Yellow Court Daoist
Chapter 403 - 379: Great Opportunity!

"Only five continents before Immortal Qin?"

Lu Qingfeng really didn't know this.

The Min River Dragon Lord wasn't in a hurry to explain but instead, with a change of tone, declared aloud, "Over seven thousand years ago, the Ancient Shang Heavenly Court along with the Three Great Dragon Palaces of Shang River, East Sea, and West Sea, nearly simultaneously discovered a Small World drifting beyond the Ancient Shang Region. After several probes and understanding the details, it turned out to be the refuge of the remnants of Yue Country from the Immortal Qin Period, who were destroyed by Immortal Qin. Led by 'Chunshen Jun,' a survivor from Yue, they retreated to this realm. Hence, the Realm Name 'Chunshen Realm.'"

"Over a thousand years, the Dragon Palaces and Heavenly Court set their sights on Chunshen Realm, beginning to dispatch disciples and followers, breaking through the Endless Void to enter this realm. As these Ancient Shang Practitioners in Chunshen Realm either cultivate and rapidly increase their powers, or expand their territories and rule over lands, or establish sects and teach the populace, the realm's destiny and karmic ties with Immortal Qin deepen continuously."

"Through these deep ties, the top powerhouses from Dragon Palaces and Heavenly Court joined forces to use the Supreme Method, guiding and dragging Chunshen Realm closer to Immortal Qin."

"It has been over five thousand five hundred years."

If it were an ordinary person, they would be completely confused by the twists and turns of Min River Dragon Lord's narrative.

But Lu Qingfeng understood clearly—

Five hundred years ago,

Luo Fuzi vowed allegiance to the Yuan Lake Water Lord for a hundred years. Lu Qingfeng originally intended to leave and focus on his cultivation. Unexpectedly, the Min River Dragon Lord threw out a big opportunity and revealed a tremendous stroke of fortune.

This opportunity was none other than Chunshen Realm.

The Immortal Qin Realm was once extremely powerful and under the leadership of Emperor Immortal Qin Qin Zhen, their armies conquered other worlds outside of the Immortal Qin Realm.

Before the establishment of Immortal Qin, there were only five continents in the Immortal Qin Realm.

To this day, there are nine continents in the Immortal Qin Realm.

Four of these continents were acquired by annexing and capturing other worlds.

Of course.

The spatial ranking of the Immortal Qin Realm, compared to the original Changqing Realm and Five Directions Realm, was a bit lower. The annexed worlds had an even lower spatial ranking. Some could only accommodate Primordial Spirit Practitioners, and not a single Mahayana True Immortal could emerge from them.

These worlds merged with the Immortal Qin Realm, becoming the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth continents.

Afterwards, the Immortal Qin was destroyed.

The Immortal Qin Realm was exiled.

But through the ages of Immortal Qin and Immortal Han, the methods of annexing worlds had long since been perfected. In the Ancient Shang Region, both the Ancient Shang Heavenly Court and the Three Great Dragon Palaces had mastered this method.

And with the overwhelming strength of the Heavenly Court and Dragon Palaces,

they ruled over the Ancient Shang Region for years, constantly seeking and annexing surrounding Small Worlds. However, ordinary practitioners, and even many from the Third Realm and Fourth Realm, were unaware of it.

Only those affiliated with the Dragon Palaces and Heavenly Court, like the Min River Dragon Lord, were privileged to this knowledge.

Chunshen Realm.

It is the realm that the Heavenly Court and Dragon Palaces have recently found and are currently in the process of capturing and annexing.

As for what Min River Dragon Lord just mentioned—

To put it simply,

Imagine it as a naval battle.

Immortal Qin sends its navy to jump onto the enemy's ships, driving stakes in place, and pulling ropes between Immortal Qin and the enemy's ships.

Because Immortal Qin's ships are larger and the enemy's ships are smaller,

the enemy's ships are uncontrollably drawn closer to Immortal Qin's side.

In the end, the two ships make contact and engage in boarding combat.

The case between Immortal Qin Realm and Chunshen Realm is just like these two ships, large and small. The practitioners from Immortal Qin Realm entering Chunshen Realm are like those stakes. The karmic ties and destiny are the ropes.

Just wait for the 'boarding' of Chunshen Realm with Immortal Qin Realm. Chunshen Realm will be unable to escape and eventually will be swallowed by Immortal Qin Realm, becoming part of the territory of the Ancient Shang Region.

Before the establishment of the Immortal Qin empire, there were only five great continents. After the establishment, Immortal Qin continued to annex other worlds.

