Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 534 - 503: Desiring to become the ’Great Sage Equalling Heaven’!

Lu Qingfeng looked at the green bamboo staff in his hand, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Although my magic artifact cannot compare to the Heavenly Daoist Sect Master’s, it was refined from my own essence—the Qingjing Method Bamboo—and incorporates twelve Iron-Backed Centipedes. Moreover, it has been infused with the Red Lotus Karma Fire and the Qingjing Heavenly Fire that springs forth from the bamboo itself."

"With one strike," he continued, "a multitude of terrifying powers surge forth together, difficult for even a True Immortal to guard against, and Earth Immortals must be cautious as well. When wielded as an extension of my very being, it operates seamlessly. Exerted with full force, not even the Earth Immortal True Monarchs can withstand its might!"

After a hundred years of painstaking effort, the magic artifact was finally complete. Heart swelling with delight, Lu Qingfeng looked down at the bamboo staff, "This Qingjing Bamboo Staff, refined from the Qingjing Method Bamboo, shall serve as my guardian artifact!"

[Immortal Artifact: Qingjing Bamboo Staff]

[Grade: First Rank]

[Description: The Third Great King of Yellow Wind Ridge, the Qingjing Great Saint of the Green Bamboo Cave, has used his essence, the Qingjing Method Bamboo, to melt twelve Iron-Backed Centipedes and refine three blooms of Red Lotus Karma Fire into existence. Mysterious and powerful, its might is boundless.]

"A First Rank Immortal Artifact," he mused. "This is just the beginning of its refinement. Given thousands to tens of thousands of years for proper ritual tempering, its ascent to a Spiritual Treasure is not out of reach."

Lu Qingfeng chuckled to himself, holding the Qingjing Bamboo Staff, he silently reviewed his attribute panel—

Name: Lu Qingfeng (Qingjing Great Saint)

Race: Qingjing Method Bamboo

Faction: Yellow Wind Ridge

Titles: Qingjing Great Saint, Qingjing Child, Qingjing King, Third Great King of Yellow Wind Ridge

Cultivation: Mahayana·Sensing Realm

Level: 1755

Mana: Slight

Life Span: 16100/6000 Yuan Hui cycles

Root Bone: ???

Merit: Pure Light First Layer

Karma: Karma Fire First Layer

Cultivation Techniques:

Yellow Court Scripture Fourth Layer [Features: Derivation Technique (Fourth Layer); Command All Techniques (Fourth Layer); Karma Removal (Fourth Layer)];

Twelve Heavenly Demon God Skill (Supreme Level) Sixty-third layers;

Red Dust Longevity Technique (Supreme Level) Third Level;

Spells: Slight

Divine Skills (Common): Blood Transformation and Soul Splitting Technique, Ice Sealing Water Technique, Water Dragon Technique, Vajra Spell, Hand Heart Thunder, Poison Punishment Bone-locking Heart-piercing Little Asura Technique, Heavenly Listening and Earthly Viewing Great Method, Dutian Divine Slaughter, Dutian Demon Flames, Dutian Demon God Blood Transformation Flying Body Technique, Earth Extreme Primordial Magnetic Annihilation Sword Qi, Two Realms Ten Directions Vajra Great Treasury Mantra, Cloud Blowing Technique, Five Thunders True Method, Primordial Magnetic Divine Thunder, Dutian Divine Thunder, Separation and Reunion Divine Light, Annihilation Divine Eye, Six Roots Purification Method, Qingjing Heavenly Fire, Celestial Cycle Stars Method...

