Yellow Court Daoist

"Pay homage to my teacher."

Above the Cloud Sky, beneath the Guang Hui tree, Lu Qingfeng bowed respectfully to Rong Hong True Immortal.

Rong Hong True Immortal looked at this disciple.

A hundred years had passed.

The aura emanating from this disciple had indeed changed significantly, seeming to contain complexities even he found difficult to grasp.

"It seems the gains in this century were not small."

Rong Hong True Immortal said with a smile.

"Few achievements have been made."

Lu Qingfeng responded humbly.

Master and disciple then conversed under the Guang Hui tree, Rong Hong True Immortal, drowning in neither leisure nor the drastic changes of the century, merely instructed the disciple in his cultivation.

Though this avatar of Lu Qingfeng needed no guidance in cultivation,

his true body was genuinely in the Primordial Spirit Realm and indeed had many cultivation dilemmas. Rong Hong, after all, was in the Mahayana realm and understood the profound principles well. Many of the complexities for Lu Qingfeng became transparent with just a slight hint from Rong Hong True Immortal.

After a full three hours.

"Not bad."

"Your progress is indeed significant."

"With such progress, the Divinity Transformation Realm is within reach."

Rong Hong True Immortal nodded continuously.

During the instruction, he also gained an understanding of this disciple's cultivation progress. To rise from a neophyte in the First Realm of Primordial Spirit to the threshold of Second Realm of Divinity Transformation in mere centuries was akin to a top-tier talent in Chun Shen Nine Provinces.

Thus,

it was indeed worthwhile cultivating and bringing him into the fold.

"Much appreciated to my teacher's guidance," Lu Qingfeng also wore a smile.

Rong Hong True Immortal waved his hand dismissively, not indulging in pleasantries with Lu Qingfeng and advised, "You've been in seclusion for a hundred years, unaware of the world's changes; take some time to understand them before re-engaging with the Sect's affairs."

"Yes.",

Lu Qingfeng agreed.

His 'seclusion' of a hundred years coincided with a crucial century when Chun Shen Nine Provinces merged into the Ancient Shang Region, with significant changes undoubtedly taking place which indeed required his attention.

Just as he was about to leave,

Rong Hong True Immortal called him back and asked, "I've heard that during your time at Min River, you formed quite a favorable private connection with Ao Zhan's son-in-law, Guang Yuan?"

"Back to my teacher."

"Guang Yuan, at that time the Yuan Lake Water Lord, I served under him for a hundred years at Yuan Lake before entering service under Min River Sect. He had an exceptional genius and a carefree nature, impeccable in his dealings and interactions; my relationship with him is quite good."

Lu Qingfeng was taken aback for a moment before responding reverentially.

"Impeccable in dealings and interactions?"

Rong Hong True Immortal heard this and shook his head, "Given that, I must remind you further, you are now the Sect Leader of Yu Mountain, and everything must prioritize Yu Mountain; do not act impulsively."

Having said this,

Rong Hong True Immortal closed his eyes without waiting for Lu Qingfeng to speak again, immersing himself in meditation.

"Disciple takes his leave."

Lu Qingfeng's brow furrowed slightly as he descended from the Cloud Sky.

...

"In the span of a hundred years."

"For my Yu Mountain Sect, there hasn't been much significant incidents."

'Reporting at the Jade Sun Hall, Yu Mountain Sect's Wind Rumor Mountain head, Chang Zhang, summaried the changes in the situation of the Yu Mountain Sect and Dong Xian State over the past century.

Overall,

Throughout this tumultuous century, the Yu Mountain Sect has begun to integrate into the Shang River Dragon Palace. Not only the Ancestors Tongxuan and Guangning have been divinely enthroned in Shang River Dragon Palace, but many others from our Sect in the stages of Primordial Spirit True One and Jiedan True Man have been ordained as gods. Though being newcomers, many hold powerless positions or serve in the Shang River Navy.

Regarding Dong Xian State.

A hundred years ago,

two old ancestors of the Blood Spring Demon Sect led to their own destruction, and thus the Sect collapsed and disintegrated. Heaven Suppressing Grand Marshal commanded the Heaven Suppressing Army to sweep clean the remnants of the Demon Sect across Dong Xian State, unleashing a bloody storm.

