Yellow Court Daoist

The Hundred Poison Sect is just a small sect in the Central Plains, unable to gain a foothold in the eastern region with the current tide. They can only come to such a remote Earth Realm to attack and seize mountain strongholds, having already destroyed two small sects."

"Now, the Dragon Mountain Sect is barely holding on, and we, the Yinfu Sect, will be next."

Feihu Protector explained the situation of the Hundred Poison Sect and Dragon Mountain Sect in one breath, then extended the discussion to the rumored conflicts between the Central Plains and the Hundred Barbarians of the Southern Border.

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingfeng felt as if darkness before his eyes had been swept away, revealing sudden clarity.

The information he had previously obtained from Purple Pavilion Wanderer was so vague that he couldn't even specify the lay of the land within hundreds of miles of the Yinfu Sect, leaving him completely in the dark.

What Elder Feihu now described, though mostly pertaining to the surrounding areas, was much more detailed.

He only had a vague understanding of the situation in the vast lands of the Central Plains and the Hundred Barbarians of the Southern Border, but at least it allowed Lu Qingfeng to grasp the general situation of his location.

Central Plains.

Southern Border.

When the two regions clashed, chaos ensued, clearly a time of turmoil.

"Times of chaos are good," Lu Qingfeng thought with delight.

As the saying goes, heroes emerge from chaos.

Taking advantage of the conflict between the Central Plains and the Southern Border, the Yinfu Sect could rise more swiftly than through quiet cultivation and growth.

It would save a great deal of time.

"I wonder which is weaker and which is stronger, the Central Plains or the Southern Border."

After the initial joy, Lu Qingfeng pondered.

Logically, since the martial world of the Central Plains initiated the war against the Hundred Barbarians of the Southern Border, they should be stronger. However, no one knows how much foundation the Hundred Barbarians have hidden in the mountains.

The Yinfu Sect is less than a thousand miles from the edge of the Southern Border.

If the martial artists of the Central Plains were truly formidable, the Yinfu Sect would have been leveled long ago.

"It seems that the central battlefield in the east is not as the rumors describe, with the great sects of the Central Plains charging straight through."

"A stalemate is more likely."

Lu Qingfeng thought for a moment and then focused on the present, "First, we start with these two sects, the Dragon Mountain Sect and the Hundred Poison Sect."

...

Wanshe Mountain.

Dragon Mountain Sect.

The Dragon Mountain Sect could be considered a significant force within a thousand miles, even surpassing the Yinfu Sect by half a notch. In most conflicts, it was the Dragon Mountain Sect that came out on top.

Standing for over a hundred and eighty years, the sect was well-known and had deep foundations.

However, a few months ago after the Hundred Poison Sect had destroyed two sects to their north and directly confronted the Dragon Mountain Sect, the latter began to fall into a decline.

The Snake King was killed, and over a hundred various species of snakes were poisoned to death.

The signs of defeat were evident.

On this day.

Within the Dragon Mountain Sect.

Sect Leader She Tu had a deeply furrowed brow as a small snake with a triangular head coiled around his neck, its eyes lively, constantly flicking its forked tongue, and hissing, sending chills down the spine.

"How are the preparations?"

She Tu asked, looking at the group before him and addressing one particularly gloomy elder.

Upon hearing this, the sullen elder replied grimly, "As per the Sect Leader's orders, we've contracted our defensive lines. The mineral mines at a distance have been abandoned. Some of the young snakes from the East Forest and West Forest Snake Mountains have been moved, but there's still a large number of young snakes without the ability to move, and we have to give up the Snake Mountains that we've operated for many years."

"Villages and hamlets are being forcibly relocated, and from them, we've selected three hundred sturdy individuals who can barely hold off the Hundred Poison Sect for a brief period. However, these able-bodied folks have limited strength and haven't been trained. Forced into battle hastily, if the casualties are too high, they're likely to scatter immediately."

The gloomy elder was an elder of the Dragon Mountain Sect, known as 'Iron Wood.'

Iron Wood was very pessimistic about the situation ahead, and even within his heart, he harbored thoughts of leaving.

The vastness of the Southern Border, Lu Qingfeng's unique skill of controlling countless snakes combined with his Inner Strength cultivation, made him a notable figure wherever he went. There was absolutely no need for him to share his fate with the Dragon Mountain Sect.

He thought so, but his expression remained unchanged.

She Tu frowned.

Both East Forest and West Forest Snake Mountains were built by the Dragon Mountain Sect over a hundred years. They provide the perfect environment for young snakes to thrive, with various snake nests, breeding a multitude of clams, rats, loaches, eels, birds, earthworms, insects, and others as food for the snakes.

It was truly a pity to abandon them.

Even the foundation of the Dragon Mountain Sect was at risk of shaking. With the Hundred Poison Sect taking over and wreaking havoc, it would take at least several decades for Dragon Mountain Sect to rebuild.

