"Sikong Fellow Daoist speaks sense."

"With the current chaos, matters concerning the Immortal Mansion should be hastened rather than delayed."

Master Fire Cloud voiced his agreement repeatedly.

It was difficult enough waiting for Lu Qingfeng to return, and if Water True Man started a conflict with him again, it was bound to lead to unnecessary complications.

Though Fire Crow Daoist was known for his temper, he understood the gravity and urgency of the situation. He spoke out loud, "In that case, let us quickly summon Fellow Daoists from all sides, and have the Five Mountains Sect, Hundred Ghosts Sect, and Kongzhu Sect convene at Yv Mountain Island."

Saying so,

Fire Crow Daoist turned to Lu Qingfeng, "Rain Mountain Pavilion Master was secluded in closed cultivation for years, and probably knows little about the Three Sects. Why don't you come to my humble abode, to wait for our Fellow Daoists? Meanwhile, we can introduce you to the Three Sects True People. How about it?"

He feared Lu Qingfeng disappearing again.

"I wish for nothing more."

Lu Qingfeng laughed heartily.

...

Since the Bamboo Mountain Sect was destroyed seven thousand years ago, leaving behind the Seven Treasures of Bamboo Mountain and countless inheritances, the Bamboo Mountain Sea Domain has given rise to many powerful Loose Cultivators.

Such as Sikong Qinglian and Master Fire Cloud.

The Five Mountains Sect, Hundred Ghosts Sect, and Kongzhu Sect inherited from the Great Sect, attaining the status of the Left Dao.

However, the most quintessential inheritances and treasures of the Bamboo Mountain Sect were within the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Mansion.

"Only by gathering the Six Treasures can we lock onto the location of the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Mansion."

"This time, with the Three Sects coming together, we must not falter and give the Three Sects an advantage."

Master Fire Cloud, bearing the Qianyan Fire Bamboo Sword on his back, looked at the people present and spoke clearly.

"Naturally."

"Rest assured, Brother Fire Cloud."

"The Thirteen Perfecteds of Yv Mountain Island have always been united as one; we will not give the Three Sects any cause for ridicule."

Fire Crow Daoist, wielding the Qianyan Fire Bamboo Sword, was nearly on par with Sikong Qinglian in strength, commanding significant respect among the True People of Yv Mountain Island. His words received much support.

Lu Qingfeng stood in the midst, his gaze sweeping over each True Person, gaining an understanding of the overall strength of Yv Mountain Island.

Generally speaking, they could be classified into four tiers.

The first tier.

Naturally included Fire Crow Daoist and Water True Man. Their cultivation had reached the Gathering Law Realm, each commanding a Daoist Soldier. Both in terms of cultivation and combat power, they were the strongest on Yv Mountain Island, and it was hard to find many competitors among the Three Sects.

The second tier.

Included Master Fire Cloud and Sikong Qinglian.

Both possessed Sixth Rank Magic Artifacts, two of Bamboo Mountain's Seven Treasures, and their cultivation also reached the Solid Pill Realm. Their true combat strength was far beyond the ordinary Solid Pill Realm cultivators, able to compete with those in the Gathering Law Realm.

The third tier.

Consisted of ordinary Solid Pill Realm.

Such as Master Chi Xia and Master Taiyin, possessing a preferred Magic Artifact, and a couple of go-to Cultivation Techniques. They couldn't withstand the combined force of the Black and White Dual Truth of the Five Mountains Sect, but when facing Lei Yi True Man or Green Cloud True Man alone, they would not be intimidated.

The fourth tier.

Was the Void Core level.

Among the Thirteen Perfecteds of Yv Mountain Island, seven were still navigating the Void Core Realm. Their cultivation and strength fell short of Sikong Qinglian and the other five. However, being Jiedan True People, each had their wonderful method, and their temperament and survival skills were not to be underestimated compared to Spirit Void Practitioners.

Lu Qingfeng had met each one.

Among the Thirteen Perfecteds, there were factions.

Generally speaking, Fire Crow Daoist, Water True Man, Sikong Qinglian, and Master Fire Cloud were the leaders.

Master Chi Xia stood close to Fire Crow Daoist, with two Void Core Real People nearby.

Next to Water True Man stood Master Taiyin, with two corresponding Void Core Real People on one side, implicitly centering around the two.

By Sikong Qinglian's side stood a Void Core level female True Person, with a hideous face, known as Ghost Eye True Man. It was said her artifact, 'Ghost Eye Poison Needle', was ruthless and deadly, quite formidable.

Behind Master Fire Cloud were also two Void Core Real People.

Thus,

they were divided into four factions.

To others, Lu Qingfeng seemed to be another Ghost Eye True Man, part of Sikong Qinglian's camp.

"As soon as the Three Sects arrive later, don't act as overzealous as you treated Water True Man, lest you create trouble," Lu Qingfeng was assessing when a cool voice reached his ears.

Lu Qingfeng didn't need to turn around, he similarly transmitted, "Sikong Fellow Daoist can rest assured."

