Chapter 495

Chapter 495: Yuan Daozong

"Daoist friend, where are you from?"

The moment he broke free from his cage, Dao Sovereign Lingxu immediately felt joyful, feeling as free as a bird soaring in the sky. He began the journey back with Yuan Qingfeng, and the two chatted and laughed heartily along the way, entirely at ease.

"Junior is Yuan Qingfeng of the Yuan Family," Yuan Qingfeng said respectfully.

"So it’s you."

Dao Sovereign Lingxu let out a great laugh, yet in his heart, he muttered to himself. He had never heard Yuan Qingfeng’s name before; after all, as a Dao Sovereign, why should he care about a small Yuan Family?

However, he had heard of the Canglan Merchant Alliance, and the Yuan Family was one branch of it.

"Young friend Qingfeng, thank you much for saving me this time," Dao Sovereign Lingxu said through gritted teeth. "That master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is truly hateful. I had no grudge with him, yet he insulted me publicly in front of everyone!"

"One day, I’ll surely recover it all with interest."

Yuan Qingfeng’s expression became peculiar.

But he still went along with Dao Sovereign Lingxu’s will, saying, "The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion acts arrogantly and overbearingly. He runs business on our Canglan Merchant Alliance’s turf without paying taxes!"

"Senior, why not call on friends when we return and kill him once and for all!"

Dao Sovereign Lingxu looked at him in astonishment.

Could this man be insane?

He was only speaking idly.

Only a fool would go to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Drop this topic," Dao Sovereign Lingxu coughed and said. "On this trip, you escorted me back to the Nine Yang Immortal Domain. If you have any request, I’ll certainly grant it."

"Senior, you’re too polite," Yuan Qingfeng said modestly.

The two soared across various realms and finally entered the Nine Yang Immortal Domain on the sixth day.

After another day, they entered the Nine Yang Red Earth.

In the sky above, the nine suns stood overhead, with extremely high temperatures baking the earth red, which gave the Red Earth its name.

This was Dao Sovereign Lingxu’s lair.

Not long after, a golden-red bird nest made from divine trees came into view, with manifestations of a different path suspended in the air like a marvelous world, and inside the nest were palaces and halls that gleamed brightly.

"We’ve arrived."

Dao Sovereign Lingxu laughed loudly and said, "Qingfeng, follow me."

Yuan Qingfeng followed his steps and entered the Fusang Hall. There, he saw a handsome figure wearing golden feathered robes and a jade crown, sitting authoritatively on the throne like a stalwart hero. His complexion was slightly pale and his aura weak, clearly injured.

Dao Sovereign Lingxu’s wound was left by the Star Master.

Since returning to his lair from the Taixu Domain, he had been using pure Yang energy to heal, but the Star Master’s power was so strong that up to then, he hadn’t fully expelled the force of the Stellar Great Dao.

"Young friend, thanks very much to you this time," Dao Sovereign Lingxu said, sitting on the throne and lifting his gaze to Yuan Qingfeng. "Otherwise, this incarnation of mine wouldn’t have known how long it would have endured the humiliation."

"That hateful master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion!"

Dao Sovereign Lingxu said resentfully.

In the Taixu Domain, it was because of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion that he suffered severe wounds from the Star Master, and he longed to tear Ye Xu into a thousand pieces.

"You flatter me too much, Senior,"

Yuan Qingfeng said. "This junior merely couldn’t bear to see Senior endure such humiliation from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. That’s why I risked my life to rescue Senior’s avatar from the demon’s clutches."

"Unexpected that someone in the Canglan Merchant Alliance possesses such chivalrous spirit," praised Dao Sovereign Lingxu. "Qingfeng, state whatever reward you desire. Speak freely."

"As long as I possess it, I shall grant it to repay your life-saving grace."

Yuan Qingfeng hesitated briefly before replying, "Since Senior insists on bestowing treasure upon this junior, I shall accept without false modesty."

"Haha,"

Dao Sovereign Lingxu nodded with a smile.

