Yellow Court Daoist

Chuyun Mountain.

Lu Qingfeng watched as Zhou Yuan left.

The Luoxia Sect had treated him well, and he would help when he could. As for leaving the Luoxia Sect, leaving the Juyun Mountain Range?

That still required careful consideration.

"Congratulations to big brother on his advancement to Third-rank."

Lu Qingyu winked at her big brother, a sly smile on her face.

She knew.

Her big brother had been capable of refining Level 6 Puppets long ago, clearly already a Third-rank Artifact Refiner. Seeing Zhou Yuan's astonishment earlier, she couldn't help but find it amusing. If Zhou Yuan knew that big brother had advanced to Third-rank long ago, she wondered what kind of expression he would have.

"Congratulations in words isn't enough."

"Do you have a congratulatory gift?"

Lu Qingfeng was in a good mood and teased Qingyu in return.

"Big brother is already a Third-rank Alchemist and an Artifact Refiner, and you're still asking me for a gift, isn't that bullying?" Lu Qingyu pouted.

"Haha!"

Lu Qingfeng laughed out loud upon hearing this.

"This Fellow Daoist is courteous."

Just as Lu Qingyu was about to speak, someone approached to greet her big brother with a cupped fist salute, prompting her to halt.

Lu Qingfeng turned to the newcomer with curiosity, but said, "I am Lu Qingfeng, and I have met the Chuyun Manager."

The person was plump with a large head, tiny eyes that were nevertheless bright and spirited, and appeared to be in his forties or fifties.

His cultivation was already at the Foundation Establishment level.

He was indeed the manager of Chuyun Mountain.

Just before, Zhou Yuan had rented three Earth-numbered cave dwellings from him. However, it was unclear why the manager approached to strike up a conversation now.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Lu, my apologies for any disrespect."

"I am Wang Hui, serving as Chuyun Mountain's manager."

Wang Hui repeatedly cupped his fists, his attitude quite respectful.

Lu Qingfeng was even more perplexed now.

Seeing his reaction, Wang Hui initiated the exchange, "Wang has been presumptuous, please do not take offense, Fellow Daoist Lu. I overheard by chance that you've advanced to Third-rank in both Alchemy and Artifact Refining skills, and I've come to offer my congratulations."

Next to him, Lu Qingyu blinked, looking at the fat manager before her, and then back at her big brother, secretly chuckling to herself.

"Fellow Daoist Wang is too kind," Lu Qingfeng realized—

He had come to curry favor with the newly promoted Third-rank Alchemy and Artifact Master.

His conversation with Zhou Yuan had not been hidden, and Wang Hui had heard everything clearly. As the manager of Chuyun Mountain, even in the presence of Spirit Void Practitioners like Zhou Yuan, leaders of their own sects, he maintained only a friendly attitude.

But now in the presence of Lu Qingfeng, not only was he quite friendly, but he also showed a degree of respect and flattery.

Undoubtedly, he valued the identity of Lu Qingfeng as a Third-rank Alchemist and Artifact Refiner even more.

He had approached to make a connection, to ingratiate himself.

After exchanging greetings and names, and a brief exchange of pleasantries.

Wang Hui did not linger overly, congratulated him once more, and then took his leave.

"Truly worthy of being the manager overseeing over a hundred cave dwellings on a mountain."

Lu Qingfeng nodded in approval.

He had seen many characters in "Primordial".

Great figures, minor characters.

He had even come into contact with Reincarnated True Immortals.

Wang Hui might just be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, a mere manager, but his conduct was smooth, knowing when to advance or retreat.

It didn't give rise to any dislike.

By exchanging names with Lu Qingfeng this time, should they meet again, it would deepen their relationship.

After a few times.

It wouldn't be surprising if he could ask Lu Qingfeng to refine Elixir Pills or Magic Artifacts for him.

As a manager of Chuyun Mountain, handling guests and managing relations, having keen judgment, discretion, and appropriate manners was important. If done well, a good network of connections could be built.

In the future path of cultivation, this could open many doors and reduce many obstacles.

"Snakes have snake paths, rats have rat paths."

"It can't be any other way."

After Wang Hui left, Lu Qingfeng reflected in his heart.

He and Wang Hui were not so different.

Both were networking, seeking a more secure path of cultivation, and having support in times of need. But with his status as a Third-rank Alchemist and Artifact Refiner, if he were to seriously network, his connections and their caliber would be far beyond what Wang Hui could compare to.

It was a world of difference.

Shaking his head, Lu Qingfeng, accompanied by Qingyu, hurried towards their cave dwelling.

The dwellings for the two of them, as well as Zhou Yuan's, were all next to each other for convenience.

Along the way.

