Yellow Court Daoist

Sixteen years later.

"Disciple has been unfilial, unable to be at your feet when Master returned. I can only hope to repay your kindness in the next life!"

A pair of celestial lovers flew swiftly over, kneeling before a youth in green.

Lu Qingfeng looked at the two of them.

He saw that Fairy Yan Lan's face was deathly pale without a trace of color, and her eyes were dull and lackluster, clearly at the end of her life—she had at most a decade or so left to live. But with the sixteen-year period of the Wind and Fire Tribulation already upon them, if she did not proactively disperse her body to Reincarnate now, it would be too late once the tribulation struck.

Inevitable would be the total annihilation of body and soul.

As for Ding Yu.

Despite a face as handsome as jade and an extraordinary fortitude, Lu Qingfeng could tell that it was all hangng by a thread of sheer willpower. Once Fairy Yan Lan entered the cycle of reincarnation, Ding Yu would no longer be able to bear it, his Dao Fruit would completely shatter, and he would fall from the rank of an Earth Immortal, turning into dust of the mortal world.

"No need for such sentiments."

Lu Qingfeng waved his hand, gesturing for the two to get up. Seeing them leaning on each other, accompanying through life and death, he felt a wave of emotion and asked crisply, "Have you settled all of your worldly affairs?"

"Replying to Master,"

"Reincarnation is imminent; worldly matters no longer bind your disciples and Yan Lan. The South Sea Alliance, the Five Fire Sect, the Qingyuan Sword Sect— all are at Master's disposal."

Ding Yu established the South Sea Alliance and is the Leader of the South Sea Alliance.

Having also inherited the Divine Fire Fan and the traditions of the Five Fire Sect, he is the reviving Patriarch of the Five Fire Sect.

Not to mention the Qingyuan Sword Sect, which Ding Yu has spread on behalf of his teacher. Initially, it was not part of the one hundred and eight high-level sects, Eight Hundred Side Sects, or Three Thousand Left Dao; now, however, it stands pinnacle among the high-level sects.

Of course.

As Ding Yu Reincarnates, without a True Immortal presiding over the Qingyuan Sword Sect, and if Lu Qingfeng does not take charge, it will sooner or later decline.

The same goes for the Five Fire Sect.

While speaking, Ding Yu glanced at Fairy Yan Lan, his eyes brimming with tender affection, and respectfully said to Lu Qingfeng, "After bidding farewell to Master, Yan Lan and I plan to head to the Netherworld together."

On the brink of death,

there was nothing to be done about them.

Ding Yu simply cast everything aside. What came after, the living would deal with.

Lu Qingfeng listened, nodding subtly, not discussing how he intended to deal with the South Sea Alliance, the Five Fire Sect, the Qingyuan Sword Sect, and others. He simply looked at Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan and said, "The journey of Reincarnation is perilous; both of you, please wait a moment."

With those words,

he plucked a stick of incense from the void, snapped his fingers to light it, and set it aflame to burn in the void.

Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan, seeing this and not recognizing the item, looked puzzled.

"This is 'Divine Communication Incense'. Lighting it can summon the attention of ghosts and gods."

Lu Qingfeng explained.

Just as his voice fell,

a collapse in the void revealed a dark hole, and a powerful presence seeped out from its depths. This presence, upon its emergence, caused Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan's complexions to shift abruptly—

"Such a mighty presence!"

This aura was beyond that of a True Immortal.

Even after Ding Yu had achieved the rank of an Earth Immortal, it was beyond his reach.

"Could it be—"

Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan exchanged glances, both filled with shocked suspicion.

At this moment—

From the dark hole in the void emerged a Tauren figure, muscular and imposing, holding a steel pick, stepping on a swirling vortex of darkness, gazing at the three of them.

It was the Bull-headed Yin God!

"It's you again?!"

The Bull-headed Yin God, summoned by the Divine Communication Incense, recognized Lu Qingfeng and his pupils revealed an enigmatic significance. Then, looking back at Ding Yu behind Lu Qingfeng, his face morphed into an almost human sneer.

"Bowing before the Honorable God."

Lu Qingfeng, unperturbed by the Bull-headed Yin God's expression, got straight to the point, "My two disciples wish to enter Reincarnation; but the Yellow Spring Road is treacherous, and I hope the Honorable God can offer them some protection."

