Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 394 - 370: Entering Demon Swamp from Hun Mountain, Turbulence at Southern Pass

[Divine Skill: Body Separation]

[Grade: Great Divine Power]

[Derivation Technique: Enhanced Twenty Times]

[Description: Strengthened from the Divine Soul Thought Generation Skill, this skill uses a powerful magic artifact (Immortal Artifact, Spiritual Treasure) or the flesh of exotic beasts as the core, with one's Divine Thought as the catalyst for refinement. Ultimately, it divides to form a second self, known as 'Body Separation.' Depending on the quality of the magic artifact or flesh, the Body Separation may possess different Divine Powers and Mana. It can be stronger or weaker than the original body. It is capable of cultivating independently, and based on the grade of the magic artifact (Immortal Artifact, Spiritual Treasure) and potential of the exotic beasts, the speed of cultivation and the ultimate limit reached may vary.]

Before the end of his previous life, Lu Qingfeng used all his Experience Value to strengthen four Divine Skills and the Red Dust Longevity Technique, including 'Body Separation.'

After being enhanced to Great Divine Power, the mystery of Body Separation undoubtedly became even more profound.

"'Luo Fuzi' in its original form is a magic artifact, incapable of cultivating any Cultivation Techniques or Divine Powers. It simply needs to refine the restrictions within itself to improve its cultivation base. Only True Yuan and Mana require step-by-step cultivation, which is somewhat slow, but once fully refined, it is bound to reach the Mahayana True Immortal level eventually."

"When it was first completed, it possessed the Mana at the Peak of Core Formation. However, after forty years of refining, it remains at the Peak of Core Formation, far from the Primordial Spirit Realm. As for the Mahayana Realm, who knows when that shall be achieved."

As long as 'Luo Fuzi' is given time, this Body Separation will eventually reach the Mahayana True Immortal realm. However, if the magic artifact itself cannot ascend to an Immortal Artifact, for an infinite lifetime, the highest one can attain is only the Mahayana True Immortal realm.

Even if Lu Qingfeng later ascends to the Earth Immortal World and becomes an Earth Immortal or Heavenly Immortal, 'Luo Fuzi' can only remain at the level of Mahayana True Immortal.

'Hun Mountain' is slightly different.

'Hun Mountain's' original body is a Tianxuan Battle Ape, and its physical body still exists. But compared to an Eighth Rank Magical Artifact, the physical body is indeed inferior. However, after becoming a Body Separation, it is capable of cultivating Divine Powers and Cultivation Techniques, boasting enormous potential.

But compared to the certainty of 'Luo Fuzi' as a Mahayana True Immortal, 'Hun Mountain's' future achievements are filled with uncertainties. Moreover, without top Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills, it cannot compare to the innate abilities and power contained within 'Luo Fuzi's' Eighth Rank magic artifact form.

Like 'Luo Fuzi,' once successful, it becomes invincible at Core Formation.

The 'Hun Mountain' before him, due to its Divine Soul being shattered, Lu Qingfeng refined a Second Primordial Spirit to usurp its place, creating it as a Body Separation, inevitably resulting in a decrease in strength, only reaching the initial Jiedan Level. To be of any use, more cultivation is required.

"Luo Fuzi."

"Hun Mountain."

Lu Qingfeng and 'Hun Mountain' sat opposite each other, multitasking. The former was deep in thought, while the latter's aura was circulating, already cultivating the Yellow Robe True Skill, getting accustomed to the new body, and enhancing cultivation strength.

In his previous life when he advanced to the Primordial Spirit, both his Body Separation skills and multitasking abilities had greatly improved.

Both the main body and the Body Separation were busy with their own endeavors, not interfering with each other.

"With two Body Separations, 'Luo Fuzi' will need more resources to improve strength, and 'Hun Mountain' will require more for cultivation."

"However, for me, appearing outwardly as a Fourth-Grade Divine Being and soon being able to recruit 'Luo Fuzi,' my strength is far from weak. Acquiring cultivation resources for the main body and both Body Separations will not be difficult."

Having two Body Separations undoubtedly provides much more room for maneuvering.

"I will sever my connection with Luo Fuzi and recruit him through the Mirror Stone. In any future conflicts, he will take action, hiding the true strength of my main body."

Whether it was Luo Fuzi acting to defeat the Tianxuan Demons and securing Snow Eagle Mountain, or Lu Qingfeng as the Yuan Lake Water Lord visiting Snow Eagle Mountain three times, all were part of the plan he had conceived early on.

It was all to lay a solid foundation.

