Yellow Court Daoist

Lu Qingfeng noticed the presence.

He hurried to absorb it, but his body was already saturated, making it impossible to take in any more of the aura. Helplessly, he could only constrain it around him.

In this way.

The mysterious aura did not dissipate, but instead continuously gathered around Lu Qingfeng.

Feeling this, Lu Qingfeng was struck by a revelation—

"Immortal Crystal!"

His eyes lit up.

Indeed.

Having attained the Mahayana Sensing Realm, he could now sense the Heavenly Dao naturally, drawing in the Nine Heavens Immortal Energy for his own cultivation. And what was descending now, if not Immortal Energy?

Each breath of Immortal Energy that entered his stomach brought unimaginable changes to his physical body, Primordial Spirit, and Mana.

Immortal Energy!

Immortal Energy!

Once touched by the 'Immortal' character, it became extraordinary. A single breath of this Immortal Energy, if acquired by a Jindan Cultivator, could instantly elevate their realm.

With each breath, what entered his heart and lungs was none other than Immortal Spirit Qi.

And those gathering around him, if not 'Immortal Crystals' then what else could they be?!

Previously, he only knew of the origin of Immortal Crystals, but today, having become immortal, he understood their mysteries.

"True Immortal!"

"True Immortal!"

"From now on, everything is different!"

Lu Qingfeng rose, his surroundings in the Void began to crack. A trace of Qi leaked, affecting everything in the meditation room—cushions, tables, and chairs—as well as the plants and trees outside. Everything was influenced, as if infused with an extra dose of Spiritual Charm.

Especially the courtyard plants and earth-dwelling insects—flowers flaunting their stems, swaying, and insects as if intoxicated, staggering yet each benefited, awakening a trace of Spiritual Wisdom.

If this continued, they would eventually open their great Spiritual Wisdom, and mundane plants and ordinary insects could step onto the path of Immortality. Even without significant Magic Gates, they could transform into spirits or demons.

"What a Mahayana True Immortal!"

Lu Qingfeng praised inwardly.

Without stepping into the realm of True Immortal, one could never comprehend the profound mysteries of Mahayana. Standing outside the Immortal Sect, no matter how much one hears from others, peering inside remains like looking at flowers through the fog or gazing at the moon in the water.

Not truly understood.

Only by stepping inside can one glimpse the true face.

Lu Qingfeng stood quietly, deeply experiencing.

Twelve whole days later, he finally opened his eyes, mastering infinite power and all transformations.

...

Stepping out of the meditation room.

Ao Le stood there charmingly, with two toddlers about the height of her legs, clutching the hem of her dress, half hiding behind her, timidly yet curiously staring at Lu Qingfeng, the unfamiliar man.

"Congratulations to my husband for ascending to True Immortal."

Seeing the significant change in Lu Qingfeng's aura, Ao Le's face showed boundless joy as she congratulated him and then looked down at the two little ones with a smile, "Xiao'er, Yao'er, won't you greet daddy quickly?"

Lu Xiao and Lu Yao, with big eyes, still looked somewhat unfamiliar.

Lu Qingfeng saw this.

He blew out two clouds to lift the two little ones closer, then stepped forward to embrace Ao Le, laughing, "This year's retreat was long, but Xiao'er and Yao'er have grown quite a bit."

With one arm around Ao Le and another pulling Lu Yao into his embrace, he said, "Sweet daughter, call 'daddy.'"

Lu Yao blinked her big eyes, her small hand gripping Lu Qingfeng's hair. Sniffing the scent from Lu Qingfeng, she seemed to sense the closeness from their deep blood connection and crisply called out, "Daddy, daddy."

"Ha ha!"

"Good, good, good."

Lu Qingfeng laughed heartily, feeling very pleased.

"Phew phew!"

On one side, Lu Xiao lay on the cloud, exploring around. Since Lu Qingfeng's hands were full and he couldn't hold him, the little guy ignored Lu Qingfeng, thoroughly enjoying playing with the cloud by himself.

Seeing this, Ao Le freed herself from Lu Qingfeng's arms, picked Lu Xiao off the cloud, and tucked him into Lu Qingfeng's other side, chiding, "You can't just hold your daughter."

"It's not that I wasn't free."

Lu Qingfeng tried to argue, but catching the look from Ao Le, he quickly turned his head to coax Lu Xiao, "Xiao'er, call 'daddy.'"

Lu Xiao, with big eyes, paused for a moment.

"Say 'daddy.'"

Lu Qingfeng instructed again.

Lu Xiao remained silent, just staring at Lu Qingfeng. After a while, he suddenly hugged Lu Qingfeng's face and bit towards his chin.

His mouth busily moved as if he found something tasty.

Lu Qingfeng dared not move, fearing he might hurt Lu Xiao. Looking helplessly at Ao Le, he sheepishly said, "This silly son!"

...

Outside Jimo City.

The True Immortal anomaly spread over thirty thousand miles, attracting many Primordial Spirits.

Each cautious not to rashly enter the city, fearing they might disturb the breakthrough of the person inside and create a deadly enmity.

Thus, they stood apart in groups.

Among them were four individuals, each occupying a mountain top, facing each other distantly.

One appeared as a middle-aged scholar.

Another wore a domineering black dragon robe.

Besides these two.

There were also a Daoist and a General.

If someone were to see them, they could recognize that these were the four most powerful and influential figures within the territories of Min River and the Southern Country.

The first two were none other than the Min River Water Monarch, who ruled over thousands of the Water Clan of Min River, and the other was the ruler of the Southern Country.

Southern Country's ruler, upon seeing the three guests, laughed heartily and said, "Brother Zhang, Daoist Yu Feng, General Bei Ye, it is rare to see you since you usually delve deep into cultivation."