The Yellow Spring Road.

The most difficult path.

Even if Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan were once a temporary Earth Immortal and a True Immortal respectively, once stepping onto the Netherworld path, all living beings are equal, and likewise, the danger.

Many Primordial Spirits and True Immortals halt their Cultivation paths and are reluctant to enter Reincarnation because it is too dangerous. A slight misstep could mean eternal damnation, with no chance of achieving enlightenment again.

Only those with a powerful guardian behind them can enter Reincarnation with ease.

Like the Reincarnated True Immortals of the Changqing Realm, who have the Divine Generals of the Thunder Department backing them.

Or like Luo Gu and other True Immortals of the Barbarian God Realm, who have the Tai Sui God Yin Jiao and the Six-Eyed Venerable of the Heavenly Daoist behind them, wielding considerable influence and having connections within the Netherworld bureaucracy. Sending three or five Disciples into Reincarnation is thus trouble-free.

But Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan have no such privilege.

As their senior and teacher, Lu Qingfeng must lend them a helping hand.

"Why would you think this deity would help you?!" sneered the Bull-headed Yin God.

Though hesitant and daring not to offend this deeply-rooted Qingjing Child, he was still a well-known Yin God of the Underworld, not to be ordered around by any True Immortal at will.

"Do not be hasty, Honorable God."

Lu Qingfeng's eyes shone with spirit light as he looked at the Bull-headed Yin God and smiled, "I perceive that the Honorable God's mana is profound, and that you have cultivated several body-refining techniques, seeking to forge a supreme divine body. Yet, the methods seem rather basic, causing the effects to manifest slowly, making it difficult to harness your mana at will."

The Bull-headed Yin God's expression shifted upon hearing Lu Qingfeng's words.

What this Daoist child spoke was indeed no lie.

He had cultivated for countless years, his power formidable, his mana extremely profound. But being a Yin God of the Underworld, he found it difficult to catch the eye of the Xuanmen or Buddhism's Great Powers and therefore lacked Mysterious Skills to accompany him. The several body-refining techniques he practiced were rather rudimentary, one of which, the 'Nine Changes of Netherworld Body,' was even acquired from one of the high-level sects of the Five Directions Realm, the 'Nine Nether Ghost Nether Sect,' regarded as a rare body-refining technique among mortals.

On par with Gui Mingzi's 'Ten Thousand Ghosts Digging' as one of the Nine Nether Ghost Nether Sect's Five Great Secret Techniques.

But after all, it was but a mortal method.

While formidable among True Immortals, such a method in the hands of a Yin God of the Underworld like the Bull-headed Yin God holds much less value.

Utilizing that method of cultivation, it's naturally difficult to achieve significant progression.

"You—"

The Bull-headed Yin God felt a stir in his heart and looked at Lu Qingfeng with a hint of anticipation in his gaze.

Without beating around the bush, Lu Qingfeng raised his hand and tossed a piece of Black Stone towards the Bull-headed Yin God. The Yin God reached out to catch it, his expression alternating between shock and joy, his face changing rapidly until his eyes widened, staring fixedly at Lu Qingfeng, "This method—"

"Just a small token of appreciation, no need for formalities."

"I would like to request the Honorable God to look after my two disciples after they enter the Netherworld, and if it's not too much trouble, assist them a bit at the Naihe Bridge."

Lu Qingfeng spoke with a smile.

"Not a problem."

"Does Fellow Daoist wish to have them reincarnate directly to the Nan Zhanbu Continent, or to stay within the Five Directions Realm?"

The Bull-headed Yin God's change of face was so swift it made Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan startle. Only when Lu Qingfeng's gaze turned to them did they come to their senses.

Ding Yu, seeing that his master was seeking his opinion, hurriedly said, "Five Directions Realm."

"Alright!"

The Bull-headed Yin God nodded in agreement and looked towards Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan. The two exchanged a glance, then simultaneously bowed to Lu Qingfeng, saying, "Master, take care."

Lu Qingfeng nodded slightly.

The next moment.

From the top of their heads, wisps of Qing Yan smoke flew out, fluttering in the breeze.

As the smoke emerged.