Predicting the encounter with Lan Feihu and Yuan Bi during his tribulation, after the tribulation, he would righteously recruit Luo Fuzi with the help of the two generals, connecting the dots before and after.

Ao Lie was an unexpected joy.

This way, some might suspect 'Luo Fuzi's' identity as a Southern Sea Independent Practitioner, but it would be hard to associate him with Lu Qingfeng.

That was sufficient.

As for 'Hun Mountain.'

"Hun Mountain's original form is a Tianxuan Battle Ape, belonging to the Demon Clan, from the line of Demons."

"It can enter the Demon Swamp."

There are two considerations—

Firstly, Lu Qingfeng has risen with Yuan Lake and Min River, and sooner or later, he will inevitably come into contact with the southern Demon Swamp. By infiltrating from within, he can know both himself and the enemy.

Secondly, the Demon Swamp is more chaotic than Qi Country, which would allow for rapid strengthening of the 'Dutian Xuanming Strategy.'

Lu Qingfeng waved his sleeve, and the Dutian Xuanming Strategy floated in the air.

Initially refined, this Sect Magical Artifact was a Sixth Rank.

Now in the Dutian Xuanming Strategy, out of three thousand six hundred Xuanming Yin Soldiers, more than half are yet to be filled, and there is only one Dutian Ghost General, which was formed after refining the Tianxuan Demon's Divine Soul.

In Yuan Lake, and even more so across Min River and Qi Country, the laws of the Human Dao and Divine Dao are strict. Lu Qingfeng dares not act recklessly, lest he ignite a disaster upon himself.

'Luo Fuzi's' identity is also reserved as the mightiest under Lu Qingfeng's command and should not be used lightly.

Now that the second Body Separation 'Hun Mountain' has been refined, he can finally make his move without restraint.

"Hu hu hu!"

Lu Qingfeng waved his sleeves, and the supplies for training the army brought by Ao Lie were placed by Lu Qingfeng into the Dutian Xuanming Strategy. The Dutian Creation Pool roared into action, converting them into Dutian Qi, continuously enhancing the sole Dutian Ghost General and the three hundred Xuanming Yin Soldiers within.

With a significant amount of provisions cut.

At last, one Dutian Ghost General and three hundred Xuanming Yin Soldiers were optimized to their utmost potential.

The Dutian Xuanming Strategy descended, and Hun Mountain below opened his eyes, reaching out to receive it. Lu Qingfeng tore open the Void and took out two Qi Rings, the Great You Circle, the Demon Suppressing Golden Ring, and the Evil Extinguishing Immortal Robe, all of which were taken by Hun Mountain.

Four Magical Artifacts, each a Sixth Rank.

Lu Qingfeng had a method of 'enhancing,' capable of using materials for refining Fifth-Order magic artifacts to refine Sixth Rank ones. Despite the challenge of finding materials for Sixth Rank Artifact Refining, obtaining materials for Fifth-Order ones was not difficult with control over Yuan Lake and the backing of Min River Dragon Palace.

With four Sixth Rank Magical Artifacts in hand.

Two Qi Rings for escape, Great You Circle for combat, Demon Suppressing Golden Ring for trapping enemies, and Evil Extinguishing Immortal Robe for defending against them.

Everything was well taken care of without any weaknesses.

With the power boost from Dutian Xuanming Strategy, and the inherent advantages of the original Tianxuan Battle Ape body, even though this 'Hun Mountain' Body Separation currently only has the initial Cultivation Level of Core Formation, not yet solidified,

Cultivators of Immortal Dao at the Core Formation Stage and practitioners at the Third Realm of the Life and Death Skill would find it difficult to harm Hun Mountain, and unless a True Immortal at the True One level or a Fourth Realm practitioner of the Life and Death Skill makes a move, they surely would not be able to defeat it.

"Let's head to the Demon Swamp."

Without a sound, Hun Mountain stealthily emerged from the Water Palace, snuck out of Yuan Lake, and made a beeline for the Demon Swamp to the south.

Yuan Lake's Third Realm experts were sparse, and no one noticed.

...

Seventy thousand li to the west of Yuan Lake, several mountain peaks stood tall, sheer cliffs facing each other with deep ravines in between, too difficult for mortals to venture into.

This place was known as the Three Mountains Valley.

The Spiritual Energy was mediocre at best, and not a single Cultivator was attracted to settle down here.

On this day...

Three streaks of light crossed the sky and descended between the peaks, revealing three figures.

One in white robes, one in dark robes, and one in a yellow shirt, all of them young in appearance yet exuding distinct auras.