The losses were too significant.

However, contracting the defense line and reinforcing Clear Wall Wilderness was the only method to resist the Hundred Poison Sect and stabilize the battlefront for now. The fact that East Forest and West Forest Snake Mountains were too far from Wanshe Mountain was an unavoidable issue.

As for the able-bodied and deserters—

A cold light flickered in She Tu's eyes as he said in a deep voice, "They're just little villagers, and they dare to turn the heavens upside down?! Send a few disciples to oversee the battle personally, and any deserters shall be executed without mercy!"

"Yes," Elder Tie Mu responded.

Escaping was not urgent. It would not be too late to leave if Dragon Mountain Sect really couldn't hold out any longer and had no power to recover. If Dragon Mountain Sect could hold on, as an elder, it was much better than being a rootless driftwood.

She Tu was unaware of Tie Mu's thoughts.

After giving the order, he then turned to another strong-looking elder, "How did Yinfu Sect respond?"

The robust elder was named Elder Han Jiang, one of the three Great Elders of Dragon Mountain Sect, and alongside Elder Tie Mu, he was an Inner Strength Martial Artist with notable Snake Control techniques.

Within hundreds of miles, he had a small reputation.

When the Sect Leader asked, Elder Han Jiang shook his head, "Yinfu Sect still does not wish to take action."

"These short-sighted rats!"

Bang!

Upon hearing this, She Tu became irritated and explosively smashed the desk beside him into pieces.

With the formidable power of the Hundred Poison Sect, after realizing they could not beat them, Dragon Mountain Sect sought out Yinfu Sect numerous times, hoping to unite against the Hundred Poison Sect. Otherwise, if Dragon Mountain Sect were to be destroyed, Yinfu Sect could hardly escape extinction.

However, whether it was the current Sect Leader Chang Ye or the former Ting Feng, as well as elders like Feihu and Yunxia, they all harbored thoughts of letting Dragon Mountain Sect and the Hundred Poison Sect wear each other down.

They had been waiting and watching before Lu Qingfeng took charge, not willing to make a move.

She Tu was frustrated and felt powerless.

"However—"

Elder Han Jiang didn't even glance at the shattered desk, a trace of confusion in his eyes as he continued, "According to the disciple sent to Yinfu Sect, there seems to have been a significant change within. The person who came forward was neither the bruiser Chang Ye nor the old codger Ting Feng, but a quite youthful young man. Both elders Feihu and Yunxia were extremely respectful towards him, even addressing him as 'Sect Leader'. I don't know his background."

Elder Han Jiang was puzzled by the report from the disciple sent to Yinfu Sect.

"Another change of Sect Leader?"

She Tu was surprised but then sneered, "Yinfu Sect is getting worse and worse. Ting Feng had some ability, but Chang Ye was nothing but a brute. Now they've picked a young kid to be Sect Leader, it seems they really don't want to prosper!"

Having Chang Ye as a precedent, She Tu was initially surprised by the news of Yinfu Sect choosing a young kid as Sect Leader, but soon he started to scoff.

Had it been another sect appointing a young Sect Leader, it might have raised some curiosity.

But Yinfu Sect—

If a barbarian like Chang Ye could become Sect Leader, what was impossible?

Elder Han Jiang also laughed, "This kid is young, barely grown, but he sure talks big. He even sent a message with the disciple, telling our Dragon Mountain Sect to surrender and join his ranks."

"Really—"

Elder Han Jiang shook his head.

It could only be said that youth knows no fear.

...

"It is quite the coincidence."

"It seems you all are discussing me?"

Amidst the mockery from the Dragon Mountain Sect, a mocking voice resonated throughout the hall.

"Who is there?!"

Elder Tie Mu glared, looking towards the hall entrance.

She Tu and Elder Han Jiang similarly turned their gaze to the doorway.

Yet, as the voice still echoed within the hall, a young man clad in a green Daoist robe slowly entered. With each step that seemed to weigh upon the hearts of those present, his approach was uncannily eerie.

"I am Guang Yuan, humble Sect Leader of the Yinfu Sect."

"Greetings, everyone."

Lu Qingfeng bowed with a cupped-fist salute, a smile present on his face.

"So, you're the new Sect Leader of the Yinfu Sect?"

"A little kid dares to run wild in our Dragon Mountain Sect!"

Elder Tie Mu was initially hesitant, but then he barked out loud. From within his embrace, a grey-white small snake, sensing its master's anger, poked its head out from his garment, its gaze fiercely fixated on the young man ahead.

However, fierce as it may seem, Elder Tie Mu internally stayed on guard.

He had thought the Yinfu Sect was up to their usual nonsense, and the young Sect Leader was but a joke. Still, the fact that the youth had arrived here alone and unnoticed suggested there was something more to him.