Great Divine Powers: Light Splitting and Shadow Transformation Void Condensed Swordsmanship, Demon Evil Entangling Silk Divine Spell, Daluo Cave Temple, Seven Beasts Small Divine Number, Taiyin Calamity Crossing Robe, Great Sun Annihilation Divine Light, Little Thousand Thunder Prison, Nine Heavens Talisman Inverting Heaven and Earth Technique, Invisibility Technique, Inverted Void Glazed Glass Wall, Five-Colored Divine Light, Great Five Elements Yin Yang Magnetic Annihilation Divine Light, Fallen Divine Light, Body Separation, Transformation Technique, Cloud Summit Step, Mountain and Earth Breaking Skill, Five Ghosts Transfer Skill, Golden Saber Soul Slaughter Method, Innate One Qi Separation and Destruction Divine Light, Great Innate Separation and Union Divine Light

Equipment: Qingjing Bamboo Staff (First Rank Immortal Artifact)

Occupations: Artifact Refiner (Immortal-Grade·First Rank), Alchemist (Eighth Rank)

...

"Finally, I have broken through mortal constraints and ascended to Immortal-Grade in the way of artifact refining!" Lu Qingfeng smiled as he scanned the changes on his attribute panel. After more than eighty thousand years of diligent cultivation within Primordial, and equal time devoted to mastering artifact refining, today he had broken through his limitations to achieve something remarkable.

Now capable of refining Immortal Artifacts, he has gained a prominent position even within the Earth Immortal World. Coveted from all directions, even Earth Immortal True Monarchs must show respect.

"However," he thought, "creating an Immortal Artifact is extremely challenging and not without struggle. My current status as an Immortal-Grade Artifact Refiner still has some impurities. This lucky breakthrough was thanks to refining with my own body, and the rare materials like Red Lotus Karma Fire and Iron-Backed Centipedes made it possible to create this Immortal Artifact."

"If it were any ordinary attempt," he pondered, "creating an Immortal Artifact would be nearly impossible."

Lu Qingfeng was well-aware of the shortcomings in his artifact refining skills, understanding that his chances of crafting another Immortal Artifact were slim, maybe only one in a hundred. But, having taken this first step, with further study and practice, he would eventually reach a level where he could refine Immortal Artifacts with ease.

As he was contemplating, two familiar auras approached from outside the Green Bamboo Cave, followed by familiar voices—

"Congratulations, third brother, on refining the Supreme Treasure! From now on, you are invincible amongst mortals!"

Lu Qingfeng hurried to greet them outside the cave.

"Big brother."

"Second brother."

Two figures arrived side by side. The first was the Great King of Yellow Wind Ridge, the Yellow Wind Great Saint; the second was the second great king, the Green Fox Great Saint. The latter was the one who had spoken.

"The vast Primordial contains countless True Immortals within the Earth Immortal World alone. How could I, the youngest, dare claim to be invincible among mortals?"

Lu Qingfeng humbly replied. In the world of mortals, those who achieve Mahayana are considered True Immortals, belonging to the Immortal class.

But in the eyes of true Immortals like the Green Fox Great Saint, not having attained Longevity, they are still not truly Immortal and are considered mortals.

The Green Fox Great Saint’s praise of Lu Qingfeng’s invincibility among mortals inferred that beneath Earth Immortals, none could match him.

In the uncountable worlds of Primordial, like sands of the Ganges River, the number of True Immortals is immense. Even with such deep foundations, Lu Qingfeng did not claim invincibility out of false modesty, but rather a deep respect for the path of cultivation.

"Third brother, don’t belittle yourself," encouraged the Yellow Wind Great Saint. "Having attained Dao as the Qingjing Method Bamboo, and now with an Immortal Artifact in hand, even if you can’t compare to those orthodox True Immortals of Xuanmen right now, the path ahead of you is limitless. Cultivate diligently, and reaching Earth Immortality is within sight."

Lu Qingfeng knew this was an encouragement and immediately bowed his thanks to the Yellow Wind Great Saint.

As a Qingjing Method Bamboo, three thousand years constitute one year of life. One hundred years have passed, and Lu Qingfeng retained the appearance he assumed upon his transformation—around five or six years old, with a face like white jade, skin rosy and tender exuding a healthy pallor. Dressed in emerald bamboo-green robes and barefoot, he exuded vitality.

He gave a deep bow, which looked somewhat comical.

"Ha ha!"

Yellow Wind Great Saint and Green Fox Great Saint saw each other and both burst into laughter.

