Yellow Court Daoist

In the mansion of General Capturing God.

Lu Qingfeng was hunched over his desk, toying with a Court Treasure Fan in his hand. Down below, Zhang Jingshan reported, "This time, we dispatched five thousand troops, excluding the General, Law Enforcement Evil Extermination Admiral, Four Merit Officers, Five Envoys, and the fifteen Heavenly Generals, all others are Heavenly Soldiers and Generals allocated from the Thunder Department. Among them, the General's capture of the Evil God is credited as the greatest achievement. The Soul Binding Supervision Envoy's breaking of the 'Exquisite Formation' is considered the next significant achievement. General Zhao Rongshan's ability to see through the 'Exquisite Formation' ranks as the third achievement..."

Zhang Jingshan listed the merits in order.

The amount of merit and reward each person received was fixed.

Lu Qingfeng intended for all his subordinates to receive rewards, so every General took turns entering the fray, each earning credits, only different in size. He nodded slightly after listening to Zhang Jingshan's report.

His gaze then shifted, looking towards Mu Yunzhou who had just rushed back.

She was in charge of post-victory assessments and records of battles for Gong Cao, and while she examined the battlefields, she was also responsible for cleaning them up.

"From the Undying Country, we have obtained a total of 123,679,912 Spirit Stones, 34,000 catties of Green Sprout Rice, and 13,000 Magic Artifacts, among which are Eighth Rank Magical Artifacts..."

The vast Undying Country.

The Moon Worship Evil God swept across nearby Immortal Sects and Demon Sects, obtaining a large amount of inheritances, Magic Artifacts, Spirit Pills, and wonderful medicines. Too much for one person to use, most were stored in the treasury. After the capture of the Evil God, all were seized by the troops led by Mu Yunzhou.

The total value of these spoils was about ninety million Spirit Stones, equivalent to ninety Immortal Crystals. This amount equated to the income of a Mahayana True Immortal immersed in arduous cultivation for a whole ninety thousand years.

Of course.

Mahayana True Immortals wouldn't rely solely on cultivation for income; there were other ways to make money, whether it be Alchemy, Artifact Refining, exploring in all directions, or serving the Heavenly Court or other forces.

Based on cultivation level, strength, and expertise, the earnings varied.

Nonetheless, ninety million Spirit Stones were still astonishingly valuable, enough to tempt any ordinary Mahayana True Immortal. And this was only what was recovered from the treasury of the Undying Country, not including the personal treasures of the captured Moon Worship Evil God, as well as the Moon Worship Treasure Fan seized by Lu Qingfeng.

"Just this fan alone is priceless," thought Lu Qingfeng with a chuckle.

[Immortal Artifact: Moon Worship Treasure Fan]

[Grade: Second Rank]

[Description: In ancient times, there were Evil Cultivators who revered the moon and were known as 'Moon Worship Envoys.' Moon Worship Envoys gathered moonlight from the heavens and Yin Qi, Evil Qi, and ghostly Qi from the underworld. After three thousand seven hundred years, they refined this fan. Later, when the Moon Worship Envoys suffered a devastating blow, they entered the Nine Ring Realm on the brink of death, established the Moon Worship Sect, and left behind the Moon Worship Treasure Fan, with the hope of making a comeback. This fan can conjure Yin Wind and ghostly flames, especially powerful during starry nights. Based on the 'Exquisite Formation,' its power is further enhanced.]

A Second Rank Immortal Artifact.

Quite valuable indeed.

The Quiet Bamboo Stick in Lu Qingfeng's hand seemed formidable, but its greater power came from it being of the same origin as him. Upon closer examination, it was still a First Rank Immortal Artifact.

"However, this fan is of little use to me," Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

An Immortal Artifact must be chosen carefully. This Moon Worship Treasure Fan needed to be used in the starry night to unleash its full potential, and it was best paired with the 'Exquisite Formation.'

It had multiple limitations and was indeed troublesome.

Rather than keeping it, it would be better to use this fan as a lure to attract powerful experts from all over the world.

With this thought in mind.

Lu Qingfeng held the fan and announced to the Daoist of Longevity, the Four Merit Officers, and the Five Great Ambassadors in the hall, "Issue the order. In eight hundred years, the one with the highest merit in the General Mansion will be awarded this fan!"

Upon hearing this, those below instantly brightened up.

Zhang Jingshan, Mu Yunzhou, and the other Four Merit Officers shifted their gaze towards their second senior brother, the Daoist of Longevity. He was the most advanced in terms of Dao ability present, and in eight hundred years, he would be the most likely to receive the Moon Worship Treasure Fan.

