Ling Hun and Bai Guyi were top-tier experts, and even Cui Wugu was extremely formidable, with hardly any rivals to be found across the world. Only substantially stronger figures, such as Li Jingxu and Yan Yingmu of the super first-class Golden Immortal level, surpassed them.

Of course, their cultivation was still incomplete, not yet perfected, but there were very few in the world who could deceive them with an illusion.

Last time Shi Feiyang was in Qinling collecting treasures, he acquired a Mirage Dragon Bottle, an ancient treasure from before antiquity. An ancient Immortal had slain the Primordial Great Demon Mirage Dragon to obtain its Primordial Pill, and then refined it with the essence of the Five Elements.

The most important aspect of the Mirage Dragon Bottle was not the bottle itself but the cluster of Five-Colored Essence Qi inside. While in Qinling, Shi Feiyang had contemplated the mysteries within and discovered that at its core was the Five-Colored Essence Qi. The outer layer was even further enveloped by Mirage Qi's green light, which he then extracted from the bottle and swallowed, merging it with his Inner Core. Afterwards, he gave the bottle to Deng Bagu to store the Snow Soul Pearl.

This treasure could collect anything related to the Five Elements. Shi Feiyang specially refined the green light of the Mirage Qi. Since Mirage Dragons were inherently adept at creating illusions, he performed sacrificial refinement in accordance with the changes of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha under the Zhou Heaven cycle. Initially, he could only use it on a basic level. Later, in a cave on Mangcang Mountain, he refined 360 Heavenly Talismans with the Mirage Qi in one year, which then merged into his Inner Core as a whole entity.

This time, the reason he could deceive Bai Guyi and the later-arriving Ling Hun was three-fold:

Firstly, the core of the Mirage Dragon inherently could create illusions, yet the ancient Immortal who had originally refined the treasure hadn't exploited this effect, which Shi Feiyang now emphasized during his re-refinement.

Secondly, Shi Feiyang applied the principles of the 72 transformations of Earth Evil he had understood, and although he currently could only transform into his former appearance, he had grasped the underlying logic. This was used in refining the ancient Mirage Dragon's green Mirage Qi, far surpassing any illusions created by other subsidiary methods.

Thirdly, it was because Ling Hun and Bai Guyi were both involved in the ordeal. As the saying goes, one can only keep their distance if it doesn't affect them personally. When uninvolved, they could remain very objective and rational, perfect armchair strategists. However, once it personally involves them, they often become confused with concern.

One of them was Ling Xuehong's elder brother, and the other was her husband. Ling Xuehong was going through a Soldier Disintegration reincarnation, and upon meeting her again, they would merely be fellow Daoists. Although both were experienced cultivators who understood the principle, they inevitably still found it difficult to let go.

Their minds were unsettled, and they lost their grip on the situation, thus failing to realize they were seemingly within an illusion.

With their fleshly bodies "lost and regained," and after listening to Shi Feiyang explaining the causes and effects, Ling Hun had completely regained his usual state of mind and repeatedly expressed his remorse with a smile, "Shi Daoist had wholeheartedly helped me escape the ordeal while I mistook kindness for enmity. Despite my years of cultivation and often regarding myself as a grandmaster, this time I truly made a fool of myself in front of my Daoist friend."

He felt this was a genuine disgrace; not only had his fleshly body nearly been destroyed, but he had also been saved by others, and unknowingly entered someone else's illusion...

The couple was very curious about Shi Feiyang, eagerly persuading Shi Feiyang to stay and discuss Daoist techniques and swordsmanship with them.

Ling Hun and Cui Wugu's master, Iron Shoulder Ancestor, also known as Giant Mountain True Master, initially accomplished limited success in his cultivation practices. Later, after acquiring a Secret Manual from the Immortal Mansion, his Daoist Level surged dramatically, and he ascended in the Song Dynasty after another lifetime. Ling Hun inherited his master's teachings and, before his master's ascension, promised to establish a school to continue his master's Daoist lineage.