There are three people not to provoke in the jianghu —

Old men, children, and young ladies.

The young man before them was enigmatic, his bearing not to be underestimated, just as peculiar as the aforementioned three types.

Elder Tie Mu talked a tough game, but he dared not advance.

She Tu and Elder Han Shan watched Lu Qingfeng, sharing a similar caution to Elder Tie Mu.

Lu Qingfeng scanned the three men and finally settled his gaze on She Tu.

Among them, this one was the strongest, having reached the Dragon Tiger Realm. His appearance matched the description given by the Feihu Protector and others; surely this must be She Tu, the Sect Leader of the Dragon Mountain Sect.

"Sect Leader She Tu, the message I asked your disciples to deliver previously, I wonder what you have decided?"

Lu Qingfeng looked towards She Tu, advancing slowly as he spoke.

Elder Tie Mu and Elder Han Shan prudently chose not to speak.

The small snake around She Tu's neck grew increasingly agitated, fixating its gaze on Lu Qingfeng, ready to strike at any moment.

Yet She Tu held back, refraining from attacking and sneered, "Such a tender age and yet so ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. Our Dragon Mountain Sect has stood proudly on Wanshe Mountain for two hundred years; how could we ever submit to your trifle Yinfu Sect?!"

As he spoke, he assessed the young man's physique.

Martial artists either showcased skill in their hands or proficiency with their legs. With as much experience as She Tu, even if the newcomer did not make a move, he could generally discern their ability.

But this youth —

A heavy feeling settled in She Tu's chest; he couldn't see through him!

"So be it."

"My apologies."

Lu Qingfeng shook his head, having anticipated She Tu's reluctance to submit.

He said no more, stepping forward and launched a kick —

"Impudence!"

She Tu, having contained his anger, finally erupted as he saw Lu Qingfeng's casual kick approach.

What he feared was the unknown of the youth's lone presence.

But how much skill could a mere kid's body hold?

She Tu was skeptical.

Now with Lu Qingfeng making his move, it aligned with his wishes, stripping away his reservations.

She Tu scoffed coldly and without moving an inch, the triangular-headed snake wrapped around his neck shot out towards Lu Qingfeng.

"Pathetic snake."

Lu Qingfeng's expression unmoved, he casually waved his hand, creating a blur in the air.

Bang!

A burst echoed in the void, the sound of a blast created by severe air compression. Along with the noise, the famed 'Flying Lightning' serpent king revered by countless warriors under She Tu's command was sent crashing to the ground, its head spinning, paralyzed.

"Huh?"

Elder Tie Mu and Elder Han Shan were about to intervene when they abruptly paused upon witnessing the scene.

Flying Lightning, hailed as the king of snakes, was one of the strongest spiritual snakes from the Dragon Mountain Sect. Swift and venomous, it was a challenge for any martial artist to defend against a direct assault.

Yet this young man, with merely a wave of his hand like swatting a fly, had —

Knocked out Flying Lightning?!

With such speed, such palm strength, they knew they were no match and did not dare to move forward.

They stood aside, silently staying on guard.

She Tu was hit squarely.

Seeing Lu Qingfeng's palm knock out Flying Lightning and then continue with his relentless kick, fear surged in his heart. Yet, with Dragon Tiger Realm prowess, he feared no one in this Earth Realm.

The thought had barely formed when the leg kick flashed, already in front of him.

The speed was extreme.

"Not good!"

She Tu had no time to react.

Bang!

A blow to the abdomen sent all his organs tumbling as if stirred, and his body, like a boiled shrimp, curled and flew backward.

Crash, crash, crash!

Furniture shattered, wood splinters scattering every which way.

"This —"

"A Grandmaster?"

Elder Tie Mu and Elder Han Shan looked on in utter astonishment.

Seeing Flying Lightning knocked unconscious was one thing, but She Tu was a genuine Dragon Tiger Realm expert. How could he seem no different than a common person - powerless against the young man's kick, sent flying so far?

Their shock deepened, grateful they had not acted hastily before.

"Would you submit now?"

Lu Qingfeng looked down at She Tu, who was spitting blood on the ground, and inquired.

With his Sixth Layer of the True Qi Realm cultivation, even ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators were scantly his match, let alone a Dragon Tiger Realm Martial Artist comparable to the early stages of True Qi.

He had won with a single strike!

"Never!"

She Tu resisted, struggling to rise.

"Will not submit?"

Lu Qingfeng chuckled lightly, stepping forward and landing another kick onto She Tu's chest, which brought him intense heart pain, leaving him unable to rise again.

"Would you now submit?"

Lu Qingfeng asked again.

"I —"

"Ugh!"

Every part of She Tu hurt as he coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes dimming before he finally lowered his head, "I will submit."