Sikong Qinglian glanced at Lu Qingfeng, her mind uncertain.

She had a pact with Lu Qingfeng where she would ensure his safety in exchange for the Hundred Sword Map pillar. If Lu Qingfeng offended the True People of the Three Sects as he did with Water True Man yesterday, how could Sikong Qinglian protect him?

For the sake of the Hundred Sword Map, Sikong Qinglian felt compelled to remind him.

Lu Qingfeng chuckled internally, aware of Sikong Qinglian's concerns.

However, Sikong Qinglian was unnecessarily worried.

He always followed the philosophy of not initiating trouble, never seeking out conflicts. Yet once the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Mansion opened, a great battle would ensue, and combat was inevitable.

The True People stood atop Yv Mountain Island, some closing their eyes to rest, some barely moving their lips to converse via transmission. Lu Qingfeng felt several glances sweep over him from time to time, directly ignoring these gazes. He stood beside Sikong Qinglian with closed eyes, resting his mind and ignoring everything else.

The Blood Sea was dense in the sky, obscuring the arrogant sun and weighing on the heart.

Several hours passed.

From the east came mighty auras, approaching in an instant.

Lu Qingfeng glanced up to see nine figures landing in the east, among whom the Black and White Dual Truth from the deserted island encounter were unmistakably present.

The Five Mountains Sect had arrived.

Not long after,

seven True People from the Hundred Ghosts Sect and six True People from the Kongzhu Sect arrived in unison.

The four factions stood off against each other.

The Supreme Elder of the Five Mountains Sect, Wu Gong, stepped forward, his voice ringing out, "Since all Fellow Daoists have gathered, our goal is the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Mansion. With the advent of the Blood Sea Calamity, it's best not to delay."

As he spoke, Wu Gong flipped his hand, revealing in his palm a sphere that seemed to be made of mud, flickering with light.

"This is the Mud Plow Pearl, one of Bamboo Mountain's Seven Treasures!"

Wu Gong's voice boomed.

Directing everyone's gaze to the mud sphere in his hand.

"Wu Gong Fellow Daoist, long time no see, you haven't lost your charm of the old days."

From the ranks of the Hundred Ghosts Sect, a stooped old man in a black robe walked out, his voice creaking oddly as he spoke, sounding bizarre.

"Brother Han Xiao, I trust you've been well," Wu Gong said, looking towards the robed elder. His gaze lingered on the black robe, "Could that be the Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robe, Brother?"

"Hundred Ghosts Sect's Han Xiao."

"The Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robe!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingfeng looked towards the robed elder—Han Xiao. Han Xiao, the Sect Master of the Hundred Ghosts Sect, was ranked among the top three Great Cultivators of the Bamboo Mountain Sea Domain, alongside Wu Gong of the Five Mountains Sect and Kongzhu Sect Master Meng Kuan.

Before these three, even the Fire Crow Daoist and Water Daoist of Yv Mountain Island would lower their heads.

The black robe on Han Xiao was adorned with countless fierce ghosts, their roars never ceasing. It was one of the Seven Treasures of Bamboo Mountain—Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robe—able to command a hundred spirits, ensnaring souls and seizing essences, its power extraordinary.

"Brother, you have a keen eye."

Han Xiao's voice boomed, and with a shake of his black robe, a multitude of ghostly heads burst forth, roaring fiercely at the True Men gathered. Lu Qingfeng, Sikong Qinglian, and others were fine, but those at the level of the Void Core Realm felt a shiver down their spine, almost having their spirits captured.

Everyone was shocked and furious at his display.

But Han Xiao chuckled ominously, "The Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robe, one of the Bamboo Mountain Seven Treasures!"

With that, he reined in the spirits and the robe returned to its unremarkable state.

"It's truly a shame to see one of the great Bamboo Mountain Seven Treasures used by Brother Han Xiao to frighten others," commented a middle-aged cultivator from Kongzhu Sect, holding a Seven Treasures Green Bamboo Staff, his expression towards Han Xiao somewhat sour.

"This is Kongzhu Sect Master Meng Kuan, a long-renowned cultivator. In his hands is the Seven Treasures Green Bamboo Staff, specialized in striking down Fierce Ghosts and essence spirits. It's the counterpart of the Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robe, neither able to suppress the other."

"Meng Kuan and Han Xiao have always been at odds, clashing many times without a clear victor."

Lu Qingfeng was observing the middle-aged cultivator when Sikong Qinglian's voice reached his ears.

"I see," Lu Qingfeng nodded slightly.

The factions within Yv Mountain Island were diverse, not a single entity. The same was true for the Three Sects, perhaps even more so. Hundred Ghosts Sect and Kongzhu Sect were adversaries, and the Five Mountains Sect also had deep grudges with these two sects.

This enabled Yv Mountain Island to find its opportunity to rise.

"Enough talk," Han Xiao said with a wave of the hand.

"The staff in the hands of Kongzhu Sect Master, that would be the Seven Treasures Green Bamboo Staff."

