Chapter 207: Chapter 206: Yellow Heaven Ancestor Strikes

The weather in Yangcheng warmed quickly, as did the weather in Changping Prefecture.

The warm spring breeze carried not a single trace of chill. Dressed in a light blue robe with a Jade Pendant Gourd at his waist and a folding fan in hand, Gu Zhao truly had the air of an ancient Scholar.

He first checked in with the Daoists scattered across Changping Prefecture. They were busy performing acts of Righteousness and Heroism, slaying Demons and Ghosts, and he was glad to hear all was well.

He then felt the streams of Evil Qi periodically sent from the Five Thunders Order within his Sea of Consciousness. The energy was supplementing his own cultivation, and he was on the verge of condensing his second Thunder Seed.

Finally, he toured Daluo Palace. He saw that the Incense in the main courtyard was flourishing, construction in the side courtyards was proceeding rapidly, a steady stream of pilgrims ascended the mountain, and the Daoists within the palace all attended to their duties.

Huang Yuan was dozing off by the side of the Three Pristine Hall.

Yang Chi and Lu Yue were playing chess in front of the Scripture Pavilion in the rear courtyard.

He Feng was teaching cultivation to the young men and women who had come with him.

Wang Yue walked about the grounds. The snow on Cuiluo Mountain was melting, and flowers were in full bloom both inside and outside Daluo Palace.

The Silk Embroideress and Bai Ke were playing on the rear mountain.

Even Zhuo Qingyan had some leisure time after finishing the Array for Daluo Palace. She was discussing music theory and painting with two of the palace’s female disciples.

Seeing Gu Zhao appear, the two female disciples hurriedly rose and bowed. "Greetings, Sect Leader!"

Gu Zhao waved his hand. "There’s no need for such formalities when we’re not in a formal setting."

Daluo Palace’s current roster included the eight Daoists Gu Zhao had brought back and the five Star Officials he had recruited. There were also quite a few local Mages, Ghost Gods, and Spirit Monarchs, but their Dao Practice was generally low, so they weren’t counted among the sect’s combatants.

In addition, from its initial recruitment of people from the mountain stronghold, to casually accepting followers they met on their travels, to people now actively seeking to join, Daluo Palace had also amassed a considerable number of mortals and Martial Arts Experts.

By now, Daluo Palace rarely recruited casually anymore. Unless someone was exceptionally talented or unique, they now followed established rules to gradually accept new members.

As a result, the disciples of Daluo Palace were effectively divided into three tiers.

The first tier consisted of ordinary people, also known as Firework Taoists. They had no combat ability and handled logistics, such as cleaning, laundry, cooking, and guiding pilgrims.

The second tier was for Martial Arts Experts, called Outer Disciples. If they succeeded in their Qi cultivation, they would be accepted into the Inner Sect.

The third tier was for cultivators, called Inner Sect Disciples. They formed the main force for the various branch temples, dealing with the Demons and Ghosts of low Dao Practice that plagued the common folk.

As these Inner Sect Disciples grew stronger, they would become Elders native to this Otherworld and be taught the Advanced Daoist Skills of Daluo Palace. This would fulfill the goal of Gu Zhao and the others: to spread the glory of The Three Pristine Ones to a new world.

Two or three months had passed since the Spring Festival Grand Rite, and Daluo Palace, now firmly established in Changping Prefecture, was clearly on a steady path of development.

Seeing Gu Zhao enter, the two female disciples giggled and departed, leaving Zhuo Qingyan to greet him. "Did your seclusion go well?"

Gu Zhao nodded. "It went well. Thank you for handling the daily affairs of Daluo Palace."

"It’s no trouble at all," Zhuo Qingyan said with a smile. "The Daoists handle the major issues, and there are people specifically in charge of the Firework Taoists. I just lend a hand when they’re busy. It’s not much work."

Since Gu Zhao periodically needed to take people back to the modern world, one of the Daoists was always on rotation at Daluo Palace.

"Who is on the mountain now?" Gu Zhao asked.

"Martial Uncle Ming Yu," Zhuo Qingyan replied. "He just returned yesterday to relieve Taoist Qingyuan. He should be in the Celestial Master’s Institute on the rear mountain right now. Are you looking for him?"

