Yellow Court Daoist

Deep underground.

The Iron Wire Centipedes, utterly unaware, allowed twelve streams of white vapor to howl towards them.

The dragons breathed and the tigers opened their mouths.

Caught off guard, the twelve Iron Wire Centipedes were swallowed, entwining with one another.

Lu Qingfeng held a bamboo cane in one hand and continuously formed Seal Techniques with the other, casting talismans that wove into a formation descending upon the struggling Iron Wire Centipedes, which gradually lost their resistance. The dragons and tigers, initially formed from white vapor, began to contain themselves, transforming into wisps of white smoke that penetrated the bodies of the Iron Wire Centipedes from all over.

Panting heavily!

The twelve Iron Wire Centipedes, exhibiting a remarkably humanlike fatigue, suddenly grew in size, expanding from seven inches to nine. The iron lines on their backs elongated and thickened, progressively covering their backs.

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

Lu Qingfeng, delighted, immediately changed the Seal Technique. The twelve Iron Wire Centipedes, enveloped in white smoke like clouds and fog, suddenly flew out from the ground.

Lu Qingfeng did not stop.

The Golden Pattern Bamboo Stick hovered in the air, his fingers flicking rapidly as if embroidering, casting a flow of mysterious lights that showered upon the struggling Iron Wire Centipedes.

After about half an hour.

Twelve orbs of faint light were separated from within the bodies of the Iron Wire Centipedes.

Jing Zhan, who had been watching intently, finally couldn't help but speak up, "Elder Changqing, Iron Wire Centipedes are extraordinary creatures of heaven and earth, capable of competing with the Primordial Spirit True One when nurtured properly. Why strip them of their Divine Souls?"

Jing Zhan was indeed feeling a great loss.

In the presence of this Daoist Changqing, he could neither steal away the Iron Wire Centipedes nor harbor other thoughts. However, seeing the valuable Iron Wire Centipedes forcibly stripped of their Divine Souls and thus robbed of their limitless potential by Lu Qingfeng, pained him.

Lu Qingfeng, however, paid him no heed.

Carefully extracting the Divine Souls of the Iron Wire Centipedes, he waved his sleeve, scattering them into the cycle of reincarnation.

Though the Divine Souls were gone.

The Iron Wire Centipedes still held a vitality, now reduced to their savage instincts.

Struggling fiercely.

But Lu Qingfeng's methods were profoundly mysterious.

"Ha!"

Lu Qingfeng cast a Seal Technique, and the twelve Iron Wire Centipedes, as if smelling bloodshed, didn't hesitate and landed on Lu Qingfeng's Golden Pattern Bamboo Stick.

They each climbed and wrapped around the bamboo cane.

Golden light, faint light, and white light flashed together.

The next moment.

The Golden Pattern Bamboo Stick underwent a dramatic transformation. On it, strange talismans like climbing centipedes appeared. Counting them, there seemed to be twelve, lifelike.

"Success!"

Holding the bamboo cane, Lu Qingfeng couldn't help but show a joyful expression, "The 'Heavenly Centipede Bamboo Stick' of Heavenly Daoist and 'Golden Centipede Bamboo Stick' held by Yu Xiangzi of the Barbarian God Realm are both refined from twelve Iron-Backed Centipedes. The former was created by a Saint, possessing boundless might. The latter is based on Golden Pattern Water Bamboo, fed the essence blood of the Witch Clan day and night, fierce and equally formidable."

The bamboo cane in Lu Qingfeng's hand, while not made from Golden Pattern Water Bamboo.

The essence of the artifacts like the 'Heavenly Centipede Bamboo Stick' and 'Golden Centipede Bamboo Stick' lay in the twelve centipedes.

"Iron Wire Centipedes may not compare to Iron-Backed Centipedes, but placed in the Mortal Realm they are still exceptionally rare. I practice the 'Twelve Heavenly Demon God Skill', a fusion of witchcraft and Daoism, my essence blood is not inferior to ordinary Witch Clan. Nourished by my blood and the essence of the Twelve Demon Gods, the future of the Iron Wire Centipedes is boundless."

"This treasure's future power is also immeasurable."

Evaluating the bamboo cane in his hand, Lu Qingfeng's eyes shone brightly, "Since it is refined from Iron Wire Centipedes, let's call it 'Iron Centipede Bamboo Stick'."

After examining it.

Lu Qingfeng then placed the Iron Centipede Bamboo Stick into his Dantian.

