Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 214 - 201 Third-rank [Seeking Monthly Pass!]

"Is this the Xuanyuan Water Realm?"

Lu Qingyu looked ahead, his eyes wide with awe.

"Yes."

Zhou Yuan smiled.

Seeing Lu Qingyu's reaction, he couldn't help but think back to his own first visit to the Xuanyuan Water Realm, just as stunned.

"The Xuanyuan Water Realm."

Lu Qingfeng looked ahead and saw a vast expanse of dreamlike water, dotted with islands and mystical reflections displaying various landscapes.

Some were deserts, others were hills.

Some looked like palaces, and others bizarre creatures.

It was too much to take in all at once.

In the nearest part, an island emerged from the water, approximately a hundred li wide. Above the island, there were floating islands and aerial pavilions. Suspended in the air, as if supported by white clouds. Various forms of tunneling lights and sword lights flickered, signifying the coming and going of cultivators.

It was like the Heavenly Immortal Court, brimming with an immortal aura.

"The inner perimeter of the Xuanyuan Water Realm is the territory of the Xuanyuan Sect, off-limits to outsiders. The outer islands are where the Xuanyuan Sect's industries operate, also inaccessible to outsiders. The entire Xuanyuan Water Realm belongs privately to the Xuanyuan Sect."

"This place is called 'Gathering Immortal Island,' also known as 'Gathering Immortal Square.' It is the only open area in the Xuanyuan Water Realm and where the once-a-decade Xuanyuan Auction is held."

Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingyu were here for the first time, and Zhou Yuan explained as they stood aside.

"The entire Xuanyuan Water Realm is owned privately by the Xuanyuan Sect?"

Lu Qingyu was inwardly astounded.

Juyun Mountain Range.

In name, the Four Sects occupy the Juyun Mountain Range, yet there are many Loose Cultivators living there, making it impossible for the Four Sects to fully control it.

Luoxia Sect currently occupies most of the Juyun Mountain Range, but within this majority, Loose Cultivators still hold the mountains and gather in groups.

Coming all the way here.

Places like Cold Frost Pond and Seven Star Connected Waterfalls, besides the sects, also have Loose Cultivators mingling.

The expanse of Xuanyuan Water Realm is no less than Juyun Mountain Range, Cold Frost Pond, and such. It spans ten thousand li, all belonging to the Xuanyuan Sect, one can hardly imagine how strong the Xuanyuan Sect is.

"It's not just the Xuanyuan Water Realm."

"Around the Xuanyuan Water Realm, the Xuanyuan Sect has other estates and various industries."

"The true scale, apart from the Sect Leader True Man, is perhaps unknown to anyone else."

Zhou Yuan also felt a bit of emotion.

For the Luoxia Sect to grow to the scale of Xuanyuan Sect, it would take at least three to five thousand years, and that includes countless strokes of fate.

Inheritance.

Opportunity.

Power.

Not one can be lacking.

"Xuanyuan Sect."

Lu Qingfeng looked towards the Xuanyuan Water Realm with a slight stirring in his heart but immediately suppressed it.

Zhou Yuan led the way.

The three of them reached the periphery of Gathering Immortal Island.

The island gathered various Loose Cultivators, and spiritual beasts could not be brought inside but had to be placed in Spiritual Beast Bags or left at the perimeter under the watch of the Xuanyuan Sect.

Spiritual Beast Bags are rare, and the materials to make them even rarer.

Fortunately, Mei Qingyan and Yue Lingxi had previously come to Gathering Immortal Island and purchased a large amount of refining materials for Lu Qingfeng. These included materials for refining Purple Insect Bell, Nine Strategies Xuanhao Talisman, and also for making Spiritual Beast Bags.

Lu Qingfeng casually refined a few Spiritual Beast Bags, which proved to be very convenient.

He stored the Iron Feathered Flying Eagle and White Crane in Spiritual Beast Bags.

Zhou Yuan also stored the Curled Feather Pelican in a Spiritual Beast Bag.

Then they entered the Gathering Immortal Island.

...

"Besides the many shops operated by the Xuanyuan Sect, there are also shops run by other sects or Loose Cultivators. Various Magical Artifacts, materials, Spirit Pills, and Spiritual Medicines, most can be found here."

"The prices are quite fair."

"Every ten years at the auction, Gathering Immortal Island will set up additional stalls, specifically for various Loose Cultivators to use for transactions."

"If Elder Lu is interested, you might want to visit later."

Zhou Yuan lead Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingyu forward while introducing the place.

