Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 272 - 255 Sibling Reunion [Seeking Monthly Pass!]
"Proactive action is indeed necessary."
"The White Bone Demon Sect deliberately spreading the news is clearly intended to destabilize the internal and external affairs of the Xuanyuan Sect, highlighting their intention to initiate war. In this situation, the Xuanyuan Sect taking the initiative to wage war not only dispels the rumors and stabilizes the morale of their forces but also aims to reclaim the 'Three Talents Clearing Circle.'"
Of course.
There's another reason: everyone outside believes that the two Supreme Elders of the Xuanyuan Sect are gravely injured, and now the Xuanyuan Sect has found a cure. An unexpected strike could potentially remove the thorn in their side that is the White Bone Demon Sect!
"White Bone Demon Sect."
"Heavenly Travel Mountain."
"Xuanyuan Sect."
Demon, monster, and righteous paths, three legs of a tripod, mutually balancing each other.
Just as the two Supreme Elders of the Xuanyuan Sect interrupted the White Bone Demon Sect True Man refining treasures without a second thought, causing a ruckus. The White Bone Demon Sect having seized a vital treasure of the Xuanyuan Sect and seeing the only two Gathering Law Realm True Men of the Xuanyuan Sect seriously injured, would not miss this rare opportunity to kick an opponent while they're down.
War between the two sects is inevitable.
It's better for the Xuanyuan Sect to strike than to be passive.
"Is the 'Three Talents Clearing Circle' really that important?" Lu Qingyu didn't understand.
"This is the Xuanyuan Sect's first-ranked treasure. The combination of Heavenly Phenomenon, Earth Spirit, and Material God as one, its power can even match a Seventh-Order Magical Artifact. Now that two parts are missing, with only 'Material God' remaining in the hands of the Sect Leader True Man, how could the sect willingly accept this?"
Lu Qingfeng shook his head.
The loss of a vital treasure dealt a heavy blow to the Xuanyuan Sect. Recapturing the 'Heavenly Phenomenon' and 'Earth Spirit' treasures would be even more difficult.
After hearing this, Lu Qingyu finally understood why her elder brother was certain that a battle was coming, and her expression changed slightly, "With the two sects at war, as an Alchemist, big brother doesn't need to fight, right?"
"No need."
"The Xuanyuan Sect has not yet come to the point where Alchemists need to fight on the front lines."
Lu Qingfeng smiled.
The benefits of studying Artifact Refining and Alchemy were apparent at this time.
Disciples from Jade Pillar Peak and Silver Frost Peak would inevitably have to join the battle with the Demon Sect once it begins. Even disciples from other halls would need to rush to the front lines.
Only the Artifact Making Hall and Combined Pill Hall would remain inactive, where Artifact Refiners and Alchemists could stay in the sect to refine artifacts and alchemy.
Even if the Xuanyuan Sect were to be destroyed, these two halls would be the last to fall.
"That's good."
Lu Qingyu, upon hearing this, finally smiled.
"But—"
"With the war between the Xuanyuan Sect and White Bone Demon Sect, the two realms will surely be in chaos, and all sorts of evil creatures will emerge. At that time, even Gathering Immortal Island might not be safe, and your second brother, living in a remote area like the Juyun Mountain Range, might not be secure either."
Lu Qingfeng's expression became slightly solemn.
The Xuanyuan Realm had always been suppressed by the Xuanyuan Sect, keeping demons and monsters at bay; even if they appeared, they would only cause minor troubles and not dare to flaunt their presence. Once war breaks out, the Xuanyuan Sect's focus would be entirely on the White Bone Demon Sect, and their control over the Xuanyuan Realm would inevitably slacken.
One thing leads to another.
Without peace in the Xuanyuan Realm, the Juyun Mountain Range could not expect to remain unaffected.
"Do we have to hide again?"
Lu Qingyu's large eyes stared at Lu Qingfeng.