Yet before stability could be established, the South Sea Tongling Wujimen from Ancient Shang crossed into the region. True Immortals from the Sect ambushed Heaven Suppressing Army, forcefully occupying the eastern region of Dong Xian State.

Raising their arms, they rallied the remnants of Blood Spring Demon Sect and even demons from East Xiang State, East Chen State, and Wuwang Sea, growing a considerable force.

Confronting both Heaven Suppressing Army and Yu Mountain Sect.

Battles large and small continued, yet leveraging the chaos entrenched themselves into Dong Xian State, becoming exceedingly difficult to eradicate.

"Tongling Wujimen."

Lu Qingfeng nodded slightly.

This was a major Demon Sect from the Ancient Shang, far stronger than the Blood Spring Demon Sect. Established in the South Sea and standing off against one of the three great Immortal Sects of Ancient Shang Heavenly Court, the Green Sea Youxu Palace, demonstrated their capability.

Their engulfing of Chun Shen Nine Provinces this time.

Was a joint effort by the Three Great Dragon Palaces and the Heavenly Court, who took the initiative. Sects like Tongling Wujimen and other Demon Sects arrived a step late and though somewhat behind, also reaped substantial benefits.

"Any news from Min River?"

Lu Qingfeng pondered, once he grasped the general situation of Yu Mountain Sect and Dong Xian State, he asked about the news concerning Min River.

The final admonition from Rong Hong True Immortal left him somewhat uneasy.

Chang Zhang was a lean old man, his eyes shimmering with spirit light.

As if he anticipated that Lu Qingfeng would ask this, he replied without a moment's thought, "The situation in Dong Xian State gradually stabilized, currently only occupied by the Heaven Suppressing Army. Temporary levies like Min River and Wujiang Naval forces have returned to Ancient Shang, each to their positions. However, concerning Min River—"

"How so?"

Lu Qingfeng maintained his expression but fixed his gaze solidly on Chang Zhang.

"Min River—"

Chang Zhang paused momentarily, shaking his head, "A disciple of Min River Dragon Lord, named Chi Bai, not only defected to the Demon Sects of Beiming State but also killed the son of Wujiang Dragon Lord."

"I am aware of this. The Great Marshal himself ruled on this matter; it was already disclosed."

Lu Qingfeng's voice was low, "Could there be new complications?"

He frowned inwardly.

This shouldn't be happening.

Min River had a close relationship with him, and the Heaven Suppressing Grand Marshal had personally handled this matter, there should be no vacillations.

Chang Zhang gave a bitter smile upon hearing this, "The Sect Leader is unaware. This incident indeed surfaced long ago, but fifty years ago, within Min River, there emerged a person who allied with demons, holding deep ties with the Min River lineage and even surpassing Chi Bai. Enraged, the Grand Marshal demoted Ao Zhan, who had just reclaimed his title as Dragon Lord, to the position of Wujiang Dragon Lord of the Poison Dragon Pond in East Chen State, having him and his entire household, including three sons and a daughter, assume their new duties there."

"Poison Dragon Pond in East Chen State?"

Lu Qingfeng's brow lifted, his mind flashing with an image of a land far worse than any part of Dong Xian State or the Southern Territory—

Where the Poison Dragon wreaked havoc, demons ran rampant, and Demon Kings abounded—it was truly a land of inhospitable mountains and rivers.

Not to mention its status was far beneath that of Min River.

Merely considering that Min River was affluent and situated in Ancient Shang Region, where it had been managed for a long time and was relatively stable, while the Poison Dragon Pond was in East Chen State, where the situation was chaotic and demons emerged relentlessly, making the dangers there indescribable to outsiders.

The decline from Min River to Poison Dragon Pond was more than vast.

Aside from his family, without any subordinates or officials to follow, it's akin to starting from scratch, making the endeavor even more difficult.

...

"Le'er."

Above the Wuwang Sea amidst the Nine Heavens Gang Wind.

A figure dashed swiftly through the wind, heading directly west before suddenly changing direction and streaking towards the south, towards East Chen State.

Amidst the Gang Wind, the features of this person were revealed.

Wearing a Wolong Crown and clad in a Water Merging Daoist Robe.

A yellow silk belt tied around his waist and stepping in vibrant Cloud Shoes.

His appearance was dignified, exuding the presence of a sage.

It was none other than Lu Qingfeng.

"East Chen State"

"Poison Dragon Pond."