They had witnessed the formidable presence of the Moon Worship Evil God wielding the fan.

Merely a True Immortal.

Yet, he was able to successively defeat top-notched True Immortal fiends like Ghost Vine, Mad Ape, and Ge Nie. The Daoist of Longevity being an Earth Immortal True Monarch, with this fan in hand, would undoubtedly be invincible!

The Daoist of Longevity kept his composure, but his eyes also showed a hint of anticipation.

Looking over at Ghost Vine and the other Five Envoys, each of their eyes gleamed with excitement. Immortal Artifacts were hard to come by, especially for True Immortals. Acquiring this fan, even if they couldn't use it themselves, would be an excellent trade with others.

In the current General Mansion, aside from the mysteriously powerful Daoist of Longevity, these Five Demons had the best chance of acquiring the fan.

Suddenly.

Hearts ablaze with enthusiasm, they felt invigorated.

Lu Qingfeng smiled faintly and then put away the Moon Worship Treasure Fan.

Seeing this, Mu Yunzhou also snapped back to reality and continued her report, "The Moon Worship Evil God used the Undying Country as his Daoist Field and set up the Exquisite Formation, planting an Undying Tree. The Undying Tree absorbed Evil Qi and miasma to ultimately produce three supremely pure Yang Fruits. One Undying Fruit is equivalent to seven thousand years of cultivation for a True Immortal."

The Undying Tree.

Undying Fruit.

To bear Pure Yang Fruits in a land of impurity.

This signifies the principle of extreme Yin birthing Yang.

However, the conditions for the Undying Tree to thrive are too harsh, too deviant from the natural order and humane principles. Like the one in the Undying Country, where the Moon Worship Evil God transformed an entire nation's population into Undead Evil Corpses, filled the land and sky with Evil Qi and miasma, and set up the Exquisite Formation to bear three Yang Fruits.

Lu Qingfeng would not take them.

"Destroy the Exquisite Formation, the Undying Tree, and return clarity to the nation," Lu Qingfeng ordered, taking the three Undying Fruits from Mu Yunzhou's hands.

"Yes," Mu Yunzhou nodded in response.

Ghost Vine and Shadowless seemed hesitant, seemingly with some reluctance, but seeing the Three Great Kings exuding righteousness, they wisely held their tongues.

...

As time passed.

Since the battle in the Nine Ring Realm, eight hundred years flew by in the blink of an eye.

Lu Qingfeng was stationed at the General Capturing God Mansion, commanding his celestial troops and generals to destroy temples, eliminate spirits, and capture divine beings.

Capturing God Military Affairs.

First-grade cases were rare, but second and third-grade ones were fairly common.

In the General Mansion, there were only a few capable individuals; to handle second-grade cases involving Earth Immortal Level fierce gods and ghosts causing havoc, either Lu Qingfeng himself or the Daoist of Longevity or, in some cases, their joint effort was required to resolve them.

As for the third-grade cases,

the offending Evil Gods either possessed formidable Divine Skills or, like the Moon Worship Evil God of the Nine Ring Realm, held invincible magical treasures capable of challenging ordinary Earth Immortals. Such characters, Daoist of Longevity could manage to defeat. But these Evil Gods, often resided in places like the Nine Ring Realm, which only True Immortals could enter, and Earth Immortals were barred from descending.

The Daoist of Longevity couldn't enter.

It required Lu Qingfeng's personal intervention.

Cases of the fourth and fifth grades, however, were much easier. Over eight hundred years, True Immortals continuously ascended within the General Mansion, and as Lu Qingfeng's reputation for subverting Earth Immortals spread, many powerful True Immortals came to pledge allegiance.

With True Immortals serving as Heavenly Generals and leading the Heavenly Soldiers, it was not difficult to dispose of True Immortal Level evil deities.

And with temptations like the Supreme Treasure Moon Worship Treasure Fan, even Earth Immortals began to waver.

Thus,

the accumulated tasks from before were gradually being taken care of, and the might of the General Capturing God Mansion was steadily rising.

On this day,

Lu Qingfeng was in the hall, poring over volumes, searching for clues about the Immortal Qin Realm. The Immortal Qin Realm had been banished countless millennia ago, and even the records in the General Capturing God Mansion had no mention of it. Banished into the depths of the void, the realms were at liberty to attack and merge with one another, beyond even the Heavenly Court's ken to discern. Lu Qingfeng, commanding a General Mansion, found it particularly arduous to pinpoint its location.