"That Green Bamboo Great Saint of ours, although still of tender years, has attained the way through his Qingjing Bamboo," said Yellow Wind Great Saint with a smile, "When it comes to stability and maturity of mind, I’m afraid neither of us can compare."

This was indeed true.

The nature of Qingjing Bamboo itself subtly aligned with the idea of ’purity’, untouched by worldly dust.

After spending four thousand years seated in the Arhat Hall, listening to Buddhist teachings, he transformed and emerged.

Naturally, his temperament was calm and steady, nothing like that of a child.

Even more so.

Lu Qingfeng, too, benefited from his transformation this time. In his past incarnations, though committed to his spiritual practice and enlightenment, he was inevitably disturbed by external demons and evil spirits, with a whirlwind of distracting thoughts slowing his cultivation.

But now.

With full control over his six sensory roots, unperturbed by mundane matters or stray thoughts, his cultivation advanced at a pace several times faster than before. Even his comprehension of Divine Skills, and his studies of Alchemy and Artifact Refining, were much more rapid than ever.

"My Root Bone is yet to be determined,"

"But in terms of perception, I’m sure I’ve surpassed my last seventeen lifetimes," thought Lu Qingfeng.

Besides, he pondered over the Inverted Void Glazed Glass Wall and the Demon Evil Entangling Silk Divine Spell, preparing these skills for self-defence in reality.

As for within "Primordial"—

Finding the Immortal Qin Realm and reuniting with Le’er was his utmost priority, the most pressing matter in Lu Qingfeng’s heart.

The Eight Divisions of the Heavenly Court were an external force, filled with uncertainty.

They represented one possible path, but it was unwise to place all his hopes upon them.

"Seven Birds Small Divine Number,"

Lu Qingfeng’s eyes sharpened, "I must diligently ponder over this skill. Perhaps when I advance to Earth Immortal, I won’t need to rely on the Heavenly Court’s Eight Divisions to divine the location of the Immortal Qin Realm,"

The Seven Birds Small Divine Number, needless to say, was a great Divine Skill that Lu Qingfeng had acquired from the Red Smoke Realm. Fortified over ten lifetimes, it could divine heaven, earth, and the myriad beings of the mortal realm. It brought Lu Qingfeng many opportunities and helped him avoid numerous disasters.

By using the Seven Birds as proxies, he could transfer his repercussions, ensuring no harm came to him.

If he was to locate the Immortal Qin Realm on his own, then the Seven Birds Small Divine Number was the beacon of hope he could not neglect.

"However,"

"Becoming an Earth Immortal is difficult and far off in the future. Even if I do achieve it, there’s no certainty that I can divine the whereabouts of the Immortal Qin Realm."

"If I want to find the Immortal Qin Realm the fastest, I still need to make use of the Heavenly Court’s Eight Divisions."

Lu Qingfeng’s youthful face furrowed slightly, "It seems I’ll have to manage Green Bamboo Cave first, committing a few ’major crimes’ to attract the attention of the Thunder or Fire Department, among the Eight Divisions. When the Heavenly Soldiers come, I can then take the opportunity to surrender."

This strategy has a long history.

Not to mention the commonplace instances, such as those in the Liangshan Water Pool.

Just take the Earth Immortal World, for example, there are countless great demons, including Demon Clan Saints like the Great Sage Equalling Heaven who is now known as Combat Buddha, who voluntarily or under compulsion came under the pressure of the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals and were then recruited or surrendered.

If Lu Qingfeng were to actively seek entry,

There was also the possibility of being accepted, but there was no guarantee of receiving much attention. Relying solely on the layer of Merit Bright Light might grant him a post as a Divine Officer, kept idly by, but not necessarily with any real power.

However, it would be quite different if he could first make a ’feat’ on Yellow Wind Ridge.

"I’ve got to show some skill, otherwise how can I be trusted with responsibility?"

With this thought in mind.

He entered his Green Bamboo Cave with Yellow Wind Great Saint and Green Fox Great Saint, and they all took their seats. Lu Qingfeng brought out the Green Bamboo Wine he had brewed himself, and the three brothers drank together.

