Yellow Court Daoist

Huangfeng Ridge.

Heavenly phenomena come swiftly and depart just as quickly. Soon, the clouds dissipate, the thunder hides, the lightning vanishes, and the wind calms and the rain abates.

All returns to tranquility.

In the midst of the ridge.

Streams flow far, striking the rock walls, while mountain springs drip gently onto the sandy banks.

Clumps of wild clouds, blades of delicate grass.

By the entrance of a cave, green pines and bamboo cluster, amongst them stands a lush bamboo.

Whoosh!

Quivering and rustling, the bamboo reveals a spirit of joy.

During the swaying,

As the clouds above dissipate, the bamboo shoots up from the ground and leaps forth.

Whoosh, whoosh!

Amid the roaring wind,

It transforms in mid-air, instantly changing its appearance—

It takes the form of a child five or six years old, with a face like white jade, skin rosy and fair, radiating a healthy red through its whiteness. Clothed in green bamboo attire, barefooted, it carries an air of spirit.

Though small in stature, it possesses a tranquil and serene demeanor, with a scent of Dao and a hint of Zen.

Holding a green bamboo in its hand,

One glance reveals its extraordinariness.

Flipping through the air, landing barefooted, truly a lively child.

"After sixteen thousand years, finally transformed into form!"

Lu Qingfeng lands on the ground, raises his arms, seeing his small limbs, barely two feet six in height, tender and slightly childish.

Seeing such a form,

Even Lu Qingfeng can't help but laugh and cry.

Qingjing Method Bamboo measures time differently; three thousand years equates to one year, marking him at sixteen thousand years today, appearing as a child five or six years old.

"If Le'er sees this form, he's likely to laugh."

A look of frustration crosses Lu Qingfeng's face.

Thinking of Ao Le, he feels even his joy of becoming a True Immortal today dissipate. Recalling the past brings complex emotions and profound longing.

...

[You have died, and due to backlash, you cannot revive.]

[Please choose: Reincarnate on the current map/random map]

"Current map."

[Ding: Detecting deep merit from the player, a special opportunity is awarded.]

[Random opportunity.]

[Distributing random opportunity...]

[Random map.]

[Congratulations, you have reincarnated and are currently located in the Earth Immortal World, Nan Zhanbu Continent, Black Wind Mountain, transformed into 'Qingjing Method Bamboo'.]

...

Sixteen thousand years ago.

Lu Qingfeng perished in the Immortal Qin Realm, originally intending to reincarnate there, even arranging for Ao Le to meet him outside the Rebirth Pool after sixteen years.

Perhaps by the will of the Merit Bright Light, the system unexpectedly awarded him an opportunity. Regardless of whether Lu Qingfeng agreed, it bestowed it directly and randomly reincarnated him into the magnificent Earth Immortal World.

Now a stalk of 'Qingjing Method Bamboo'.

Lu Qingfeng longed to return to the Immortal Qin Realm but knew well the slim chance of randomly reincarnating back into the vast world. Thus, he suppressed his longing and concerns for Ao Le, dedicating himself to cultivation.

Calculating the time, this was his eighteenth life.

A rare change of pace.

He wasn't reincarnated from the Rebirth Pool or even as a member of the Human Clan, but directly became a stalk of Qingjing Method Bamboo in the Earth Realm of Black Wind Mountain.

However,

While still in the bamboo shoot stage, he was blessed by Black Wind Mountain's master, chosen to be one of the Western Buddha Sect's Eighteen Arhats, the Sitting Arhat.

Speaking of which, Lu Qingfeng even had a connection with this Sitting Arhat.

In the past,

In his thirteenth life, Lu Qingfeng reincarnated in the 'Black Star Realm'. He had heard that the Sitting Arhat debated the Dao with Yang Sen from the Nine Dragon Island Four Saints, each passing down their Daoist lineage.

The Great Xumi Mountain he encountered in the Fengyue Star was inherited from the Sitting Arhat's teachings.

Unexpectedly,

The mysteries of life.

After several cycles of life, he met this venerable Arhat in such a way.

Emerging from Black Wind Mountain, nurtured carefully by the Sitting Arhat, planted in the monastery garden. Day and night, he was irrigated with Spirit Water from the Eight Treasures Pool and continuously exposed to the recitation of Buddhist scriptures.

Although Lu Qingfeng was more inclined towards Daoist practices, he benefited substantially.

Four thousand years later,

A Green Fox under the Budai Arhat, taking advantage of when all the Venerables had left for the Tathagata's dharma assembly, sneaked into the monastery belonging to the Sitting Arhat and took Lu Qingfeng away with him.