Immediately, twelve Demon Gods gathered around, each exhaling essence qi, nourishing the bamboo cane in the middle. From within the bamboo cane, the twelve Iron Wire Centipedes poked their heads out, greedily devouring the essence qi of the Demon Gods.

The weakness from having their Divine Souls removed, was swiftly recovered.

"What a refined method of Artifact Refining."

Only then did Jing Zhan realize, Lu Qingfeng's removal of the Divine Souls of the twelve Iron Wire Centipedes was to refine the magical artifact. Without the interference of the Divine Souls, the artifact could be wielded like an extension of one's arm.

Although the limitless growth of the Iron Wire Centipedes was sacrificed, the aura of the bamboo cane seemed as profound as a typical Sixth or even Seventh Order Magical Artifact.

And this was just the beginning.

With further refining in the future, it might grow into a top-tier artifact rarely seen even across the Three Mountains and Nine Waters.

"Not having the methods to control and cultivate the Iron Wire Centipedes, refining them into an artifact is indeed a fine choice."

Jing Zhan thought inwardly.

Still, looking at Lu Qingfeng, he felt it was a wasteful destruction of valuable resources.

Lu Qingfeng did not respond to Jing Zhan's thoughts.

He had stayed on Impermanence Island for three months, primarily waiting for the arrival of a True Primordial Spirit from Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Mountain. Unexpectedly, he encountered the ascension of the elder of the Xun Family from Qingmu Valley, and in the end, only Jing Zhan arrived.

A mere Golden Core Expert, not worth further words.

But it was indeed thanks to this man that he could so easily capture the Iron Wire Centipedes. Thus, flicking his finger, a spirit light fell in front of Jing Zhan.

"Is this—?"

Jing Zhan caught it, finding it to be a Spirit Pill.

"This is a Dustless Pill, greatly beneficial for the cultivation of Golden Core experts."

Lu Qingfeng explained briefly and then without further ado, he pointed his foot and transformed into a bolt of thunder, streaking away through the sky.

"A Dustless Pill?"

"A Sixth Order Spirit Pill!"

Jing Zhan, sensing the aura contained within the Spirit Pill in his hand, his eyes brightened. A Sixth Order Spirit Pill was rare; even for Sixth Order Alchemists, the success rate of refinement was not high.

Lu Qingfeng casually giving him one was indeed a tremendous surprise.

Just as he was about to thank him.

He saw Lu Qingfeng had already transformed into thunder and was far gone.

"Elder Changqing—"

Jing Zhan hurriedly called out.

Just when the Iron Wire Centipedes interrupted him, he had yet to state his purpose. With this Daoist Changqing being elusive, if he missed this chance, upon returning to his sect, he likely wouldn't escape reprimand from the two Ancestor Masters.

Amidst the vexation,

lightning flashed across the sky and a voice resounded—

"The Annihilation Divine Sect acts unfairly. If the Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Mountain is too preoccupied, they might as well send their Golden Core Cultivators to the Fiery Fire Island in the Illusion Wave Sea. I, the poor Daoist, shall discipline them on their behalf!"

As the voice faded, the lightning thoroughly vanished.

"Many thanks, Elder Changqing!"

Upon hearing this, Jing Zhan finally sighed in relief.

...

Illusion Wave Sea.

Tian A Island.

This was a medium-sized island, roughly twenty to thirty miles in radius, located close to Fiery Fire Island.

In the past years.

Due to the Fiery Fire Wanderer residing on Fiery Fire Island, there was much upheaval in the Illusion Wave Sea. However, since the Fiery Fire Wanderer repelled the three great Golden Core experts from the Annihilation Divine Sect, the Illusion Wave Sea had become a relatively peaceful place among the Three Realms.

Tian A Island, bordering Fiery Fire Island, also became a sanctuary for many cultivator seeking stability to meditate and cultivate.

Over the decades, it transformed from a rather barren island into a bustling one with a large market town.

Tian A Square.

Within a courtyard of this market town,

Little Changsheng played on a wooden horse, while Lu Qingshan and Xu Mi sat with troubled expressions, frequently glancing towards the courtyard door.

Creak.

The gate was pushed open from outside, and Lu Qingyu strode in.

"Auntie."

Riding the wooden horse, Little Changsheng saw his aunt return, cheerfully called out, and swiftly dismounted, running over to Lu Qingyu.

"Here."

Lu Qingyu bent down and handed a candied haw to Little Changsheng, then ruffled his hair and smiled, "Go play by yourself."