This is the origin of the other four great continents.

Five hundred years ago.

The chance which Min River Dragon Lord spoke of to Luo Fuzi to break through to the Fourth and eventually the Fifth Realm lay in Chunshen Realm. Regardless of whether it was Luo Fuzi's avatar of five hundred years or the current Lu Qingfeng about to enter, as well as other practitioners dispatched by the Dragon Palaces and Heavenly Court, they all are 'naval warriors'—each one a stake.

After entering Chunshen Realm, they are firmly nailed in place.

Karmic ties and destiny are entangled.

Once Chunshen Realm approaches and merges with Immortal Qin, the world spirit will inevitably confer rewards based on merit.

At that time, being blessed by destiny, a rapid rise in cultivation is not out of the question.

If 'Luo Fuzi' develops well in Chunshen Realm, becomes a Fourth Realm practitioner, or expands territory and rules over a large area, or establishes a sect and holds significant sway,

utilizing the rewards of the world after annexation, the chances of advancing to the Fifth Realm through arduous cultivation are indeed much higher than staying passively in the Ancient Shang Region.

And by taking Luo Fuzi as a disciple, Min River Dragon Lord can also share in this destiny.

"An excellent tactic."

Lu Qingfeng couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

However, it wasn't in praise of Min River Dragon Lord, but in awe of the Immortal Qin's methods.

If given enough time, as the Immortal Qin Realm expands and its spatial ranking rises, becoming a major world capable of housing Heavenly Immortal Star Lords and even Golden Immortal Dao Jun doesn't seem impossible.

However,

that's only because the Immortal Qin Realm was exiled into the void, uncertain which corner it drifted to. The Primordial Heavenly Court did not intervene, allowing such unfettered annexation of other worlds.

Otherwise, the Heavenly Court would have surely descended punishment.

Perhaps even the exile of the Immortal Qin Realm by Emperor Qin Zhen considered this factor.

"Now you should know where Luo Fuzi has gone."

The Min River Dragon Lord said slowly as he rode the clouds.

"So, he went to Chunshen Realm."

"No wonder, with Daoist Brother Luo Fu's prowess, there has been no news of him in five hundred years."

Lu Qingfeng realized with an 'aha' moment.

...

Five hundred years ago.

The Min River Dragon Lord took 'Luo Fuzi' as his disciple.

Lu Qingfeng was crystal clear about the situation.

That is why, once the five-hundred-year period had come, he flooded the armies commanded by Pei Zhi at Zhen Nan Pass. Otherwise, as a Fourth Grade Water Monarch whose fortunes could enhance his cultivation speed, Lu Qingfeng would never have traded his progress for a moment of satisfaction.

All of it hinged on foresight.

Knowing that he himself would soon depart for the Chunshen Realm and relinquish his title as Yuan Lake Water Lord, he felt emboldened to act in such a manner.

"The Dragon Transformation Pond."

Lu Qingfeng did not fear entering the Chunshen Realm.

With Luo Fuzi's avatar already exploring ahead, there were very few in the Ancient Shang Region who knew the Chunshen Realm better than he did.

Compared to the Chunshen Realm, Lu Qingfeng was undoubtedly more excited about the imminent visit to the Dragon Transformation Pond.

"This Dragon Transformation Pond is a supreme treasure of the Dragon Clan, originally one before being split into three and falling into the hands of the Shang River, East Sea, and West Sea Dragon Palaces, thereby establishing their foundations. When ordinary offspring of the Dragon Clan enter the Dragon Transformation Pond, they can purify their bloodline, consequently hastening their cultivation. As a member of the Human Clan, entering it will accelerate your enlightenment and cultivation."

"Spending three years in the Dragon Transformation Pond will be extremely beneficial for your advancement to the Fourth Realm. If you can reach the Fourth Realm while in the Chunshen Realm, the fortunes that will follow will make your cultivation journey much smoother."

The Min River Dragon Lord took Lu Qingfeng, plummeting down from the Nine Heavens Gang Wind Layer to the vast earth, among the winding mighty rivers that roared like a dragon coiling, echoing ceaselessly past his ears – the Shang River, the first and largest river of the Ancient Shang Region, and one of the Three Great Dragon Palaces!

...

The Shang River Dragon Palace was more grand and splendid than the Min River, not to mention far surpassing the Yuan Lake Water Palace.

Hidden within the vast Shang River.

Guarded by the navy, patrolled by yaksas, a place of divine presence.

Truly a sight of solemn magnificence.

