Yellow Court Daoist
Chapter 502 - 476: General Ding Vows to Protect the Law with His Life!

East Xian State.

A gap of fifty thousand years.

East Xian State had long since been assimilated; the Yu Mountain Sect had completely merged with the Shang River, and its three True Immortals had each become gods of the river. Among them, Tongxuan True Immortal and Rong Hong True Immortal perished ten thousand years ago—one from the exhaustion of their Life Span, the other slain by Heavenly Tribulation.

Only Guangning True Immortal remained.

However, as the old saying goes, new generations replace the old. In recent years, there have been up-and-coming talents from the Yu Mountain Sect whose careers skyrocketed. One such representative is the Sect Leader of the Yu Mountain, Luo Fuzi.

Ninety-nine Three Light Heavenly Xin Swords.

They instilled such terror in the demons from the eastern region of East Xian State that they trembled at the mere mention of them, forging a formidable reputation.

Leading the Yu Mountain Sect, they continuously fought against the remnants of the Eastern Realm Blood Spring Demon Sect and demons from the Tongling Wujimen without rest.

On this day.

At the border between the eastern and western realms, in a chaotic area where the Yu Mountain Sect and demons clashed violently.

A sudden gust of black wind.

Lu Qingfeng landed at the peak of one of the mountains.

"Uncle."

Ao Jun was the first to come forward; upon seeing Lu Qingfeng, he breathed a sigh of relief. Noticing Lu Qingfeng's haste, he couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, has something happened?"

He had his suspicions.

Some days ago.

Lu Qingfeng took Ao Le, Lu Xiao, and Lu Yao to Tianshu Mansion, leaving Ao Jun to take care of them. Three days ago, he then had Ao Jun bring the trio to East Xian State.

It genuinely made Ao Jun puzzled.

Even more incomprehensible was why his uncle, with his lofty standing both inside and outside of Shang River, would be so cautious?

"This is a long story."

"First, you should refine this treasure."

Lu Qingfeng turned his hand and took out a green and red bracelet that emitted a green and red halo. Mortals could not discern its profundity, but Ao Jun, being a Mahayana True Immortal, recognized its significance with one glance—his eyes widened in shock.

"An Immortal Artifact?!"

Vibrant with profound energy and containing Pure Yang within.

Although Ao Jun had never seen one before, he had heard of them. How could he not recognize it? This green and red bracelet was indeed an Immortal Artifact!

"Uncle."

"This—"

Ao Jun swallowed hard.

This was what many Mahayana True Immortals dream of—an Immortal Artifact. Both inside and outside of Ancient Shang, there were few True Immortals in possession of Immortal Artifacts, but each one of them was an invincible existence within the True Immortal Realm.

Ao Jun was a True Immortal himself.

Yet, right now, he was still lingering in the First Realm, the Sensing Realm, and only through the Fallen Divine Light was he able to contend with those who had overcome Heavenly Tribulation or even those in the True Miao Realm. However, when facing truly top-notch True Immortal powerhouses, like those in the Refining Dao Realm, or those who possessed Immortal Artifacts or also wielded Divine Skills, it was still tremendously challenging.

He could barely manage to protect himself, but to contend against them was another story.

This showed the extraordinary value of an Immortal Artifact.

Yet now, his uncle was generously offering to let him refine an Immortal Artifact?!

Even Ao Jun.

Was somewhat stunned for a moment.

"You have a look."

Seeing his reaction, Lu Qingfeng flipped his palm over, revealing three strands of Pure Yang light circulating in his palm. Ao Jun peeked and suddenly gasped in shock; he stared at Lu Qingfeng, speechless, unable to utter half a word.

In his astonishment,

He heard Lu Qingfeng say, "I have just been to the West Sea, Shang River, and East Sea to extract the supreme treasures from the Three Great Dragon Palaces, and I snatched the Immortal Artifacts from the hands of the Three Great Earth Immortals. The Three Great Earth Immortals are now searching everywhere. To ensure safety, you should first refine this 'Wind and Fire Bracelet'. If later, your aunt achieves a breakthrough, and Earth Immortals come seeking, with this Magic Artifact, you'll also have the power to fight a battle."

Not seeking victory in battle,

But to buy some time.

...

To steal the supreme treasures from the Three Great Dragon Palaces!

To seize the Immortal Artifacts from the Three Great Earth Immortals!

His uncle was always unfathomable, but Ao Jun never imagined he would be so overbearingly powerful?!

"Hoo hoo!"

Ao Jun took a deep breath to suppress the shock in his heart. He took the 'Wind and Fire Bracelet' from Lu Qingfeng, exclaiming, "My aunt is truly fortunate to have married my uncle in this life!"