Lu Qingfeng rode the Gang Wind at incredible speed.

With urgency blazing in his heart, he headed straight for East Chen State without any pause.

...

East Chen State.

This state is located to the south of Dong Xian State.

Crossing the majority of Wuwang Sea would bring one to East Chen State.

It is said that many years ago, before East Chen State was named as such, it faced a great calamity that caused the land to sink, thus it was renamed 'East Chen State.'

To this day.

East Chen State remains the most dilapidated among the Chun Shen Nine Provinces, with its territory fragmented and full of desolate mountains and rivers. A hundred years ago, before the Shang River Navy had arrived, it was a divide between the Returning Truth Sect and the Golden Lotus Sect.

A century has passed.

Due to the involvement of the Tongling Wujimen, the initially doomed Golden Lotus Sect, consolidating with the Tongling Wujimen, firmly holds the eastern and northern territories of East Chen State, commanding great influence.

Below the Shang River, the Heaven Suppressing Army is the strongest, attacking Dong Xian State.

The Breaking Demon Army and Earth Suppressing Army combined their forces to attack East Chen State.

Initially.

With the Yu Mountain faction surrendering in Dong Xian State, the Heaven Suppressing Army effortlessly conquered half of the territory even having the capacity to assist the Breaking Demon Army and Earth Suppressing Army to easily seize East Chen State.

However, firstly, two True Immortals from the Blood Spring Demon Sect, attempting to overturn the Blood Sea, delayed for three years. Then the arrival of the Tongling Wujimen entangled the Heaven Suppressing Army.

Resulting in a favorable situation becoming stalemated.

In the midst of East Chen State, the combined forces of the Breaking Demon Army and Earth Suppression Army occupy the entirety of the Western Realm and half of the Northern Realm.

Confronting both the Golden Lotus Sect and Tongling Wujimen.

Two tigers in conflict.

The barely sustaining Returning Truth Sect, though ravaged by war and countless cultivators perished, significantly weakening its strength, managed to survive in this predicament instead of facing a fate like the Yu Mountain faction that submitted to the Shang River—where both ancestor masters were divinely enthroned, and much of the faction's fate was swallowed by the Shang River Dragon Palace.

Though they managed to preserve themselves, escaping the trap in the future would be extremely difficult.

In comparison, it can only be said each made their own choices. However, in the long run, the Returning Truth Sect still has a higher prospect of achieving prominence like the Tongling Wujimen and Green Sea Youxu Palace.

"Tongling Wujimen and Shang River Dragon Palace each occupy the eastern and western territories of East Chen State, monopolizing the northern territories of East Chen State."

"Returning Truth Sect holds its ground in the southern territory of East Chen State."

"Yet, Poison Dragon Pond is at the intersection of the east, south, and west territories, making it a particularly complex and dangerous area."

The more Lu Qingfeng thought about the situation in East Chen State, the more anxious he became.

He maximized his tunneling light speed.

In just a moment, he covered thousands of miles.

Soon.

He set foot in East Chen State, with the Poison Dragon Pond in sight.

...

Poison Dragon Pond.

This place featured crisscrossing mountain ranges and rivers, and the terrain was extremely complicated. Due to the earlier land sinking of East Chen State, it created a pond of murky and malignant waters, dubbed a 'pond' but more akin to an unfathomable abyss with immeasurable water depths.

Even Primordial Spirit Practitioners find it difficult to explore the depths of this malignant pond.

At some unknown time.

A Poison Dragon arrived in this malignant pond, its roars gathering demons, earning the pond its name, 'Poison Dragon Pond.'

With this malignant pond as the center, the surrounding complex terrain was collectively referred by the outside world as Poison Dragon Pond.

Decades ago.

As the situation in East Chen State stabilized slightly, the Shang River Breaking Demon Army, Earth Suppression Army, South Sea Tongling Wujimen, and East Chen State Returning Truth Sect all began to fortify their rear and gradually extend their territories pushing outwards.

Whilst the Poison Dragon Pond, being a land of desolate mountains and waters, lay strategically at the intersection of three territories, it attracted a three-way dispute.

Considering the Poison Dragon that occupied the area for an unclear number of years, there were a total of four factions involved.

From the Shang River side.

It was the erstwhile Min River Dragon Lord, and now the Poison Dragon Pond Water Monarch—

Ao Zhan!