The Min River Dragon Lord, familiar with this place, led Lu Qingfeng straight to a specific location in the Dragon Palace. The patrolling yaksas bowed respectfully upon recognizing the Min River Dragon Lord – clearly they knew him.

As a local Dragon Lord, a dignified Second Grade God, his status within the Dragon Palace was unquestionably high.

Squadrons of water soldiers made way for them.

Straight ahead they went.

The spaciousness of the Shang River Dragon Palace was astounding, filled with Immortal Palaces and grand halls that could dizzy anyone in their intricate layout.

The Min River Dragon Lord, with many twists and turns, stopped in front of a palace edifice.

Gilded and splendid.

Golden dragons coiled around, as if they were about to rise in chant. A swallowing aura struck, even making Lu Qingfeng slightly dizzy.

"Follow me inside," commanded the Min River Dragon Lord as he stepped into the palace, his voice echoing.

"Dragon Transformation Palace!"

Three characters, bold and flamboyant, inscribed above the gatehouse, captivating all who beheld them. At the Dragon Lord's call, Lu Qingfeng snapped out of his daze and quickly followed behind into the palace.

"Eh?"

"Isn't this Brother Ao Zhan? What a coincidence, to also encounter you here in the Dragon Transformation Palace."

Just as he entered the palace, a voice filled with pleasant surprise rose. Lu Qingfeng raised his gaze, and in the spacious hall ahead strode a majestic figure in dragon robes, with a blue face and white beard, emanating joy.

"So it is Brother Ao Geng," respectfully greeted the Min River Dragon Lord, even though his tone carried a hint of awkwardness.

"Ao Geng!"

"The Wujiang Dragon King Ao Geng?!"

Lu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes slightly at the sight of the blue-faced, white-bearded Dragon Clan powerhouse. Recognizing his background, he immediately understood the Min River Dragon Lord's odd expression.

In the past.

The Wujiang Dragon King Ao Geng had close ties with Min River Dragon Lord Ao Zhan.

Even before Ao Zhan claimed his title as the Min River Dragon Lord, he often associated with Ao Geng in the Dragon Palace of the East Sea. When Ao Zhan's wife, carrying Ao Le, was being pursued simultaneously by the West Sea and East Sea, she was hidden in the Wujiang Dragon Palace.

However, later on.

Just as Ao Lie had told Lu Qingfeng.

The mother of the four siblings, Ao Le and Ao Lie, was found and taken away by the West Sea. Leaving only Ao Le in the Wujiang Dragon Palace where, orphaned, she was often bullied by the children of the Wujiang Dragon King.

Since then, the interactions between the Min River Dragon Lord and the Wujiang had waned.

Or rather, ceased completely.

Although it wasn't intentional on the part of the Wujiang Dragon King who sheltered Ao Le and her mother, a favor to the Min River Dragon Lord at the time, after hundreds of years, each time Ao Zhan saw Ao Le's timid nature before she married Lu Qingfeng, it pained him.

He couldn't bring himself to frequently interact with the Wujiang.

As time passed.

They grew distant.

Nevertheless, serving in the same court, occasional encounters were inevitable. At this time, as the Min River Dragon Lord brought Lu Qingfeng to the Shang River Dragon Palace's Dragon Transformation Pond, the Wujiang Dragon King too had brought others for cultivation.

It was purely coincidental that they met.

"I've brought Seventh and Eighth here to the Dragon Transformation Pond for cultivation, then we'll head to the Chunshen Realm. Brother Ao Zhan, this is—?"

The Wujiang Dragon King was quite warm upon glancing at Lu Qingfeng, then turned to inquire of the Min River Dragon Lord.

"Seventh and Eighth."

"There's a saying that the Wujiang Dragon King's offspring are plentiful. When Le'er was still at Wujiang's Dragon Palace, he already had nine sons. These two, seventh and eighth, were young and ignorant then, and they bullied Le'er the most."

Lu Qingfeng kept his head down, thoughts churning, a faint killing intent brewing within.

"Le'er's husband, named Guang Yuan."

The Min River Dragon Lord introduced briefly and did not let Lu Qingfeng stay to meet the Wujiang Dragon King. With a sweep of his sleeve, he whisked Lu Qingfeng away towards a corner of the hall.

While still airborne, the regretful voice of the Wujiang Dragon King reached his ear, "So it is Le'er's husband, indeed a person of outstanding appearance and exceptional poise. Regarding the past affair—"

Then.

The void fluctuated, and in the next moment, Lu Qingfeng found himself in a familiar space, the voice of the Wujiang Dragon King cut short.