Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 530 - 499: Return, Still a Youth!

Three days later.

Silver Frost Peak.

Zhou Ming was cultivating in his cave abode.

Now at the age of five hundred eighty, he had ascended to the Spirit Void Fusion Realm. With devoted cultivation, there was a chance for him to ascend even further, to the Jiedan Realm. Three days ago, upon seeing Yue Miaoyin’s twilight years and her lonesome silhouette, he felt uneasy and increasingly worried.

He worried about facing a similar fate in two to three hundred years.

Thus, he cultivated with even greater diligence.

He delegated more of his affairs to his subordinates, the deacons, while he focused on intense cultivation within his cave abode.

Outside, the bright sun was shining.

Inside, a stick of Calming Spirit Incense was lit.

His cultivation technique circulated, with True Yuan flowing through his meridians like mighty rivers.

Suddenly.

The spiritual energy inside and outside the cave abode became restless, and the space around seemed to thunder with a roar—

Boom!

Rumble, rumble!

Soon after came an extremely oppressive sensation, jolting Zhou Ming from his peaceful cultivation.

"What is this—"

Zhou Ming ended his session and opened his eyes, looking puzzled towards the outside of the cave. He quickly rose and walked out. As he emerged from the cave, he looked up and saw in the distance gales suddenly rising, dark clouds gathering, portending an apocalyptic scene.

At this sight.

Zhou Ming’s eyes widened suddenly—

"Upper Sun Mountain!"

"Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulations?!"

...

Not just Zhou Ming.

In Silver Frost Peak, several Jiedan True Men were the first to sense the commencement of the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulations. They flew up and landed outside Upper Sun Mountain. With Nolan Xun as their leader, already at the Golden Core Realm cultivation, there were also four other Jiedan elders with cultivation levels ranging from the Void Core to the Solid Pill Realms. None, however, were in the Gathering Law Realm.

The five Great Perfecteds stood outside Upper Sun Mountain.

One of the elders looked at Upper Sun Mountain and joyfully exclaimed: "It’s Yue Miaoyin from Upper Sun Mountain. I remember her being eight or nine hundred years old, nearing the end of her lifespan. It’s astonishing that at this final juncture, she has managed to take the ultimate step. This is truly a cause for celebration!"

This elder was a seasoned True Man from Silver Frost Peak named Zuo Zhao. In past years, he managed the disciples’ morning cultivations and resolved their questions.

Yue Miaoyin was hardworking and eager to learn, frequently seeking advice.

Thus, Zuo Zhao remembered her well, and was overjoyed to see her undergo tribulations.

To one side.

Another Female True Man hesitantly mentioned, "If I recall correctly, Yue Miaoyin came from the Juyun Mountain Range and was recommended by the former Combined Pill Hall Sect Leader for Nolan Xun to take in at Silver Frost Peak."

"Indeed."

Zuo Zhao nodded, clearly aware of this matter.

However, the newly promoted two True Men had less dealings with Yue Miaoyin. Although they knew of the former Combined Pill Hall Sect Leader mentioned by the Female True Man, they were unaware of her connection with Yue Miaoyin of Upper Sun Mountain.

Zuo Zhao sighed, "Now our Xuanyuan Sect has integrated the Three Realms, occupying most of the former territory of the Annihilation Divine Sect. In the Biyang Lake Territory, besides the highly esteemed Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Mountain, we are the third Immortal Sect after Feiyan Pavilion and Annihilation Divine Sect. It’s just a pity that Lu Zhangzun left early and his whereabouts remain unknown. Even Uncle Gu did not return before his ascension, leaving us unsure if he still walks this world."

The Female True Man frowned and added, "Uncle Gu was extremely kind to Lu Zhangzun. If Lu Zhangzun was still alive, how could he not return to the Xuanyuan Sect for seven or eight hundred years and not wish Uncle Gu a final farewell? It is likely—"

That he has long perished outside.

Back then.

The Xuanyuan Sect feared Fiery Fire Wanderer of the Illusion Wave Sea, dispersing elite disciples and even Jiedan True Men to avoid conflict, and Lu Qingfeng was among them. He was said to have gone to the chaotic Fierce Nether Domain.

Yet, none of his sect mates there had seen him.

Only after Fiery Fire Wanderer’s identity was exposed, becoming the Dutian Demon stirring trouble in the Three Mountains and Nine Waters, did Xuanyuan Sect lower its guard and recall disciples and True Men from all directions.

The only one missing was Lu Qingfeng.

Most believed that Lu Zhangzun, once the pride of Xuanyuan Sect, had long since died outside.

Only the Xuanyuan Sect’s Sect Leaders and Peak Masters knew—

"Without Lu Qingfeng, there would be no Xuanyuan Sect today."

