Yellow Court Daoist

Lu Qingfeng did not realize before his promotion, but now after his enhancement, his Root Bone, combined with extremely refined cultivation levels obtained prior to reaching the Spirit Void Fusion Realm, advanced as swiftly as if he were flying. It indeed saved Lu Qingfeng countless hours.

"Daoist Brother Qing Yuan jokes," said Lu Jiang.

"Today, I am here on behalf of my master to invite Daoist Brother Qing Yuan to have a chat in his cave abode," Lu Jiang stated straightforwardly to Lu Qingfeng.

"Oh?"

"I wonder what significant matter requires Elder Sikong to have Brother Lu personally make this trip."

Lu Qingfeng voiced his curiosity with surprise on his face.

Master Qinglian's real name was Sikong Qinglian.

After Lu Qingfeng's Alchemy Accomplishment reached the Fifth-Order, many True Men sought him out for Alchemy Medicine, among them was Master Qinglian, with whom he had built some rapport.

"I do not know."

"Master just asked me to invite Daoist Brother Qing Yuan, without specifying the reason," Lu Jiang shook his head.

"So mysterious?"

Lu Qingfeng smiled outwardly, yet inwardly he speculated, following Lu Jiang toward one of the branches of Yv Mountain Island.

---

At the boundary between Yv Mountain Island and Five Mountains Sect.

Miles upon miles of white clouds above the horizon.

"Elder Sikong, we will soon enter the territory controlled by the Five Mountains Sect," Lu Qingfeng, standing on a cloud, said to the beautiful woman beside him as he looked ahead to the fiery red islands and then turned to her.

The beautiful woman was dressed in a blue gown, her hair up in a bun, holding a horsetail whisk. It was Master Qinglian—Sikong Qinglian. As one of the thirteen True Men of Yv Mountain Island, she was among the most reputable, highest in cultivation level, and loftiest in status among the Loose Cultivators of the Bamboo Mountain Sea Domain.

Having advanced to the Core Formation Sixth-Rank six hundred eighty years ago, she possessed profound cultivation, and her Magical Artifact, 'Geng Jia Transformation Sky Brilliance Divine Needle,' was greatly renowned, making the True People of the Three Sects, including Kongzhu Sect, quite wary of her.

More than a decade ago, Sikong Qinglian had entrusted Lu Qingfeng to refine a batch of Fifth-Order Heavenly Origin Pills, which added to their connections. Just yesterday, Lu Qingfeng and Lu Jiang visited Sikong Qinglian's cave abode, where he learned that she had discovered an ancient cave abode site. However, the cave was guarded by an Array, and Sikong Qinglian, not versed in Array techniques and worried about forcing it which might lead to accidents, invited Lu Qingfeng to accompany her.

As a Fifth-Order Artifact Refining Master with proficient Array skills, perhaps Lu Qingfeng could crack the cave's defenses and access the relics inside. Yet, from the departure at Yv Mountain Island towards the territory of the Five Mountains Sect, Sikong Qinglian's choice of direction was perhaps deliberately conspicuous.

Given the persistent disputes between Yv Mountain Island, the Five Mountains Sect, Kongzhu Sect, and the Hundred Ghosts Sect, although not as hostile as those among the Three Sects, this brazen intrusion might draw attention.

"Fear not, Pavilion Master Rain Mountain, I am well-prepared," said Sikong Qinglian with a serious tone, as she reached into the void and retrieved two robes.

She tossed one to Lu Qingfeng.

"This is—"

As Lu Qingfeng caught the robe, spiritual light flickered in his eyes as he discerned its properties.

[Magical Artifact: Hidden Space Robe]

[Grade: Third-rank]

[Description: Can conceal one's form and aura. Untraceable by those below Core Formation.]

"The Hidden Space Robe."

"This Qi Men Magical Artifact is something I obtained years ago. With its cover, unless we encounter a True Man of the Five Mountains Sect, we should remain undetected," Sikong Qinglian explained, thinking Lu Qingfeng was unaware.

"A fine treasure indeed."

