Yellow Court Daoist

Three Mountains and Nine Waters.

More than three months had passed since Lu Qingfeng's and Han Ling'er's first transaction.

This day.

Deep within the starry sky, someone approached, umbrella in hand.

The one holding the umbrella wore a Daoist robe, his face black as the bottom of a pot. Under the shade of the umbrella, and beside the Black-faced Daoist, stood a young Daoist in a Fire Crow Daoist Robe, his complexion rosy, leading a majestic black dog by the hand.

It was none other than Xun Zhenbei and Fire God Palace's Fire Crow Divine Son, Chao Jue.

"Have we heard right that Han Immortal is guarding the Mountain and Water Realm in Sky-reaching Gorge?"

Chao Jue looked toward the distance, where faint starlight seemed to reveal the manifestation of a city. Ethereal shadows enveloped the Star Sky, akin to the stars in the void.

"Indeed."

"Disciples of the Heavenly Star Sect in the Mountain and Water Realm have ascended, encountering the Star Absorbing Demon Spirit. Thus, the matter is handled by Grandmaster Qin from the Sky-reaching Gorge; even my teacher mustn't meddle, and we must trouble you, Fellow Daoist, to make a personal visit."

Xun Zhenbei spoke.

He was a True Immortal, although he had only risen to True Immortal not long ago. His companion, ready to ascend to True Immortality at any moment and whose strength was no less than his at this moment, was no ordinary Primordial Spirit. Having comparable status, Xun Zhenbei interacted with him as a peer.

"The Star Absorbing Demon Spirit excels in draining the Essence Qi of all beings and stars, strengthening itself, its physical body extremely formidable. Even in the Outer Domain, it's a particularly troublesome type of Demon Spirit."

"Although Han Immortal is renowned, facing a Fifth-Order Star Absorption Lord, even with the support of War City, it won't be easy."

Chao Jue had abundant experience from fighting in the Outer Domain.

And he was quite familiar with the Star Absorbing Demon Spirits and Fifth-Order Star Absorption Lords.

"Ha ha!"

"Fellow Daoist is not wrong."

"It's said that when Han Immortal first arrived in the Mountain and Water Realm, she battled the Fifth-Order Star Absorption Lord and found herself at a disadvantage."

Xun Zhenbei laughed heartily, before adding, "However, Han Immortal seems somewhat protective of that thief, so it's better she remains unaware of our entry into the Mountain and Water Realm this time. I shall use the 'Heavenly Concealing Umbrella' to send Fellow Daoist to the boundary of the Mountain and Water Realm. Just enter directly."

Xun Zhenbei, having faced rejection from Han Ling'er, was wary. He learned his lesson and borrowed the 'Heavenly Concealing Umbrella' from his teacher to hide their forms from Han Ling'er's sight.

Once Chao Jue entered the Mountain and Water Realm, it would be difficult for Han Ling'er to interfere.

"This Heavenly Concealing Umbrella is indeed mysterious."

Chao Jue's gaze swept across the Heavenly Concealing Umbrella, praising its wonders. However, his mind pondered if he had this umbrella while traveling in the Outer Domain, he wouldn't have been troubled by that Green Jade Demon Spirit and suffer its bitter cold poison.

What a pity.

This umbrella was the treasure of Danxia Ancestor of Danxia Mountain, and even his disciples could only borrow it; it was beyond Chao Jue's reach.

With these thoughts.

The Mountain and Water Realm drew near.

Chao Jue glanced at Han Ling City not far away, anticipation in his eyes, "After this journey and attaining True Immortality, when I return to the Fire God Palace, my 'Fire Crow City' should be completed. Then, I can set out to the Outer Domain."

With this in mind.

Chao Jue did not dwell on the 'Heavenly Concealing Umbrella,' growing somewhat impatient.

Ascending to True Immortality.

Taking command of War City.

That meant two major leaps. For him, his strength would take a massive jump. By then, Xun Zhenbei of Zhou You Mountain, or even Han Ling'er, who controlled War City, may not be his match.

In the Outer Domain, he would no longer be a dispensable soldier.

But rather, a War City Lord guarding his domain.

Strength, status—

A world of difference!

"Three-eyed Brother."

"Let's go!"

Eager, Chao Jue nodded slightly to Xun Zhenbei, then tightened the leash in his hands, looked down at the divine dog and beckoned. Simultaneously, he revealed a fiery-red treasure mirror in his hand. Muttering continuously, a Fire Crow burst out from the mirror, pecking at the barrier of the Mountain and Water Realm, flames spread forth, instantly burning open a portal.