Their physical bodies disappeared into the winds like smoke and dust.

Seeing this, the Bull-headed Yin God used some spell to bind the two wisps of Qing Yan behind him and turned to Lu Qingfeng, "Yin Souls should not linger in the world of the living for long. I shall take my leave!"

And with that, he prepared to leave.

"There's one more thing I'd like to trouble the Honorable God with,"

Lu Qingfeng said, stopping the Bull-headed Yin God.

"Hmm?"

The Bull-headed Yin God glanced at the Black Stone in his hand before looking back at Lu Qingfeng, "What is it?"

Lu Qingfeng pursed his lips and said crisply, "The Honorable God oversees the Six Paths of Reincarnation and is well-acquainted with the myriad worlds. Could the Honorable God keep an eye out for the Immortal Qin Realm for me? If there is any news about this realm, I will certainly show my gratitude."

He then went on to describe several characteristics and details of the Immortal Qin Realm, quite meticulously.

"Immortal Qin Realm—"

The Bull-headed Yin God listened carefully, and after Lu Qingfeng finished, he nodded, "Rest assured, I will keep an eye out. As soon as there's any information, I will inform Fellow Daoist."

Lu Qingfeng, with a joyful expression, quickly bowed, "In that case, I thank the Honorable God in advance."

The Bull-headed Yin God waved his hand.

And with Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan, he disappeared into the darkness.

...

"A Ghost God Body Refining Divine Skill in exchange for ensuring the secure reincarnation of two individuals."

"Not too shabby of a deal."

The Bull-headed Yin God led Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan to their reincarnations, and Lu Qingfeng watched as the space closed, calculating silently to himself. Since coming from Yellow Wind Ridge to the Five Directions Realm, aside from a bamboo cane, he was alone.

For over four thousand years.

He had focused all his time on Ding Yu, foregoing the search for treasures and artifact refining. This Bull-headed Yin God, after all, had the Underworld at his back, unlikely to lack ordinary treasures. But while treasures are easy to come by, great methods are hard to find.

And what Lu Qingfeng had in abundance were methods and Divine Skills.

A Ghost God Body Refining technique enhanced from high-level techniques to Divine Power Level called 'Ghost God Transformation' was all it took to cause a complete attitude reversal from the Bull-headed Yin God.

Of course.

It was also because this Bull-headed Yin God knows the goods.

"'Ghost God Transformation' could allow the Bull-headed Yin God to fully refine and harness his mana, making its use more nimble, and to ascend to new heights with his ghostly form. Once mastered, his overall strength could increase by at least eighty to ninety percent."

For merely escorting two Yin Souls for reincarnation and receiving such a Divine Skill in exchange, how could the Bull-headed Yin God not be pleased?

He even took care of all the arrangements along their journey without Lu Qingfeng needing to inquire, proactively covering the expenses. He had many treasures, but what he lacked was a formidable method.

The importance of each was clear to him.

But to Lu Qingfeng, this was not a loss either.

Firstly.

Divine Skills were plentiful to him, giving away one meant nothing, and it cost him nothing.

Secondly.

The road through the Netherworld was long, and arranging everything along the way could be costly. Now a single Divine Skill covered it all, saving him a lot of trouble.

Thirdly.

"The Bull-headed Yin God oversees the Six Paths of Reincarnation, interacting with countless souls daily. He's the most informed and the most likely to hear of the existence of the Immortal Qin Realm. By gifting him the 'Ghost God Transformation,' he gets a taste of its benefits. If he wants more methods from me in the future, he will certainly pay attention to this matter."

This was Lu Qingfeng's actual purpose.

However.

The countless realms of the Primordial World were like grains of sand, innumerable beyond belief. Whether a mere Bull-headed Yin God could find traces or information about the Immortal Qin Realm, Lu Qingfeng was not certain.

He even felt that the chances were quite slim.

But regardless, it was another avenue to explore for the Immortal Qin Realm.

"Next."

"Is to integrate the Five Directions Realm, gather three thousand Daoist teachings, capture the fortune of One Realm, and diligently pursue my cultivation to strive for an early promotion to Earth Immortal!"

A flash of determination in Lu Qingfeng's eyes.

A fiery red fan appeared in his hand, and with a flicker, he soared off towards the South Sea.