Lu Qingfeng grasped the Hidden Space Robe, wearing it. Glancing beside him, Sikong Qinglian had also donned the robe and instantly vanished from sight. However, with Lu Qingfeng's Spirit Eye, he could still faintly sense where Sikong Qinglian was.

If he were to activate 'Daluo Cave View,' a mere Third-rank Hidden Space Robe would certainly not escape the detection by his Dharma Eye.

Yet, for an ordinary Spirit Void Practitioner, it would be quite hard to detect.

The robe was easy to Refine. Dressed in it, Lu Qingfeng vibrated his True Yuan and refined the twenty-seven Earth Evil restrictions in the robe. Both continued their journey clad in the robes, deeper into the territory.

"Why would Sikong Qinglian find a cave abode within the territory governed by the Five Mountains Sect?" Lu Qingfeng pondered quickly as he sped along, maintaining a calm expression but inwardly remained on guard. "Within Yv Mountain, both Fire Crow Daoist and Water True Man are adept in Array techniques, certainly no less skilled than a Fifth-Order Artifact Refiner. Yet, Sikong Qinglian specifically sought me, who is ostensibly just a Spirit Void level Alchemist and Artifact Refiner."

He didn't believe there wasn't a hidden agenda.

However, beneath another's roof.

Moreover, Lu Qingfeng was also curious about what sort of cave abode Sikong Qinglian had found to warrant such caution, hence he didn't decline. Otherwise, with his current level of cultivation and power, he dare not claim superiority over a Core Formation True Man, but he could certainly hold his own with no fear.

Hence, he simply followed along to see what Sikong Qinglian was really up to.

---

After crossing numerous islands and approximately flying two to three thousand miles in the sky, Sikong Qinglian signaled Lu Qingfeng to halt. Descending toward an island below.

"This is the place."

Sikong Qinglian lifted the robe, revealing her form.

Lu Qingfeng, standing beside her, also gathered up his robe and handed it back to Sikong Qinglian.

"Pavilion Master Rain Mountain, please keep it."

"I have sufficient items on hand," Sikong Qinglian said, shaking her head and declining the offered item. A mere Third-rank Magical Artifact, especially one as peculiar as this, held little value to her. Once Lu Qingfeng had used it, she never intended to take it back.

Hearing this, Lu Qingfeng immediately smiled, retracting the Magic Robe, "Thank you, Elder Sikong."

He had some regrets that he couldn't decipher the method to refine the Hidden Space Robe in such a short time. But since Sikong Qinglian was so generous, Lu Qingfeng didn't push it away and gracefully accepted it.

"Is the cave dwelling you mentioned located on this island?" Lu Qingfeng put away the robe and took the time to carefully observe the island.

He saw that the island was riddled with diminishing Spiritual Energy, barren mountains, and rocks. It was also enveloped in a thin mist with a nauseating fishy smell, as though emanating from thousands of dead fish.

Such a harsh environment made it uninhabitable not only for cultivators but even beasts and birds avoided it.

"Indeed," Sikong Qinglian nodded.

After looking around and seeing no one in sight, she waved her hand and cast a beam of True Yuan. Suddenly, a pathway appeared, leading directly to an unknown place underground.

"Follow me," Sikong Qinglian instructed as she led the way into the passage.

Lu Qingfeng closely followed behind.

The path went straight down into the ground like a Heavenly Ladder, descending almost a thousand feet before opening up into a vast space.

"It really is a world of its own."

Lu Qingfeng observed the huge area stretching thousands of feet wide and hundreds of feet tall. Below there was flowing magma with 'gurgle' sounds. Amidst the magma, there were stone pillars, seemingly holding up the space.

Upon closer inspection.

Islands protruded from the magma, adorned with stone tables, chairs, beds, and meditation cushions—a definite site for cultivator's cultivation and where the cave dwelling was located.

"This is the place," Sikong Qinglian pointed ahead and flicked a beam of True Yuan. Immediately, the stone pillars in the magma glowed, enveloping the entire cave space.

The Star Shifting Array initiated, and heaven and earth seemed to transform.

A Fire Dragon roared in front, with five fierce suns blazing hot in the sky.

