Apprentice in Place of Master, Plum Mountain Seven Righteous Enter Jie Sect, Nine Breaths to Absorb Qi, White Rainbow Piercing the Sun!

Boom!

Clouds churned, the heavens shook!

A massive black mastiff came stomping through the clouds on black mist, murderous aura billowing. It opened a mouth vast enough to swallow the moon and unleashed a divine ability, devouring clouds and spitting mist—utterly fearsome and boundless in power!

"..." Qingyuan broke out in a cold sweat.

Yuan Hong, Jin Dasheng, and the other Six Demon Immortals quickly flew up to block him.

"Big Brother, stop! This one is an honored guest!!"

"Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding! Big Brother, halt at once, and let your younger brother explain in detail..."

As the six went forward to clarify.

Dai Li also withdrew his dharma manifestation and respectfully cupped his hands toward Qingyuan. "This wild-cultivated rogue cultivator, Dai Li, pays respects to the Senior Disciple Brother of the Jie Sect!"

"Daoist friend, no need for such grand courtesy. Please, rise!"

Qingyuan smiled and helped Dai Li to his feet.

This Dai Li was no ordinary being.

He was an Innate Divine Mastiff, having cultivated a dog's treasure pearl that could wound and kill men, and his saber arts were no slouch either. During the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, wanting to avenge his brother Zhu Zizhen, he furiously answered the Shang dynasty's recruitment summons, joined the army to oppose the Chan Sect, fought Nezha into retreat, and even exchanged dozens of rounds with Yang Jian. Later, he was enfeoffed as the 'Barren Star Lord.'

One was Yuan Hong, who fought the Erlang Divine Sage True Lord to a standstill.

The other was Dai Li, who forced Nezha back.

In this little Plum Mountain.

For these two hidden dragons and crouching phoenixes to appear—truly extraordinary!

"I have heard from my brothers. This was indeed our recklessness. I beg the honored immortal to calm his anger!"

Dai Li still bowed once more.

As the eldest brother of the Six Demon Immortals.

He was not only high in cultivation but also well-versed in worldly affairs, always sheltering his six younger brothers as they cultivated on Plum Mountain, never courting trouble.

This Jie Sect master said he wasn't angry.

But did that really mean he wasn't angry?

The proper courtesies had to be fulfilled!

"Daoist friend, rest assured. I truly haven't taken this small matter to heart. Besides, aren't we old friends after a fight? Hahahaha!"

With Qingyuan's hearty laughter.

The demon immortals all burst into laughter as well.

Dai Li said gratefully, "I heard from my second brother that he has bowed at your feet and joined the Jie Sect. This is his fortune. I hope from now on, Daoist friend will take good care of my second brother. If ever you have a command, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

"Please, Senior, take good care of our Second Brother!"

"Second Brother, take care!"

The six demon immortals of Plum Mountain chatted and laughed with Yuan Hong.

But tears swirled in their eyes.

Years of brotherly bonds made them deeply reluctant to part.

"Why are you all sniveling and weeping like this, lacking all manly spirit?" Qingyuan found it somewhat amusing to see them like this.

"Our brotherhood runs deep. Parting today, who knows when we'll meet again—that stirred some sorrow. Please forgive my embarrassment, Daoist friend."

Dai Li wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.

And explained with some shame.

"Parting? Why part? Could it be that you gentlemen are unwilling to join the Jie Sect together?"

Qingyuan shook his head in surprise and sighed. "I thought you seven brothers would go everywhere together. I didn't expect you'd be separating now?"

At these words.

The seven demon immortals were first stunned.

Then their faces lit up with joy, hardly daring to believe it. "Daoist friend, can we also join the Jie Sect?"

"Senior, we... we are merely minor demon immortals, with no roots or background. Will the Jie Sect accept us too?"

"Hahahahahahaha! My master, Sect Master Tongtian, opens a thread of opportunity for all living beings. He teaches without discrimination and accepts disciples widely. Anyone with a sincere heart for the Dao may join the Jie Sect. You gentlemen, though cultivating in seclusion on Plum Mountain, are men of single-minded Dao pursuit. Could it be you do not wish to join the Jie Sect, hear the Saint's great Dao, and seek transcendence?"

Qingyuan gazed at them with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Dai Li signaled his brothers to kneel together.

He said to Qingyuan, "We wish to bow into the Jie Sect. We beg Senior to accept us."

"Today, I shall accept disciples on behalf of my master, temporarily taking you all as Registered Disciples of the Jie Sect. If fate allows in the future, you may become outer disciples."

Qingyuan immediately bowed in the direction of Kunlun Mountains to the east, speaking with reverence: "Master above, your disciple Qingyuan has today encountered six like-minded aspirants on Plum Mountain who are devoted to the Dao. On your behalf, I accept them as disciples—I beg your permission!"

"Granted~"

A majestic voice echoed through Plum Mountain.

Heaven's might was vast, the saint's authority rolled forth.

It filled Dai Li and the Demon Immortals with inner awe. They knelt reverently, kowtowed nine times, and after solemnly prostrating, shouted 'We pay respects to the Master' before rising.

"You may rise."

Qingyuan's expression turned stern: "Though you are now registered disciples of the Jie Sect and may listen to the saint's lectures on Kunlun Mountain, you must never use the saint's name to commit evil outside or bring chaos to the mortal world. If I learn of anyone doing wrong or acting viciously, don't blame me for turning ruthless!"

"We will remember Senior Disciple Brother's teachings!"

Dai Li and the six demons were both delighted and fearful, quickly giving their pledge.

Qingyuan nodded and smiled: "All you junior brothers, please rise!"

"Today, on the master's behalf, I accept disciples and also bestow some treasures in his name."

Then.

