Yellow Court Daoist

Sweeping his gaze in all directions, Lu Qingfeng smiled and said, "The three Fellow Daoists seem reluctant to leave. Would you like to join this humble Taoist for tea and a discussion on the Dao?"

His voice rang out, clear and resonant like thunder, echoing through the woods.

Before the echo faded, a voice came through—

"Guangyuan Fellow Daoist's techniques are profound. I hold them in high regard."

Lu Qingfeng turned to look and saw Guan Lanzi leading disciple Mou Xing and a Daoist Child, leaping out from the woods. In a few strides, they landed atop the canopy of trees and bowed to Lu Qingfeng.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

From the depths of the forest, one after another, Taoists wearing the robes of the Judge Star Sect leapt out, taking their places atop the trees.

Counting them, there were twenty-eight in all.

Each one was vigorous and lively, with a sparkle in their eyes, and even the weakest was at the Earth Realm. They might not compare to the Seeking Immortal Que, but with Guan Lanzi, an expert at the God Realm, leading them, they were not to be underestimated.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Guan Lanzi and the fellow Taoists from the Judge Star Sect."

"Everyone in Jing Country knows of Fellow Daoist Guan Lanzi of the Judge Star Sect who wields thunder on Ma Tiliang Mountain. My modest skills are hardly worth mentioning in comparison," Lu Qingfeng humbly said.

Mou Xing Daoist Child stood behind Guan Lanzi, feeling a bit nauseated by Guangyuan Daoist's words ahead. Just moments ago, this Daoist had been so pompous and conceited that, had he first witnessed this scene, he would have been completely fooled into thinking he was a modest gentleman.

Guan Lanzi kept a smile on his face as he looked towards the other two groups, "It's truly delightful to have Guangyuan Fellow Daoist return to the Soul Searching Temple. Since the other two Fellow Daoists are already here, why not reveal yourselves?"

Hearing this, Lu Qingfeng also looked towards the other two groups.

"Purple Mist Palace's Changsun Ni Chang pays respects to Guangyuan Fellow Daoist and Guan Lanzi Fellow Daoist."

From a part of the forest, the Ni Chang Fairy gracefully arrived, followed closely by two disciples of extraordinary appearance, and thirty-two others—both burly men and gentle, song-like women—emerged.

Their strength was no less than that of the Judge Star Sect!

With Changsun Ni Chang and the people of Purple Mist Palace showing up, before her words could even finish, a gust of wind whipped up, and a Five-colored Flying Phoenix flew out from the woods, perching atop the tree canopy.

"Roar!"

"Growl!"

"Screech!"

The Tiger, Leopard, Thunderhawk, and other four Guardians leapt out, giving Lu Qingfeng and the others a hostile look.

Additionally, fierce beasts and birds set the woods abuzz as dozens appeared, each with an intimidating presence.

"Ha ha!"

"Today is indeed a good day; with all the Fellow Daoists gathered here, the Soul Searching Temple is truly honored!"

Seeing the appearance of the Ni Chang Fairy and the Five-colored Flying Phoenix, Lu Qingfeng laughed aloud.

"Taoists sure are long-winded!"

The Three-zhang-long Five-colored Flying Phoenix, capable of human speech, said to Lu Qingfeng with a deep voice, "Little Guangyuan Taoist, do you dare to fight this Great Saint?!"

It was indeed a Demon Bird, ignorant of the proper courtesies.

"Great Saint?" Lu Qingfeng shook his head and chuckled.

A monkey becomes king when no tiger is in the mountain.

In the Changqing Realm, where cultivation had become a thing of the past, a minor Second Rank Demon Bird dared to call itself a Great Saint.

"If you want a battle, then we'll battle. Soul Searching Temple is indeed in need of a new Mountain Guardian Spirit Beast!"

Lu Qingfeng's mount, the Mystic Eagle, seemed somewhat frightened by the sight of the Five-colored Flying Phoenix. Lu Qingfeng simply stepped down, commanding it to leave, and stood mid-air.

"What big talk!"

Furious yet laughing, the Five-colored Flying Phoenix let out a loud screech and swooped straight towards Lu Qingfeng.

"Light Splitting and Shadow Transformation, Void Condensing Swords for the Path!"

As the situation unfolded, Lu Qingfeng's figure flickered into myriads of Sword Qi, confronting the Five-colored Flying Phoenix head-on.

"What impressive Qinggong Escape Skill!"

"And such powerful Sword Qi!"

Guan Lanzi and the Ni Chang Fairy were shocked seeing Lu Qingfeng make his move.

As the Divine Skills Sword Escape revealed itself, its momentum was nothing like the previous Water Dragon Technique! Once it appeared, it covered the sky and dimmed the sun and moon.