He agreed to it.

Lu Qingfeng smiled.

Ao Jun had grown up under the care of Ao Le and was extremely close to him. He regularly received guidance from Lu Qingfeng and also received various Magic Gates, Magic Artifacts, and powerful Divine Skills like Fallen Divine Light, which fostered deep respect for Lu Qingfeng.

He feared neither the Shang River, nor the Earth Immortals.

Something Lu Qingfeng had anticipated.

"Just refine it discreetly."

"I will first use 'Dragon Gate' to assist your aunt's cultivation. If she can break through, that would naturally be excellent. But you must keep it discreet, and if you hold the Immortal Artifact without revealing it, there is no need to worry about the Earth Immortals finding out."

"But if it fails."

"I'll have to merge the Three Treasures into one, and return them to their original state. At that moment, with the Spiritual Treasure completed, the Three Great Earth Immortals of the Dragon Clan will instantly sense it and will surely attack together. Then you will need to use the Immortal Artifact to resist for a moment."

Lu Qingfeng explained to Ao Jun.

This second scenario was also the worst. Once the Three Great Treasures are combined to form a complete 'Dragon Transformation Pond', the disturbance would be so great that it might not just be the Three Great Earth Immortals of the Dragon Clan who respond. Even those outside of the Dragon Clan, the Heavenly Court, demons, and various powerhouses from inside and outside of Ancient Shang might be alerted.

Lu Qingfeng wasn't sure he could defend against them.

"I will do my utmost!" Ao Jun replied in a solemn voice, then frowned, "However, with me alone, even if only the Earth Immortals from Shang River, West Sea, and East Sea come, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold them off for long. It is a minor concern if I'm defeated, but if my aunt's ascension is disrupted, that would be a major issue."

His words were indeed true.

But Lu Qingfeng was already prepared.

Before Ao Jun could finish, a general with a dragon-like stride and a tiger's steps arrived from beyond the mountains. The general's face bore a scar and he carried a Turtle-Backed Alligator Dragon Spear; a red gourd hung from his back.

Ao Jun recognized him at a glance, "General Zhang Shu!"

"Hail to the king!"

The visitor bowed deeply to Lu Qingfeng, with considerable respect, then lifted his head, his face full of determination—it was Zhang Shu!

"This time, I'm afraid it is General Zhang who will be implicated."

Lu Qingfeng looked at Zhang Shu and spoke.

"If today I can serve Your Majesty, I am willing to walk through fire and water, and even such cannot repay your kindness!" Zhang Shu's voice was resonant, echoing as it fell, he said solemnly, "Your Majesty, just give your command, and I shall not shy away from death!"

In the past, Zhang Shu was but an unaccomplished flank general in the mortal realm. It was only upon arriving at Yuan Lake and taking his place under Lu Qingfeng's command, that he started to make his mark. Lu Qingfeng first entrusted him with command over three thousand Fire Crow Soldiers, and later imparted the cultivation method of 'Fire Crow Daoist Soldiers' wholeheartedly, as well as the 'Five Thunder Heart Sutra' and the divine skill of 'Little Thousand Thunder Prison.'

Only then did Zhang Shu achieve the status of a True Immortal, capable of traversing heaven and earth. His power even surpassed that of Ao Jun.

Ordinary people all think that within the Investigation God Monarch Guang Yuan's line, Ao Jun holds the greatest strength and influence. Yet few know that this 'Qingling Yangwei Five Thunder Marshal' is the genuine formidable force, reigning supreme across Ancient Shang Heaven and Earth, commanding three thousand Fire Crow Soldiers. Since his ascension, he has never been defeated.

"High righteousness, General Zhang!"

Lu Qingfeng knew Zhang Shu's character well, which is why he had summoned him. Hearing his words, he praised loudly and reached into the void, handing over a white jade ruler to Zhang Shu.

Zhang Shu reached out to receive it, "This is—"

Sensing the Pure Yang, even the normally indifferent Zhang Shu couldn't help but widen his eyes like Ao Jun did before, "An Immortal Artifact?!"

"Indeed!"

Lu Qingfeng immediately recounted what he had previously discussed with Ao Jun to Zhang Shu.

Holding the 'Nine Heavens White Jade Ruler', Zhang Shu declared solemnly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I shall fight to the death to protect!"

"Good!"

Lu Qingfeng felt relieved in his heart.

Zhang Shu was known as a subordinate, but over the years Lu Qingfeng had come to regard him as a disciple. He generously imparted his cultivation methods and divine skills, often giving guidance and enlightenment to help enhance his cultivation.

Otherwise.

Even with Zhang Shu's remarkable talents, at best he could have reached the Fourth Realm, and even attaining that level would have been difficult. He would have already fallen into the cycle of reincarnation.

