Chapter 45

When Sanfeng first saw Yue Qing capture the five powerful devils in Yan Shi’s hand with the Dingjia divine magic, she was deeply impressed and began to have thoughts. She thought that if she had such a treasure, not only would her status in the palace rise to the second highest, just below her eldest sister, but it would also provide an extra layer of protection when she faced the heavenly tribulation. Given her insatiable nature, she was unwilling to trade the Xuan Guang Ruler, which, though not well refined by her, was still one of the best among the magical treasures in the Ziyun Palace. She only wanted to use some ordinary items to exchange for Yue Qing’s divine magic gourd. For this, she secretly plotted multiple times with Dongxiu, thinking of ways to make Xu Feinü and Yue Qing owe her a huge favor, even considering helping the Wutai Sect against the Emei Sect as a condition.

Yue Qing’s sudden departure left her in a panic. Initially, she thought that the Ziyun Palace, with its unparalleled scenery and countless rare fruits and jade-like delicacies, and the attentive servants, would make Yue Qing return soon. However, Yue Qing was away for two months, and she waited anxiously, inquiring from Xu Feinü several times, almost to the point of asking her to go out and search for him.

When she met Yue Qing in the East Sea this time, she hesitated, not wanting to take out the Xuan Guang Ruler. It was only when Yue Qing mentioned that someone wanted to exchange the gourd for a treasure that could destroy heaven and earth that she became truly anxious and resolved to use the Xuan Guang Ruler to get the divine magic gourd.

Sanfeng and Dongxiu prepared a grand feast, and they invited Xu Feinü to come to Daxiong Reef, assuming that Xu Feinü had already spoken to Yue Qing beforehand. When the matter was almost settled, Xu Feinü said straightforwardly, "Sister, I have already spoken to Junior Brother Yue about your request. He was initially unwilling because the divine magic gourd is extremely malevolent and is the most inauspicious and powerful demonic weapon in the world. He wanted to destroy it. Besides, his friend from Zhenyue Palace once helped him, and if he were to exchange treasures, he should prioritize that friend." Seeing the anxious look on Sanfeng’s face, she waved her hand and said, "Sister, don’t worry, listen to me. I told Junior Brother that Zhenyue Palace is far in the East Sea and never interferes in the disputes of the Central Plains. Moreover, he hasn’t explicitly agreed to the exchange, so there was room for negotiation. After much persuasion, I managed to convince Junior Brother Yue to exchange the gourd with you."

Sanfeng was overjoyed and bowed to Yue Qing, saying, "Junior Brother, rest assured, when your sect and Emei have their three sword battles, our Ziyun Palace will not stand idly by!" She then took out the Xuan Guang Ruler and handed it to Yue Qing, eager to possess the divine magic gourd.

Yue Qing also took out the black jade gourd, held it in his hand, and said seriously, "This gourd is a supreme treasure of the demonic path, and your Xuan Guang Ruler is a rare treasure of the Daoist path. If we were to compare them, the disciples of the demonic path would naturally consider the gourd superior, while the Daoist disciples would consider the ruler superior. I say this not to cause any trouble, but to prevent any future misunderstandings. If you hear any malicious gossip in the future, it could create a rift, and friends might become enemies, which would go against our original intentions."

Sanfeng, eager to get the treasure, feared that Yue Qing might change his mind and quickly said, "Junior Brother Yue, rest assured. Today’s exchange is mutually voluntary, and both Xu Feinü and Dongxiu can vouch for it, and we swear by heaven and earth. Whoever goes back on their word will be punished by heaven, earth, and the gods!" She was afraid that Yue Qing might regret it in the future, so she made such a solemn vow.

Only then did Yue Qing smoothly hand over the black jade gourd. Sanfeng took the gourd and was about to leave happily, but Dongxiu pulled her sleeve, reminding her of the original purpose of coming to Daxiong Reef. She then calmed down, put away the gourd, and invited Xu Feinü and Yue Qing to the Coral Pavilion for a meal.

The meal was eaten quickly. Sanfeng was thinking about the gourd, Yue Qing was thinking about the Xuan Guang Ruler, and Xu Feinü and Dongxiu each had their own thoughts. After a brief social exchange, they all left. The remaining fruits and delicacies were distributed to the disciples, with the best going to the disciples and the rest to the servants.

Sanfeng returned to her quarters, announced her seclusion, and focused on refining the gourd with magic. Yue Qing returned to Daxiong Reef, used his immortal techniques to remove the magical restrictions on the Xuan Guang Ruler, and then re-refined it, making this supreme Daoist treasure shine again. He proudly said to himself, "My path is complete!"