"Not this time."
Lu Qingfeng's expression froze for a moment, and he quickly waved his hands.
"No need?"
"Then—"
Now it was Lu Qingyu's turn to be surprised.
Isn't it that every time there is danger, the first step is to hide and wait for the situation to calm down?
"In a few days, follow me to the Luoxia Sect," Lu Qingfeng changed the subject and stated directly.
"Okay."
"It's been a long time since I've seen second brother."
Lu Qingyu blinked and nodded her head in agreement.
...
Juyun Mountain Range.
Since years ago, when sects like the Red Rainbow Sect, Demon Extermination Castle, and Golden Wave Sect were successively wiped out or declined, the Luoxia Sect has become the sole power.
They were coveted by external enemies.
Unexpectedly, first, the Guest Minister Elder from the Luoxia Sect, renowned as 'Dan and Artifact Double Extreme' in the Juyun Mountain Range, Lu Qingfeng, was inducted into the Xuanyuan Sect as a True Inheritor. Then, Sect Master Zhou Yuan of the Luoxia Sect returned, accompanied by three Spirit Void Practitioners, to be stationed at Luoxia Sect up to this day.
Therefore.
The Luoxia Sect was stable, and foreign enemies dared not invade.
Within just three or four years, the Luoxia Sect secured a good part of the Juyun Mountain Range and brought under their control the cities managed by sects like the Red Rainbow Sect, significantly enhancing their foundation.
They gradually showed signs of arising.
One day.
Four yellow-robed cultivators were walking through the Juyun Mountain Range, each looking a bit
Lu Qingshan stood by, watching his three good friends, Feng White, Zhang Ye, and Qian Yunhai, discuss Foundation Establishment.
A touch of worry creased his brows.
Since leaving Crying Swamp and settling in Luoxia Sect, the blink of an eye turned into nine years. Six years ago, during Luoxia Sect's first minor tournament, Lu Qingshan had been recently promoted to the Third Level of the True Qi Realm.
Over six years have passed.
Lu Qingshan had grown more mature and steady, his face firm with determination. Battling demons and roaming in the north and south away from his elder brother had forged a distinctly different temperament.
Carrying a long sword on his back, he strode with the might of a dragon and the steps of a tiger, fully integrating into the Cultivation World with a touch of vitality laced with traces of vicissitude.
On one hand, he tempered himself through adventures, and on the other, he cultivated diligently.
Unfortunately, limited by his Root Bone, it was just recently that he narrowly ascended to the Sixth Layer of the True Qi Realm. To reach the peak of the True Qi Realm and then challenge the Foundation Establishment would take at least another decade or more.
Lu Qingshan took each step steadily and did not envy Feng White and the others.
He lowered his head, lost in thought about the rumors he had heard these past days—
"In Juyun Mountain Range, right on the edge of Xuanyuan Realm, the frequency of Demon Dao cultivators appearing in the past two months has been far higher than before. It seems the rumors are true. The two Supreme Elders of Xuanyuan Sect have been gravely injured by the northern Demon Sect. A great battle is imminent, which is why these demons and monsters have grown so brazen."
"I wonder how my elder brother and Qingyu are doing."
The White Bone Demon Sect had intentionally spread the news of the Xuanyuan Sect's two Supreme Elders' severe injuries throughout every nook and cranny of Xuanyuan Realm, not even sparing the Juyun Mountain Range. Lu Qingshan was well-informed as he traveled the outside world. He had personally felt the increase in demon activities recently, sensing an air of impending chaos.
He couldn't help but worry about his elder brother and sister far away in Xuanyuan Sect.
As he pondered.
The Jinyun Peak came into view ahead.
"Jinyun Peak seems especially lively today."
Qian Yunhai remarked in surprise as he looked at the bustling Jinyun Peak.
Lu Qingshan looked up to see that Jinyun Peak was indeed livelier than usual, with every disciple wearing an expression of excitement and agitation.