"What a refined formation," Lu Qingfeng praised as he watched the roaring Fire Dragon and the intense suns overhead.

"Can it be broken?" Sikong Qinglian asked.

"This formation—"

"Isn't difficult," Lu Qingfeng replied with confidence.

Sikong Qinglian sighed in relief, "Then I must trouble you, Master of Rain Mountain Pavilion."

"It's only proper," Lu Qingfeng shook his head, focusing on breaking the formation.

The formation, although mysterious, was challenging for someone like Sikong Qinglian, a Jiedan True Man who was unfamiliar with arrays. Forcing it might break the formation, but it would create uncontrollable chaos.

However, for Lu Qingfeng, it was simple.

A glance with his Daluo Cave Temple revealed the flaws of the formation.

Ultimately, it was the age that made the formation seem increasingly profound. In fact, because it absorbed too much power from the Magma Earth Fire, significant flaws had emerged.

After a pretentious examination for half an hour, Lu Qingfeng finally found the flaw and pointed it out to Sikong Qinglian, "Attack here with full force, and the formation will break."

"Alright!"

Sikong Qinglian responded, tossing her horsetail whisk, which immediately transformed into myriad Divine Light and silver needles, sweeping like the galaxy toward the spot Lu Qingfeng had indicated.

"What a marvelous Geng Jia Transformation Sky Brilliance Divine Needle!"

Lu Qingfeng watched from aside, admiration evident in his eyes.

[Magical Artifact: Geng Jia Transformation Sky Brilliance Divine Needle]

[Grade: Sixth Rank]

[Description: One of the Seven Treasures of the Bamboo Mountain Sect. Once covered by the Gold and Wood Two Elements' blend of green light silver needles, the pressure is mountainous from every direction. The myriad Heavenly Brilliance Needles penetrate anything without exception. Even refined defensive magic treasures, if revealing a slight gap, would be instantly invaded. A mere flicker of green light or a hair-thin silver needle swiftly penetrating can trigger the overwhelming Yimu Divine Light and Geng Gold Essence Qi turning into myriad silver needles. It simultaneously attacks from inside and out, instantly breaching the protective layer, shattering the enemy's protective glow, turning them into blood rain with no remains left.]

This Sect Magical Artifact, this horsetail whisk, was precisely what Master Qinglian relied on to make a name for herself and dominate the Zhu Mountain Sea Area.

Originally a treasure of the Bamboo Mountain Sect. After the destruction of the sect, the Seven Treasures were lost, and various techniques scattered.

Sects like the Five Mountains Sect, Kongzhu Sect, and Hundred Ghosts Sect obtained parts of the Bamboo Mountain Sect's techniques and subsequently rose to power in the Left Dao Immortal Gates.

In Sikong Qinglian's hands, the horsetail whisk, one of the Bamboo Mountain Sect's Seven Treasures, the Geng Jia Transformation Sky Brilliance Divine Needle, even among Jiedan True Men, set her apart as a remarkable figure.

Lu Qingfeng had only heard of this treasure before, but witnessing it today, it indeed proved to be extremely formidable.

As he was observing,

The Galaxy Torrent surged down.

Boom!

The Five Yang Formation could not bear the burden and burst like a bubble in water.

"It's done."

Even the usually stern Sikong Qinglian couldn't hide a trace of joy in her eyes. She swung her horsetail whisk and flew toward the islands in the magma.

Lu Qingfeng stood aside, not moving.

Amidst the magma.

As the formation was broken, a Supreme Yang Treasure Sword rose, surrounded by a hundred stone pillars. As the Supreme Yang Treasure Sword appeared, the stone pillars also radiated light, talismans flickering like dragons and snakes.

A sharp Sword Qi flickered.

"This is—"

Lu Qingfeng scanned with his Spirit Eye, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The Five Yang Sword.

The Hundred Sword Map.

Lu Qingfeng's thoughts stirred as he looked towards Sikong Qinglian. But at that moment, he saw billions of Divine Light and silver needles surge towards him, intent on enveloping him.

"Elder Sikong, what is this about!"

Lu Qingfeng sneered inwardly, loudly exclaiming.