Nolan Xun, looking at Upper Sun Mountain, saw Yue Miaoyin standing tall and proud, facing the sky. His thoughts wandered as his eyes swept over Upper Sun Mountain. "The Junior Master Grandmaster Gai ascended not long ago, and Lu Qingfeng returned to guard at his side. Afterwards, when Grandmaster Gai, Qian Lai, Shi Wan, Pei Yuan, and Zhuo Jun ascended, he came to pay respects."

"Three days ago, Civil Zhong passed away."

"Today, Yue Miaoyin is about to face the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, could it be—"

As he speculated.

Zuo Zhao, unaware of these thoughts, looked at Yue Miaoyin on Upper Sun Mountain, with both concern and regret, "Miaoyin’s rise to Jiedan is too abrupt. For someone at her age to overcome her bottlenecks is remarkable. Weakened by age, her True Yuan is murky, and without a powerful magic artifact in hand, how can she withstand the fierce Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation?"

Zuo Zhao lamented, "She’s too independent. Had she informed us earlier, I would have willingly given her this ’Black Abyss Sword’ for refinement. Possessing a Sixth Rank magic artifact would have provided some assurance against the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation!"

He meant it sincerely.

Zuo Zhao thought that his path of cultivation had come to an end; keeping the magic artifact was futile, so he would rather bestow it. If it could ensure another True Person for Silver Frost Peak and Xuanyuan Sect, he would be glad.

Nolan Xun, listening, fixated on Yue Miaoyin who held a slightly gleaming sword in her hand. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, it bore many strange inscriptions. Its essence was subtle, obviously a highly mysterious magic sword, its rank undoubtedly no less than Zuo Zhao’s diligently crafted ’Black Abyss Sword’ of over two thousand years.

"A Seventh-Order magical artifact?"

"How did Yue Miaoyin, previously only at the Spirit Void, acquire a Seventh-Order Flying Sword?"

"Could it really be him?!"

Nolan Xun pondered, her beautiful eyes revealing shock. Suddenly, she noticed a figure hastily striding out from Upper Sun Mountain. In just a few steps, he arrived before them.

"Qing Peak."

"Lu Zhangzun?!"

All five Perfecteds, including Nolan Xun, exclaimed in unison upon seeing the comer.

The young Daoist with a jade-like countenance nodded slightly to Zuo Zhao and the other three Perfecteds, then clasped his hands towards Nolan Xun—

"Qing Peak pays respects to Master Nolan."

... 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"I heard Upper Sun Mountain’s Junior Master Yue has passed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation and has become the sixth True Person of Silver Frost Peak!"

"Upper Sun Mountain’s Junior Master Yue?"

"Junior Master Yue rarely shows herself; it’s only natural you wouldn’t know, being new to Silver Frost Peak."

"I’ve heard that her breakthrough wasn’t a simple feat. Rumor has it that it’s due to the return of the former Combined Pill Palace Sect Leader that Junior Master Yue was able to break through her bottleneck!"

"The Combined Pill Palace Sect Leader? The previous one?"

"Yes, it was Sect Leader Lu Qingfeng!"

"Whoa! So it was him. He’s the once-in-ten-thousand-years top genius within the Xuanyuan Sect, with an extremely high accomplishment in the Alchemy Dao, having advanced to the Core Formation Realm early on. He disappeared over seven hundred years ago and who would’ve thought that after so long, he’d actually return!"

"Even for Jiedan True Men, it’s difficult to freely assist others in advancing to the Jiedan Realm. Although Sect Leader Lu is a genius himself, it wasn’t certain that he could help Junior Master Yue make her breakthrough. It seems the story got twisted along the way; perhaps it’s simply Junior Master Yue’s good fortune that allowed her breakthrough!"

...

Yue Miaoyin survived the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulations and advanced to Core Formation, becoming the sixth True Man of Silver Frost Peak.

This brought great joy to all of Silver Frost Peak.

The entire Xuanyuan Sect was abuzz with discussions, which somewhat diluted the melancholy caused by the passing of Civil Zhong.

Apart from this joyous event—

The return of the former Combined Pill Palace Sect Leader Lu Qingfeng was an even greater cause for celebration among the Xuanyuan Sect’s various department heads and sect leaders, even more so than Yue Miaoyin’s ascension to Core Formation. Many hurried back to the sect even if they were outside of Xuanyuan Water Realm.

This marked the first time Lu Qingfeng returned to the Xuanyuan Sect with such fanfare.

The reaction and attention from the upper echelons of the Xuanyuan Sect left many disciples and newly-promoted true men in awe.

It caused quite a stir.

There were those among them who had heard of Sect Leader Lu’s reputation or even seen him in person, and those who had never seen him and didn’t understand his prowess. Some credited Lu Qingfeng for Yue Miaoyin’s breakthrough, while others doubted his ability to casually create Jiedan True Men.

Regardless of the speculation.

Yue Miaoyin’s breakthrough formally announced the return of Lu Qingfeng.