This burned through the barrier of Mountain and Water Realm and that of Han Ling City.

Stepping through, Chao Jue entered the Three Mountains and Nine Waters.

"Woof!"

The divine dog, proud, let out a low bark and followed closely behind.

Xun Zhenbei then folded the Heavenly Concealing Umbrella, looking up to see Han Ling'er in an amber Daoist robe appearing in the distance. Xun Zhenbei's face beamed with a smile, and he called out loudly, "Han Immortal, we meet again."

…

"East Sea Jin Mountain."

"Dutian Daoist."

Leading the Three-eyed Divine Dog, Chao Jue stepped into Three Mountains and Nine Waters, walking within the Gang Wind Layer.

He surveyed his surroundings.

Before long, he looked down at the Three-eyed Divine Dog, "We're now in the Mountain and Water Realm. Please, Three-eyed Brother, use your Divine Skill to scout for that person's traces."

Compared to the vast Spirit Domain, Three Mountains and Nine Waters were but a drop in the ocean.

Yet, the view remained sprawling. To find a highly skilled and intentionally elusive Primordial Spirit True One was no easy feat without certain methods.

Chao Jue, who had roamed the Outer Domain for years, had many skills for finding people and objects.

But they were not top-notch.

Now, with the Three-eyed Divine Dog at his side, there was no need for him to take action.

"Woof!"

The Three-eyed Divine Dog let out a low bark, its eyes bulging, and at its brow—unbeknownst when—a third eye had appeared. The third eye opened, piercing through heaven and earth in an instant. As Divine Light flickered, and Chao Jue peered into the vertical eye on the dog's brow, he sensed the mountains, waters, land, and sky, all reflected within the Three-eyed Divine Dog's third eye.

"Such a divine skill!"

Chao Jue watched in delight.

This Divine Skill of the Three-eyed Divine Dog was impressive, on par with the Heavenly Concealing Umbrella. In the Outer Domain, it might even have a greater strategic significance.

"This Divine Dog—"

Chao Jue's eyes sparkled as they swept over the Three-eyed Divine Dog. But moments later, his expression turned to a wry smile, "Chi Lianshan Black Dragon True Monarch regards this Three-eyed Divine Dog as close as a blood brother, even Earth Immortals wouldn't dare covet it, it's best not to entertain such thoughts."

The world has countless precious treasures and exotic beasts.

Yet, most have masters.

Chao Jue longed, but with a scale in his heart, he dared not overstep.

Standing within the Nine Heavens Gang Wind Layer.

Waiting silently for the Three-eyed Divine Dog to investigate.

After a long while.

Only to see the divine light dissipate from the eyes of the Three-eyed Divine Dog, the vertical eye on its forehead still open, it barked a few times towards the north, then, with all four paws treading on the Gang Wind, led Chao Jue flying in that direction.

...

"An Upper Realm True Immortal from Qingmu Valley, Xun Zhenbei, the protector of Zhou You Mountain, has stealthily entered the Mountain and Water Realm."

"Be careful."

North Sea Turtle Mountain.

Deep in the ocean below, within Yuan Gui City.

Lu Qingfeng heard the warning from Han Ling'er and his brow instantly furrowed, "So it's Xun Zhenbei."

A smile appeared on his face.

His mind had been unsettled these past few days, reaching a peak today, letting him know that trouble had arrived. He had suspected but was not certain before, now with Han Ling'er's warning, he finally knew the reason.

"After seven hundred years of inaction, they now send someone in—"

Lu Qingfeng pondered, aware that this person's strength must not be underestimated, "I cannot take this lightly."

His strength now, compared to seven hundred years ago, was more than a little enhanced.

Within the realm of Primordial Spirits, he had no match.

But nobody knew the strength of the one who had sneaked into Three Mountains and Nine Waters, nor what kind of desperate trump cards they held. Lu Qingfeng always proceeded with caution and was unwilling to take risks.

With a thought.

He felt a probing sensation enveloping him from all directions, permeating from everywhere. As long as one was in this world, it was nearly impossible to fend off such scrutiny.

"This is—"

Lu Qingfeng's brows furrowed slightly, his Invisibility Technique was deployed, and his figure immediately faded, his physical body and breath disappearing from the world in an instant. No matter how the probing swept across the vast lands, it could no longer trace Lu Qingfeng's whereabouts.

A Great Divine Power of such stature.

How could it be easily penetrated?

Lu Qingfeng concealed himself completely, his eyes opened wider, passing through the Nine Heavens Gang Wind, leaping across millions of miles as though they were right before him. Suddenly, a young Daoist clad in a red Daoist robe and a three-eyed divine dog came into Lu Qingfeng's field of view.