Lu Qingfeng looked around intensely.

The size of Gathering Immortal Island surpassed a hundred li, seemingly a market square but actually vast. Amidst mountains and waters, many shops were nestled.

Different from mortal cities.

Everywhere revealed an immortal essence.

Only a few distant mountaintops where numerous Loose Cultivators traded were relatively noisy, yet they were at the edges of Gathering Immortal Island.

Zhou Yuan led them familiarly to a certain stop.

Lu Qingfeng looked up, it was a beautiful green mountain. The mountain wasn't remarkable, but the scenery was quite good. The Spiritual Energy was rich, and even auspicious clouds floated about.

"This is Chuyun Mountain, the scenery is quite decent, considered an average place for cultivation."

"There's half a month until the auction starts, and the auction will last a month."

"In these days, we can settle and cultivate here."

Zhou Yuan led them in and negotiated with the mountain administrator. Soon, he held three Jade Tokens in his hand.

"Isn't this just like the mundane inns?"

Lu Qingyu took the Jade Token, clicking his tongue.

In the mortal world, inns comprise a courtyard and a house with several guest rooms.

In the Gathering Immortal Square, it was a mountain, and inside the mountain, caves were opened.

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"Though the Xuanyuan Sect isn't renowned in Biyang Lake, within tens of thousands of li around here, it is unarguably a Great Sect."

"Gathering Immortal Square was painstakingly built by the Xuanyuan Sect, naturally it cannot be compared with the mundane."

Zhou Yuan said cheerfully.

Speaking lightly, but in reality, this Chuyun Mountain was a gathering place for Spiritual Energy. Even the least prestigious caves cost ten Spirit Stone fragments a month. He requested three caves, all of earth grade, each costing a whole Spirit Stone.

Expected to stay in the Gathering Immortal Square for a month and a half, that totaled one and a half Spirit Stones.

Only because Zhou Yuan was a Sect Leader, and he need to meet and visit friends later, did he afford such luxury.

Otherwise, he would not come here.

Handing two Jade Tokens to Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingyu, Zhou Yuan said to Lu Qingfeng, "It's been a tiring journey. Elder Lu and Qingyu Immortal, you can rest in the caves for now. I will go out and see if some old friends have arrived."

The Luoxia Sect was currently prosperous and had a bright future.

But they must anticipate danger in times of safety.

Although the power of the Luoxia Sect was rapidly increasing, to assume control over the entire Juyun Mountain Range was wishful thinking. It was likely that neighboring realms would soon set their sights on it.

Zhou Yuan came to Xuanyuan Water Realm largely to invite a few friends to help keep the Luoxia Sect stable for some time.

At the moment, not a second was to be wasted.

After speaking, he turned to leave.

Lu Qingfeng saw this and called out to Zhou Yuan.

"Elder Lu, is there anything else?"

Zhou Yuan turned back.

"Nothing major."

"It's just that, a few days ago, I made some progress in Alchemy and Artifact Refining and advanced to Third-rank. If the Sect Master and other seniors need any alchemy or artifact refining, just prepare the materials, and I, Lu, can do it on your behalf."

Lu Qingfeng smiled.

"Third-rank?"

"Elder Lu—"

Zhou Yuan's beard bristled, and his eyes fixed on Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng stood calmly, allowing Zhou Yuan to size him up.

When he first arrived from Upper Sun Country and Crying Swamp, unfamiliar with the surroundings, Lu Qingfeng, to be cautious, only revealed his skills as a First-rank Alchemist and Artifact Refiner.

After a year of acclimatization.

He then revealed to Luoxia Sect that he had advanced to Second-rank.

Before this disclosure, Luoxia Sect did not know how long Lu Qingfeng had stayed at the First-rank, so although they were surprised, they were not overly shocked; instead, they were mostly delighted.

But this time.

Zhou Yuan knew 'very clearly'—

Elder Lu had only been at the Second-rank for just over four years, and he had advanced both his alchemy and artifact refining to the Third-rank?!

"This—"

Zhou Yuan's eyes widened, and he stood there dumbfounded for a long time before managing a bitter smile, "Elder Lu, truly a genius indeed!"

More than four years.

From Second-rank to Third-rank, and advancing in both Alchemy and Artifact Refining at the same pace.

Such talent, beyond genius, could only be described as an unrivaled genius!

Ordinary cultivators need decades, even centuries of arduous effort and dedicated research to cross these stages.

Even for geniuses, it would take twenty or thirty years to achieve such accomplishments.