...

Xuanyuan Water Realm.

Feiyun Island.

Having met with the various department heads, sect leaders, and the Sect Leader True Man at Xuanyuan Peak, Lu Qingfeng was in no hurry to leave. Instead, he left Xuanyuan Peak and went straight to Feiyun Island.

This was where he lived as a True Disciple.

Even after achieving the title of Combined Pill Palace Sect Leader, he still cultivated here.

After so many years.

He has returned.

Feiyun Island was deserted, empty and desolate.

Yet, even so.

Looking at the misty clouds and ethereal Immortal Energy of Feiyun Island, Lu Qingfeng felt a wave of fondness in his heart.

Heading toward the island, he landed.

Instantly, nine figures swooped over. Originally in the form of birds, they shifted in the air, transforming into nine elderly men and women, and landed in front of Lu Qingfeng—

Thump!

One by one, they knelt down, faces flushed with excitement, tears streaming unabated.

Their voices trembling, they called out in unison: "Welcome back, old master!"

"Qingfeng, Bright Moon..."

Lu Qingfeng looked upon his former Nine little ones, now aged and white-haired, their cultivation stupefied at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Yet their longevity as demon beasts had allowed them to survive until now.

But they were on the brink of the end of their days.

They were originally born as common birds. Only with the help of Lu Qingfeng did they embark on the path of cultivation. But as Lu Qingfeng traveled abroad, performing astonishing feats, he couldn’t take the Nine little ones with him for fear of exposing his tracks.

As a result.

Without Lu Qingfeng, the Nine little ones struggled to advance their cultivation. Even with the aid of Combined Pill Palace’s miraculous pills and hard cultivation, they only managed to reach the Foundation Establishment and Body Tempering Realm.

They were still far from Spirit Void.

Looking at the Nine little ones.

He couldn’t help but think of Yue Miaoyin, who was stabilizing her Jiedan cultivation at Silver Frost Peak.

Returning to the Xuanyuan Sect.

Using the ’Enlightenment’ Great Method and Seventh-Order Spirit Pills, he helped Yue Miaoyin achieve Core Formation.

Lu Qingfeng was already at the Primordial Spirit level.

Although it’s difficult to raise Jiedan True Men to the Primordial Spirit True One level, helping Spirit Void Practitioners achieve a breakthrough was as easy as flipping his hand. Yue Miaoyin’s diligent cultivation had accumulated over eight hundred years, but only lacked opportunity and ultimately found it difficult to break into Core Formation.

With Lu Qingfeng’s application of the ’Enlightenment’ method, Yue Miaoyin’s lifetime of accumulated insights surged, her Dao ability soared, and doubts in cultivation dissolved.

With the addition of the Seventh-Order Spirit Pills ’Little Pot Pill’ enhancing her True Yuan.

In just three days.

Yue Miaoyin broke through the threshold between Spirit Void and Jiedan, ascending to the realm of true men. During her tribulation, she wielded a Seventh-Order Magical Artifact named the ’Three Suns One Qi Sword,’ refined by Lu Qingfeng, which could divide into the ’Shaoyang Sword,’ ’Zhongyang Sword,’ and ’Sun Sword,’ creating many mysterious variations. When combined into one sword, its power increased substantially.

Even among the Seventh-Order Magical Artifact, it was a force to be reckoned with.

Ascending to Core Formation.

And possessing the Three Suns One Qi Sword.

Yue Miaoyin’s combat prowess nearly approached the Golden Core Realm. What lies ahead for her cultivation and resource contention were bound with endless possibilities. Whether she could advance to Primordial Spirit before her life span reached its limit would depend on her own fortune.

"Back in the day, Senior Sister protected me and my two siblings generously when we were insignificant; the kindness was substantial."

"Qingfeng, Bright Moon, the Nine siblings also aided us in the forests, helping us avoid numerous dangers during our journey, allowing us today."

"At this time."

"With my cultivation and methods, although I cannot help them achieve Primordial Spirit or True Immortal."

"But assisting them in reaching Spirit Void and Core Formation is as easy as flipping my hand."

"I don’t have many old friends, and even fewer benefactors. If I can help without effort, there’s no need to hesitate."

Lu Qingfeng smiled, flicking his sleeves gently to help the Nine little ones to their feet, then led the way toward the cave dwelling on Feiyun Island.

The Nine little ones stood up and watched Lu Qingfeng’s departing figure, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Suddenly hearing—

"Aren’t you coming?"

"Yes, old master!"

Upon hearing that, the Nine little ones’ faces lit up with joy. Though much more subdued than before, they soared and transformed back into larks, encircling Lu Qingfeng. Just like eight hundred years ago in the forests of Upper Sun Country, they were still gleeful but with a touch less agility and liveliness.

One man and nine birds.

They entered the cave dwelling of Feiyun Mountain.