"It’s said the Nine Yang Red Earth is Senior’s Dao sanctuary, nurturing the Golden Crow Celestial Fire Seeds. This junior cultivates the pure Yang Great Dao and has now reached a bottleneck. Might Senior consider parting with one seed? Granting me a Golden Crow Celestial Fire Seed would allow a breakthrough to Seven Tribulations Dao Lord?"

Yuan Qingfeng asked expectantly.

"???"

A look of astonishment crossed Dao Sovereign Lingxu’s face. Never had he imagined Yuan Qingfeng would demand a Golden Crow Celestial Fire Seed immediately. That was the ultimate treasure of the Nine Yang Red Earth, requiring over sixty million years to nurture just one seed.

"Your luck is rather good,"

Dao Sovereign Lingxu remarked without dwelling on it further. After all, if Yuan Qingfeng had dared to risk his life in the rescue, how could he be stingy with a mere seed?

"My sanctum happens to hold one remaining Golden Crow Celestial Fire Seed."

Swoosh!

Dao Sovereign Lingxu reached into the void. Surging magic power coalesced into a giant hand that plunged into one of the suns. Moments later, a rhombus-shaped seed rested in his palm.

It was merely fist-sized, crimson like jade, its celestial fire flowing like liquid. Within it, a golden crow seemed to soar, radiating a terrifying aura.

A single strand of its aura scoured the void molten, threatening to melt the very heavens and earth.

"Qingfeng, this Golden Crow Celestial Fire Seed possesses immense power. I shall assist you in refining it to ascend to Seven Tribulations Dao Lord." Dao Sovereign Lingxu flicked a finger, sending the seed flying into Yuan Qingfeng’s body.

Boom!

Instantly, a vast aura erupted. Yuan Qingfeng’s body seemed to ignite. His pure Yang Great Dao Realm manifested. A golden crow burst forth from the seed, celestial fire streaming light as it enveloped Yuan Qingfeng’s Dao Realm.

Yuan Qingfeng’s Dao Realm blazed fiercely.

A mighty power continuously poured into the Dao Realm, surged into his Dao fruit, and amplified his cultivation.

"Truly worthy of the Golden Crow Celestial Fire Seed," Yuan Qingfeng marveled, profoundly shaken. Holding his breath and focusing his spirit, he devoted himself entirely to refining the seed.

Dao Sovereign Lingxu channeled his magic power. A wisp of golden light descended into Yuan Qingfeng’s Dao Realm.

He was aiding in the refinement of the seed.

Boom!

Sometime later, Yuan Qingfeng’s aura explosively surged. He had completely refined the seed, stepping firmly into the realm of Seven Tribulations Dao Lord.

Elation filled Yuan Qingfeng.

"Many thanks for bestowing this treasure, Senior," Yuan Qingfeng said with a bow.

Dao Sovereign Lingxu’s life force grew visibly weaker. Already wounded, aiding Yuan Qingfeng had consumed another one percent of his magic power.

"This is your due reward."

The Dao Sovereign Lingxu continued, "For the Dao Lord realm, there are Three Disasters and Nine Tribulations. As you advance to a Seven Tribulations Dao Lord, you will inevitably face a human tribulation. I shall have my avatar escort you into the Canglan Immortal Domain to prevent any disturbance along the journey."

"Your benevolence is great."

Yuan Qingfeng felt immensely grateful.

"That is simply how I am."

Dao Sovereign Lingxu waved it off dismissively.

Though he acted with wild arrogance, his nature remained frank and sincere. Since Yuan Qingfeng had risked himself to aid his escape, Dao Sovereign Lingxu naturally wouldn’t treat him poorly.

"Wait one day while I restore my avatar’s cultivation to its peak, then he shall escort you back." Dao Sovereign Lingxu smiled slightly. "You may come and go freely within Fusang City."

"As you command."

Yuan Qingfeng nodded and withdrew from Fusang Hall.