They arrived at Huangfeng Ridge.

With his heart set on Ao Le, Lu Qingfeng devoted himself to intense cultivation, while using the mountain wind and vegetation to gather information about the Earth Immortal World and about Huangfeng Ridge.

Qingjing Method Bamboo is extraordinary.

Aiming to cultivate into an immortal, transforming into form was not an easy feat.

Only today did he finally succeed, now capable of traveling freely.

...

"I have Merit Bright Light within me, enjoying the opportunity to create transformations."

"Perhaps."

"Could the puppeteer behind this be intentionally selecting individuals endowed with merit to bolster their own fortunes?"

Lu Qingfeng, barefoot and holding a green bamboo, speculated.

As of today,

He could see that this 'Primordial' was indeed the true Primordial, and the interstellar federation was merely an opportunity granted by a Great Power from Primordial through a 'realistic online game' to guide them into cultivating in the Primordial world.

Individuals capable of such feats were scarce throughout Primordial.

Lu Qingfeng guessed extensively, yet he couldn't be sure.

However.

With only the cultivation level of a True Immortal, he needn't dwell on unnecessary worries.

Alas.

Such a reincarnation had let down Ao Le, making her wait in anguish within the Immortal Qin Realm.

"Le'er."

Thinking of Ao Le, Lu Qingfeng couldn't help but sigh, "Once banished to the Immortal Qin Realm, there is no way forward for an Earth Immortal. Many Earth Immortals have searched for a path for countless years without success. If Le'er and I do not wish to be trapped in the Immortal Qin Realm for life, we must eventually venture out in search of a method of transcendence. However—"

This abrupt reincarnation, without any preparation, left him wondering how heartbroken Ao Le would be.

Every time he thought about it, he was filled with worry and pity.

Eager to return to the Immortal Qin Realm as soon as possible.

"It's hard to find the Immortal Qin Realm."

"We need to think of a way."

Pulling his thoughts back, hiding the image deep in his mind, Lu Qingfeng pondered. For the past sixteen thousand years, apart from cultivating, he also contemplated how to find the Immortal Qin Realm.

He had come up with a few methods, but they needed to be carefully selected or tried one by one.

Fortunately, Ao Le had become an Earth Immortal and was not troubled by the end of her lifespan.

Lu Qingfeng was anxious, yet he did not lose his composure.

During his contemplation—

His expression remained calm.

Suddenly—

"Ha ha!"

"Congratulations, junior brother, on achieving True Immortal status and attaining great freedom!"

Outside the cave, two figures seemed to have been watching for some time.

As Lu Qingfeng just transformed and emerged, he strode forward like a shooting star.

One of them, clad in a monk's robe yet youthful in appearance, was strikingly handsome with an alluring charm that could captivate both men and women, turning them utterly disoriented. It appeared he practiced the great methods of Buddhism, and a faint glimmer of Buddha Light in his mind made his dignified appearance more solemn.

He was constantly playing with a yellowish-brown bead in his hands.

Seeing Lu Qingfeng's naive and foolish appearance, he couldn't help stepping forward, pinching Lu Qingfeng's cheek, and turning to the person next to him, laughing loudly, "The Qingjing Method Bamboo ages one year every three thousand years, our junior brother achieved True Immortal status in sixteen thousand years, which makes him just about five or six years old. He's hardly inferior to the infamous Saint Infant King!"

The person beside him—

With a golden helmet dazzling in the sun and golden armor gleaming with light. The helmet's plume fluttered bird-tail like, his robe covered with muted yellow armor. Colorful dragons adorned his armor, and the Heart Protecting Mirror around his eyes shone brilliantly. Deer leather boots, dyed with pagoda tree flowers; a brocade apron, adorned with willow leaves. Holding a three-pronged steel fork, his presence was imposing.

He looked at Lu Qingfeng, also laughing heartily, "Our junior brother comes from the sect of Black Wind Mountain's Little Sect Leader, which makes him somewhat of a fellow disciple to Red Boy. Should he meet Red Boy, he'd need to address him as 'Elder Martial Uncle.'"

Saint Infant King, once rebellious and unbridled, serendipitously became a disciple under the Sect Hierarch of Heavenly Daoist, as the third disciple. He and the Little Sect Leader from Black Wind Mountain, who cultivated under the Heavenly Daoist, were martial siblings.

Lu Qingfeng did indeed come from Black Wind Mountain, but addressing him as 'Elder Martial Uncle' was unnecessary.

"Hehe!"

"This Saint Infant King resides in Hao Mountain, quite distant from here, let's not bother about this inexpensive Elder Martial Uncle."