"Excellent!"

"With General Zhang here, it's much more secure!"

Ao Jun said joyfully by the side.

He knew Zhang Shu's strength and that the Fire Crow Gourd on his back housed three thousand Fire Crow Soldiers, renowned as top-rank Daoist Soldiers in the whole Ancient Shang Region. With them, he could traverse the universe unchallenged, making demons and monsters fearful. His mastery of Thunder Skill was immense, and with his spear, he could command the Thunder Prison, making it difficult for ordinary True Immortals to match him.

If he could also refine and master this 'Nine Heavens White Jade Ruler' designed for trapping opponents, his power would be unrivaled among True Immortals, approaching that of the ancient Earth Immortals.

Zhang Shu nodded slightly towards Ao Jun, but in his heart, he wasn't optimistic. Looking up at Lu Qingfeng, he said, "Your Majesty will be protecting Hall Officer God Monarch during his breakthrough and cannot intervene. If the Three Great Earth Immortals were to attack, I can hold off one of them, and General Ao can hold off another, but it's still not very secure."

Zhang Shu frowned and gestured to the north, hesitantly saying, "Luo Fu of Yu Mountain shares some origins with Your Majesty, and there have been some interactions over the years, I wonder if he can be trusted."

He had followed Lu Qingfeng for more than fifty thousand years, loyal and trusted, a true confidant.

Ao Jun was the nephew of Ao Le, whom Lu Qingfeng had watched grow up and also given guidance and teachings, and therefore could be trusted.

But beyond that.

Thinking for Lu Qingfeng, Zhang Shu realized that the only person of use at the moment who could be fully trusted seemed to be the Sect Leader of Yu Mountain.

"Yu Mountain Luo Fu?"

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

Luo Fuzi was his clone, naturally fully trustworthy. But since his main body was the 'Three Light Heavenly Xin Sword,' he could not refine other magic artifacts. Without refining, even wielding the 'Golden Light Sword' would have some power, but to contend against Earth Immortals, the disparity was too great.

"Then—"

Zhang Shu furrowed his brows in thought, considering all the True Immortals either allied with him or connected with Lu Qingfeng, but he could not find a second person to fill the role.

Ao Jun also frowned.

Not to mention the Earth Immortals.

Just facing off against the massive forces of Shang River, West Sea, and East Sea would be enough to deter regular Mahayana True Immortals, who might even flee to report the situation at the first opportunity.

Let alone asking them to come forward and take on the invincible Earth Immortals.

Both of them looked towards Lu Qingfeng, only to see a young man wearing a Thunder Dao Robe striding forward in the distance.

…

Dong Xian State.

The Blood Sea churned with waves.

Blood tides rolled from all directions, setting up layers of formations, concealing all movements. Above the Blood Sea, Ao Jun, Zhang Shu, and the youth marked with a thunder imprint on his forehead each sat cross-legged, refining the Immortal Artifacts in their hands.

Below the earth.

Lu Qingfeng sat cross-legged.

In the distant space in front of him, a splendid gateway shimmered with golden light, towering like the Heavenly Gate, majestic and imposing. Within the Blood Sea, dragons coiled. True Dragons swam in the Blood Sea, continually gathering strength and fermenting.

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

One month.

Two months.

Three months.

Half a year went by in an instant, and the vaguely visible True Dragon in the Blood Sea finally moved.

Lu Qingfeng's eyes suddenly snapped open, revealing a profound light.

He saw—

The True Dragon thrashed its tail and suddenly raised its head.

"Roar!"

Letting out a resounding dragon roar, it charged towards the grand gateway, as if attempting to leap over. Lu Qingfeng watched intently and breathlessly as the True Dragon leapt, mid-air as if facing countless obstructions, with myriad swords and blades falling upon its body, causing wounds to burst forth, and blood to rain down into the Blood Sea.

It was painful just to look.

Lu Qingfeng's eyelids twitched with an expression of anguish, yet he saw the True Dragon roar, each cry louder than the last, its scales almost stripped off, its flesh blurred with blood, a truly ghastly sight. Nevertheless, it endured the pain and leapt with all its might!

Boom!

With all its strength, the dragon indeed crossed the grand gateway.

Lu Qingfeng stepped forward and in an instant, arrived on the other side of the gateway. In the Blood Sea, the True Dragon writhed in agony. Lu Qingfeng reached out for a Spirit Pill, ground it into a powder, and sprinkled it onto the mangled body of the True Dragon.

Spirit light flickered.

The True Dragon plunged into the depths of the Blood Sea, then suddenly the sea parted, and a woman in a light purple dress emerged, beautiful and graceful.

It was Ao Le.