Zhang Ye was about to pull aside a disciple to ask what was happening when suddenly, a loud call came from the side entrance—
"Deng Zhuo of the Ice Jade Sect, has come to pay respects to Master Lu."
"Yu Sheng from Canghai Palace, has come to pay respects to Master Lu."
"Liu Qing from Feihua Pavilion, has come to pay respects to Master Lu."
One after another, three people stood respectfully outside the mountain gate, presenting their greeting cards.
"Ice Jade Sect."
"Canghai Palace."
"Feihua Pavilion."
These were all prominent Great Sects beyond the Juyun Mountain Range, all with strength that surpassed Luoxia Sect. Ice Jade Sect's Deng Zhuo, Canghai Palace's Yu Sheng, and Feihua Pavilion's Liu Qing were all well-known Spirit Void Practitioners, their fame no less than that of Sect Master Zhou Yuan.
They came together to pay a visit to the mountain?
"Master Lu!"
Feng Bai, Zhang Ye, and Qian Yunhai exchanged glances before turning to look at Lu Qingshan.
"My elder brother has returned."
Lu Qingshan looked towards the mountain peak, a glint of delight in his eyes.
…
Peak Rain Mountain.
"Elder brother, why have you returned?"
Reunited after a long separation, Lu Qingshan couldn't hide his joy, yet he asked.
"Of course, there's a matter to deal with. Otherwise, would we have come back specifically to see you?" Lu Qingyu remarked with a glance at her second brother, speaking crisply.
"Hehe."
Lu Qingshan grinned sheepishly, not minding the jest.
"It's been more than three years you didn't think to visit the Xuanyuan Water Realm once, and yet here you are laughing."
Lu Qingyu was indignant.
Hearing this, Lu Qingshan quickly pulled out a Jade Box from his storage bag and handed it to Lu Qingyu, "This is the Ice Night-blooming Cereus. It blooms every midnight and is very beautiful."
"Appealing yet useless."
Lu Qingyu said, but she stretched out her hand to take the Jade Box and couldn't resist opening it to look.
Inside, the buds of the Ice Night-blooming Cereus were waiting to blossom, crystal-like, with a faint fragrance of flowers. Even without blooming, it was already more exquisite than any ordinary flower.
"Beautiful."
Lu Qingfeng glanced at it and nodded in approval.
Lu Qingshan watched Qingyu, seeing the joy in her eyes, he smiled, "When midnight comes, the Ice Night-blooming Cereus will open against the night sky, even more beautiful, like an ice beauty."
"It can't be eaten or used."
Lu Qingyu closed the Jade Box and carefully placed it into her storage bag. Then she took out two Jade Pots from her storage bag and passed them to Lu Qingshan, pouting as she said, "This is Alcohol Liquid, top-notch wine from the Feather Immortal Pavilion. Juyun Mountain Range is too remote, you've definitely never tasted this before."
"Alcohol Liquid?"
Lu Qingshan took it and gulped down a mouthful.
"Delicious."
"Delicious."
Lu Qingshan's eyes lit up.
Indeed, the Alcohol Liquid was a rare fine drink, fragrant and tasty, and also highly priced.
For someone like Lu Qingshan to down a pot in one gulp would cost him seven hundred thirty Spirit Stones, which was the epitome of luxury. Even by Xuanyuan Realm's standards, a pot of Alcohol Liquid was worth one and a half Spirit Stones, still a luxury for a True Qi Realm cultivator.
But Qingyu had stumbled upon a great bargain and was happy to share with her second brother without any reluctance.
Only after Lu Qingshan finished drinking did she casually reveal the true value of the Alcohol Liquid and how 'wisely' she had found this bargain.
"Burp!"
"So expensive?!"
Lu Qingshan let out a burp, his eyes bulging wide. Lu Qingyu, seeing his reaction, looked even more pleased with herself.
…