The monk robed youth waved his hand, then turned to Lu Qingfeng again, cheerfully saying, "Junior brother has just taken form; we need to think of a resounding name for you now."

He said, whirling his eyes, seemingly straining to think.

Lu Qingfeng found it amusing.

This monk-robed youth, known as 'Green Fox Demon', was currently the second King under 'Green Fox Great Saint' in Yellow Wind Ridge. Years ago, he was subdued by Budai Arhat from the Eighteen Arhats and confined within Spiritual Mountain.

He especially liked napping under his true body, and the two had essentially depended on each other for survival.

Even when the Green Fox Great Saint was stealthily fleeing, he took it upon himself to spirit away Lu Qingfeng as well, planting him carefully within the Yellow Wind Ridge. There, the stars of the heavens above, the veins of the earth below, and the Spiritual Energy amidst the mountains nourished him.

Though only recently having undergone Transformation, Lu Qingfeng found the Green Fox Great Saint not at all unfamiliar.

In fact, the Green Fox Great Saint considered him as one of his closest kin, treating him like his own child, and without hesitation called him "Third Brother," which showed their closeness.

Seeing that the Green Fox Great Saint was about to bestow upon him a formal title, and knowing his simple and naive nature, Lu Qingfeng dared not let him choose a name frivolously—the consequences of an amusing or inappropriate name would be troublesome indeed. He quickly spoke up, "I shall be called 'Qingjing'."

His words came out clear and bright, with a hint of child-like tenderness. They fell on the ears like beads slipping onto a jade plate, dispelling all irritations and evoking a sense of pure enlightenment.

"Qingjing."

In haste,

Lu Qingfeng dismissed any florid titles.

Since his very essence was that of the Qingjing Method Bamboo, and he was the unique Qingjing Method Bamboo who attained Dao, calling himself 'Qingjing' embodied simplicity and clarity.

"Qingjing."

"Qingjing King, Qingjing Great Saint—"

The Green Fox Great Saint muttered, his face full of distaste, "That sounds awful!"

He thought to choose another title for Lu Qingfeng.

But the Golden Armor General chuckled, "If Third Brother likes 'Qingjing,' then 'Qingjing' it shall be."

Continuing,

He bowed his head toward Lu Qingfeng and announced, "From today onwards, Third Brother, you shall be known as 'Qingjing Great Saint,' and be one of the Three Great Kings of the Yellow Wind Ridge!"

Lu Qingfeng looked toward the Golden Armor General.

He knew this figure was the ruler of Yellow Wind Ridge, residing within the Yellow Wind Cave, known as 'Huangfeng Great Saint.' A being whose Dao ability was profound and immeasurable, unmatched by anyone in the entire Yellow Wind Ridge.

Even the Green Fox Great Saint was no match.

He craned his neck upward, eyes wide, gazing into the ambiguous mist.

He nodded emphatically as if pounding garlic, and responded, "Qingjing pays his respects to Big Brother, Second Brother."

In the Earth Immortal World, far removed from the mortal realm, there are many Great Divine Power Practitioners and innumerable True Immortals. Though neither Huangfeng Great Saint nor Green Fox Great Saint ranked among the top in the vast Primordial realm,

In the Earth Realm and beyond Yellow Wind Ridge, however, they reigned supreme. Their cultivation and Dao ability were immeasurably high, far beyond what Lu Qingfeng, a mere True Immortal, could comprehend.

Moreover,

Having spent a long time with the Green Fox Great Saint and having grown up in Yellow Wind Ridge for twelve thousand years, he considered these two powerful demons his guardians, never fearing any deceit from them.

Taking the position as one of the Three Great Kings of Yellow Wind Ridge was indeed an honorable title.

Why would Lu Qingfeng refuse?!

"Haha!"

"Excellent!"

"Today as Third Brother undergoes Transformation, it's truly a cause for immense celebration, we must revel grandly!"

Huangfeng Great Saint rejoiced upon seeing Lu Qingfeng, and seeing his earnest and adorable demeanor, he couldn't help but burst into joyful laughter.

His laughter was loud and filled with goodwill.

Meanwhile, the Green Fox Great Saint, with a peculiar smile, pointed out beyond the mountain and darkly remarked, "Big Brother, don't be hasty. Two monks have come calling, and they won't let us drink in peace; we must deal with them first."

The Huangfeng Great Saint looked outward and nodded, "True indeed."

Continuing,

He shook his head, "These monks from the Buddhist Sect are really a persistent nuisance, neither coming early nor late, but specifically choosing now to disrupt the enjoyment of us three brothers!"