist recently acquired a certain inheritance related to 'Jiuyu Immortal.' It's not appropriate for our Ten Thousand Laws Sect to intervene, but there are many throughout the world who covet the Jiuyu Immortal Mansion. In Chi Lian Mountain, the Black Dragon True Monarch has a 'Three-eyed Divine Dog' whose vertical third eye can observe the upper skies and penetrate the depths of the Nine Nether. I'll go borrow it. Once the matter is settled, the 'Celestial Cycle Stars Tablet' shall be his reward; I suspect he won't refuse."

The difficult issue that troubled Xun Zhenbei seemed all too easily resolved by this old Daoist in just a few words.

Xun Zhenbei felt a weight lifted from his shoulders.

Without further concerns, he took the Immortal Pill and departed from Danxia Mountain, heading straight for Nine Sun Ridge, where the Fire God Palace stood.

Three Mountains and Nine Waters.

Lu Qingfeng frowned.

Lately, he had always felt as if a shadow loomed in his heart. Initially insignificant, it had grown denser by the day.

Divine Skills deducing the Heavenly Mechanism.

The Heavenly Mechanism was hazy and inscrutable, seemingly not within the Three Mountains and Nine Waters. Upon careful investigation, it wasn't emanating from Han Ling City above either.

"It's not Han Ling'er."

"Nor within the Three Mountains and Nine Waters."

Lu Qingfeng looked beyond the heavens, "The one scheming against me, could they come from beyond the stars? The Spirit Domain?"

Beyond these stars, he had made far too many enemies—

Destroying the Green Wood Sect's Dao heritage had offended Immortal Xun Zhenbei and the vast Ten Thousand Laws behind him.

Seizing the wonderful method from the Six Dust Temple, the temple also seemed to have connections in the Upper Realm, with no ordinary origins.

Additionally, some years ago, Lu Qingfeng obtained the "Celestial Cycle Stars Tablet" from the Heavenly Stele Secret Realm; the Purple Spirit Immortal of Seven Extremes Mountain and Mei Hua Wanderer of Ningbi Cliff Meihua Cave also seemed to have a covetous eye on it.

In recent years, he had also acquired Yuan Gui City, thereby intertwining fate with the first City Lord, the Immortal behind the Ice and Snow Divine Palace, and the Yuan Gui Jellyfish whose life and whereabouts remained a mystery.

"I am invincible within the Three Mountains and Nine Waters."

"The Inverted Void Glazed Glass Wall has been cultivated to thirty-eight layers; even Great Divine Powers would struggle to deduce it."

"However."

"This Yuan Gui City being exposed requires immediate concealment."

With the Inverted Void Glazed Glass Wall, the Invisibility Technique, and even the Seven Beasts Small Divine Number to predict fortunes and misfortunes, Lu Qingfeng had no issue with self-protection and could hide with ease.

However, Yuan Gui City was in ruins, and all the Arrays for concealing aura and traces were damaged.

Outside the void.

Star Absorbing Demon Spirits could sense the existence of Yuan Gui City, and Han Ling'er could easily locate it with the help of Han Ling City. If Lu Qingfeng did not wish to abandon Yuan Gui City, yet didn't want to reveal himself because of it—

"Concealment Arrays must be prioritized."

Securing Yuan Gui City's concealment was critical.

Just that.

While the first batch of goods had already been delivered to Han Ling'er.

For Han Ling'er to open the channels and sell this Mingqing Spirit Water, funds needed to be recuperated before purchasing materials for Lu Qingfeng, which would require considerable effort.

Lu Qingfeng knew he couldn't rush.

Fortunately, within Yuan Gui City, amidst the ruins and broken walls, there were many damaged components. Originally refined from precious materials, they seem to be one now, and even a Mahayana True Immortal might find it difficult to separate the materials for reuse.

But with the divine power of Dutian Demon Flames under Lu Qingfeng's control, it was effortless.

The precious materials he obtained were first used to repair and modify the Qiankun Furnace.

"The primary function of the Qiankun Furnace is to absorb spirits and emit energy, and it's also the core of War City's Array system, akin to a compound foundational Array core."

"The Array that absorbs and emits spirits directly correlates to the grade of the Qiankun Furnace."

"When the Yunyan Qiankun Furnace was initially completed, its inhalation and exhalation of Spiritual Energy could match that of thirty-six Mahayana First Realm Sensing Immortals. After continuous exploration, modifications, and enhancements by the Cloud Immortal, it eventually reached the level of forty-two Sensing Realm Immortals breathing in unison."

"In the realm of Fifth-order Qiankun Furnaces, it belongs to the lower echelon."

"It can support the full operation of Yuan Gui City for ten years, standing against the assault of a Second Realm Tribulation Crossing Realm True Immortal."

Lu Qingfeng pondered; the Array system he had originally modified and strengthened, considering the material limitations of the Three Mountains and Nine Waters, was even inferior to the original Yunyan Qiankun Furnace, possessing only the level of three to five Sensing Realm Immortals.

Though he left room for upgrading.

He even planned the upgrade route, allowing for further enhancements after Ascending to the Spirit Domain one day. Still, it made things more cumbersome, and many components, materials, and even Arrays would need replacing.

It required significantly more effort.

"Now that I have this channel through Han Ling'er, there's no need for such measures."

Lu Qingfeng smiled.

He set aside the simplified, weakened version of the Array system, proceeding directly with the complete version. The Array to conceal one's traces and Conceal Heaven's Secrets also needed the base of the spirit-absorbing and energy-emitting Array to function; otherwise, it would be extremely difficult to operate.

Thus.

In the following days.

Lu Qingfeng dedicated himself to Yuan Gui City, continuously disassembling materials and modifying the Qiankun Furnace.

While waiting for the delivery of materials purchased through Han Ling'er, he arranged for Alchemists from the Dutian Sect to come before the second transaction to pass on strengthened formulas for Fasting Pills, Yellow Dragon Pills, Spirit Clearing Powder, and other such entry-level Elixir recipes.

Lu Qingfeng's time was precious.

Mingqing Spirit Water, intricate and valuable, was for him to refine personally. Thankfully, the quantity needed was small and wouldn't take up much time, which the Green Wood Clone could handle.

But the non-entry-level Elixir Pills relied on quantity.

Depending on Lu Qingfeng alone was too time-consuming for cultivation and was unrealistic. Leaving it to his disciples was the most suitable.

At once.

The Dutian Sect began recruiting disciples enthusiastically, zealously training Alchemy Apprentices and Alchemists. With a foundation solidified over more than six hundred years, there were plenty of Third-rank and Fourth-rank Alchemists. First-rank and Second-rank Alchemists were even more abundant.

Spread out, it was trivial to cultivate thousands upon thousands of apprentices capable of refining non-entry-level Elixir Pills.

At that time.

Dutian Sect was abuzz with activity.

...