"Primordial Spirit Peak."

"Ready to break the shackles and ascend to True Immortal at any moment."

Lu Qingfeng first assessed the young Daoist. Employing the Heavenly Listening and Earthly Viewing Great Method in conjunction with the Daluo Cave Observation, he was able to thoroughly scrutinize everything about the young Daoist without him noticing.

Even the specifics of the Quasi-Immortal Device in the Daoist's hand were clearly understood.

[Magical Artifact: Eight Desolate Mysterious Fire Mirror]

[Grade: Eighth Rank]

[Description: Refined from the essence of myriad fires, the mirror takes a circular shape with a green jade ring around the outside. Within the ring, nestled in the middle, is a small mirror-like, fiery red thin piece, carved with a totem of a simplistic flame design.

Originally the Magical Artifact of the thirty-sixth 'Fire Crow Divine Son' from the Fire God Palace, Li Xun. Upon Li Xun's death in the Outer Domain, the Eight Desolate Mysterious Fire Mirror was lost. The current 'Fire Crow Divine Son' Chao Jue, while adventuring in the Outer Domain, claimed the lost Eight Desolate Mysterious Fire Mirror. It can summon the Eight Desolate Fire Crow and, combined with the Eight Evil Mysterious Fire Formation, possesses immense power. After tens of thousands of years, seventy-two layers of Earth Evil Restriction have merged, just one step away from evolving into Pure Yang and thereby ascending to an Immortal Artifact. It is currently regarded as a 'Quasi-Immortal Device'.]

"One step can be like a chasm separating heaven and earth."

"A Quasi-Immortal Device is still an Eighth Rank Magical Artifact after all."

Slightly shaking his head.

Lu Qingfeng then turned his attention to the Three-eyed Divine Dog.

[Exotic Beasts: Three-eyed Divine Dog]

[Grade: Fourth Rank]

[Description: The Three-eyed Divine Dog is born with a third eye. Once fully grown, the vertical eye on its forehead opens, capable of gazing upon the Nine Heavens and peering into Nine Nether, with its middle gaze piercing through the Mortal Realm, difficult even for Earth Immortals to guard against. It is a top-tier beast for scouting and tracking, though average in combat power. This Divine Dog belongs to Chi Lian Mountain's Black Dragon True Monarch, the True Monarch's playmate from his youth.]

The divine dog was somewhat peculiar, with all its marvels residing in the vertical eye on its forehead. When it came to combat power, it fell short by quite a margin. While it was indeed at a Fourth Rank level, it was not even as strong as the Daoist by its side.

Not a concern.

"This Daoist cultivates a Fire Element Technique with a profound foundation, likely a True Inheritor from a great sect."

"The current Fire Crow Divine Son from the Fire God Palace—"

"Chao Jue?"

Using the Daluo Cave Observation, Lu Qingfeng could see the basis on the Daoist's Quasi-Immortal Device, understanding the cause and effects, and as such, knew of this Daoist's origins. However, he had never heard of the Fire God Palace before, and it seemed he had never provoked them either.

And there was this Three-eyed Divine Dog.

"Chi Lian Mountain's Black Dragon True Monarch?"

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

He had never wronged this person either, never having dealt with him.

"So it seems."

"It's either meddling where not needed, owed favor to Xun Zhenbei and Qingmu Valley, or coveting the 'Celestial Cycle Stars Tablet' in my possession?"

A smile crossed Lu Qingfeng's eyes.

Whichever the case, the intentions were not good.

Then, they were an enemy.

"If it's an enemy."

"Then they should be killed!"

Lu Qingfeng's thoughts shifted, and upon looking again, he saw that the Three-eyed Divine Dog couldn't find his location, but was leading the young Daoist towards the North Sea. The Dao Shadow was evident in his eyes, clearly heading for Turtle Mountain.

"Eh?"

He was surprised in his heart.

Then he suddenly realized, "It's Yuan Gui City again."

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

In only three short months, having to disassemble materials from ruins and repair the Arrays, the work was truly rushed. Thus, the concealing Array of Yuan Gui City was yet to be fully rebuilt.

To the eyes of the Three-eyed Divine Dog, it was completely exposed.

"I'm already a magnet for trouble."

"If the War City is also exposed, it will attract the Ice and Snow Divine Palace."

Lu Qingfeng rubbed his forehead.

Above his head, a black wind suddenly appeared, gathering into clouds, and within those clouds, twelve Demon Spirits summoned wind and rain to show off their prowess. They all leaped out together, heading straight beyond the skies.

...