He entered Fusang City, where a divine Fusang Tree soaring to the heavens held up the city. Dao Sovereign Lingxu’s nest was built upon this sacred tree.

Golden Crows roosted among the Fusang Tree’s branches.

Within the city, humans were scarce; most inhabitants were acquired demon clans related to the Golden Crow bloodline, living there simply.

These demon clans led straightforward, uncomplicated lives with a rustic atmosphere, utterly unlike any human city.

By the next day,

Dao Sovereign Lingxu’s avatar had fully regained its peak strength and summoned Yuan Qingfeng.

The two embarked on their return journey.

Mountains and rivers stretched for thousands of miles, beautiful as a painting.

They conversed pleasantly along the way.

"What a pity your seniority is too low, or I would swear brotherhood with you," Dao Sovereign Lingxu sighed regretfully; Yuan Qingfeng’s temperament suited his own remarkably well.

"How could this junior dare to overstep?"

Yuan Qingfeng waved his hands hurriedly in protest.

Dao Sovereign Lingxu didn’t bring it up again.

Eventually, they returned to the Canglan Immortal Domain.

Gazing at the distant Canglan Divine City, Dao Sovereign Lingxu’s eyelid twitched—a sting deep in his heart.

They went to a tavern and drank heartily before finally parting ways.

"Qingfeng, separating today, who knows when we’ll meet again?"

"When we do meet once more, we must drink until thoroughly drunk!"

Dao Sovereign Lingxu embraced Yuan Qingfeng, reluctance heavy in his manner.

Yuan Qingfeng agreed readily.

Yet the moment he turned away,

his heart began to pound wildly.

"If he discovers this matter was a joint scheme between me and the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, he would surely rip me to shreds." A cold shudder ran through Yuan Qingfeng. The more he thought of it, the more terrifying it became.

"This affair must never leak. Otherwise, my Yuan Family itself could be endangered."

Yuan Qingfeng did not return to Canglan Divine City.

The Yuan Family’s ancestral land was in another city.

The entire Canglan Merchant Alliance was merely the Lu Family’s ancestral land in Canglan City.

He returned to Tianyuan City.

Yuan Qingfeng went straight to the ancestral land’s Secret Realm.

"Ancestor, I succeeded."

Bang!

A bolt of lightning descended from the sky. Yuan Qingfeng was caught off guard; his entire body was smoking, his smile froze on his face, and he stood there dumbfounded.

An unkempt, scruffy old man walked out of a huge pill-refining furnace. His aura was extremely chaotic, and upon seeing Yuan Qingfeng, his expression turned sour.

"Little brat, do you know how long I’ve been refining this batch of pills?"

Yuan Daozong glared fiercely at Yuan Qingfeng, "Because of you, I carelessly let the pills explode while consolidating them, wasting all my hard work."

…

"Ancestor, how can you blame me? It’s clearly your inadequate skill," Yuan Qingfeng muttered.

"Huh?"

Yuan Daozong leaned closer.

"Disciple apologizes."

Yuan Qingfeng suddenly knelt on the ground.

"Hmph."

Yuan Daozong flicked his sleeve, his expression easing slightly, "Spit it out."

"Ancestor, your disciple has successfully advanced to the realm of Seven Tribulations Dao Lord," Yuan Qingfeng said as he activated his mystic power, releasing an aura that caused Yuan Daozong’s face to flicker slightly.

"Taking millions of years to advance one step, and you’re still flattering yourself without shame," Yuan Daozong sneered.

"Haven’t you also stayed at the realm of Eight Tribulations Dao Lord for tens of millions of years?"

Of course, Yuan Qingfeng only dared to grumble this in his heart.

He looked at Yuan Daozong and said, "Ancestor, I’ve come this time to bring you some good news."

Yuan Daozong eyed him suspiciously.

"A few days ago, disciple spent thirty million divine stones to buy the information on advancing to Seven Tribulations Dao Lord from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, enabling a successful breakthrough."

"If you go there, you will surely succeed in advancing to Nine Tribulations Dao Lord."