Daoist Yu Feng, upon hearing this, lightly flicked his horsetail whisk and responded, "I cultivate the Great Method in seclusion and was awakened from my retreat by the vision of a True Immortal. I have come to meet and pay my respects to the master of this realm."

General Bei Ye, wild and unrestrained in spirit, with a loud voice exclaimed, "This land indeed births remarkable individuals. The famous 'Tianshu War God,' who once held the title of 'Tianshu Evil Destruction Marshal' at Shang River, hails from Min River."

He continued, glancing towards the Min River Water Lord, "This 'Tianshu War God' shares a connection with Brother Zhang, whose grandfather was once the distinguished Second Grade Dragon Lord commanding the waters of Min River."

Ao Jun, highly revered for his prowess and his battles against demons both within and outward of Shang River, was well-known and respected.

Southern Country and Min River, despite changes in power, still had many top-notch experts well aware of, and honoring, his origins.

After all,

In all of Shang River, there weren't many Mahayana True Immortals; each one a legendary figure in their own right.

"General Bei Ye has seen much and knows much," remarked the Min River Water Lord with a smile, although internally he shook his head. "The 'Tianshu War God' hailing from Min River is a True Immortal, indeed deserving of immense respect. Here, if we talk about top figures, the 'Tianshu War God' can only be placed second."

Suddenly,

His gaze veered southward, considering the Sect Leader of Yu Mountain and then—

A thought struck him, "Perhaps he might not even be the second."

The Min River Water Lord kept these thoughts to himself.

"Ha ha!"

"Idle curiosities, I fancy prying stories, not like Brother Zhang," roared General Bei Ye, gazing toward the Min River Water Lord, his mind intrigued. This relatively obscure figure, who had descended upon Min River twelve hundred years ago to serve as the Second Grade Water Lord, was indeed a mystery.

His origins were indeed secretive, and his skills were formidable.

All around feared him.

Southern Country's ruler also looked towards the Min River Water Lord, having heard bits and pieces elsewhere about his background. However, the exact details remained elusive.

The Min River Water Lord ignored the thoughts of the three and looked towards Jimo City, pondering who inside might be breaking through. If it indeed was the Jimo Governor, it might be worthwhile to attempt recruiting him for his lord.

Each had their own thoughts.

Time flowed on.

When Lu Qingfeng stepped out of the meditation room, the thunderous phenomenon that had persisted for four hundred and ninety days in the sky finally dissipated.

All around Jimo City, figures witnessing this felt a jolt in their hearts—

"He's succeeded!"

In a moment of heartfelt movement.

Thus, they ventured into Jimo City, tracing the Qi they had observed before and gathered outside the Governor Mansion.

Casual Primordial Spirits dared not act rashly.

Only high-ranking individuals like the Min River Water Lord and Southern Country's ruler dared advance.

Southern Country's ruler floated over and called out to the mansion, "Southern Country's Zhao Zheng, here to congratulate the esteemed elder on achieving True Immortality!"

Similarly, the Min River Water Lord declared loudly, "Min River's Zhang Ke, congratulates the elder on certifying the Immortal Dao!"

Daoist Yu Feng and General Bei Ye spoke out in turn.

As they finished,

A voice from within the Governor Mansion responded, "Zhang Ke, come in."

"Eh?"

Zhang Ke of Min River momentarily stunned, recognized the voice as vaguely familiar. Guessing yet unsure, he hurriedly obliged and entered the mansion.

Leaving Southern Country's ruler Zhao Zheng, Daoist Yu Feng, and General Bei Ye outside, none could decide whether to stay or enter, all taken aback by Zhang Ke's background—

"Turns out Zhang Ke has significant origins!"

...

Zhang Ke paid no mind to the three.

He quickly entered the Governor Mansion, escorted by a maid to the inner courtyard.

There,

A casually dressed young man was sitting and enjoying tea, watching two children play, a gentle smile on his face. Beside the young man, a graceful woman also smiled.

Upon seeing this,

Zhang Ke frowned internally, yet maintained composure, and bowed deeply to the young man, respectfully saying, "Min River's Zhang Ke, congratulates Governor Lu on ascending to the Mahayana Realm!"

Zhang Ke, being in charge of Min River, certainly recognized the Governor of Jimo County.

However,

This Jimo Governor usually kept a low profile, even more mysterious in origin than him, and had now unexpectedly achieved True Immortality, far surpassing him.

This truly surprised him.

Zhang Ke pondered the origins of this Jimo Governor.

As Lu Qingfeng and Ao Le saw Zhang Ke's restraint, they exchanged looks and chuckled.

Then the Governor's wife cheerfully said to the Jimo Governor, "Husband, with such a commotion upon achieving True Immortality, we probably can't stay in Jimo City anymore, no need to hide it from him."

"Uh?"

Confused and recalling the voice he had just heard, Zhang Ke suddenly realized, and looking at the Jimo Governor exclaimed, "Your Majesty?"

"Ah, Zhang Ke, it's been a long time," Lu Qingfeng said with a smile, his mind moved, and he dispelled the Blinding Technique on himself and Ao Le, instantly returning to their true appearances. Though it was a slight change, it made a world of difference.

Zhang Ke immediately recognized; was this not that 'Investigation God Monarch' and 'Hall Officer God Monarch' from the Investigation Divine Bureau?!

Astonished,

He quickly knelt, "Zhang Ke pays respects to Your Majesty, and to the Madam!"

"Enough,"

"Your father has been a good friend of mine and my wife for over fifty thousand years; no need for such formalities," Ao Le said with a light laugh.

This Zhang Ke, though he looked somewhat older, was someone she had watched grow up. His father was once the 'Demon Correcting Good and Evil Main Canon Warden of the Five Prisons' in the old days of the Investigation Divine Bureau, ranked as Third Grade.