He could but dispatch soldiers in all directions to investigate and comb through ancient records, hoping to find a trace. The more he learned about the Constant Sand Worlds and the more information he accumulated, the better the chances of deriving the location of the Immortal Qin Realm using the 'Seven Beasts Small Divine Number.'

Lu Qingfeng was anxious but helpless, and could only proceed with caution.

The day neared noon.

Someone suddenly came to report from outside the hall: "Daoist of Chi Cheng from Dragon Mountain's Wangqiu Peak requests an audience!"

"Daoist of Chi Cheng?"

Lu Qingfeng's eyes lit up as he heard this, promptly rising and proceeding to the entrance while saying, "Please, quickly invite him in."

...

"Poor Daoist Chi Cheng, has come to see General Capturing God."

Daoist of Chi Cheng entered the hall with his white hair and beard, a ruddy complexion, bowing to Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng hurriedly smiled and said, "You're too polite, Daoist."

While speaking,

he led Daoist of Chi Cheng to take a seat.

"I, the poor Daoist, have been immersed in seclusion and cultivation for years. Only after recently emerging did I learn that this long-vacant General Mansion has a new master. I especially came to visit today, and I hope I haven't disturbed you, General."

Daoist of Chi Cheng glanced at the piles of records on the case and showed a trace of apology, speaking to Lu Qingfeng.

"Having the Daoist visit the General Mansion brightens the whole place. How could it possibly be a disturbance?"

Lu Qingfeng replied with a hearty laugh.

"The General jests."

Daoist of Chi Cheng replied, contemplating how to broach the topic.

Lu Qingfeng, sensing the moment, took the initiative to speak, "I have long heard of the great Divine Skills and wide connections of Chi Cheng, the Immortal of Dragon Mountain, who loathes evil and has slain countless demons, causing fear in the heretical paths. I intended to visit, but the bustling affairs of the General Mansion held me back, and I feared disturbing the Daoist. I didn't expect the Daoist to visit my General Mansion first today; I am ashamed."

Lu Qingfeng offered his compliments.

Daoist of Chi Cheng had his intentions.

The two struck up a conversation.

After the time it took for several cups of tea to pass, Lu Qingfeng, seeing that the timing was right, went straight to the point, "…Alas, as I'm new to managing the General Mansion and overwhelmed with affairs, I lack assistance. Otherwise, I would surely visit Wangqiu Peak to share some drinks and good conversation with the Daoist."

"The poor Daoist has felt an immediate connection with the General. We should indeed increase our interactions in the future. This old skeleton of mine has nearly rusted from staying at Wangqiu Peak, and I will certainly make frequent visits to the General Mansion in the days ahead."

Daoist of Chi Cheng laughed.

Hearing this, Lu Qingfeng's eyes gleamed as he said, "That would be wonderful. The next time the Daoist visits, we shall drink until we drop."

"Ha ha!"

"The General is indeed delightful. Then let us agree to do just that."

Daoist of Chi Cheng laughed heartily and only then, after Lu Qingfeng's repeated entreaties, left the General Mansion.

After seeing off Daoist of Chi Cheng,

Lu Qingfeng returned to the hall, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smile, "This Daoist of Chi Cheng, unaffiliated with any sect, possesses the Supreme Treasure 'Chi Cheng Immortal Barrier,' and excels in capturing and restraining his targets. If he could join the General Mansion, I would be able to free up more of my time."

He thought to himself, and couldn't help but laugh, "It seems that the gifting of the Moon Worship Treasure Fan has indeed made a substantial impact on these observing Earth Immortals."

Some days before,

the eight-hundred-year term had ended.

Lu Qingfeng assessed the merits and eventually awarded the Moon Worship Treasure Fan to his second disciple, the Daoist of Longevity, for the highest achievements. These days, the Daoist of Longevity had been refining the treasure fan and handled several cases. As word got out along with his reputation, Earth Immortals like Daoist of Chi Cheng couldn't sit still any longer. Daoist of Chi Cheng was located beneath the General Capturing God Mansion, in the territory of Dragon Mountain, hence his swift arrival.

Lu Qingfeng believed there would be other Earth Immortals on their way, too.

"Earth Immortals."

Soon enough, the last weakness of the General Capturing God Mansion would be remedied.

Lu Qingfeng was in high spirits.

He returned to his case, continuing to browse through the records and cases when suddenly his movement halted, and he stopped.