Lu Qingyu glanced at Lu Qingfeng and muttered as if to herself, "Strange that when that man came to offer his congratulations, I did not see big brother asking him for a gifit."

"…"

Lu Qingfeng simply smiled silently, choosing not to comment, but internally he was reminding himself that he should not have teased Qingyu—

The girl held a grudge.

…

Zhou Yuan visited a friend.

After chatting idly with Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingyu for a while, they returned to their respective cave dwellings to rest. Traveling for more than a month indeed took its toll.

'Earth 17th' cave dwelling.

Lu Qingfeng sat cross-legged.

His consciousness delved into "Primordial", leaving only a sliver of spiritual awareness outside to sense movements and dangers in reality.

While on the road, Lu Qingfeng had used the Iron Feathered Flying Eagle for travel.

Traveling by day, resting at night.

Also, frequently entering the game.

In the Sky Witch Realm.

Time flew, twelve years passed.

Adding the sixteen years in the Rebirth Pool, Lu Qingfeng had been in this world for thirty-six years. Holding the position of Yinfu Sect Master for twenty years.

In those twenty years.

With Lu Qingfeng leading the charge and the Yinfu Sect following, they conquered territories and captured strongholds.

From the Southern Border eastwards, they swept through.

Toppling countless sects, subduing numerous experts, acquiring innumerable martial arts and secret techniques.

Like a snowball rolling.

They grew into a massive force, dominating the northwest of the Southern Border, casting eyes towards the Central Plains and the heart of the Southern Border battlegrounds. Neither the holy lands and top sects of the Central Plains nor the Divine Mountains and great sects of the Southern Border could afford to ignore them.

Yinfu Sect Master.

Guangyuan Daoist.

His name echoes across the land, turning heads in all corners.

It is said that whenever the Yinfu Sect Master enters the battle, he is the vanguard. From the Outer Firmament Grandmasters to Inner Firmness Great Grandmasters, none are his match in a single exchange.

His strength reaches a realm beyond fathom.

It strikes fear into the hearts.

The Yinfu Sect is a cradle of great martial artists.

Many are subdued masters from all over, who are left with no choice but to serve or die by the Sect Master's superior martial prowess.

Once part of the Yinfu Sect, they are bound by Elixir Pills, powerful martial arts, and mystical secret techniques.

And even, mighty 'Magic Artifacts'.

These subdued individuals gradually and willingly prostrate themselves under the Yinfu Sect Master, charging and breaching on his behalf.

Besides them.

There are also elites trained from scratch by the Yinfu Sect.

In just twenty years.

With the aid of Elixir Pills, those with decent Root Bone even managed to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Unable to break through in the Sky Witch Realm.

But Lu Qingfeng was keen on cultivation. With dozens of Outer Firmament Grandmasters and Inner Firmness Great Grandmasters, the Yinfu Sect's firepower is on par with any sanctuary or top-notch sect in the Central Plains, if not far surpassing them.

But the Yinfu Sect's advance is steady and firm.

Each progression, each expansion turns into consolidation and digestion.

Only after fully integrating their gains do they take the next step in expansion.

And so.

The snowball grows inexorably larger.

Approaching the heart of the central battlefield, the next step would bring them into confrontation territory with the top Central Plains forces of the Soul Capturing Sect and the Golden Silkworm Divine Mountain of the Southern Border.

...

Yinfu Sect.

Heavenly God Mountain stronghold.

With a wave of his hand to dispel the prohibitions, Lu Qingfeng emerged from his seclusion and summoned the Yinfu Sect's upper echelons.

Kuang Ge of Wind Discipline Hall, Feihu of Fei Niao Hall, Yan Find of the Enforcement Hall, Chang Ye of Killing Power Hall, Hall Masters of the Four Directions Hall...

The Hall Masters gathered together.

"Greetings, Sect Leader."

As Lu Qingfeng arrived, they all paid their respects.

Lu Qingfeng sat down with his saber across his lap, glancing at the rows below him. The assembled Hall Masters represented the highest echelon of the sect, each wielding immense authority over their jurisdictions.

Especially when Lu Qingfeng was frequently in seclusion, these Hall Masters became the de facto leaders and decision-makers of the Yinfu Sect.

Their reputations were formidable, not just within but even beyond the Yinfu Sect.

Their strengths were mainly of Outer Firmament Grandmasters, with a few exceptionally talented ones who were Inner Firmness Great Grandmasters.

They were the strongest in the mundane world.

Now, even without Lu Qingfeng's personal intervention, their power was enough to confront minor and medium-sized sects.

However.

Forces like the Soul Capturing Sect and Golden Silkworm Divine Mountain, only Lu Qingfeng's personal oversight would suffice.