The sword shadows split light, engulfing the Five-colored Flying Phoenix.

In the midst of the resplendent sword light, neither Guan Lanzi nor Ni Chang Fairy could discern the true nature of the struggle within.

Upon seeing this, Chen Fengyu expressed his concern, "Feifeng Pavilion's Flying Phoenix Great Saint is immensely powerful; even Judge Star Sect's Guan Lanzi has been defeated by it before. Brother Guang Yuan—"

"Since Brother Guang Yuan has accepted the challenge, he must have his reasons. Let's just watch," someone reassured.

Ren Changsheng also harbored worries in his heart.

However, upon seeing the previous demeanor of Lu Qingfeng, his heart settled slightly.

Continuing to observe the arena, he suddenly widened his eyes in shock.

"Screech!"

Amidst the myriad sword shadows in the sky, piercing cries rang out as if they could split the heart!

The cries came one after another, chilling to the bone. In less than half an incense stick's time, the cries grew increasingly faint. The sword light enveloping Lu Qingfeng and the Five-colored Flying Phoenix gradually dissipated, revealing their figures at the center.

"Hiss!"

The crowd all gasped in astonishment upon looking.

"This—"

Guan Lanzi, stroking his beard, shuddered with his hand trembling at the sight before him.

Ni Chang Fairy, her face as cold as frost, now couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly, revealing an expression of immense surprise.

"Brother Guang Yuan!"

"Brother Guang Yuan, how valiant!"

Ren Xiaoyao and the others were exhilarated to the extreme, with Chen Fengyu cheering out loud, his face brimming with wild joy.

In the arena—

Lu Qingfeng stood with his foot on the subdued Flying Phoenix Great Saint, his hair flying about, and Sword Qi swirling around him like a Celestial Cycle Sword Immortal.

The Flying Phoenix Great Saint no longer possessed its previous magnificence!

Its multicolored plumage was either fallen or charred. On its exposed flesh were densely packed sword marks and burns, a shocking sight to behold.

Upon closer inspection, the Flying Phoenix Great Saint's pupils were dilated, evidently having suffered inhumane torment, its will shattered, not yet recovered.

"Asked for its own misery."

Lu Qingfeng sneered inwardly.

With his current strength, opposing even a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator was well within his grasp. A mere Second Rank demon bird, with cultivation far inferior to Lu Qingfeng's, dared to initiate battle—utterly overestimating itself.

Lu Qingfeng made his move with full force.

Under the might of his Divine Skills, the Five-colored Flying Phoenix had no power to retaliate.

Lu Qingfeng looked around and declared loudly, "Effective immediately, the Five-colored Flying Phoenix shall be Soul Searching Temple's Mountain Guardian Spirit Beast, and Bao Du Mountain's Feifeng Pavilion shall be an annex of Soul Searching Temple."

Lu Qingfeng scanned the crowd. Guan Lanzi and Ni Chang Fairy remained silent.

The expressions on the faces of the Five Guardians under the command of the Flying Phoenix Great Saint were a mixture of shock and anger as they glared at Lu Qingfeng but dared not approach. The dozens of birds and beasts were deathly silent.

"Did you all clearly hear what I just said?" Lu Qingfeng's gaze fell upon the Five Guardians as he asked in a deep voice.

"Guangyuan Daoist, what sorcery have you used on our Great Saint?!"

The Golden-eyed Tiger spoke with human voice, questioning angrily.

"Well, at least there's one loyal creature," Lu Qingfeng said as he stepped on the weakened, speechless Five-colored Flying Phoenix, extending one hand with the Hand Heart Thunder trembling—

Crackle!

A bolt of lightning split the void, striking right on the back of the Golden-eyed Tiger.

"Roar!"

The Golden-eyed Tiger howled in pain from the thunder strike that smashed it to the ground. Its pair of eyes filled with fear, no longer daring to make a sound.

"Thunder Skill!"

"This person—"

Guan Lanzi's eyes flickered, witnessing the plight of both the Flying Phoenix Great Saint and the Golden-eyed Tiger. His thoughts raced. He had made a name for himself in Jing Country with his Thunder Skills, but seeing Lu Qingfeng's casual display of Thunder Skill made him feel ashamed.

One was celestial, the other earthly.

There was no comparison!

Lu Qingfeng didn't look at the Golden-eyed Tiger again and continued addressing the Four Guardians, "Since your Great Saint has now become Soul Searching Temple's Mountain Guardian Spirit Beast and Feifeng Pavilion an annex thereof, you, as Feifeng Pavilion Guardians, should return to Bao Du Mountain and temporarily manage the affairs of Feifeng Pavilion. Soon I will send someone to take over. Behave yourselves, and don't make a mistake."