Qingyu had a penchant for alcohol.

Lu Qingfeng scoured the Immortal Qin Realm for fine wines and spirits from all over, using ’Derivation Technique·Analysis’ to break down their formulas, and ’Derivation Technique·Enhancement’ to improve upon them. With these methods, he mastered the brewing formulas for nine thousand seven hundred and thirteen different fine wines.

Within the Three Mountains and Nine Waters, Jinshan hid a mountain’s worth of exquisite wines.

When it came to the art of brewing, although Lu Qingfeng seldom drank, he was rightly deemed an ’Alcohol Immortal’.

This particular brew was called ’Great Sage Equalling Heaven’.

When the Combat Buddha was still known as the ’Great Sage Equalling Heaven’ on the Huaguo Mountain, he was most defiant and unruly, with a fierce nature and ambitions as high as the sky, daring to equal the heavens.

Hence, this ’Great Sage Equalling Heaven’ was also a top-tier spirit.

Among the three hundred and seventy-six types of Green Bamboo Wine that Lu Qingfeng mastered, in terms of intensity, Qingyu ranked this one first. Among the three thousand one hundred and fifteen strong liquors, its intensity landed it at seventeenth place.

A rare find in the mortal world.

A spirit that could only be found within the Immortal Court.

"Excellent liquor!"

"What a robust spirit!" exclaimed the Green Fox Great Saint, his face flush with a ruddy glow as he took a big gulp.

"Great Sage Equalling Heaven!"

"What a name, Great Sage Equalling Heaven!" The Yellow Wind Great Saint’s nostrils steamed with the alcohol’s breath as he bellowed. After three cups, a hint of drunkenness set in. He muttered ’Great Sage Equalling Heaven’ and then snickered, "Pity the Great Sage Equalling Heaven isn’t here, leaving only Combat Buddha in the mortal world!"

There was a touch of disdain in his words.

A touch of self-mockery.

And a touch of sorrow.

Lu Qingfeng sensed the underlying threefold sentiment and looked at the Yellow Wind Great Saint, his mind uncertain. Yet the Yellow Wind Great Saint drank in sorrow, not bringing up ’Great Sage Equalling Heaven’ again, merely praising the fine wine and recounting the best he had in life, declaring this drink could rank among the top three.

In no time at all.

Both the Yellow Wind Great Saint and the Green Fox Great Saint were completely drunk.

The befuddled Green Fox Great Saint clenched his fist, thumped his head, and with slurred speech said to the Yellow Wind Great Saint, "Big brother, didn’t we forget to mention something to Third Brother?"

"What thing?"

The Yellow Wind Great Saint, clutching a wine jug, took a fierce swig of ’Great Sage Equalling Heaven’ and glanced at the Green Fox Great Saint with wide, inverted eyes. "What was it again?"

He strained to remember.

Lu Qingfeng was curious about the matter that brought these elder brothers seeking him, so he waited for the Yellow Wind Great Saint to recall.

Suddenly, the Yellow Wind Great Saint slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "I remember now—"

Lu Qingfeng promptly perked up.

The Green Fox Great Saint also tried to sit up straight in his daze but still swayed side to side.

The Yellow Wind Great Saint raised his wine high and boomed, "We came to have drinks with Third Brother! Third Brother’s drinking capacity isn’t up to par; if he meets some old buddies out there and loses face, it’ll reflect poorly on this Great Saint!"

"..."

Lu Qingfeng pursed his lips, his little face scrunching up, feeling the wine rush to his head.

In a blur, he seemed to hear his second brother, the Green Fox Great Saint, shaking his head and muttering, "No, no, that’s not it. Aside from drinking, there seems to be something else. Jiazi Tai Sui, Central Pox God, Northern Plague Envoy. Hiss hiss, and also Gu Chen Star Lord. My word, how did these vicious characters come to mind for this Great Saint!"

The voice grew fainter.

Lu Qingfeng was unable to make out the rest and eventually succumbed to his drunken dreams.