Han Xiao pointed at the bamboo staff in Meng Kuan's hand and turned towards the Yv Mountain Island formation, "In the hands of Sikong Meimei is a horsetail whisk, which is actually the Geng Jia Transformation Sky Brilliance Divine Needle. Behind True Man Fire Cloud is the Qianyan Fire Bamboo Sword. And the last treasure, the Five Yang Sword, whose hand does that lie in?"

Han Xiao's gaze swept across the crowd, though asking, his eyes settled on Lu Qingfeng.

All eyes followed, converging on Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng reached behind his back and from his storage bag pulled out a sword gleaming with fire, "The Five Yang Sword, one of the Bamboo Mountain Seven Treasures!"

"Interesting."

"As for you, young cultivator, still not having stepped into Core Formation, by what right or capability do you wield the Five Yang Sword? Could it be that Yv Mountain Island has no one else?" Han Xiao remarked disdainfully, his side glances at Lu Qingfeng filled with provocation.

At his words, whether it was the ranks of Yv Mountain Island or those of the Three Sects, all the True Men looked at Lu Qingfeng with changed expressions.

Lu Qingfeng sneered back at Han Xiao, "If you, old ghost, say one more word, I'll turn and leave, and we all can go our separate ways!"

"Ha ha ha!" Han Xiao laughed loudly, pointing at Lu Qingfeng as he was about to retort.

But before he could, True People like Fire Crow Daoist and Sikong Qinglian from Yv Mountain changed their expressions. Before anyone else could speak, Wu Gong of the Five Mountains Sect intercepted, "Brother Han Xiao, have you regressed with age, to bother with a junior like him? Rain Mountain Pavilion Master has the strength no less than Core Formation, so why can't he wield the Five Yang Sword? If Brother Han Xiao or the Hundred Ghosts Sect have objections, try taking it up with me first!"

Unlike Hundred Ghosts Sect and Kongzhu Sect, Five Mountains Sect had long known that Lu Qingfeng possessed the Five Yang Sword, yet his whereabouts were unknown for twenty-four years. If not for the Blood Sea Calamity, it was uncertain whether he would have even appeared.

Han Xiao might not have known, but Wu Gong did.

If Han Xiao's careless words now offended the Rain Mountain Pavilion Master, causing him to hide away again, it would be an extremely frustrating outcome.

With Lu Qingfeng's mastery of Water Techniques and his means of escape and concealment, Wu Gong didn't want to test whether Lu Qingfeng could indeed extricate himself, unnecessarily complicating matters.

Interrupted by Wu Gong, Han Xiao looked at Lu Qingfeng, who wore a mocking smile.

Looking at Fire Crow Daoist, Sikong Qinglian, and finally Wu Gong, he saw that none looked pleased.

Han Xiao was not a hothead after all; with a cackling laugh, he turned to Wu Gong, "Brother Wu Gong speaks boldly. After this endeavor, I must spar with you."

This was him looking for a way to save face, without daring to say more to Lu Qingfeng.

"Being one of the top three Great Cultivators in the Bamboo Mountain Sea Domain, if you provoke him and draw out his personal intervention within the Immortal Mansion, then you're on your own," Sikong Qinglian warned Lu Qingfeng irritably, right after urging him to avoid conflict.

Sikong Qinglian was exasperated.

"With adversaries all around, Han Xiao has Wu Gong, Meng Kuan, the Fire Crow Daoist, and Water Daoist to contend with. He can hardly afford to pay attention to a mere Spirit Void Practitioner."

Lu Qingfeng remained unconcerned.

After twelve cycles of reincarnation, his foundations were incredibly deep, and he possessed numerous lifesaving methods. Even faced with Han Xiao, he saw no need to back down.

As he had said, if worse comes to worst, he would simply leave.

He could go to hunt Demon Dao cultivators from opposing factions, gaining Experience Value.

He might even acquire a few more Divine Skills or Mysterious Level Techniques. The gains from heading to the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Mansion might not even compare.

"Stay low-key!" Sikong Qinglian advised, frowning.

"I know what I'm doing," Lu Qingfeng replied, turning away and dismissing further concern.

"Infinite Venerable!" Sikong Qinglian swished his horsetail whisk to quell his frustration.

The skirmish between Han Xiao and Lu Qingfeng was but a minor episode.

After that brief interlude.

"There's no time to lose; let's set out at once!"

With a flick of his finger, Wu Gong had the Mud Plow Pearl hovering before him.

Seeing this, Han Xiao released an Evil Ghost from his Hundred Ghosts Locking Yin Robe, which sprang forth, turning into a black cloak billowing in the wind.

Meng Kuan threw his Seven Treasures Green Bamboo Staff into the air, and it transformed into a flat boat, carrying six True People from the Kongzhu Sect.

Within Yv Mountain Island.

Lu Qingfeng, Sikong Qinglian, and True Man Fire Cloud each launched their Magic Artifacts.

For a moment, the sky shimmered with various treasured lights.

Six Treasures vying in radiance.

Together, they sped towards the northwest direction, heading straight for Bamboo Mountain Immortal Mansion!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com