His current cultivation method still fell within the subsidiary path, and the upper volume of Guang Chengzi's Heavenly Book should eventually fall into his hands, but it wasn't yet time. Shi Feiyang couldn't determine where the upper volume of the Heavenly Book was, nor did he dare to help Ling Hun find it prematurely. The source material stated that Ling Hun would obtain it unintentionally. Shi Feiyang had calculated using the Gua Xiang that the book would indeed appear fifty years later. The wonder lies in it being unintentional; seeking it deliberately would make it unattainable.

The Ling Hun couple had cultivated for hundreds of years, possessed strong mana, and were knowledgeable in myriad spells―ranging from minor ones like controlling water to clean courtyards and expel mice and cockroaches from the house to major ones such as calling storms and lightning. They were masters of both righteous and evil spells, and their knowledge of various places and myriad medicinal herbs was also vast and boundless.

Compared to them, Shi Feiyang seemed somewhat of a "newbie", but his understanding of the Three Emperors True Path was something they could not match. After exchanging views, both sides considered each other as treasure troves, constantly discovering more valuable insights, which were ceaselessly emerging to enlighten them.

Shi Feiyang ended up staying with them for over three months. One day, Deng Bagu returned from the north, bringing with her Xiong Man, Yuan Hua, Lin Han, and two little monkeys Yuan Hua had raised. Shi Feiyang introduced them to the Ling Hun couple.

Ling Hun and Cui Wugu were quite surprised, "Is this the famed female calamity god Deng Bagu of the past?"

Deng Bagu respectfully said, "The disciple has been enlightened by the master and has entered under the master's tutelage."

The female calamity god, Jade Rakshasa, Ugly Demon King, Evil Mute, Dusting Old Nun... All were well-known figures of the Western Demon Cult in the past. Though not directly from the Poison Dragon Venerable's lineage, the emergence of so many experts, unbridled and unruly, had stirred up a century's worth of tumultuous changes.

Deng Bagu had entered the path during the Southern Song, and the Ling Hun couple during the Northern Song, so they couldn't really be considered contemporaries, but the couple didn't underestimate her. Although Shi Feiyang had somewhat attained the appearance of a high Daoist master in their hearts, he still wasn't quite on the same level as the Buddhist divine nun Master You Tan. It was understandable that the Jade Rakshasa would enter under Master You Tan, but considering Deng Bagu's even more proud character, it was unexpected that she would join under Shi Feiyang.

Another person who shocked them was Xiong Man, Grandmother Jin Luo Ziyuan, who was also dominant across the world during the Northern Song. The Ling Hun couple was familiar with her, and they had also heard of Xiao Shimei, Yuan Shi's previous incarnation and knew about her current life reincarnation and becoming a disciple under Master Yin Kong.

Xiong Man, following the arrangement of Master Yin Kong, was supposed to marry and have children in the mortal world, yet she appeared here.

Ling Hun and his wife exchanged a glance, quietly marveling in their hearts, "Shi Feiyang intends to defy fate itself!"

Deng Bagu ignored what they were feeling and reported to Shi Feiyang about her work.

Before arriving in Chengdu, Shi Feiyang had assigned Deng Bagu a task, "I have a friend, a prince from the Zhu imperial family named Zhu Zaiyu. I will soon be leaving for Antarctica, and I am quite concerned about him. We had an agreement to explore the ancient Dao together. Please go to Taihang Mountain for me; there lies a place called Three-Step Cliff, where the Immortal Mansion of Lv Zu from olden days is concealed, and within it, you'll find two volumes of Dan Books and two Sword Techniques. The Dan Books are divided into inner and outer elixirs, and the Sword Techniques into Heart Sword and Yi Sword. There is also a bottle of Elixir and two Demon Refining Treasure Swords.

Having pondered thoroughly these past days, I have an approximate idea. Go find that Immortal Mansion, retrieve the treasures, and clear it out. Then go to Huaiqing Prefecture and consult my friend Zhu, who already harbors a desire to leave secular life. You may take him to the Immortal Mansion for secluded cultivation. If he wishes to bring his children and grandchildren, help them relocate. By the time you give him the Flying Sword, Daoist Books, and Elixirs left by Lv Zu, and also a secret scroll written in Tadpole Script from me, tell him to take good care of himself until we meet again."