Bai Ziyue, dressed in white, with a stream of Sword Intent at his brow, surveyed the surroundings and glanced at the Miniature Sword in his hand, saying, "According to the Sword Order, the hermitage of Tianxin Sword Master should be right here."

Beside him...

Zhu Xuanji's dark robes fluttered gently in the wind, betraying a somewhat effeminate air. His fingers were ceaselessly calculating as he nodded slightly, "In the Ancient Immortal Qin Period, Southern Pass Road was the seat of Jimo County in the Immortal Qin. Tianxin Sword Master once served as the Prefectural Governor of Jimo County, so it makes sense for him to establish his legacy here."

"It looks like we've come to the right place!"

Gongyang Yu, decked in a yellow shirt and a burly figure, laughed with thrilled surprise.

Zhu Xuanji looked westward with a frown, "This place is located along Southern Pass Road, not far to the west is Yuan Lake."

"This area is seldomly traversed; Southern Pass Road isn't a concern."

Bai Ziyue also looked westward, his expression turning slightly serious, "A hundred years ago, Yuan Lake had a divine presence, its Magic Domain spread a hundred thousand li. Opening the hermitage will not go unnoticed, and while the strong from Southern Pass Road may not arrive in time, we must be wary of the Yuan Lake Water God."

The two conversed...

Gongyang Yu, clad in yellow and with a brawny build, scoffed, "The Yuan Lake Water God may be talented, but he is a coward at heart. Coiling in Yuan Lake for a century without venturing out, there's no need to fear him."

"The Yuan Lake Water God is of no concern. Apart from the three thousand Min River Navy, the Water Palace of Yuan Lake has no forces worthy of note. However, recently, a Sword Cultivator by the name of 'Luo Fuzi' pledged allegiance to the Water God. This man slew the well-known Tianxuan Demon of Southern Pass Road with a single slash, and we cannot underestimate him."

Zhu Xuanji squinted, his effeminate face exuding a few strands of cold light.

Clearly...

Zhu Xuanji was quite familiar with the situation in Yuan Lake.

Bai Ziyue, with his chiseled features, stated icily, "If the Sword Order can sense the location of Tianxin Sword Master's hermitage, it means the arrays guarding the hermitage are loosened and could reveal themselves at any moment. We can't afford to wait; we must seize the opportunity before the Yuan Lake Water God and the powerful of Southern Pass Road arrive, take the treasure, and leave."

The Miniature Sword in Bai Ziyue's hand trembled.

"Exactly, exactly!"

"Don't delay any further."

Gongyang Yu urged, his voice eager and impatient.

"Let's begin then."

Without any hesitation, Zhu Xuanji and Bai Ziyue both released their trembling Miniature Swords, breaking into the air and plunging into the gully. Gongyang Yu, seeing this, quickly released his own Miniature Sword.

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

The three swords flew in unison, resonating with the energy around them.

In the steep canyons between the peaks, a wisp of Sword Intent stirred.

Initially faint...

But in an instant, it surged to the heavens, transforming into countless sword lights, coalescing into a portal, illuminating the area.

"Quick!"

Elated, the three didn't dare delay, their figures soared, and they rushed into the portal.

After their entry, the portal remained suspended.

The sword light began to shine.

The Sword Intent soared to the skies.

From this epicenter...

All Third Realm experts and Fourth and Fifth Grade Divine Beings within thousands of li, tens of thousands of li, even over a hundred thousand li, all sensed something.

At Southern Pass Road's mightiest strongpoint, Zhen Nan Pass...

Suddenly, Divine Light arose in the city, a divine being whose face and form were indiscernible, swept up with overwhelming momentum. A Magic Domain unfolded, revealing a golden path, endlessly extending toward the Three Mountains Valley.

At the same time...

Another imposing qi and blood resonance emerged from the city, as a figure shot into the sky, enveloped in wind and thunder, disappearing in an instant.

A surge of upright qi emerged, sounding a grand and piercing chime, following the first two out of Zhen Nan Pass.

Far from Zhen Nan Pass, within Wangnan Mountain, a strange aura arose, a horsetail whisk materialized, turning into a sword light streaking towards the heavens.

Apart from these four streams of energy...

Throughout various locations on Southern Pass Road, Divine Lights continuously shot up into the sky, qi and blood roared, and the Void vibrated.

On Southern Pass Road, mortals and Cultivators at the First Realm of the Skill of Life and Death could not sense anything out of the ordinary.

It was only those who had reached the Second Realm who felt an indescribable terror from the various breaths, and were shocked without knowing what had actually happened.