"Thank you, Auntie."

With a joyful thank you, Little Changsheng took the candied haw and went back to riding his wooden horse. Lu Qingyu, possessing numerous Spiritual Medicines, wasn't worried about him falling or getting the candied haw stick lodged in his throat.

Seeing her lively and well-behaved nephew, she couldn't help smiling and turned to walk towards Lu Qingshan and Xu Mi.

"Qingyu, what have you found out?"

Lu Qingshan, somewhat anxious, couldn't help but ask.

Xu Mi also looked at Lu Qingyu.

"Second sister-in-law, don't worry."

Lu Qingyu did not look at her brother Lu Qingshan but only smiled at Xu Mi, saying, "I just went out to inquire around, and finally, there's news from the north. It's said that the Fiery Fire Wanderer has wreaked havoc in the Annihilation Divine Sect, slaying the Nine Elders of Annihilation and all the nineteen undefeatable warriors. Following that, Changqing Daoist arrived, and the two had a grand battle. Some say Changqing Daoist won, others say the Fiery Fire Wanderer won. Given the great distance, after multiple recounts, it's hard to judge."

Listening, Xu Mi's eyes widened with surprise as she heard the first part.

Hard to imagine.

How Lu Qingfeng managed to overturn the entire Annihilation Divine Sect by himself, and even slaughtered the Nine Great Golden Core experts and nineteen thousand undefeatable warriors.

In the midst of surging emotions.

Her heart had not yet settled when the latter part abruptly shot up to her throat.

She couldn't help furrowing her brows, asking, "Who is this Changqing Daoist, and how strong is he?"

Xu Mi hails from the Northern Realm of the Xia Guang Domain.

While both the White Bone Realm and the Xuanyuan Realm are in the Southern Territory of Xia Guang Domain.

The two are quite distant.

Xu Mi knew of the Fiery Fire Wanderer's name because he had battled with the Annihilation Divine Sect; first cutting down their two Gathering Law Realm True Men, then repelling three great Golden Core experts.

This is what made him famous far and wide, and even Xu Mi from the Northern Realm had heard of him.

But Changqing Daoist only wreaked havoc in the White Bone Realm, destroying White Bone Demon Sect and Tian You Mountain. At best, his fame spread within and around the Three Realms. However, far in Northern Realm, few had heard of the figure known as 'Changqing Daoist'.

Xu Mi naturally did not know.

She couldn't help feeling worried.

Beside, Lu Qingshan looked towards Qingyu, also somewhat hesitantly, "Qingyu, this Changqing Daoist—"

"Don't worry at all, second sister-in-law."

"Just trust that our brother always acts prudently. Since he has gone to the Annihilation Divine Sect, he will undoubtedly return safely."

Lu Qingyu reassured.

Immediately,

sweeping her sleeve over a nearby stone table, a jade pot and two wine cups appeared, as she smiled, "This is 'Flowers Brew' personally brewed by our brother, better than many fine wines of the Southern Territory. Try it, second sister-in-law, see if it compares to the Northern Territory's finest."

Saying this, Lu Qingyu filled two cups, pushing one towards Xu Mi and casually picked up one to drink it down in one go.

A look of enjoyment spread across her face.

Seeing Lu Qingyu's unconcerned expression, Xu Mi felt much more at ease.

No matter what,

her older brother went to the Annihilation Divine Sect on behalf of their family of three. If anything unfortunate happened, not to mention how to face Lu Qingshan in the future, but her own heart would never get past this barrier.

"He can even brew wine."

Xu Mi suppressed her anxious heart and, seeing that Lu Qingyu unheeded her brother's concerns and only took out two cups, she couldn't help casting a glance at Lu Qingshan with a slight smile.

Lu Qingshan had a wry smile.

He had always been unable to contend with his younger sister, and now that he was back he quickly married and had children. After coming back, Lu Qingyu was warm and close to Xu Mi and Little Changsheng, yet cold and distant towards him.

Clearly harboring resentment.

Lu Qingshan sat in silence, not daring to provoke Qingyu, still pondering, "I remember, isn't Changqing Daoist also our older brother? Why then did he fight with the Fiery Fire Wanderer?"

Puzzled.

Uncertain.

Suddenly,

Someone pushed the gate open from outside the courtyard. The three turned their heads to look, Qingshan and Xu Mi abruptly stood up, faces alert, while Qingyu remained seated, laughter escaping her—