"No need, I was just asking." Gu Zhao shook his head and gently waved his folding fan. "I’ve seen quite a few Scholars and young ladies from wealthy families coming up the mountain for spring outings. I was thinking of taking you and the Silk Embroideress out for a stroll as well."

Zhuo Qingyan glanced at Gu Zhao’s attire and couldn’t help but chuckle. "It seems you’re already prepared?"

Gu Zhao nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "We’ll act a little weaker. If we happen to run into any foolish Demons and Ghosts on the road, it could make for some entertainment."

The words had barely left his mouth when Bai Ke leaped down from a nearby wall, her face alight with excitement. "Did you just say we’re going out to have fun?"

Gu Zhao closed his folding fan and pointed at her. "How are your ears always so sharp when it comes to things like this?"

Bai Ke ignored the question and simply asked, "Where are we going?"

"We’re going to..."

Before Gu Zhao could finish, he suddenly whipped his head around to look south.

Two streaks of yellow light tore across the sky, trailing billowing yellow smoke as they shot straight for Daluo Palace.

"Looks like we’re not going anywhere for now." Gu Zhao shook his head and sent a message with his Divine Sense. "Martial Uncle Ming Yu!"

"I see them!" Taoist Ming Yu shot into the air from the rear courtyard. "How dare they come in broad daylight?"

"There are too many pilgrims on the mountain. We can’t let them harm ordinary people." Gu Zhao glanced toward the front courtyard, then took out the Array Control Wooden Token and handed it to Zhuo Qingyan. "It will take time for the other martial uncles to return. I’ll go help Martial Uncle Ming Yu. You control the Array and protect everyone."

Zhuo Qingyan nodded and took the Wooden Token.

She was now cultivating the Beiyin Seven True Soul Refining Skill, part of the Beiyin Fengdu Technique. Her Divine Soul was pure, and her Yin Qi now carried the distinct aura of the Taoist Sect, allowing her to control the Daluo Palace’s Mountain Protection Array.

Gu Zhao slowly ascended, hovering in mid-air shoulder-to-shoulder with Taoist Ming Yu.

At the same moment, a transparent barrier materialized. The Dragon-locking Light Curtain, now working in reverse, enveloped the entire Daluo Palace, protecting it from outside enemies and their Magic.

The four Star Officials—Huang Yuan, He Feng, Yang Chi, and Lu Yue—stood at the edge of the light curtain, ready to provide support at a moment’s notice.

"This yellow smoke bewilders the soul. It’s the same thing Martial Brother Jing Feng encountered. This is a technique of the Yellow Heaven Altar." Taoist Ming Yu’s eyes narrowed. "They waited two months to show up; they must be confident in something."

Gu Zhao nodded. He then saw the yellow lights draw near and reveal two figures. Floating amidst the billowing yellow smoke, they looked like deities descended to the mortal world.

One was powerfully built, with the back of a tiger and the waist of a bear. He stood nine feet tall, with thick eyebrows and large eyes.

The other was petite and exquisitely curved, standing only four feet tall, with a charming and seductive allure.

"No wonder they had the skill to wipe out the Golden Wind Sect. So, it turns out they have two experts here," the Yellow Heaven Ancestor said with a nod, his voice gruff.

Madam Huang looked the two of them up and down. "They’re both Mages. The Ghost Gods they’re in Harmony with are likely hidden within their Bodies."

The Yellow Heaven Ancestor took a porcelain vial from his robes and uncorked it. "I’ll force them out."

In the next moment, an endless torrent of yellow smoke poured from the vial. In the blink of an eye, it blotted out the sky, surging toward Gu Zhao and Taoist Ming Yu and simultaneously blanketing the entire Daluo Palace.

At the same time, the Yellow Heaven Ancestor began to chant a Curse Technique. Countless venomous insects and ferocious beasts materialized within the yellow smoke, baring their fangs and claws at Gu Zhao and Taoist Ming Yu while simultaneously lunging for their Sea of Divine Soul Consciousness.

Taoist Ming Yu formed a Hand Technique, and the Golden Light Divine Curse immediately enveloped his entire body in a protective ward.

Gu Zhao also used the Golden Light Curse as a Protective Body spell. As he formed his own series of hand seals, Five-Colored Thunderclouds began to form above the yellow smoke. "Excellent," he said. "I like it when they don’t waste time with words."