Yue Qing spent each day at Daxiong Reef refining the Xuan Guang Ruler, cultivating the Primordial True Qi, and practicing the spells from the Guangchengzi Heavenly Book he had obtained in Qingshelu. In his spare time, he guided Wu Fan.

Speaking of Wu Fan, he had no other faults except for his lust. However, Yue Qing thought that most boys around eighteen or nineteen were lustful. Wu Fan just lacked a teacher who would take the time to discipline him, and with his flying and mind-controlling spells, he became unruly. If he only knew martial arts and not Daoist magic, he might have been a notorious thief. In modern society, he would probably be a宅男 (otaku) who watches porn and masturbates.

Since arriving at the Ziyun Palace, Wu Fan had been running around, taking care of Yue Qing’s every need, even more diligently than serving his own father. Although he had ulterior motives, who in the world doesn’t act for their own benefit? Therefore, Yue Qing still appreciated his efforts and was willing to teach him whenever he came to ask for guidance, from cultivation to swordsmanship and various spells. He also warned Wu Fan about the dangers of lust and the importance of focusing on Daoist magic. Wu Fan was extremely respectful and obedient, and he truly restrained many of his past bad habits.

Sanfeng was also in seclusion, refining the divine magic gourd. The twelve divine spirits were extremely powerful, arrogant, and cunning, and they were originally refined by Zhu Hong. Yue Qing had modified them using the Wutai Sect’s Ten Demonic Spirits Manual.

The Ten Demonic Spirits Manual was a secret text of the Wutai Sect, and Yue Qing naturally wouldn’t teach it to Sanfeng. He only gave her the twelve hand seals for controlling the spirits. Sanfeng was unsatisfied and used the magic from the Heavenly Demonic Spirits Manual she had learned to re-refine the spirits. Only by doing this could she use them at will. However, with her peak散仙 (immortal) strength, refining such powerful spirits was still very challenging, so she remained in seclusion at the Coral Pavilion for a long time.

Chufeng and Sanfeng were both in seclusion. Huizhu always quietly practiced in her own palace, and the palace’s affairs were managed by Erfeng and Jinxun. Without Sanfeng’s support, Dongxiu’s influence diminished. Fortunately, Xu Feinü was still there, and she often talked and practiced magic with Erfeng and Xu Feinü. Jinxun, who didn’t get along with either of them, often stayed in his own palace to practice. Dongxiu, having driven Jinxun away, became even more confident and frequently took the Five Yin Demon Banner out to kill fierce sea beasts near the Ziyun Palace. She also worked with Xu Feinü and Erfeng to refine several batches of Earthly Grotto Golden Pills.

On this day, it was Chufeng’s day to emerge from seclusion. Even Sanfeng temporarily put aside the black jade gourd and came out to welcome everyone.

Chufeng, dressed in purple silk palace attire, gracefully emerged from the golden hall in the rear palace, the golden light of the protective barrier scattering on the ground.

Jinxun was the first to step forward, worriedly asking, "Has the master accomplished the great feat?"

Chufeng nodded, "It is completed!"

Sanfeng and the others all came forward to congratulate her, but Huizhu’s expression was calm, and Jinxun’s face showed concern.

Originally, to counter the great tribulation that occurs every five hundred years for immortals, Sanfeng had practiced the most powerful magic recorded in the latter part of the Heavenly Demonic Spirits Manual, called the Inverted Five Elements Chaos Great Magic. This magic involves refining demons to control them, and once mastered, it allows the user to apply all the magic in the manual and even summon demons from other realms.

Huizhu was originally a thousand-year-old clam who had saved the three women and brought them into the palace. After a tribulation, she was reborn as a human and had practiced Buddhism before being brought back by the three women. Although she practiced the Heavenly Demonic Spirits Manual, she maintained her wisdom and clarity, not being swayed by the magic. She had advised the three women several times, but they didn’t listen, so she decided to leave everything to fate.

Jinxun was originally a merman who was very ugly. Five hundred years ago, he was captured by the Iron Umbrella Daoist, sealed with a talisman, and sunk to the bottom of the sea. Chufeng saved him and later used the Primordial True Water to transform him into a handsome young man. Therefore, he always regarded Chufeng as his savior. Before marrying Erfeng, he often called her "master."

The Heavenly Demonic Spirits Manual was taken from the Moon Island by Dongxiu. Because they didn’t get along, she didn’t let him practice it. He was the only one in the Ziyun Palace who hadn’t practiced magic and had the deepest Daoist cultivation. He knew the dangers of magic and was always worried about Chufeng, fearing that she might be harmed by the demons. When Chufeng completed the magic after three years and six months, he was even more concerned, fearing that she might be deeply influenced by the demons and face a difficult end. Seeing everyone congratulating Chufeng and Xu Feinü making humorous remarks, he was filled with worry.