"Today's assembly concerns the Soul Capturing Sect and the Golden Silkworm Divine Mountain."

Lu Qingfeng got straight to the point and looked at Feihu.

Feihu understood and stepped forward, pronouncing clearly, "Fei Niao Hall has long been gathering intelligence on the Soul Capturing Sect and Golden Silkworm Divine Mountain, and we now have detailed reports."

"The Soul Capturing Sect is known for its 'Soul Capturing Technique', being one of the Central Plains' Seven Great Sects, only surpassed by the Three Great Holy Lands. Their technique, coupled with profound martial arts, poses a peculiar danger. Any equal martial artist who faces them could inadvertently fall under their control and turn against their allies. It's quite insidious."

"There are three Inner Firmness Great Grandmasters and twelve Outer Firmament Grandmasters in the Sect, with over a hundred practitioners in the Dragon Tiger Realm. With over three thousand disciples in the Muscle-Bone Realm and Inner Strength, they are a force to be reckoned with."

"The Golden Silkworm Divine Mountain, one of the four Divine Mountains and five great sects of the Southern Border, specializes in the art of Gu Poison. Their unique Golden Silkworm Gu is impervious to blade and flame, capable of killing invisibly and tricky to deal with. Due to these venomous creatures, even other Divine Mountains and sects dare not provoke them."

"Strong as it is, the Soul Capturing Sect is hesitant before the Golden Silkworm Divine Mountain."

As the next formidable opponents for the Yinfu Sect, Feather Hall had deployed numerous spies to gather comprehensive intelligence on these two factions.

Soul Capturing Technique.

Golden Silkworm Gu.

Unpredictably mystical, they are the primary concerns for the Yinfu Sect's impending assault.

The Hall Masters seated below each reacted differently after listening—some furrowed their brows, some appeared worried, yet some showed no fear.

Chang Ye stepped forth, a brute in appearance but much more skilled than before; he had become one of the rare Inner Firmness Great Grandmasters within the Yinfu Sect.

Even across the Southern Border, he was a top-tier expert.

He spoke in a deep voice, "To hell with their goddamn Soul Capturing Technique and Golden Silkworm Gu; first let them taste my triple blow with the axe!"

Speaking thus, Chang Ye waved his hefty Bin Tie axe, the flesh of his face quivering fiercely.

"..."

Others wanted to speak, but Chang Ye's blunt words left them speechless.

Thinking to themselves what a brute he was.

Yet, that was exactly why Lu Qingfeng valued Chang Ye's disposition. Recognizing his talent, Lu Qingfeng promoted him to Inner Firmness Great Grandmaster and installed him as the Hall Master of Killing Power Hall.

Leading Yinfu Sect into battle, he had established considerable merit.

"Soul Capturing Technique and Golden Silkworm Gu are infamous and must not be taken rashly."

Lu Qingfeng, with a plan in mind, gestured for Chang Ye to step back.

This fellow was indeed adept at charging into battle, but strategizing was clearly not his forte.

Slightly resentful, Chang Ye stepped back.

"First, send disciples to probe. Refining corpses, cultivating ghosts, taming beasts, poisonous snakes..."

"Once we discover which method can effectively counter the Soul Capturing Technique and deal with the Golden Silkworm Gu, that would be the day we launch our major offense."

The Soul Capturing Technique seemed ominous.

Lu Qingfeng considered himself strong-willed and having reached the Peak of True Qi Realm, his cultivation was formidable enough that no one in the mundane world could overpower his Divine Soul or will.

The prospect of controlling him was impossible.

Rather it was the Golden Silkworm Gu.

The Gu was impenetrable to weapons and elements; should one be afflicted, even an Inner Firmness Great Grandmaster could suffer intensely or even perish. Despite Lu Qingfeng's might, he did not dare to take such a risk lightly.

Better to probe first then act accordingly.

The Yinfu Sect had conquered countless sects and collected a myriad of Cultivation Techniques and Secret Techniques. There had to be something that could counter the Soul Capturing Sect and Golden Silkworm Divine Mountain.

He waved dismissed the Hall Masters to prepare for war.

Lu Qingfeng rose to his feet, heading towards the cave dwelling in the back mountains.

His cultivation had reached the peak of True Qi Realm and was halted due to the restrictions of heaven and earth. Only occasionally would he use Experience Value to cultivate further, which didn't require much time.

However, during this year's campaigns to the north and south, the Yinfu Sect had amassed a significant number of inheritances.

These included techniques like Gu Refining, poison making, beast taming, ghost cultivating, and Battle Formations—practices of all sorts and from various odd and mystical schools.

Lu Qingfeng sifted through them.

And indeed, he found what he sought.