And that would be in specializing in either alchemy or artifact refining on its own.

Yet, Lu Qingfeng was proficient in both, ascending from Second-rank to Third-rank in just four short years.

Zhou Yuan was astounded.

"The Sect Master flatters me."

"Merely luck. Just luck."

Lu Qingfeng modestly said.

After spending over five years in the Juyun Mountain Range and getting familiar with the surrounding circumstances, it was time to 'advance.'

Especially in a place like Gathering Immortal Square, where cultivators converge; being a Second-rank Alchemy and Artifact Master wasn't poor but certainly wasn't noteworthy.

But as a Third-rank Alchemy and Artifact Master, one can hold a place of distinction.

This was an opportunity to 'advance,' leveraging the identity of a Third-rank Alchemy and Artifact Master to network with numerous Spirit Void practitioners and expand connections. The broader the network, whether for a cultivator or a sect, one would need to think twice before causing trouble, considering if it's worth provoking a Third-rank Alchemy and Artifact Master and facing the consequences of antagonizing someone with such extensive connections.

Once famous, it could reduce many troubles.

Of course.

Also, to lend a hand to Luoxia Sect.

"Elder Lu, with peerless talent and virtue as high as the clouds, this old man thanks you in advance!"

Zhou Yuan, wise and discerning, also guessed one of the reasons why Lu Qingfeng revealed his identity as a Third-rank Alchemy and Artifact Master, and thanked him sincerely from his heart.

"The Sect Master is too kind."

Lu Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively.

Zhou Yuan pursed his lips, said no more, but added, "Elder Lu's promotion to Third-rank is indeed a joyous occasion. I will go and find some old friends. These friends aren't as financially embarrassed as I am, and we will be needing Elder Lu's services."

"I ought to oblige."

Lu Qingfeng nodded.

Zhou Yuan, with a look of joy on his face, bid farewell and left Chuyun Mountain.

Outside Chuyun Mountain.

Zhou Yuan hurried along, his facial expression of joy faded, revealing deep worry, "In just over five years, from First-rank to Third-rank. Such a talent—"

A Third-rank Alchemist!

A Third-rank Artifact Refiner!

Capable of refining Third-rank Spirit Pills and Third-rank Magical Artifacts.

Third-rank Spirit Pills, many practitioners in Fasting and Heart Movement Stage desperately seek, significantly beneficial to their cultivation. Various types of healing and recovery Third-rank Spirit Pills are also greatly useful to Spirit Void practitioners, even potentially turning desperate situations into survival.

Not to mention Third-rank Magical Artifacts.

Within the Four Sects of Juyun, Jin Jiuxiao and Feng Yun, as Sect Masters and Spirit Void True Cultivators, their strongest Magical Artifacts are only Second-rank.

Imagine the value of a Third-rank Magical Artifact to a sect.

And a Third-rank Artifact Refiner capable of creating such artifacts, naturally, holds a revered status, even eagerly sought after by Spirit Void practitioners.

A Third-rank Alchemist and a Third-rank Artifact Refiner.

Even if one struggled ordinarily to achieve this, Luoxia Sect couldn't have expected to possess them.

Let alone someone with limitless potential like Lu Qingfeng!

Upon first hearing this, Zhou Yuan was initially shocked beyond belief, then overjoyed, but upon reflection, he felt apprehensive.

As a Second-rank Alchemy and Artifact Master, Luoxia Sect treated him with sincerity and could keep him.

But a Third-rank Alchemy and Artifact Master, within the modest Luoxia Sect and humble Juyun Mountain Range, what could they offer to retain him?

Sincerity?

Merely a joke.

Moreover, even if Lu Qingfeng stayed for now, with his talents in alchemy and artifact refining, who knows when he might advance to Fourth-rank.

By then, Luoxia Sect definitely wouldn't be able to keep him.

"Enough."

"Don't overthink it."

"Elder Lu with such talent, staying in our Luoxia Sect is truly a case of a bright pearl covered in dust. Seeing what he expressed just now, he has the intention to help our Luoxia Sect through difficulties."

"That's enough."

Zhou Yuan shook his head and smiled wistfully, "If he makes a name for himself, with stately status and considering previous favors, it helps Luoxia Sect as much as if we had three or five more Spirit Void practitioners defending us. Let's not demand too much to avoid ruining our relationship."

His thoughts were clear.

The crisis facing Luoxia Sect could be resolved.

Zhou Yuan's steps lightened considerably as he went to visit friends.

…