Following Shi Feiyang's instructions, Deng Bagu flew to Taihang Mountain, smoothly located Lv Zu's old residence, uncovered the Immortal Mansion, and found a Jade Box. Using the Nine Heavens Yuan Yang Ruler, she emitted the Pure Yang Immortal Fire to open it, indeed finding the Daoist Books and Flying Sword just as Shi Feiyang had described.

Then she went to find Zhu Zaiyu, relocated his entire family to the Hidden Virtue Immortal Mansion, completed all arrangements, and proceeded to Immortal Mountain's Virtual Peak where she encountered Xiong Man and others, revealed her identity, and mentioned that her master was heading to the South Sea and wouldn't return for at least ten years. She asked on behalf of her master if they wanted to go with him.

Xiong Man and Yuan Hua naturally agreed to follow Shi Feiyang, and after confirming she was the newly accepted disciple of their master, they all decided to come along. Deng Bagu, following Shi Feiyang's previous advice, also sent Lin Han home to bid farewell to his parents.

Finally, she led several people back to the Great Snow Mountain to report back to Shi Feiyang.

Shi Feiyang, seeing that she had handled everything smoothly and perfectly, was quite pleased and then bid farewell to the Ling Huns, "Soon, I will establish a new residence in the South Sea. Should you ever find your way to the Bright Realm, please be my guest there, and allow me to offer the modest hospitality of the host."

Ling Hun, rather regretfully, said, "Fellow Daoist practices the True Path of the Three Emperors. If you wish to pass on your teachings and establish a sect, why venture into the wilds? Here in Central Earth, a land of outstanding people and spirits, you could select disciples with excellent immortal roots and bones. In less than a hundred years, you could establish a great Immortal Sect."

Shi Feiyang smiled and lightly shook his head, offering no extensive explanation. He instructed his disciples to stand in one place, and with a wave of his sleeve, a white cloud rose from the ground, lifting everyone and quickly departing from the Great Snow Mountain.

After a short flight, the white cloud slowly descended in a verdant, water-surrounded landscape.

Lin Han looked around and asked, "Master, have we now reached the Southern Pole Bright Realm?"

Deng Bagu laughed and said, "Not yet, this is Mangcang Mountain."

Shi Feiyang said, "There's still one thing I need to do; don't hurry your hearts. If your Dao heart is with you, you can cultivate no matter where you are."

This time, instead of carving out caves, he cut down trees with his sword and built several small wooden cottages, his being the largest with one bright room and two darker rooms, while the rest were small single-room cottages. Yuan Hua, along with two little monkeys, built their cottages in the trees.

Everyone spent their days practicing swordsmanship and cultivation methods joyously and diligently in the woods.

Deng Bagu was keen to start refining the Snow Soul Pearl, but Shi Feiyang stopped her, "The time is not yet ripe; let's wait a few more months."

Thus, the group spent over three months cultivating in the woods.

One clear morning, Lin Han, fighting playfully with two little monkeys, managed a two-against-one bout that was exhilarating and spirited. Suddenly, he saw a ray of light rising from the peak of a mountain to the south, enshrouding a young girl, slowly ascending. Intrigued, Lin Han quickly sheathed his sword light as he felt several senior brothers, sisters, and even his master come out. Pointing, he said, "Master, look how slowly that person is flying."

Deng Bagu explained, "That is a Primordial Spirit who has achieved the Dao, now ascending to the Spiritual Space Sky Realm!"

Lin Han's eyes widened, "So this is a Heavenly Immortal ascending! But why is she ascending so slowly? She's not even as fast as the sun in the east."

Deng Bagu explained further, "Her ascendancy is quite forced, having left her body not long ago, and her cultivation level barely touches the threshold of ascension. She hasn't accumulated enough outer skills, making her particularly vulnerable at this moment. If met with evil, she would have virtually no ability to retaliate. It is truly surprising that such a Heavenly Immortal ascending does not have even a single protector around her."

Hearing this, Lin Han couldn't help but worry for the young girl and turned back to plead with Shi Feiyang, "Master, let's go and protect her, helping her ascend."

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