Qingyuan gifted each of the six demon immortals the Sun Moon Mountains and Rivers Twin Sabers, the Horse-Slaying Saber, the Frost Sword, the Precious Wu Gou, the Serpent Spear, and the Sky-Painting Halberd—all uniformly low-grade Houtian Spiritual Treasures.

Their grade was not high, but their killing power was not lacking.

Far superior to the crude, poorly made magic tools the six demon immortals had crafted themselves.

After that.

He also gave them some pills he had refined himself. Though not high in grade, they were all very practical for True Immortals and Early Profound Immortals—nourishing the Primordial Spirit, replenishing the physical body, and enhancing cultivation with ease.

The group fondled their treasures, overjoyed.

But Dai Li slapped the backs of the heads of Jin Dasheng and Zhu Zizhen, who stood close by, and scolded: "Why haven't you thanked Senior Disciple Brother properly?"

As the Leader of the Plum Mountain Seven Righteous.

He had seen much of the world and understood social graces.

He knew that mere registered disciples could never obtain treasures bestowed by a saint.

These gifts were surely paid out of Senior Disciple Brother's own pocket.

With such favor and regard, how could they not offer a proper thanks?

Then.

The six bowed deeply once more.

Yuan Hong, standing nearby, was overjoyed: "Brothers, from now on we can cultivate together again!"

"Once we reach the Jie Sect, we must train hard and not disgrace Senior Disciple Brother's honor!"

Dai Li nodded seriously.

Then they began packing their belongings.

The seven demon immortals quickly returned to their respective cave dwellings to gather their things, and before long they came out to assemble, also bringing along familiar spirits from Plum Mountain—such as Gao Ming and Gao Jue, the two tree demons, and a Stone Giant who had gained sentience.

Dai Li stroked a plum tree, somewhat wistful: "After living here for so many years, I never thought there would come a day I'd leave. I wonder, after departing today, when I'll next taste the plum wine and plum blossom fragrance of home—what year, what month will that be?"

Yuan Hong, Jin Dasheng, and the others were also deeply sorrowful.

But Qingyuan burst into laughter once more.

"Nostalgic for home? Since you're all leaving, why not take your homeland along to Kunlun Mountain?"

"Senior Disciple Brother jokes. I'm only a Profound Immortal—I don't possess such vast divine abilities."

Dai Li shook his head bitterly.

He was merely an Early Profound Immortal.

Even if he had the strength to move mountains.

Kunlun Mountain was countless billions of miles away from here—how far could he possibly carry it?

"Watch my skill."

Qingyuan produced a purple-black spiritual treasure gourd.

He pulled out the stopper.

Chanting a short incantation, he aimed it at Plum Mountain before him. In an instant, a purple light enveloped the mountain, shrinking it bit by bit and drawing it into the gourd.

All that remained was a bare, empty patch of ground.

This technique left the Seven Righteous staring in shock, exclaiming at Senior Disciple Brother's vast divine powers.

Little did they know.

Qingyuan had never actually cultivated Space Law either; he had merely borrowed the internal space of the Nine-Nine Chaos Divine Firmament Spiritual Treasure Gourd to successfully store Plum Mountain away.

Seeing that joining the Jie Sect also meant they could move their home.

The sorrow of the Plum Mountain Seven Righteous vanished. Cheerfully, they followed behind Qingyuan, asking about where they were headed.

"I am going to Wuyi Mountain to seek a certain opportunity. You will all follow me there, and afterward we shall return together to Kunlun Mountains."

Qingyuan pinched the clouds.

Carrying the group, they chatted and laughed as they advanced toward the Wuyi Mountain he sensed.

In secret, however, he checked and claimed the benefits the system had issued afterward.

[Yin-Yang Bagua Staff Rhyme: Contains the Yin-Yang Great Dao staff technique, can be integrated into the Four Pole Techniques of Earth, Water, Fire, Wind to supplement the staff path's laws!]

[Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique Essence: Contains cultivation experience and attainments in the Mysterious Technique, can deepen the state of mind or enhance enlightenment of divine abilities. Now enlightened with the divine ability 'Nine Breaths to Absorb Qi'!! (Nine Breaths to Absorb Qi: Inhale and exhale the Qi of the Primordial Wilderness universe, can transform all Qi of heaven and earth into Dharma power, can sit in meditation to regulate breath and instantly recover Dharma power!)]

[White Rainbow Piercing the Sun: Escape technique, transforms into a rainbow light that can break through great formations, spells, and magical treasure attacks! Transform into a rainbow and instantly flee a hundred thousand li!]

[Universe Wish Jade Weapon: Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, contains the laws of the universe, size according to will as the heart moves, the weapon reverses Yin and Yang, overturns heaven and earth, indestructible!]

In an instant.

Qingyuan felt his strength surge once more.

His heart was delighted.

The divine ability Nine Breaths to Absorb Qi was of great use.

When dueling with others and both sides' Dharma power was exhausted, one Nine Breaths to Absorb Qi could instantly restore his Dharma power.

Then, continuing the fight, victory and defeat would be decided.

What's more, he had also obtained divine abilities like White Rainbow Piercing the Sun, Subdue Dragon Subdue Tiger, and Vajra Indestructible.

Even though his Mysterious Technique had only been cultivated to the Mid-stage Profound Immortal level.

With such enhancements, he could likely fight on par with an ordinary Golden Immortal without falling behind!

Time flew like a shuttle, a white horse passing a gap.

Qingyuan and his group traveled across the Primordial Wilderness for several hundred years, heading toward Wuyi Mountain.

During this time, they witnessed the human race struggling to survive in the cracks among the myriad clans of the Primordial Wilderness, saw the friction between the Witch-Demon Two Clans intensify, and gradually drew closer to Wuyi Mountain.

Unexpectedly.

Along the way.

An incident occurred.